Hello, Indiana!

I made it!

The luggage made it!

Both of my flights were on time. There were NO snafus, no problems….I showed up in Fort Wayne when I was supposed to show up!

I met Linda as I came out of the secure area on my way to the baggage claim and we chatted on as if we were old friends! Truth be told, she had taken one of my classes a few years ago when I taught for a retreat here in Indiana.

I wish I could say I remembered more than her face, but she remembered ME, which meant I was not lost or being searched for, and that’s a good thing!

Sorry for the blurr – these are moving targets!

All 100 lbs of quilts, rollling out of the baggage claim chute! My other suitcase showed up first – these guys were LAST so I was a bit worried at this point…..what do I do for 2 lectures if no quilts show up? Sing and tap dance? Uhhhhhhh…juggle? But no worries. Here they came!

Linda asked if I was hungry, and I looked at her with hope in my eyes and said “CULVERS?!”

She said that there was one clear on the other side of town but it wasn’t in the direction we were going ----I said, don’t sweat it! Don’t go out of your way, we have a couple days yet.

But low and behold….as we drove from the airport toward North Manchester --- what do I spy as we drive by??!

The tell tale sign of blue awnings and the big oval CULVERS sign above the door! I pointed. I waved. I said….CULVERS!! And Linda pulled a u-turn at the next light and we were off to find out what the flavor of the day was ----

German Chocolate Fudge.

Now I know many of you will disagree with me here, but to me, chocolate is only a vehicle for OTHER THINGS. Like nuts. or brownie bits. or marshmallow like in Rocky Road --- but chocolate fudge by itself holds no place in my heart ---- but see what is above it?? Oooohhhh….PUMPKIN!

Culvers! Oh, how I love thee!

Here we are with our pumpkin pecan concrete mixers. Probably aptly named because it is about to turn my hind end as heavy as a cement truck. And just about as big. But I don’t care! And I’m sure you guessed which one is mine? Hint: It’s not the small one! LOL!

And the truth of the matter is – I asked for a MEDIUM. I thought I was safe with a MEDIUM. After this baby I would hate to see the large….seriously?!

And to tell you MORE truth ---we justified this ---it includes PUMPKIN. And NUTS. Both of which are healthy for us. I mean – I ate VEGETABLES in this belly full of love ----it’s gotta be good for me, right? :c)

Since my last Culvers adventure, they’ve added sweet potato fries to the menu. This is so not fair. I want a Culvers in NC….do you see what is above those sweet potato frieds? Yeah, it’s a burger…but it is those fried cheese curds that have my attention. How do you choose? Sweet Potato fries? Cheese curds ---

On second thought, it’s a good thing there is NOT one of these places in NC!

I’m tucked into the B&B in North Manchester where I’ll be spending the next two nights. After dinner I took a lovely walk through the little town gazing at old brick victorian homes and parks and quaint gardens and sidewalks. Pictures to come --- phone was dead by the time I was taking a walk ----

Tomorrow – Tulip Fields workshop! It’s going to be a whole lot of messy string-piecing fun!

Have a good evening, everyone!

iPhone-o-Gram! Hello, Chicago!

It's a totally terrific gorgeous day in Chicago!

I landed just a bit ago. I have an hour til my next flight.

I'm scrounging up something "just enough" for lunch because I know there will be dinner tonight---and I'm hoping for a Culver's pit stop!

Hexie progress update: only FOUR more rows to go and this last section is done done done!!

I can hardly stand it---I want this finished so bad!

Did I ever mention how I love public displays of piecing? I love what a conversation starter it is.

I just sat next to a lady who is on her way to Lexington KY and she says quilting is on her bucket list and she's even got a couple pinterest boards with ideas.

I told her I would be in Lexington and Shepherdsville NEXT week and invited her to the show! I sure hope she comes----

And with that, I'm back to piecing!

Next stop: Fort Wayne!

Holy Whoooooooohoooo!

This is just TOO TOO funny! And way heartwarming – at least to me.

You know I’ve been lamenting my demolished featherweight since July.

