Teach a child in the way that is right, and in their old age, they will remember it.
Or something like that.
If I had a nickel for every time my Mom said that to me, I could retire today and never work again.
Yesterday, Rob and stepped in to help a friend take care of business after her live in caretaker attempted suicide. Part of that business was moving his 22 year old boyfriend out. The kid was an innocent, caught up in a web of lies. Rob took care of most of the legal stuff, and I stepped in for the rest.
At some point, I found the 22 year old crying on the sofa. What I did was pure instinct. I pulled out my handkerchief, because yes, gentlemen do still carry handkerchiefs and handed it to him and sat next to him on the sofa with my arm around his shoulders. I didn't look at him. I just held him in a gesture that was as intimate as it was non-sexual. And, I thought about myself, because there's really nothing else to do while you hold a crying stranger. And, I realized that what I had done was exactly what my Dad would have done. I invaded the kids space with caring. And, I could do that, even though I'd only met him that day because that was what was in me to give to a person in need. And, as he cried, I let my deep calming dad voice say calming platitudes, like "it will get better" and "you won't have to worry about making this mistake again", and "no matter what, you have to take care of yourself first". And, when he looked at me and said "I can't believe he did this to me" I replied that he didn't do this to you. He just did what he always does, and you happened to be there. And, worthless as it all sounds, it seemed to help. And, then his parents came to get him. (Rob facilitated that happy ending)
I was so glad that I was influenced by such a good man as my Dad, who showed me how to be compassionate and caring in a strong and quiet way. Everyone should have an influence like that.
What I did next would make my Mom and Grandmother proud. I cleaned. I scrubbed and washed and cleaned and changed beds. Another friend came and they went through several months of mail, then we remade the beds and washed the dishes and went to our own homes. Because that's what people do when someone is in need. It's the most basic of things I can offer to a friend. And, I can offer it because I saw the women in my family offer it to one another, and their friends who were in need.
So, there you go. Both my Mom and my Dad will be proud that they had a good influence on me as a child, and that I remember that as an old man. I guess my Mom's prediction came true.
And, when I dragged my weary ass in last night, Sydney came out to hug me. And, I knew that even though she wasn't there to see it, Rob and I had just passed that influence on to another generation.
And, what could possibly make my parents more proud?
And, it makes the effort worth it.
Everybody have a great Friday. I'm going to be taking it slow. Basking in the good feelings. Because that's the reward of doing good; a relief from the stresses of everyday life. My mind gives me a respite to enjoy what I've done and to rest, preparing for the next person who crosses my path and has a need.
Lane
7/31/15
7/29/15
I knew I'd do this eventually
I have used blue washout marker in my quilts for years. And, all along, I've known that heat would permanently set that ink. And, I've been sooooo careful. I wouldn't even leave a quilt I had used washout marker on in the car, for fear the heat would set it, until the quilt had been thoroughly washed.
I was very careful.
But, this morning, I pulled a center off the Dresden Plate quilt, and it had been quilted through before. It was one of the centers that let me know I was going to have to pull the centers off the quilt and cut away the background fabric to get my stitches the size I wanted them to be. Anyway, I picked out the quilting, pulled off the center, and it was so wrinkled, I decided to iron it. I could not see the blue washout ink, but it was there. And, when it got hot, it came back.
It's very faint. You might have to blow up that pic to see it. But, it's there. And, now, it's never coming out.
Here is the block it came out of.
Fortunately, I have plenty of that fabric to cut a new center from.
So, there's today's lesson. Just because you can't see the danger, doesn't mean it won't come back when exposed to heat.
Seems very logical for summer. It's supposed to be 100* out today.
Everybody have a great Wednesday.
Lane
I was very careful.
But, this morning, I pulled a center off the Dresden Plate quilt, and it had been quilted through before. It was one of the centers that let me know I was going to have to pull the centers off the quilt and cut away the background fabric to get my stitches the size I wanted them to be. Anyway, I picked out the quilting, pulled off the center, and it was so wrinkled, I decided to iron it. I could not see the blue washout ink, but it was there. And, when it got hot, it came back.
It's very faint. You might have to blow up that pic to see it. But, it's there. And, now, it's never coming out.
Here is the block it came out of.
Fortunately, I have plenty of that fabric to cut a new center from.
So, there's today's lesson. Just because you can't see the danger, doesn't mean it won't come back when exposed to heat.
Seems very logical for summer. It's supposed to be 100* out today.
Everybody have a great Wednesday.
Lane
7/27/15
A good pattern
Sometimes, you walk up on a pattern that is just right for the need.
The pattern is Barb Wire from the book Twosey-Foursey quilts by Cathy Wierzbicki. It's a great pattern for Linus quilts.
It goes together quick. It's quick to cut from scraps. There's enough of a challenge to make it fun to make again and again, in different colors.
The first one I made was green and square.
I won't make another square one this big. I like to make quilts for teens and this one isn't quite long enough for a teen, but it's too big for a baby.
This weekend, I got a second top together, this time in red.
This one is rectangular and perfect size for a teenage boy.
My Bernina is down right now as Sydney paints the cabinet. So, I just keep piecing. And, piecing.
Sydney does have a job. She starts her training this week. Boy it was HARD to let her be an adult and just move forward without us getting involved. She couldn't answer our questions about the interview process, and we just had to sit back and let her learn. But, it all turned out good in the end. There was an actual process that she was part of, she just couldn't explain it to us.
