Today we went to the Baltimore Aquarium; dolphins and sharks and lots and lots of turtles.
Yesterday was the Natural History Museum downtown - butterflies and orchids, yeah! Oh, and all those dinosaur bones.
Tomorrow, we drive to southern Pennsylvania for the Herr's potato chip factory tour (and DH can buy Pennsylvania beer!).
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
Lois's virtual quilt patch
I've added a purple patch in honor of my MIL on the right. You can add one, too - either click on the patch to go to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI)site, or click here: http://www.alzquilts.org/patch.html
We're NOT going to Indianapolis for spring break this year, and the main reason is Lois's Alzheimer's. She just can't handle having extra people in her house, and she doesn't remember any of us most of the time. AND she's mean to the kids. So we're doing day trips from home, and will be happy and have fun, but not for the reason why.
We're NOT going to Indianapolis for spring break this year, and the main reason is Lois's Alzheimer's. She just can't handle having extra people in her house, and she doesn't remember any of us most of the time. AND she's mean to the kids. So we're doing day trips from home, and will be happy and have fun, but not for the reason why.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The kids post
One of the reasons I haven't been blogging is my support function for my kids' social lives.
The lovely daughter has started an oil painting class. So far, she's taken to it like a duck to water. She copied a Winslow Homer with foxes for her first try; now she's working on an original design from photos of painted buntings (a request from my mom).
She's awfully fun to be around, most of the time. And she's been known to draw on her shoes.
The middle son, in the past few weeks: (1) won his Cub Scout pack's Pinewood Derby, (2) made and decorated a cake (with only minor adult-oriented help from me) for his CS banquet, (3) moved up from CS to Boy Scouts, and (4) got his half brown/half black belt.
He hates having his picture taken, so I'm surprised I was able to get a couple of good ones.
The Cake:
The small man is still a creature of wonder. When did he get so big?
Just look at those shoes!
Karate at the CS banquet:
On the non-fabric crafting front, I made a King Cake for Mardi Gras:
The lovely daughter has started an oil painting class. So far, she's taken to it like a duck to water. She copied a Winslow Homer with foxes for her first try; now she's working on an original design from photos of painted buntings (a request from my mom).
She's awfully fun to be around, most of the time. And she's been known to draw on her shoes.
The middle son, in the past few weeks: (1) won his Cub Scout pack's Pinewood Derby, (2) made and decorated a cake (with only minor adult-oriented help from me) for his CS banquet, (3) moved up from CS to Boy Scouts, and (4) got his half brown/half black belt.
He hates having his picture taken, so I'm surprised I was able to get a couple of good ones.
The Cake:
The small man is still a creature of wonder. When did he get so big?
Just look at those shoes!
Karate at the CS banquet:
On the non-fabric crafting front, I made a King Cake for Mardi Gras:
Bad blogger, again
Well, I did finally get "Florida Dreaming" bound and off for judging. It wasn't picked, though :( We'll see at the show what they were looking for. The final:
"Stars and Stripes (and Butterflies)" is mostly quilted, but it has some black yuck on it that I really hope comes out in the wash, because I DO NOT want to applique stars at this point.
It has simple big stars quilted in the 9-patches, and linear quilting in the borders.
Some giveaways you might want to sign up for:
Over at WonderMommy, you'll find a fabric giveaway:
At Quilting on a Budget, a pattern book. (I really want this one!!)
And a cute, cute basket at Sibling Craftery.
All you blogs with popups? WHY??
"Stars and Stripes (and Butterflies)" is mostly quilted, but it has some black yuck on it that I really hope comes out in the wash, because I DO NOT want to applique stars at this point.
It has simple big stars quilted in the 9-patches, and linear quilting in the borders.
Some giveaways you might want to sign up for:
Over at WonderMommy, you'll find a fabric giveaway:
At Quilting on a Budget, a pattern book. (I really want this one!!)
And a cute, cute basket at Sibling Craftery.
All you blogs with popups? WHY??
Thursday, March 12, 2009
WARNING: Politics ahead
Yes, this is mostly a crafts blog. Mostly quilting. Sometimes I digress to brag about the kids or DH, or report on life in general.
However.
Words simply cannot express how happy I am so far with the Obama administration, or how happy I am simply to have a President with a brain.
Just look at this: Executive Order 13505
"For the past 8 years, the authority of the Department of Health and Human
Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund and
conduct human embryonic stem cell research has been limited by Presidential
actions. The purpose of this order is to remove these limitations on scientific
inquiry, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell
research, and in so doing to enhance the contribution of America’s scientists
to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind."
Yeah, I get that some people think it's wrong. I don't. My lovely DH has type 1 diabetes. This may offer a potential cure - probably not for him, but for future generations to not have to go through this horrible disease.