It’s only September now, but man, it feels at least 3 times that long, doesn’t it?

Yesterday I took the final step in sending the itemized invoice for the repair of my laptop plus the receipt for the $84.95 it took to have them give the broken laptop the go-over.

They assured me when I received the check for the reimbursement of my featherweight that they would also reimburse on the laptop, but you know? Okay. I’m sending it off in good faith. If they do, it will be “just enough” to cover the cost of the new one I had to buy to cover the old one.

However, no souped-up featherweight with a knock-out paint job has really struck my eye or my heart. I just haven’t felt connected to any that I’ve looked at. Still in mourning? I don’t know! I think I would do better if I actually got rid of the broken one, but there she sits on my shelf –I’m saving her as a part machine because many of her parts are in good shape –I should box her and put her out of sight, I might feel better!

SO…yesterday I returned from physical therapy to find THIS PHOTO on my facebook wall with a message from my niece asking “Do you know how old this is??”

This is the niece-by-marriage who has just taken to quilting and sewing and is going gangbusters.

I am so excited about HER new acquisition that the following conversation takes place:

Oh yes, I am so excited for HER!! She can take it in and get it gone over by a featherweight guy in Dallas and she will be good to go. Oh I am busting my buttons I am so proud of her! As I am checking the date, I’m thinking of how she will use this in her quilting, next step she will join a guild and go on RETREAT and we will grow old together piecing away the hours ----

And the conversation continues:

She got the machine for ME! for $40.00!!

I think I’ve been gifted the machine that NEEDS to be refurbished. That is worthy of a special paint job. One that has been “Rode hard and put up wet” by the looks of it ---Do I have to tell you how much I love my family, by blood or by marriage? I was so happy I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!

I’m headed out there to teach in Plano and McKinney over New Years--- guess what is coming home with me? I think I’ll name her Missy :c)

Thanks Melissa!

And in a few hours I’m off to Indiana! I’m hoping there is a CULVERS in my near future!!

QuiltCam & Kindle Freebie!

Helen Marie sent a link to a really cute book that is running free right now over on Amazon -- I just checked and downloaded it. It's free a of now ---

I figure this will give those who miss QuiltCam something to come look for -- and hopefully it is free for them when they click!

Formula For Murder is free tonight in the Amazon Kindle Store --

Genre: Mystery

Book Description:

Publication Date: June 19, 2012

Formula for Murder is the first in a new series. Learn tips to unmask incompatible mates, or unscrupulous bosses, and maybe a killer along the way with maniac ‘d’s, knotted ‘t’s, and hypocritic ‘o’s. Handwriting is a projection of personality, a mirror of one’s thoughts. It reveals strengths, and weaknesses, and dark secrets…

Formula for Murder introduces Kat, our seasoned amateur sleuth, who blends honesty, handwriting analysis, and chutzpah to uncover secrets and suspects and solve crimes.

A university public relations person wearing Vera Wang high heels with a Birkenstock brain, she discreetly sifts through quirky personalities and private lives to explore the murder of a professor in his laboratory on campus. Kat marches through the investigation seeking an end to increasingly dire threats to all.

Her search pits her against a faceless killer. The list of suspects mushrooms as secrets, jealousies, and private passions are exposed to the harsh light of scrutiny. While gossip unmasks raw desires and bitter rivalries in this not-so-gentle world, romance blossoms with Nick, a mysterious stranger thrust into the fray. Was his arrival the night of the murder coincidental? Or something more sinister?

As for me -- I've got two more blocks left to sew to catch me up with Randy's Sew Along blocks!

I'm going to leave the QuiltCam up for about an hour or so----

*Note* If it says OFFLINE below -- you missed it! It's live streaming, not a recording, so you can't play it back like re-runs, you'll just have to join us next time!

Wanna join me?

Click Below!

Live Video app for Facebook by Ustream

iPhone-o-Gram! My Other Calling!

If we all had secret identities or possessed super-powers, I bet you would never guess that I go around unbeknownst to the rest of unsuspecting humanity performing the ever important duties of the "T.P.Fairy" !!

