Sunday Secrets: Dec 23, 2007

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an amazing sociological experiment. Here are last week's secrets that resonate with me:

When I was in high school, I had a boyfriend that drove a convertible. He used to spit while going down the freeway. He'd hock a lugie and spit UP over his head so the spit wad would pass over his car and onto the windshield of the car behind him. Ewwwwwww. Gross!

Ahh! The essence of a fantasy life!

About once or twice each year, I feel just this way. Run away. Run away. Find my true home.

Sunday Secrets: Dec 16, 2007

My blogging has slowed considerably this month. I hope to be writing and posting photos on a more regular basis after the holiday season. I am, however, still checking in on PostSecret every week. Just love that site!

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an amazing sociological experiment. Here are last week's secrets that resonate with me:

I have a good friend that loves and raises dogs. BIG dogs. Wolf hounds ... along with other assorted mutts. She is a rebel hippy at heart, now reaching into her "mature" years. But she still talks and thinks just like the sentiment on this postcard. A rebel to the heart. I just love her.


Oh! This is where I'm trying to get! To grow out of the skin of the little girl, and become the woman I can be!

My skin is not shedding yet. But I do feel like it's beginning to get too small for my soul.


One of my sisters does not celebrate Christmas ... for lots of reasons. It would be easy for all of us to no longer like this time of year. Our mom died just three days after Christmas. That was ten years ago.

For me it's the opposite. I LOVE the Christmas season BECAUSE of my mom. She was the one that took us to see the decorated department store windows in the big city. She was the one that took us to that magical street full of Christmas lights. She was the one that kept us out of the back bedroom because is was full of Christmas secrets ... Santa's workshop. She was the one that taught me to make Christmas cookies from the family recipes. She planted the seeds of Christmas traditions that I carry out.

This year, I'm not quite ready for Christmas. It was a tumultuous year for me. My insides are still a bit jumbled. My actions are not quite focused. But I'm preparing the best I'm able, and am looking forward to the celebration this week.

WIP: Dale's Ornament

I finished the stitching on this ornament for my husband, Dale.

It's part of an ornament pattern from the 2006 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. I had originally planned to stitch the entire ornament, but it was just too big -- more like a door knocker size than an ornament. My husband liked it this way better, anyway.

Just one more ornaments to stitch before Christmas! Mine.

Then I'll do the finished work on all six.

Eh

I'm still around ... just haven't been taking photos, finishing a lot of needlework or posting much.

Christmas season, you know.

This morning I was boppin' around in MySpace. I found this on Amy's page ... a friend of Jodie's.

It seems to more-or-less exhibit my state of mind this morning.
:)

Sunday Secrets: Dec 09, 2007

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an amazing sociological experiment. Here are the new secrets that resonate with me:
I have very vivid dreams. I often dream of my childhood home and the people that peppered my life at the time. Yes. I often do miss those folks that I meet up with again when I'm asleep.

I did.
And he did.
We took the help offered.
And we're fixing the problem.

WIP: Mathew's Ornament

I finished the stitching on this ornament for my new son-in-law, Mathew. He and my daughter met at band camp and now live in the Denver area. That's why they get the musical snowmen.

This is stitched on perforated plastic, to the finishing work ought to be pretty simple.

Two more ornaments to go!

Book Review: The Ersatz Elevator

Here's the 6th book in the Series of Unfortunate Events.

These books crack me up! Love the dry humor and the emphasis on vocabulary.

Oh, those poor orphans! Never a happy day in their little lives!

You can read my entire book review in my Bookshelf.

WIP: Jeanne and Julie's Ornaments

I've not posted much on my blog this week. Had a wonderful trip for my birthday, and am still digging out from e-mail and tasks around the house.

But in addition to getting things back in order around here, I've done a bit o' stitching.

The little penguin will be Julie's ornament this year. The snowman playing the French horn will be Jeanne's.

