It's Christmas !!!!

I use to love this time of year. Not sure what happened this year though. I had a few thoughts on the possibilities, but didn't want to bring too much negativity into the blog and most of my opinions on the current crisis our country faces are probably better left unpublished. They might shut my blog down.

We haven't gotten the tree up yet, but will. Heck I still have 7 days left. Not as many of the decorations are going to find their way out of the storeroom this year, but that is okay, won't take as long to put everything away. I still like the year I left them all out on the snooker table and just brought them back up without having to unpack anything. Easiest decorating I every did! Haven't purchased many gifts either and I don't think we will.

I have cleaned way too much the past month and a half and the dyeing and sewing have been non-existent. The baby quilt I am making my grandchild is still just sitting there with the dragonfly block ripped out of it, waiting for my return and the making of another one. Looks like that will be a gift after Christmas, no way is it going to get done at this point in time.

The Guild color study project is still sitting there and it was suppose to be done in November. Was I glad that meeting was cancelled. It would have been completed had I not had to get the sample made for the Retreat our Guild held in November. That piece turned out to be very distressing!!!! Let's say that it won't be seen at the Quilt Show this coming October, at least not as it is now. The Retreat was great though and everyone had some very nice projects going.
So the push will be on after Christmas to finish the Guild color study project I started this year before the January '09 meeting. Sort of important that I get this done since I am the one in charge, encouraging everyone else to get theirs completed.

I canned the last of the sauerkraut on Monday. The canning kettles have finally made their way back to the garage shelves. I didn't think I was ever going to get that stuff done this year. I did have the experience of having the side of a jar blow out the other day when processing. Anyway, we put up 96 pounds this year. I think that will hold us and those we share it with for a little while. One of the things I liked best that I put up was the Tomato Relish, not sure how much of that I am going to share.

I hope everyone has a beautiful and blessed Christmas and I pray that our country and way of life will still be around next year at this time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!

Fall is on the way

September already, where has the year gone? We will be celebrating a new year in just four, short months.

Hopefully I won't be as tired and testy tomorrow when I wake up and hopefully I will get a good night's sleep, providing the jerk in Los Angeles, CA skips sharing their political views at 1:53 A.M. again!!!! I am for the No Call list including political calls. Not likely to happen since those passing the laws are politicians and the laws currently on the books are not enforced.

The canning is progressing. More salsa, dill pickles and stewed tomatoes in the pantry, sweet corn in the freezer. I am going to make some peach salsa tomorrow. People should grow more of their own food, it would benefit them in untold ways.

Another month almost completed

I am having a hard time believing that August has almost come to an end.

I have been busy canning produce from the garden. Tomatoes are producing very well, along with the cucumbers. Even though I have only used one head of dill from our garden and have had to get dill from others who have been so nice to share. The cabbages are finally ready to eat and we have been enjoying those.

I finished making the quilt I started for my mother last December, it is for a queen bed. I dyed a single piece of fabric for the log cabin blocks, with the exception of the centers. After the fabric is dyed, I start cutting strips and sewing the blocks together. The borders are dyed with the same dye. I used a Blue, Yellow and Red for this quilt. This is the second quilt I have made using this method. I hope to dye a few other pieces this summer using different color combinations.

Still need to get the iris I dug up in July back in the ground. AND we had some wonderful moisture the first weeks of August. Over 10" total from all the thunderstorms here at our home. It was needed!!! Of course the weeds are making up for lost time now. All of the flowers loved the rain, humidity and cooler weather and have never looked better. The pastures are green, unusual sight for late August.

It's August 1st !!!!

Hard to believe that the eight month of the year has started!!!! I have been canning and freezing produce from the garden, so I guess it is time for August to be here. To date I have canned 10 pints of salsa, 7qts. of stewed tomatoes and 7 qts. of dill pickles. The cabbages are slowly making heads. Timing was a little off there this year with them. Just as long as they produce some large heads for kruat by the end of Oct., I will be happy.

To the right, one of my favorite daylilies blooming in the flower garden. They are carrying the gardens at the moment. Along with the cone flowers and rudebeckia. I have started digging the iris as some are in jeopardy of wasting away, too much shade where they are currently planted. I am going to tear up two of the flower beds and replant them within the next few weeks.

It is warming up

I do believe July is officially here due to the heat, some days anyway. It has been an interesting spring and summer, it has been on the cool side. Everything is a little behind. The corn is a week to 10 days behind, last year it was a week head. I did pick some tomatoes from the garden yesterday. We are still harvesting wheat. Hopefully it will be done in a few days.