I'm serious. Everywhere I go it seems I am always left with an empty roll tube on the holder, and a partially used roll near by.

Mom always said leave the world a better place than how you found it and I take this calling very seriously!! LOL!

Of course, this means the new roll must be placed with the paper rolling off "over the top."

Am I making the world a better place? I don't really know. All I know is the next person in that restroom won't even know that anything was fixed by the last person in there---but it still makes me smile to leave the world a better place than I found it.

These pics were taken while at my massage appointment today.

Courtesy of the quilting T.P. Fairy!

Wherever you are, JUST START!

Planting seeds of quilting!

I got this adorable picture and email from Michele N who’s toddler daughter is already showing signs of being a master quilter someday!

She’s been very observant watching mommy sew and quilt and knows just what to do!

She writes:

Hi. On your QuiltCam one night you were talking about the younger generation learning to quilt.

My daughter is two now. Last November i had had my rotary cutter and rulers and stuff on the floor. My daughter went over to it and on her own tried "cutting" fabric.

I of course took away the cutter with a blade in it and gave her an empty one. But at that moment I was so proud of her. Her name is Emeline. And she loves fabric. I hope that continues for years. Thank you for letting me share.

How often do we start something so late in life that the learning curve just knocks us flat?

I have a friend who didn’t start piano lessons until well into his 40s. He is playing so well after 5 years that he regrets the time lost and wishes he had started earlier. But you know what? We start when we start. Wherever and whenever we start, it’s the right time to start!

This brings to mind another photo I posted on facebook the other day but has had me considering it since. It is SO IMPORTANT not to give up!

This applies to our quilting in oh, so many ways! Read it – read it all, read it more than once. Save the photo to remind yourself to not give up! It’s normal to take a while. While Emeline is getting a good early start, no matter where and when you started on this journey, every day, every project is one step forward in teaching you all you need to know.

“It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap. And your work will be as good as your ambitions.”

Quilt on, Everyone!

Balinese Building Blocks ---

On one of our jaunts, we were walked past a home that was having their family temple remodeled.

It was so interesting to see how the workers were handling things. Mawa told us how the bricks are made, and they don’t turn the bright orange red until they are fired.

They also use very little mortar between the bricks, and thanks to his explanations – I started noticing and paying attention to these things everywhere.

And the mythology ---these stories of dragons and demons and the continuous fight of good vs evil, they were present everywhere in the details carved into cornerstones and at either side of entryways, wherever we walked.

I am fascinated with learning about other cultures and the lessons their myths teach.

Here Mawa is explaining about the bricks and how close set they are --- do you see grout lines? Barely if any! And look at the decorations! These lions are hand carved, not poured from concrete.

The designs are so intricate!

Beautiful curiques evolve into frightening faces ---but see also the panels on the wall behind them. So ornate! Often times I was thinking of how these curls and flowers and things could be represented in machine quilting.

Here are stone workers carving. It just made me think that here in Western culture we are taught to let machines do the work. Here, it is the skill of the artist that does the work.

If you look toward the upper left..there is a face that is partially carved. The cornerstones also will be carved as the work progresses. The stone is embedded as blocks…and THEN carved by the artists.

Another view of the carving going on..you can see the progress on that one cornerstone. The full face of the character isn’t finished yet. Also notice the partially carved detail around the panel toward the bottom center. The carving here is still in progress too.

Hours and hours and hours! I don’t know how long it took to rebuild this family temple, but the time it took doesn’t seem to matter as much as doing it right. With the best that is available.

A glimpse toward the inside of the courtyard with bricks and other supplies close at hand.

This was another shrine we passed on our walk, hibiscus flowers plainly visible on his head. The new stone we saw being carved on the family’s temple will age over time to look like this.

And I thought of quilts, the place where we show our artistry and skill. Some take a long long time to complete, but it’s worth it. Over time, the fabrics may fade and edges may get worn, but they still show the evidence of our handiwork and are beautiful in their aged and well-loved state maybe even more so than when they were brand spanking new because they’ve lived a life and have placed themselves into the memory of those who slept beneath them.