Only the stitching is complete so far. I'll post more images when the finishing work is done.

Sunday Secrets: Dec 02, 2007

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an amazing sociological experiment. Here are the new secrets that resonate with me:

After my folks died and I was put in charge of their estate, a lot of bad feelings flew around between the siblings. I had the responsibility of making some tough decisions ... some of which were unpopular. I became the estranged one at that point. And yes, sometimes I do feel this healthier and happier. Other times, I just miss the closeness I used to have with my siblings.

He told me not to "kiss and tell." He told me I should not write what happened in my diary. I know this because I read that old journal again this year. Seeing his words enraged me. I've been telling the story since then. I confronted him last summer.

But I was still scared.

Day 514: Winter Begins

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, First Dusting

It's flying in late this year. It arrived tonight. Our first snowfall has reached the valley floor.

It was only a light dusting when I went out on our deck to be a part of the magic. So pristine, my shoes made a clear imprint in the crystals.

It's pretty like this. But it's only the beginning. The forecast is for 4 - 7 inches by morning. That ought to make for some interesting traveling weather as my husband and I head across state to celebrate my birthday.

It's like being on a ship and getting your sea legs. Northwest drivers lose their minds during the year and forget how to drive in the snow. Takes the first week of sliding around in the slick stuff to get steady on the road again.

Day 513: Color My World

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Pencil Bouquet

When I stitch, I usually make a working copy of the chart and mark it off as I go in colored pencil. I have a soup can filled with lots of colored pencils sitting next to my "stitching nest" in our TV room.

Looks like a yummy bouquet of possibilities to me!

Blog Addiction

I usually don't succumb to memes ...

60%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

But this little test intrigued me so I had to go check it out.
:)

WIP: Jodie's Ornament

Each year I like to make a special Christmas ornament for each member of my immediate family. Sometimes they are "crafty." Other times they are stitched.

This year I'll be stitching ornaments. This is an Ursula Michael design that I stitched up for my youngest daughter, Jodie. The stitching is done. I'll post another photo when I get to the finishing work so that it's ready to hang on the tree.

Sunday Secrets: Nov 25, 2007

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an amazing sociological experiment. Here are the new secrets that resonate with me:


When I moved to Lewiston, Idaho 27 years ago, I lived on a street lined with oak trees. The street went from the front of my apartment to the back side of the college I attended. That first semester was extremely lonely since I didn't know anyone and was unfamiliar with the area.

But late in the fall, the oak leaves fell leaving piles and piles of leaves on the street. I had the best time rustling through the leaves all the way home from school each day! It made me feel alive.

Last week I was in Lewiston to visit my favorite college English professor. After our lunch together, I drove down to Normal Hill to roam my old neighborhood. I drove along the street I used to walk down. The leaves were piled high. I was sorely tempted to jump out of the car and rustle through them once more.

I'll be 50 years old this week, too.

Thanksgiving was just a few days ago. It was SO GREAT to celebrate the day with just the four of us ... and my oldest daughter on the phone. Relaxing. Enjoyable. No extended family to appease or contend with.

Day 512: A First Attempt

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Makiki

It's getting late. I was at a loss of what photo to post today. So I wondered into my daughter's [messy] room and started snappin' shots of this and that.

In peeking behind the curtains that cover her shelves, I found her stash of stuffed animals.

Little Makiki caught my eye.

A few years back, my oldest daughter, Jeanne, got on a kick of making stuffed animals and beaded animals. She called them Jeannie Babies.

My youngest daughter, Jodie, liked the idea. She wanted to make a special gift for one of her online friends. This little cat was her first attempt.

Jodie wasn't sure it cut the muster for sending to her friend Maki. But I think it's a cute and motley little fella, and an excellent first attempt at hand sewing.

Day 511: Frost Shadows

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Frosty Morning

Snow is predicted for this coming weekend. In the mean time, we've had a lot of hard frosts during the nights.

