I'm Growing Roses ... on the Design Wall

When I was thinking about how to set all the wonderful liberated love letters word blocks I won in the February Block Lotto, I started thinking about adding another color and then got the idea to make a pieced rose border . . . so I made these blocks yesterday afternoon to use to audition my idea.

I think that even if I hate the combination of these blocks with the words, they'll make a sweet little girl's quilt. 

There has also been a dozen of the lotto blocks for April on the wall as I made samples, wrote directions and tested the limits of my guidelines . . . but I can't share those until April 1. The sneak peekers have made and shared photos of another three dozen so far, so the virtual design wall is already well underway.

Be sure to visit Judy's Blog and follow the Design Wall Monday links to see what other quilters are working on this week.

Edited to add . . .  I just read this interesting article about long-haul truckers who are picking up fabrics and yarn on the Wall Street Journal website:

Idle Pastime: In Off hours, Truckers Pick up Stitching

When they talk about quilting and knitting, they sound just like any other fiber-addicted artist:

"Oh, there's many a time you're just going down the road at O-dark-thirty in the morning and you just start thinking about a particular pattern."

And,

Quilting, he said, "gives you a little bit of ownership. You've actually accomplished something with your time off."

And this from a knitter:

"The fact that you can take strands of thread and basically make something out of it, that's awesome I think," he said. "It's pretty cool stuff, man."

Reading about how one guy has a sewing machine and project boxes in his sleeping cabin made my itty bitty loft suddenly feel spacious ;-)

Saturday Ramble

I went to the Dallas Farmer's Market this morning . . . I couldn't help but contrast today's market with the same place last week.  Then, it was raining in the morning and SNOWING in the afternoon; the farmers market was like a ghost town and no one was happy to be there.  Today it was sunny and warm and the place was full of people and vendors. People were sitting outside and enjoying lunch, the weather and everything. One of the food vendors even had a guy making balloon animals–it really felt like a party.

I came home with newly sharpened kitchen knives, tasty tomatoes that were picked yesterday on a farm in West Texas, fresh eggs from free range chickens, artisan cheeses and a couple tote bags full of other beautiful produce.

But I have to admit, I felt a little like Jamie Oliver on last night's episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, when he was asking a class full of young students to identify a bunch of vegetables and no one guessed correctly for any of them.  That's Jamie, dressed as a pea pod, talking to the principal of the grade school, in a scene from last night. Today, I kept asking the "farmers" where their produce came from and often, even the ones in the "local growers" shed, couldn't tell me.  I know that a lot of them walk over to the wholesale shed, buy stuff and bring it back to their own stalls and resell it, but I was still quite surprised how little so many knew about their veggies and fruits.  So I bought things from those vendors who knew what they were selling, and bought as local as I could.  The vendor who easily and very specifically answered my question about his avocados and the community in Mexico where they came from made me smile. This guy knew his stuff . . . ALL of his stuff.

On the trip home, as I was driving round and round my parking ramp I caught this view of City Hall and realized that this is what I would see from my loft IF the parking ramp wasn't there.

Of course, it wasn't always there. This photo, from the 1930's shows the back of my building BEFORE the parking ramp. when the building was filled with the offices of the Interurban Railway.  This is a photo of one of the historic photos that hang in the halls here.

No one lived in the building then, but the people working in the offices could have enjoyed the view.  Of course, City Hall wasn't there in the 1930's, either ;-)

A funny thing happened when I decided to walk out and over to the other side of the parking ramp to take the photo of the view I might have had . . . this guy, a safety patrol officer, came over and asked if I "was alright."  He startled me, but I didn't fall over the wall . . . nor was I intending to jump ;-)

I snapped this photo of him on my way back inside my building.  (No idea what he was doing up here.) 

I told him what I was doing–taking a photo of my theoretical view–and he commented how I can see two IM Pei designed buildings.  I figured that City Hall was one, but I couldn't guess which is the other one.  He told that the Central Library was also an IM Pei design.  (I couldn't confirm that on the web anywhere, but I did go the libraries Web site and "ask the librarian."  I'll let you know when I receive a response.)   Edited to add that my question was forwarded to and quickly answered by the Library's Texas/Dallas History & Archives Division.  My gut feeling was right.  The library is NOT an IM Pei designed structure, but was designed by the Dallas architectural firm of Fisher & Spillman.  It was completed in 1982.