Anyway, she has some training videos to watch and after that, she can contact them to find out her hours. We are pretty excited. We did have her call back just to let them know that after school started, she could only work weekends and make sure that was going to be okay and was worth it for her to continue the process.
We are all excited. And, we are anxious about the change. It's one of those be careful what you wish for situations.
Yesterday, we had to take her for slacks to work in. In the checkout line, we talked about how this experience was so much easier than the first year we tried to buy a bathing suit.
Holy COW!
Everybody have a great Monday. Lane
The pattern is Barb Wire from the book Twosey-Foursey quilts by Cathy Wierzbicki. It's a great pattern for Linus quilts.
It goes together quick. It's quick to cut from scraps. There's enough of a challenge to make it fun to make again and again, in different colors.
The first one I made was green and square.
I won't make another square one this big. I like to make quilts for teens and this one isn't quite long enough for a teen, but it's too big for a baby.
This weekend, I got a second top together, this time in red.
This one is rectangular and perfect size for a teenage boy.
My Bernina is down right now as Sydney paints the cabinet. So, I just keep piecing. And, piecing.
Sydney does have a job. She starts her training this week. Boy it was HARD to let her be an adult and just move forward without us getting involved. She couldn't answer our questions about the interview process, and we just had to sit back and let her learn. But, it all turned out good in the end. There was an actual process that she was part of, she just couldn't explain it to us.
Anyway, she has some training videos to watch and after that, she can contact them to find out her hours. We are pretty excited. We did have her call back just to let them know that after school started, she could only work weekends and make sure that was going to be okay and was worth it for her to continue the process.
We are all excited. And, we are anxious about the change. It's one of those be careful what you wish for situations.
Yesterday, we had to take her for slacks to work in. In the checkout line, we talked about how this experience was so much easier than the first year we tried to buy a bathing suit.
Holy COW!
Everybody have a great Monday. Lane
7/24/15
One section finished
I've been hand quilting a lot lately. It's so relaxing. I can sit for hours and just rock the needle through the layers of fabric. I haven't been able to show really good pictures because I quilt randomly here and there.
I posted about that the other day, but I finally figured out why. I use water soluble ink to mark with and then I spritz the quilt with water to take it out. So, the next thing I want to mark has to be far away, to stay out of the water.
Anyway, I finally completed a big section. All the sashing and everything in the block.
That is some very dense quilting. No wonder it has taken multiple years to get this far. And, I'm still not near complete. But, I'm closer than I was and every stitch gets me closer still.
Everybody have a great Friday.
I am off and looking around for things to do. What is next?
Lane
I posted about that the other day, but I finally figured out why. I use water soluble ink to mark with and then I spritz the quilt with water to take it out. So, the next thing I want to mark has to be far away, to stay out of the water.
Anyway, I finally completed a big section. All the sashing and everything in the block.
That is some very dense quilting. No wonder it has taken multiple years to get this far. And, I'm still not near complete. But, I'm closer than I was and every stitch gets me closer still.
Everybody have a great Friday.
I am off and looking around for things to do. What is next?
Lane
7/22/15
Small changes
Make big differences.
Small things are happening. I'm finally getting a new boss. That's good. He seems like a nice guy. Nothing official has been said and he hasn't reached out. I know it was very tentative at one time, maybe that didn't work out. Maybe I'll get a surprise.
It's good to be old enough not to worry about stuff like this. I just keep going to the office and doing my work. That certainly feels like the right choice here.
Its been harder to blog because I'm trying to get to the office earlier. I keep telling Sydney, never miss a chance to appear to be a go-getter!
Sydney might have a job. She was told to come to work. But, she didn't have an interview. She went for an interview and what she gave us was a really lame excuse for why they didn't interview her. They don't know anything about what she has to offer, like she can only really work weekdays for four more weeks. And, she doesn't know anything about them, like what shift they expect her to work, how much they pay, whether they pay while she is in training... you get the picture.
Rob and I really had a hard time with that. You can imagine. And, we have struggled with how to tell her this is a bad idea, without taking over and doing it for her. So, last night, I told her a story.
Many years ago, before I moved to Austin, I lived in Houston for a short time. I looked for a job for a long time. Things were rough in the economy then. I finally found a job. I was so excited. I went to the interview, and accepted the job, but later, when I was telling people, it turned out7 I didn't really know much about the job after all. On my first day, I drove halfway across Houston in eight o'clock traffic to get there. And, when I did, it turned out that the job was selling encyclopedias door to door, in office buildings.
She got it immediately and gave me a funny look, but I kept going.
Right. People in office buildings are working. They don't have time to buy encyclopedias. That means I'd be trying to sell to the business. But, how many businesses need encyclopedias?
And, predictably, she said "I don't think they want me to sell encyclopedias."
She had walked right into my trap.
"They might, for all you know about this job. You should call them back and ask more questions."
And, I walked to the kitchen and kept cooking.
With a huge smile on my face. You win some, you lose some.
I'm still hand quilting. But, nothing seems ready to show off right now. I didn't do a very good job of picking an area and finishing everything in it. So, I have one corner where all the centers are done, and another corner where the sashing is done. It's my erratic mind. But, in time of change, nothing is quite as relaxing as hand quilting.