I purchased an embroidery module, didn't plan on it but, I now have one. I have been a little frustrated with the entire thing. One thing I have learned is that Bernina software and Vista don't like to play together at all. No one told me that at the store where I purchased the thing that these little problems exist. Live and learn that stores only want to sell their wares, win trips, etc. It took several long phone calls with OESD to get it up and running. But the little teddy bear above is the first thing I have made with the thing. I need to stuff him yet and sew up the back. Now I will have to decide on using rayon or poly thread. Leaning toward rayon at the moment.

I think it will be enjoyable when I get the bugs worked out.

July is here !!!!!!!

Can you believe it??!!! It is July 6th already and we have less than 6 months to go before this year, 2008, is over. Not sure I have much to show for the last 6 months, not near as much as I had planned on having done, but that is normal.

Wheat harvest is underway. Hoping it goes well and everyone stays safe. The corn is still growing slowly. We really haven't had many hot days, but the last few have made up for it. We received some blessed moisture last week. Still way behind in that category.

Still working on journals in Sue B's classes from Two Creative Studios that I started 5 and 6 weeks ago. Haven't made much progress in that arena either. I would like to get some of the papers made today or journals, either would do. I will have to see how that works out.

I am still cleaning the sewing room as well. I can't figure out why I am always cleaning things and putting things away or trying to find a place to put something away, but I never seem to get anything completed. Something is wrong here.
Uncovered the quilt I am making for my mom. Hmmmm, her birthday is coming up shortly, maybe I should get it done for that? I started on this one before Christmas and did well for a long time, then Christmas happened, then taxes right after the first of the year, then the remodeling project, starting plants in the greenhouse, then Paducah, then planting all those little plants into pots and hanging baskets, the garden and yard and now harvest and still the garden and yard.

I did get a new computer, not sure all the internet troubles were related to the old computer though as I am still having trouble. The test will be the posting of photos on this blog, couldn't do that on the old one. I will have to take some photos to post too. Another thing to add to the list.

The Internet

I have been having computer problems and I was suppose to get a new computer. As with all things new in this category, nothing ever works out the way it is suppose to. The old computer is still here, sort of, as all it is doing at the moment is powering the wireless router. I have lost all e-mails from the past week and that account is non-existent at the moment. Hopefully this too will be resolved shortly. I do not like change when it comes to things like this simply because it is a pain in the butt!!!!

I have been sewing this past week. Need to do much more in that area. The journal classes are not going so well since I have not been home much this past week and I can't access the last lesson, due to the e-mail difficulties. I did find some fun papers and found some great sale items while in Denver this past weekend. I also keep thinking I should be using at least one of these journals I have made.

The garden has finally taken off as it is warming up. There are 3 baby zucchinis setting on, along with numerous tomatoes. The cucumbers in the garden are slow as are the green beans. We have been eating English cucumbers that are grown in the greenhouse. They do not like the Colorado climate outside the greenhouse.

I have gathered some flowers and have pressed them. I believe they are dry enough to use in the paper making at this point. I have wanted to do this for some time so will attempt it soon and post the results. I would also like to do some dyeing this week, it has been months since I have dyed anything.

That's enough

I have decided that it is time to clean off the top of the desk. I also need to back up files on the main computer. I have decided these two jobs go hand in hand. I get distracted with the cleaning part and don't pay attention to the computer and it has time to slowly do it's thing without me impatiently clicking on the mouse. Right now it is not co-operating, which is very typical. The desk is doing much better. I would say that I do know more about the computer since it doesn't like to do much of what it is suppose to and have to figure things out on occasion to make it work. Not anything very deep, complex or involved, but a few things.

I have also been busy on several other projects. The journal class is moving right along. Journal 1/ 2 is now completed. Lesson #3 was posted Friday and it is now Tuesday. So need to get on that and back to the wedding dress quilt project. I also need to clean the counter off in the sewing room and find a few things that I could not find last night when looking. Fortunately it had not been that long since I used them and remembered that I do have it someplace down there.

The outside garden is growing. The tomatoes are slowly issuing new growth and are still setting on those little tomatoes. Squash, beans, cukes and dill are all up now. We had our first cucumber on Sunday, it came from the greenhouse. One of the cucumber plants in the greenhouse has a 'cable' stem. Will try to remember to get a photo of it and post it. Very interesting. Something didn't get read correctly when that thing started growing. Hmmm, reminds me of the computer.

