Category Archives: Lap Quilts

100 Day Challenge, Action, Child Dancer, Childhood Memories, College Life, Drawing, Lap Quilts, People, Pixies Group, Textile Artist Stitch Club

Winter work

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Hello,

We are starting to thaw after the big snow storm we had last weekend.   Only the  meeting was the Pixies, so I got a lot done.

One of the things I did was  a Neurotrophic Drawing.  It is a style with a series of steps that allows one to relax.  I did enjoy it and will do it again some time.

There was an additional assignment from the Textile  Artist Stitch Club from Monique Day.   She instructed us on how to make a plastic sandwich and how to cut more sequins from our sheets.

This in my stitchery with one new sequin pinned on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Overwhelmed  This piece is 32″ w X 40″ l.   I cut up scraps, bits of trim, ribbon and yarn and scattered them across the base .  Then I layered nylon netting on top and stitched the sandwich together.  Last I added the figure that I cut from wool I had washed several times.

 

 

 

Lap Quilt #5  I used lots of fabrics that I had altered in this lap quilt.   I am enjoying the play making these projects  offer me.

 

 

 

 

Action  I am doing the hand work on the figures now. The progress is very slow, but very calming.

 

 

 

Child Dancer  This idea came from a Paul Klee painting that caught my eye as I was flipping through an Art History book looking for a Monet image.   I then had a dream about is so I though I would try to capture that feeling.    I zig-zagged over yarn to create the out lines.

 

 

I am still playing catch up with my Memories so there will be two this week as well.

College Life- Start of Spring Quarter 1967

Over the break between winter and spring quarter, I did a little connecting with my old high school world. I went to see Musical Moods, an event that I had participated in all three years in high school. After the performance I talked with Don Jones and friend Sara Loe. She had been my band partner and played next to me, and she was looking for a friend to double date with her. I agreed to go on a blind date to spend a day spelunking in central Indiana. I did have a good time and, since it was a rainy day, spending it under ground was a good choice. We were the only four folks in that cave that day and we just explored. There were places where we had to crawl on our stomachs and some very narrow ones where we went forward in a vertical position. We all were quite muddy when we emerged, and I was glad it was not my car that we were driving home. I also spent a day scuba diving during that vacation. I enjoyed getting together with those folks, and I even helped Mike and Phil teach several scuba lessons at the YMCA that spring.
My classes for spring quarter really focused on Art. I had realized in the middle of the winter term that I really was not a strong enough artist to make a living doing art, so I had accepted the idea that I would go into teaching. I had Ceramics, Design , and Introduction to Art Teaching that quarter. The other two classes I had were English and Swimming. They did keep me busy.
On Wednesday of the first week back, I went to the Artist Series on campus at Emens to see Generations with Hans Conried. My seat was 101 in row L, and I was very happy with my view. I had taken care of my own wishes and gotten my seat the first day they were available. Friday of that first week Eric and I had our first real date. We went along with Larry and Nancy, a girl he “kidnaped” by asking her at the last minute when she could not say “No,” to see A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. We all laughed a lot and enjoyed it. That is still one of my favorite movies. On Sunday of that same weekend Eric and I went to see the Ingmar Bergman film Virgin Spring at the Foreign Film weekly presentation. For me that film raised lots of questions as I identified closely with the main character. I was both excited and scared at how much I liked Eric, yet I was concerned at how quickly we had become exclusive.
We had lots of dates over the next few weeks. One Saturday we decided to go for a picnic at Dixon Mounds. Eric, Larry and I walked the trials and looked at the mounds and then tried to fly a kite that I had put in the trunk at the last minute. That was not very successful, but we did have a silly time. We also had my parents badminton set, and that was the start of an activity that we played for years. Larry started the fire and we all enjoyed his hotdogs, too. We had lots of “Coke dates” and talked a lot. On another Saturday I took Eric canoeing on the Mississinewa River. The water was high, and we worked really hard on our trip up river. We did not reach our goal, but the trip back down was fun. I remember coming home exhausted. Larry, Eric, and I took off on the Thursday just before Spring Break and drove to Indianapolis to check out the 500 time trials that afternoon.
Back in Muncie, Larry and Eric opted to stay at Barney’s and not go home for the spring break. Instead, they went to work for Manpower, a company that sent people out on hourly jobs. I know one of the days that week, they spent throwing rocks into the reservoir to rebuild the jetty near the harbor where the sailing club had its boats. I on the other hand went with my family on a trip south and east.

College Life- Spring Break Plus

The spring quarter break that year we went south to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Gene had a new pup tent that we tried out the first night we arrived. Sleeping on the ground in March was quite cold! We took the full day cave tour the next day. It sure was a different experience from the explorative spelunking I had done earlier that spring. The guide was very informative. There were beautifully lit wonderful flowing formations as well as lots of dry areas in the cave. We went for a ride on an underground river and had lunch in a huge open area where we sat at picnic tables and ate bag lunches. The guide asked us to all be quiet and he turned off the lights. It was so dark! I have never “seen” so much darkness. One felt like the only person in a colorless nothing until he turned the lights up slowly again.

That night I slept back in the car top carrier and was much more comfortable. We spent the next day hiking and enjoying the park. I liked the spring flowers and had my first real experience with Rhododendrons. I still love that plant. The next day we drive mostly east and ended up at Myrtle Beach. That was great fun as we had a section of the beach all to ourselves. Gene and I spent the day canoe surfing. We would paddle out and then turn the boat back toward the shore and wait for a big wave. Then we tried to ride the wave into the shore. We got dumped out many times but still had a fun day. I remember the full moon rising over the Atlantic ocean that night and how it looked behind the palm trees. It was glorious to fall asleep to the sound of those leaves clattering against one another and the sound of the water crashing against the shore. I remember seeing a sign for a Black Beach on our way to our camp ground and pressed Dad to go there the next day. When I told him I wanted to see the black sand, he sadly told me the beach was a part of segregation and it was for Black people. I was so very naive.

Then it was back to school and back to classes. One of my classes was Ceramics 1. It was all hand work and an introduction to mixing and making one’s own glazes. One thing we had to get going on at the beginning of the quarter was finding and working on a natural clay project. As it turned out, the college was building a new Science building just to the west of the art building where there was lots of exposed raw earth. So that is where I got my clay. It had been drying out during the break, and I came back to class to break it down, sift it, remoisten the powder, kneed it and began building work with that clay. Mine was a wonderful yellow clay and I built three coil pots with it. One pot blew up in the first firing , but the other two did not. Mom had the finished works around for years.

On Tuesday of the first week back from spring break the Sailing Club had a picnic and boat launch. I asked Eric to go along with me and he did. We all had fun putting the boats back in the water for the new season and many of us got wet feet. We ate hot dogs that we all roasted over the open fire and generally enjoyed ourselves. Then we played flag football. It was mostly a game of chase, but fun. I unexpectedly intercepted the football and got a bit terrorized when everyone suddenly turned in my direction to pull my flags. I had a new respect for actual football players after that event.