It's too slow to be stressed. And, mistakes pick out with ease, although with a heavy heart... because it goes in so slow. The relaxation of aiming the needle, then stacking stitches on it and the sound of a fresh piece of waxed thread pulling through the fabric. Everything else slows down a bit to keep pace with the hand quilting.
That's a very nice change.
Everybody have a great Wednesday. Lane
Small things are happening. I'm finally getting a new boss. That's good. He seems like a nice guy. Nothing official has been said and he hasn't reached out. I know it was very tentative at one time, maybe that didn't work out. Maybe I'll get a surprise.
It's good to be old enough not to worry about stuff like this. I just keep going to the office and doing my work. That certainly feels like the right choice here.
Its been harder to blog because I'm trying to get to the office earlier. I keep telling Sydney, never miss a chance to appear to be a go-getter!
Sydney might have a job. She was told to come to work. But, she didn't have an interview. She went for an interview and what she gave us was a really lame excuse for why they didn't interview her. They don't know anything about what she has to offer, like she can only really work weekdays for four more weeks. And, she doesn't know anything about them, like what shift they expect her to work, how much they pay, whether they pay while she is in training... you get the picture.
Rob and I really had a hard time with that. You can imagine. And, we have struggled with how to tell her this is a bad idea, without taking over and doing it for her. So, last night, I told her a story.
Many years ago, before I moved to Austin, I lived in Houston for a short time. I looked for a job for a long time. Things were rough in the economy then. I finally found a job. I was so excited. I went to the interview, and accepted the job, but later, when I was telling people, it turned out7 I didn't really know much about the job after all. On my first day, I drove halfway across Houston in eight o'clock traffic to get there. And, when I did, it turned out that the job was selling encyclopedias door to door, in office buildings.
She got it immediately and gave me a funny look, but I kept going.
Right. People in office buildings are working. They don't have time to buy encyclopedias. That means I'd be trying to sell to the business. But, how many businesses need encyclopedias?
And, predictably, she said "I don't think they want me to sell encyclopedias."
She had walked right into my trap.
"They might, for all you know about this job. You should call them back and ask more questions."
And, I walked to the kitchen and kept cooking.
With a huge smile on my face. You win some, you lose some.
I'm still hand quilting. But, nothing seems ready to show off right now. I didn't do a very good job of picking an area and finishing everything in it. So, I have one corner where all the centers are done, and another corner where the sashing is done. It's my erratic mind. But, in time of change, nothing is quite as relaxing as hand quilting.
It's too slow to be stressed. And, mistakes pick out with ease, although with a heavy heart... because it goes in so slow. The relaxation of aiming the needle, then stacking stitches on it and the sound of a fresh piece of waxed thread pulling through the fabric. Everything else slows down a bit to keep pace with the hand quilting.
That's a very nice change.
Everybody have a great Wednesday. Lane
7/16/15
The June Feathered Star block
Yes, I know it's July. But, really, as long as I'm not a half dozen blocks behind, I'm cool.
I spent most of June working on the Guild's raffle quilt, which is red, white and feathered stars. The feather points in my block are made from leftover scraps from the blocks I pieced for the raffle quilt. I had a bunch of hst's left over, so I sewed them up and used them here. I added a red from stash and an off-white that was the same shade as the raffle quilt, but a solid, not a tone on tone print. They all go together nicely
In July, Rob and I got married on Independence Day, so there is more of a plan being made for that block. You'll have to wait to see because I'm not entirely sure I can pull off the plan. But, I'm gonna try! I want to merge those two events into one block.
Summer is half over and Sydney has not found a job. We're giving up, I think. She really needs to be 18 to be hired. And, she's too lazy to actually be trying. And, while we can make her more qualified to work, we can't make her older. So, she's working for me... and because my lovely daughter is who she is, doing everything a couple of times before it's right.
Again, nothing we can do about that. At this point, she has become who she is, and only she can change it. We just keep sending her back to try again. And making her speak to us nicely. Teens are so surly.
Okay, so not much going on in my life right now. I've been hand quilting and if you've ever done that, you know exactly how slow it goes, so nothing new to show. It's especially frustrating that I'm pulling out old quilting to replace it with better quilting. But, really, the secret to a great project for me lies in my willingness to rip out and replace.
I've got plenty of practice at that!
Everybody have a great Thursday. Two more days before the weekend begins.
Yay!!!!!!
Lane
I spent most of June working on the Guild's raffle quilt, which is red, white and feathered stars. The feather points in my block are made from leftover scraps from the blocks I pieced for the raffle quilt. I had a bunch of hst's left over, so I sewed them up and used them here. I added a red from stash and an off-white that was the same shade as the raffle quilt, but a solid, not a tone on tone print. They all go together nicely
In July, Rob and I got married on Independence Day, so there is more of a plan being made for that block. You'll have to wait to see because I'm not entirely sure I can pull off the plan. But, I'm gonna try! I want to merge those two events into one block.
Summer is half over and Sydney has not found a job. We're giving up, I think. She really needs to be 18 to be hired. And, she's too lazy to actually be trying. And, while we can make her more qualified to work, we can't make her older. So, she's working for me... and because my lovely daughter is who she is, doing everything a couple of times before it's right.
