Snowed in!

So here in Michigan we have been hit yet again with blizzard like conditions. Today is a bit better but another strom is on the way. If it interferes with my Pistons game tomorrow night, I am going to be mad!

But today I am thankful. Very thankful. Our furnace quit last night. My dear hubby stayed up all night to keep the fireplace going so we didn’t freeze. I stayed snug as a bug in a rug all night and would never have known we had a problem! Found out this morning that it was a blocked vent. Totally blocked with packed snow from the blizzard. It was an easy fix and I am so thankful we did not have to have someone come out. I am also very thankful for a husband that will stay up all night to keep the family warm. God is good!

I am going out today to stock up on some things and finish some last minute Christmas shopping and then I am going to stay in the rest of the week…..except for the Pistons game tomorrow night. They play the Bulls and we have tickets. I hope the weather cooperates. If not, I will watch on  TV and be thankful for a warm house!

Have you ever?

I shamelessly stole this from Lisa Call just because I thought it was fun! The items in bold are the things I have done so far:

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo (I’m counting in the shower cause not interested in doing it in public)

11. Bungee jumped (very very fun! I want to do it again!)

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelos David

41. Sung karoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury!

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

I have done 47 of these things! Looks like I have some adventure ahead of me .

Journal Quilts

There has been some recent discussion on the QA list regarding journal quilts. I see journal quilts as being just what they sound like, a page out of a personal journal. There are probably as many reasons for making journal quilts as there are artists making them! Some make them to try out a new technique or to express an idea. Some make them to record an event or explore in a way that they would not on a larger piece. All reasons are valid.

Personally, my artistic life and spiritual life cannot be separated. My spiritual life is my LIFE and as such, it overflows into everything that I do and make. Journal quilts are one more tool in my box so to speak, to explore and express spiritual issues. A few years back, I began an indepth study of the Song of Solomon. I also began a series of journal quilts as part of this study. They were never meant for show, just for me. But I have decided to share some of them here. This is such a rich book that I could make a journal quilt for every single verse of the 8 chapters! The following are all from the first chapter.

Song of Solomon 1:2

Song of Solomon 1:3

Song of Solomon 1:4

Song of Solomon 1:5

Song of Solomon 1:6

Song of Solomon 1:7

One of these days, I will add to this series. Song of Solomon is such a rich book. If you are interested in a quick overview, read The Journey of the Bride by Dr. Brian Simmons.

Finally!

I stole away a bit of time to sew. I wasn’t feeling particularly creative but I had some of these bits on the design wall so I just started sewing and here is the result:

Another ladder quilt. Right now this measures about 14″ x 16″ and yes, it is crooked on  the bottom. I love the chocolate and turquoise together. I don’t think this will get any bigger. I think I need something to mindlessly quilt at this point and this might be that thing. Feel free to leave comments/critiques!

MySpace

I have had no time to sew so here is an older quilt I call MySpace.

MySpace

Hmmm…..wonder if I can get anything creative done with a three year old around for the morning? I haven’t played with playdough in ages. Think I will look for a recipe .

Traditional Bed Quilts

As a result of a recent discussion of bed quilts on the QA list, I decided to post pics of a couple of mine. Both of these are machine pieced and quilted.

Evening Star

 

The colors in the Evening Star quilt look washed out in this picture but are actually in the medium to dark range.  The next one is made from repro 1930s fabrics.

Memory Chain

This quilt used to be oriented the other way on my old bed but this one has a higher, thicker mattress.  Because  my new sleigh bed has the nice big foot board, I can get away with just turning the quilt sideways.

I make my bed quilts to be used. These are both nearly 10 years old and have been washed many times. I love the cotton batting, it causes quilts to age so gracefully .

This last one is a doll quilt that was published in QUILT Almanac a few years ago. It is straighter than it looks, my photography needs work .

I can’t remember what I called it! Okay, enough playing on the computer for one day, back to cleaning. Fun fun…..NOT!