Stay safe and enjoy Valentines Day

Carol

100 day Challenge, Childhood Memories, College Life, Grandmother Ruth's Wedding dress, Lap Quilts, Pixies Group

Fresh Start

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Hello,

It feels good to return to an old pattern.   I will try to up date you on a few things.  The collapse of the old computer sure set me up for a lot of new learning.   All the transfer of info is still not complete, but every week things are better.  My biggest hurdle has been the photo program.  An up dated program is now installed and I am getting the hang of it.

The holidays were good to me and I enjoyed my family.  As most of the events I attend have become Zoom meetings  I do not have any other folks work to share.   On Tuesday this week I enjoyed three Zoom meetings and an hour Zoom presentation.   That day was a bit much so I hope to smooth things out so that does not occur again.

The Pixies have been a nice constant through out this time.  Last week Susan challenged us to do a Valentine Dance Card.   This is my solution.

 

 

 

 

I did manage to keep up with my Fabric Artists Stitch Club work. This work is stitching on paper that has been collaged in the workshop from Monique Day- Wild.  I also added candy wrapper foil, an idea from another work shop.

 

 

 

A second workshop by Jessica Grady was about adding  sequins that were made from different materials on to the surface.     I really enjoyed this one.  I used  paper,  foil lined caps, fabric,  part of a pie pan, some Christmas paper, and plastic for  my sequins.           

 

She suggested other shapes and materials so I still have areas to explore here.

 

 

 

 

At the Sisterhood Retreat Joyce kindly passed forward  lots of yarn.  It was mostly sox yarn so I mix two or three strands for this project.   I have been making cowls out of it.  These are the two most recent ones.

 

 

 

  Progress Report:  Grandmother’s Wedding Dress  This work is 39″ w X 52″ l.  The dress is from my Mothers side of the family and it was a gift from my cousin this summer.

The table cloth behind the dress was all done by hand  and the pearls were Grandmothers.

 

 

I hand embroidered  the story and dates of the dresses use on the skirt.

 

 

 

 

Scattered    This work is 32″ w X 17″ t.  I have done lots of hand work  and this  challenge  is part of the Sisterhood  of the Scissors group.   It represents the way my thoughts and actions seem to be during this Covid area.

Lap Quilt 1   I continue to make these simple lap quilts to pass on to the local nursing homes.  I delivered 25 in early December.  I am starting a new batch for this year.

 

 

 

 

Lap Quilt 2    I am using these projects to use many of the fabrics that I have printed and altered over the years.  It is fun play for me

 

 

 

 

Lap Quilt 3   For this I used many silk kimono fabrics that I had been given by Noel.

 

 

 

 

 

Lap Quilt 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lap Quilt 5   I am starting a new work here

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 Day Challenge   I have now assembled and done the free motion quilting on my 100 Day Challenge project and I am calling it Action.  I used six panels that are not in the project to do a little trial work to see what colors I want to use for  the embroidery work.   The yellow is too pale and I like both the red and purple so I am ready to start doing the hand work in both of those colors.

 

 

I have moved on to my college years with the Memories series and I have been doing them every week so I will post two until we are up to date.

College Memories-Trip to NYC

In the fall quarter at Ball State I joined Kallista, the art club. The meetings were held in the West lounge of the Art gallery where all the designer furniture was kept. It was great to get to sit in the Eams Chairs and Catalonia lounger. I liked the Jacobson Egg Chair, too. The club was going to New York City over the Thanksgiving break. I jumped at the chance and volunteered to sell candy at football games and saved my pennies for the trip. After my last test, for The World in the Twenty Century, I got myself ready for the trip.

I got on the train with nineteen other students and three chaperons and headed east at 6:00 am on Monday morning. We stayed in the Hotel Piccadilly at west 45th street and Broadway. I shared a room with three other girls. I was the only freshman on the trip. But I became friends with a gal named Pat, who was a senior, and she sort of looked out for me. We had so many choices of things see and places to visit that it was almost overwhelming. Our first outing was the Museum of Modern Art. I was delighted to see so many paintings that I had only viewed in books, in six- or eight-inch illustrations, or as slide projections that were huge. I recall being struck at how small Starry Night was. The sculpture garden was open to the sky in those days and we walked around the work and posed for photos with the Henry Moores.

The Guggenheim was a real mind blower for me. The pictures I had seen of it did not prepare me for the size. It was so much bigger. I recall looking over the balcony on the top floor after exiting the elevator and loving Frank Lloyd Wright’s spiral design. As we strolled down we stopped and posed for photos in front of the paintings there, too. It seemed to be over with all to soon.

The only other required museum was the Metropolitan. Fortunately, Pat knew what she wanted to see–I was just amazed at the choices. We did the Egyptian exhibit and studied some of the jewelry very closely since jewelry was her major. We also looked at lots of paintings– including Vermeers and Rembrandts. I remember being amazed at how big “Washington Crossing the Delaware” was. I was fascinated by the paint work of the ice in that one. After that, we e explored a little of Central Park outside the museum. Later pat and I joined two boys and went to Rockefeller Center. I love the golden Atlas and the statue over the ice skating rink. We did rent skates and had a good time on the ice. We bought dinner that night from street venders, and I recall having Chestnuts, too. One of the boys, Greg, and I decided to stand in line for tickets to see Johnny Carson that evening. I don’t recall the guests, but I sure remember laughing a lot and getting back to the hotel quite late.

On Thanksgiving day we got our acts together and went to the Macy’s Parade. It was cold standing on the pavement, but I did enjoy the balloons. I remember Snoopy, the Sinclair Dinosaur, and a rather faded Superman. Pat and I did a little shopping that day, but I don’t think I purchased anything. That evening four of us–Pat and I, Greg, and another guy whose name escapes me–went to a Chinese Restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner. There were very few folks in the space, but we did have a good time, laughing about our unusual holiday fare. My fortune cookie message said “Be especially careful tonight.”One of the group trips was to the United Nations. It was not in session, but the building sure was impressive. I purchase a gift for Mom in one of the nearby shops and the saleswoman offered to wrap it. I said sure. I happily took the wrapped gift away with me. Later that day I opened the package to show off the gift and found the box to be empty! I was quite disappointed and felt like a gullible fool. The group also took in the Empire State building. No lines to speak of and great views. I recall the Chrysler Building sparkling in the sunshine. We went south from there on the subway, which I found to be a great place to people watch. There was one gal, obviously a model, who was beautiful with long legs and a great coat in the car with us. It made me realize that everyone used that mode of transport. We got out in Greenwich Village and did some gallery hopping there. I was not too impressed at the cutting edge stuff and I think now that was mostly because I just did not know what to look for.