Again, nothing we can do about that. At this point, she has become who she is, and only she can change it. We just keep sending her back to try again. And making her speak to us nicely. Teens are so surly.
Okay, so not much going on in my life right now. I've been hand quilting and if you've ever done that, you know exactly how slow it goes, so nothing new to show. It's especially frustrating that I'm pulling out old quilting to replace it with better quilting. But, really, the secret to a great project for me lies in my willingness to rip out and replace.
I've got plenty of practice at that!
Everybody have a great Thursday. Two more days before the weekend begins.
Yay!!!!!!
Lane
7/14/15
Still hand quilting
I am still hand quilting on the yellow Dresden plate quilt. It's taken a loooooong time, but it's so worth it. And, I can actually see the finish line. It's still a long way away, but at least I can see it now.
I've put in eight of these feathers around the border. They took some time, but now they are done. There's still background work to do, but I'm saving that. The weather is getting hotter, and the last thing I want is this quilt on my lap. I can put it in the frame and quilt around the edges without it actually touching me. Today is the first 100* day, so you can imagine that I'll be making progress on this background work soon.
It's a lot of work. But, this quilt is so beautiful and it's so worth it. I don't know what I was thinking when I started. I really had no idea how big this project would get. I have made decisions as I went, and those decisions have gotten more and more complex, taking more time, and pushing out the finish further.
But, it's going to be fabulous, hanging in a show, with all that tiny hand quilting showing up under the lights.
And, no. I will not be taking on another multi-year hand quilting project. At least I don't think I will. I learned to machine quilt so it wouldn't take years to finish a project.
Everybody have a great Tuesday! I made a significant mistake at work last week and am having to pull new data to bail myself out. Fortunately, I didn't tell many people I was finished with he project, so very few people know I had to start over again. Think twice, pull data once.
Lane
I've put in eight of these feathers around the border. They took some time, but now they are done. There's still background work to do, but I'm saving that. The weather is getting hotter, and the last thing I want is this quilt on my lap. I can put it in the frame and quilt around the edges without it actually touching me. Today is the first 100* day, so you can imagine that I'll be making progress on this background work soon.
I made a significant mistake when I was putting the quilt together. I re-cut all the Dresden fans before I started. I cut around four sides. But, I didn't take off any length. That was bad!! The dark fabric extends beyond the seam allowance of the yellow center in several blocks, so I'm removing the centers, folding that back into the seam allowance... can't cut it off because the hand stitches that hold the fans together start in that area... and then sewing that down, and putting the yellow center back on. Then, I can quilt in the yellow center.
It's a lot of work. But, this quilt is so beautiful and it's so worth it. I don't know what I was thinking when I started. I really had no idea how big this project would get. I have made decisions as I went, and those decisions have gotten more and more complex, taking more time, and pushing out the finish further.
But, it's going to be fabulous, hanging in a show, with all that tiny hand quilting showing up under the lights.
And, no. I will not be taking on another multi-year hand quilting project. At least I don't think I will. I learned to machine quilt so it wouldn't take years to finish a project.
Everybody have a great Tuesday! I made a significant mistake at work last week and am having to pull new data to bail myself out. Fortunately, I didn't tell many people I was finished with he project, so very few people know I had to start over again. Think twice, pull data once.
Lane
7/10/15
Where ev'ry body knows your name....
Remember the Cheers theme song?
"Sometimes you wanna go
Where ev'ry body knows your name..."
Last week, I wrote a post about feeling overwhelmed with the whole wedding thing.
That kind of got resolved. Turned out, it was mostly about being married, but not being finished getting married.
Last Saturday took care of that. We are finished getting married. And, that has made it easier to talk about. Things are settled and no longer up in the air.
So, I started telling people. Rob and I told the therapist... who actually holds a lot of the responsibility for me getting out there and doing this in such a momentous way. Then, I told some friends that I hadn't talked to. And, finally, I started telling people at work.
It's been so nice to feel so appreciated. And, so understood.
One of my co-workers thought to word it best. I wish I could quote her, but this is as close as I could get:
Rob and I are celebrating the legalization of same gender marriage by getting married. But, we celebrated our actual union years ago, when we got together and made a commitment to stay together and to honor one another. The legalization is like adding frosting to a cake we've been eating for 15 years.
There have been hugs and congratulations and a few cards, and it's all been very understated and quiet, just like we like it to be. We know that our besteys, far and near, are celebrating with us. And, we are celebrating with you. Because same gender marriage is a win for us all.
And, who doesn't want a little frosting on a 15 year old cake, right?
So, thank you all so much for your well wishes. I cried each time I got an email or a card. I was so moved by the response. And, I'm glad I was able to express our story in ways that people enjoyed and were moved by.
Everybody have a great Friday!!! Lane
"Sometimes you wanna go
Where ev'ry body knows your name..."
Last week, I wrote a post about feeling overwhelmed with the whole wedding thing.
That kind of got resolved. Turned out, it was mostly about being married, but not being finished getting married.
Last Saturday took care of that. We are finished getting married. And, that has made it easier to talk about. Things are settled and no longer up in the air.
So, I started telling people. Rob and I told the therapist... who actually holds a lot of the responsibility for me getting out there and doing this in such a momentous way. Then, I told some friends that I hadn't talked to. And, finally, I started telling people at work.
It's been so nice to feel so appreciated. And, so understood.
