A Tree Grows in...

Here is the piece I just finished for the Breaking Traditions Art Quilt Exhibit at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan. The show is September 26-28 at the Rock Financial Center. Last year, Family Values: Nursing Mom was in the show. This year, the show is a little different. All the pieces will be the same size and hung next to each other to create the illusion of one giant quilt. Pretty cool. And, the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society in conjunction with Fiber Art for a Cause.


Here is a silk ribbon butterfly.

A silk ribbon flower and a leaf turning colors.
More silk ribbon flowers.

The silk ribbon came from Nicholas Kniel's shop, always an exciting and pleasant adventure. The flowers are in his book, which is to die for. It has directions for all sorts of incredible ribbon flowers. The trunk is a bunch of different kinds of yarn couched to the background of hand-dyed blue fabric.

Now if I can figure out how to ship it without the flowers being crushed.

The theme this year is Celebrating Care Givers. Trees provide many of the same things care givers do. They provide shelter, life giving oxygen, shade, fruit, and beauty. The one turning leaf represents all of the care givers who give all of themselves. So many care givers give so much, that they neglect their own needs. The butterfly represents hospice. Well, I am still working on the artist statement.

And here is a picture of Amy.

The Second Week of School Plans

Dinner:
Sunday: Salmon on the grill, salad
Monday: Barbecue beef in the crock pot
Tuesday: Pick up Wendy's on the way home
Wednesday: Grilled chicken salad
Thursday: Baked Ziti
Friday: Eat out
Saturday: Baked chicken

To Accomplish:
Monday: At school early to watch first GT class, EK dentist
Tuesday: HTMS PTA meeting and Open House, DK NC
Thursday: EK Soccer, TES PTA meeting and Open House

A little bit of nothing

So I was back at work all week. I really like teaching high school math, but I also loved being home all the time, but I really love saving money for college tuitions and retirement, but getting six people out of the house in the mornings is hard, but... Well, I could go on forever. It is what it is.

I have been walking 5-6 days a week. It feels really great. I have dropped about 10 lbs in the last month. I am also doing the 8 Minutes in the Morning by Jorge Cruise. It is quick, easy, and a good work out. I definitely see the difference.

With my daughter having celiac disease and my oldest having high cholesterol, we have really had to change how we eat. Having a plan for the week is helping there. Part of the problem is that Alex cannot lose any weight. Most people, when they lower their cholesterol, also need to lose weight. If anything, Alex could afford to gain a few pounds. We are working at it. Reading the chapter in the You the Owners Manual was very helpful to both of us. When we went shopping for lunches today, he picked out turkey hot dogs, Sun Chips, and low fat yogurt. I was proud of him for being able to do that.

School starts tomorrow. I better pack back packs and lunches. Have a great week!

Next Week's Plan

Well, this week went pretty well. I got all of the reading done, and none of the sewing or yard work. Oh well.

Dinner plans:
Sunday: Baked chicken, potatoes on the grill, apple slices
Monday: Crockpot turkey chili
Tuesday: Fresh tomato spaghetti
Wednesday: Salmon, salad
Thursday: Chicken Salad
Friday: Grilled chicken salad
Saturday: Turkey burgers

To Accomplish:
Finish Tree Wall Hanging
Mail Tree Wall Hanging to Breaking Traditions
Frame bird picture
Attend FAF
All kids and mom have a successful first week of school

Planning this week

Dinners
Sunday--turkey burgers, grilled potatoes, salad
Monday--fresh tomatoes on spaghetti
Tuesday--grilled chicken salad
Wednesday--grilled salmon, green beans, baked potatoes
Thursday--turkey chili in the crock pot, frozen veggies, salad
Friday--fruit, cheese, crackers, salad
Saturday--tuna salad over mixed greens

Things to accomplish

• ribbon flowers for tree
• read 1st chapter of Elegant Universe
• finish The Mysterious Benedict Society
• read first chapter of You the Owners Manual and discuss with Alex
  
• first lesson in Latin
  
• get one beaded jewelry book and supplies to make a project
• get bird picture framed
• weed bed at end of driveway

Tomorrow is the day

I go back to work tomorrow. I had so much fun being home this summer. We played. We learned. We went to the beach. We did some art. We spent a lot of time in doctors' offices and waiting for test results. We are still waiting for some test results. We also got organized so that this school year should go more smoothly.

