Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Festival of Frugality

Every week, this fun grouping of articles moves around to various blogs...I don't mention it much, but it's worth visiting regularly. You'll find all sorts of topics, from food to fun. Check out this past weeks' version here.

Vacation: Who Needs It?

Well, apparently I did -- because when I got here, the 'ol bod just let down.

I've been sleeping much more, and not having any problem just sitting for periods. Teetering on the edge of flu -- but so far, I feel myself getting stronger, not weaker.

Mom definitely needed me to come. Life has been really difficult for her lately -- after all, live with and love someone for 48-plus years, and when they go, it's going to be tough for her.

I'm proud of her gutsy attempts to keep going. I really am. But I'm also happy I can be of help by showing up once in a while.

Here's an interesting post on never washing your hair again. Thought I might try it -- at least once in a while.

And the QUILTS OF THE GOLDEN WEST books are here! Want one? Leave a comment, and we'll contact you!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Michigan, Here I Come

...headed there tomorrow. Chicago first -- then the train to Grand Rapids at night.

Class much more subdued today. Lots of talk about how to restore Crazy quilts -- a process much fraught with weird possibilities. It went well.

Have a good weekend yerself.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Telling It Like It Is

--about fabric.

Today was the Fabric Dating Class: stuffing two quilt tops, a baby quilt, umpteen blocks and fabrics (plus whatever the class brings in), then trying to cover everything done in the textile world from 1850 (and before) to 1950 (and after). In three hours.

I got the basics down, but had to skip the juicy subjects, like politicals, cheater prints, current events, world fairs, wars and such. But I think the students understood the basic drift -- especially how to tell the difference as fabrics worked from the 1920s (more muted grayed solids and prints) to the 1930s (warm butter yellow, Nile green, bazooka pink, etc.) to the 1940s (larger scale prints, brighter yellow into gold, red becomes more orangey in tone, and often accompanies burgundy/wine) to the 1950s! (into turquoise, lime and mint green, soft yellow)

Love this stuff.

On to the International Quilt Study Center, and their exhibits tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Progress Report

The little dears at home tell me it's been snowing...

but nothing's sticking.

It's coolish here in Omaha, but you still don't need a coat. That's the beauty about this town -- it's so humid that 'cold' doesn't feel much like it.

Some great posts you should check out:

Things Learned from Immigrant Parents (from Wisebread)

A Thrift Shop Angel (from Guideposts' Mysterious Ways newsletter)

How Doing Less Can Be Better (from Zen Habits)

Enjoy...

Snug in Omaha

...and had a great time talking about quilt restoration, looking at potential pieces (damaged, but with lots of potential), and THINKING. Having all these ideas, techniques, possibilities thrown about is like a blast of fresh, cool air through my mind.

That's the wonderful thing about a national conference or workshop -- you get all sorts of people from all over (our group ranged from Omaha to South Carolina, Texas and even Australia). As a result, you also get all sorts of ideas and concepts that can range from t-shirt quilts to Martha's Flower Garden to All the Wonderful Things You Can Do With Pee. (Yours truly's shamefaced contribution to the discussion...I'm working on an article about it.)

I feel better already.

Tomorrow is dating fabric (I teach this one), then the afternoon is storage, cleaning and a general roundup. Goody goody goody.

It seems as if the Quilt Restoration Workshops are going to go on, after Nancy Kirk retires this year... you should consider attending. They're great fun, and you learn SO much. Even if you're one of the teachers!

Monday, September 21, 2009

It Snowed This Morning!

No, I am not making this up. I know...because I was out picking the last of the green beans in it. Big white flakes drifting across my cheek, the dogs with white overcoats on their backs.

And the tomatoes.

And the zucchini. (Found one good-sized beauty hidden under the leaves, plus a bunch of little guys.)

They're now chopped, blanched and resting peaceably in the freezer. The veggie mix...not the dogs!

(Oh, and Daughter #2, who lives in Nederland, a couple thousand feet higher than us, got 2" of snow. But Denver and Boulder -- just rain.)

I've been here, trying hard to finish quilting an old top. Trying to get things cleaned up and put away. Trying to get a bunch of appraisal-related stuff done. And wishing hard that the QUILTS OF THE GOLDEN WEST books would get their little fannies here from Kansas City...I'm so tired of waiting for them. Feeling a tad 'off,' but I can't tell if it's flu, or just exhaustion. I haven't been getting a whole lot of sleep lately, and what I do get is often full of restlessness or strange dreams.