One of my co-workers thought to word it best. I wish I could quote her, but this is as close as I could get:
Rob and I are celebrating the legalization of same gender marriage by getting married. But, we celebrated our actual union years ago, when we got together and made a commitment to stay together and to honor one another. The legalization is like adding frosting to a cake we've been eating for 15 years.
There have been hugs and congratulations and a few cards, and it's all been very understated and quiet, just like we like it to be. We know that our besteys, far and near, are celebrating with us. And, we are celebrating with you. Because same gender marriage is a win for us all.
And, who doesn't want a little frosting on a 15 year old cake, right?
So, thank you all so much for your well wishes. I cried each time I got an email or a card. I was so moved by the response. And, I'm glad I was able to express our story in ways that people enjoyed and were moved by.
Everybody have a great Friday!!! Lane
7/8/15
How far is too far?
I needed a back for this quilt.
This is an odd quilt. Almost monochromatic, but not quite. Different for me.
So, when it was time to piece a back, I decided I wanted to use all the fabric that was left, including the leftover strips.
And, I pretty much did. I think there are two strips about 3" wide by width of fabric leftover. I added two yards of solid green that I brought home and discovered was WRONG for a different project, but was perfect for this one.
Rob pointed out that it's nearly a modern quilt of its own.
But, I think it will make a great back for the quilt, and, best of all, it used up the fabric bits.
So, next is designing the repeating patterns for the quilt. I'm going to do something else different for me and try to mark the quilt with a water soluble pen before I baste it. I normally mark after pin basting... but hey, if you're doing stuff different, why draw a line at how different, right?
Everybody have a great Wednesday.
Rob and I still laugh when we call one another husband. It just sounds funny.
And, at the same time, comfortable.
Lane
This is an odd quilt. Almost monochromatic, but not quite. Different for me.
So, when it was time to piece a back, I decided I wanted to use all the fabric that was left, including the leftover strips.
And, I pretty much did. I think there are two strips about 3" wide by width of fabric leftover. I added two yards of solid green that I brought home and discovered was WRONG for a different project, but was perfect for this one.
i
Rob pointed out that it's nearly a modern quilt of its own.
But, I think it will make a great back for the quilt, and, best of all, it used up the fabric bits.
So, next is designing the repeating patterns for the quilt. I'm going to do something else different for me and try to mark the quilt with a water soluble pen before I baste it. I normally mark after pin basting... but hey, if you're doing stuff different, why draw a line at how different, right?
Everybody have a great Wednesday.
Rob and I still laugh when we call one another husband. It just sounds funny.
And, at the same time, comfortable.
Lane
7/7/15
The evolution of my favorite needle case
A few years ago, when I was collecting vintage sewing stuff, I bought a sunbonnet needle case.
The seller lost it before shipping and refunded my money. A few weeks later, an unexpected package arrived. It was the needle case. I immediately put the right cash, and a little extra for gratitude, and a thank you note in return mail. I was so glad to receive this.
It opens up for needles and pins, and if you untie the ribbons, it opens a little gathered purse for thread and thimble and snips.
Instead of elastic, the purse is gathered along the two ties, so they can be untied and it can be spread open. The brim is still quilted. It still has a snap closure.
But, now it has little snap tabs to hold the scissors and the clamp. The same strip with button and safety pin holds the thread. The little needle "jar" is permanent to hold new needles in the small plastic container and the brim holds needles in use and pins. It can still be pinned to a quilt for convenience.
It's the perfect evolution of the perfect tool for me. But, I'm not promising I won't eventually make another one that's even better!
And, it's cute as the dickens, ain't it?
And, every time I see one of them, it reminds me of my Sweet Grandmother and the times I spent with she and my Grandfather. Wonderful memories with frequent interactions.
Everybody have a great Tuesday. Lane
The seller lost it before shipping and refunded my money. A few weeks later, an unexpected package arrived. It was the needle case. I immediately put the right cash, and a little extra for gratitude, and a thank you note in return mail. I was so glad to receive this.
It opens up for needles and pins, and if you untie the ribbons, it opens a little gathered purse for thread and thimble and snips.
While I was waiting, one of my followers (If it was you, Thanks again!) sent me a link to a pattern to make my own. But, I decided I didn't want the cardboard "wings" that opened for the needle case. I wanted it to more closely imitate the original inspiration, my Grandmother's bonnet that she wore when we worked in the garden.
So, instead of a cardboard brim, I added a piece of batting and quilted it in echo lines, just like my Grandmother's was.
That gave me a nice quilted place for needles and pins. I used elastic to gather the "purse" part and added a narrow strip with a button on the end to secure a spool of thread to. It's a quarter inch tape (like the ties), sewn closed, with a button at one end and a safety pin at the other. I can push the safety pin through a spool and then pin it to the bonnet.
It worked great. There are two snap closures in the brim. I could use the ties to safety pin it to a quilt and it would just stay there and I could always find it. But, stuff fell out. Constantly.
On Saturday, when I needed a distraction, I tried to do something about that, and it was a real pain to add anything to hold scissors and stuff. So, I found the pattern again, printed a new copy, and made a new one.
Instead of elastic, the purse is gathered along the two ties, so they can be untied and it can be spread open. The brim is still quilted. It still has a snap closure.
