Happy Valentines Day

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

Merry Christmas to All

Dear Friend,

It has been a wonderful Christmas this year. Even with the wallets a little thinner, and never enough time-we have had some wonderful times with friends and family.

The Christmas spirit began early this month with two great parties, the first was a gathering of friends from my work place. Our managers did a wonderful job of putting this party together with lots of food and fun. Thank you for the wonderful party.

The next day I attended another gathering of friends from my favorite Quilt Store. Lots of good food and laughs and Ken and his partner, Ron provided a wonderful setting-Christmas in every room in the house. When you enjoy a Christmas party with talented friends, it is a special treat to receive wonderful gifts - home-made candies, jellies, breads and special gifts for the sewing room.

In the meantime, I managed to complete 3 Christmas quilt projects and I must say that with the completion of each, my machine quilting improves. I still have one or two Christmas projects and my new goal is to make a Christmas theme quilt every year. Wish me luck!











The Sunday before Christmas is reserved for the Hunter Family Christmas Party. By tradition, homemade Mexican food and let me share a secret with you...we have the best cooks in our little group. This is where we continue a wonderful tradition that Mom start 20+ years ago of a home-made Christmas ornament for every member of the family. This year, Shana and Kristie had made these cute ornaments- decorated mittens.








We had this chance to take some great family pictures with Dad, too.



Grandpa and his grandchildren.














Christmas Eve I am sort of on my own as the girls usually spend this time with their other families so I went to Marla and Stu's. For the first time in probably 6 years, Dad was here and is handling it better than I thought he would. Another great dinner and Marla shared this CD with us. (If you get a chance, add this to your family Christmas library. It is a recording of the MTC Christmas presentation last year and is the story of my favorite Christmas Carol-"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".)

I have to share this wonderful treasure with you now-this is what Kristie and Shana made for me- a family photo album of my favorite grandkids.

Christmas Day is a breakfast tradition of crepes and trimmings with my family, gift exchanges and fun-followed by a relaxing day and dinner later. As for now, I think it's time for a nap.

Later, with love,
Jan

I Heard the Bells

Dear Friends,

Enjoy the words to one of my favorite Christmas carols with me.

Christmas Bells

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.” Love Jan

Meet Paul Revere, aka Wyatt

Dear Friends,

Well it finally opened up and rained here in QC this beautiful morning. It smells so good out here-real desert.

Last week Wyatt chose to do his American History report on Paul Revere. He prepared a wonderful story board and wore an 18th century costume. I am told he did a super job of answering questions and presenting himself as Mr. Revere.
Wyatt is almost 11 but he has a vocabulary and such a wealth of information stored in his head that we often think of him as a much older child. One of Wyatt's great gifts is his love of everybody. If he walks through the room, he will offer an "I love you Gramma" or "love you Hunter" or anyone else in the room.

It is wonderful to hear him be so open and expressive. He also has a wonderful talent of making friends. He is well known and well liked by his peers and his teachers. Wyatt also is known for befriending and helping the kids that attend the "special" classes in his school.

He loved playing this roll as can see, and I am glad he had the opportunity.
Congratulations Wyatt. I love you too.

More later,
Jan