Totally not related, but I love the President's signature.
However.
Words simply cannot express how happy I am so far with the Obama administration, or how happy I am simply to have a President with a brain.
Just look at this: Executive Order 13505
"For the past 8 years, the authority of the Department of Health and Human
Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund and
conduct human embryonic stem cell research has been limited by Presidential
actions. The purpose of this order is to remove these limitations on scientific
inquiry, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell
research, and in so doing to enhance the contribution of America’s scientists
to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind."
Yeah, I get that some people think it's wrong. I don't. My lovely DH has type 1 diabetes. This may offer a potential cure - probably not for him, but for future generations to not have to go through this horrible disease.
Totally not related, but I love the President's signature.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Blue Rainbow
Your rainbow is shaded blue.
What is says about you: You are a tranquil person. You appreciate friends who get along with one another. You share hobbies with friends and like trying to fit into their routines.
Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.
What is says about you: You are a tranquil person. You appreciate friends who get along with one another. You share hobbies with friends and like trying to fit into their routines.
Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Binding color?
What color binding for this?
Options are a dark blue-green, a light blue-green, the turquoise, or the sand color.
If I wasn't already running into size issues, I'd probably not have the binding showing on the front. Not sure I can do that and still have it at least 35" wide.
Options are a dark blue-green, a light blue-green, the turquoise, or the sand color.
If I wasn't already running into size issues, I'd probably not have the binding showing on the front. Not sure I can do that and still have it at least 35" wide.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Apparently my stash isn't as extensive as I thought
No red to speak of.
I have a red/white/blue quilt that I want to border in red/white/blue - I know I have the blue and am pretty sure about the white, but I went looking for red today - all I need is a little more than half a yard - and came up completely empty. Not even a fat quarter to speak of.
Hmph. Just means hand quilting for me tonight.
I have a red/white/blue quilt that I want to border in red/white/blue - I know I have the blue and am pretty sure about the white, but I went looking for red today - all I need is a little more than half a yard - and came up completely empty. Not even a fat quarter to speak of.
Hmph. Just means hand quilting for me tonight.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Wiped out
(This is what I started 2 days ago) The Small Man was up all night last night. No positive strep test yet, just coughing and wheezing and general sickness. We did the last nebulizer at 8 and Motrin at 9; hopefully the combo will keep him asleep tonight. (edit - 2 nights now of sleep. Yay!)
This is one of his creations:
It was much better in context, with all of the other kids' gingerbread men - none of the others had such completely colored in bodies or such precisely placed eyes and buttons. Very particular, my boy.
The lovely daughter found out today she was accepted into the magnet high school - to both of the programs she applied to. Now she has to decide (1) whether to go to her home school or the magnet, and (2) if the magnet, which program (Global Ecology or Humanities). AND I still get to fight with her local high school about her course selection because the stupid counselor wants her to take honors physics and the technology course, because that paperwork has to be turned in by Friday and she has 2 weeks to decide about the magnet. EVEN after she told him we'd discussed it and thought she didn't need to go that route. Argh. (I found out I have to write a letter to attach to the form.)
I did finally get some quilting done this weekend, after tending to the housework pile-up. I have a small pile of "flesh" colored fabrics now, but wound up using this:
to get to this:
I'm frogging the hat - it's just too tall, too much out of proportion. I'm reasonably happy with the rest of it.
Also working on a small piece, just for fun:
AND, cut and paired up pieces for a red/white/blue quilt. But today - a little telework, a little napping.
This is one of his creations:
It was much better in context, with all of the other kids' gingerbread men - none of the others had such completely colored in bodies or such precisely placed eyes and buttons. Very particular, my boy.
The lovely daughter found out today she was accepted into the magnet high school - to both of the programs she applied to. Now she has to decide (1) whether to go to her home school or the magnet, and (2) if the magnet, which program (Global Ecology or Humanities). AND I still get to fight with her local high school about her course selection because the stupid counselor wants her to take honors physics and the technology course, because that paperwork has to be turned in by Friday and she has 2 weeks to decide about the magnet. EVEN after she told him we'd discussed it and thought she didn't need to go that route. Argh. (I found out I have to write a letter to attach to the form.)
I did finally get some quilting done this weekend, after tending to the housework pile-up. I have a small pile of "flesh" colored fabrics now, but wound up using this:
to get to this:
I'm frogging the hat - it's just too tall, too much out of proportion. I'm reasonably happy with the rest of it.
Also working on a small piece, just for fun:
AND, cut and paired up pieces for a red/white/blue quilt. But today - a little telework, a little napping.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Blogging friends
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”
My old college friend Ruth blessed me with this award in the eon since I last posted. Ruth represents a great deal of what I value from my college education - friends, and the ability to find commonality with individuals who are not like you. Ruth and I are on the opposite ends of many spectra, but we respect the other person and share a deep abiding affection for Mississippi University for Women.