This week, Dave is home with the kids while I go to pre-planning. This semester, I am only teaching one new class, AP Calculus AB, and I have a lot of help with that one. I am also teaching geometry, but I did that last semester and feel pretty good about it. I have made some changes in how I will teach it based on last semester's results.

I am going to try to keep up with my art and my blog this year. I missed doing art last year, and I think my life suffered a bit because of it. My art plans include:

• Finishing my tree piece for Breaking Traditions
• Learning to make beaded jewelry
• Making fiber books
• Doing an exploration of 3-D fiber art to prepare for next year's Fiber Art Fusion show.

I have the kids' afterschooling plans made out.

Alex

• Latina Christiana I
• You The Owners Manual by Dr. Oz and Dr. Rosien
  
• History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer
• Classical Writing Aesop using the older beginner's workbook

Ed

• Prima Latina
• Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer and supplemental books
• Classical Writing Aesop and the workbook
• Copywork based on Barak Obama speeches

Amy

• Get Ready for the Code
• Counting lots of stuff

Sam just gets lots of hugs and stories read to him.

I will try not to fall off the face of the earth again. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I go into this next school year.

The Fiber Art Fusion Show

Here is a post that Virginia Greaves did about our Fiber Art Fusion Show.

What Fun!

Yesterday I got to help hang Fiber Art Fusion's show at The Art Place gallery in Marietta, Georgia. The title of the show is Transformations. There are some incredible pieces at the show. It will be up until August 22. If you are in the area, stop by. I have three small pieces in the show, and one that my geometry classes made.

New Work and the Kids

Here is a 4x6 piece I did. You cannot see it very well, but there is a map of Europe stamped on the lutridor. The charms are stamps on shrink plastic.


And here are my two youngest children.

Gifts from Margaret

Here are pictures of my wonderful gifts from Margaret. Thank you very much. After I post this, I am going to add beads to something...

Another 5x7 and a Trip to Margaret's House

Well, blogger won't let me upload any pictures right now. Suffice it to say, I worked on another 5x7, and I was going to show it to you.

My three youngest and I visited my friend Margaret this morning. I wish I could point you to a site with Margaret's beautiful work on it, but I don't think her work is on the internet anywhere. Margaret, we need to fix this problem. Margaret does the most exquisite bead work and crazy quilting. She is an important and integral part of Fiber Art Fusion. And she is one of the most generous people you could ever meet.

I mentioned in an email that I wanted to go bead shopping and asked for suggestions for bead stores. Margaret invited me over to shop in her home. (I would love to show you pictures of the beautiful beads Margaret gave me, but blogger won't let me.) Not only did she give me beautiful beads, she also gave me some sweet little ceramic pots, and some gorgeous velvet that Nicholas Kneil had given her. (And in my mind, it is leftovers from some beautiful designer gown that Nicholas was involved in making. Probably not, but I can pretend...)

Margaret also entertained my children with matchbox cars, colored pencils, an electric pencil sharpener (Sam is finally clean, Margaret,) and Mardi Gras beads. We have all been wearing bead necklaces all day.

So thank you a million times Miss Margaret. You are one sweet, classy, and wonderful lady!

Abstract??

At Fiber Art Fusion, a friend said she was going to try to work in non-abstract (I know there is a word, but it is escaping me) for a change. Well, I decided to try something more abstract. So I am trying some 5x7 pieces with different techniques. On this one, I just sewed various blue-green fibers onto a black piece of fabric. The black fabric was fused to a piece of interfacing to facilitate sewing. I used invisible thread and my darning foot with a small zigzag stitch. Then I fused it to a piece of Peltex for stability. Here is a close-up shot.