Back to work on this desk/computer project. It is something that I need to finish, as quickly as possible too. Both drive me crazy.

Almost Summer

It is hard to believe that it is the 12th of June already. I guess that is what today is and the year will be half over in 18 more days. That is what is really amazing to me!!! I told someone if I am ever knocked unconscious not to ask the date or the day. I won't get them right. I am lucky anymore if I know what year it is, I put '07 on a check the other day.

I am having technical difficulties when posting photos. They all end up at the top of the post and then I can't move them. One of those things I will have to work on as time goes by. I originally had three photos on here and now have one. I was doing good to get it down.


To the right is a photo of the journal I made in Sue Bleiweiss' mixed media journal class. I used batik fabric for the cover which is the fabric with the squares on it and you can see it on the tags. The lining has the floral image stamped on it. The tags are made by fusing fabric to card stock. These are kept in pockets or envelopes on the signature pages. I did sew the signature pages into the journal. I do like this method.

I need to start working on the next one as our third lesson will be posted tomorrow. I am also taking her other 12 week journal class and it started last week. The best thing is that I can use the journal I need to make for both classes this week. Wasn't that thoughtful of Sue?. Several of us are in both classes. So more journals to come and hopefully I will figure out this photo business.

Goodness time flies!!!!

I couldn't believe it had been so long since I posted. As I said, time flies and of course I have been busy starting a few things.

I did sign up for a fabric painting class on QU. I guess the thing it did force me to do was get the discharge paste out that I had had for awhile and had not yet used. Other than that, I guess I had learned most of the other things in Sue B.'s class and from the Dyehard lists, we do learn a great deal on those from one another.

I have also signed up for a couple of Sue Bleiweiss' journal making classes. Probably shouldn't have as I have more than plenty to do and it is summer, but I enjoyed the mixed media class I took last summer and want to make some more journals. It is an aboslute must to get the garden and all the planting finished before Monday.

The photo will give you a good idea of what I have been up to since I have been home from KY.

There are few tomatoes left in the greenhouse, but at the time this photo was taken there were 76 on the bench. We did plant 38 last week and I just about killed them, but they are tough and came back. There are three more that need to be planted outside. Half of the peppers have been planted outside.

The plants on the shelf are the flowers for this summer's hanging baskets and pots. They were rather tiny as I didn't get anything started until April 6th this year, but have grown and are still sitting on the shelf. I did get 33 pots and hanging baskets planted and we have taken those to our daughters, NOW to do ours. I started on that process this morning, but only have 5 done.

Today is a beautiful day. One of those late spring days that we cherish around here. The wind isn't blowing like a banshee, as it has many days this spring, we still have a few birds still passing through and the ones that live here are singing away. There are some big white fluffy clouds showing up, sure wish some would get together and produce some rain. Very, very dry.
As to interesting birds during this year's migration, we have had several new ones. One is a Blackpoll Warbler and the other is a Prothonotary Warbler. We did have a female Western Tanager and my favorite a Lazuli Bunting pair. It has been years since I have seen the the buntings. They really liked the dandelions that had gone to seed. A good reason not to get in a big hurry and remove all of those things. We have had numerous Yellow Warblers and Flycatchers this spring. It is the best birdwatching spring I have had in 8 or 9 years. It has also been fun. We have also had some Yellow breasted Chats and another favorite, American Redstarts. The Grey Catbird has been around for some time, a Mocking Bird, Brown Thrasher, different kinds of Thrushes. The regulars--Robins, Great Tailed Grackles, Mourning Doves, Eurasian Banded Dove, King Birds, Barn Swallows, and House Finches are busy with their babies.

The corn is small, the weather has not been kind to it. The wheat is still hanging on as best it can due to lack of moisture. That is life on the farm. Until later.

Guess What???

I was finally able to load another photo. This is of the balloon I painted in the dye painting class I took from Hollis Chatelain. It still needs to be quilted.

