Vacation Trip - The People

Sometimes vacations are just about getting away, and thus about place. Others revolve around specific events or activities. And sometimes, it's about getting together with certain people. My vacation was a bit of all three, with the people being as important if not more so than the places and activities I so enjoyed. They represent so many stages of my life and though I've been in contact with them all via mail & phone & Facebook, it has been anywhere from a couple of years to over 40 years since I'd seen them. So here's to the people (and some of their pets) who made my trip so special!


I'll start with distant cousin, Laura. There was no one around to snap a pic of us together, so I asked, "How long are your arms?" Just long enough to get this cell phone snap. Our mothers were very close but by the time we came along, there weren't many visits between families. Laura thinks the last time we saw it other we were in our teens. We reconnected about 8 years ago when her sister contacted me for old family photos. We discovered we had quilting in common and the three of us did a block exchange (that's my "Cousins Quilt" ufo). It was wonderful to finally talk with Laura face to face and remember, this is family.


Debbie and I went to High School together, were in Latin Club, Honor Society and Booster Club. We'd had no contact since graduation until a year or so ago when we found each other on Facebook. To our mutual surprise, we now have quilting in common not to mention the fact that she lives in the Tacoma area as I once did. Debbie couldn't make it to our 40th high school reunion, but we had a little reunion of our own at the quilt show in Tacoma. It was so much fun viewing the quilt show with her, discovering we had the same tastes and opinions about the quilts. Having taught quilting classes in the area for many years, Debbie could use her local knowledge of the entrants to point out things to me I otherwise would have missed.


Larry and I met in 1975 at the Episcopal church camp on Coeur d'Alene Lake. I was freshly graduated from college and weeks from getting married when my future husband and I were asked to counsel at senior high camp. Oh well, what the heck? I had no experience with this sort of thing, so they paired me up with Larry who shared his vast experience and instilled confidence in me that I could pull this off. We've been close friends ever since, even as he stayed on "the west side" and we gallivanted around the country. 2001 was the last time we'd been together, and I must say, he's hardly changed a bit.


Then there's Donna. I can't believe I failed to get a picture of us together, but I love this one of her with Mr. Fishhead. Donna and I worked together for about 7 years in the '80's at Ted Brown Music in Tacoma and became like sisters. She's another friend who stayed put while I kept moving from place to place. We've never lost touch, but I was shocked to realize we haven't seen each other for probably 15 years. We had no trouble picking up where we left off.


A few years ago, I sent Donna one of my older quilts, an original design with hearts. I'd enjoyed it on my wall for many years and at that time I felt Donna needed a hug. Since I couldn't do it in person, I sent the quilt along to do it for me. She'd told me how it matched perfectly a red wall in their living room and that she planned to hang it there. It was the first thing I spotted when I entered the house. She has a smaller quilt of mine, made especially for her and it was a pleasure to see it again too.



I was amused to find Donna now has chickens and is contemplating starting a "backyard barnyard" business. The rooster's name is Arturo and his harem of hens are named after the Andrew Sisters.


Sherrie is the most recent addition to my circle of good friends. Although I knew of Sherrie and her quilting through a mutual friend, we only met a couple of years ago and immediately sensed we had a lot in common. We've been growing the friendship through our blogs and e-mails, but this was the first time just she and I have spent time together. I'd say the bond is pretty deep now! I can't thank Sherrie enough for inviting me over for the quilt show, then saying, Stay as long as you want. She knew I had friends in the area, maybe places I wanted to see again, and she was the perfect host, tour guide and chauffeur, not to mention a whole lot of fun to be with.


I'd actually not seen much of Sherrie's work and was mesmerized by what was hanging in her house. This was just one that I kept drinking in during my stay. Like those in the quilt show, her quilts made me realize I really need to start working bigger again.


Sherrie's pet of choice is Bunners, the rabbit. My previous experience with pet rabbits includes one my dad warned me against even as he handed it to me as an Easter present when I was about 5 (they bite and scratch with those hind feet so watch how you hold him), and a friend's that never seemed to be out of its cage. Not positive experiences. Bunners won me over, racing out to greet me in the morning (ulterior motive as he expected a piece of banana) and contentedly grunting as he nibbled food or groomed himself. No biting or scratching!.


And my goodness, how I enjoyed her husband Dave, who was quite the host and tolerated (or perhaps enjoyed?) my monopolizing his wife. Thanks for the beer, Dave!


These were the people I went to see, but there were a couple of strangers that factored into making the trip memorable. Here's my seatmate on the train between Seattle and Tacoma - Stu of the diamond willow canes and walking sticks. This was such a nice connection to make.