Here's the wider view, with the library in the foreground on the left.

And here's my ACTUAL view ... I really wish I could see some of the trees, green grass and the fountain, but I will just have to continue to imagine that the parking structure isn't there.

Blogger's New Template Designer

Have you discovered the incredible time suck fabulous new tool, the Blogger Template Designer?

Yesterday, my afternoon began innocently enough when I decided to take a look and play around with my Pattern blog.  It has the least content and I knew that would make it easier ... and it was, quick and easy and I liked the result.

It went so well, in fact, that I moved on to the Block Lotto group blog.  That blog already had 2 sidebars and lots of information and links that I wanted to try to keep or bring above the fold. I can't help myself, I want it to be USABLE by the quilters who make lotto blocks and those who just visit.  And it had the photo of the Block Lotto Banner quilt that I made in the header.  Anyone who happened to check that blog more than once yesterday knows that I flipped, I flopped, I just couldn't make up my mind about templates, colors or background images.  I switched to three sidebars (with a really skinny body in the middle) and back again (multiple times). I just couldn't stop trying the many options.  I created three pages (which appear as tabs at the top) for some frequently accessed info: the Block Lotto Guidelines, some FAQs and the links to the block patterns for all the blocks we've made in the eight-plus years the block lotto has been around. At one point, I even blogged about my obsessive redecorating.   Finally, this morning, I settled here.

I still want to re-photograph the banner quilt and create an image that is square enough with the binding included (I cropped it out for the moment).  I also want to add another tab with the gallery of quilts that have been made from or inspired by the Block Lotto.  But, for the moment, I am determined to stop moving things around . . . for a while.

This afternoon, I felt like I had to update this blog, too  ....  I'd really like to use one of my own images as the background, but, unfortunately,  the Template Designer doesn't currently support it.  If you want to use your own image, you'll have to create your own template (and believe me, last night, I started seriously thinking about it ;-)

If you have the TIME and inclination, I encourage you to check it out.  There are many, many options and some interesting functionality.  Some of the background images actually  CHANGE COLORS, when you change the color palette (for titles, links, etc).  

If you do spend some time with this new toy tool and have some suggestions (like being able to use your own images for the background), you can visit the Google Product Ideas area for Template Designer and suggest them . . . and vote on the ideas that others have already suggested (like being able to use your own images for background ;-)

Preview Night

Preview night at the Dallas Quilt Celebration begins with thank yous to the show committee chairs–I learned tonight that this show is one of the largest volunteer-produced quilt shows in the country–followed by presentations of the judges and their judge's choice selections, along with the Pride of Dallas award (curiously won by a quilter from HOUSTON, Texas). These quilts aren't presented to the assembled crowd, and none of the winning quilters were in attendance, which is a bit anti-climatic, but, happily the Best of Show Quilt was presented to the crowd.

Best of Show winner at Dallas Quilt Celebration 2010 is Brown Birds Lullabye, made by Sally Magee of Heath, Texas. No photo can do it justice . . . you're really going to have to see all the incredible appliqué and Broderie Perse for yourself to appreciate it.

Here it is hanging in the show, followed by a detail photo.

I'm planning to go back to the show–I'll be making my best effort to avoid the vendor booths because, despite assurances I haven't seen any sign of movement from the State of Michigan–and will have more photos to share, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here are the winners from the guild's  block challenge, Texas Boots, Baltimore Style. I wanted to make a block for this challenge, but had a hard time soering out what to do with my cowboy boot–one of the requirements–to make it Baltimore Style.  Maybe, I just haven't lived in Texas long enough . . . clearly, the winners had no problem ;-)

Tonya Littman's block won first place.

Second and third place were won by Paticia Kopeck (left) and Judy Kriehn.

Honorable Mention went to Cathy Bradley (left) and Marsha Senisel.

FYI, each year, the challenge blocks are made into "Keeper Quilts" which are guild quilts. All of the keeper quilts are being displayed at the show this year.

As I walked around tonight, the Pride of Dallas winner was one of the quilts that grabbed me, too. This miniature, Mission Impossible 2, was made by Komiko Frydl of HOUSTON, Texas

Notice that pin (holding the ribbon with the label and award ribbons)  in the lower right corner to get an idea of the scale of this incredible quilt.  Those are 128 point Mariner's Compass blocks.  The last ring of points is so fine, it looks like it has to be drawn or painted in ... but it's not.