I think this could make a good ocean background. I was going to add some shells, but I really like it the way it is.

Chicken Mummy Day 1

Here is our chicken mummy on day 1. I hope this works and doesn't just make a smelly mess. So far, we washed him, put him in a plastic bag, and covered and filled him with salt. Then we washed our hands really well. Ed, Amy, and Sam are involved so far. I think Alex will get in on it before the end.

Next step in our history study is to put a time line up. I am trying to figure out the best place. I think we will use the upstairs hallway. If anyone has done this, please let me know how long your time line was, and if you did all time on it, or divided it up by what you were studying. I know I cannot put Big Bang on one end and today on the other and just divide time because everything would happen in the last few inches. I was thinking of starting around 7000 BC and going to now, and put an arrow on the end saying 5 miles to the beginning of time or something like that. Any opinions?

Another day, another appointment

Now that I am teaching, I make a lot of doctor and dentist appointments for the summer. Today I took my oldest to the dentist. I just realized that on all the millions of forms I had to sign, I put yesterday's date. Ugh. At least they let me fill out all the paper work for the middle two who go in 11 days today. (Or yesterday, I guess.)

I ran two miles the morning. Well, I walked about 1/4 of one mile up hill. Those hills are killing me. Tomorrow I am going to add in some distance.

Today, I am going to work on a 5x7 piece for the Fiber Art Fusion show at The Art Place on Sandy Plains Road.

Fractured Quilt

Last night at Fiber Art Fusion, we had a new member. He has just moved here from Northern California. (He told me the town, and now I can only remember that it was 2 hours north of San Francisco.) Anyway, he and I were talking about doing a fractured quilt. So if any of you Fiber Art Fusion ladies are reading this, think about it. He said we could just do one with the two of us if no one else is interested.

One of the things I teach in geometry and algebra is proportions. To hook the kids on the first day, I do a fractured artwork piece with them. This first one is of a Picasso. It was done by my Algebra I students.

This second one was done by my geometry students. It is an Ellis Wilson print.

Thunderstorms

When we were in Florida, there were storms almost every day. Now that we are back home, the same phenomenon is happening here. Just as Dave and Alex were going out to play tennis last night, a nasty storm came in. We were even under a severe thunderstorm warning for a while.

Tonight is my Fiber Art Fusion meeting. I have to remember to attend the meeting. Actually, remembering to attend is not the problem. It is remembering where the meeting is located that is that problem.

Off to work on the round robin piece for this month. One of these days I am going to work on it in advance...

P.S. I ran again this morning.

Monday Monday

Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying being home for the summer? I really enjoyed teaching, but I am having fun relaxing with my kids, too. And I found the Natural Market today which has the mother lode of gluten free food. Even chicken nuggets. Yipee!

First some beach pictures...
Here is Sam on the beach his first day. He is running from the ocean. By the end of the two weeks he was running towards the ocean.


Amy loved the ocean from minute one. She loves boogie boarding and being out with the big kids, hence the life jacket.

This is Ed and his sand Sphinx. (I bought the chicken and salt for the chicken mummy today...)

Alex and his sand structure.

So before noon today, I managed to run two miles (well, I probably walked about 2/3 of a mile during it,) drop off a check at the sitter's, go to the bank, go to two grocery stores, and feed everyone lunch. This afternoon, the other calculus teacher came over and we set up a time line for the course. And now I am thinking about dinner. What should we have?

Oh, and if anyone runs, can you please tell me, am I going to start loving it soon? I did use the time to think about a lot of things. I had a little panic attack about calculus, but I am now over it. (It comes back, though, every once in a while.)