The whole group spent a day in the American Museum of Natural history, too. The dinosaurs were impressive and I thought that was what they are know for. But I remember the display on the Northwest Natives the most. Perhaps that was because Dad was going to Alaska and working with the Tlingit people at the time.

Theater did not get neglected either and I remember we went to several plays. I had been spoiled by the top of the line stuff at Emens at Ball State and can’t say that I remember the name of a single play.

I did enjoy the trip and think it made my Art History class have a bit more meaning even if slides and books pale by comparison to the real things. But that is true of most of art.

College Memories–Pledging and More

After Christmas I went back to campus to face some new challenges. To begin with, I had a new hairdo. I had always wanted to be a brunette and for Christmas got a wig of that hue. I was thrilled that it had so much body, and I could curl it over night without having to sleep on the curlers. The first big event upon returning to school was Sorority Rush. There were eight different sororities at that time, and Rush Teas were spread out over Saturday and Sunday afternoons of the first weekend back to school. I met and talked with so many folks I could not really keep them straight, but I was only asked to pledge Alpha Sigma Tau.

My sorority Mother was a upperclassman named Carolyn. I really like her, although she was the only person I really got to know. I was not particularly happy with the bright yellow beanie, but that was part of the game, so I wore it. Pledging was fun most of the time, with lots of silliness. I did not share classes with any of the other pledges or members. Pledging sure put a new structure in my life. From 6:30 to 9 every Monday to Thursday evening, I was in the sorority suite, a set of rooms in a dormitory. There was a short meeting some evenings, but most of the time was dedicated to silent study. There were lots of social events, and we were expected to be a part of the chapter choral group. I remember a sorority-fraternity Roaring Twenties party that was lots of fun. For it, I made a simple dress of apple green with little white printed daises. I added three rows of four-inch fringe trim to the skirt. I loved that dress so much that after the dance, I removed the trim and wore it to threads. I also made a second dress for the group. We were all to wear matching yellow wool dresses for the big spring Sorority Concert. I did not like the chosen pattern at all.

Another thing that started soon after I went back to school was dating Steve Coomer, the fellow from Larry’s Christmas party who spent the evening blowing his bubble gum. I was flattered that a senior wanted to date me. We went to musical events mostly, but it was not a real healthy relationship. He hated the brown wig and told me so from the start, Somehow that made me want to hang onto it all the more. He also told me that pledging a sorority was a foolish idea. He was jealous of the Twenties dance because it was closed to folks who were not in Greek Life. But we did go to the Valentine’s Dance and I made a special dress for that, too. It was blue velvet. Yes, the song was popular at that time and they did play it at the dance. Things really came to head a bit later when we went to see Porgy and Bess at Emens Auditorium. I was looking forward to the performance because I knew the songs from listening to Mom’s records, but I did not know the story. Students could get free tickets to events by presenting their ID cards at the box office ahead of the performance. Since I was accustomed to second- row seats, because that’s what my folks had for Emens events, I always got tickets early. So I gave Steve my ID on Monday, when he assured me he would take care of getting the tickets. He returned my ID on Sunday afternoon– almost a week later–when he picked me up for the 2:30 performance. When I discovered we were seated on the far left of the upper balcony, I was a little upset. Steve admitted that he had not gotten the tickets until Saturday afternoon, even though he had promised to get them right away. I was really disappointed and upset as the opera went on. I could see only a few details of the sets and costumes, and none of the facial expressions at all.

Enjoy

Carol

 

Childhood Memories, Diva Meetings, Hand work, Lap Quilts, Pixies Group

Bright Ideas

Hello,
The trees are really showing off now that we have experienced a few cold nights.   I love the way the leaves are drifting off  the trees now too.

A little challenge from the Pixies this week was to think about “Bright Ideas”. Many of us have challenges from the outside world or self imposed. Just where do the bright ideas come from? I find them to be very elusive. At times I as stumped by quilt challenges and feel they just do not apply to my process. I do draw and doodle and some times that process produces an idea for the project. At other times when I want to start a new project I have a firm direction because of a logical leap. But for the tough ones my experience most successful solution is just letting a goal go to the side. Often times, when the problem as been sidelined for a while, the solution with suddenly appear – the bright idea comes into my mind a bit like magic and I am off and running again with a celare direction to solve a problem.

I dyed for what I think will be the last time this season. We had to run the heater to be able to work this week. I did have fun and look forward to using these along with the others this winter.

The Quilt Diva’s also meant this week. Donna is working away on a new set of sculptures. Her work with fimo and found objects is amazing I think.

 

 

 

 

Bev did a few more of her little square pieces. The colors are so ver bright.

 

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Day Dreaming This work is 29″w X 31″l. The dress is one of my Mothers and so I added a Felix the Cat doll to the person as that was one of her childhood favorites. The flowers are made from wool with free motion drawing on top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elements- Line     I have stared adding sew in lines on this project.

 

 

 

Handwork  I just keep stitching away on this project.  I’d say the end is in sight.

 

 

 


Grandmother’s wedding dress      My cousin Casey gave me Grandmother Ruth’s wedding dress when we visited.   I am going to stitch it down to the blue and embroider the  information about her  and Grandfather Howard on the quilt.

 

 Lap # 22     I just have fun making these quilts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Childhood Memories- Beginning College

Summer ended and September began as did my freshman year at Ball State. I carried the usual load of six classes and filled my time with lots of extra events too. Dad took me to school every morning and we headed for home every evening after 5. My first class, World History was four days a week at 7:00 a.m. in the theater with 350 other freshmen. I sat in the front row with an old high school friend who was also a commuter, Marila Miller. We agreed that being that close to the teacher, we certainly could not fall asleep. Neither of us had a place to hang out until our next class. Mine was not until 11. We tried the lobby in the music building, next door to the theater. It was cold, uncomfortable and full of traffic.

We quickly discovered the Music Listening Library. Another of my classes was Music Appreciation, so I could do my listening assignments there as well. The space was much quieter and more comfortable with couches and personal listening cubicles. A vocal music student opened the space at 8:00 just as we got out of class. His name was Larry Tackett and we became friends, since it was just the three of us many mornings for several hours. Sometimes I used the head phones and did listen to required music, but just as often Larry would .pick out something for all of us to enjoy while we talked and worked. Larry became a life long friend who sang at my wedding. Later, after we moved to Syracuse, he even lived with us while he taught middle school for the city and worked on a Masters Degree.

The first week end at Ball State the big event was the Watermelon Feed, which I attended with Margaret. It was held in a big field at the west end of campus.We had fun, ate watermelon, of course, and talked to lots of folks, but did not make any solid connections. The Freshman Convocation was the next event. I had been to Emens Auditorium many times with my folks to see plays and musicals, but it felt very different to sit in the middle of a crowd of nosey freshmen. I sat between Susy and Margaret. The only thing I really remember was the president telling us to look to our right and then our left. “Of the three of you only one will be here at graduation.” We all swore to one another that would not be the case with us, but four years later I was the only one with a Ball State diploma.