Fading is going to happen. Aging is going to happen. But I’d rather have the quilts out being used and enjoying them instead of locking them in a closet away from life.

My mailbox is tackled! I opened it this morning and whewwww! What a good feeling! No more nagging stuff that needs replies or filing or deleting or scheduling! We are caught up to date!

This morning I have an appt with my physical therapist. I’m afraid I spent too much time sitting yesterday – I was hurting last night by the time I went to bed….so far the best thing seems to be "Don’t do too much of any ONE thing --- switch it up!" It’s not easy when the machine beckons after the computer work is done.

My flight to Indiana leaves tomorrow morning, so there is much repacking of the trunk show going on today! There is mail to be dropped off at the post office along with ((FINALLY)) the estimate of repair for the demolition of my laptop by the airlines. Now we wait to see if they will hold good to their word and reimburse me. It should be just enough to cover the cost of the new one I had to buy.

And that’s all that’s going on in my world! It’s not that interesting at present, but you know what? I kind of like it this way!

DH returns from Corning, NY tonight –he’s there on business, and if all goes well, plan on QuiltCam time around 9pm Eastern tonight ---We will be good to go, he won’t be home until about 11pm!!

Have a great Friday, everyone!

Evening Edition: Free Kindle Book -----

I’m toast tonight. I can’t go any farther!

I’ve spent the day at the computer --- but everything is cleaned up and as it should be. That feels SO GOOD.

I’ve spent the last few hours at the machine putting together a magazine project – and it’s looking good…..but I can’t sew any more tonight! Unfortunately this means no QuiltCam time ---I’m just all sewed out!

I’m going to call it an early one ---and get OUT of the basement. I’m not even sure I can read a book tonight, but I did want to post a freebie that I found that sounds awfully cute and I just downloaded it for my trip to Indiana on Saturday.

It’s a Dog’s Life by Dale Mayer is free tonight in the Amazon Kindle Store.

It’s the first day of Ninna’s job in the local animal shelter…and a dog is talking to her. Not just any dog…a fat, old, smart-alecky Basset Hound who says his name is Mosey.

She can’t quit, she needs this job. And then there’s the yummy vet. Who turns out to live across the street from her in a much bigger house than her tiny house. Big enough to hold a few animals – including the mouthy Mosey. With all this going on, she doesn’t have time to worry about the rash of break-ins and the sense of being watched. She’s too busy worrying that she’s nuts.

When Ninna agrees to dog sit for the cute vet from work, she sees it as a trial at being a pet owner and a way to build on her budding relationship with the vet. For Mosey, this weekend means time to get to know each other.

For the stalker who’s tracking Ninna’s movements, it means… opportunity.

A talking smelly basset hound? I can go for that! It sounds fun.

Tomorrow hopefully I’ll get the rest of the rows assembled for this top and be able to hit it hard and heavy!

Everyone have a good night --- and I’ll catch you next time!

Lunchtime Thoughts.

Today is THE DAY.

No, not the day I SEW this top together like I thought ---

It’s turned into the day that I dig myself out of over 400 emails that keep clogging up in my inbox. Some have been on back burner for a while, but many have me then adjusting my calendar over the next 5 ((?!?!?!)) years as I work with guilds and groups trying to get things scheduled so they flow well, and still leave me SOME time home in between trips.

2015? 2016? some stuff in 2017? Gosh, I’ll be really OLD by then.

But then the thought comes back that ANYONE who is working any job ---knows that they will likely still be working in 2015, 2016, or 2017. The only thing that changes for me is my location. But it’s still just like any other career anywhere. Sort of.

I got the funniest email from a guild program person who finally got the “go ahead” to schedule me in 2016 because of the “problem with teacher’s calendars”.

PROBLEM!? There is no PROBLEM. It’s all quite orderly. And yes, it is full – I hoped I explained well, that just like anyone who has any profession, we hope to be working 3, 4 or 5 years from now. The problem is with short-sighted one year term program chairs who are not given the okay to schedule into the distance because the next guild person at bat might want to choose “someone else”.

