Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Tired...But Home

Got back home from the Cheyenne gig late Sunday afternoon -- just in time to miss the crowd streaming into the Broncos game at Mile High. Blustery winds made the trip home, pulling the trailer, interesting. The Brick is an expert driver, though, so it wasn't bad. 

I love coming to Cheyenne for the Heritage Quilters show! These women have won my heart over the years, and I've grown very fond of them. 

Their quilts are wonderful, too. (You'll see some of these later in the week.)

Monday Stuff is a little sparse this time...but I promise I'll make it up to you.

Before and after moments of Pulitzer prizewinning photos.  (From EBaums World)

"Why we are not poor."  (From My Abundant Life)

Lemon butter -- six minutes in the microwave, and you've got this canny sister to lemon curd. Wonderful on toast and ini tarts. (From My Abundant Life)

A very cool (and easy) way to sew circles and curved seam designs...with coffee filters! (From Quilterwoman)

The Benjamin Harrison campaign quilt went for only $1200.  A real steal.

Food for a crowd -- 26 people.  (From Moneysaving Mom)

How you fish in British Columbia -- if you're a native.  (From Travel with Kevin and Ruth, who are currently driving through). Also:

Forest fires and a little-too-friendly visit from a bear.


More, after I unpack, do some wash and start getting last week's appraisal reports fleshed out. 

Have a great week yourself.


Update: Did the Broncos win? Naaahhhh...lost by one point to da Bears.

Thanks, Pinterest

Is Fall On Its Way?

     Just getting ready to leave for home... in our new home. 

We brought the trailer up to Cheyenne this week. I was working, and it was a perfect time to test-run the water systems. (Including die toiletten.) I am happy to report that, thanks to the Brick's hard work and repairs, everything ran just fine.
     He did discover that our sensors weren't operating properly. In other words, once tanks are (er) 'full,' we have no way of knowing it. That's next on the repair list, I guess.

He continues to feel better, though was wiped out yesterday. It was a long day for me, too -- but the Cheyenne guild people are now friends, as well as clients. Long days -- but productive ones. 

Blustery winds and rain have alternated with sun yesterday and today... it feels and looks like colder weather. We're staying at Sue and Marv's place, with a large hill looming out behind us, grass ruffling. Plains stretch out for miles in the other direction, with the lights of Cheyenne twinkling in the distance. 
      The winds are banging against the trailer, warning that more rain is on its way. Fall, are you coming early this year? 

A little gloomy out, too...

Geese have already begun migrating...and I haven't heard much from our local hummingbirds. They generally leave around Labor Day, so that's early, too. 

I haven't seen our main harbinger of fall yet -- the green chili vendors who start roasting their wares on Federal in Denver. Once that warm, flavorful smell hits, you know that autumn is here.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

    The Mama's 81st birthday is today. 

She went to supper at Brother's house. When she got home, she saw this by her back door:

Then, inside the house:

80 balloons inside -- plus the one by the back door. Oh my.


What a wonderful surprise, thanks to a whole bunch of cousins: Joy, Joanie and the Potters. You guys are great! 


Happy Birthday, Mom. Much love to you.

One More Day...

I'm tired.

Tomorrow starts work at the Cheyenne Heritage Quilters's show.

Meanwhile, we took Daughter #2 and Son #1 to the airport, at a feather-ruffling 5:30 a.m., to catch a flight. We have to go back and pick up friends tonight, around 10:30 p.m...after taking them to the airport a week ago. Another friend got a ride to the airport, for her father's funeral.
    DIA should be giving us credits every time we drive in there...which will be next week again, to pick up Daughter and Son.

The Brick is out working on the trailer. He's already fixed the water system, and the electrical system is in progress. I need to get out there, put away groceries and make the bed.

He is doing much better, but gets tired fast. I don't blame him. This has been a horrendous six weeks for him. But at least the surgeon gave him a clean bill of health yesterday...the surgeon said his gallbladder hadn't been working for some time, anyways -- so having it (and his appendix) gone was a big step forward for his health.

A huge batch of appraisals have gone on their merry way. A few more must be finished before we leave. (I already know I have two big reports to finish off -- and after Saturday, I'll have two full days of appraisals to send out from the show.)

 One more check on The Book, and a final signoff. Starting to pick up readings and book signings...which is great.

It's raining and thundering like crazy -- the first substantial storm we've gotten in a few weeks. Charley and Ruby hate it, and are hiding under the table Apparently Mom Will Save Them.

And here I am, dirty dishes in the sink, clothes to wash, errands to do (no milk in the fridge, after all)...

    ....and wishing I could run away from home. 

The Brick said he'd join me.  I know -- we'll take the trailer and the dogs, and we'll head for Cheyenne.

Tomorrow.

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Cheyenne... And Updates

Chugging along.

The Brick is finally starting to act like his old self again, cracking jokes and spending a lot of time on the trailer. He's already fixed several problems, including water pipes that had frozen and cracked before we purchased it. He also fixed the washer (inside the house), and is currently tinkering with the electrical system (on the trailer). He loves doing this kind of work -- and is good at it. (He was in charge of his electrical shop when he was in the Navy.) What a guy -- I'm lucky to have him in my life. 

We've both had some struggles with allergies. (So has Charley the dog, quite frankly.) There's certainly plenty of work to take care of -- the Brick is increasingly picking up his share, but still gets tired quickly and has to rest. I understand that. 

This week, I'll be judging and appraising at the Cheyenne Heritage Quilters' annual show, in (where else) Cheyenne, WY. The show runs Aug. 16-18... if you're in the area, plan on stopping by. Go here for location and times, as well as more information.

