Monday, October 29, 2012

Getting Ready

While I don't panic about weather related issues, it is well to be prepared for whatever may come along.  Hurricane Sandy  is ramping up, it is getting dark, and the power companies are shutting down the cherrypickers until daylight tomorrow, after the wind drops to safer levels.  As a SCAdian, I have a lot of candles, lamps and flashlights, along with most of the other things needed for such an emergency.

So far, the rain has been steady but not so bad, and the wind been steady at about 30 mph, gusting to 45.  They expect it to get a whole lot worse though.  The eye is ashore now, and will make its run north of us while it is dark.  We are on a hill, so flooding is not likely, and hopefully no trees will come down on our bedroom tonight!  It is our friends to the north I worry about.  May God protect you all. 


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Bunny Tale



Recycling sweaters into cute animals is one of my favorite sewing projects.  Trouble's too, I think!

Friday, October 26, 2012

First of Three

I have become somewhat enamoured of the fusible grid for quilting we sell.  It seems not too many people know about it, so I am doing three projects for Christmas to promote it.  If it can make even a moderate beginner like me enjoy the process and be successful, then anyone can get a boost from it.  Of course, if you are a fabulous expert quilter who can make seams match in your sleep, there is nothing to see here, move along. 

For the rest of us, you just figure out how you want it to look, cut a zillion 2" squares, fuse them down, stitch 1/4" seams, add a border, and Hey Presto!  A perfectly aligned table topper in a day.  Or two, if you don't work on it all day.  In fact, cutting the squares took longer than sewing it did, and that only took an afternoon.  This is the beautiful "Sentimental" collection by Moda, with a little of their "Merry Medley" thrown in too.  I love both of the collections, and will do more with them. 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Colonial Williamsburg Fife & Drum Corps - Old Guard 50th Tattoo - 2010

The World Turned Upside Down!  This is the anniversary of an important day in American history.  I also love this sort of Tattoo.  I chose not to play a reenactment of the battle or surrender, but instead, to let you enjoy the music of a wonderful Fife and Drum Corps.  Pronounced "Core".  Just in case. 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Mordred's Lullaby

Heather Dale is one of my favorite musicians, truly a beautiful voice and a talent for lyrics and music.  The eerieness of this is sort of fitting for this time of year, even if the subject is Arthurian.
The story of Mordred is a sad one, and told in many ways in many stories, but the ones where Morgaine (or Morgause, in some cases) knew he would die, and sent him to destroy Arthur anyway are the saddest.  I can't imagine using a child of mine so selfishly, to exact revenge, knowing it would would be the death of my son, as well.   There is a dance choreographed to this that I learned at Pennsic a couple years back... the man is brought from close control to seeming freedom, but always truly controlled by the woman.  Quite well done. 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Quilt Club Veggies


So I was tasked with coming up with a table centerpiece for Thanksgiving for our quilt club.  My Manager is doing a table runner, and picture frames, but I wanted to do something kind of simple, but detailed too.  This is what I came up with.  Each piece is a simple concept, but together, I think they have a pretty good punch.  I think my favorites are the carrots.  I woke up in the middle of the night with an idea on how to get the bumpy texture and little roots.  (I think I should add some roots coming out the sides, though!)  My mind is already onto the ideas for next month.....

Monday, October 8, 2012

It Wasn't a Far Trip

I am working on my craft show stuff as well as Quilt Club projects.... I am not making progress fast enough.  I will get phots up, but right now, I am going to sleep. 

Almost Summer, Winter is A-coming.

The day began early with a ride north for a little minor surgery.  The sun was up before we left, but not before we rose.  The sky was a won...