The Theater became an active place and Drama Majors did performances. I remember going to see “ Half a Sixpence “ and “Mary, Mary”. Because I did most of my studying in the music library I meant and went out with lots of music majors. Recitals and small group assembles most of the time. But I also got to attend and hear Count Basie when he did a performance in Emens for Homecoming weekend. It was wonderful! I also went the “All School Convection” with Pearl Buck that took place that fall. I’d read The Good Earth in high school and I was excited. It was a good lecture, but I mostly recall how passionately she spook on the plight of the many mix blood children that the war had created. There was also a big band day in conjunction with one of the fall football games. I got to see some of my friends from Muncie Central at that even. It was a busy and fun fall.

I will be off at a small quilt retreat next week so there will not be a post.

Enjoy Halloween

Carol

Childhood Memories, Hand work, Lap Quilts, Sisterhood of the Scissors

Moving Forward

Hello
We are enjoying the cooler weather that comes with fall. I delivered 19 lap quilt this morning to one of our local nursing homes for wheel chair folks. I did not get to see anyone except the receptionist, but I am sure they make it to great homes. I came home so inspired that I started another one.

On Sunday I went to the Associated Artist reception for  my friend Rosha.  She dose collage and drawing.

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I went with some of the members of Sisterhood of the Scissors group to the Arnot Museum in Elmira, New York.    We went to see the Excellence in Fibers show, and it did not disappoint.  The works were in deed excellent.

 

This work is From the Golden Earth by Race Brumer.   I found it to be fascinating.

 

This is Terry Mangots’s comentary on global warming.

There was also a pixie meeting this week. Pixie meeting.

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Day Dreaming I am enjoying do the work on this project as I move forward. I am ready to add centers to the poppies and stitch down the petals now.

 

 

 

Line- Basic Elements Series This is the base unit the first pieces in this four piece series. I will try to make the quilt work by using only lines on the surface.

 

 

 

Journal Jacket As I come the end of yet one of my daily journals I found this old project in the stack for the next journals. I use to teach this as a day class in guilds.

Drifting This is the project that I took with me on our trip west. I am filling in the back ground now.

 

 

 

Lap # 20 I am ready to do stitch in the ditch quilting on this project now.

 

 

 

 

Lap # 21 This one is the newly inspired lap quilt. It is always good to have a project in the works.

 

 

 

 

 

Childhood Memories – Family Trip

In August the family drove to Iowa again. We spent a couple of days in Morning Sun, where we went to a family birthday party for Sharon Bright. I really enjoyed the home made ice cream. We did not have that at home in Muncie at all. Then we spent a day in Grandview. That day was really silly as somehow we got to fooling around with instruments. Gene played the trumpet and then Doug tried to out do him by playing two at once. Grandpa Howard even got into the spirit and played. I remember Grandmother Ruth just shaking her head and laughing. The next day the Bells, along with Grandmother and Grandfather, and our family drove went west with us to the Black Hills and Badlands South Dakota. It took two long days of driving to get to get there. One day we stopped and visited a mine. Then we panned for gold another time. We took another afternoon and just explored the Badlands. I remember the kids all stayed together and someone found a petrified saber tooth tiger scull. The teeth on the sides of the skull were about six inches long and curving up from the jaw line. It was bigger than a football and quite heavy. We all took turns carrying it before we decided to put down in a spot that we couldn’t miss and get it on the way back. That plan did not work and it was lost to the next explorers. We then went on another two day long drive to Mesa Verdi. I remember Kelly had a little paper bag tiger puppet that she put on her hand and told us stories from the front seat. Mesa Verdi was amazing. I loved the underground shelters that the men had built for special ceremonies. We could not go back among the buildings and I wondered how dark it was and if the passages between homes like we would have in a cowered town. The ranger told us lots of interesting stuff and I marveled at the poll ladders. The ladders were made with a single tree/ poll center with limbs and short polls added slicking out the sides to climb up to the cliff top. One had to be agile to do that I thought. We then drove farther south to Brice. The colors of the layers of rock sediments were wonderful. We all marveled at the Hoodoos. They are the many stone pillar like formations in the park. Grandfather was very happy to see them. I remember Gene, Russell, and Doug running down the trail, whooping with the Hoodoos Kudos rising up on both sides. It sure made for wild echos. The other thing I recall from Brice was feeding the chipmunks potato chips at the Natural Bridge on Rim Road. It was then time to turn for home. All I recall was 3 long days of driving get home. It still was a great trip [and I enjoyed it thoroughly].

Stay safe and Keep Creating

Carol

Childhood Memories, Daily Practice, Finger Lakes Fiber Artist Group, Hand work, Lap Quilts, Pixies Group, Scrap Happy Quilts

Starting Fall Color

Hello,
We are starting to see fall color here in central New York. I sure enjoy walking through fallen leaves. The sound of  the   shifting  and crushing of  leaves as one passes through them is one of my favorite sounds of fall.

 

 

 

 

It has been a busy week for me with two days spent dying with Liz. I have lots of fabric to was out today.

 

 

 

 

Liz is doing clean up  in this shot.

 

 

 

I had a Finger Lakes Fiber Artist meeting this week.   It is always so good to talk and share with my fellow artists.     Noel had a great piece to share with us.   There is lots of movement here.

 

 

 

 

 

Joan shared too.   She hand dyed all the fabrics in this piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bev also shared her work with us.

There was also a Pixies zoom meeting that I enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Tattered This work is 26″ X 40″. It is made up of cut aways from Granite and Silver with lots of hand beading added for interest.

 

 

 

 

 

Lap # 19 This work was formerly know as Circling Thoughts, but I do not think it is strong enough to be and art quilt. It was a good exercise none the less.

 

 

 

 

Lap # 20 I just had fun putting this piece together. I really like using   my alerted fabrics together.

 

 

 

Day Dreaming I am in the process of building up the face and arm for this project. I will start the assembly this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scrap work I am putting in about an hour a day assembling scraps together so I can make 2.5″ strips to add to the centers for my Roman Strip squares.   they will be used in my next  bed quilt. This step always takes a long time, but I sure like the review of fabric projects that it offers me. Sue Ellen also gave me a box full of strips and unused blocks.    I am mixing  then  into this project so there is lots of variety here.

Handwork I started this project on our trip to visit family. I am building in  more color now.

 

 

Daily Process This project sort of got pushed to the side so I could finish up bindings and such this week. It is good to get back into the habit.