The part that makes me the most nervous about teaching is finding a way to fit everything in before the test. In Georgia, End Of Course Tests are given with about two weeks left in the semester. Considering the semester is 18 weeks long, and we lose about a week to other school activities, I have 15 weeks to teach 12 chapters of Geometry or Algebra I or whatever before that EOCT. We teach calculus year round, so I do have plenty of time for it. We plan to finish new material before spring break, and take the time after spring break to review for the early May AP (Advanced Placement) Exam. In geometry, I have to do a section a day to have any hope of keeping up. In calculus, I can take a couple of days per section and still have plenty of time to review. I am feeling better about it every day.

Fort Pierce

I just got back from two weeks in Fort Pierce, Florida. We stayed in my sister's beach front condo. I'll post some pictures soon. I am trying not to fall back off the face of the earth. But, we don't have internet access at the condo. My husband did go into town to the Panera to do some work one day and use their Wifi. However, I didn't think it would be nice to take my gluten free child to Panera, so I didn't go.

Right before I left, I finished the t-shirt quilt. I forgot to take a picture before I delivered it. But, it went to the home of a professional photographer, so I am going to ask for a picture of it. Do you think that would be ok?

I got interviewed for an article for the Atlanta paper, but I was not mentioned. Oh well.

I am up to running a mile now. I want to be to three before school starts in the middle of August. It is hot, though. Right now, I run the first mile, walk 5 minutes, run another 5 minutes, walk 5 minutes, etc. until I have gone three miles.

I am currently reading The History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer. I am reading the children's version, Story of the World, to my seven year old. We are both learning a lot. He is fascinated by ancient Egypt. I can see a chicken mummy showing up in my life this week. He made the Sphinx out of sand at the beach.

I finished the calculus class. I am amazed at how much calculus I remember, and was surprised at how much you can do on a graphing calculator. Wow!

Quick Note

I am taking a class about teaching AP Calculus this week. The first couple of days were pretty boring, but it has picked up as the week has gone on.

I quilted the t-shirt quilt last night. I will do the binding tonight. Then I will wash it, take pictures, and deliver it. YIPPEE!!

Today at the quilt store

I decided that I didn't have enough of the fusible interfacing for the t-shirt quilt. So I did a "quick" run into Tiny Stitches. Did I say quick? Well, my good friend Sharon was working. I haven't seen Sharon in a while, so I had to talk with her. And then I fell in love with this line of fabric and had to get a couple of yards. I have no idea what I am going to do with it, but I like it.

When I got back, I got the mail. Our Latin curricula had arrived. We are all so excited to be starting Latin. Ed says we are going to sit around talking Latin so Dad cannot understand us. So far we have learned Hello is Salve, when you are talking to one person and Salvete when you are talking to more than one person. So I guess Caesar Augustus would say to the Senate, Salvete. Or maybe not.
And this is Amy eating her gluten-free waffle. They are kind of saw dust-esque. I need to go to the natural foods store to get some stuff for her.

Yesterday didn't turn out as I had hoped

In the morning, I got a call from the kids' pediatrician. My daughter has Celiac Disease. This means she cannot eat gluten. Ever. Gluten is in everything. Everything. Ok, not everything, but a lot of stuff you wouldn't think about. Needless to say, it kind of threw me for a little while.

I did get the t-shirts cut out. I did not get them fused. That will happen today.

I didn't get to use the moon button. Maybe today...

A New Day

I just finished my workout. I did a half hour of step aerobics to General Hospital. I can almost get all of General Hospital watched in a half hour.

Today I am going to do all the cutting and fusing for a t-shirt quilt. I don't really enjoy these, but this one is for a graduating senior who has been influential (in a great way) on the lives of my children. She saw another one that I did, and she thought it was more interesting than other ones she has seen. (She liked the lack of blank space.) So I said I would make it. And her mom is paying me, which will offset the writing curricula I am buying for the kids.

After I get the cutting and fusing done, I have this white button that has been sitting by my desk for a few days that is just asking to become a moon. So I am going to start a piece where it can be the moon. So here's hoping that whatever top it is from never needs its spare button...