Yesterday morning, there was a layer of frost on the neighbor's roof. The car windows needed scraping. And the air was so cold that you could feel the ice crystals form on your eyelashes and nose hairs.

As the sun rose through the nippy air, the frost on the back deck melted, leaving the deck wet and slick. But where the shadows of the railing fell, the the white crust of frost remained.

Day 510: Happy Thanksgiving!

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, We've Got Game

We're having a very nice relaxing day today. We're celebrating in a small way. Just my husband, my two youngest daughters and me.

We've had phone calls with our best friends and our eldest daughter. We've eaten lots of veggies for snacks. We worked together to make a very simple turkey dinner starting with a special blessing cup prayer and ending with warm cherry pie for dessert.

We've watched a Harry Potter movie and the Top Chef marathon. And we played a game of Scrabble.

Julie is now off to a movie with her friend. Dale is sleeping off the turkey. Jodie and I are catching up on some computer time.

Later? Karaoke! And, yes. We'll even watch some Tivo'd programs. I'll likely throw in a bit of stitching, too.

I'm thankful for my little family and the ease of this day. I'm thankful for being a Thanksgiving baby. I'm thankful for far-away friends and my sister and niece that stay in touch every holiday.

I'm thankful for the freedoms this country offers — like the freedom of self-expression that allows me to share my thoughts through this blog.

Wednesday Secrets: Nov 21, 2007

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I find it to be an amazing sociological experiment. The post cards were uploaded late this week, and I was eagerly anticipating them today. Here are the new secrets that resonate with me:

This fit me to a 'T' when I was in my 20s! Well ... maybe not "more powerful" than God, but I sure did like to tempt the boys with my flirtations. I particularly liked to go after the guys that wore their religion on their sleeves or the ones in the seminary. They were nice guys with good morals. But oh, so human! They usually had very little experience with girls, so I could teach them a thing or two about what they'd be missing if they kept on their current path.

My husband was seriously thinking of becoming a priest when we met.
We've now been married for over 16 years.

One of my hot buttons is folks that think it's their duty to tell me that I'm going to hell because I don't believe the way they do. Those kinds of comments usually get me hopping mad. This week I was given TWO examples of other ways to handle the situation.

My daughter was told this very thing by a kid in her English class. Her disarming response?
"Gee. Thanks so much for sharing that with me."
Then she went on her merry way.

My former college professor says he just busts out laughing when he's damned.
He says that it's usually enough to make the judgmental person so flustered they don't know what to say next.

I need to try one of those approaches. It's no fun getting all riled up by close-minded folks that are sure they have ALL the answers and the ULTIMATE TRUTH in their pocket.


ROFL. This isn't so far from the truth!

Actually, sharing some DVDs and shows we enjoy with one another and laughing together is just a whole lot less stressful than making small talk or listening to the gossip of extended family. I need less stress this holiday. Plus, I get to prepare a menu that fits with our weight loss program.

Besides, we're planning on singing Karaoke on Thanksgiving ... and our extended family would be too self-conscious to get in on that fun. We don't mind making fools of ourselves.

Day 509: Road to Lewiston

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Rest Stop

Don't we have lovely rest stops in Idaho?

This walkway leads from the trucker's parking lot to the restrooms. That's Hwy 95 there on the other side of the bridge.

The ride south was so pretty. The forest was frosted with the new snow. But the roads were relatively free of the icy stuff, so it was an easy drive. Surely, a winter wonderland.

Finishing Techniques: Clean Corners

A question was posed in the needlework finishing group that I lead about how to make nice clean corners on ornaments.

I figured it would be easier to show one process than try to just explain it in words. Click each image for a closer look.






Another way to make corners easier is to not have a 90 degree corner.

Instead, round off the corner so that it's more of a curve than an angle. I sometimes use a small coin or sewing machine bobbin to trace around so that all 4 corners come out with the same curve.


Then you can baste around the perimeter of the ornament and draw up the
fabric ... sort of like what you do when making a fabric yo-yo.