Which Machines to keep and which to release?

I am downsizing….sounds like something retired people do but I am no where near retirement! I do find it necessary to simplify my life and that includes getting rid of some things. Confession time: I do not even know how many sewing machines I own. I have a collection of old Singers including several Featherweights that I love. I have a couple Berninas, a Singer embroidery machine, several old Singer 128s, 201s, 15s, 301s, 99s, an 1870 something Singer New Family, a Singer 115 with the coolest gold angel wing decals, an assortment of toy sewing machines and a bazillion attachments and gadgets with the Singer name on them. 

I didn’t grow up wanting to collect sewing machines, it just sort of happened. An outgrowth of quilting it seems. I have always loved old things and have a mechanical bent. When I bought my first 1955 Singer Model 99 at an estate sale, I lugged it home  with a grin that would make you think I had won the lottery! She was beautiful and it was love at first sight. I cleaned, oiled, polished and read the manual cover to cover. She sewed like a charm, Much better than the Singer I bought at Sams Club in the early 90s. That was what started this obsession with old machines. It becomes an addiction! A happy one, a fun one, and at least it kept me out of…..well, you know. The concept that they were made to last and did last for 50-100 years and more with only the most basic attention is incredible.

I still love them. The machine I use most of all is a 1950 something Singer 201. It was the Cadillac of the Singer line back then. I paid all of $25 for it. She has some scars but will sew through anything and is never fussy about the threads I use…..my Bernina 155, not so much. I like Berninas, I have owned three but there is nothing like the  old metal gear driven Singers.

But seriously, how many do I really need? A collection takes time to maintain and it is fun to do so  but I want the space and time to make art. So I am back to what to keep and what to sell? Tough question.

To bring this back to quilting, here is a miniature quilt made from vintage fabrics and made on a vintage machine:

This one was made with vintage fabrics from the 30s-40s. It is machine pieced and quilted. Back to cleaning and sorting and selling. Hello e-Bay…….Until next time.

Helping the Poor

Good Morning! While reading blogs recently, I discovered an amazing organization that allows individuals like you and me to loan money to entrepreneurs in develping countries to help lift themselves out of poverty. You can loan as little as $25 and receive updates on the individual and their business. Loas are generally repayed within 6-12 months and you can either withdraw your money at that time or loan it to another person. They have an amazingly low default rate. The average size loan is about $450, not much to most of us in the US but this can make a huge difference to a person in a developing country.

James 1:27 says, “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

What an awesome way to give a hand up rather than a hand out to those less fortunate!  Check it out at :

kiva.org

Have a great Saturday!

Cleaning out!

I have too much stuff and need more room to actually sew! So it is time to clean out the sewing room.  To that end, I am selling some of my vintage sewing collectibles  and Singer sewing machine items on e-Bay. If anyone is interested, you can find my auctions here:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsweigak

I also have a Centennial Singer Featherweight  and card table for sale for pick up in Saginaw, MI. Let me know if you are interested. You can reach me at: KatyQuilts@aol.com

I also need to clear out some of the many quilts I have made so I will set up a sale page here for some of my work in the next day or so.

Here is one just to get things started:

This is bleach discharged using a stencil that I drafted. The border fabric is a Polynesian print purchased in Hawaii. This piece measures 23″ x 23″.  I can attach a sleeve for hanging if desired.  Price is $150 and includes shipping within the US.

Have a great night!

Uncertainty

I started this piece one day after hearing some rather disconcerting news that caused me to wonder once again what the future would hold. Somehow the starkness of it  and the skewed angles are able to convey exactly how I felt that day. It is a picture of a feeling, one I have felt many times since I have made it. 

So many things are in a state of flux right now in our nation, from Wall Street to Main Street and from the White House to my house.  I don’t know what the future will look like, but the knowledge that the the God of all creation deeply loves and cares for me and my family brings me an unexplainable peace in the midst of it all.