remember those scraps from yesterday?

I've been busy. I was going to take a look around the web for input on log cabin blocks but decided against it. I shoulda looked. Should learned what it was all about. Each block is 9"square-ish. I did make one years ago but the fabric was all plaids from Bonnie Doon blouses - who could tell which end was up? I sure couldn't. And now this. I got up this morning, finished off the last blocks while listening to Charles Osgood guide us through some good and thoughtful news including a wonderful article on the English painter J.M.W. Turner and the fact the Blue Iris will be the Color to be in 2008. Then I came downstairs to see what the internet had to offer. Checking Bloglines to see who had updated recently, I was delighted to see that Dijanne Cevaal had something new to offer. It never ceases to amaze me how we seem to tune in to the same things. I like hers better but "I ran out of orange and red" seems a lame excuse. Maybe some checkerboard sashing? Maybe some ketchup and glitter? Jude - I have to take a serious lesson from you. "SLOW DOWN & CONSIDER" would put it gently. I rushed this one into pell mell hell so far. I was knee deep in scraps when I remembered what I really wanted to do was a move on your little windows which will remain on my mental drawing board.

what I'm working on

There are a few good shepherds on the QuiltArt mail list who, when the topics wander too often into dangerous or irrelevant territory, will ask the very pertinent question "What are you working on" art-quilt-wise?" This time,when the bell was rung, I drew a blank. Colin got me a copy of "Art & Fear " for Christmas and I started to keep my promise to self to make time for holding a book in my hands and taking the content in through my eyes and into my brain. Good Old Fashioned reading. No sooner did I start the second chapter than I needed to put the book down and start assembling UFOs to be discorporated as ingredients for a functional, to be snuggled under, bed quilt. Much of the impetus for this project has come from Jude Hill's "Listen to the River" story. Really, it's where all my current work got started years ago. Making something useful out of drek. Making something to be beloved and long lasting. Making something that matters for someone who matters to me. Not a bad way to start the new year.

Holiday Procrastination & Link Love

Instead of wrapping, cleaning or baking, I'm crocheting. I should have dropped a cat or something on this to give this some scale. It's getting big but a long way off from the 8 foot + diameter that I am aiming for. I've been going through my stash and cutting old hand dyes into one inch strips (with scissor, like a jerk!) and working with a plastic crochet hook that's fat like a Sharpie. My whole point in making a rug? I'm "manifesting" new flooring to replace the ancient, hideous Berber wall-2-wall that's in the living room now. I'll keep you posted on that project. Aside from a burgeoning case of self-inflicted carpal tunnel pain, I'm about the abandon the web for a few days. Before I go, a confession: I'm a Stumbled On junkie. Here are a few of the gems uncovered since I recently retooled and expanded my options: This one will make your stomach flutter and/or make you laugh out loud. Dig a little deeper in Jeff's website and be pleasantly surprised at who you are dealing with. Here is a beautiful little flash movie complete with music. photos for all you bird fans out there. ASL for shut ins and finally, Here's looking at you.

Christmas Cheer

I got home from work this afternoon to find that my husband and my son had done all the dirty work involved in holiday decorating. The wreath had been unearthed from the attic and the tree was lit and decorated with all the ornaments we have collected through thirty years of marriage and family. The air was full of the aroma of Jim's prize winning chili and I got to spend an hour refurbishing this little copper what-not that was languishing in the bottom of the ornament box because most of it's beads had fallen off. Happy Holidays!

holiday works

I've been busy making holiday postcards with the intent of sticking on the stamp and throwing them naked (the cards, not me) into the maw of USPS. I have great confidence that 99% will get to their destinations intact and on time.