iPhone-o-Gram! Standing in a line---

We have arrived in Sisters for the dinner lecture.

The gates don't open til 5pm and everyone is lining up and waiting to "get in" to the area in the park where the lecture is held.

The excitement over the show tomorrow is building and I so can not wait for everything to get going!!

Out for a Ride!

Four of us took a little side trip for a bike ride this morning before the heat of the day sets in.

I hadn’t been on a bike in a while and we chose a route that was fairly easy on everyone – which is good. I didn’t want to do anything to aggravate that sciatic nerve, but at the same time I needed to get some fresh air and sunshine!

The bike paths here in Sun River are amazing – there is something like 35 miles of bike paths for walking, running, biking, skating ---and the scenery is so beautiful.

I love photos with reflections in the water!

Me, DarLynn and Randy holding up a tree!

My favorite bridge crossing a gently flowing portion of the river.

Randy and Debbie resting in the shade along the river

We waved hello to this canoe as it drifted by ---and climbed back on our bikes to head back to our machines and quilt production!

It’s Friday!

That means this afternoon we travel into Sisters which is about 40 miles from Sun River where we are.

We are meeting up with Lori who has a friend from Australia and two friends from Canada with her ---all together we will make a group of 9 for the lecture and box dinner.

One of the things I love most about central Oregon is how chilly it is in the mornings --- this morning when I woke it was a brisk 44 degrees out! The temps get into the 90s….but by 5pm temps start to drop and leave you with the most beautiful of summer evenings you have ever seen. By 8pm, you will want to grab your sweater. I just love it!

Last night we made our yearly pilgrimage down to Goody’s for ice cream! I love this place – their ice cream is fabulous, and their cones are made on site as well, so the smell of vanilla yumminess is in the air as soon as you enter the common area.

My flavors?

Coffee Bean on top of Chocolate Almond. OH. MY. GOODNESS!

We sat outside at a little bistro table and enjoyed the evening while we enjoyed our ice cream and people watched.

Usually we do it on the bikes, but with this leg problem I just can’t bike it. I did make an appointment for an MRI next Wednesday when I’m home – so I hope we can find out what is causing all this nerve pain and DO something about it ---

I worked on a little something for Lori last night – a little bird told me she needed a few more blocks to finish her birthday quilt project:

I dug into Randy’s scraps to paper piece some blocks from civil war type fabrics…after finishing it I wished I’d had a double pink for the setting triangles ---it looks too light to me, but perhaps mixed with the other blocks it will be just right. Besides --- she wanted them signed, and I needed to use something that the pen would show up on!

For those asking --- the claims process takes a long time. I filed a claim. I have to get statements saying what the cost to fix the machine and computer would be, or what the replacement cost will be, and I have to fax that in with photos after I get home. There is nothing more that I can do about it here. But at least the process has started. If I have to be patient, you do too ;c)

Today? More mystery work for me, so there won’t be a lot to show you, but it’s going to be a fun productive day!

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Evening Edition! Free Kindle Book!

Oh it’s hard to keep secrets secret! And I want to share bits and pieces because yes I am sewing my brains out, but at the same time there are projects that are either mysteries, or workshop projects that we aren’t letting out and about yet because details are still not finalized and we are just in the planning stages.

You read me right --- WE. I have another designer friend who is so different from me, yet we get along so well that we want to do a joint project together.

If there have been photos posted via facebook etc --- or if you’ve seen bits and pieces here and there on the blog, I just can’t go any farther with explanations so you’ll just have to be patient with us as this shapes up!

Tonight I will probably be paper piecing on some wild & goosey blocks --- I’ve also got my blocks for next year’s Quiltmaker Magazine column to line up --- and those I really can’t show ahead of time either, and I know that makes for boring disappointing blog posts!

Never fear, tomorrow night is the Lecture/Dinner in Sisters -- there will be photos of that, as well as photos from the show on Saturday to look forward to.

This is my one week I look forward to every year – to come out to Oregon and power-sew with girlfriends and not only get-away-from-it-all but get a good head start on projects that have deadlines.

AND. I found a freebie while acquainting myself with my new laptop!

A Song for the Asking by Steve Gannon is free tonight in the Amazon Kindle Store. I don’t know how long it’s been free, or how long it will be, but it is free as I type this, so double check!

Genre: Drama

Book Description:

Detective Daniel Kane is the self-proclaimed king of his castle, his California beachfront home, and the ironfisted ruler of his subjects — his wife, Catheryn, and his four children: Tommy, Travis, Allison, and Nate. Hardened by years of law enforcement, he is determined to prepare his children to face a harsh and violent world. With a relentless will for perfection and scorn for anything less, Kane teaches them his rules for success and provides a model for the essentials of survival: strength, bravery, ambition, stoicism, and vengeance. He shows them everything — everything but what is in his heart.

Over the course of a single shattering summer, each of Kane’s children will be forced to pay the price his standards demand, but the brunt of Kane’s fierce and exacting love will fall on Travis. Lacking the physical prowess of his older brother Tommy, Travis confounds his father with artistic “softness” and musical gifts. Yet in a devastating moment that will change all the Kanes forever, it is Travis alone who will find the courage to defy his father and, ultimately, to redeem him.

Set against the sweeping backdrop of the California coast, A Song for the Asking tells the story of a family not unlike your own.

Dinner is on the grill, and I’m still not used to the 3 hour time difference between East and West coast ---I look at the clock and find it impossible that it is “THAT LATE NOW” at home ---and we are just getting dinner going ----

Happy Thursday Eve everyone!

