Busy day 12-14-22

Yesterday I did 105 steps!  Those were almost all trips to the bathroom!  Don't know how many steps today, but I was out and about a lot.  Thoughtful friend Tina took KoKo for walks both morning and night.   However, the boys in the cul de sac needed rides to school, which isn't a lot of steps, just get in the car in the garage and drive them to school and drive back to park in the garage!  But then today was the Book Group Xmas lunch, where I parked in the spot closest to the restaurant door, gimped in, sat, ate, visited, and then gimped back to the car, picked up Julian and delivered him to his house, parked in my garage and sat for a nap!  Then to the PTherapist where I didn't have my phone to count my steps, but there weren't a lot.  Finally home to the garage again,  Don't I live an exciting life? 

It was nice to see the Book Group ladies, except Carol who stayed home to protect us from her cold.  Thank you, Carol.  We talked about our Christmas Day plans and caught up with all our lives.  I left before we discussed the book.  I didn't finish it, only read about halfway and struggled with every page.  It is on Kindle if I decide I need to finish it - NOT.  Instead I started "The World According to Garp" that I enjoyed so much in 1979 that my husband asked me to not read it in bed because I kept chuckling and keeping him awake!  So far I am not finding it funny at all, but I'm only about a 1/4th of the way in.  

We always exchange smallish gifts and this year was a good year.   I showed you the bags I gave containing a book gift card, a long skinny Lindt bar, and a FIRE EXTINQUISHER!  Seems like something everyone might not have and may never need, but good to have if one forgets a pan on the burner or sets a fire in the toaster oven.  These extinguishers are a one shot deal, so no need to remember to have them recharged periodically.  I have five that require that and have to mark my calendar to remember to do the recharge.  

So, now it is almost 10pm PST and I am very tired.  I think pain does that.  So, early to bed and tomorrow is maybe another 105 step day.

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Still gimpy! 12-13-22

A friend told me today that I am stubborn!  And she is correct, I just want to do things my way.  And sitting/laying around with my foot elevated is not something I choose to do.  So, I pay the price by extending my ailment - who knows how long.  I don't know how long my neighbors will indulge me and take KoKo for his walks.  That is a large part of my continuing pain because I have been walking him.  Not the full half an hour, but just up to the corner and back, so maybe half a walk.   By last evening I could hardly put my foot on the floor, which is a big problem when I have to make it to the bathroom.   Dear Tina walked KoKo today both morning and evening.  Thanks, Tina!

I had to skip the Surfside QGuild meeting today, which was one of the special meetings of the year.  Several members took over the photographers job, including the newsletter editor who will have many more pictures to sort through for the January issue.  They have sent me images of the members hard at work stuffing stockings and writing Holiday Greetings to go with each stocking.  Don't remember how many stockings, something like 160.  The members who did the acquisitions for things to go in the stockings outdid themselves and the excess will go to other non-profits in the area.  I hope we will do this again for future Christmas meetings.  

Everyone was stuffing away.  

As always the refreshment table was sooo appetizing.

While I was sitting with my foot elevated I finished the packages for the Book Group Christmas luncheon tomorrow.   I think I can make it from the parking lot to the restaurant especially if I get a handicapped spot near the door.  There are only seven of us now, but I always gift everyone with a gift card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble (their choice) and this year I also am giving them something I hope they will never need.  Since some may read this I won't say what it is until tomorrow.  

Gift bags from 99cent store for $1.29 - about 15" long. 

Made little sleeves for the gift cards using Grinch fabric from last year's after Christmas sales. 

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KoKo with Valentine 02-14-21

This funny critter came as a Valentine gift from a neighbor today.  It isn't meant to be a doggy toy, but I figure KoKo can enjoy it until it falls apart.  He immediately ripped the hard button off the nose and I stitched it up.  There is a cute video of him putting it through the paces, but I cannot figure out how to post a video on my blog.  So, maybe that will come later. 

It was an unusually "gifty" Valentine's Day.  A heart shaped balloon that floats on the ceiling, a heart shaped box of Whitman's chocolates, a kazoo, a large mug that says "Soooo Cray About You" (???), and a plastic bag of Cuties, oranges, and lemons - waaay more than I can ever eat.  Guess I'll have to find a neighbor who needs some citrus.  And, of course, this critter which was stuffed in the large mug.  Guess I am on people's minds this week. 

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Thursday Thoughts/Treasures 04-16-20

I have posted these treasurers previously, but they are very special to me, so here they are again. 

