Summer doldrums....

It is incredibily hot outside and grandchildren stuck inside get really bored.  Today my 8 year old grandson expressed an interest in sewing so I jumped on the oppurtunity to teach him some basics.  He made himself a school bookbag for that hopefully cooler day when school starts.  Check it out!

New projects

It's been a while since I have posted.  Darn arthritis has been acting up, but I have managed to keep the sewing machine going anyway.  Been making kid-type things and decided to try dolls and stuffed animals.  The challenge is in the stuffing.  It's hard to make legs that will stand up.  My guys have a bit of a wobble when they try to stand, but they were a lot of fun to make.  Hope you like Zoey the Zebra and Jerry the Giraffe.  (Have you ever tried to tie a Windsor knot on a giraffe's neck?)  Notice Jerry's eyelashes!  Dolls are my next project.

Happy Mother's Day

This is a special day for all mothers--and grandmothers.  We had dinner on Thursday night with my dear daughter and I received flowers today from my dear son.  I am so blessed.  In church today they read Erma Bombeck's description of a mother.  It brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.  My dear mother faithfully read her column in  the local paper and one of Erma's books was always a good choice for a birthday or Christmas present.  (Check out this link to read the whole thing.)  Erma was a wise philosopher although she probably thought of herself as a humorist.  At the end of this piece there is a discussion between an angel and God:  Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek.  "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model."
It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear."
"What's it for?"
"It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride."
"You are a genius," said the angel.
Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there."   
Happy Mother's Day to all.

Another Saturday Block

Yeah!  It's Saturday and I was up and eager to check the Barbara Brackman blog where she introduces a new block each week to commerate the Civil War which began 150 years ago.  Civil War block website here  She is creating a new block every week for 52 weeks.  So far I have kept up and we are on the nineteenth block.  Today's is Missouri Star. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Along with the block she provides stories and photographs that relate to the block.  I am using a number of fabrics designed to look like fabric typical of the era.  They are commonly called Civil War reproduction fabrics.  Here are the 19 I have completed to date.

My love affair with fabric

Quilters will know what I mean when I say I dearly love fabric--not every peice--but lots of it.  For a year or so I have been collecting bits and pieces of Barbara Brackman's designs based on the Arts and Crafts genius, William Morris.  I now have a stack of it and can't decide exactly what to do with it.  Right now I am still caressing it and leafing through quilt books and patterns trying to visualize how it might look.  Sometimes a quilt project has to simmer for a while before it speaks to me.

 Tonight I am mulling it over and thinking about
what pattern would show off the fabric designs
the best.  Since the fabric is so elaborate, I'm thinking the design needs to be fairly simple.

The colors are rich and the designs are flowing and flowery.  It's going to be special when I finally figure it out.

For now it's going back on the shelf while I wait for insipiration.

And here it is Friday night.  That means tomorrow Barbara Brackman will post her next Civil War block.  I will write about that tomorrow.

Who is Jumpin' Judy?

In 1997 my first grandchild was born.  He was a beautiful boy who immediately made my heartstrings curl around him like a vine.  It's amazing how a grandparent's heart expands to encompass every new little one that comes into their life.  There are now six little darlings that bring us joy and that first one is 14 years old.  When he was in preschool he learned a song called "Jumping Judy" and assumed it was about his grandmother.  It was one of the peppy songs that young children jump around and dance to as a form of exercise.  I have been known as "Jumpin' Judy" since then.  Lately I decided to Google the phrase and was amazed to find out that "Jumpin' Judy" is an old African American prison song that was recorded by Leadbelly among others.  Imagine my surprise!!

We had a big time at Legoland

Today I had the honor of accompanying my grandson's second grade class to Legoland in Grapevine, TX.  I was specifically invited to be a chaperon--and how could I resist that?  Legoland is an amazing place with a gazillion Legos in every size and color.  My grandson must have thousands of the little plastic bricks, but they never seem to lose their fascination.  He can spend hours building all kinds of things with them.  Even grandpa likes to spend time with him building fantastic vehicles and scenes.  We had a great time, but I must say my feet are really tired.  But a good day with a great kid is worth some sore feet!