Leaving tomorrow night for teaching in Omaha at the Quilt Restoration Workshops, then on to Michigan for about 1 1/2 weeks. You'll hear from me, though -- I plan to check in regularly, unlike my sparse posts this past week. (Sorry. It wasn't on purpose. Honest.)

Allison Aller, you are the WINNER for the Anniversary patchwork pack! Please post, and let us know if you'd like a Crazy quilt-related pack...or a regular patchwork one. Congratulations!

And if you'll bear with me, I'll announce another giveaway this week sometime!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Moving On...

...in a good way!

I've been fighting with deadlines all week, trying to Get Things Done before leaving next Tuesday. The Quilt Restoration Workshops will take up most of next week. I hear there are a few spots left...this is your chance to learn all about quilt repair, restoration, fabric dating and textile history from one of the great masters in the subject, Nancy Kirk. Yours truly will also be doing some teaching, including a half-day class on how to date textiles.

It's not too late to sign up, though it soon will be! The workshops are in Omaha, NE --

Sept. 23 - 26, including a bus tour to the world-famous International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, NE

You can choose to come for just one workshop -- or attend them all. But don't miss it; this most probably will be Nancy's last year of teaching.

Go to the Quilt Restoration Workshop site for more info, or e-mail me at cindybrick@comcast.net . But don't delay; time's a-wasting.

* * * *
I am happy to report that Quilts of the Golden West is a reality! We got a phone call yesterday that the books had arrived in Kansas City, and were being shipped our way. It's hard to realize that something I've slaved over for years is finally a reality. I'll believe it for sure when a copy is in my hot little hands...and even then, I'll have to pinch something.

You can get your own copy, signed, sealed and delivered, for only $24.95, including shipping! Use the link to my earlier post for specifics, or just e-mail me for now. We'll be offering the book officially next week on the Brickworks website...

Which, thanks be to God, is FINALLY up and visible again. It never actually went away, but when your server is down, the websites go with it.

* * * *
Yes, there's a winner for the quilt kit giveaway! I'll announce this tomorrow.

* * * *

And finally, news from the Department of Treasures Found:

The latest photo gallery on ancient treasures discovered, including a set of very early footprints in Africa. (One of the treasures, a tiny carved gem showing Alexander the Great, is discussed more thoroughly here.)

And a family who found 10 twenty-dollar Double Eagle gold coins in a deposit box. The gold pieces are dated 1933, at the height of the period when the U.S. said it was illegal for private collectors to own any gold. The coins already minted were melted down, except for two coins sent to the Smithsonian and a few scattered samples...including these.

The only problem: the family sent the coins to the U.S. Mint, which determined they were genuine...and kept them. Stolen goods, the Mint argued. The family's grandfather was a coin broker, and involved with other 1933 Double Eagles. He probably had some kind of arrangement with a crooked employee at the Mint, to get his hands on this many coins.

(Bear in mind that these coins were never officially released by the government, and were supposed to have been destroyed. No one should have gotten any, legally.)

Nonsense, the family says. No doubt their grandfather obtained the coins in a perfectly honorable way. And besides, even if he didn't, they're legal now.

The only 1933 Double Eagle ever sold brought $7.6 million, so we're not talking chicken feed here.

Stay tuned for this interesting case. The dealer who handled the $7.6 million coin back in 2002 was first arrested for trying to sell it ($1.5 million), but arrived at a 50/50 split with the government before the coin was auctioned off. That decision made it legal U.S. tender, and able to go on the auction block.

I wonder if this family will come to the same conclusion. I won't mind if they do. Hey, a few million dollars extra here and there could only help with the national deficit!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Monday Musing

Shoestring Alley feels the same way I do about blustery days...

only today is back to hot summer sun and flipflops! The beans are loving it, and I should get a few more zucchini and tomatoes out of this sunshine.

* * * * * *
By the way, my company hasn't gone bust. Brickworks is still around -- but the server that normally hosts the Brickworks and Classy Girl websites is not. (sigh) Our webmaster is working on the problem, but it's not solved yet. (double sigh) Be assured: yes, we're still here!

Only two more days to comment for the giveaway. Take a minute and leave me a note about your favorite time of year on this post. One winner will get a gift basket! Expires Sept. 16.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

A Birthday Request You Can Help!

Beth Catlin, of Mechanicsburg, MD, loves to send birthday cards. She mails nearly four thousand a year...

from the list in her mind.

Beth has trouble meeting everyday challenges -- she does it best by keeping to a schedule, including her work at the S. Wilson Pollock Center for Industrial Training. For more than four decades, this woman has mailed homemade birthday cards to friends, family and people whose addresses she's gathered. She keeps their names, birth dates and addresses by memory only.