 

Childhood Memories- Summer 1966

Summer after graduation was a busy one. There were lots of water related activities, including scuba diving, canoeing, and swimming. Dad teased me by saying I needed gills to assure my safety. The gang did lots of things together, but like everything else this too was changing. Cecile and Mike still did things with Margaret, Jim and me. But Susy spent most of her time with her family, and Bobby had flunked out of college so he went off to work. We played lots of Putt-Putt, with the winner seeming to change with every game. One day I went regular golfing with Jim Freshwater. That was one sport that did not work at all for me. My swing was way off and I kept sending divots into the air. My score was very high and by the end of the third hole Jim had become disgusted with me. He said I could walk the rest of the course with him if I promised to never golf again. And I never have.

In late July I went to orientation at Ball State. It was three days of tests and meetings with other freshmen and a councilors. The group I was in was full of folks who were all living off campus so there was lots of talk about parking and public transportation. There was a big jump in population on campus and I was glad I was not living in the dorms as there were three and four folks in rooms designed for two. The tour of the campus was not to new to me but that too turned out to be informative. We had our photos take for our student ID’s that we picked up in the fall when we returned to campus. The special mixers in the evenings were fun and I felt excited bout the new adventure a head. I did meet a lot of people but I did not make any connections with folks that I even remember seeing again on campus.

The next big summer event was the Band Trip to Detroit. We went to Greenfield Village, where Margaret and I had fun exploring together and got peppermint sticks at the general store.   There was also a cigar store Indian out front that we both liked. In the afternoon the band group went to the Ford museum. That turned out to be a bit of a rush as we had to hurry to get ready for the concert in the evening. We again went to a practice session with the Detroit Orchestia on Sat morning. In the afternoon the band went to see “Dr Zhivago” in a special movie theater with a big curved movie screen. The sound was great and I enjoyed the movie a lot. On the bus ride home I felt a little sad knowing this was my last adventure with a group that had given me friends and real identity throughout high school.

Be safe

Carol

Childhood Memories, Curvie Cuts, Enamel Beetles, Hand work, Lap Quilts, Pixies Group, Uncategorized

Receptions

Hello,
We are starting to feel a bit like fall around here.  More fungus in the yard as you can see.   Eric and I took a long walk this week and did some exploring in our local cemetery.

 

 

 

Oakwood is very old and full of beautiful stone work.  We walked all the way to the old entrance and this is a shot of the Chapel there.   

 

 

There were lots of hills too.

 

 

 

It has been a busy week, with two receptions and a Pixies meeting.   we shared our work hand had a good talk.  I enjoyed both receptions as well.   The first was on Friday in Homer for the Diva group. This shot is or Maureen and her work. The second  was    the Associated Artists reception  in the Manilas Library and was on Sunday. Fun to talk with fellow artists as I had not seen many of them in almost two years.   Glad things are getting a little closer to normal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Lap # 18 This work is 40″ X 56″. The colors sure are summery and peasant.

 

 

 

 

 

Enamel Beetles. I get excited when I can see the end of a project and this time I made a big error in my excitement. I did not measure the work to make sure it was square. I only discovered it when I went to measure for the size. So this morning I had to take the facings off two sides and trim it correctly.

Knitted Poncho I try to put in five rows of knitting every evening on this project. I only have the remainder of the turquoise ball and all the purple one to use up to finish the job.

New Hand Work We area going on a drive west to visit cousins and aunts so I need a new hand project. This is the start.

 

 

 

New Work – Black, Gray and Blue. This work went together very quickly. It is all layered up now too and I only need to decide about the quilting pattern to go forward.

 

 

 

New Project I want to do a piece using the poppies I created earlier so this it my start. I think I will add a figure on the left.

 

 

 

 

Lap # 19 I pulled the fabric and cut the connecting strips for this new project yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Childhood Memories- Spring 1966

Spring proved to be a very busy time for Mom and me. She was working hard to finish up her desolation. She had enjoyed the field trips the three previous summers with Dr. Cooper to Hawaii, Alaska and Jamaica. I was surprised at her because she could not swim, but she had spent five weeks snorkeling and collecting plants and animals from the sea floor in Jamaica. My senior year she really had to buckle down and get things done. She developed a questionnaire for elementary kids about their science interests. When the results came back, I helped her a little with the coalition of the results. Spring meant studding the data and drawing conclusions and writing about them. It also meant a defense of her findings to the folks on her committee. She was very nervous about that.
I was busy with school, work and lots of events. In early April I went on a double date with Mike Ritter and another couple to Indianapolis to the Circus. I remember the parade at the beginning with horses and elephants, and the early act of trained Tigers. But by the end of that event I was not feeling too well. My stomach ached and I finally asked Mike to take me to the infumery so I could lay down. He went back to the show with my urging and that attendant looked me over and we talked. I nearly sat up and slapped him when he asked me it I was Pregnant. He backed away quickly and said “ I had to ask.” I do not remember much else but I do know we rushed the hour dive home with me in pain the whole time. By the thime wer got to Muncie, things were worse so they took me directly to Ball Memorial Hospital emergency room. Some one must have called my folks because I remember Dad being there and Dr Ball. After the Dr examined me I was told I’d need an emergency Appendectomy. I also got a scolding form Dr Ball for wearing a girdle at my age, and I never wore one again. My cousin Tracy had her appendix removed the previous year and later we compared scars. I was in the hospital for four days and on the way home in the car I realized all the leaves had come out and the world was green. For the second spring in a row I had missed the opening of the spring leaves. The appendix was not the end of my problems in the lower eudemon that spring. Shortly after returning to school my period started. But unlike the usual week, it went on and on. After 28 days I told Mom. It was really heavy by that time and I was going through a pad every two classes. I remember standing up from a math lesson and feeling a big clot move out of me. Dr Ball ended up giving me iron and birth control pills to get it under control. It was an awful experience. I celebrated my 18 Birthday in the middle of all of this. I went out with the gang and we had ice cream. I got lots of cards from them and many form the relatives too. I also was treated to Cake and Ice cream at home that year.
The next big event was the Junior/ Senior Ball. Keith and I went to this one together too. I don’t know who asked who to this event. I made my own dress this time and had fun doing so. It was light blue brocade cotton. I felt so glamorous. The dress later became the dress that I altered to become Lady Guinevere’s costume when we did “Robin Hood” while I was teaching at Onondaga Hill. The ball, called “Rapacity in Gold”, was not so not so golden. I ended up driving do to a little mix up and things just went down hill from there. It was very hot and Keith did not want to dance. We ended up having a fight that ended our relationship. I’m not sure if I drive him home, but I was home and putting the car in the garage by 12:30. All kinda crazy, and Graduation was still a month away.

As I mentioned we are going on a road trip next week so there will not be a post.

Stay safe and keep Creating
Carol

Childhood Memories, Curvie Cuts, Enamel Beetles, FAD (Fiber Art Dames), Lap Quilts, Pixies Group, Sisterhood of the Scissors

Working Away

Hello,
Fall is making its selp felt in central New York with cooler nights and sunny days. I noticed these little mushrooms on my walk this week.
It has been a very busy week for me.

