The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday
(...skip this part if you're not new here...)

The Splendid Sampler™ is an internet sew-a-long created by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson. It is an EPIC sew along...

• 83 fabric designers have created specific blocks that feature different quilting techniques. (paper piecing, fused applique, etc.).
• The blocks will be released each week, and are FREE to participants until March 2017. (at that time, they'll use the designs to publish a book).
• You can use whatever fabric you like.
• There will be pictures on their Facebook page, etc.

The new block designs come out twice a week....on Sunday morning and Thursday morning. I'm doing this with my TMBC...and, therefore, it is my pleasure to BLOG ABOUT IT every Wednesday. *******************

Tuesday is SUCH A SPECIAL DAY. Of course, because of TMBC. Which, to review, stands for "Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club". The B could also stand for books (we all enjoy reading) or blocks (now we all enjoy making the blocks for the Splendid Sampler™.

Mostly, we just enjoy each others company...so there is always a LOT TO TALK ABOUT. And we occasionally take a day trip...

During Jackie's recent visit, we spent the day in Clinton -- and found some treasure at the wonderful Deja Vu resale tore. Note the abstract wire art? THAT'S FOR ME...

When the other girls are doing blocks, I am sometimes doing my Franken-Sewing....and it usually involves a zebra print and some t-shirt fringe...

This is a bad mirror-picture...but you get the idea.

LP was cleaning out her stash, and I got a 3 yd piece of plaid flannel!!  WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE FARRO FAMILY PLAID.  John and the boys all have robes made from this plaid.  Now i get to make one for Warren, too...

LK got a crinkle cotton -- to test out her new caftan pattern. 

LP with her doubles.  SHE COULDN'T STOP NOW IF YOU PAID HER!!

I made both blocks this week!! Still loving Mary Mulari's fabric...

I was pretty darn proud of myself...

Sandy always makes both blocks...

As we progress with our SS blocks, I am becoming even more determined to do a Quilt As You Go finish for my quilt. But I am at this point, still befuddled. Flummoxed. Yep...that's the word I'm looking for.

You Tube hasn't been the big help I'd hoped...any suggestions, people??

HOW DO YOU DO IT??

Sewing and Friends

Earlier in the summer, I blogged about the day we spent with my friend Sue -- delivering her under- the-counter-curtains for her new "potting shed".  The kids had a wonderful time on Sue's Century farm -- riding on the Gator, feeding fish in the pond...It was one of those GREAT days.

On this day, Warren and I stopped by to see how the curtains look -- INSTALLED.

 This tree is 100 years old.  See the adorable potting shed in the background?

Warren thought this little house was made just for him...he was EAGER to go inside.

And the curtains looked fantastic!!

They are perfect for hiding all that potting-shed-paraphernalia.

Sue has decorated every inch of her little shed...

Sue had to show Warren what was living back there.

Warren touched everything....

And there was so much to see!!

This is a close-up of the fabric Sue picked out.  It lived in the trunk of my car, then in my basement...for TWO YEARS...!! (remember that trip Anne?)

GREAT JOB, SUE. I love it, love it, love it...

Smart Phone Update:

I wrote this blog post on August 19, 2014.  I was determined....but when  gave up my smartphone, my friends were not convinced.  They were taking bets.  BUT IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS now -- and I have to tell you -- I don't miss it.  Not even a little bit.

*******************

The other day, I left home without my cell phone. It was a 15 minute drive back to my house. But, with no hesitation at all -- I turned my car around. I could not bear the thought of NOT having my phone with me for even a few hours. (Even though I did not make or receive a single phone call that day)....

That night, I realized what a hypocrite I've become. I am quick to criticize the young parents I see EVERYWHERE I GO -- who are on their phones while their children are playing in the park, taking a dance class, eating at McDonald's, or going to a play. There is absolutely no conversation between the parent and the child...because the parent is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, glued to their cellphone...if there is any interaction at all -- it is the parent, showing the child a video or a game on their cellphone.

I am constantly asking, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE? They are so addicted to their stupid cellphones, they'd rather play a pointless game or view random pictures on Facebook posted by people they don't even know than spend actual time with their own child?"

And don't even talk to me about smart phones in restaurants!! Read this article to see how really obnoxious we have become...

I've had a smart phone for a long time. I've gone through two Blackberrys, a Samsung and two Motorolas. I get email on my phone, read the New York Times, get Joann Fabric coupons, use it as a flashlight, check in with the airline, make restaurant reservations, look up movie times -- and every Saturday, I use the navigation to find garage sales. I adore Google Maps....and, of course I check Facebook whenever I am in a stall in a public restroom...(c'mon, be honest -- YOU DO, TOO!)

Oh, yeah...I love it, love it, love it.

But I've decided the cost outweighs the benefit. It's not about the money (altho it has gotten VERY expensive). It's about the behavior. The addiction. The fact that I couldn't be away from it for two hours....and I cannot remember what I used to do in the Lady's Room PSP -- (Pre Smart Phone) ....The fact that I find myself posting nonsense on my Facebook page...telling my "friends" where I'm at or what I'm dong. LIKE THEY GIVE A SHIT!! Of course, the reality is that I have never met most of my Facebook "friends".   Well -- I could go on and on about this.

So here's where I'm at. I have decided to STOP TAKING PICTURES of food -- and get back to EATING WHILE IT'S HOT. I'm going to focus on REAL conversations with REAL people I actually know and like.

