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!

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.

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.

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!

Treasures Lost... Treasures Found

I just couldn't resist passing on these insanely cool true stories...

Six people who stumbled across a fortune

and

Six treasures worth looking for!