Catching Up

 On the beach, in Atlantic City, this seagull posed for me!
I was there this past week for the I.B.E.W. 3rd District Progress Meeting. The president, Edwin Hill, spoke about the fight working Americans are facing right now. Unions need to increase their numbers. I grew up knowing about the union from my dad. My sister is a union steward. We are a working class family and proud of that.

Our mandala exhibit was a bust. It was the first time the owner had tried to have an art show. She wasn't prepared. Among other problems, we felt that the lack of security was also an issue, so we will find another venue for these awesome quilts. All the pieces are as varied as their makers and well worth a look-see.

Ace, Michael & Jenn's puppy has Parvovirus. For the last week he has been at his kennel being taken care of 24 hours a day. He has made some progress, eating a little bit on his own. After being able to see him play in videos and on Facetime, I feel like I know him. Hoping he will make a full recovery and be back home soon.

Mela is 2 months old now! She is such a pretty baby! My friend, Nicki, sent me a note that she has Mela's pic as her screen saver right now because it makes her smile when she looks at it.

I love wool. I have lots of wool. I have wanted to do a project with them for a while. Last week at guild, one of the show & tells quilts was this one....

I wish I had made time to get pics of more of the blocks up close. It is all wool. It won best in show somewhere...as it should. Awesome. I would love to make one similar to this one.

"Bulls Eye" is now in the hands of Cheryl Doodie, one of our guilds award winning hand quilters. The pennies were all hand stitched from repurposed wool clothing and sewn by machine to 5" squares. I purposely stacked the pennies wonky, felt more comfortable to me. (I actually took pics of symmetrical stacks and wonky stacks to decide) Cheryl will use red thread to form a secondary line design. It will be pricey, but worth it to me. This quilt could not be machine quilted. Just wouldn't have looked right.

I am currently working on 3 small pieces for a lapidary show in Rochester next month which will marry stone and fibers to show that gems, stones and fossils can be used in other ways, not just jewelry.
Also deciding what to show and/or create for a show with RAFA in Clifton Springs in November.
I machine quilted Mela's hexi quilt, just need to bind it.
So much I want to do, so little free time!

I have learned:

1. The Bills are winning against the Raven's as I write this. BUT, it's not over yet.
2. My Etsy shop is steady sale-ing. Mailed to Israel on Friday. 
3. I really don't like to gamble, at all. Didn't even play a slot game in Atlantic City. I prefer to waste my money, not lose it.
4. Sophia loves me like kitty poop! Wow. Sweet. 
5. Ollie's always has great book buyouts. I got Melanie Testa's Inspired to Quilt for $2.99! A Stephen King book of short-ish stories for $1.99. 
6. Salsarita's=yum. 

Quilted Mandala...On Wings

Mandala quilt, "On Wings" is machine quilted, seed stitched and crytsalled. Need to block it, face it and sleeve it for the hanging at Blue Pearl Yoga on Thursday. If anyone is interested, our art quilt group will have a reception Friday evening at the old Masonic Temple on Main St, in Batavia, that houses Blue Pearl. We would love to see you there~!

Friday's have become gramma time! I love it. Sophia asks if I am coming over and of course Mela doesn't know it yet, but she looks forward to it too. I had Mela and Sophia in my lap, in Dave's ravaged but beloved recliner this past Friday, while I fed Mela and we all watched Legally Blond. I loved it. Every second of it. They are precious girls. Sophia gets in touch with her feline side and licks my face affectionately!

Yesterday was spent "popping tags" at thrift stores with Pam & Sarah! We had a blast. Sarah was the winner with all her great jacket/blazer finds. Of course it helps that she is small. Pam found plenty of "teacher" clothes....I was focused on Mela/Sophia clothing. Found plenty! Lunch at Salsarita's. OMG. YUM. Always good time with my besty and her daughter.

I am watching the Bills vs Carolina game. We just scored!! Yes! Once a Bills fan, you just can't shake it off. Ask Micheal. He has tried to favor other teams that succeed. We are diehard. Great game! I can almost hear Micheal's hoots from Tennessee!

I was walking my property this morning and came upon this....

....a heavily laden apple tree limb fallen. It will make it that much easier for the sweet dear that come and feast on my 4 apple tree's. I picked a few good ones to make applesauce. They are truly delicious.

I have learned:

1. Gerhard Richter Painting, a documentary on Netflix, very interesting. Loved.
2. Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters, also a great documentary on the photographer. 
3. The Tents, on Netflix. Excellent also.
4. Go to a gas conference in Atlantic City next week. I hope to still be able to walk the Boardwalk. 
5. 2 years, 5 months to retirement~!

Ongoing....

Love this Dover free image. I must use it. Hmmm.
I have been busy finishing up my mandala quilt for the show at Blue Pearl Yoga that opens with an artist reception next Friday. My "On Wings" mandala quilt is ready for finishing. I added many seed stitches to it. At my art quilt group Tuesday, we revealed what we all had done or were working on. All looks great!

The last RRRR for guild is overdue. (Being consumed by mandala) I have, however, sewn 3/4" hexi's into a tree shape for 8 6" blocks. I used Elaine's red metallic fabric for tree. I am stuck on the cream metallic she has used in her block. I need to find something that works with that for the base of my block.

So hot and steamy the last two days. I had taken my fan to the basement Sunday. Brought back up today. I managed to sleep through last night without it...not again tonight though.

I have learned

1. Craft Bits n' Pieces in Fairport is a treasure trove for any creator! 
2. Flame....Popeye...not sure what Melissa and Dave have decided to call the rescued cat I got them last weekend from Genesee County animal shelter. He is orange. We love orange kitty's!
3. Project Runway. Boring this season. No standouts.
4. Remembered the day throughout. Not good memories of that day 12 years ago.