P.I.Q.F. at Santa Clara

My first visit to the Santa Clara Pacific quilt show on Sat. was interesting. Yes, I was a bit disappointed. The best part was meeting author Terri Thayer and seeing how well her books were selling. Also great my my seat companion Val Cunningham. A really nice woman who shared her remodeling and Medicare experiences with me. Just listening to people - you get a great education.

I forgot my camera so sorry no photos. I wasn't buying much till I got some applique kits from Cathy Van Bruggen Designs. Pretty flowers get to me. Then I saw four pink fabrics and needles and oh my there goes my budget. But my feet got sore before I did real damage, took a cat nap. Woke just in time to board the bus, thank goodness.

Wonderful adventures and meeting nice women make a great day.

Alicia Del Rio's Becoming Quilt

This is a Kaffe Fassett inspired quilt design with a few of his fabrics. My neighbor watched my cats while I was in Hawaii so I promised her a quilt for her graduation from Natomas H.S. but she is now in her second year at Sacramento City Collage. I was not happy with how this turned out so I added the side panels and the pretty butterfly fabric on the botton. This is my hope that she, a girl Becoming a woman, can transform into a star. Or what ever she wants to become.

Monterey Quilt Guild Meeting

Freddy Moran was the featured Speaker at the Moneterey Quilt Guild. Talked Marie into getting out for her first Guild meeting on Monday. Unfortunately Ana did not sleep through the whole thing as we planned, she was enjoying all the attention from the granny quilters who thought she was just too cute.

The meeting at the Pacific Grove Comm. Center was warm and friendly, full crowd with a few from Salinas. The bright red self-portrait was stunning. As usual Freddy was funny, inspiring and explained the collaboration with Gwen Marston. Marie tried breast feeding Ana out in the patio and watched the lecture thru glass doors, but was inspired by the bright, varied quilts to consider joining.

I really liked this smaller guild and warm comraderie, plus they only do the Quilt Show every other year.

Another Quilt Mystery Book review

The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney. She calls it a Cats in Trouble mystery series and takes place in the South Carolina rather than the Northeast or Calif. Jillian Hart is a widow with three cats. What makes her different is that she has started a Quilt business from home but makes cat quilts that she donates to shelters and friends with cats. She is worried about making a go of the business but she is generous and caring about the cats. The villian is a man who kidnaps pets; then sells them to lonely older people who have lost their pets.

She has trouble with people cause she cares too much and then has to make amends to get them to help her find the missing pets. But she is persistent and never gives up. I like stubborn people who are sometimes wrong but have strong beliefs.

Finished Butterfly Fling Baby Quilt

This was my first Moda charm pack quilt project. It really made the layout process easy.

My cat Edgar (Allen Poe) really likes the quilt too. He was rescued by neighbor two years ago. But they did not want another cat, so I took him all two pounds into my home and heart. He has the craziest long curly eyebrows I have ever seen.

The pretty elegant seventeen year old black cat is my Isabella. She likes to nap and bird watch from the bow window.

River City Quilters Guild

So Tuesday I became a courageous fool. My conscience made me do it. I volunteered to be Program person after a newsletter plea from Dee Irwin. The quilting workshops following monthly meetings had an important role in my sanity during my mom's Alzheimer's decline and then my grieving. It kept me busy from month to month, each workshop inspired me to do another quilt project. And then there was the social aspect, getting out and interacting with other women.

On Wednesdy, Nancy Brown gave us, all six women, lessons in hand applicque techniques and creating animals from photos. It was so exciting to be a participant and get support from the older members to take on the job. That's Nancy and Helen on the right, while on the left are Jan and Linda. We are trying to make a sanderling, jelly fish, and sea urchin to be stitched to a small quilt about 12" x 16."

Georgiana Faile

Last week I posted some pictures then edited them but they have vanished into cyber space so here I go with more photos. I just can't believe how fast and fat she has grown. She is so soft and hugable. Marie's sister-in-law sent her a ton of pretty baby clothes, so every day is dress up day.

