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Archive for August, 2008

What a Great Day…

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

…whatever happens in November, we have seen history made today. I love this country. And, for the first time in a long while, I am proud to be an American. Wasn’t that an amazing and powerful acceptance speech from Obama? Love this part:

I know there are those who dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. And that’s to be expected. Because if you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from.

You make a big election about small things.

Needless to say, I have spent way to much time with CSPAN and MSNBC for the last 4 days. I so would have loved to be there.

I have accomplished more than watching TV and so has Mr C. Here he is working on the farm on the “back 40”. This is taken from our bedroom window. He managed to transfer a huge pile of top soil and a huge pile of gravel from the driveway at the front of the house.

I am reworking one of my construction quilts which is now titled, City Sunlight. Here is a pic of some of the detail.

I have a wonderful piece or complex cloth that I created this summer. I am loving these red squares with it.

Yesterday was WW day and I am happy to say that I lost almost 2 pounds. Whew, I am losing it again!! I also saw, Phillipe, my physical therapist. We have decided that my problem is not sacroiliac, it is the piriformis muscle. Since, I also have pain in the shoulder on the same side, I think it is caused by walking and old, slow and stubborn dog. So, in addition to icing and stretches, I am no longer walking Maggie. I miss her, but I am feeling better after only 2 days, especially in my shoulder. She is causing my body to torque by walking and pulling from behind me.

That Thread That Connects Us

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

This line from Michelle Obama’s speech last night has captivated me. I am going to do a quilt with this theme when I have a chance. Wasn’t that an amazing speech. It gave me chills and smiles and tears. I am so proud that this country has come this far. I love my country, too!

Today, I spent some quality time with M & M. We went to the Rhodie Garden and fed the ducks and the squirrels. We saw some juvenile coots being fed by their parents. After lunch we played some silly videos on the computer and laughed hard.

I also did some work in the studio. I started a couple of new quilts that are making me VERY happy, but they are top secret — can’t show you yet.

Ooooh! I am listening to Hillary and I am very happy about what she is saying. No how, no way, NO MCCAIN!!

I thought I would bring you up to date on our household improvements since I don’t have quilty photos.

This is the farm. All of the triangle boxes are completed. We are waiting for top soil and gravel for the paths.

And here are the final touches for the bathroom.

This is the storage unit in the entryway.

This is that same unit reflected in the mirrored closet door.

This is the storage unit with mirrored doors over the sinks.

My son-in-law, Jack, designed the storage units. He designed this appliance garage for my things that plug in. Cool. eh?

Look at all the room that I have for more shoes!! There are shelves I couldn’t fit in the photo.

This I love!!

Up!

Down!

I have always wanted an ironing board in my closet, ready when I need it. I discovered this in Terry’s utility room in her new house. I have to give her credit for doing all the research for this. And, Mr C and our contractor for figuring out how to install this in the closet.

I am so happy with our new bathroom and closet. When I am in there, I feel as if I am in a beautiful bathroom in a boutique hotel. I feel really blessed that we have been able to create this space in this home that I love so much.

The Lost Monday

Monday, August 25th, 2008

I had such great plans. I was going to finish up a couple of projects and then start reorganizing my studio for the next big thing. But, the political junkie that I am, I got all caught up in the goings on in Denver — watching MSNBC, reading the net roots and generally wasting time, worrying about whether the Clinton’s and their supporters will behave themselves and be good sports.

I did take an hour long walk with Maggie and Mr C, ate some lunch and shopped for food. So, not too bad, but not my goals for the day.

I thought I would show you some photos of the beautiful Menucha Retreat Center, out in the Columbia Gorge. It was cool and drizzly, and it felt more like October.

This is the main house and the lawn that sweeps down to recreation areas, including a huge pool.

There is a beautiful labyrinth created from stone and brick. We walked the labyrinth very quickly because it started raining!!

We enjoyed walking the lush grounds.

I might have been the model for this (before my mastectomies).

The views of the gorge, out to the east, were beautiful.

OK. I am logging off. I am going to walk the dog again and then settle in with the Dems for the night. I am so excited to hear from Teddy Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

Soy What?

Friday, August 22nd, 2008

Soy wax! Today, I organized a play day with soy wax batik for my High Fiber Diet group. We have been floundering ever since the Japanese Garden Show was taken from us this past year. We had a really good, soul searching meeting last month, trying to decide where we want to go and what we want to do. We didn’t really know each other well. We met at night and sat in clusters of friends. We decided some days of hanging out together to make art would be good for feeding our creative souls and firing up the friendships of the group. We also decided to move forward with plans to mount a show.

Today was great. Every one who came seemed to really enjoy the chance to mess around with wax and paint. We had a very productive meeting at lunch time. We actually have the opportunity for a show at an art center here in Oregon. We decided on a theme. We are moving forward. We are building trust. We are learning to laugh together.

So, I am feeling very happy tonight. Here is some of the work. The morning was spent applying wax to fabric, using lots of utensils and objects. After lunch, they added the painted layer and started the process of removing the wax with a hot iron, between newsprint. This sets the paint while you remove some of the wax and then, they can be washed with warm water to remove all the wax residue.

This is the demo piece that I did. It was that warm brown before. I painted it with turquoise and black. I had to give up my pan for a table that didn’t have one so this was all I did. But, I had a great time walking the room and schmoozing.

This piece shows the wax design before paint has been applied. I love this. I believe Mary Arnold did this one.

Here is Zee applying paint.

This piece was painted in beautiful colors. I don’t have an after ironing photo. I think this is Chris’s work

Here are a couple of shots of Terry’s work. She said the day was very therapeutic for her. She has been spending so much time moving and dealing with fixing up old and new houses.

This piece is very zen!

In this photo, you can see the before and after of a commercial fabric that Terry transformed. Cool!

Terry had some neat little mark makers that she made out of bent wire.

Amy made these wonderful pieces with dupioni silk, using half a walnut shell!!

If you would like to try soy wax batiking, I highly recommend Rayna Gilman’s book, Create Your Own Hand-Printed Cloth. You can order one, signed by her here or go to Amazon.

Soy wax is non-toxic and washes out with warm water. Lots of fun!!

I’m off for the week-end. Tomorrow, we have a reunion get together with the Oregon contingent of the Israel pilgrimage. On Sunday, I am heading out to the gorge with the arts commission from Trinity for a working retreat to plan for the coming year.

I am guessing it will be Obama/Biden. I am very happy, if that is the choice, but I will trust in his decision, whomever it is.

Swirl…Swish…Slurp

Thursday, August 21st, 2008

The clouds parted. The sun came back. Guess what we did today? Come along for the ride.

Oops, I’m sorry. We didn’t save any wine for you.