But, now it has little snap tabs to hold the scissors and the clamp. The same strip with button and safety pin holds the thread. The little needle "jar" is permanent to hold new needles in the small plastic container and the brim holds needles in use and pins. It can still be pinned to a quilt for convenience.
It's the perfect evolution of the perfect tool for me. But, I'm not promising I won't eventually make another one that's even better!
And, it's cute as the dickens, ain't it?
And, every time I see one of them, it reminds me of my Sweet Grandmother and the times I spent with she and my Grandfather. Wonderful memories with frequent interactions.
Everybody have a great Tuesday. Lane
7/6/15
A beagle for the Beagle Man
I finally got the Beagle block together. I won't say it was "easy". Getting the seams to match correctly was a lot of work, and it took a lot of time, despite the precise paper piecing. But, in the end, after some good old fashioned seam ripper time and some Sally Collins precision trimming, it all came together, and matched up.
Of course, the head was the hardest part. The most small pieces and lines that needed to match together. But, that white section on the belly wasn't any walk in the park, either.
I didn't do too bad, did I Mable?
Mable approves!
You know, if I'd keep my kitchen rugs straight all the time, my Kitchen would be ready for impromptu photo sessions with the lovely Miss Mable whenever she was ready.
Well, we're still recovering. Rob came in the studio this morning, on his way to work, and said he understood why people go on honeymoon. You just don't want the good times to end.
We are still riding the wave. But, it's also time to help Sydney find a job and now that the rain has stopped, we have to decide how we're going to spend the rest of the summer.
And, it's time to get back to the office... and actually get some work done.
Everybody have a great Monday. Lane
I didn't do too bad, did I Mable?
Mable approves!
You know, if I'd keep my kitchen rugs straight all the time, my Kitchen would be ready for impromptu photo sessions with the lovely Miss Mable whenever she was ready.
Well, we're still recovering. Rob came in the studio this morning, on his way to work, and said he understood why people go on honeymoon. You just don't want the good times to end.
We are still riding the wave. But, it's also time to help Sydney find a job and now that the rain has stopped, we have to decide how we're going to spend the rest of the summer.
And, it's time to get back to the office... and actually get some work done.
Everybody have a great Monday. Lane
7/5/15
How many times are they going to let that man do that?
Well, apparently, twice.
A couple days ago, Rob told me that there was going to be a Big Gay Wedding at the state capital, the afternoon of July 4.
I began to have an immediate panic attack. Of course I wanted to go. Of course, I wanted to be one of the couples married at the state capital on Independence Day (talk about an anniversary I won't forget). And, of course, I was nervous about doing anything so public. But how many chances do you get to be part of Austin's Big Gay 4th of July Wedding????
I'm learning not to overthink things. So, we went into a state of denial yesterday morning. Rob was excited. I was excited, but really, neither one of us wanted to talk about it much. So, I quilted and Rob washed the cars and we went out for barbecue lunch (I was not cooking on my wedding day!) And in the afternoon, we dressed in red, white and blue, and we went to get "hitched".
About mid morning, I made him take off his ring. We exchanged rings as a sign of our commitment about 12 years ago. I wanted to get new rings for our official marriage, but we didn't have time. I mean, can you believe all this has happened in a week?!?!?! So, we took our rings off, put them in a small Ziploc, and put them in the envelope with the marriage license. They aren't new rings. And, there may never be new rings. That part doesn't matter. But, I wanted us to be able to exchange rings at the ceremony, and what we had was what we had. Better than a cigar band, right?
It was a nervous ride there. You can imagine. We parked a couple of times. Even had a small argument (I'm betting that's why they don't usually let the bride and the groom come to the wedding in the same car). But, the important thing is that we got there.
Loved this sign!
There were probably 35 couples getting married and ten times that many people there to witness.
I looked across the group and saw a guy from my office. My first thought was "I always thought he was straight.". Okay, talk about assuming making an ass out of me... he was there to get married at the Big Gay Wedding event... to his new WIFE! So absolutely COOL! The first time I walked up and shook his hand, I'm not sure he quite knew what to do. He was kinda strange and distant. But, later, I guess he remembered seeing me at the office and walked over and we joked about being able to remind one another of our anniversary and I introduced Rob and he introduced his lady.
My one regret was that we didn't dress nicer... but we were a heck of a lot more comfortable than this couple. But, they were so cute and all the news crews wanted an interview.
There was this little girl, maybe 7 years old, that I'd seen handing out flowers. I heard several couples say, "oh, I read about you on Facebook.". I hadn't. When she walked up to us with the last bouquet, lovely red and yellow roses, I didn't really know what to say. I wasn't really all that keen on carrying flowers... Then, Rob started to talk to her. She held fundraisers to make money to buy flowers to give to people at this gay marriage event. So, when I heard her story, I couldn't help but take the flowers she offered and thank her profusely, and make sure she knew how special we thought her gesture was. We talked to her Mom a little. A couple years ago, when it looked like same gender marriage was going to be legal here, she raised funds for flowers for same gender weddings. But, that all fell through. So, this year, when the Mom said that the weddings were back on, the little girl wanted to raise money and hand out flowers. There were several men there, graciously holding flowers they would not have chosen, including the very cute male couple that got the bunch of sunflowers. So, we were in good company.
The wedding was being held on a cement platform that has a five pointed star of Texas set into it. They had us all line up on the pavement, and then walk onto the platform, as a group, and stand in pairs while the orchestra played the wedding march.
