The Granny Diaries

SMS Giveaway Day Is Here!

 

We are so excited!

I was also delighted to learn that Lisa Lam was publishing a follow up book to her amazing "The Bag Making Bible."  I loved one of the totes in her first book so much that I adapted the pattern to make it larger and made three bags in different textiles and closures. As I said, I was very excited to see Lisa Lam's "A Bag for All Reasons," was about to be published. 

In fact, I was SO excited that I preordered it. Twice.

Lisa's bag making books are perfect for me.  I love to make bags but I do not like to use patterns.  "A bag for all reasons," is full of great technical information.

It is full of eye candy.

The spiral bound cover and the fullsize foldout patterns make it easy to work on any of the 12 new projects.

I love my new book but I really do not need two.  So one lucky winner will get to share my joy and have her own copy.

Of course there may be a few other treats included with this prize.  Folks that know me understand that my love of ric rac, buttons, and all things vintage frequently causes me to "over-collect" these goodies but I  do love to share.

To enter this giveaway, leave me a comment telling me what one thing (besides your keys and phone) you must have inside your summer bag. Make sure I can reach you if my painted ladies pull your name out of the bag.

Don't forget to check out all the other wonderful giveaways at Sew, Mama Sew at this link:

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2012/05/giveaway-day-may/

Good Luck!

Do You Know Doh?

I signed up for a simple three week class.

I've done this before and found helpful advice but nothing that was earth-shattering. 

This time was different, maybe not earth-shattering ( no rumbles of the fault lines here in SW Ohio) but certainly soul-awakening.

I was supposed to learn about publishing in the art world.  Instead, I learned what I want from my life.

Most folks know that I have four children and that one of them, Alex, has a challenging life path.  I have spent many years working toward creating a fulfilling and meaningful life for him.  I was a disabilities advocate, lectured medical students about the impact of care on the family, wrote for and edited a statewide newsletter.  Several of my articles were reprinted through the local Down Syndrome Association. 

Later, I wrote for Christian publications.  But it all came to an end when Alex's needs required my full attention.

Many of you also know that my marriage of 38 years is coming to an end.  It has not been my choice but I have come to accept that it is unavoidable.  I have learned that I can and will survive (apologies to Gloria).  Part of my healing has come from looking at myself, my strengths, and my possibilities in the future.

Which brings me back to doh, hoh hoh, hoh! (apologies to Julie Andrews)

Jenny Doh, of Crescendoh!

Jenny is offering "The Keys to Publishing & Building Creative Momentum" as a 3 week class.  Our first assignment charged us with creating a statement of intent for publishing.

 

It took a few hours, but I managed to generate a list.

That was the easy part.

Then we were asked to use her "wheel" method of planning to picture how all of this fit into our life and activities.  I have used the "circle of influence" style of mapping for Alex's needs for many years with the professionals in his life.  I had a difficult time breaking from this method so I created a hybrid.

I like what I see.

Of course, it had to be fabric and thread.  (I gotta be meeeee! Apologies to Frank.)  Note:  All apologies due to the fact that I am singing these songs off-key as I type.  Loud.  The dogs are hiding.

There is still time to join the class.  Check it out.  I am enjoying the sense of community in the group.

But I saved the best news for last!  I have been accepted into my design program at UC Blue Ash.  This old dog is going to learn some new tricks starting in the fall.  I think I am more excited about going back to school than I was when I first entered UC 40 years ago.

So I close tonight with one last song:   "Ch, ch, ch, changes...."

Thank you David Bowie.  Say "Hey!" to Iman for me.

 

 

My Quilted Brain

It is official!  The wrinkly lines in my brain must have been created with a walking foot.

No matter where I look I see a pattern that MUST be translated into fabric and thread (and buttons, and ric rac, and felt, and glitter...oh, sooo much glitter!).

Instead of just taking snaps of this precious grandgirlie, I make her hold up my quilts.

Sort of a royal Vanna to my quilty Sajak.

My sister does a better job but she refuses to wear the crown.

And she doesn't curl into my lap for story time.

Which is probably best.

Did I mention that the Modern Quilt ladies are working on an Ohio Star project?

The designs are piling up and if I ever need proof that my poor little noggin is filled with thread and batting, all I need to do is look closely at my doodles.

Because I clearly have quilting on my mind.

 

A New Year Begins

 
I am not a warm weather person. 

 

If I had a choice, the year would start in October.  I love the fall!

 

Cooler temps.  Earlier sunsets. Homemade soup.  Pumpkin Pie.

I have had a rocky year and have been letting it get to me.

Today, the first day of October, is going to to mark a new beginning.

 
I went to Erin Condren's wonderful shop and ordered this organizer/ calendar.  It is time I got my life in order after all these life changes. 

Ch ch ch changes.....

That is what this year is all about. 

 

I am going to grow my business.

 

I'm going to spend time with the people I love and who love me.

 

I am going to take time to relax and reconnect with the world.

I am going to eat right (green M&M's are healthy, right?), get some exercise, and get healthy, happy, and wise.

 

And while I am doing this I am going to make a few quilts. 

Happy New Year!

 

 

Giveaway Day, Groundhog Edition!

 
 
Are you enjoying  the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaways? 

I am clicking like a crazy woman between the blogiverse and the amazing comments on yesterday's post.  Good luck to all of you on your entries; there is some wonderful handiwork out there amongst the English. (I loved Harrison Ford in Witness!)

Today's Groundhog Prize features one of my favorite projects.  Wool felt pins and barrettes have been my best-selling art show item and I am sharing two with you!