Saturday I went off to the Manilas Library and helped hang the Associated Artist fall show. I put in my Granite and Silver piece.

 

 

 

Liz and I did another progressive dye. I have lots of naturals this time.

 

 

 

I had three meetings this week. FAB meant at Judy’s and I knitted the whole time. The Pixies’s and Sisterhood of the Scissors meant virtually. It is always stimulating and I come away with lots of ideas.

 

 

Progress Report: Enamel Beetles
I worked on the Enamel Beetles by adding stitched grass, stitching down the beetles and adding eyes. Each little step takes time.

Lap # 18 I just keep working on these guys. I need to assemble the parts now and do the quilt work.

 

 

 

 

Tattered Memories I put in about an hour every evening doing the beading on this piece.

 

 

 

Shoes I could not get Elizabeth’s shoes out of my mind so I painted my own this week.

 

 

Childhood Memories- Gene

My brother, Gene started his Freshman year at Storer Junior High School at the same time I started my high school career at Muncie Central. Gene played on the football team and he was very good. He took it very seriously. When  he in was in the eight grade he won the county Punt, Pass and Kick Contest.    For is his prise, he won a full  football  uniform with the Colts logo.   They also took Dad and Geen to a Colt’s football game.    I went with Dad to several games that first year and many when Gene  played at the high school. He played quarter back some times and also tight end. He almost always played the full game and he got good at kicking field goals too. By the end of his Senior year his knees were shot. He did toy with the idea of being a kicker  in college, but decided against it.   By the time he was a parent, he would not allow his son to play at all, but he is still a big fan.   Gene also got his paper route that year freshman year. He delivered the Muncie Morning Star so he had to get up between 4:30 and 5 in the morning to stuf, rap and fold papers for delivery. He delivered on is bike and was really good at hitting front doors with the papers. The morning paper was a seven day a week job and he did his collections on Saturdays. He seemed to have lots of money after that. Late one night he and one of his buddies borrowed car  and went for a joy ride. That incident might have gone unnoticed if they had not run out of gas. To solve that problem they stole some gas from a farmers machine tank. The farmers dog altered the farmer who called the sheriff. The boys got arrested as they tried to return the car. Dad had to go pick him up form the station. Mom got me up so we were in the living room when they got home. Dad made Gene tell the whole story. When ever Gene tried to justify his actions- Dad stopped him by saying-” that’s an excuse. ”     For Gene’s punishment, Dad made his give up his paper route and he was grounded for six weeks. I remember his “sleeping” a lot during that time. The relationship between the two them never really was the same either.
The Senor year was the first time I had to really think about my future. I knew I was going to college- it was just were. I took the PSAT’s in October. The SAT’s were given in the big study hall- room 200.   There were  about 100 kids,some from Burris and some from s South Side too. I came home exhausted. Margaret and I had a date to go canoeing that afternoon so we did. It was a short trip that time  as she was tired too. In March  I finally got serious about the were question. I thought about Greeley Colorado, and the University of Iowa, but decided they were too far away. Purdue and Ball State were both close enough and so I filled out applications. Dad had always been a night owl and was usually up when I got home in the evenings. I’d stop many times and talk with him. We talked about my evenings sometimes or perhaps people. He helped me dissect and understand the “Why” for folks actions and some of my own. In the spring, Margaret got a new Orange Mustang convertible for her 18 Birthday/Graduation present. It was very cool. She and I went in her new car to the open house at Purdue the next Sat. It was so much fun  and I had just about decided that I wanted to go to school there when Dad and I one of our late night talks. He started off by saying it was, “My Choice,” but he wanted to offer me a deal. He said he would pay me the money for Purdue’s room, board and tuition beyond Ball States cost to use as I wanted, if I stayed home and went to Ball State. I decided that was a good deal. I do remember Dad being a bit upset as Ball State’s price increased  that fall of 50% to $50.00 a quarter. I spent the money I saved by living at home to purchased IBM stock. That grew of course and in 1970 I sold it and used the money as a down payment on our first house.

Stay safe
Carol

 

100 day Challenge, Bare Forest, Childhood Memories, Curvie Cuts, Enamel Beetles, Lap Quilts, Shows, Tattered Memories

Beginning of fall

Hello,
I have enjoyed a busy two weeks sense I posted last. On Monday last week I helped hang the new show at the Center for the Arts in Homer NY. It was great to see the gals in the group an to help with the set up.
This one is Noel’s contribution. She hand dyes most of the silk she uses in her work.

 

 

 

 

 

This is Donnas newest piece. I really like how she builds her one of a kind sculptures with found objects. This gal has wings made from Victorian curtain tie backs.

 

 

 

 

Cheri did a great job with this cheery piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are Mary’s ladies. I had to depart before the hanging was complete so that is why the wires are hanging down from the work here. The opening in a week from Friday.

I then got on the road and drove back north and picked up Nancy for our drive up to Mill Site Lake. Judy and I decided that we have been doing this for about 35 years.   This retreat was for years the sign that summer was over and school was starting.       Judy  got me started on a knitting project. I am working on creating a poncho.
Patti joined us on Tue and we had fun. Swimming, Kacking, and talking filled our time. We also did a lot of walking. It is always so peaceful there.

 

 

Liz and I did two color runs for our dyeing project this week. Turquoise to purple worked well.

 

 

But the yellow to raspberry one is not as strong. I do like all the colors though.

 

 

 

Progress Report: Granite and Silver This work is 45″ X 42.5″. I really like how the Silver Maple leaves look on the granite background. This work is based on a photo from Adirondack Life magazine.

 

This work is also my entry for the Associated Artist show at the Manlius Public Library.

 

Enamel Beetles I made more beetles this week. I think I am ready to start stitching them down.

 

 

100 Days Wed was day 100.  So I am done with making parts now. I will put it all away for a while and let my mind rest on this project before I begin to sew the parts together.

 

Bare Trees I thought it would be fun to do a forest with many layers of trees in lighter and lighter shades of machine drawing.

Tattered Memories This quilt is made up of cut away parts from Granite and Silver. I am embellishing it with lots of beading now.

Pillow I have three  New Pillows Mola’s that are just setting in a drawer  Have become  pillows where they will be seen. I am  stuffing  them with the trimmings of quilts.