Let’s Try It Out!

This is the first post on my new laptop now that I’ve got things installing and getting things back in order.

Thank you to whomever sent me the link for pixlr.com I can’t believe how easy it is to edit photos online without having to download software to do it!

I can crop, change the image size ((My default size is 800 pixels in the widest dimension – it’s perfect for blog uploads)) save them to my computer and go.

I can adjust the brightness/contrast and other things easily --- by far it is the easiest online program I’ve seen!

The only thing I wish I could do is change picture size by inches, not pixels, but at this time I’m not going to complain!

I’ve been sewing up a storm…I tested the software out on these photos just to see how it works…..

My fingers are crossed! I’ll hit send and then get back to some more half square triangles!

iPhone-o-gram! Good Morning!

I'm still downloading software to the new laptop.

My photo shop is of course at home and I'm trying different options----straight from the camera photos are 44" wide and that is too huge for uploading. And often pics need to be cropped or the lighting fixed.

Since that is taking time--here are some shots from last evening's dinner and walk!

Randy's patio, back yard and local scenery!

iPhone-o-gram! And We Are Five!

The oldies channel is playing and we are singing and dancing as well as stitching and laughing!

You've never heard anything like our version of "I Will Survive" ever!

Anne has joined our ranks and is working on her baskets quilt in black and orange.

Debbie is also working on a group of basket blocks in yummy warm browns.

DarLynn is plugging away on a "Blind man's Fancy while Randy preps some appliqué.

As for me---Max has claimed my project--and you know what they say--

Doggie tested, Doggie approved!

iPhone-o-gram! A Visit to BJ's!

Let the shopping begin!

We've stopped at BJ's Quilt Basket in Bend---things are ramping up for the arrival of busses and hoards of quilters who will come through over the weekend!

I'm in search of a variety of more greens and some purples---

The tent is set up outside for the hubbies to sit while the wives browse.

It's hot, and so appreciated that they provide cold water on ice for shoppers as they leave!

Next stop---Best Buy!

iPhone-o-gram! 7am! Get Sewing!

Switching projects today!

I've ran out of one of the colors I need for yesterday's project and have gone as far as I can without more.

Maybe I can twist Randy's arm to let me run in to a couple of shops today while we are running around between the airport and Best Buy?!

Her friend Anne comes in today from California and the four of us will be five!

Unless you count the fur coated variety---they are guarding us and making sure we stay on task!

That is---when we can rouse them from their naps!

Turkey burgers ala DarLynn!

We are enjoying the cool down of the evening out on Randy's patio---

DarLynn is chef du jour, and you should smell the amazing turkey burgers on the grill!

Turkey, mushrooms, spinach, onion and seasoned to perfection!

((Debbie says. Wait! We haven't tasted them yet! Funny, Debbie, Funny!!))

I wish I could show you my project but I'm focusing on a couple mysteries and all is hush hush! Just know that the pieces are flying through the machine and what has been laid out on the floor is looking awesome!

Tomorrow we will take my bag to the airport and start the claim process.

We will stop by Best Buy and get a new laptop. I'm also looking for a camera for taking to Bali in a few weeks.

The upside?? There is no sales tax in Oregon. That's great on high dollar items like computers and cameras.

Hopefully we will be able to return to normal posts within a day or so.

Thank you all so much for sharing my burden and sadness over the horrific treatment of my luggage with me.

I'm not hopeful on the outcome, but we will do what we can.

Bonnie

Yep--iPhone-o-gram! We're Sewing!

Update on the luggage damage--and pardon the one fingered typing. We have to take it to the airport to start the claim process.

This was not checked luggage--

This usually goes under the seat in front of me and I've never had a problem but yesterday the under the seat area was already filled by a huge back pack that didn't leave room for my carry on. It does not fit the overhead bins on small commuter jets.

I was told it had to be checked plane side. It was already chaos on the plane because we were an hour late leaving San Francisco. And I trusted all would be okay.

Next time I will be more firm in saying no way Jose.

But we are sewing!!

Randy set up her 1080 for me in the sew ezi table and I'm sewing up a storm.

Randy just finished putting in the last border on her ocean waves beauty!

Darlynn and Debbie are stitching away on their projects.

The music is playing loud and the chatter and laughter is louder!

iPhone-o-gram! Demolished Featherweight. :-((

Take it from me and never ever let them tell you you have to check your bag plane side.

I knew last night the laptop was trashed.

This morning I removed my featherweight to find it in pieces.

The motor is broken off. The tray is broken off. I am so disgusted.

I don't know where to start with the claims process and in the back of my mind I know that nothing will come of trying to get compensation on the contents of my carryon that they said needed to be checked plane side.

And how hard did they chuck this thing?!????

Whhhaaaaa!!!

Anyone know of a welder who can put put me back together again?

iPhone-o-gram! We interrupt this blog--

I just went to write tomorrow's blog post and when I turned my laptop on--

Uh. Oh!!

The whole screen is broken. As in ---you can't read anything, it's all hammered!!

Too much travel, too much jostling and who knows how much a laptop can take before the screen goes kaplooey!!

So here I am in Oregon with no laptop until we go into Bend to Best Buy.

You'll just have to deal with iPhone posts until I am back up and running!

In the back of my mind I think this one is still under warranty but I don't know if it covers luggage incidents or not. :-/

On the flip side--maybe more time sewing and less time posting is what this girl needs!

PS--- this view took my breath away!