More Needlework Treasures 10-25-12

After I posted about handmade gifts I took pictures of a number of others that I treasure.  I'll post them over the next month.  Warning:  This post contains nudity!!

Here are two gifts I received about twenty-five years apart. 

On the left is a scissors bob made with alphabet beads by Mabel Huseby from Washington Sate who I met at Empty Spools   She made me several of these that adorn a hemostat and.  various scissors, including my favorite Gingher Craft Scissors.

  

In the middle is a scissors doll made in 1986 by my late friend Margie Vandenberg as part of a Christmas gift project that was once done by Orange County Quilters Guild.  Even with over 400 members we handmade a gifts for each and every one.  This lasted several years until, I suppose the members that always volunteer got tired of volunteering.  Margie, who made the majority of these little dolls with their eleven black French knot eyes and hair, was a pro at making multiples of anything.  She was a volunteer at a local hospital and over the decades that she served she sewed tens of thousands of handkerchiefs with lace edging that were given to each newborn in the form of a little bonnet with a poem and instructions to clip certain stitches to make it back into a hanky for the baby's wedding day (girl or boy).  It was a lovely tradition that apparently ended with her death.  Many people, including me, have loving and thankful memories of Margie.    

 
I know this one was made by Margie because she gave it to me herself before the meeting.  You see the date 1986 and OCQG.  Above the date is "Xmas", but I didn't want to get the poor girl completely naked.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Another treasure from a quilting friend 10-08-12

I'm still thinking of the treasures friends have given me.  Over the years there have been several sewing accessories that became integral parts of my lifetime sewing addiction.

This is an "ort catcher" - an "ort" being a scrap or tidbit and is usually used in connection with food scraps.  But embroiderers co opted the word to mean the thread ends and tiny bits of  fabric leftover when sewing.
 
 
This little basket block ort catcher was made about 25 years ago by my dear friend Betty Lou Lucas who died ten years ago this month.   She was an accomplished needlewoman and we belonged to several of the same groups, including a long lasting friendship group. 

 

This piece has been well used and I still use it when I am able to do handwork - it brings my friend into my mind with joy.  

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More Needlework Treasures 10-25-12

After I posted about handmade gifts I took pictures of a number of others that I treasure.  I'll post them over the next month.  Warning:  This post contains nudity!!

Here are two gifts I received about twenty-five years apart. 

On the left is a scissors bob made with alphabet beads by Mabel Huseby from Washington Sate who I met at Empty Spools   She made me several of these that adorn a hemostat and.  various scissors, including my favorite Gingher Craft Scissors.

  

In the middle is a scissors doll made in 1986 by my late friend Margie Vandenberg as part of a Christmas gift project that was once done by Orange County Quilters Guild.  Even with over 400 members we handmade a gifts for each and every one.  This lasted several years until, I suppose the members that always volunteer got tired of volunteering.  Margie, who made the majority of these little dolls with their eleven black French knot eyes and hair, was a pro at making multiples of anything.  She was a volunteer at a local hospital and over the decades that she served she sewed tens of thousands of handkerchiefs with lace edging that were given to each newborn in the form of a little bonnet with a poem and instructions to clip certain stitches to make it back into a hanky for the baby's wedding day (girl or boy).  It was a lovely tradition that apparently ended with her death.  Many people, including me, have loving and thankful memories of Margie.    

 
I know this one was made by Margie because she gave it to me herself before the meeting.  You see the date 1986 and OCQG.  Above the date is "Xmas", but I didn't want to get the poor girl completely naked.

Another treasure from a quilting friend 10-08-12

I'm still thinking of the treasures friends have given me.  Over the years there have been several sewing accessories that became integral parts of my lifetime sewing addiction.

This is an "ort catcher" - an "ort" being a scrap or tidbit and is usually used in connection with food scraps.  But embroiderers co opted the word to mean the thread ends and tiny bits of  fabric leftover when sewing.
 
 
This little basket block ort catcher was made about 25 years ago by my dear friend Betty Lou Lucas who died ten years ago this month.   She was an accomplished needlewoman and we belonged to several of the same groups, including a long lasting friendship group. 

 

This piece has been well used and I still use it when I am able to do handwork - it brings my friend into my mind with joy.  

A wonderful gift from Nancy Ota 02-05-12

Nancy Ota and I have known each other for many years (maybe even 30) - she is a treasured friend.  She and her husband Mike came to the opening at VAM on Friday night and in the Japanese tradition she brought a gift.