 

 

Childhood Memories- culture and fun

For all the sadness I felt about Grandfather’s death I quickly got bach into the swing of things. I usually worked two nights a week at the Student Center and I seemed to fill most of the other evenings too. I went to the Movies a lot that spring.  I saw “Thunder Ball” and “The Great Race” as well as the foreign films on Sunday afternoons that Ball State offered. I remember seeing “Knife in the Water” and “ Unicorn in the Garden” there. Margaret and I went to the “Sleeping Beauty Ballet”, “Barefoot in the Park” and “ My Fair Lady” at Emerson auditorium. The Drama Department at Ball State put on “ Three Penny Opera”, “Fantasticks” and “Under Milk Wood”. It was great.
Gene and I decided to take Scuba Diving Lessons at the YMCA with Phil Ritter, Mike’s older brother. I enjoyed it and learned enough to certified as did Gene. I went on to help Phil teach classes while I was in collage too. I went along on many diving trips over the summers in lakes in Indiana. The visibility was limited and there was lots of mud, but it was still enjoyable. Sometimes we went water skiing on those trips too. The buddy system really works! One time in the fall Phil and I went diving in a spring fed pool. He wanted some polls that he knew were on the bottom as he wanted to put roll bars on a car he was going to enter in a race at the local track. We worked at getting them untangles and up from the bottom. As we neared the end of the process, I took a breathe and no air was left in my tank. We were down more than one G so I knew I could not shoot to the surface without doing damage to my lungs!   I frantically shingled to Phil that I had on air. He took a deep breath and passed me his regulator were I gratefully took two lungs full before returning the regular to him. We grabbed the last poll and sharing his air slowly rose to the surface. I never was so frighted diving again. Phis said it was probably due to the extra effort we were exerting to get the polls untangled and up to the top. I only remember on other outstanding event to do with diving and that was the time went diving under the ice. After descending through the cut in the ice we could see farther then usual do to the calm water under the frozen surface. When we got close to the bottom we really stirred up the mud however. We followed out old bubble trail   from the under  side of the ice back to our cut opening. It was really cold when we climbed out and I remember how cold the area around my lips was and the small patch of skin between the mask and the hood of my wet suit felt frozen.
The next big event in my senior year was the Senior Prom – “ From Lillepops to Roses” was the theme.   I worked on decorations  and  made big Lollipops.     I asked Keith to go with me. Jon Walters asked me on the Monday before the dance, but Keith had accepted by that time so I went with him. Keith wore a white jacket and a bow tie. I had a dress with a white short sleeve top and a long pink skirt. I gave him a carnation boutonniere and he gave me a wrist courage of white carnations, surrounded by baby pink rose buds and leaves of pink. We danced many dances and hug out with kids form band at the  dance. We left a little early to go to the Pizza King and got a table under the willow in the Willow Room. We ate Pizza and had a good time along with friends. I got home at 3 AM and stay up to help Gene warp his papers for delivery that morning. Then I crashed and slept until noon on Sat.  Then  I ran off to help dismantle stuff from the dance. That was a bit sad, but clean up is part of the progress.

Stay safe
Carol

100 day Challenge, Childhood Memories, Daily Practice, Granite and Silver, Lap Quilts, Pixies Group, Poppy Field, Scrap Happy Quilts, Sisterhood of the Scissors

Inching Forward

Hello-
I hope everyone is doing well as we head into the last few weeks of Aug.    I am just working away one day at a time on my projects.   Sometimes that is all one is doing.    My big excitement for this week a quick trip down to New York City by bus with Liz to see the Virtual Van Gogh show.   I really liked the interactive “rooms” that were set up so one could go into the paintings.   Liz and I got silly and she tried to throw me into the insane asylum at one point.   It was a beautiful experience  and I enjoyed it very much. We walked a few blocks from the display to the World Trade Center Memorial and enjoyed that as well. We followed that by a quick trip back north to the bus terminal and back on the bus at 5:30 for the rid home. It was all a bit of a whirl wind trip but is sure was wonderful.
I had two Zoom meetings this week too. One with the Pixies and a second with the Sisterhood of the Scissors. Bother were good stimulations for me.

Progress Report: Poppy Field This work is 34.5″ w X 43″ l. I made the big poppies at the bottom out of wool roving with thread drawing to hold it all together. The centers are yo-yo’s with beads added to the centers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granite and Silver The Silver Maple leaves resting on the granite are a great contrast.    The idea is from  a old cover of Adirondack Life magazine. I painted the base with a rubber band brush to get the texture and added nylon net to create shows on the stone, with the leaves on top.   It is a very shallow image.

 

 

Scarp Happy I am having fun doing the rows for this project.

 

 

 

 

Lap quilt # 16 I started to do stitch in the ditch quilting on this work today. I am sure I will finish it soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Lap quilt # 17 This is number  two on the   current assembly process.   I like building the units and then uniting them.

 

 

 

 

100 Days Project I am up to day 71. Today is actually day 73 so I am behind myself I will need to do a few extra later today.

 

Daily Practice This small wipe up rag will be done soon.

 

 

 

 

Childhood Memories- Christmas 1965
We enjoyed a bit of rock hunting at a ranch and then drove on to Big Ben National Park. The camping that night was in a very empty campground. Lots of evergreens in the area and almost every other tree supported a bit of mistletoe. Christmas morning started with a good breakfast and a few gifts. I got a ID Bracelet that I had been hoping for and a beautiful hair piece. I then realized why Gene had wanted a lock of my hair in Nov.     I wore the hair piece a lot when I went back to work as it was a perfect color match.      We    then hit the visitors center, were they had a hug Century Plant decorated with Christmas balls. We went on from  to get our first view of the Rio Grand. The shore was sandy, the water was muddy and there were steep bluffs on both sides. We saw fossils imbedded in the canyon walls. We walked down the canyon a bit and came upon a young man who would take one across the river on the back of his burro for a dime. So on Christmas day we all rode across the river on the back of a mule. We climbed the bluff toward a small village. In the process we were “ attached” by a bunch of bambinos” selling rocks. Grandma and Grandpa both purchased a pockets  full  of useless rocks, but I am sure that the process made the kids day. The town was dusty and very poor. There was a small open school building, scattered mud huts and a saloon. It was sad. The next day we went east and visited a country store. Dad brought us all soda pop that we enjoyed in the heat. We cross the Rio Grand a second time- this time by row boat. On the Mexican side were steps up the bluff and we emerged into a more substantial town. First we came across some men making pack saddles. This village had streets that were packed dirt and many more buildings. There were lots of active people doing business. There was a small church and a water pump in front of it. There was a wooden school house that I went into. There were benches and a chalk board but nothing else. I had my sketchbook and soon tried out the little bit of Spanish I could remember from 3ed grade on some children. Some how I got to asking them their ages. I would write the number and then turn it into one of the cartoon characters that I had created for my Honor Society speech. The kids were thrilled and I folded pages and tore them out and gave them to the kids until I had use all my paper. I didn’t  see much of the town, but I did have a good time.    That night we camped again in Big Bend in a different camp ground. The following day we drove east out of the park and crossed the boarder a third time on a bridge this time. The town was very prosperous. We did lots of shopping there. I perched a famous Mexican Bandit Marionette that wore a sombrero, black flannel suit that sported a white zig-zag trim down the legs and had a six shooter in each hand. Mom purchased me a beautiful turquoise and purple poncho that I loved.    Grandmother got all three kids sombreros. As it turned out, I think our younger cousins, Casey and Curtis ended up with them when we got back to Grandview. My favorite purchase was a guitar that I got for $6.00. I spent hours trying to learn how to play it. But the thing would not hold tuning. The neck kept bending under the pressure of tuning to the point were the strings and the neck were so far apart that one could put there index finger between the strings and the frat board at the bottom and not touch either surface. After our shopping we returned to the states and drove north. Our Next stop was the Alamo. Gene and I had seen the movie and were a bit disappointed. It was much smaller then I expected and being in the middle of the city with big tall buildings all round made it seem even smaller. It sure made me realize how much Hollywood played with reality. We continued north and stopped at Platt National Park, one of the nations smaller parks. It was too cold to wade in the river, but Gene and Danny threw lots of rocks in the river. Crossing Kansas and Missouri we arrived back in Iowa. Dad and Mom went to see Grandpa Merit, but Gene and I did not. Then it was another 12 hour day drive back to Muncie and School the next morning.