It has been forever

I finally finished something. My fiber arts group, Fiber Art Fusion, is having a show at the end of July. I finished my piece for it yesterday. And, Dave found the digital camera, so I could take pictures of it. It is a little accordion fold book. The theme of the show is Transformation. I took all of the same shapes, the house and the moon, and made them with different colors, textures, and put them in different places. In math, a transformation is when you move a thing to a new place. So it is kind of a geometry thing, too, since that is what I taught this year. The original idea for these little house pictures came from Deborah Boschert's book, Small Art Quilts, Creating a Series.

9 x 12 Round Robin

Fiber Art Fusion is having a 9 x 12 Round Robin. 12 of us created a 9 x 12 base from which to start. Each month it visits a new person. That person will embellish the piece. The next month it will move on to the next person. Next January, we will have our finished pieces. It should be a lot of fun. I won't get to post pictures in progress, though, because we are trying to keep them a secret from their original owner. So here is mine at the beginning. We'll see what we get in a year...
I made this little journal to travel with the piece so people could write their thoughts.

Amazing Race Birthday Party

Today, my Ed turned seven years old. Wow. That is hard to believe. He is my second child. (My first will be 13 in a couple of month. How did that happen?) We had 5 of his friends over for a birthday party today. We did our own Amazing Race. Each child was given a Magic Tree House reference book about space, and a map of the house with different rooms labeled the names of the planets, Pluto, and the Moon. (Some of the planets were outside, too.) Anyway, they were given clues and had to figure out using their books which planet they were supposed to visit next. Some of the planets had tasks for them to do, like bowl three frames of Wii bowling, or do 10 sit-ups. They all had a blast. One of the teams could read much better than the other teams, and they won. I did follow one team around so I could help them with their reading. But really, they all had a lot of fun. And, of course, no one was ready to leave when their mom came. And one mom said, "Leave it to Julie to have a birthday party game that requires reading!"

Here is a picture of my kids a the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

It is 2008

Wow. I cannot believe it is 2008. I started thinking of my accomplishments of 2007, and I think I had a decent year. I sold a house, got a job, got accepted into a teacher certification program, and had two quilts hang in shows for the first time ever. I made it through my first semester of teaching high school, and had the highest End of Course Test average of all of the Algebra I teachers in my school. I also sent out Christmas cards this year, which I never managed to do last year. (Well, they went out yesterday, so I guess they are New Years cards.)

This year my goal is to be more organized. I hope I can manage it.

Happy New Year!

Last Night at Fiber Art Fusion...

Last night at Fiber Art Fusion we did a 5x7 fiber art exchange. What a blast. First of all, everything was incredible. There were so many different techniques and fibers and... Everything was unique. Anyway, I had a great time. Here is the piece I made for the exchange. It went home with my friend Heidi, who does incredible work herself.


Here is the piece that came home with me. It was made by Hellenne Vermillion. I love it, and it is already displayed in my home.

Oh well, life goes on...

Alex did not get a part in Seussical. He was relieved, but a little sad. Anyway, he has moved on to other things, such as learning tennis from his dad.

I had a great time at Fiber Art Fusion Tuesday night. I just love getting together with those wonderful and creative women. My friend Heidi Miracle-McMahill is going to be in a art show on Sunday and I am very excited about seeing her. She had these incredible felted vessels at the meeting and I am going to buy a few.

I am also hoping to go to the open house at Shades Textiles this weekend. The whole artist colony behind the bowling alley in SoLoNoDo (south of the loop, north of Dobbins, according to Stacy Michell) is having an open house, so I am hoping to see some really great things.

Well, that is all for now.

The Ballet Mothers' Guild Changes Names

When we were growing up, my sisters and I all took ballet classes. Each year, for many years, we were in a local production of The Nutcracker. My parents volunteered for the production--my dad worked on the sets and helped run the production back stage. My mom sewed many costumes. One year, my dad even recruited my grandpa to help back stage. They needed someone to work the pulley to make the tree grow.