Unfortunately, the current president of the university seems determined to destroy it. I think she may underestimate the tenacity of the alumnae/alumni of this find school.
Anyway. Eight more. Aargh. There's way more than eight of you that I'd happily award this to. Anybody that reads this blog on a semi-regular basis is my friend, as far as I can tell. And the blogs I visit are CERTAINLY not interested in self-aggrandizement. If you want me to name you, I will - but feel free to name yourself.
Why My Husband Married Me
This exchange in our house, last week:
Me: Can you plunge the kitchen sink today? [It's an old house, with old plumbing, crazy previous owners - the plumbing of the kitchen and downstairs bathtub is connected in a not-good way.]
TMOTH: I'll see if I can get to it.
I leave for work and later get this e-mail:
"Kitchen sink is plunged. I broke the faucet. Off to Home Depot to get parts to fix it."
I get home and see this - and busted a gut laughing:
I suppose we'll have to replace it eventually, but it actually works better with the funky stupid sink the previous idiot owners installed.
Me: Can you plunge the kitchen sink today? [It's an old house, with old plumbing, crazy previous owners - the plumbing of the kitchen and downstairs bathtub is connected in a not-good way.]
TMOTH: I'll see if I can get to it.
I leave for work and later get this e-mail:
"Kitchen sink is plunged. I broke the faucet. Off to Home Depot to get parts to fix it."
I get home and see this - and busted a gut laughing:
I suppose we'll have to replace it eventually, but it actually works better with the funky stupid sink the previous idiot owners installed.
Happy Birthday, Small Man
My baby turned 4 on Groundhog Day.
He had a blast opening presents:
And got to pick out his own cake and "alphabet" and candles:
What a joy he is.
He had a blast opening presents:
And got to pick out his own cake and "alphabet" and candles:
What a joy he is.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
All better now
One of the advantages of owning an old mechanical machine is that brute force occasionally works to fix things. I took a screwdriver to the tension assembly, fiddled some more with the settings, and the looping problems disappeared. JOY!
Most of the water is now done, I think I need some more sand, and the sky needs to be dealt with. Then, on to applique...anybody out there ever done applique AFTER quilting? I'm thinking about it...
Most of the water is now done, I think I need some more sand, and the sky needs to be dealt with. Then, on to applique...anybody out there ever done applique AFTER quilting? I'm thinking about it...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The sewing machine gods must be angry
I've been happily piecing away on my Featherweight, when today it starting looping on the bottom and skipping stitches. I re-threaded, put in a new needle, took the bobbin out and put it back in - still issues. Drat. So I drag the trusty FashionMate downstairs and set it up. SKIPPED STITCHES. Maybe it's just too cold to sew. I'll go cut, I think.
Friday, January 16, 2009
What is up with the clock on Blogger?
The other post was at 12:16 am on Saturday, according to my computer...Blogger thinks it was about 8 pm on Friday?
Wasting time until 1 am so I can buy a damn shirt
TMOTH has been sent to Indianapolis for the weekend. While away, he requested that I upload his shirt design (done) and stay up until the new Woot shirt went on sale to buy it if it was the one he thought was going to be on sale. So I managed to wake up after falling asleep on the pull-out couch with the boys, and am now wasting time with an exercise found on Facebook (thanks, Megan!).
1. Google "[your name] needs":
"Michele needs help adjusting her body regularly, because sitting in one position makes her hips sore, but her body is too weak to move." (Wow. All of my problems certainly pale in comparison to ALS.)
2. Google "[your name] looks like":
"Michele looks like Dennis Rodman in drag." (Not even close.)
3. Google "[your name] likes":
"Michele Likes Cake." (True.)
4. Google "[your name] says":
"Take a look at what Michele says about IPA." (That would be the Institute for Public Administration at the University of Delaware.)
5. Google "[your name] wants":
"Michele wants a demo!" (Rarely. Just tell me what to do and let me figure it out for myself.)
6. Google "[your name] does":
"Michele does Dallas!" (Now, really. Would it be THAT hard to think up an original blog post title occasionally?)
7. Google "[your name] hates":
"Michele hates my new tube socks!" (Depends on WHOSE tube socks we're talking about.)
8. Google "[your name] can":
"Michele can be reached at (812) 988-0198. Her studio is located on Lost Lake Road." (This one is so cool. The link is for an article on Art in Science. Very interesting work, including fiber and mixed media.)
9. Google "[your name] goes":
"Michele Goes to Long Sand Beach" (I wish. It's in the single digits now here.)