Stay safe

Carol Boyer

100 day Challenge, Childhood Memories, Daily Practice, Finger Lakes Fiber Artist Group, Lap Quilts, Pixies Group, Poppy Fields, Scrap Happy Quilts

Summer Days

Hello,

We are feeling the heat of summer here this week.   I am not complaining as it is very mild compared to some forks – but unique for us this early in the season.    We continue to walk in the  early  morning and we have shortened our route to adjust.    These  wild grapes are a sure sign that summer is still producing her bounty.

 

 

 

 

It has been a full week.  On Saturday the Finger Lakes Fiber Artist meant live for the first time in months. was very exciting and folks had lots to share and talk about. Pat had two pieces and they were very fun, active and bright.

 

 

 

 

Susan came with her work from a on line class she had taken with Joe Cunningham.

 

 

 

 

 

Bev brought the piece that was in the Made in New York show. Good to get a second look.

 

Maureen had a wonderful collection of her hand dyed scarves  along with several other works.

 

 

 

 

Mary brought her fabric baskets.   Great fun.

 

 

 

Sharon showed her latest work and a few of her new cards. It was a great meeting and I think everyone came away super charged.
I also did a Zoom meeting with the Pixies and a live meeting with the Retired Art Teachers.

 

 

Yesterday, Liz and I mad a trip to our friend Paul’s house to drop off out quilts for him to do his Photography magic. We both want to enter some shows.

We visited our friend Angela’ new house that is under construction. She is looking forward to the completion of this wonderful kitchen/ dining room/living room. I love her view too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress Report: Lap Quilt # 15 This work is 40″w X 70″ l. I really enjoyed doing the drawing of the trees to add interest and quilt in some of the bigger areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lap Quilt # 16 I just keep playing with these projects. I will deliver 15 to one of our local nursing homes soon.

 

 

 

 

Poppy Field I am still building more thread painted blossoms for this project.

 

 

 

100 Day Challenge Here is the next batch of finished pieces. I am up to day 72 now.

 

 

 

Granite and Silver This work is on level two of its building. The granite base is just about done. I plan to add silver maple leaves on top when this step is complete.

 

 

 

Daily Practice The hand work just keeps moving forward here. I think I will complete this bit of fabric in the next day or two.

 

 

Scrap Happy    I started a new scrap happy because I gave away the one i had  to a refugee family from Banqualadash.      I also gave away two more for their children.   Glad to find homes for them.     I like to keep a scrap happy  on the shelf for just such events.   These are just the strips before they are cut into squares .

Childhood Nov/Dec 1965
When we got home from Iowa in 1965, Gene started pestering me for a lock of my hair. I resisted a while, but finally gave in and cut a small section from the middle of the back. School was a busy and fun as ever and the work picked up at the Student Center, so Dec flew bye. We got a letter from the Dean Family and a second from the Bells saying that a trip to Texas was not going to happen for either family at that time. I was disappointed, but everyone has a life of their own. We celebrated our Christmas before we left for Iowa as usual. Gene and I got Walkie talkies so we could communicate between vehicles on the trip. We were excited about that. When we went got to Iowa we went with Grandmother to visit Grandpa Merit in the hospital. He had lost a lot of weigh and did not look as robust as he had in the past. He begged to come home, and Grandmother reluctantly refused. She just could not care for him. It was heart braking. Our family went forward with our travel plans and got up at 4 and drove to Grandview were we waited for Grandma and Grandpa to get going. It was snowing and cold, but we got going with cousin Danny driving the Van and following us. The Walkie talkies worked and it was great fun. After lunch time Grandmother Ruth joined us and Gene went to the van. Mom moved to the back seat with me. We drove south west all day and stopped at a run down motel in Kansas. It reminded Grandfather of the ones he ran next to the Station in Grandview. We moved our sleeping bags inside and slept on the floor of the room that night. It was still a bit cold. We continued to drive south most of Tuesday too. There was one stop to do a tour of a Cotton Refining Factory. It was fascinating to see all the steps from removal of the seeds from the cotton balls to the spinning of the thread. The air was full of cotton fluff. I remember being amazed at how red the soil was in that area. Wednesday as another day spent mostly on the road seeing lots of oil derricks pumping away before the scenery gave way to catus and lots of yucca plants growing on the genital hills. We did arrive at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and camped. It was warm and pleasant that night. We spent the whole day doing the full tour of the Cavern the next day. It was specular with wonderful formations . We saw lots of stalactites and stalagmites as well as cave straws and what the guide called popcorn formations. We went on a boat ride on an underground river and ate lunch at the underground lunchroom. Ham and cheese sandwiches I think. The guide turned off the lights and although Mom was setting next to me, it was so dark and quiet it was like no one in the world existed but me. We even saw mummified bats before we exited the cave. It was great! We loaded up and started driving east into Texas. At that time we got caught in a wind storm that blew huge tumble weeds as big as the car across the road. It was like a big game of dodgeball for a while.  Exciting and scary at the same time. Our next stop was Judge Roy Bean’s office/salon/courtroom. Langtree was almost a ghost town with the exception of the saloon and the tourist store. We did the talk/tour of the Lilly Langtree Saloon. It was about the size of a half basketball court like one sees in a park, with tables at one end and a bar at the other. The guide explained how Bean was the law
“West of the Pacos”. He   used the bar as his court room and would close the bar for court  actions  .  He was know to change fines that  that took most of the person cash. If they could not pay and sense there was no jail, he would chain them to a log out back  for the night. As soon as the case was complete the bar opened and jurors were expected to by a drink. On a shelf behind the bar was Bean’s law book. I did purchase some little carved turquoise heats in the store and glued them to a bracelet that I had purchased at Carlsbad. Mom got a very nice silver bracelet that I still have.

Stay Safe

Carol