What better gift than something handmade and made with the exactitude and style that Nancy puts into everything she makes.  This little indigo quilt is 10"W X 5"L.  Machine piecing, hand applique, hand embroidery, hand sashiko, straight pins made with silver thread and tiny seed beads.

 

 The pin cushion is silk and slightly stuffed. 

 

On the back is this lovely dedication which Nancy did with free motion on her machine.  And she added Fast Finish Corners to make it easier to hang. 

With friends like Nancy and Bonnie and Verna and Carol and Maggie and Diane and Mabel and Ruth and Rayna and Terry and ....... so many, many quilters around the world, I am blessed.  Thank you, Nancy.  And Thank You to all who left me loving comments on my Saturday post. 

I do enjoy hearing from you - anytime.  

Dress a Girl Around the World 12-24-10

Blogger refuses to post this picture with the text, so here it is in a separate post. Sorry!

Speaking of Gifts 12-23-10

It is the season of giving. Take some time to make a dress for a girl somewhere in the world -

a girl who doesn't have a dress.

Surfside Quilters Guild Philanthropy is participating in a worldwide project called "Dress a Girl Around the World" http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/

Around the world people who sew are converting pillowcases into dresses for girls who do not have a dress. The very simple pattern is available on the website:

http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/pillowcasedresspattern.htm

Or you can dip into your fabric library and start with yardage instead of a pillowcase. Although a pillowcase with more tightly woven fabric might be more durable.

They have even come up with a pattern for "Boys Britches" made from a colorful T-Shirt. Of course, I think the girls should come first. But whatever you might decided to make you can contact the central office for directions on where to send your creations.

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Gifts #2 12-21-10

Many of us know the spirit of giving, learning from our childhood how much we get back when when we give to others. Christmas brings out this spirit even more than any time of the year. I don't think either of these items were intended as Christmas gifts, but they are special things that the givers knew I would enjoy - holiday or no.

"Maxine #1" 59"W x 63"L Made and given by Ruth Powers http://www.ruthpowersartquilts.com/

Ruth knows I get a laugh out of Maxine's warped outlook on life. The comments make even more of an impact since I learned the cartoon is drawn/written by a man - a very perceptive guy.

This square is especially apt as I forget things with more and more frequency. There were enough panels for two quilts, so Ruth made mine and another for herself. She made a point of saying this is a napping quilt, but I wondered if the wildness would keep me awake - the backing fabric has 1-1/2" white polka dots on a black background - but a couple days ago I napped just fine under it. I think it will make a great travel companion, as I always carry a bed quilt with me when I travel.

This is a lovely glass dish sitting on a black cloth background - it is 4.5" square and concave. Perfect for catching rings and/or earrings on a dresser. Corky's mommy gave it to me on Sunday - she had been out Christmas shopping and thought of me when she saw it. Isn't that the way gifts should always be? Something brings a certain person to mind and one cannot resist buying it for them.

That is the way I like to give gifts - something for exactly the right person, regardless of the season, reason or holiday. Of course, handmade gifts are even more special. I hope I can get back to sewing soon and have some special gifts for some special people.

I can just tell the gift givers "Thank You" and express how much I appreciate their gifts.

Gifts 12-20-10

I've explained in the past that I don't "do" Christmas. But I enjoy giving gifts at other times of the year and this is an excellent time of the year to find really different items that someone might enjoy. Today I was 'surfing' the Internet and found a few interesting sites.

The first is Fred Flare.com. They offer serious and not so serious and downright ridiculous gift items. DO check it out, but don't miss the special tea infuser good for an early Beatles fan:

http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=6043&cat=316&bf=cto

Another site I found interesting is wearpact.com. which features underwear for a cause. I was intrigued by the innuendo in the wording of this ad. It is very current - notice the "on your junk" phrase - or was that in common usage before the TSA crackdown?

Nice print on organic cotton. You can see the ladies undies at: http://wearpact.com/shop/category/fit/women/ A little pricey, but imagine how great you would feel in your special undies thinking about lighting a light for a family in Haiti. The website offers an explanation of their "green" policies including a request for suggestions on what to do with the underwear when it wears out - other than putting it in the trash.