For some reason, the group of moms meeting about the production needed a name, and they were called The Ballet Mothers' Guild. Well, my mom was a college professor. She did not have a lot of spare time on her hands. Not that my dad did, either. So they split all of these parenting things pretty much down the middle. So my dad started attending the Ballet Mothers' Guild meetings. And it brought about the name change. It was changed to the Ballet Parents' Guild. And suddenly, a lot more dads started attending. My parents were pioneers.

Since I went back to work, my husband has been doing a lot more of the parenting things. He has taken kids for check-ups. He attends things at school when I cannot. (Although I must say my supervisors are very good at making sure I can attend many school functions.) While I don't think he will be making any costumes for Seussical, (if Alex has a part because he didn't check today,) I know he will volunteer in some way or another. Especially since it is in between soccer seasons.

Postcard from my dyed fabric

Here is a postcard I made from the fabric I dyed a couple of weeks ago. I am sending it to the woman who taught the class. Since the fabric must cure for at least 12 hours, she doesn't get to see the results. So I thought I would send her a small sample of the results. The buttons are from the sewing table of my great-grandmother. I found all sorts of goodies in the drawers. I have decided to use them instead of store them.

We are still waiting to hear about the Seussical part. We should know tomorrow. However, there were 7 boys at callbacks, and there are 7 boy parts in the show, so I think the odds are in his favor.

The last pair of first shoes

I bought my last pair of first shoes today. I took Sam to Stride Rite and got him his first pair of shoes. And I didn't get the standard white baby shoes this time. I got him cool looking blue ones. I didn't think I would feel sentimental about this purchase, but I do. I still have each of my children's first pair of shoes. I have always planned to get them bronzed like my mom did with mine. So when Sam outgrows these, I'll have to find a place that does that. My mom has ours on display at her house. She also has her own bronzed first shoes.

It made me start thinking about everyone's first steps, too. Alex took his at the zoo. Ed took his in our family room at our old house. Amy took hers at the aquarium. Sam will be taking his in about a month or so. Maybe he will wait until Christmas so my parents and sisters can see him do it. My kids are all late walkers. But so was I. My first shoes are much bigger than my sisters' first shoes. My baby sister walked at exactly 10 months on my mom's birthday. I didn't walk until I was 15 months.

Go Dog Go

When I was little, my dad was in graduate school. My mom finished grad school before I was born, but it really leaves you with a certain mentality. The mentality that you must cite EVERYTHING! So when my parents would read me books they would state the author's name along with the title. After all, they needed to cite who wrote the book. It is a tradition that has stuck with our family. So my kids know that Mary Pope Osborne writes The Magic Tree House books. When we were at Borders the other day to get a new book in the Boneville series, they knew that Jeff Smith was the author/illustrator.

Anyway, I was reading a post on a forum about children's books, and I knew immediately that Go Dog Go was by PD Eastman, not Dr. Seuss! (Do you like my hat? Yes, I LOVE that party hat. Goodbye. Goodbye.)

By the way, if you read this before tomorrow afternoon, please think good thoughts for my son Alex as he goes to call backs for Seussical, Jr. It is his first time trying out for anything like this, and I am so excited for him.

Funny thing at school...

The school choir went to a nursing home to perform this week. It had a profound effect on a few of my students, which I thought was cool. Anyway, two of them returned to my last class of the day singing. It started with "I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone." So I sang along. Imagine their surprise that the algebra teacher knew the words to this song. Then they went into "Bridge Over Troubled Water," another song I know. After a few more songs, I finally realized that they had no idea that these had been popular songs in the 70's. At least they knew the Beatles sang "Let it Be." And I totally impressed them with knowing that the Fugees remade "Killing Me Softly" and I could sing it like the Fugees. (One of the saddest things about Howard Dean not becoming president was that he was going to make an executive order for the Fugees to start performing together again!)