If you look on Step 7 of the directions for my Basic Padded Ornament,
you'll see what I mean. It's not a rectangular ornament that's shown, but
the ornament does have rounded corners on the bottom.

Day 508: First Snow

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Nature Trail

We're in the third week of November, and still no snow has fallen in Post Falls.

The mountains surrounding our valley were dusted with the confection, yet none has fallen on our streets.

Believe me, I'm not complaining. It's just fairly unusual. It's common to have our first snow before Halloween. There are some winters where the snow falls and sticks from mid-November through the end of April! That's enough to drive a California-grown girl a bit nuts.

Today I drove 100 miles south to pick my daughter up from college so she could celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays with us at home. Before I left, she called to warn me that they got snow and it's sticking. I was glad for the report because we haven't gotten around to having our snow tires put on the car.

Turned out to be a pretty nice day for a drive. I started out around 8:30 am, and needed sunglasses to cut the morning glare. By the time I'd driven an hour south, the snow was flying. The wheat and pea and lentil fields of the Palouse were sculpted in white and black. Shadows falling in the furrows of the plowed fields reveal artistically textured landscapes.

This country is gorgeous in every season!

I paused at a rest stop to grab a new stick of gum, stretch my legs, and snap some photos of the first snow of the season. Here's the first.

Day 507: Don't Forget To ...

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Floss Every Day

This is what keeps me sane. Keeps me centered. If I don't get a bit of stitching time in, I can feel the agitation grow.

I highly recommend engaging in a rhythmic activity. Stitching puts me in touch with my heartbeats and my breathing. It slows me down and allows me to spread my creative wings.

Playing with color and fabric and fibers and form allows me to spread my wings and fly, even while sitting in my favorite chair with my legs curled beneath me.

Day 506: Canadians Beware!

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Unwelcome Guests

Ahhhhh! So here's the answer to yesterday's question.

Seems our Canadian birds guests are welcome to swim and wonder around, but not be fed!

Hrumpf!

Some nice neighbors we are!

Guess I'd be lookin' over my shoulder, too, if I encountered a sign like this.

Day 505: I Spy

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,
What You Lookin' At?

Mighty skitterish birds, I'd say.

Wonder why?

Happy Dance: Caterpillar

I finished stitching the last quilt square for charity that I plan to do this year. It's a caterpillar for a Black & White quilt for babies in Germany.

I adapted this pattern from a Gloria & Pat (Precious Moments) design.

You can read more about the details in my Stitcher's Studio in Cameo's Corner.

Feels So Good!

MORE PROGRESS!

If it's Saturday ...

must be Jenny!

I hit another 5 lbs goal!
It's official ... I've now lost 25 pounds since August!

Go Margaret! Go Margaret! Go Margaret! Go Margaret!

Day 504: And Away They Go ...

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,
Quilting 101

OK ... so this is not an exciting image. But it represents one of the best days I've had in months. Give Away Day!

For the last several months, the St. George's Quilters have been working diligently to create as many quilts as possible. We are a group of 20 to 25 women, ranging in age from 49 (me!) to 93 years old. We gather once a week at St. George's church to make quilts.

Our local food bank asked us to donate as many quilts as possible to their cause. They are hoping to give away one warm quilt with each Thanksgiving food basket this year. The need here is great. We were not sure we could fill their request. But then we learned we were the only church group donating quilts to the food bank Thanksgiving baskets this year.

We pulled out all the stops.

We met for an extra two hours each week for the last two months. And in the final two weeks, we met twice a week instead of just once a week. Some of these wonderful women even took stacks of fabric home to sew together on their own time. Others took quilts and yarn home to tie.

Last Wednesday, almost every member of our group was present — even those who have had surgery recently, those whose chronic illnesses have been acting up, and those who are employed came for a few hours.

We sewed and laughed and tied and laughed and checked for stray pins and laughed and ate lunch together and laughed and packaged up the quilts.