I started a QU class this morning. I have been very good about staying away from QU classes this year, until Thursday night. I had a weak moment, checked out the classes and ended up signing up for the Playing with Paint class. Sounds fun or maybe the paints were wanting some quality time. Nevertheless, I only have to purchase one thing for the class and maybe that is another good reason to have taken it, to gain more experience using the paints on fabric. Something I vowed to do this year, use what I have, learn how to use what I have and refrain from getting new things.
Many of the lessons appear similar to swaps on the Dyehard_Surfacing list, but I haven't done those swaps, so another good reason to take the class. Being in a class or swapping techniques helps me focus on learning that technique.
When I signed up I had planned on doing the lesson this morning, BUT I am a day behind as I forgot to get the yearbooks made for the quilting guild I belong to and the meeting is Monday night. I had forgotten all about them until I came across the folder in the file drawer yesterday morning when looking for an address. I worked on them most of yesterday, last night and finished them this morning. The best part is that I won't have to do them next year!!!! Yippppppeeeeee!!! They are a pain in the butt.
Had to stop quilting on the turtle for a few days as my back was bothering me. I thought that wasn't suppose to happen when working on a domestic machine. The reason I am trying to learn how to quilt on it since I can't do as much on the longarm anymore because of my back. My back is a pain as well.
So I am off to work on something, maybe clean the house? Sounds gruesome, but necessary. Still trying to catch up.

Hmmmm, started several things

Yesterday is the day set aside to rest and that is what I did. Today is a day required to catch up on things that have been put aside the past 10 days. It really wasn't too bad, Joedy kept things up very well while I was gone.
I do need to get out to the greenhouse tomorrow and transplant the tomatoes, clarkia, a few petunias, and verbena. It will be time to transplant everything into the planters shortly. It is the 5th of May. Everything is growing rapidly at this point.
I did work on quilting the turtle I painted in class this past week. Exciting to see it come to life. It really is hard not to work on it. That is a good thing, might be one of those things that actually get Finished!! What a thought!!!
I unpacked the treasures purchased in Paducah today. Always fun to touch fabric and think, that was a good thing to pick up. Ordered a couple of books we discussed in class and some print paste from ProChem. Have to have that on hand to paint more fabric pieces.
The photos are not co-operating tonight, what a surprise. So will sign off until tomorrow. Hopefully it will work when I finish the turtle. I would hate to finish something and not be able to prove it!!!

Recovering

Thought I would start off with some photos of the trip. This is the Kensington, an assisted living facility in Hastings where I stayed the first night. It is a fantastic old hotel that they have converted. The chandelier is quite impressive looking into the lobby area from the 2nd floor. The marble stairs are worn from the many hotel patrons of years ago. Sharon is the director of the Kensington. One of the vehicles they use to take residents to appointments is a PT cruiser. Looks very cool with the name 'Kensington' done up in script on the side. It was a fun experience.





Our first stop in Padcah Friday night was Caryl Fallert's. We then went on a walking tour in the lower downtown art district where the homes are being renovated through their artist program. The baby giraffe is outside one studio/home and on the opposite side of the sidewalk the mama stands, stretching her neck up to the 2nd floor porch. One of my favorite pieces of art in Paducah.

It was somewhat depressing when I turned onto the gravel yesterday for the last stretch of the journey. In less than 24 hours I had come from a lush environment of dogwood, azaleas, trees trees and flooded fields to a scoured, wind whipped landscape.
The only thing that looks better now than before I left are the pastures. They have started to green up, but due to lack of rainfall and the horrific winds the day before on Friday, everything else is going backward. The wheat is showing signs of stress, tumbleweeds, corn husks, wheat straw and dirt are in places they don't belong and are not wanted. The fields that are conventionally tilled are a mess. This is a fragile area we live in and sometimes it is pushed too hard by the elements and man.
I remember my grandmother saying that when they left Iowa all those years ago and headed west, through Nebraska and on into eastern Colorado, she thought she had fallen off the face of the earth when they arrived and had gone to hell. She was around 10 and walked behind the wagon most of the way. As beautiful as this part of the country can be, it can also be harsh, brutal and unforgiving.
Due to the 70+m.p.h. winds on Friday, our crab apple tree is now one third smaller. I guess we won't have to worry about it hanging out over the driveway any longer. Fortunately the grill was not torn up when the wind blew it over and with some adjustments, the satellite dish is back on its signal. Really glad I missed all of the action on Friday. I do need to dust however.
The plants in the greenhouse have grown rapidly, good thing too as I need to start planting them into their respective pots. The monthly bills showed up while I was gone as well. It was fun while it lasted.
Time to unpack the treasures and start catching up to life once again.