We, the "someone elses" do plan more than one year, two years, three years in advance. We have to. There are only so many "First Thursdays" in a year. Only so many "Weekend Workshop" opportunities that come before a Monday Night guild meeting.

But there is no problem with my calendar. I think of it as job security. It pays my bills. It just put a new deck floor on my back deck. Hopefully soon it will get rid of the cruddy 30 year old fiberglass tub/shower in my master bath and give me a tiled step in shower and an updated bathroom, even though it will still be small…..it will be PRETTY instead of just functional!

Those blocks ARE calling me ---oh the colors, oh the textures and the possibilities for this quilt top being THIS CLOSE TO DONE!

But email slogs on. And I know I’ll feel so much better to know that everything that needs answering has been answered. That things are filed into their folders, and that I can see the empty space where the email ends --- and the time for quilting without this hanging over my head begins!

And that’s what’s going on over here in the basement ----

Scenes From My Bus Window!

My time home is weaning down and I’m holding on to it and making every day count in “Normality.”

I love to travel and visit quilters everywhere. I know there is a kind of “wanderlust” inside me that loves to go, go, go ---but when I’m home these roots grab on and settle me into a routine and there are so many things that I appreciate.

Number one would be the freedom to go to bed when I want and wake when I want --- those “NO ALARM CLOCK” mornings are precious!

And no, I haven’t seen a single sunrise since I’ve arrived home, but my body appreciates the sleep too!

And I'm starting to rev-up about my trip to Indiana on Saturday--- It's time to repack the bags of quilts and get everything squared away so I don't forget anything.

I thought this morning I would post some simple photos of the things we saw in our new-found “normality” of getting up, getting on the bus and heading out to another destination! This sculpture was at a certain intersection we passed as we were leaving and heading back to the airport. The artwork in Bali is phenomenal. Much of it myth oriented, always showing in one way or another the continual unending fight of good vs evil.

Balinese Architecture

If everything has a blue cast, it’s from the tint on my window. We passed many places that have stone carvings for gardens and shrines for sale --- stacks of Buddhas and other religious icons were everywhere, small and large.

Motorcycles and scooters everywhere!

I can’t believe THIS photo is not blurry! But we saw whole families on cycles…sometimes a mom, a dad and two kids! Or a mom and three kids!

I want you to look at this photo carefully. Notice that the sweater on the mom is backwards. Mawa told us that the women there want their skin to be as white as possible…so they stay OUT of the sun. And here us Westerners want to bask in the sun and get as dark as possible.

It’s just two sides of the fence, isn’t it? Notice that the mom’s hands are even covered ---as are her arms by the sweater. We saw many women walking around with umbrellas to keep the sun off their faces too.

Now the little girl has no protection at all…and is carrying the large basket, in her lap. We saw baskets everywhere, and I love them!

This photo is blurry – and I know it is..the bus was moving. But see the women with baskets on their heads? Look Ma, no hands!

Ganesha, sitting on his Lotus. Genesha is the god of Wisdom among other attributes. Notice the fresh flower ----the simple leaving of a flower everywhere is something that I’ll miss!

Balinese Marketplace

We never stopped to wander these local markets because there was nowhere to park the bus! But I loved the colorful array of goods, clothing and other fabric articles hanging from the beams.

A side street as we passed the market area

Stop and look closely at this photo. NOTICE the number of motorcycles! The lady with the basket on her head wearing traditional sarong. See the motorcycle with the palm decorations? These are the things that are hung from poles for the upcoming holiday..and there are TWO people on that motorcycle!

These are the things I will always remember about Bali, and there more to come as I continue to look through photos and edit them down!

What’s up in your world today?

I’ve got all the blocks done for a project I’m working on --- just gotta clear room to lay them all out and start sewing the center together. I hope to have this top done today, at least that is my goal!

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

iPhone-o-Gram! Mui Caliente!!