Did I mention that we laughed?

By the time the folks from the food bank arrived, our back room was literally stacked with quilts from floor to ceiling!

Photos were taken. The local paper sent a reporter to capture our story. And then the migration began.

We each grabbed some of the packages and made trip after trip out to the empty van.

We completely filled it up!

So this Thanksgiving, 101 families will be a bit better fed and a bit more warm due to the generosity of these wonderful women who I call my friends. They are a prime example of how women working in cooperation can set a goal and move mountains.

In this case, a mountain of quilts.

Day 503: Hot Stuff!

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Pepper Quilt Redux

The journey of this quilt creation continues!

After I finished stitching the Pepper Quilt top together, it moved on to another station at St. George's Quilters. The team chose this great orange fabric for the backing. Isn't it splendid? Really makes those colors pop!

Then the quilt moved on to the gals that tie. They picked this vibrant orange yarn to tie the top, batting and backing together.

In this photo, the yarn is stitched through each intersection. Next, the yarn will be snipped between each intersection and the ends tied into square knots and trimmed.

Soon the completed quilt will be packaged and given to the Food Bank. From there it will be distributed with the Thanksgiving baskets — ready to wrap a family in our love.

Day 502: The Lowering Sun

I added this new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section,
Leaf Shimmer

As I was driving to the post office late yesterday afternoon, I glanced up at the trees over the school yard and found this bit of glory.

The sun was lowering in the southwest sky, but was not yet close enough to the horizon to shift the light into the sunset hues.

Instead, it lit up these two deciduous autumn trees amid the shadows of the surrounding evergreens and neighborhood homes. The leaves danced in the chilly breeze. The setting sun glinted from their yellow and red faces.

Glad I didn't cause an accident by quickly pulling up to the curb! I tried, but I just couldn't get a good angle.

So I drove around the corner, rolled my window down, and snapped a few shots.

Carrying my camera with me at all times is starting to pay off!

Happy Dance: More Preemie Hats

I finished up the last six preemie hats for the year. With these done, I have completed one hat, one bookmark, one ornament and one quilt square per month, all of which are donated to charity.

I need to figure out just what to stitch as a December quilt square, then I'll be done for the year!

There is a bit more information about these preemie hats in my Stitcher's Studio in Cameo's Corner.

Happy Dance: Jodie's Bookmark

My daughter Jodie asked me to stitch a special bookmark for her.

This is the design I chose. It was a freebie chart by Handblessings.

You can read more about it in my Stitcher's Studio in Cameo's Corner.

Charity Sewing: The Pepper Quilt

I finished stitching my 4th quilt top yesterday. This is another double/queen size top. I think the design is splendid. Very graphic! At St. George's, we do our quilts assembly line style. So I didn't pick the fabrics for this, but did do the sewing.


Last week I got to help Pat with layout. We managed to get two figured out before the end of the session. One of the leaders liked the way we worked together — both in the way we related to each other and the fabric combinations we came up with — so at tomorrow's regular meeting, I may get to do more layout with Pat.

Here are close-up images of the four fabrics used in this quilt top.


Very graphic when used together!



I really like the looks of this quilt ... but I'm glad I don't need to find a place to use it in my own home. Not exactly my color pallet!



We've been working overtime to try and get a lot of quilts done. As of Monday at 3pm, we have 61 large quilts and 11 lap quilts completed. We hope to finish up about six more tomorrow.

All of these will go to our local food bank and be distributed with the Thanksgiving baskets. Unfortunately, the food bank needs about 120 quilts and we are the only local church group donating this year. That's why we're pushing so hard to get as many done as possible. The Food Bank will pick up the quilts tomorrow afternoon.

I love being a part of this kind of giving. It wasn't so long ago when I was on the receiving end of this kind of generosity.

(OK, maybe it was ... it was 20 years ago when I was homeless and in desperate need) .