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Archive for the ‘This and that’ Category

A Really Nice Thursday

Thursday, December 6th, 2007

You have to love a day that includes museum viewing and lunching with friends and some creative time in the studio.

Today, my STASH group met at the Contemporary Craft Museum to check out the current exhibit and to do some shopping. I bought this funky little creche. It is hand carved, painted and embellished with flocking.

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We then had lunch at the Park Kitchen, a few blocks from the museum. It has a very unusual menu. I had clams braised in cider with apples, onions and greens. It was so delicious.

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Here we are, back row: Reva, Moi, Linda. Front row: Terry, Beth, Gale.

I loved this painting of dogs enjoying some fancy drinks.

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We shared two delicious desserts. Pear Frangipane tart and a Chocolate Ginger concoction.

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When I got home this afternoon, I laundered my cotton Christmas fabric and worked on the dupioni silk runner. It is all quilted and waiting for binding. These things could become addictive. I have really enjoyed the mindless piecing.

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Here is a close-up. I have enough of the stripe to use for binding, but I am not sure if that is what I want. What do you think?

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Tomorrow, we are going out to hunt down a Christmas tree. After school, M & M are coming to help me decorate the tree and to spend the night. Warning – cute pictures will be posted in the next couple of days.

Wednesday This and That

Wednesday, December 5th, 2007

OK, let’s get it out of the way. I lost what I gained over Thanksgiving. I was hoping to lose more. We had to decide on a goal for the month of December: lose, maintain or gain weight. I really want to reach my 20 pounds this month so I am going to go for losing.

In the past 3 days, I have had excellent e-mails coming in from my website. One of Mr C’s cousins who lives in NC, bought one of my quilts and told me how much she enjoys keeping up with the family through my blog — Hi, Ruth! Someone else, from Virginia, checked in on my website and said she loves all things Japanese and wished that my Kyoto Collage was still for sale and wondered if I had anything similar. Then, an old friend from the Bay area checked in through my website to let me know that she has remarried and her new husband has roots in Portland, and she wants to get together next time they come up here to visit family. All of this in a matter of two days is very exciting.

Kristin has a pattern for a really cool Mod Log Cabin Table Runner on her web site. I decided to use the pattern to make some Christmas gifts. I went to Mill Ends and picked up some Christmasy fabric.

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I have a huge stash of Dupioni silk so I decided to attempt to make some silk runners in Christmas colors. I got 5 blocks done, but one of them had to be rejected.

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I am not sure if I am happy with the striped fabric in the center.

Tomorrow, the STASH group is getting together for some holiday cheer. We are meeting at the Contemporary Craft Museum and then out to lunch. I am hoping to do some gallery hopping and shopping in the Pearl while I am down there. Hopefully, the weather will be a bit better than it has been. It is raining again, tonight.

Out Came the Sun…

Tuesday, December 4th, 2007

…but it will take a while to dry up all the rain we have been having. My sis, Judy, e-mailed, wondering if we were ok because I hadn’t blogged since Saturday. No problems — just busy.

Sunday was the opening of our “Small Treasures” show. I didn’t take my camera so no photos. Terry sold 2 pieces as did several others. No sales for me and I don’t expect any as I priced mine higher than most. That is ok, I will put them on my website after the show is over.

Sunday was also the day the rain became torrential and didn’t stop until this morning. Sunday afternoon I went to the Paper Zone (I love paper stores!!) I found some blank paper and matching envelopes to print invitations to an open house that Mr C and I are having between Christmas and New Year’s. Lisa will be here and she is inviting her peep’s who live in Portland. Steph will invite her friends, too. It will be a multi-generational gathering.

I managed to get a photo of the front door on Saturday, before the rain started.

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I played with it in Photoshop and got rid of the reflection of my leg!!

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I selected paper in a bamboo color and printed the invite.

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I did a google search and found this charming verse which I used.

Let the warmth of friendship
take the chill from the air
and the spirit of the season
make winter easier to bear.

Yesterday morning, the weather was miserable and I had an appointment with my dermatologist so Mr C drove me through the wind and flooding streets. While we were out in Clackamas, we did a Costco run and picked up a new DVD player which plays nicely with our High Definition TV. We are watching a movie and it is fantastic. The player optimizes performance of DVD’s for HDTV.

I tried to take Maggie for walks for the last two days, and we have both gotten soaked and it has been difficult to get my exercise points. So, I turned to this.

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I have always enjoyed doing aerobics and weights, but we do not have a gym close to our home so I have not been getting in those activities. Yesterday, I did the 20 minute aerobic work out and today I did the toning. I must say that I am feeling it in my thighs and abs.

Today was beautiful and sunny and quite warm so I got lots of walking in plus the toning. I also cleaned up my studio so that I can start some new projects.

I have previously mentioned the project that Caron is doing to remember those lost in the Iraq war. She is assembling small quilt blocks – one for each American lost — which will have 212 French knots to represent the Iraqis lost. Look at what she and her minions have accomplished so far. Click on her name to go to her site to see other photos and how to’s, if you want to contribute to the remembrance quilt.