Back Home

Well this blogging did not go as well as planned. Might have to stay in a better place than the Days Inn on the next outing. Internet service was virtually non-existent most of the time.
I snapped a picture of the Arch in St. Louis on our way home yesterday evening. We stayed in a place about 24 miles east of Kansas City last night. We made good time, but then we were on the way home. Always seems like it is push once we leave Paducah to get there. Glad we left when we did as they were under a flash flood warning shortly after we left.
Hollis' class was wonderful. I learned how to paint with dye and I also learned a number of things about myself. It was also nice to be in a class where I felt like I belonged and could relate to people. I meant a number of nice women in the class. One thing that surprised me was that a number of them didn't dye or hadn't dyed for several years. I just assumed that most would be hand dyers, so much for assuming.
Those in the class who wanted to go out to supper meant at an Italian restaurant Thursday evening. We had a very enjoyable time. That was also the day we ate lunch at Caryl Fallert's and of course did a little shopping there.
I do have more photos to post, but after traveling 2,262 miles, I am ready to call it a day. Great fun, meant new people, saw old friends, learned new things and I didn't have to drive across Kansas by myself since I took the scenic route through Nebraska. A very good combination in my opinion.

Day 3 Fading Fast

We have completed day 3 of our workshop. The balloon I finished turned out better than expected, BUT the proof is yet to come. I will wash it out in the morning before going to class. That is when the real work will be seen.
We will start machine quilting our pieces tomorrow. Should be interesting. It will be interesting to see how the new threads work, wish I had those fluorescent ones sitting at home. I will be able to borrow some if I get to that point.
Hollis should her slides and discussed her work. Awesome pieces. She demonstrated on the machine how to do hair, leaves, bringing the thread out into another color to show it off. I like her style, wish I had taken a class from her long ago.
Betty Ann, Jerri from St. Louis, Linda, Sharon and I went out to supper at the place that has Whaler's in its name. Had crab cakes, they were very good.
Has been enjoyable getting to be with Betty Ann and Beth along with Sharon and Linda. I have meant some very nice women in this class.

Day two

Even though day 3 is about to get underway, I am posting info about day 2. It was a long day, but a satisfying one. We arrived at 8:30 a.m. and left at 8:50 p.m. I have completed one piece, the turtle, and have the trees to finish on the hot air balloon piece. I was very pleased with the turtle, it turned out far better than I had hoped or perhaps I should say far better than I thought it was possible for me to achieve. Always nice to have pleasant surprises.
I would have to rate this workshop as the best workshop I have taken, my expectations have been exceeded.
Today, Wed, we will finish dye painting our pieces and Hollis will begin with instruction on stitching the pieces, another adventure about to begin. It was very interesting when we viewed and discussed her two pieces that are currently hanging in the museum, with Hollis being the person discussing it with us. It is difficult to describe her work to those who have not seen it in person. I find her pieces to be moving, thought provoking, intense.
So I am going to close as the computer is perched on the corner of the bathroom sink. I am trying to be quiet and for those who have traveled or live(d) with me, you know what a challenge that can be! I already had to play pickup sticks with my paint brushes in the dark, but I found all of them. Also my mouse pad is a piece of paper and it wants to move along with the mouse. There is probably one in the bag, but there is barely enough room on the side of the sink for a piece of paper folded in half.
To those I correspond with through various e-mail carriers, some aren't working right. Will try later, this is the best you will get for now.

Hi everyone!! Notice, picture to left, things are working again!!!!

This is where we are attending the workshop. This is the first workshop I have atteneded where I really feel comfortable. Hollis is an excellent instructor. There are 20 women in our class, the youngest is a 20 year old from India and I believe 12 other states represented. I am the only Susan there and the only one from CO.

The turtle I am working on is coming along rather slowly and I need to get another drawing transferred to fabric tonight. We will work late tomorrow night until 9:00, so not sure if I will post. We might be worn out by then.

Sharon is working on some cats that are going to very cool, Betty Ann has just about finished some beautiful, raspberry colored petunias, Beth is working on a flower and her friend Danielle is also working on a flower.

I wish I had taken a class like this years ago to learn to just relax and let things happen and not worry about what is going on so much when learning new techniques. She asked those of us who applique to raise our hands right off this morning and said those are the perfectionists that sometimes have problems. What can I say? I am doing my best not to be and I think I am doing pretty good for me.

I do like the technique and it will be fun to do more. I am looking forward to the machine work as well, should have stuck in that fluorescent thread. I still need to do some homework so I am closing for now.