Yes, we did think to take our caps off while the other couples were walking in.
They started by reading the last paragraph from the SCOTUS decision on gay marriage.
Then, we turned to our partners and held hands and repeated these vows:
Then, she said;
After that, there was a crush of people around the officiants to have our licenses signed.
This is Judy. She married us the second time.
oh, and the obligatory Mexican food dinner with margaritas that's become traditional, every time we get married.
I leave you with this picture, because I think it best sums up the day. Lots of images in there. Lots of things happened yesterday. Made more historic because it was so special for me.
Rob's wedding gift to me was to arrange for fireworks to be set off all over the city, after dark. And, he's arranged to have them go off every year hereafter. Isn't it great!
He's such a card.
Everybody have a great Sunday. Lane
A couple days ago, Rob told me that there was going to be a Big Gay Wedding at the state capital, the afternoon of July 4.
I began to have an immediate panic attack. Of course I wanted to go. Of course, I wanted to be one of the couples married at the state capital on Independence Day (talk about an anniversary I won't forget). And, of course, I was nervous about doing anything so public. But how many chances do you get to be part of Austin's Big Gay 4th of July Wedding????
I'm learning not to overthink things. So, we went into a state of denial yesterday morning. Rob was excited. I was excited, but really, neither one of us wanted to talk about it much. So, I quilted and Rob washed the cars and we went out for barbecue lunch (I was not cooking on my wedding day!) And in the afternoon, we dressed in red, white and blue, and we went to get "hitched".
About mid morning, I made him take off his ring. We exchanged rings as a sign of our commitment about 12 years ago. I wanted to get new rings for our official marriage, but we didn't have time. I mean, can you believe all this has happened in a week?!?!?! So, we took our rings off, put them in a small Ziploc, and put them in the envelope with the marriage license. They aren't new rings. And, there may never be new rings. That part doesn't matter. But, I wanted us to be able to exchange rings at the ceremony, and what we had was what we had. Better than a cigar band, right?
It was a nervous ride there. You can imagine. We parked a couple of times. Even had a small argument (I'm betting that's why they don't usually let the bride and the groom come to the wedding in the same car). But, the important thing is that we got there.
Loved this sign!
There were probably 35 couples getting married and ten times that many people there to witness.
I looked across the group and saw a guy from my office. My first thought was "I always thought he was straight.". Okay, talk about assuming making an ass out of me... he was there to get married at the Big Gay Wedding event... to his new WIFE! So absolutely COOL! The first time I walked up and shook his hand, I'm not sure he quite knew what to do. He was kinda strange and distant. But, later, I guess he remembered seeing me at the office and walked over and we joked about being able to remind one another of our anniversary and I introduced Rob and he introduced his lady.
There was this little girl, maybe 7 years old, that I'd seen handing out flowers. I heard several couples say, "oh, I read about you on Facebook.". I hadn't. When she walked up to us with the last bouquet, lovely red and yellow roses, I didn't really know what to say. I wasn't really all that keen on carrying flowers... Then, Rob started to talk to her. She held fundraisers to make money to buy flowers to give to people at this gay marriage event. So, when I heard her story, I couldn't help but take the flowers she offered and thank her profusely, and make sure she knew how special we thought her gesture was. We talked to her Mom a little. A couple years ago, when it looked like same gender marriage was going to be legal here, she raised funds for flowers for same gender weddings. But, that all fell through. So, this year, when the Mom said that the weddings were back on, the little girl wanted to raise money and hand out flowers. There were several men there, graciously holding flowers they would not have chosen, including the very cute male couple that got the bunch of sunflowers. So, we were in good company.
The wedding was being held on a cement platform that has a five pointed star of Texas set into it. They had us all line up on the pavement, and then walk onto the platform, as a group, and stand in pairs while the orchestra played the wedding march.
Yes, we did think to take our caps off while the other couples were walking in.
They started by reading the last paragraph from the SCOTUS decision on gay marriage.
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilizations oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.(Justice Kennedy really did us proud, huh?)
Then, we turned to our partners and held hands and repeated these vows:
Today, as freely as I was given life, I join my life with yours, to stand by your side, to listen when you speak, to comfort you when you cry, and to join your laughter with my own. Today, I choose you, Rob, to be my husband.
I promise to live by your side, to be the joy of your heart, the sustenance of your world and the best person I can be for you. Wherever you go, I will go; whatever you face, I will face.
I will be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest, the companion of your life. I promise to hold you gently and lovingly until our days on earth are over.
Rob, take this ring as a symbol of my promise, my loyalty, and my commitment to our love and our life together.
Then, she said;
Turn for a moment and look around you... notice your friends, your families, and the groups of other well wishers. Stand quietly. Feel the generous gift of our love coming your way from all directions... this is the feeling of a community of support for each marriage here, and we promise, each to each, to remind one another of the promises of the love this day brings.
By the power vested in us by the Supreme Court of the United States and the laws of the state of Texas, we now pronounce you married! Please kiss now!And, just like that, we were formally married.
After that, there was a crush of people around the officiants to have our licenses signed.
This is Judy. She married us the second time.
And, when we were done there, it was all over, except the smiling...
oh, and the obligatory Mexican food dinner with margaritas that's become traditional, every time we get married.
