Month: October 2012

I haven’t been to the Minnesota State Fair in more than 10 years and after going this year with both of my daughters, I remember why!  But I’ll go ahead and save my rant observations about that for another day.  You’re welcome!

One of my very favorite things at the fair (other than Sweet Martha’s cookies and the french fry stand) is the craft building.  Shocking, I know!  I’m always amazed at how talented people are – especially the quilters.  There was one particular quilt that I fell in love with.  It was made with 100’s (maybe 1,000’s) of 1 1/2 squares from 1950’s reproduction fabric.

Forgive the through-the-glass-camera-phone photo of this gem – you and I both know it doesn’t do it justice and seriously, what is with the 3rd place ribbon?  I can’t imagine why they’d keep it behind glass anyway – maybe to keep us jealous fair goers from drooling all over it?  Yup!  Makes perfect sense to me.  Talented Quilt Maker – this is a blue ribbon in my book.

So now, here I am trying to talk myself OUT of making one of these beauties.  Can anyone help me, please?  Pretty please?  I didn’t think so.  My own version will be on the way soon, but do us both a favor and don’t hold your breath for the unveiling…something tells me it could be a while!  Sigh….

Growing up, we always had a dog.  Purpee, Scooby, Milkbone and Penny – to name a few.  I love dogs, but did NOT love everything that came along with them!  Haley, is an animal lover.  She always attracts the strays – in animals and friends.  If there was an animal within 20 miles, she felt the need to rescue it.  I did not, however, share her enthusiasm – until one day in June, 2008.

It was summer and I was working.  Haley called me to ask if we could go to the Humane Society to walk dogs when I got home and I initially said no.  But then I began to feel guilty.  It was summer vacation and they were stuck at home all day and really, what could it hurt?  Besides, it would be good for them to volunteer and it was cheap (free) entertainment – or so I thought!

There he was – Max – the little white fur ball, prancing around, saying hello to everyone – with fur and without.  He had only been there one day and how could you NOT fall in love with this face?

I was sold but there was a big hurdle to get over before we could take him home – Dad!  “Operation Convince Dad” was in full swing – Plan A – get the baby girl (then 9) to call Daddy. It wasn’t easy, but I think even Corey had to admit he was pretty darn loveable.  Success!  Two days later, we brought him home.

I used to have an attitude about rescue animals.  I mean after all, there had to be a reason their owner didn’t want them, right?  We were told a man turned him in for his daughter because she was moving and couldn’t keep him, but I think that was a big, fat lie.   When we first met him, he refused to use the stairs – he would just stand there and shake.  He got over that quickly but he is still afraid of the broom and vacuum – even after 4 years.  It makes me wonder and breaks my heart a little too.  How anyone could hurt him is beyond my understanding.

I can’t imagine life without Max and it doesn’t hurt that he loves his mama the best.  Now, if only I could get him to help out around the house.  It’s official, he really is just one of the kids!

Neither of my two daughters appreciate my crafty endeavors.  I’ve tried to get them interested in knitting or scrapbooking, to no avail, but imagine my surprise when my 19 year old daughter, Haley, asked me to make a quilt for her.  You mean with fabric?  Wow!  Did she even know that fabric existed in the real world, at least outside Mom’s craft room?  This will be fun – or so I thought!

I forgot one little detail…Haley is Miss Picky McPicky and she was going to pick out every last piece of fabric for this quilt – all 20 of them!  I had many grand ideas of what this quilt was going to look like and she had others.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved welcoming her into my world of craftiness, but do we have to analyze the position of nearly every fabric?  Strip quilting is supposed to be about randomness, not analytical placement!

The squares are paper foundation pieced and measure 8 x 8 inches finished.   I started with the zebra square in the middle and sewed the strips on the diagonal towards the outside corners.  I love this method of quilting.  You don’t have to be precise, can use random pieces that fit your space and then you cut the finished square to match the paper foundation and then peel the paper off!  Haley did the peeling and ironed nearly all the squares herself.

Ok, so I have to admit, she did a great job picking out the colors.  They are bright, happy and it’s totally her and who knows, maybe there’s a crafty bone in her body afterall.  A mom can dream….

…as exclaimed by the 15 year old boy on the way to school the other day.  It seems like the leaves change overnight.  One day you notice one tree starting to turn and 5 minutes later they are all glowing in red, orange and yellow!

I love fall.  The bright colors, the smell of wet leaves and wearing my favorite sweaters again.  The only thing I really dislike about it is what follows – Winter!  Let’s face it.  This is Minnesota and it’s going to get ugly – and fast!

So, enjoy indian summer days, football games and sleeping with the windows open, for Mother Nature is busy making other plans!

Meet my nephew, Nels.  He just celebrated his 2nd birthday and he has Down Syndrome.

Last weekend, most of my family traveled to Duluth to participate in the Down syndrome walk in his honor.  While this is only our second year participating, thousands of people have been stepping up together in Duluth for the last 11 years to raise awareness for their friends and family members with Down syndrome.  Funds raised on the walk go towards supporting the programs and services of the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota.

Auntie bought him a new t-shirt, and yes, Nels, you are totally rockin’ it!

This is so true!  Nels is a musical genius – especially on the drums!

What a beautiful place to spend a Sunday afternoon –

walking along Lake Superior and the Aerial Lift Bridge.

My nieces, Leah & Kamryn.  A couple of clowns themselves (and a few teeth short)!

Two of my favorite things…Nels & mini donuts!

 

Love this boy!