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She was interviewed for Minnesota Public Radio. You can listen and see photos here. Caron, I am so proud of you. This project is beautiful in so many ways.

Happy Homemaker Stuff

Saturday, December 1st, 2007

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Aren’t these Gerbera daisies pretty? And so un-Christmasy. I am bah-humbugging all the holiday decorations. It is only the first day of December!!

Our church sponsors groups of 8 members who get together during the year for dinner together. Some choose to eat out. some include children. We are in a group that meets in homes. Our new group came to our house for dinner last night. It is a very lively group. We have two single women — one is in her late 80’s and is an incredibly delightful person. We have two other couples. I always love when people come to my house and the most interesting thing is the art on our walls.

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I love getting out the good china and and cooking big. I was responsible for the main course. I made pork medallions with a dried cherry and port sauce and polenta with roasted butternut squash. It was delish. I had my camera at the ready to take a photo, but alas, I got caught up in the moment and forgot.

I did get a nice foody photo of my breakfast this morning — oatmeal, fresh berries and yogurt.

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Yesterday, I rearranged some artwork and hung the beginnings of the Congdon Art Quilt collection.

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On the left is the piece by Kristin, the two on the right were purchased from SAQA fundraisers. The top one was made by Virginia Spiegel who is the ultimate fundraiser for American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. the program is Fiberart for a Cause. Please go over and check out what she is doing this year. There are prizes to be won!! The other piece was made by Elizabeth Fram. I also have a piece by Liz Berg which stays in my office with me. And Terry’s nest also hangs in the living room.

Whoopee!! I finished the green thing and sent photos and artist statement off this afternoon. Here is a detail shot which shows the hanging threads which Deborah pleaded with me to include. (Sorry for the grammar?)

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Tonight, we are going to Trinity for Lessons and Carols. For the non-Anglican readers, this is a very traditional service that heralds the season of Advent and Christmas.

In 1918, the then-new dean of King’s Chapel, 34-year-old Eric Milner-White, wanted to try something innovative and beyond the standard liturgy of the Church of England. So, he wove together scripture and song, called on readers of various ages from school and town, and made up this truly magical progression that carries us from prophecy to fulfillment, from Old Testament foretelling to a birthday celebration.

What am I going to do now that the green thang is done? Stay tuned.

Just Another Wacky Wednesday

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

Let’s get this out of the way right at the top. I lost .2 of a pound today. I really thought it would be more. I guess my sluggish behavior over the week-end didn’t help. Maybe I overdid the lasagna and chocolate fondue. At least it was in the right direction!!

Have you noticed that Marie Osmond is everywhere lately? I get such a kick out of her on Dancing With the Stars. I think she is doing amazingly well. I have fond memories of my girls sitting in front of the TV, watching the Donny and Marie show. They absolutely loved it. I once met Marie at a business convention. Her is the proof:

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We were having a contest to see who had the biggest smile!! She obviously won in the eye makeup department. I am guessing that this was about 22 years ago.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Diane sent me an e-mail with questions to answer. I was to forward it to and copy it to her. Here are the questions and my answers:

*TAG YOU’RE IT!*

If you opened it, you have to do it. Then, send it back to the person who sent it to you and the rest of your friends!

Two names you go by:
1 Gerrie
2. Geraldine, Mom

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. new smaller size black pants
2. sweatshirt screen printed with a dove and peace by Lisa

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. hang out with my grand children
2. do stuff to fabric

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. an end to the war in Iraq
2. have a cleaning person

Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. Maggie our JR
2. AJ, the cat

Two People who will fill this out
1. Terry
2. Judy

Two things you ate today:
1. two slices of Amy’s roasted vegetable pizza with no cheese
2. baked wild halibut

Two people you last talked to:
1. Steve
2. Terry

Two things you’re doing tomorrow:
1.Working on a design for a quilt with a looming deadline
2. Cleaning the kitchen counter where stuff piles up when I am not home

Two longest car rides:
1. Wilmington, NC – Santa Rosa, CA
2. Santa Rosa to the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Las Vegas, and back to Santa Rosa

Two favorite holidays:
1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas

Two favorite beverages:
1. Sauvignon Blanc wine
2. Pinot Noir wine

The reason I am posting this, is the question — two things you want very badly. Well, obviously, I didn’t get an end to the war in Iraq. You guessed it — Maryama came knocking at my door looking for houses to clean. After some negotiating with Mr C, she will be coming every other week. She spent most of today getting us up to health code. She is coming back tomorrow to do the kitchen. After this, she hopes it will not take as much time. She is extremely thorough.

The thing I like most about a cleaning person is that I am forced to get my stuff organized and put away. Mr C hates that part. And when he did the “cleaning”, I never knew when the bug would hit him so I had a hard time getting my clutter out of the way.

I must end this and settle down for the start of the new season of “Project Runway.” Love, love, love!!