Little Ana is developing so fast, she makes a variety of facial expressions. In the space of a minute she smiles back at you, then does the worry frown, and surprised wide open eyes.

She's not a jumpy baby but very mellow happy girl. I just love to watch her. And Caleb is gentle and likes to hold her. Could not imagine two more wonderful beings in this world.

Good reading is only a Quilt away

I just finished reading Terri Thayer's three pocket mystery books about a San Jose Quilt Shop owner. They are a Wild Goose Chase, Old Maid's Puzzle and Ocean Waves. They are available through the Sacramento Library System. The first is about a quilt show, the second anniversary sale and going Online, and the last took place at Asilomar in Monterey. I've heard so much about the quilt workshops held at Asilomar but who can afford it - not me. So it was nice to read about a week long stay with lots about the surrounding area and wild life. The details of the business with lots of nasty spats among the quilters make for interesting reading. You get to see how different younger women view quilting vs. old timers. All the work that goes into designing a quilt pattern, putting together a kit and selling it for a profit are more stressful than I imagened.
Plus there is a romance developing with her brother's best friend. I heartily recommend them.

Dora has left Home

Two weeks ago the cat oepned the security gate and Dora went out without her collar. It was early in the morning and I did not check on her till after my coffee. Well, she ran off and has not returned since. The cats are so happy so this was not by accident.

I hope she found the owner she was looking for. Maybe someone with other dogs to play with not three black cats. I think someone has her and hope she is a happier pet. I enjoyed the eight months with her. Looking back she was meant for someone else and we were not a good match.

Butterflies on bib

My latest creation, a 3-D butterfly on baby bib. I thought it would give Ana something to play with while being feed. The fabric is a heavy cotton and not easily soiled.

Making Baby Things

At Tayo's quilting fabric shop in Fair Oaks, they have a new product and classes on Hem stitch. Cotton crochet thread is put on to baby things which have been sergered and holes punched for lace. Even though I have not crocheted in decades this is easy. It is so pretty and the bib has minky fabric on one side.

Next is baby booties, just got a Simplicity pattern for felt booties with ties to keep the shoes on. I know - having a new grand baby is exciting but a new granddaughter is so inspiring as a designer and artist. All kinds of new images and special garments come to mind.

Slowly creating a Butterfly quilt

During the Sacramento Quilt Rush in April, I bought 2 Moda Butterfly Fling charm packs. After seeing my daughter's Strawberry quilt from another set of Moda fabrics, I wanted to do a quilt too. I like to experiment with blocks and color combinations so far this is the result. Not sure what I want to do next but that's the fun of doing.

New Pancake Recipe

I made pancakes this morning and not just any "Old Fashioned Hearty Pancakes." These are heart healthyand use: Bob's Red Mill-All purpose baking flour-Gluten Free from Whole Foods Bob's Red Mill Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal also from Whole Foods Trader Joe's Wild Blueberries in frozen section Kruetz Pancake Mix Water Use 1 cup K. pancake mix, 3/4 cup GF flour, and 1/4 Flaxseed meal = 2 cups flour + 1 1/4 cup water 1/2 - 1 cup frozen blueberries, or to taste Mix and cook on skillet with canola oil or extra light Olive oil, not extra virgin. After cooling place on waxed paper or parchment paper then plastic bag to store in refrigerator for later. I like to eat just one for a snack around 3 pm.

Doggie Dash in Wm Land Park

Dora and I went to the Dog event today at Wm. Land Park. I have never seen so many breeds, sizes, and owners of DOGS. Dora was so excited. It was a long walk and we got to see but not interact till the registration area. Unfortunately Dora growled. So we came home.

A neighborhood dog, smaller dog of course, growled at Dora. Now she is learning to be more aggressive when I walk her. So we are back to training - she is only 50 lb. but can pull my 154 lb. off my feet.