I enjoyed the quilts, to be sure, but I have to admit that the thrill of the evening for me was running into Patricia Campbell and John.  I can't help but smile at the fact that John remembered that cold January in Ann Arbor, Michigan, more than a few years ago, when Pat was the guest lecturer of the Ann Arbor Guild.  Walking around last night, I realized that the two people who really taught me the fine points of appliqué were both there last night: Pat and Charlotte Warr-Andersen, who is one of the judges for the show.  I was feeling both incredibly grateful to both of them while also realizing that since their workshops, I'd come a long way baby ;-)

If you're headed to the quilt show this weekend, let me know and I'll look for you.  Depending on what the morning brings, I'm planning to head back tomorrow and connect with Michelle and her mom, whoa re driving down from Oklahoma for the day.

Robots Have Invaded My Loft

These charming robots came from the main fabric in my Downy Touch of Comfort quilt kit.

When I heard, in a Downy TV commercial, that they contributed to comfort quilts for kids, I was curious to  find out exactly what they meant by that.  It turns out that they have signed on as a sponsor for the organization Quilts for Kids which began a few years ago, trying to use up fabric that was ending up in landfills. With Downy as a new sponsor, they have set a big goal for this project: 10,000 quilts!

The kits come with pre-cut fabrics, directions and even a label.  You add the batting and thread, some of your time, a little of your love and it's a quilt.

You can check out the program on their website, linked above. If you already know you want to help or request a kit of your own, head straight to the Volunteer page.

The organization asks that you consider making a second quilt from your own fabrics, too . . . and that is my plan. Someone shared some leftover novelty fabrics for boys a while ago and they'll become my second quilt.

Speaking of robots . . . if you haven't yet been introduced to Amy Flynn's fobots, they're definitely worth a click.  The name Fobots comes from found object robots. They've completely charmed me and are on my "after I have disposable income again" list.  Tonight, some of them are making an appearance on Ugly Betty, on the shelves in the hallway between the reception desk and the rest of the office. (I guess their art director was charmed by them, too ;-)

Beautiful Blogger, Beautiful Blogs

 

A couple weeks ago, Julie honored me on her Floribunda blog with this award and I have been remiss in thanking her, following the rules and humbly accepting the lovely compliment. Thank you, Julie. I am honored.

To accept this award, here are the rules: 

1. Thank the person who gave you the award. Check.
2. Paste the award on your blog. Check.
3. Link to the person who nominated you. Check.
4. Tell 7 interesting things about yourself. At the bottom of this post. 
5. Nominate 7 or 8 blogs.  Coming right up. 
6. Post links to those 7 blogs. Ditto.

Here are some beautiful group authored blogs that I especially enjoy, that might not already be on your list: 

1. ColourLovers - a place to find color palettes inspired by just about anything and other interesting discussions about color.  The blog is part of a larger site which is a great resource.
   
   
2. Fast Friday Fabric Challenge - monthly themes are interpreted by quilters with interesting results. The latest theme was landscape + manipulated fabric.
    
3. Illustration Friday - while there is a blog associated with this site, it is the weekly topic and response by artists in many media on the site (which is linked) that inspires me.
   
   
4. Sew Retro - sewer/authors share a love of vintage patterns, vintage fabric, vintage style.
   
   
5. The Civil War Bride Quilt - quilty eye candy provided by authors who are making this incredible appliqué quilt.
   
   
6. Twelve By Twelve - a collaborative art quilt project  wherein 12 quilters create 12" square quilts in response to a series of themes.  This year's effort is based on color.
   
   
7. Wardrobe Refashion - designer/authors take a pledge to refashion, renovate and recycle instead of purchasing clothing for the length of their commitment. 

Here are the required seven things that you probably don't know about me:

1. For the past two months, the states of Michigan and Texas have been playing a shell game with me, assuring me of one thing, telling me to "wait at least a month" before following up and to ignore the automatically generated US Mail I have received, and mostly telling me to contact the other one . . .  with no regard to what they are doing to me.  After patiently waiting and then following up, two different people in two different states have told me today exactly the opposite regarding unemployment benefits than I've been told for the past two months.
    