Beth's birthday is Sept. 22. Won't you return the favor, and send her a birthday card this week? Mail it to:

Beth Catlin
c/o S. Wilson Pollock Center for Industrial Training
262 Silver Spring Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

I have a special tie with Beth, even though we've never met. We are birthday sisters: same day, month and year.

Read more about Beth in this profile -- or check a recent issue of Reader's Digest. (I think she was profiled July 2009.) P.S. She likes stamps, too.

Friday, September 11, 2009

What Would You Eat If It Was Your Last?

I am not sure how I wander onto these contributions to the Department of Weird, but here's the latest:

A website that tracks final meal requests of Death Row prisoners from 1982 on.
(Looks like they're all from Texas)

I am amazed at how often certain items reoccur:
fried chicken
chicken-fried steak
Cokes (sometimes vanilla, sometimes regular -- Dr. Peppers are big, too)
cheeseburgers
bacon something -- often sandwiches, esp. BLTs
chocolate cake

But items requested range from a bag of Jolly Ranchers, a cup of tea (made with teabags) and 6 chocolate chip cookies, to mercy, justice and world peace. One prisoner requested that his last meal be given to a homeless person.

The only female Death Row prisoner request? fruit and a salad.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Quilts of the Golden West is online!

And being advertised at the Kansas City Star's store. Go here for a general overview of the book, as well as some sample pages.

The book retails for $28.95...but Brickworks will be offering it for less!

Get a copy for $24.95, including free media rate shipping...and that includes a free copy of the Grandma's pattern booklet, Quilts of the Pioneers. (a $2.98 value!)

That's not all. Buy two copies of Quilts of the Golden West...and your total price is $42.95, including media rate shipping. They make great Christmas presents.

Or -- if you'd prefer a copy of my earlier book Crazy Quilts, instead -- the combined price for both is $44.95! Naturally, all books will be personally autographed. We're famous for including freebies in our packages, too. Who knows what could be in your package!

We accept VISA or MASTERCARD...checks and money orders...and we won't charge your card or cash your check until we ship the book(s) in a few weeks. Just e-mail cindybrick@comcast.net to order.

Or go to the Brickworks website, which hopefully will be back up and running very soon.

Respectfully Speaking...

One Frugal Girl topped off a few weeks of restful vacation with a stunning argument with her in-laws. She felt disregarded and disrespected. The one comfort: she had the backing of her husband in this fracas.

Poor girl.

It hurts to have someone you're related to...not love and respect you.

I have been very lucky; it's only happened a few times. Fortunately, there were other family members who expressed enough encouragement to counteract the rough stuff.

Have you ever gone through this? What did you do (or say...or feel) to get through it?

For me...it was Husband and his brothers, who made it clear that they loved and encouraged me, no matter what. Plus the strong sense that I knew who I was, and what I was capable of. I knew I had failings...I also knew that God and those I loved most dearly were well aware of those failings. In spite of all that, they still accepted me.

It's not just family, either -- I have this same sense of 'open season' every time I publish a new book or article. There she is...with a big target right on her chest! Ready, aim, fire...

Thick skins are a must. So is the ability to listen and analyze...but not let it destroy you. I'm not perfect -- so I don't expect to be treated as such. It's silly, then, to hate myself when I'm not. Only God is perfect.

Thankfully.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Yes, We're Still Here!

15 Ways to Look Less Tired: check here.

It's a lovely day out...a garden bed awaits, for planting in cold-weather greens. The beans are bearing quite nicely, and the zucchini plants are kicking out a few pale green beauties each day. (Too bad the tomatoes aren't doing their part as lively.)

In case you've visited the Brickworks site lately, it would be easy to assume we're not around anymore. (sigh) The truth is that our hosting site has been switching to a different server -- and taking far too blamed long to be doing it. It's hard to be patient. In just a few days, however, the problem should be fixed.

So don't take BRICKWORKS ( http://www.cindybrick.com ) and CLASSY GIRL ( http://www.classygirlquilts.com ) out of your address book -- especially when we're close to announcing a pre-pub special for my newest book, QUILTS OF THE GOLDEN WEST!

And don't forget the giveaway, either --
In celebration of this blog's 500th post, I'm offering a free giveaway -- your choice of a Patchwork Joys kit (fabric, book and goodies) or a Crazy Joys kit (Crazy quilt fabric, floss and embellishments). It's perfect for stitching up a holiday present -- or just give the kit itself!Leave a comment sometime before Sept. 15 -- one per post. The more you leave, the better chances you have for winning!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Easter Island Topknots Explained?

