Candace Kling - A Master in Ribbon Art

Just a reminder to you all that Candace Kling will be coming again this fall and will have more of her beautiful techniques to teach us. The kids will be back in school and the weather will still be pleasant here in CT. There are five full days of workshops scheduled, but you will have the choice of taking 2, 3 or 5 of those days. Please visit the website I have set up for everything you need to know about these workshops and visit her website to get an in-depth view of her talents. Everything Candace teaches can be applied to Crazy Quilting. She teaches the techniques in larger sizes than you may need but this is to give you the ease and knowledge of manipulating the ribbon, fabric, etc. Most things can then be reduced in size by you to incorporate into your projects. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn from the best.

So Proud of Lauren

 

It's a natural thing for Grandmas to brag about their Grandchildren. I don't do it often, however, as I'm afraid it will become tedious. I couldn't believe how well written and imaginative a twelve year old can be until I read this paper Lauren wrote for school homework. Please read it and you will see why I'm so proud of her.

 

Tweet! The Game is in action and Emma passes the ball to me right away.

Take a deep breath.

I hear the “poof” of the ball, yellow as a highlighter, as it lands smack in the pocket of my lacrosse stick like an angry ram running into a wall. I run as fast as lightning into the fan only to find that I have lost my defender and that two new defenders had their sticks blocking my path to the goal like their life depended on it. I feel like SCREAMING. My heart is racing like a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

Take a deep breath.

I run my hand up my stick and feel the soft metal it’s shaft is made of. For an instant all I hear is the spring breeze rustling in the trees but then I hear coach yelling to me- the same thing repeatedly. “Give and go!” Then it struck me- I reeled around in my tracks and saw Mary, our best middy wide open! I practically catapult the ball her way and cut back to Mary to get the ball right back. The ball soars through the air like a bullet and into my stick in a flash. It’s all up to me now- will I score the point?

Take a deep breath.

I bite down hard on my rubbery mouth guard and taste its plastic flavoring, bitter as a lemon on my poor tongue. I step forward in front of the goal and bring my stick down hard like I was punching air in the face. The ball bounces once, hits the goalie in the shoulder, and…

GOES IN!!!

I open my eyes wide like a bug and look into the evening sky, pink as cotton candy. Instantaneously, my team gathers around me- all smiles and full of high fives. Another point for Junior Division Green Machine.

A Portrait of Gracie

As a crazy quilter, I have collected quite a few buttons . None have ever meant so much to me as the one Gerry Krueger painted of my sweet little Gracie. She gave it to me as a surprise at the Adventure in Crazy Quilting. Isn't it wonderful? Thank you so much Gerry! Please visit Gerry's blog and her Etsy shop site to see her lovely crazy quilting and more of her fabulous buttons.

Shown enlarged – is actually about 1 1/4” in diameter.

New Additions to My Vintage Stash

Shirlee and I had a great day yesterday at the Vintage Fashion and Textile Show at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge MA. This show is held three times during the summer and always kicks off the week for the world famous Brimfield Flea Market. The textile show is a treasure trove of vintage and antique embellishments for the crazy quilter. Of course, most people don't go with crazy quilting in mind but there's so much there to see that I just zero in on that. Here is a photo of the things I found. Lace is usually my goal but it's getting to be more unlikely to find at a reasonable price and I had such a good time just ignoring it and trying to focus on other doodads for a change. Other than privately advertising that I'm looking for antique lace, buttons, trims, etc., this is the best source I've found. Jim and I are planning a day at the flea market this week.....it's always a fun time and I know I'll probably run into Shirlee there. I usually do.

The ribbon chatelaine shown here was another find at the show. I bought it for the bone rings but now I find I like it way too much to take it apart. It still has a needle book attached with the needles still waiting for someone to come back.