Fabric Dyeing Class

I took a wonderful fabric dyeing class from Stacy Michell at Fiber on a Whim on Saturday. These are some of the fabrics. (Pictures courtesy of my 6 year old...)

The class was awesome. Stacy is a great teacher, and I am so glad she shared her expertise with me. If anyone is in the Atlanta area, her studio will be open for a tour the weekend before Thanksgiving. I plan to go see it, as it has been over ten years since I last saw the studio. She says there have been many wonderful changes.

One aspect I loved about the class (and now you will know that I am the geek you always suspected) was her telling about the chemistry that goes on. I just think it is so cool that the dye actually forms a covalent bond with the fabric. She even has pictures of carbon rings on her handout. I am pretty sure the rest of the class thought I was nuts when I talked chemistry with her. (Of course, I was the youngest by a number of years.)

I am working on the little houses that I started ages ago. I have them all quilted now. A couple of weeks ago, Fiber Art Fusion met at Rubber Stamp Fantasy and had a great evening of learning and playing. I got really enthralled by shrink plastic. (You remember Shrinky Dinks? This is similar to that.) So now I want to make buttons out of shrink plastic to embellish my little houses. Maybe a surf board? Or some trees or flowers? Anyway, I just need some time to get back to Rubber Stamp Fantasy and pick up my supplies.

That is all from this corner of the world. Back to planning algebra class for tomorrow...

Pottery Fun

Here are some pictures of the pottery I painted last month. It was a relaxing and fun afternoon.

My quilt made it to Michigan. I am so excited to have a quilt in a show.

I went to the opening of the local show. I forgot my camera, so I am hoping someone else took some pictures. Maybe I can get back there one day this month to see it again.

Here she is, ready for her trip to Michigan...

How I spent the day...

I spent the day working on Nursing Mom. I layered and quilted it. One line from the Pamela Allen lecture that stuck in my mind was that she thought stipple quilting on an art quilt was a waste. I kind of thought the same thing, but, well, I have never tried anything else. So I decided to write words in the sky. It looks great, if I say so myself. (I would post a picture, but it is wet and lying flat to dry. It doesn't look so good wet.) Also, I decided to quilt in the nose, and I am happy with that. After quilting it, and rinsing out the basting spray, I worked on the ribbon flowers. I am happy with those, too. If I had more time, I would get more ribbon and make more flowers. I might do that after it gets back from Michigan next month. (Did I mention I am sending it to a show in Michigan so it needs to be done this weekend?)

I am not feeling well. There are different germs than I am used to in my school, and one of them got me. Actually, for the first two weeks, I was downing Airborne. I felt great. Then I ran out, and now I am sick. I am buying more at the grocery tomorrow. I think it really works.

Well, the little people are in bed. Daddy has the older kids at the movies. I am going to drink a rum and Coke and watch the US Open, or maybe the CNN Specials called, "God's Warriors" that I recorded a couple of weeks ago. My friend's husband produced one of them. I thought the one he did last year was incredible, so I am sure this one will be, too.

Any one in the Marietta, Georgia area, be sure to check out the Fiber Art Fusion show at "The Art Place" starting Thursday, September 6th, and going through the month of September. My tree will be hanging there, along with some other fabulous art pieces. I am going to take my parents next weekend when they are in town.

Arty Stuff

I finished the tree and turned it in for the gallery show. I forgot to take a picture, so I will take one of it in the gallery. I am working hard on Nursing Mom for it to go in a show in Novi, MI at the end of September.

Last Friday I attended a lecture by Pamela Allen at Fiber on a Whim. I loved it. I love her work. It is incredible. I also had a great time hanging out with my friends Becca, and Kristen and Jan who own Fiber on a Whim. I came away very inspired. I have been working on embellishing things more, and Pamela Allen was further inspiration to do that. (Of course, my original embellishing inspiration was Debra Spincic.)

Well, I need to go take care of children. More later.