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Christmas Gifts 12-10-10

Since I was widowed in 1990 the holidays have become more and more difficult, they aren't the same or fun without him. So six or seven years ago I stopped "doing" Christmas. No tree, no decorations, no lights, no parties, no shopping! Gift giving is a large part of the trappings of the holidays and it is impossible to avoid giving gifts to the members of the groups I belong to. I rely mostly on gift cards - Borders, Starbucks, Best Buy. Maybe one year I will be inspired to create handmade gifts again, as I did for so many years, but not yet.

My dear friend Liz made snowmen coasters for her friendship group this year and made an extra one for me. I have a huge collection of snowmen of all kinds, but I haven't unpacked them for years. I will not pack this gift away - it is so sweet and practical (layers of felt) - I'll probably use it all year. Liz and I have coffee every few weeks at Starbucks, so she knows what will be in the envelope I give her for Christmas!

Those posts 12-02-10

These posts are not so interesting if they aren't lined up and photographed from the right angle.

This pet supply store is bright and garish, even for Southern California. And maybe that is why it is always so busy - it attracts attention. Just in the time I was there taking pictures I think about twenty cars pulled in. It almost always has a crammed parking lot.

If you are looking for a Xmas gift for someone special - check out Rayna Gillman's scarf sale: http://studio78notes.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-scarf-sale.html I have several of her scarves and whenever I wear them people compliment me on how great they are. And now I will have another to show off. When I am not wearing them I hang them on a rod in my dressing area so I can admire them.

You might enjoy this early look at Bergdorf's holiday windows: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/first-look-bergdorfs-holiday-windows/?ref=womens-fashion

New elegant tote 04-16-10

At Empty Spools I admired a tote bag that my friend Mabel Huseby had made from Judy Robertson hand dyed fabric. And she went home and made one for me! Just like Mabel, so generous. The bottom of the tote is 9" x 11" and it is 13" tall. The hand dyed fabric is lined with the top edge turned to the front to form a binding. There are pockets all the way around and there is a small zippered pocket on the inside. I'm not sure what the black fabric is, but it may be water proof.

This shows the other side of the bag - I don't think my pictures do it justice. Judy's fabric is always so original. I buy a few yards whenever I see her booth at a quilt show, but like many people I am hesitant to cut into it and have a separate fabric storage box, just for her work. You can check out her fabric at http://justimagination.com/

I'm going to need to quickly sew a label inside so everyone will know it belongs to me.

Gifts - for me? 09-11-09

My family never favored gifts and I suppose the reason I am so uncomfortable when people give me gifts is that I never learned to be a gracious receiver. I just get tongue-tied (yes, I do) and don't know what to say. When the SQG membership gave me an orchid plant after the program in April I was stone faced, even though it was such a lovely surprise. But I was completely rattled when the British/Australian ladies gave me a bag of gifts in San Diego. I hope I said "Thank You" instead of just standing there with my mouth hanging open, I was too stunned to recall. They carried these charming gifts from home. I suppose they intend to fill the empty spots in their luggage with fabric. They were on their way to Rosie's on Wednesday, before their Thursday flights home.

I took a picture when they were still wrapped.

And several pictures of them unwrapped, because I couldn't get them all in the same photo. In the top left corner is a piece of cotton lawn fabric from Liberty of London that wrapped a gift. Then counter clockwise: two packages of quilt image note cards, loose English Breakfast tea in a red "phone box", a bar of Jojoba Oil soap, a jar of eucalyptus body rub, a sparkly beaded tassel (for my scissors?) and a mug from Malvern in the west of England.

Also a linen tea towel from Malvern with images of local historic buildings.

And another linen tea towel from a design by McIntosh.

If any of the ladies read this blog I say again, "Thank You", the gifts are lovely and welcome. And you all were a great audience.

Coincidentally, I once took the train from London to attend a quilt show in Malvern. It was a very nice show with lots of great quilts, friendly quilters and the area was lovely and green. It was held at a sort of fairgrounds, or maybe it was a large equestrian center, and outside here were little booths on wheels that sold food. After I left the show I tried a freshly cooked doughnut and thought I had reached food heaven - I went back for a second one! Good thing it was closing time lest I just stand there and eat them forever. They tasted like those made by our neighbor in Portland, "Gramma Roetz", who cooked doughnuts whilst I was dusting every delicate little treasure in her china cabinet. I thought it was a fantastic way to be 'paid'. I hadn't planned to spend the night in Malvern, but at the train station I discovered I had missed the last train and there was no Sunday train! So, for that night I found a pleasant B&B in a big, old, four-square house. On Sunday I took a cab to a nearby town that had a train to London on Sunday. It was a wonderful little unplanned adventure.