WE,VE BEEN BUSY!!!

Well it is Sunday evening, we are now located in Paducah, KY for the next 5 days.

After staying at the Kensington in Hastings, NE Thursday evening, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward Sharon's, (Alice's friend). I was surprised that it was as dark as it was for 5:45a.m. Sharon told me to watch for the red trailer in the driveway, too dark to see, but the lights were on and as I pulled into the driveway I could see all their luggage and machines sitting there, patiently waiting. I guess they were excited and it didn't take long to load them. We pulled out at 6:01 and we were on our way. Alice, we have MS. Garmin and she has done an excellent job.
We arrived in Paducah around 6:25pm., drove into town and went directly to Caryl Fallert's. They directed us to the Pinecone Art Gallery where we saw the work of Char Downs the owner, along with Denise Havlan who had some of her art quilts on display. We had a an interesting visit with her and she graciously shared some of her techniques. We learned several things that will come in helpful on some project some day.
The Lower Downtown Arts District of Paducah was sponsoring a walking tour of some the shops, studios and homes of those who have moved to Paducah and renovated or built homes in the district. So after purchasing our ticket at the Pinecone gallery we went to several other places. Saw some awesome homes and meet some great people. One thing about Paducah, most everyone you come across is helpful and friendly. We went to supper at the Texas Roadhouse and then headed toward Manor.
We finally made connections with one another and we met Ann, Betty Ann, Chuck and Gwen. They had just returned from seeing Ricky Timms.
We did get a little visiting in before going to bed. That turned out to be an adventure. Needless to say by the next night the mattresses were on the floor and tape was involved in making another bed.
We headed out to Paducah in the morning while the other 4 remind behind. They had already been at it for 4 days. The show was great, picked up a few fun things. Some pieces of silk kimonos, fabric to experiment dyeing, some very cool buttons, hot fix crystals that are probably too small for me use, some overdyed pieces by Wendy Richardson, had to go to Sally's to get threads and yarns, and a drawer unit. One thing I am very excited about. It has 10 drawers that aren't very deep that will work great for embellishment items. So that was a good day. Oh yes, the quilts were beautiful. I saw Pola and then we went over to the new area and had a great visit with Judi and Marc. Her booth looked great!!!
We attempted Hancock's, I didn't last long and Sharon and Linda decided they had had enough rather quickly. The bus loads were there for their last shopping spree. We headed back to the Manor and had a wonderful supper and visited.
Ann's group left this morning while the rest of us came back to Paducah. We went to the museum, checked out the classroom, found our tables and as we were headed out to the vehicle I saw Beth. So now all the Dyehards who are or were here have met one another. We reconnected with Betty Ann at the motel, unloaded and are resting up for the class tomorrow.
I am having trouble posting photos so will attempt to work on that, but don't hold your breath. Until tomorrow.

First Layover

I left today around 1:00 for Hastings, NE. First stop was Colby, KS, I needed to pick up a #24 embroidery foot for my machine, also needed a Cherry Coke by that time.
The drive through KS isn't bad through the NW area. Lots of trucks, farmers are busy planting and spraying their fields. It is sort of a depressing drive as one passes through all the little towns that are barely hanging on or have died.
In yesterday's post I mentioned traveling on the Rocket. The Rock Island Railroad was the company back then and when I passed through Jennings, KS today, there was a little sign that said the Rock Island "Rockets". I realized that the tracks running parallel to the highway were the ones I had traveled on years ago. I remember stopping in Omaha and Des Moines. Need to look at the sign on my way back through to see if it is a sports team.
I really enjoyed the drive between Holdridge and Hastings. There is so much flat, beautiful farm land and lots of trucks on the highway.
I meant Sharon this evening, one of the gals that will be traveling on to Paducah with me. She showed me some of her art quilts which are very nice, I think she will do well in the class.
I will post photos in a few days. We did change motels, at least now we will know we have air conditioning.
May not be able to post tomorrow or Sat. as there is very limited internet service at Magnolia Manor, but will have photos on Sunday.
Later.