Yes, the gluten free diet is working. First I lost water from allergy inflammation. Second, eating more fresh fruit and veggies. No starch=bread, potato, and corn. Last night I was so hungry, ate a piece of pastry and now I have the red, itchy rash on my neck. Also ate the grass feed rib eye steak, but had an upset stomach so no more beef. I am learning more about toxic cleaners, plastic containers, saran wrap, water bottles which could have accelerated my sensitivity.

New Life

Every year a pair of grey birds nest around my garden. This year they built a nest in my butterfly bush which is outside my patio door. So they are raising four little birds. All day long the birds are skrieking for food and streching their beaks up for insects, worms, etc. Then at night the parent bird covers them with her/his body. They have fluff and open eyes now.

New Attitude

I have been feeling progressively loousey since January when I broke out in an itchy, red burning rash on my face and neck. Of course, the weather was at fault and the blasted allergy spores from trees, etc. Well, here we are May with beautiful weather and flowers. Lots of beautiful green grass needing to be mowed every week. Not only does the rash come on for no good reason, being a thinking person, that I can perceive a source. I feel so depressed every time I see my beautiful garden cause I don't have the energy to work in it.

On Monday, I hit my lowest level of misery. The nausea and sore, swollen cracked lips prevented me from my favorite activity - eating. Tuesday I am at Univ. Art on J St. to buy some book hinge tape for mending and I walk by a Naturopathic Medical Center. I remember Robin McGraw on the Dr. Phil show talking about how during her menopause she began hormone cream theraphy, from a Compound Pharmacy. The symptoms of depression, memory problems, dry itchy skin, are very familiar since in the past I have done the cream and Premarin in my 30's and 50's. So I make an appt. got an inital evaluation and some testing. But just looking at me - he looks at the January blood test and says "food allergies" and lets see in two weeks if your symptoms are improved. Here it is two days later and I feel clearer thinking and no pain.

Some times when I have lost any hope for good health but won't ask for help, a serenditity event happends to give me a chance for a miracle. Please be open to miracles, I am so tired and angry that I did this to myself. Four months that I could have been enjoying my home and animals.

My First Bead Bracelet

When my mother died, I found some crafty necklaces she made. I did not want to just toss them out. Some of the beads were pretty, so when I saw a Beginners class at U Bead It. http://www.ubeaditsacramento.com/ I learned not to use that stretchy clear stuff which gets too loose fast. Using memory wire, a flexible but strong wire I could string beads easily. So here is my first attemp that I am very happy with. I hope to make some for my beautiful cat Isabella, but sew it on to a grograin ribbon for a more comfortable fit. We'll see won't we.

New Jewelry

Found this unusual pillow shaped lapis, wanted a bracelet but the design did not work out. So here is the earing and necklace set. I love the agate green beads. All from U Bead It in Carmichael.

LODI WINERY TOUR

What a surprise - having heard about the amazing new wineries in Lodi was an understatement. Just one hour from Natomas is the rural town of Lodi, famous for their Zinfandel vines. They even have a specialty called Old Vine Zinfandel. Just off Hwy 99 is the Oak Ridge tasting room an old round barrel room. Their Pinot Grigio was good, nice bouquet and smooth on the tongue. But the excellent, winner of a blind taste test - see "Bottle Shock", is OZV Zinfandel 2005 at $14.95 a bottle. This ruined the rest of the wine tasting for nothing else was in it's league. Even white wine people liked it. It is one of the most amazing wines you will ever taste.

About 15 min. north to Lockeford, very small town, was the Vino Piazza, a Winery Village, of 8 wineries and shops. Nothing to recommend but Watts has a Rosado (Shiraz/Zin) that was good. I really enjoyed meeting the women on the bus and exchanged phone numbers. One older woman got very outrageous after the first winery, even crying and yelling. Her husband would not let her get out at the 3rd winery, poor man. But yes it was excitting and I had a wonderful time.