On the other hand, this was my seatmate on the way home between Everett and Spokane. You can tell she knows I'm not a kid person. I'd love to tell you she changed my mind about that, but she and her slightly older sister who soon took her place lived up to my worst nightmare of whiny bored children in transit. Ah well, that's what earplugs are for...

*****
I packed so much into my week away, but there's so much I didn't do that I thought I might. Didn't swim in Donna's pool or strike a yoga pose with Sherrie. Didn't get out my sketchbook or crack open the novel thrown in at the last minute. I failed to see the spectacular scenery my train route is famous for and visit the American Art Gallery (a frequent lunch break destination when I worked across the street). The Seattle Art Museum was closed the day we were in town, and we didn't make it to the original Starbucks either. Didn't eat at Frisco Freeze (there's a story there) and there are more people in the area to look up than I could fit in. And though we talked about it every day, I never got to pull out my handwork and stitch with Sherrie while sitting on her deck enjoying the view of Wollachet Bay (below). I'm definitely going to have to go back.

Time To Remember

It's eleven years today that I lost my husband to a traffic accident. This is him with our last dog Jesse, the two of them giving me accusing looks as they often did. In a succession of furry children, turns were taken as to who the current one "belonged" to. It was my turn again when Jesse came along, and since I wasn't working anymore, I was indeed the one spending the most time with her. Yet as you can see, she was always "daddy's little girl" whenever he was around.

He was the trainer, the disciplinarian always, all of our dogs generally ignoring me until they hit about 3 years old and then obeying grudgingly. Unless of course, he was ignoring them at which point they'd come and bug me. Allen was fond of telling me I needed to remember that I was the master and to quit trying to reason with them. Jesse seemed to bring out this problem more than any dog we'd had. And she was the very definition of what being dogged means. I couldn't get up to walk across the room without her leaping up to follow me. Couldn't shut her out of my studio if I was in there - she'd be whining and howling at the door. Couldn't go outside without her - same treatment. And yet for all our togetherness, she'd desert me instantly when Allen was around, and played the selective hearing game with me. She could be such an irritation and a bother over the course of the day. I hadn't been ready for another dog ("his" dog, Megan, was still around at the time - that's them on the right throwing more accusing looks, why do you hate us so much? We're so cute!). But Allen insisted I needed one.

And then I lost him, and I started thinking of the dog as my blessing and my curse. So stubborn, taxing my patience at every turn, a responsibility I wasn't sure I could handle by myself, still the clinging shadow, perhaps even more so. But also, loyal and there and nose in my face whenever I found myself overcome with grief and tears. She gave me a schedule to keep, a warm body to hold on to, company whether I wanted it or not. I know she was a big part of what got me through the worst of the days. In retrospect, I can see that in those first few years on my own, I clung just as much to that dog as she'd clung to me all those years when it drove me nuts. She didn't seem to mind. And the fact that Allen thought I needed her seems prescient.

Now they're both gone, Jesse for almost three years, and I find myself in no hurry to replace either one of them. Well, really neither one can be replaced as such. And if there is a heaven, I like to think the two of them are together. Spare a pleasant thought for companions of every kind today.

R.I.P.

Rest in peace, little one. You had a good run and were such a good companion. You had enough attitude to keep me in line and helped me through the most difficult time in my life. I hope I made your last years as happy and comfortable as I could. I'll miss you greatly.

Now go find Allen and chase some pheasants...

Life's little surprises

Another pet emergency (and just when she seemed to be doing better), another derailment of studio plans. Ah well, life has a way of making the little decisions for you. Wondered all weekend if I could get a couple small pieces done for the show this weekend, not liking the thought of working under pressure and distracted, feeling like I should anyway - that decision kind of taken out of my hands now.

The upside was once home, I had instructions from the vet to sit with said pet outside while she slept off some sedation. I knew it was to be a warm and lovely day and that I'd want to spend lots of time in it but could ill afford to. Like I said, sometimes life just makes those decisions for you.

So I wrote a long letter to a friend (instead of composing it on the computer like I usually do), lingered over my mail, started a book from the library with a short check-out time, breathed in the fresh air, and returned to the day by day mindset and accepting that I will get done what needs to get done, and if I don't, the world won't end.

Skunked!

Ah yes, my stubby little Labrador who can hardly hobble off the porch these days managed to corner a skunk in the back yard last night. Sigh... Luckily, I had some odor remover left over from last year when she did this, but she really got sprayed good. Neither one of us got much sleep last night, and I continue to douse her, wash bedding and take evasive action outside where I think the rascal is hiding out. Still, I was determined to get my studio time in today and I did.


As promised, here's a picture showing a bit of the play of light my hand-dyes will give this mosaic. I finished basting the green section, then pinned and basted the purple section. But honestly, even I am tiring of basting!