 I gave the Pioneer Woman one of those little owls when I went to her last book-signing here in Cincinnati.  The sunshine is to bring the sun's rays back after last night's storm. 

I have also included some wool blend felt strips from my stash and some craft thread for embroidering.  I added in some pretty little buttons and a few pin backs so all you need is a darning needle and sharp pointed scissors to make your own pins.

This giveaway ends at noon on Thursday, May 26 EDT.  All you need to do is leave a comment with a good name for my little owl friend.  Granddaughters will select the winner. 

Don't forget!  Yesterday's Giveaway is also open until noon on the 26th.  Have fun!

Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day Is Here!

 

Welcome SMS folk!

I love Giveaway Day and this is the first time I have joined in for the fun of giving away the booty!

I made the blocks for this pillow during the dismal and torrential Cincinnati rain days because I needed a little sunshine.  Now I offer that springtime goodness to you!

 

I also have a full yard of Amy Butler Midwest Modern and a goodie bag of notions.  I have a rick rack addiction but managed to just trim the pillow with lime green piping so there may be a bit of  zig-zaggety yumminess in that bag. 

 

 

All you need to do to win is leave a comment.  I would love to know if you ever bought anything on etsy and if so, what?  I will be filling my etsy shop throughout the week and I am looking for a little inspiration.

As a bonus, I am having another giveaway tomorrow and both will end on Thursday at noon.   The winner will be chosen by random (meaning that my granddaughters will pull names).  Make sure that you leave me a way to contact you! 

Good Luck to everyone on all the giveaways.  Let the games begin!

A Little Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild Love

 
 

When I saw Cincinnati listed on the Modern Quilt Guild blog, I did a little dance and then went directly to the source.  It led me to an amazing group of women in the back room of a local fabric shop.

 

We soon outgrew the previous locations and graduated to a member's amazing home.  It was great but when we hit more than 25 members at each meeting we moved again.  We now meet at the Centennial Barn in Hartwell, and are thrilled to call this location our permanent home.

 

I love the swaps and challenges almost as much as I love the "ladies who quilt."  Above, is my pillow cover designed just for Kelly. 

I promised her that I hadn't cut her out of the picture.

I won a pattern from Terry Stegmiller a few months ago and that was the inspiration behind the pillow design.  The pattern was more structured and the entire thing was pieced.  Someday I will make one closer to the pattern but this one I made more like a....well...preschool teacher.  I guess you can take the teacher out of the classroom but, you get the gist.

 

This was my version of the Halloween doll quilt challenge.  I am not as photogenic as Kelly but the rick rack looks great.  Andy says that she could just eat that stuff. 

I must remember not to taste her cole slaw!  (Name that movie!) 

 

Most of us managed to connect at the International Quilt Show and stimulate the local economy.

 

We had a scrap bag swap and then tried out different shades of Kona and Bella solids as sashing and setting backgrounds.  It's amazing how a different color can make a color "pop" or fade away.

 

One thing is certain, this group is not going to fade away.  We are different ages, stages of life, occupations and backgrounds.  Our styles are wildly different and our expertise ranges from those who just bought their first sewing machine to published patternmakers.  Some of us have backgrounds in the arts and others are scientists, homemakers, booksellers, and editors.   

What we have in common is that we love to create!  A year ago we were strangers and now we look forward to gathering for friendship, support and inspiration. 

Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday night!

 

Mean Green Becomes Geode Squared

 
It all started with this pile of greeny goodness.

 
There was some cutting...LOTS of cutting of strips from the green.

 
Some piecing and sandwiching and stitching and quilting.

 
Then I hung it in trees, looking for the sunshine.

 
And I hung it on gates.

 
And Lily said, "Enough!  Can you brush me now?"

Never expect to have an in-depth quilting discussion with the dog.

What Do Justin Bieber and The Pioneer Woman Have in Common?

 
1.  They both draw crowds of female fans.

 
2.  Those fans will wait, and wait, and wait, and wait, and wait, and then wait some more to meet them.

 
3.  Everyone wants to have their picture taken with them.

Keep in mind that this photo was taken at 11:00 PM and that the event started at 6.  Both of us were melting, tired, thirsty, and in desperate need of a bathroom break.

 
Justin didn't seem to mind about bathroom breaks when he and Alex posed for this picture.

Speaking of Alex, he finally turned the big 21!  When we celebrated his first birthday, he was 9 pounds.  His cake said, "We Believe in Miracles!"

Twenty years later, we have had our ups and downs but we still celebrate miracles around here.  And you know what a Miller celebration means....

 

Farewell, JoAnn! My Heart Belongs to Others

 
I tried, I really tried.

I tried to make it work.

I tried to embrace your 40% off coupons, aisles of decorative imported and discounted seasonal junque, and red ticket synthetic fabrics.

It was the waiting that did it.  I just could not stand the lines at the register.  Or the lines at the cutting table.

Especially the lines at the cutting table.

  
I shudder to think how long it would take to cut this lovely pile of green goodness.

Maybe as long as it took me to slice up all of this for my monochromatic Project Modern quilt.

 
Guess which color I am going to use?

 
I like green.

But I digress...

JoAnn, I'm not leaving you for something as superficial as appearance.

 
My new love isn't much to look at.  In fact, she's a shack.

The Fabric Shack.

There are no lines at the Fabric Shack, no employees bad-mouthing the management, no small children racing carts down the aisles of discounted crudola. 

There are just lovely quilters who know all about fabric and designers.  There are amazing remnants.  They even have a website and they actually package your chosen fabrics and send it to you the next day.

I think I found Nirvana.  In a Shack.

Goodbye, JoAnn.  It was nice while it lasted.