Scientists are now positing (more) information about the strange red stone hats Easter Island's huge stone figures have worn:

*They seem to be some kind of symbol of leadership.

*The islanders may have thought that adding the red topknots actually brought the figures magically to life.

*The stone hats were quarried from a "secret" quarry, also with religious overtones, and were rolled along a path also lined with red dust.

Here's the partial report. I'm not so sure any of this is blindingly original stuff, but it's interesting, nonetheless.

Beware Facebook Scams!

Here's one person's experience, along with a slide show of other sneaky Internet scams.

This hit closer to home for me when some of the quilting teachers listed as Libby Lehman's friends were hit up, supposedly by Libby who was stranded at a conference and needed funds to get home. (She wasn't, and she didn't.) To make things even more interesting, the scam hit a second level when a girl from New Zealand claimed she'd sent money, and now was dunning to try to get the funds reimbursed! (Also not proven.)

The moral of the story: Do NOT believe e-mails from anyone claiming this. If you know them well enough to want to send money, call them directly first. No matter what.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Holiday Weekend

Almost Frugal, one of my favorite bloggers, has an interesting set of links today, from loaning money to a friend (don't!), to paying your credit cards when times are tough. Another comment: reducing your wardrobe, so it takes less space, saves money on replacements, and is less stress. I started thinking harder about doing this, when realizing I was wearing the same 25 or 30 items over and over. But:
*Buying them higher-quality (used or new, doesn't matter) means they last longer and look better.
*Keeping them clean and in good repair means they're ready for the next wearing.
*Replacing items means I stick to a color scheme that lets everything go together. In my case, that generally means tan, cream, blue (periwinkle, light blue, robin's egg), sage green and black.

Shoes are harder. It's hard to find good brands (and condition) at thrift shops. I spent the most on two pairs of cowboy boots -- one hand-stitched (and the most striking), the other basic. I wear these over and over and over -- they, along with a pair of green flipflops and some workshoes, were my summer wear. And the boots, along with two pairsof Swedish clogs ($1.00 each at a garage sale!) will be winter wear.

Husband has spent most of the weekend watching football. I defrosted the freezer (to get ready for the upcoming pig) and built up a new garden bed. (It gets planted with kale and spinach after a fresh wheelbarrowload of dirt gets added tomorrow.) The beans are bearing like crazy -- no frost yet, but it's not far off. Watched some football, too -- enough to see Michigan win its first game, and Colorado's Buffaloes lose to Colorado State. Sigh. Tomorrow is a Rockies game with friends -- then back to work.

Hope your holiday is going fine.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Frugal Dads Everywhere, Unite!

I'm just headed off to bed, but found this great post about a guy's frugal, weird...and wonderful dad. Don't miss out on the comments -- as usual, they're just as interesting as the post itself.

Got me to thinking about my own frugal Hollander dad.

More tomorrow.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

More Weird Stuff

More stuff from the "Department of Weird:"

*The president of Zambia banned monkeys from the State House after one peed on him during a news conference. ("At least they got relocated instead of executed," somebody commented.)

*Silt, CO has a new statue, which takes the whole 'bottoms up' thing wayyyy past weird. The town's newest sculpture shows a rock climber working his way up a chimney route. Sounds fine, doesn't it? Oh...forgot to mention. Said rock climber has no attire! (A real climber, though they keep clothing to a minimum because of movement and stress, would at least protect the Jewels -- they wouldn't feel so good scraped up.)

From the article:
"Seven miles down the road to the west, the city of Rifle last summer unveiled its new sculptured rendition of a cattle drive in the middle of its two new roundabouts between I-70 and Airport Road.The sculptures include anatomically correct cattle with bull testicles and cow teats.'We haven't had any complaints — not a word,' Mayor Keith Lambert joked. 'I guess we're just an easier, happy-go-lucky crowd.' As far as Silt's sculpture, in which the rock climber's backside faces Rifle, there are other theories.

“The word on the street is that Silt is mooning Rifle,' Lambert said with a laugh. 'So you can only guess what they're doing to Glenwood [Springs].' "

And finally, a very cool way to make a wallet from a cereal box. (Wonder if this would work with heavy fabric, or tablecloth plastic?)

Hey, only the highest-class info on this website. Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Strange Stuff

From the "I cannot BELIEVE these exist" department:

*A whole gallery of the world's ugliest cakes, including a dripping nose, beating heart (double yuck) and the best of the batch -- a homicidal bride. Go here...but don't eat supper first.

