What I Did On My Friday-Off

Dear Friends,

There are 2 things on my mind today that I want to record here. The first is how very sad I feel for the people of Haiti. I was watching the Fox news reports this morning - 5 days after the earthquake and the situation is still horrible and frightening. The work to rescue and recover is going on and today they reported a rescue which is wonderful, but the real problem is trying to reach and serve the wounded and sick. Here is the link for LDS Humanitarian donations
http://give.lds.org/emergencyresponse

The second thing is that Scott Brown is doing so well in MA. This would be the biggest message to Washington in many years-to stop the insidious notion that the politician owns the seat and rules this nation. Republican or Democrat, I truly wish to see every incumbent defeated.

Last Friday I drove to Miami, AZ and met up with my oldest and dearest friend, Irene. We have been friends since second grade (many years ago) and have shared many miles together. She is one of my heroes and is married to another one of my heroes. Irene retired from teaching a couple of years ago and was looking forward to the time she earned for her personal interests, her husband and the rest of her family. Now, she and Tom are raising 2 beautiful granddaughters and giving these girls a wonderful home filled with love and security.

I enjoy every chance we have to get together and just visit. We did a little shopping in one or two antique stores in Miami-most were closed on Friday which is strange, but I guess their shop days are Saturday and Sunday, and found some items of interest. But then we found a quilt store!

I know you are shocked. And of course you will know where my $ went. The quilt store is on Sullivan Street, just a block from El Rey (how convenient). Julie's Quilt Shop is small but packed with some wonderful fabrics. She carries a lot of southwest themed fabrics as well as a wonderful assortment of sun-dyed fabrics. It is nice to know the shop is there and hopefully this summer I can plan some stops there on my trips to Vernon. This sweet lady even offered to open early for me if I called to make arrangements while passing through before her regular hours. This lady knows how to win a customer!

Now-what did I buy. Well, as a quilter that loves quilt history, I have been aware of the Gee's Bend quilts for some time. Recently, Zoe's got in the bolts of Gee's Bend Fabric that have been hand-dyed and are wonderful solids with a soft, subtle shaded look and rich colors. There are samples on the Zoe's web site to view them. If you are not familiar with Gee's Bend quilts or they story behind them, check out the story here.

I have always been impressed with the story behind the Gee's Bend quilts but they are not the kind of quilts I am drawn too. The early quilts were made from worn clothing or cloth the women had in their possession and were representational patterns of what they had in their memories and surroundings. One of the most popular patterns that they did was called "Housetops".



I bought one of the reproduction kits called Lazy Girl that Julie had just got in and will try to get this one made soon.

So I guess I need to get busy. The blocks are almost done on my after Christmas-Christmas quilt and only need to make a few more blocks for a promised quilt to Seth. And btw, I got the book I talked about in my last post-thank you Mary, plus adding 2 more books on scrap quilting to my collection. One Saturday a month, Zoe's Trunk has a group meeting just to work on scrap quilts. I am really looking forward to the that one.

Well, I've spoke my mind, shared a little and recorded some daily history. Talk to you again soon, love, Jan

This 'n That

Dear Friend,

Well January is moving on to fast for me and the weekends are busy. Marla and I made a day trip to Vernon and Springerville on Sunday to spend some time with Dad who was in the hospital. He looked better than I thought he would and is finally able to walk a little bit. Not sure how long he will have to be there and knowing how much he hates hospitals, I hope not too much longer.

We left here around 6 AM and watched a glorious sunrise. Then we were doubly blessed to catch the sunset on the way home. A 2 for one, can't beat it!














I have been busy sewing and hope soon to share another project with you.

In the meantime, I just saw that this book that has just be released and can't wait to get my hands on it, Tile Quilt Revival.




The quilt design is based on art tiles like this


















to make quilts that look like this















This is really a quilt revival-this antique quilt recently sold at auction of over $15,000







Now I know that I will never make a quilt that would bring any amount of money at an auction and I know that I may never even make a full size quilt using this technique, but to me the thrill of piecing quilts is learning new techniques and making quilts with variety. They may take longer to make but I will finish most of my projects someday.


So, if I am going to get the three projects completed that are setting next to my machine in the next couple of weeks, I had better get busy. Oh, yes, I have ordered the new book. My legacy to my children will be quilt books. I hope they learn how to sew soon.

I was pointed to this wonderful quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland for a reason. I need to let go of some of the things in my life that are holding me in one place and this really touched me.
"We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learn what we need to learn and brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."

Thanks for listening.
Love, Jan

2010, A New Year, A New Decade

Dear Friend,

Happy New Year!

For 2010-
I hope this year brings each of you joy and happiness.
I wish you good health and the ability to accomplish your goals, large and small.

I continue to hope for peace in our nation and the world.
I pray that our elected leadership will return to the business of doing the will of the people and honor the Constitution of the United States.

I wanted to share one of my favorite hymns-so fitting for the new year or any time-

Come, Let Us Anew our journey pursue,
Roll round with the year,
And never stand still till the Master appear.

His adorable will let us gladly fulfill,
And our talents improve
By the patience of hope and the labor of love,
By the patience of hope and the labor of love.

Our life is a dream, our time as a stream
Glide swiftly away,
And the fugitive moment refuses to stay;

For the arrow is flown and the moments are gone.
The millennial year
Presses on to our view, and eternity's here.
Presses on to our view, and eternity's here.

Oh, that each in the day of His coming may say,
"I have fought my way thru;
I have finished the work thou didst give me to do."

Oh, that each from his Lord may receive the glad word:
"Well and faithfully done;
Enter into my joy and set down on my throne;
Enter into my joy and set down on my throne."

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788