Here we go again

I was going to have all my clothing packed tonight and finish cleaning tomorrow morning. I will be packing my clothes tomorrow morning and clean what I can clean after that. I will be starting the first leg of the journey to Paducah tomorrow after lunch. I will go to Hastings, NE to spend the night and we will leave Friday morning for the 11 hour drive to Paducah.
I know, not the most direct route, but hey, I have to pick up fellow travelers and have you ever driven across KS before??? Need I say more???!! Anyway, I have always wanted to see the southeast corner of NE again. I don't remember much about it when I rode the "Rocket" to Minneapolis with my aunt and cousin, years and years ago. That was the first big trip away from home, I was around 11 or 12.
The reason the clothes aren't packed is that we may have a minor glitch in plans as to where we are going to stay during the time we are there for the class. Reports are filtering back from friends who are at the Quilt Show that the place we were planning on staying is a little less than desirable these days. So we may be going to plan whatever it is by now.
We have already had to change plans earlier for the place we will be staying Fri and Sat night. We received a call in late January to say that place # 1 was closing its doors, the Grand Chain Lodge in IL, so we were scrambling to find a place for ourselves and the 4 friends who are there now. Not good timing. It has been interesting. I have been to Paducah three other times and have never had any problems like this and we are trying to co-ordinate this room business with people who live in other parts of the country or are staying in different places in the Paducah area. Thank heavens for cell phones and the internet.
I did get all the little plants transplanted to larger containers in the greenhouse today. One thing started and finished!! I was going to post a photo of the plants, but by the time I finished all I wanted to do was get to the house, the wind was terrible this afternoon.
I will check in later.

The BIG test

The countdown is on for me now. As usual, things come up that were unplanned. Like driving to another town 60 miles west of here to pick up our meat from the locker plant. Had to make sure there was hamburger in the freezer while I was gone. So that took a good part of the afternoon as I just couldn't toss it in there.
I am finally getting around to doing the important thing of the day. Making sure I can download photos from the camera and transfer them to the blog. I had attempted to load a photo in the post last night, I couldn't gain access to the add image area. So I thought I should have a test run this evening. No problem on the lap top that I will use during the trip, so all is well. Apparently I am using a dinosaur and need to update. Unimportant at the moment since it isn't going with us.
The photo at the right contains the items I am taking to Paducah for the class. Sewing machine, tube containing those 'line drawings', bag with all the other things on the list, the camera case, the lap top case, the bag containing the sandwich batts, and of course the all important cell phone charger. The important items are packed. Still need to pack my suitcase, but as I said the important items are ready and waiting.
Must go and fix something to eat. Later.

moving along

Well I see this is going to take some figuring out on occassion. I previewed what I had written and then it was gone. So starting over and it will be shorter.
Thanks for all the well wishes on the blog. Is it really addictive Celia???
I have just about packed everything for the class. I need to press backing fabric for the project and press some fabric to make sandwiches for practice. I will start that pressing job tomorrow.
Transplanted some of the flowers that will be planted in the planters this spring. I hope they grow madly while I am gone, rather scrawny little things right now. I ddin't get them started early enough.
So until tomorrow. Why is leaving such a hassle?

Getting ready & other things

I did it!!! "I started" a blog. And as you can see that is the name of it, the only thing that came to mind when it asked for "A TITLE" that would appear everywhere, on anything connected to this blog. I start many things, finishing them seems to be the challenge, posting may be the challenge here.
My daughter suggested it for the upcoming pilgrimage to Paducah. Had a friend, Kathy, who wanted me to keep a journal of the happenings so that I could give the friends I usually travel with, but who are staying home this time, a report. Have friends on the fabric dyeing list, Dyehard, who want photos and reports. Some of us from the list will be at Paducah this week. Some are meeting for the first time, a couple of us are getting reacquainted and some of us are attending Hollis Chatelain's Dye Painting class at the AQS museum the week after "The Quilt Show." So I thought this might be the best of both worlds, we will see how it goes.
I have been gathering things up, getting line drawings ready for the class, which turned out to be more of a challenge than I planned on them being. Went to Kinko's Friday to enlarge them, that in itself was an experience and a waste of time and money. But they are now completed, rolled up in the tube, ready and waiting. I am looking forward to the class!!!!
I have Kirchhoff's Bakery on my 'must do' list while in Paducah. I have to get some salt risin' bread. It is the only place I know that I can get it. I ordered some a couple of years ago, won't say what those loaves cost, but they were worth it and it was cheaper than driving there!!!!! This is more important than a stop at Hancock's.
So for those of you who have been encouraging me to do this over the last months, I started it, now to see how long it lasts. Maybe there will even be fiber related items show up here on occassion, at least ones in progress. It is hard to say what might show up here.