Life is about change...and I'm FINE WITH THAT. But that means -- every now and then, a person must consider the pros and cons of their own behavior and do an honest reassessment.

After doing that, I had to admit I am addicted to my smart phone. And it is getting in the way of my ACTUAL life. I am going to reject that behavior, and move back into the PRESENT...be in the MOMENT... I'm giving up 24 hour access to my Facebook friends (again, people I have actually NEVER met) posting pictures of their perfect pretend lives. I'm also going to limit the time I spend on Pinterest -- looking at pictures of food people never actually cook, books they don't actually read and 10,000 pallet project ideas nobody is ever going to make...

Obviously, smart phones are here to stay, and I can't change other people. But I am old enough to remember what a REAL LIFE feels like -- and I know what this smart phone addiction is costing me.

The sad thing is that our children -- today's young parents -- don't know what they're missing...

And their children?? Our grandchildren?

They never had a chance...

Random Summer Pictures

As I was looking for a specific picture (still looking) -- I saw dozens of pictures from this summer.  It was SUCH A GREAT SUMMER...

Lilly jumping rope -- with a rope she made herself at Pioneer Days.

We ate many, many meals on the porch...watching hummingbirds.

Lilly wrote a lot of things down in her journal.

One of the BIG EVENTS this summer was Parker's graduation. Ronda, daughter Nicole, and me -- at his party.

Ronda made a ragged edge quilt for both Parker and his girlfriend Ally. OF COURSE!!

I went to my normal number of auctions...and regret NOT buying this treasure. Awesome, eh??

There are people in my life, who I love, with the last name "Parrot". Lucky for them -- I missed bidding on this treasure...

My Grandmother's house is being flipped. FINALLY. it's been empty for years...

These two kids share better than most. THANK YOU, Lilly and Warren. For giving me an excuse to eat at Steak and Shake once a week (shakes are half price from 2-5)

Sue and I went to some estate sales -- this one was where I bought the INCREDIBLE linen sheets. Which I am still finding uses for. SEW MUCH FUN...

My summer pedicure is spectacular!!

One of the best murals in Rock Island, Illinois.

Man, it gets hot here...100 degrees with 90% humidity. LOTS of games with the garden hose.

So, now it's September. The kids are back in school, and the wonderful summer of 2016 is history. John is digging potatoes...

Holy Cow!!  It's FALL!!  MY FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR...

YES TO FRIED POTATOES in an iron skillet!!

Northern Lights Music Festival

If you are wishing you could attend the Northern Lights Music Festival -- I want to say this. Most likely -- you have something like this happening in your own area -- or not far from where you live.

There is a Shakespeare Festival every year in Winona, Minnesota. Iowa City has a kick-ass Writer's Workshop every summer. Sparta, Wisconsin puts on a Cranberry Festival.

Many colleges and universities ALL OVER THE COUNTRY put on summer programs for seniors, or have theater workshops for high school students.

Well, you get the idea. SUPPORT THESE EVENTS. Embrace the entertainment and hard work that went into planning these events. Attend the concerts -- bring your friends -- brag them up.

We will ALL BE THE BETTER FOR it...

Doug and Mary have a Cabin??

Pat and I have JUST ONE DAY in Aurora, Minnesota...and, believe me, WE MADE THE MOST OF IT!!

After breakfast at Giant's Ridge -- we were off to the cabin on the lake.

This is where Doug spent his summers when he was a kid.

The summer cabin-on-the-lake is a Minnesota way of life.

Lake Vermillion is a stunner, that's for sure.

 I loved the charming interior.

And the relaxing back yard.

The classic knotty pine walls....

Two bedrooms with quilts, OF COURSE...

A big picture window, with a view of the lake.

And what's that I see? IS THAT A BOAT???

The Splendid Sampler™

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday
(...skip this part if you're not new here...)

The Splendid Sampler™ is an internet sew-a-long created by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson. It is an EPIC sew along...

• 83 fabric designers have created specific blocks that feature different quilting techniques. (paper piecing, fused applique, etc.).
• The blocks will be released each week, and are FREE to participants until March 2017. (at that time, they'll use the designs to publish a book).
• You can use whatever fabric you like.
• There will be pictures on their Facebook page, etc.

The new block designs come out twice a week....on Sunday morning and Thursday morning. I'm doing this with my TMBC...and, therefore, it is my pleasure to BLOG ABOUT IT every Wednesday. *******************

I don't have to tell you how terrific our Tuesdays are.  We get together every Tuesday morning, WITHOUT FAIL...come rain or shine, we hook up...We do the download, we share our lives, we lament, we laugh...sometimes -- we take Day Trips!!

Which is what happened on this particular Tuesday.  We went a little North -- to Clinton, Iowa...

An original member, Jackie, was home from North Carolina...and Sharalan (who mostly lives in a luxury camper nowadays) was also here for our Day Trippin...

Jackie actually HAD BLOCKS to share -- from our recent Princeton Featherweight Workshop

Turns out, LP is a great teacher!!

Sandy was inspired by the little house block -- and made a block representing Sharalan's new camper life!

LP was, as always, the first to complete a challenge.  Remember the embroidered panels from my sister Deb? Yep -- it's already been turned into a cover for LP's Featherweight!

AND -- then, she took the Lilly panel challenge -- and made a new pad for her FW as well...

THEN -- like she hasn't been doing enough showing off for one day -- SHE ACTUALLY MADE BLOCKS DEPICTING HER TWIN DAUGHTER'S HOMES...

Really...it's too much. This definitely deserves a blog post of it's own!!