Yo!

My friend, Karen, is always on the cutting edge! Pardon the pun. We have coffee on Monday mornings and she brought her little basket full of Yo-Yo's. Little gathered hearts and circles made with a plastic template you click together with a piece of cotton sandwiched between. They are sooo cute, and can be made by any novice seamstress. This gives new meaning to the act of sitting. My fingers get to stay busy, and I can use up some of the quilting scraps from my projects in my weekly class.

Quilting is creating

After a long break from my Quilting class, I am back to sewing. Finishing old projects, like this fold up bag for cosmetics (vinyl and all!) that was from our Winter session, and of course Ella's quilt which is my really first "start to finish "creation and labor of love. I have enjoyed the comradarie of the class and everyone's talented differences.
Our first class was a "quick and easy" Single Irish Chain. I made most of it during class time.
It will be a small, 40" square to put on our bed as an accent. Right now I'm feeling rather accomplished, but that won't last. A new quilt is always on the horizon!

Christmas Stockings

I had the distinct honor of making my Ella Amberley's Christmas Stocking. I began about 2 months before the season and finished up in time for Santa's appearance. It is hanging proudly next to her brothers, mom, and dad's. Even though the whole christmas thing is over, these are still hanging proudly from their mantle and I must say they could stay there until Easter and I would be happy. I could hide some eggs in those puppies--hey, maybe I've got something there?

Stone Coasters

New year, new projects

For Christmas I got busy and watched a YouTube video my friend Karen e-mailed me on making coasters out of ceramic tiles. I happened to have a box of white tiles in my backyard (doesn't everybody?) So, I got to work and cleaned off a couple dozen and made some for gifts. I have to say, there was some experimenting with the Stazon ink I used on the slick tiles, but I was happy with the results. One more craft I can do for not much money. Of course, the best part of learning anything new is the shopping part! I love Michael, whoever he is. I have made him a rich man!

writing is fun

I have to say the Nanowrimo worked for me for a while, then we went on vacation and I fell off the writing wagon. At 3000 words, give or take, I still feel accomplished. I have a story going now that I can continue working on and even though I didn't get to the goal of 50,000 I still feel good about making the effort. It also got me used to typing the story on my laptop instead of longhand then transferring it. That right there is a good thing.
My latest entry was to write to the editor of the Tribune about the mamogram recommendation to suggest age 50 for the first one instead of 40. I was soooo mad. My sweet neice was just diagnosed with breast cancer and she is 40. If not for the suggestion to begin mamograms at 40, she might not be here. I intend on sending the same letter that was published in the Saturday Trib. to Lois Capps, our representative.

A Novel Idea

November is Novel Writing month, so says NaNoWriMo, a website I signed up with that gives prizes for writing 50,000 words in a month. This is my first try and so far I have written 842 words in two days. Writing is usually quite a lonely hobby, profession, but when there are people all over the world writing, it becomes more interesting. You should try it sometime. Even if it just means writing in a journal, or a diary, it still refreshes the soul, gives breath to the psyche. I would be lost without writing. But, of course I procrastinate, get ideas and then don't take the time to write them down. Its all about accountability and tricking myself into taking action. In the case of a writer, it's more like inaction, sitting down long enough to write!
So, I will write every day, not editing, not re-writing, just the bare bones. That in itself is more enjoyable. Wish me luck!