10. Google "[your name] is":
"A little Michele is better than none at all." (And some would say better than a lot of Michele.)
11. Google "[your name] loves":
"Michele Loves Halloween.." (Just not as much as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Or Valentines Day.)
Well, that killed almost 15 minutes. If it wasn't so danged cold in the dining room I'd go piece something.
1. Google "[your name] needs":
"Michele needs help adjusting her body regularly, because sitting in one position makes her hips sore, but her body is too weak to move." (Wow. All of my problems certainly pale in comparison to ALS.)
2. Google "[your name] looks like":
"Michele looks like Dennis Rodman in drag." (Not even close.)
3. Google "[your name] likes":
"Michele Likes Cake." (True.)
4. Google "[your name] says":
"Take a look at what Michele says about IPA." (That would be the Institute for Public Administration at the University of Delaware.)
5. Google "[your name] wants":
"Michele wants a demo!" (Rarely. Just tell me what to do and let me figure it out for myself.)
6. Google "[your name] does":
"Michele does Dallas!" (Now, really. Would it be THAT hard to think up an original blog post title occasionally?)
7. Google "[your name] hates":
"Michele hates my new tube socks!" (Depends on WHOSE tube socks we're talking about.)
8. Google "[your name] can":
"Michele can be reached at (812) 988-0198. Her studio is located on Lost Lake Road." (This one is so cool. The link is for an article on Art in Science. Very interesting work, including fiber and mixed media.)
9. Google "[your name] goes":
"Michele Goes to Long Sand Beach" (I wish. It's in the single digits now here.)
10. Google "[your name] is":
"A little Michele is better than none at all." (And some would say better than a lot of Michele.)
11. Google "[your name] loves":
"Michele Loves Halloween.." (Just not as much as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Or Valentines Day.)
Well, that killed almost 15 minutes. If it wasn't so danged cold in the dining room I'd go piece something.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A Start!
I got a good start on the challenge quilt this weekend.
Sand - done
Water - mostly done. It's a little dark - I think I need some more light-to-middle range turquoise.
Sky - Not started, but it shouldn't take long.
I think I need to applique the figure on, then sew over the legs...but I'm pondering doing the applique AFTER quilting the background - anybody have any experience with this?
Sand - done
Water - mostly done. It's a little dark - I think I need some more light-to-middle range turquoise.
Sky - Not started, but it shouldn't take long.
I think I need to applique the figure on, then sew over the legs...but I'm pondering doing the applique AFTER quilting the background - anybody have any experience with this?
Friday, January 09, 2009
Godiva hot chocolate
Oh. My. God. The best hot chocolate mix EVER.
How is this crafty?
It was in my goody bag from my quilt guild secret sister!
How is this crafty?
It was in my goody bag from my quilt guild secret sister!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Catching up
We had a wonderful vacation. Two trips to two beaches, photos from one beach:
The family:
My Beach Boys - these beach photos are pretty true color and will be used to pick fabric for the challenge quilt:
Super-amazing sandcastle:
My lovely daughter in the surf:
We spent a lot of time going through boxes of old stuff, and I came away with some treasures - the original manual for my Featherweight, a buttonholer attachment, and a zig-zag attachment with at least 8 stitch patterns. Plus a LOT of other stuff my brother didn't want - my grandmother was a magpie like me, although we did toss a lot of stuff as well. She clipped recipes from the newspaper - this was in the days before the internet - and probably 95% of those were tossed.
We also went on a gator hunt! My middle son at one time had decided that there were no alligators in the wild, so we went to find one. We saw lots of wood storks, some sandhill cranes, hawks, egrets, herons, and even a Florida deer. And a gator! about 7 feet - DB has yet to send me the grainy photo his photo-binoculars took.
If the Small Man hadn't shared his crud with everybody, it would've been a perfect vacation.
The family:
My Beach Boys - these beach photos are pretty true color and will be used to pick fabric for the challenge quilt:
Super-amazing sandcastle:
My lovely daughter in the surf:
We spent a lot of time going through boxes of old stuff, and I came away with some treasures - the original manual for my Featherweight, a buttonholer attachment, and a zig-zag attachment with at least 8 stitch patterns. Plus a LOT of other stuff my brother didn't want - my grandmother was a magpie like me, although we did toss a lot of stuff as well. She clipped recipes from the newspaper - this was in the days before the internet - and probably 95% of those were tossed.
We also went on a gator hunt! My middle son at one time had decided that there were no alligators in the wild, so we went to find one. We saw lots of wood storks, some sandhill cranes, hawks, egrets, herons, and even a Florida deer. And a gator! about 7 feet - DB has yet to send me the grainy photo his photo-binoculars took.
If the Small Man hadn't shared his crud with everybody, it would've been a perfect vacation.
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