I leave you with this picture, because I think it best sums up the day. Lots of images in there. Lots of things happened yesterday. Made more historic because it was so special for me.
Rob's wedding gift to me was to arrange for fireworks to be set off all over the city, after dark. And, he's arranged to have them go off every year hereafter. Isn't it great!
He's such a card.
Everybody have a great Sunday. Lane
7/2/15
Overwhelmed
Not a quilting post, y'all. More of a personal note.
Oh, what the heck. Here's a quilty picture, just so you can see I'm still sewing.
This pattern is called Barbed Wire, from the book Twosy-Foursy quilts. It's made from bricks that are cut 2.5x4.5 and 2.5x6.5, so it's really easy. I like the pattern so much that I'm making a second scrappy one out of red and beige and have plans for several more, to help me use up some scraps. These will be simple Linus patterns that I can whip up pretty quick and donate.
Anyway, back to feeling overwhelmed. I'm sure I'm not the first new groom to feel overwhelmed. Or to think it's silly to feel that way. Rob has sailed into married life like a ship cutting through fog. Me, not so much.
Which is really weird since this makes no difference in our everyday life. We've been together 15 years. All we did was make our relationship legally recognized. But, we still get up at the same time and go to the same jobs and eat dinner as a family and watch TV and go to sleep in the same bed at night. Nothing has changed... except everything seems like it should have.
Maybe that's what is overwhelming me. I kind of had this expectation that everything would be different after we married... and nothing is.
I haven't told many people that I'm married. I don't know why, but it feels kind of private at this point. And, I'm not willing to risk having to murder someone for saying something disparaging. And, I'm also pretty sure that's exactly what I'd try to do.
So, I just keep it to myself. There are a few very close friends that know. But, only a few.
Rob has told everyone. He's the personable one... the one that keeps up with our social obligations and drags me away from the sewing machine to go do stuff with people. Otherwise, I don't think I'd never walk away from the fabric. So, for him, it's been easy. His friends expected him to marry, and have come to him and asked if he did.
I'm much more reserved with my friends and it just hasn't come up. And, I haven't brought it up. It's not like I'm ashamed. I look down at my hand, frequently during the day and see that same ring that I've worn for about 12 years and think about how that ring has a new meaning.
I'm just not ready to talk about that new meaning.
Maybe it's because it's all too new and close to the surface, and I'm just not willing to bring it out to play.
Or, maybe I'm just an introvert that's on unfamiliar social ground and not sure what to do.
Or, maybe I'm just being me, and this is how I handle being married, as a foregone conclusion, not a notable change, and I'm handling it that way... and wondering if that's right. But, pretty sure it is because it feels comfortable.
Who knows. But, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter. Because every day we get out of the same bed, and every night we get back into it... together.
Everybody have a great Thursday. I think we're all going to be off tomorrow. An extra day to spend with family.
Now, that's something that feels right.
Lane
Oh, what the heck. Here's a quilty picture, just so you can see I'm still sewing.
This pattern is called Barbed Wire, from the book Twosy-Foursy quilts. It's made from bricks that are cut 2.5x4.5 and 2.5x6.5, so it's really easy. I like the pattern so much that I'm making a second scrappy one out of red and beige and have plans for several more, to help me use up some scraps. These will be simple Linus patterns that I can whip up pretty quick and donate.
Anyway, back to feeling overwhelmed. I'm sure I'm not the first new groom to feel overwhelmed. Or to think it's silly to feel that way. Rob has sailed into married life like a ship cutting through fog. Me, not so much.
Which is really weird since this makes no difference in our everyday life. We've been together 15 years. All we did was make our relationship legally recognized. But, we still get up at the same time and go to the same jobs and eat dinner as a family and watch TV and go to sleep in the same bed at night. Nothing has changed... except everything seems like it should have.
Maybe that's what is overwhelming me. I kind of had this expectation that everything would be different after we married... and nothing is.
I haven't told many people that I'm married. I don't know why, but it feels kind of private at this point. And, I'm not willing to risk having to murder someone for saying something disparaging. And, I'm also pretty sure that's exactly what I'd try to do.
So, I just keep it to myself. There are a few very close friends that know. But, only a few.
Rob has told everyone. He's the personable one... the one that keeps up with our social obligations and drags me away from the sewing machine to go do stuff with people. Otherwise, I don't think I'd never walk away from the fabric. So, for him, it's been easy. His friends expected him to marry, and have come to him and asked if he did.
I'm much more reserved with my friends and it just hasn't come up. And, I haven't brought it up. It's not like I'm ashamed. I look down at my hand, frequently during the day and see that same ring that I've worn for about 12 years and think about how that ring has a new meaning.
I'm just not ready to talk about that new meaning.
Maybe it's because it's all too new and close to the surface, and I'm just not willing to bring it out to play.
Or, maybe I'm just an introvert that's on unfamiliar social ground and not sure what to do.
Or, maybe I'm just being me, and this is how I handle being married, as a foregone conclusion, not a notable change, and I'm handling it that way... and wondering if that's right. But, pretty sure it is because it feels comfortable.
Who knows. But, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter. Because every day we get out of the same bed, and every night we get back into it... together.
Everybody have a great Thursday. I think we're all going to be off tomorrow. An extra day to spend with family.
Now, that's something that feels right.
Lane
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