Just a quick note--there will be no QuiltCam tonight as I had an invite to a Mexican place that I dearly love and I just couldn't say no!

When we get back I'll probably tuck in and do some hand quilting for a bit upstairs.

Thanks for the raincheck, y'all!

Afternoon Progress ---

These days at home by myself are SO restorative!

Windows are open and a gentle September breeze occassionally finds its way through the screen lifting the fabric that is hanging over the rail of my longarm machine, just waving hello to me as I sit and stitch.

The hard part is not sharing EVERYTHING with everyone ---but just let me say there are many many little units going through my machine as I watch episodes of Bones on Netflix on the laptop on the table right next to where I stitch.

I just think Netflix is the next best thing to sliced bread! It’s there when I want it, there are no commercials – I can fast forward, rewind, skip an episode. It fits my life!

It feels completely decadent being home in the middle of the day with all other errands and worldly issues all caught up for the time being, and I am sewing away on some deadlines ---and at peace with the world!

Here is a view of the latest blocks finished for my Jubilee quilt, as found on Randy’s Barristersblock blog on her Sow-Along!

Northwind and Four Darting Birds.

Though if you turn the birds on point..they look like Men at Work. Or maybe the Village People..LOL!

Hoping your day is going well….it’s a Wednesday, so we are halfway to the weekend already! Wooowhooo!

The Intrigue of Ikat!

I’d heard of ‘Ikat’ fabric before ((pronounced EE-Kat for those wondering)) but really had no idea how it was made. I soon learned a new reverence for this traditional fabric that is completely woven by hand.

While Batik starts with the fabric, and the design is waxed and dyed to the fabric itself –Ikat starts its life as simple thread.

Plastic bands that resist the dye are tied to the strands of thread in a pattern, and the thread is then dyed….when the bands are removed it leaves white spots where the bands were.

As these threads are then woven, warp and weft together, the patterns are created painstakingly by hand.

I showed a picture of a pieced bag made out of ikat that I brought home with me HERE.

Who would think that lovely designs such as this ---

Start their life HERE!

I so wanted this old ancient rack with its thread spools to come home with me! Again, this is a NON-ELECTRICAL process. Everything is done by hand. The drawing of the threads from the spool board ---to the mechanism that draws the threads together ---

And on to this round drum where the threads are rolled, counted and bundled.

From here, bundles of thread are secured across a frame and tied into a pattern with plastic ties. THIS thread is then dyed, leaving white spots when the bands are removed. If a second or 3rd color is desired, those are painted onto the white areas with liquid dye because it would take too much work to reband the newly dyed areas to over dye the remaining white spots. ((How is this for technical jargon!!))

This is the weaving factory. It was – as I’ve mentioned before ---a major holiday in Bali, and the workers had gone home. But look at these looms! It’s like a ghost town here – you’d think you were walking into something that had been extinct for a 100 years, and yet, on a normal day, there are artists at these looms creating beautiful textiles by weaving dyed threads. You can see the one design in the front of the photo. Here is another:

I so would have loved to watch them weaving! The patterns are just beautiful.

Another shot through the factory.

This is a sample of another kind of weaving pattern.

A pair of Ikat pieces.

A shot of our group wandering between the two sides of the factory. On the left were the weaving looms. The bundling of the threads and first dying was on the right. I loved the pond with fish down the center!

who says pink and orange do not go together? The flowers in Bali were incredible!

Wall displays of ikat fabric --- purchase by the meter!

Ikats stood side by side with Javanese batik. It was a feast for the eyes!

Beautiful jewel tones!

And always, the ever-present offering!

This oldie but goodie hadn’t been moved in years – but still the offering is on the hood!

Yes, I’m still over the moon about Bali. With new appreciation for Ikat fabric and all that goes into weaving it. Since then I’ve seen “Printed” Ikat – meaning they’ve printed the fabric to look like ikat – and you know what? It’s a cheap imitation of the real thing. Nice try, but no dice!

I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing my memories of Bali and the culture as well as the fabrics. It’s been fun to share them with you!