And so I got out my applique needle and YLI Heirloom wt silk thread and stitched a couple of squares late this afternoon. The thread really isn't as dark as it looks in the picture, and blends very nicely. I think I will continue with the appliqueing until I tire of that, then back to more laying on of fabric and basting my squares. Yes, this is going to take some time to complete. So don't be surprised if I start on the second rendition soon - and it will be fused applique!

It's All About the Snow

Sorry to bore you, but snow is on the agenda again today. Five more inches fell overnight, and this is the wet heavy "spring" stuff. I find I need to hit the shoveling in two stints. The front gets shoveled in the morning, and the back in the afternoon. The only advantage to that today is that I caught a beautiful sunset - lovely pink sherberts where the sun hit the top of a snow-covered mountain. Unfortunately, my batteries died just as I was trying to capture the cool colors. Jesse was getting impatient anyway.

Just had to show you how, in spite of the extra help digging out the back, the snow has finally stacked all the way to the roof by virtue of what has slid off it and it no longer has any place to go. Some pretty omnious stacks are still waiting to slide down. While more snow is expected the next two days, there's also rain and 40 degree temps in the forecast. Yup, this is gonna get messy.

I got a little nervous when I realized snow was stacking against the studio window. So I crawled up the bank a bit and shoveled out what I could. Remember my bedroom window? The snow is nearly halfway up it now. The shot below is looking out the other side of my studio, onto the back deck. It's getting darn right claustrophobic.

I'm trying to force some daffodils for my own sanity, but even they're having none of it - maybe I keep my house too cool. Maybe they just know...

Just when I thought Christmas was over...

...packages arrived from my lovely niece in New York. She'd been a busy shopper, as you can see, picking up a Quilting Arts Magazine, lovely stationary by Brookfield (printed the old way), and fabric galore from a quilt shop in Soho - Purl Patchwork (they carry knitting supplies too - some gorgeous yarns there). Her wish was to inspire me, and I think she succeeded!

Oh, and she did not forget the dog. I think the gourmet dog cookies and the chew toy were meant to be diversions to keep Jesse busy while I go put some of that inspiration to good use.

Home Again

This piece of redwork started life as a sample for one of the last classes I taught over two years ago. I fell in love with patterns in the book "The Quilted Cross" and developed a multi-technique learning class using it as the text. I'm not that keen on redwork, but I liked the four designs, everyone was buzzing about redwork at the time, and I'd done enough embroidery in the past for me to feel competent to include it as one component of the class.

At one time, I planned to work the various demo blocks from the class into a sampler quilt and donate it for raffle. More blocks needed to be made and a plan devised for making their various sizes work together. Too many other things had higher priority and so the blocks and fabric were relegated to the "when I have time" bin. All except this piece of redwork. It is small enough to carry around for odd moments, and since I almost always bring along some handwork when I travel, I didn't think it would take very long for it to get completed.

Unfortunately, I didn't find that I enjoyed working on it very much. I found the use of one stitch and one color thread to be tedious and boring (and yet I don't find hand quilting the same stitch with the same color thread boring). I also found that when I traveled, I wasn't quite so apt to pull out handwork in free moments. I guess I was learning at last to relax, and the redwork went in and out of luggage with nary a stitch being added for quite a while. In the meantime, it would sit on the end table by the couch and irritate me every time I spotted it.

So although my trip to spend a few days with friends was brief, I was determined to finish this while we sat talking. I was quite pleased to get something "productive" done while away from home. My new plan is to finish out the various blocks in smaller projects over time and NOT make the other three redwork crosses. This one will get a border and some quilting, hopefully before December 16 so that it can be included in an auction fundraiser. Those deadlines are sure helpful motivation.

I was also pleased to happen upon a calendar store while we were out shopping. The kind of calendar I'm inclined to hang in the studio changes each year, and has been getting harder and harder to decide upon. It was much easier when I could just pick up a quilting calendar, but these don't fit what I'm doing these days. I was delighted to find this one on fractal designs. Several quilt artists have been playing with these (check here and here for starters), and although they fascinate me, I don't think it is something I'll be pursuing. They sure provide inspiration though.

Oh, and thank you for the comments about my poor puppy. The trip was a little rough on her but she perked right up once home. The harness confuses her a bit - she can't tell when she's hooked up to the lead so just stands there patiently waiting even though I'm ready to go! If you have a dog of your own, you might be interested in this quiz (which my lovely did quite well on):

http://www.parade.com/features/pet-quiz/dog-quiz.html

If Looks Could Kill

What I thought was a lingering inner ear problem with my dog turned out to be a neck problem instead. I was sternly instructed to go buy a harness for her to wear when I walk her on a lead, and so I did. I couldn't believe it when I spotted the one in my signature teal color. Sorry Jesse, but I couldn't resist. As you can see, she is less than thrilled with my choice. Look, dog, you're not the only long suffering one here...

