Ahhhh, so much to do in so little time... I've been busy, but you knew that didn't you, by my absence here?! I haven't been in blogland much the last few days, but I
have been busy. Laura is home on her spring break, and Mark is home from his big trip. (And for those of you who were doubtful, yes I did take my machine to Bangor and I quilted for 3+ hours while waiting at the hotel for Mark's flight to get in. The quilt is now done, and I promise a photo tomorrow if the weather co-operates for an outdoor photo shoot...) By the way, Mark has now finished his trip blog, if you were following and care to read the last few posts
here.
I've also done another small "variation" piece (table center) for my new class this Saturday. Photo of it still to come, as well. I've been busy trying to get notes done, samples made, etc.etc. in preparation for this new class. Only a teacher would understand how much time and effort goes into putting a class together.
Of course other "stuff" is happening too, it's always a busy week when Laura is home- haircuts, shopping, appointments, juggling 2 cars and 4 drivers, etc. etc. We had her birthday cake tonight at supper, as she will be back at school for her upcoming birthday. Looks like a trip to the Mall is on the agenda for this evening.. birthday shopping. She's trying to slowly build up a "work" wardrobe for her internship in May/June. We scored a sweet blazer this afternoon at
Changes, a local "thrift" type shop - brand new, from Le Chateau, for $10.00. And that's not the best part-it was on the 80% off rack- so we paid $2.00!! Can you believe it?!! It fits her perfectly and it's a nice neutral color so she'll get lots of mileage out of it. Woohooo!
FYI, I have added a "Subscribe by email" button to my sidebar- you will see it at the top on the right. I understand there are changes coming for Followers - well actually I don't understand it at all.. but I guess on March 1, the whole "followers" thing can disappear, depending on "who" your blog is with.. I think I am safe, but have been advised to add this option so others can "follow" in this way as well... So there it is!
Thought I'd leave you with this nice little "story".. I have received it several times now by email..and I don't often pass on jokes and stories here, but I do like this one, and it has a good message. So if it's new to you, enjoy. If you've heard it before, well, it's always good to be reminded of the message at the end...
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water..
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.' The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'
'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
So, to all of my (cracked pot) friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
Peace,
Linda
'Tis my faith that every flower enjoys the air it breathes!" ~ William Wordsworth
Today is a good day... I have an amaryllis about to bloom, I won a Blog giveaway last night, and I got a special delivery this morning.... how could one not be happy? First the amaryllis- I had brought it out of it's "resting phase" a while back, and it put on nothing but leaves. No buds. Well, I thought, it just needs a break. So the leaves grew, I watered and loved it anyway.. I guess one can't expect a stellar performance every time... Eventually the leaves started to die back and I was preparing to put it away again for a few months of rest, when I noticed what looked like the tiniest of green bud tips peeking up - I waited a few days, and sure enough- a bud was coming. That was about 3 weeks ago I think.. I now have two stalks, about 17" and 20" high; the first one will be in bloom in another two days or so, I'm thinkin'. I guess she is just a "late bloomer"... They are such fun to watch grow- it's amazing the speed with which they shoot up- some days it might gain two inches or more! If you have never had an amaryllis, treat yourself to one. I'm sure you'll enjoy it...
Finally- the delivery. I was excited when the doorbell rang as I knew it was going to be the FedEx man with a parcel for me. Back in November I purchased a coupon from TravelZoo for My Publisher. I decided it was time I tried printing a book of my photos. I just got around to doing it a few weeks ago, and I must say, it was FUN!! It wasn't without some frustrations though, as some photos which I really wanted to include, just wouldn't load. I finally figured out (after many tries and finally a chat with Laura) that when you crop a photo, the resolution is decreased and it would not accept many photos because the resolution was not high enough. I was frustrated and disappointed that some of my most favourites would be left out, but I guess that is better than being disappointed in the quality of the photos. Now that the book is in my hands, I have to say I am VERY happy with it. The high gloss paper is top quality, the color is excellent, the linen finish cover is very nice indeed and my photos look great! I had decided the first one would be a learning experience and I now know I could do a better job next time around, but for my first effort, I'm extremely happy!
As I promised you on Saturday, here is a sneak peek at a new and rather "different" tablerunner (still to be layered and quilted). The pattern is called Spicy Spiral Table Runner, designed by School House Quilts. It is made with eight 1/4 yard cuts and a 9 or 10 degree wedge ruler. My friend Gail M. was supposed to teach this for our Guild in the fall, but we couldn't get enough people to sign up at that time. So a small group of us got together last week for a "mini class" with Gail. I chose colours which are out of my usual "comfort zone" and I'm really pleased with the results. However it doesn't really go with the colour scheme in my home so it will probably end up 
will have to set it aside for a bit as I have other things that must get done first, but I'll be anxious to get back to it and finish it off. I'll be sure to share a "finish photo" when it's done...Here is a pic of one which was completed that day - my buddy Sue is "sew smart".. and fast! Isn't it gorgeous?!! It looks great in her kitchen, but just as good in her snowy backyard...
I have used it before- at right is a close-up shot of it along a seam on a WIP (Work In Progress). Click here to see "Sharon's Picks" - the "highlights" of the week. Or click here and click on comments at the top of the post to view all the participant's links to their stitching. There's some great stuff happening in this Challenge!!
Here it is...done. It's been snowing lightly here since early morning, I think it's supposed to get rather nasty later on, but for now, it's a beautiful soft gentle snow. I could not resist heading into the backyard for a few outdoor shots. I was hoping a friendly little chickadee would come and pose beside my table topper, but I guess they must be all tucked up for the storm... As I've already told you, this is a small sample for my new scrap quilt class- a slight variation of the basic block. I hope to get another variation done this week using all batiks. Who can resist those gorgeous batiks... not me! I've completed another top for a table runner this week...several of us got together for a mini class a few days ago... perhaps I'll show you it tomorrow. It IS done with batiks, in colors that are not my usual choice, but I must say I rather like it.... Come back tomorrow for a look!
I must run now. I have rolls in the oven - trying a new recipe. If they are successful I'll share the recipe- they're a "savory" roll - made with some oatmeal and multigrain flour. When they're almost done you brush the tops with a mixture of melted butter, basil, oregano, garlic and parmesan cheese then pop back in the oven for a few more minutes.. They sure do smell good. I'm making Mulligatawny Soup for supper so I think they'll go well with that... Mmmmm... I love baking on a snowy day...
I thought I would have a "finish" to show you tonight, but I'm not quite there. Oh it WILL be done before I go to bed, but there is not much sense in trying to get a good photo at midnight.. I much prefer natural (outdoor) light... So this is just a "tease" and I'll post a "finish" photo later tomorrow as I have a busy day lined up. This is a variation of the scrap quilt for my class later this month. It is a 20" square table centre. Although I'm not much of a "red" person (sorry Shelley D!!) I do like red and white quilts and figured something new to put on the table for Valentines might be nice... I have finished the quilting so all that remains to be done now is the binding... Stay tuned...
Through the years, my Japanese fascination has continued; I had a Japanese roommate while teaching in British Columbia, love doing Kumihimo, have tried Sashiko, and I am always amazed by the skills of Japanese quilters and the beauty of their quilts. I have long wanted to travel to Japan, but in light of last year's earthquake and tsunami damage, I don't know if that will ever happen now...