*Then The People of Walmart, an equally odd place that chronicles some of the odd people wandering around Walmart. I used to be a checker at the great Wally, and had friends who worked the night shift. They were used to all sorts of unusual people showing up...but their favorite was the big beefy cross-dresser whose chest hair poked out of his cleavage, and leg hair out of the fishnet hose he insisted on wearing.

Well anyways, take a gander here.

6 Things That Are Worth The Extra Money

Before I forget (yet again), happy belated 40th birthday to friend Stephanie! Girl, you are gorgeous...and I have loved having you in my life. (Not to mention singing next to you!) Take a look at Stephanie's blog, Life on Prescott Avenue.

And here's a very nice lunch bag pattern , if you've thought about making one. (Thanks, Almost Frugal, for pointing me in the right direction.)

In all the haste to ride the Frugal hamster wheel, it's easy to forget that some things are worth spending extra for. Here, for equality's sake, are six I can think of:

*Aerosol whipped cream. The tubs of whipped topping are cheaper -- but they taste 'like dung,' as Crocodile Dundee would say. And we never seem to finish them up before they spoil. I'll take a squirt of spray whipped cream any day. It lasts for months in the refrigerator...you can use as little or much as you want...and it tastes great. (Now if I could only get Daughter #2 to quit squirting it directly into her mouth...)

*Appliances, vehicles, furniture, etc. you're going to use practically daily. This is a lesson the Brick has finally taught me, over years of trying. Pay a little more for a good brand...or workmanship...or quality. A cheapo Walmart grill will last a season; a Weber or Jenn-Air grill, a decade or so. A leather couch that's well made will take any amount of kid-jumping-on, and still look good when they're teenagers. Buy quality-made stuff secondhand, if you can't afford it new. In the long run, you still come out way ahead.

*Good jewelry. Instead of five pairs of costume jewelry, buy one classic pair of gold hoops. They look better and last longer. I remind myself of this every time I look at my gold wedding band, which has lasted 28 years, and is still going strong.

*Good quilts. Instead of five 'sort of good' quilt tops on sale, spend the extra for one Really Good quilt. Its value will hold far longer than the sale stuff you've just grabbed. (Yes, I've learned this the hard way.) The $400 quilt -- at a time when that amount represented far more than it sounds -- has octupled in value, while the $25 stained quilt top is still worth...well, $25.

*Thrift shop clothes -- within certain limits. I would much rather spend a little more at the thrift shop on a classic wool sweater, than spend less on that season's quickie version at a department store. Why? Because when winter ends, the classic piece is ready to store for next season -- while the quickie is shapeless and pilling. Look for good labels (L.L. Bean, for example), good workmanship, good condition. If it's worn well for them (the donor), it will keep doing it for you.

*Museum admission, a last-minute tour...when you're at the destination you've always dreamed of visiting. Don't talk yourself out of stopping at that little cafe, or taking even a quickie visit to the local museum or cathedral or WHATEVER, on the grounds it's extra money, or time, or effort. Do it. You may never go there again...and the extra you spend will be nothing in the overall scheme of things.
I will never regret the long, hot walk we took for a brief look at one of the ceremonial wells at Chichen Itza. Our schedule was limited, it would have been more fun to drink lemonade at the restaurant, and at the time, I wanted to do anything but trudge down yet another dusty trail. I'd read about maidens being sacrificed to the greenish depths back in elementary school...looking at that spooky place was like becoming a child again.

Now it's your turn. What things do you believe are worth extra?

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Want to Learn How to Date and Restore Quilts?

This may be your final chance to attend a Quilt Restoration workshop taught by Nancy Kirk, one of the greats in the quilt restoration field...and getting ready to retire. Yours truly will be co-teaching.

The workshops are in Omaha, NE:
Beginning quilt restoration Sept. 23-24
Advanced quilt restoration Sept. 26-27

with a field trip to the International Quilt Study Center (always worth a visit!) Sept. 25.

Fees are extremely reasonable, and you'll come away from this with a remarkable set of skills for repairing and restoring not only your own quilts -- but with a start toward doing it as a business -- something that's desperately needed in many areas. Promise.

Two half-scholarships are mentioned on the website as still available, too...

Find out more at the Quilt Restoration site. Or ask if you've got a question.

* * * *

I spent much of today out and about with an appraisal client, so didn't get much done at home. This week, I have several irons in the fire that must be drawn out...but I'll be around.

Monday Stuff On the way to Other Stuff: Meltdown

     The nice thing about Colorado is that we have these horrendous snowstorms -- and within a few days, they're melting off -- fast. Al...