Happy Thanksgiving to my U.S. readers. I'll be back in a few days.

An Unexpected Distraction

I had planned an ambitious day in the studio, getting to work on the quilt for my new niece. Instead, I was up half the night with Jesse, seen here regally guarding her property. Last night, she was trying to stand up and failing. It looked like a balance problem, but at her ripe old age of 13, I can never be sure that this isn't it. For someone who is not a morning person, it was quite something to be up calling the emergency number for the vet at 5:45, then dressed and out the door with her by 6:30. To my brother, who sees me as this independent, strong woman of pioneer stock, this time you may be right. Who knew I could actually heft nearly 60 pounds of dog and carry her out to the car? Fortunately, I panicked unnecessarily; her problem is indeed one of balance - an inner ear problem that is making her world spin and for which there is no pill or procedure; it will clear up on its own in about a week. In the meantime, the vet gave her a sedative, and yes, there is one thing worse than a staggering, falling down dog; a drugged staggering, falling down dog. She slept most of the morning, then became clingy like a sick child. So while I got the parts for a sample block cut out, that's all I got done. The rest of my day was spent catnapping or consoling a very confused dog. I'm hoping things will go better tomorrow.

In the meantime, Sally (Feather on a Wire) has tagged me, and it is an interesting one. May as well get something productive done today!

1. When did you start and make craft?

I think I was 4 or 5 when I dug out a scrap of fabric, a needle and some floss and tried my hand at embroidery. I've been trying out different crafts ever since.

2. Why did you start creating?

I'm not sure. My mom never felt she was any good at that sort of thing, although she did the obligatory tea towels and sewed some clothing. It wasn't like she was showing me how to do things. I just got interested, and if the supplies were hanging around, I'd give it a go. My aunt gave me a little instruction on knitting, but I pretty much taught myself everything else from pamphlets or magazines. Maybe it was partly because my brothers were quite a bit older than me and we didn't live close to anyone, so there weren't other kids to play with. So I made my own entertainment. Still doing that today.

3. Why do you create?

I get a great deal of personal satisfaction in making my own things, figuring out how to do things, having something different from what everyone is buying in the stores. The process is usually my focus more so than the end product, so I'm usually not in a big rush to get something done. Trying new things, figuring out how to make something work, the exhilaration when I'm successful, those are some of the reasons I create. My head has always been full of ideas sparked by what I'm seeing around me. I also create because part of the process, the hand work usually, has a calming effect on me. Whatever problems I may be having in my life, they seem to fly from my head once I take needle and thread in hand, and start the repetitive process of stitching.

4. What do you create?

Mostly quilts for quite a while now, but I am getting back into knitting and crocheting a bit now too. Just simple things like scarves and shawls. My most recent experimentations with quilts seem to be taking me away from an actual quilt. Machine embroidery, or just plain stitching without batting is starting to interest me.

5. How has this changed since you began crafting?

I used to only use patterns, never designing my own, but often personalizing with a change of color. I didn't have the confidence or could see how to design my own sweaters, for instance. I tried just about everything: knitting, crochet, embroidery, crewel work, cross stitch, needlepoint, rug hooking. But once I got into quilting, I found I could design, and patterns were only a jumping off point for me. Now I feel guilty if I use a pattern in any way, although I occasionally do. The majority of my work now is original designs. I so fell in love with quilting, that I eventually dropped all the other needlecrafts to concentrate on quilting. I suppose something else that has changed is that I no longer create things to either keep or give away. I'm now selling some of my creations.

Thanks, Sally, for giving me a chance to think about these things. It's all part and parcel of my creative journey. Now for the lucky ones I get to tag: Nikki, Pat, Felicity, Margaret, Anne.

My Stubby-Earred Dog

This is Jesse, who I refer to often. She is the first all-lab I've had, the others being crossed with various setters which had the advantage of giving them longer ears and less stocky bodies. But I love her all the same.

I "met" Felicity through the Yahoo group Alternative Quilt List, but she is doing more drawing than quilting these days. And she is very talented at it. I offered her the challenge of sketching my black beauty, and thus I found the need to take a new batch of pictures.

Here she is doing what she loves best on our winter walks - diving after rodents! They must make tunnels under the snow or hole up in air pockets around the base of vegetation. Jesse seems to hear them first, then pounces and either digs or just thrusts her head into the snow. If the snow is crusty, she'll two-foot hop with her front paws until she punches a hole. Occasionally, she's successful in catching something, and then, she is oh so proud.