2. I have yet to receive any of the benefit to which both Michigan and Texas have assured me for months I am entitled.  I have spent hours and hours just trying to get through on the phone (before the long wait in the queue to reach an actual person) at both Michigan UIA and the Texas Workforce Commission. In the meantime, the deadline for applying for extended unemployment benefits is fast approaching.  I fear that by the time Texas and Michigan sort it out, it will be too late to apply.
    
3. I have begun to dream about becoming homeless, even though I know it's completely irrational.
   
   
4. My fears about the future have me stopped in my tracks creatively and in other ways, too.
   
   
5. I have never felt so alone and unwanted in my life.
   
   
6. I resisted responding to this award because I just couldn't put on a happy face for my friends in blogland and create a funny list of interesting things about me. Maybe it's just time to come clean about just how bad things are.
   
   
7. I know that certain malicious people follow this blog and will delight in my circumstances, immediately e-mailing their friends, with their added nasty commentary.  I never understood women who treat other women so viciously or those that delight in another's hardship  . . . and probably never will.

Maybe I should have just blogged about the dresses at the Oscars today, huh?

Did You Vote?

I'm not talking about the primary earlier this week–though I hope you DID vote in the primary vote–I mean the Quilting Gallery's weekly themed quilt contest.  The theme this week is Quilts for Little Girls. I entered the Doll Quilt I made for one of the Doll Quilt Swaps a couple years ago.  It was for a little girl named Ela, who lived in Turkey.  Here she is with her quilt–I think she really liked it.

Here's a detail of the appliqué, quilting and some of the many novelty fabrics I used in this quilt.

Do click over to the Quilting Gallery contest, check out ALL the adorable little girl quilts and vote.

Brandywine Shawl - Almost Finished

I didn't finish with the Olympics on Sunday. I finished the knitting last night. I'm waiting for the arrival of the blocking wires I ordered to block the shawl and call it done.

This knit is a story of woulda', shoulda', coulda' . . .

If I woulda' started knitting sooner, I woulda' finished before the Olympics end.  I completed the project in 7 days and won this cool Knitting Champion 2010 Gold Medal, courtesy of the Yarn Harlot. 



I shoulda' known better than to park my knitting on the chair for a minute while I checked on something on the computer.  I was distracted for more than a minute and when I returned to my knitting, I found Johnny Be Good stretched out on top of it.  When I picked up the knitting it was curiously wet.  I discovered the Johnny had been chewing the circular knitting needle (probably) and gnowed through the knitting in a handful of places.  As I was ripping back to before the yarn breaks, I saw an opportunity to correct an early mistake and before long, my shawl project looked like this. Yes, I did.  I ripped out more than 100 rows and started over. Two days later, I had re-knit and caught up to where I was before that moment of carelessness.

I still probably coulda' finished before the closing ceremony if, when I was on the home stretch, I didn't decide to drop a few stitches in the lace band for a more than a few rows to try to fix another niggling mistake.  This pattern wasn't difficult and I didn't think I needed to consider using a lifeline, but if I had, I wouldn't have spent an entire evening playing with the dropped stitches and then, after I was unsuccessful, ripping out several 8 row repeats when I only a few to go. 

It's been a while since I picked up a pair of knitting needles . . . and I'm afraid it showed in my stumbles with this project. But it's done and I know that after it's blocked, I'll wear it a lot.

My Virtual Design Wall

I love it when, soon after I mail out the sneak peek email for the block lotto, a bunch of early photos land in my mailbox.  When time permits, I crop and resize them and arrange them in a straight set on a blog page: a virtual design wall. This virtual design wall gives everyone an idea of how well the blocks from everyone will play together. I'm excited about the blocks for the March . . . take a look:

These blocks were made by Andra, Caroline, Ginny, Michelle, Rho and me.

Click any of these blocks for a larger image, but note that in the few instances where I sliced-up a photo of a group of blocks into individual squares, it might not be that much larger.  If you, too,  have a lot of cool scraps (blue, green and purple) and and interest in scrap-busting, check out the March Block Lotto–join us, or  . . .  make a bunch of blocks for yourself and a cool UN-virtual quilt of your own.

See what's on other design walls (real and virtual) on the list of links at the bottom of Judy's blog (and read about her plans to celebrate National Quilting Month in March, too.)