I've had a long and memorable relationship with these quilters...and have become very fond of them. Looking forward to it!

An unusual quilt story -- revolving around an early handkerchief!  (From Civil War Quilts)

Six movies that exploited sets and props from... other movies!  Did you think Indiana Jones and Das Boot, or Star Trek and Andy Griffith, fit together? You will, after this.  (From Cracked) Also from them:

Seven musicians who stole their hits (or at least big chunks of them) from someone else. And actually got away with it a good percentage of the time.

Avid can and trash collector -- secret New York City millionaire.

Magazines are in trouble... even the big splashy ones like Vogue. This has been getting gradually worse over the years -- and won't be stopping anytime soon, either.

Chocolate cheesecake -- sound good? (It was, made for Daughter #1's birthday. From Kraft)

The $25 purchase that made all the difference in a rental kitchen.  (From Kitchn)

Handed-down recipes that are winners. Including (of course) cabbage rolls!  (From Taste of Home)

Ten treasures found by accident:

Plus:

Ten lucky discoveries by people that made them rich:

"What's the most insensitive thing you've seen a tourist do?" Some illuminating answers via Reddit -- and not all the tourists are Americans, either. (Though we seem to grow our share of morons.) My favorites were during college years, when I was living in Vienna, Austria with my cousins: loud guys in equally loud shorts, cameras across their chests...certain that they were 'blending in.'

Ten actors who regret their iconic roles. Sean Connery...and James Bond? Yup. (From Suggest)

A fire in Ireland reveals a long-hidden WWII pilot sign.  (From Newser)

Seven small frugal ideas that pay off -- big.  (From Money Beagle)

Cattle make a citizen's arrest! That'll teach a carjacking suspect to run through their field.
    I grew up on a farm with 'feeder' cattle, raised for meat. They're incredibly curious creatures. If you lie down and wait, they'll eventually gather around you: 'Whatcha doin'?'

Movie set extras whose antics changed the whole scene.  (From Grunge)

"Box of memories:" a wistful look back -- including textiles. (From Diary of A Stay-At-Home Mom)

The best way to freeze zucchini... and use it afterwards.  We just got given several large ones... (From Living Life in Rural Iowa)

And in keeping with my current mood: a very feisty version of "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by the band Precocious --

And the originals, of course --

Have a great week. Stop by and see the Cheyenne quilt show -- it's bound to be terrific!

Hooray! Uhhh...Wait A Minute

    Patchwork is hitting fashion again this season! 


The latest issue of Oprah shows this:




Gentle Readers, you got that right. A miniskirt, stitched from a crazy quilt, is strutting down the runway, courtesy of Christian Dior.

I'm glad to see that patchwork is getting the artistic recognition it deserves. It must be...even the guy featured in a "Crazy Rich Asian" documentary is wearing a patchwork blazer. (His has comic book influences on it, too.)

Cool... oh, wait.

If you've hung around this blog at all, you probably know that I wrote a book on Crazy quilts: their history, why they became trendy... and yes, how to make one, using several different methods. 





I have a great respect for Crazies. They've survived a lot, including the killer blow of weighted silks, which made many Crazies far too fragile to survive intact.. 

Now take a look at the skirt again:



Not only is the model wearing a Crazy remnant... I'm pretty sure it's an antique Crazy.

Which means an old quilt (or top) gave up its life for this skirt. Which drives me a little nuts, anyways, particularly when it's for no good reason.

Not only that -- this skirt is bound to include weighted silks, which are apt to shred and shatter with any repeated pressure, or exposure to wind, rain, etc. 

What do you think the backside of this skirt is going to look like, once its wearer has sat down in it several times? 

It's not going to be pretty.

What a waste, Christian Dior. Show some respect for the art form. At least make up a modern Crazy-patched panels to cut the skirts from, instead! 

Own An Unusual Piece of Textile History

An 1888 Benjamin Harrison campaign quilt is up for sale on Ebay.

Here's the basic info:


1888 Presidential Campaign Quilt "For President Benjamin Harrison / For Vice President Levi Morton" & "Protection" 
c. 1888 Presidential Campaign, Benjamin Harrison and Levi Morton Portrait Quilt, Legend "Protection" and "For President Benjamin Harrison / For Vice President Levi P. Morton", Similar to "Threads of History" Illustration number 607, page 263, Very Fine. 
This original Hand-sewn Quilt Cover measures about 81.5" x 67.75" having a red, white and blue checkerboard pattern which surrounds a Hand-sewn in 23" x 22" Bandanna with the Presidential Political Campaign Slogan, "Protection" against patriotic red and white stars and stripes, surrounded by "For President Benjamin Harrison / For Vice President Levi P. Morton". The blue has faded, small stain at bottom of bandanna. Round Portraits of both Harrison and Morton placed in opposite corners. Similar to an example listed and illustrated as number 607 seen on page 263 of the Smithsonian's major reference titled, "Threads of History". A nice example allowing you to actually snuggle up with Benjamin Harrison and Levi Morton! 

Scrappy quilts, featuring a political message in the middle (usually a bandanna or handkerchief), were very popular during this period. This quilt isn't what I'd call a scrap quilt, since the colors are carefully arranged, and the fabrics seem to be consistent. It's quite wonderful, nonetheless.

     More about politics in cloth here.  

    Another look at the subject, including the 'I LIke Ike' dress and umbrella shown below, from the Eisenhower campaign of 1952

Photos from the Blogarama post -- click on the link above

Early American History Auctions is offering this piece via live auction. You've got eight days to set up an account and bid. (They're valuing it at $1500-2000 which, in my opinion, is WAY too low. Starting bid is $900.) Click here for more. 

Update: it only sold for $1200. Someone got a bargain!