Friday, April 29, 2011

The Art of the Doughnut

Before our trip to New York City, our daughter, Kate, emailed us a places-to-go-things-to-see-yummy-things-to-eat-in- NY-list. Once we arrived, we narrowed it down and organized it all in a spread sheet with each day mapped out.

The map included a stop at the Doughnut Plant.



The donut artwork was as delicious as the doughnuts were tastey.






And the benches and seating continued the theme. (Yes, they sell round and square doughnuts!)















I didn't take any pictures of the REAL donuts. I was too busy eating them!






Make it a Wonderful Day!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Should I Tell You??

Should I tell you about a great give away? Or should I keep it to myself?
Okay, okay... I'll share!
Head over to http://www.littlebluebell.com/ and enter to win a BUNDLE of Denyse Schmidt fabric! And if you win, you'll share with me, right?

What, are you still here? Go now!!



Make it a Wonderful Day!

Chihuly Meets Earth Day

This Chihuly-inspired chandelier was made by students at one of my schools. I think the 6th-grade classes worked on a couple of different pieces, but this is the only one I've seen so far....




It's made from recyled plastic bottles-a lot less fragile than Mr. Chihuly's glass artwork!




Make it a Wonderful Day!




Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Two Sewn Today

I made a couple more baby blankets this morning. I really love the soft flannel, and I can picture a beautiful baby wrapped in each of these...along with my love sent across the miles!


Make it a Wonderful Day!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter!

Have a Wonderful Day!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

One for American Hero

This is going to American Hero Quilts, quilts for the war wounded.


The blocks were made by our quilt group, (and from some of you- thank you!!) and we each took a group of them to put together.
The scrappy red border is made from leftover pieced strips from one of our American Hero Quilt Show raffle quilts from a few years ago. We made some red and white quilts, and I kept the leftover bits. (I knew I was hanging onto them for a reason!)





I don't want us to forget the ongoing costs and suffering of those hurt by war. But I also keep hoping Sue will let us know she doesn't need any more quilts- that peace has come.






Make it a Wonderful (and peaceful) Day!


Monday, April 18, 2011

Paper Boxes and Easter Treats

I've been making paper boxes for so many years I can't remember when I learned how. These are made from 12x12 cardstock. I attached the ribbon bows with the glue gun. They are filled with chocolate eggs and kisses, and will be delivered to women from church who I visit each month. The cute paper mache bunny was a gift from my sister. I don't know the name of the designer, but I love it!And I've had the hand painted rock bunny for years. The artist painted "the Lord is my rock" on the bottom of it. See the wooden eggs in the green bowl? We've had these for years... I think they were handpainted in an Eastern European country...There are five, one for each of my now grown kids.











Make it a Wonderful Day!


Sunday, April 17, 2011

Puzzle Bark




Have a Wonderful Day!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Kate's Quilt

Our daughter Kate's been married for almost 8 years...I can't believe it's been that long! This is the quilt I made a few years ago from her reception decorations... We had silk "placemats" on the center of each table. A larger magenta or orange rectangle, then a green square set on point on that...topped with a grouping of bead wrapped glasses filled with gerber daisies in bright magenta and orange, along with some mini lime green mums. The colors really popped against the white tablecloths, and the outdoor setting worked so well for the summer reception.

I "visited" the quilt while we were in NYC- I wanted to take it out and do a photo shoot with it on the subway platform. But we just didn't fit it in!! There is SO MUCH to do in NYC!!!!







Here is the back of her quilt... The organic line quilting was done by Claudia, another one of my long-arming friends!






Kate reminded me I still have not made a label. But it's only been eight years....


After seeing all of the red and white quilts and wondering about their stories, I'm gonna have to get on that!




Make it a Wonderful Day!


Monday, April 11, 2011

Every Baby Needs a Blanket

I was able to spend some time this weekend sewing. These flannel blankets will be shipped off to babies in another part of the world, to keep them warm, wrap them in love, and build a little peace along the way. (Someone once called me an idealist. Maybe. I know a few blankets aren't the answer to all of the world's problems. But maybe they'll help just a little.)
I was so excited to find about half of the fabric at Value Village! I took my thrifted finds to the fabric store (Joann's) in search of coordinating flannel and was extra happy to find it at 60% off!!


It's fun to do good, and even more fun when you can do more because it costs less! (Does that make sense??)



Make it a Wonderful Day!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Thursday, April 7, 2011

My Last Red and Whites

Wow. Wow is the word I heard over and over again as we walked through the show.


I know I've never seen as many men at a quilt show. They were saying WOW too!















Happy 80th birthday Joanna! Thank you for asking for a gift that you shared with us!! Thank you to your husband and all who made this wonderful experience possible.


Make it a Wonderful Day!

Infinite Variety Continues...

I wish you could have been there! Joanna, the quilt's owner, hopes the show will "travel far and wide". If it does, don't miss it! A book/catalog is in the works as well, and I can tell you that I'm among those eagerly awaiting it's publication.










While Kate and I were looking at a redwork piece (detail above, whole quilt below), a man asked us about it. He had been involved in the rigging of the show, and had come back to see the quilts two days in a row. He wondered why this piece was so admired. I talked to him about the amount of work involved in hand stitching such a large and detailed piece. And I imagined a woman working on this for months or even years, after she had finished her work for the day of cooking, cleaning, and caring for a family.


We don't know the real story of this redwork- the piece isn't labeled. In fact most of the show is unlabeled and annonymous.

But I think we who stopped to admire this piece appreciated it for its beauty and rich and strange composition. And for what the careful stitching says about the desire to create beauty, and the patience to make it happen.


Make it a Wonderful Day!