It used to be called Home Ec

My seventh grader is taking FACS this quarter. FACS is Family and Consumer Science. It is the equivalent of the Home Ec I took in middle school, but it also goes beyond.

School has been in session for two weeks. Last week he made us calzones for appetizers. His younger brother said they were the second best thing he has ever eaten. (We aren't sure what the first best thing is, but I can assure you that chicken is not one of the ingredients.) Now he has to cook us something else out of the cookbook. After he makes it, he has to write what we thought of it, any changes he made to the recipe, and how it all went. Then I have to sign it. When I was in home ec, we just cooked in class. I never had to make anything at home. However, he is doing a great job of it.

They also have "smart" babies in the classroom. These are robot dolls that cry when you do not take care of them properly. I am hoping that one never comes home for homework. It is all we can do to keep up with the real baby in our house. Alex says they are harder to take care of than real babies. Maybe our baby is just a well behaved baby? I don't know. But I have found a place I can safely donate two used baby seats. They can use them for the smart babies.

Anyway, school is going well for all of the kids. Amy LOVES her preschool. She runs in every morning, and doesn't want to leave in the afternoons. She has made a new "best friend," and asked the teacher if her seat could be moved so she could sit with her new friend. (Precocious, isn't she?) Her incredible wonderful teacher complied.

Ed had a rocky start to first grade, but then he has never been one for change. He is doing better now. He has two certified teachers and a student teacher in the classroom, so they are really able to differentiate instruction for the different levels.

And Sam is a happy baby. He loves the sitter, and crawls around with the other kids. They are a happy group.

Just want to say Hey

I went back to work last week for the first time in over 4 years. Boy am I busy! So far, I love the job. There are no kids in the building yet, but I do enjoy the rest of the faculty. I have set up my room. There will be some fiber art added in the not so distant future. Meanwhile, I am finishing up my piece for the Hope exhibit. I have the camo now, so I just need to make the leaves. I showed my sister the tree, and she loved it.

Stuff and Nonsense

The tree is on the quilt. The quilt is quilted. I just have to do the leaves now. My sister, who is the final recipient of this quilt, loves it.

I made a couple of butterflies for a church banner. I need to do some daffodils next. I forgot to take pictures of the butterflies before I turned them in. I didn't like how the banner was going, so I kind of took over. I didn't think it should be just another flat banner, so I made stuffed butterflies and will make three dimensional daffodils. Really, people should not get me involved if they don't want me to change everything. I really have a hard time following patterns anymore.

I have been working on the trip around the world quilt. I tried to talk my mom into finishing it for me, and she just laughed. I don't know why it is so hard for me to work on it, but I am determined to finish it. The son-in-law of my mother's college roommate (I know that is a convoluted relationship) is a neurosurgeon at Walter Reed. I keep telling myself that one of his patients may need this quilt. But I think I am almost scared of it.

Thanks for all the kind comments about my chosen path in life. It really helps to know that people a pulling for me.

I started putting on the tree

Well, I decided to layer the quilt and put the tree on all three layers. I knew it needed a stabilizer, so I figured backing and batting would work. I didn't want anything heavy in there that might interfere with the quilting in the other part, where I have decided to put words. So the tree in half down. It is taking a lot of time. I was hoping to have it down by Monday, so I can make a trip to Nicholas Kniel for a yellow ribbon. Since I am at "New Teacher Institute" the rest of the week, it will be Saturday before I get there if I don't go Monday. This working stuff is sure getting in the way of shopping.

Speaking of working, I got some new shoes from Liz Claiborne the other day. One pair of black. One pair of brown. I also got a couple of tops from Ann Taylor. I haven't bought nice clothes in years, so this shopping has been fun. I am hoping to make a trip to Talbots, too.

Hope Piece Coming Along

I work so much better with a deadline! Here are the latest pictures of my Hope piece for the Fiber Art Fusion show.After tea dyeing the muslin for 24 hours, I dried and ironed it. I then fused it to some stiff craft interfacing. (I think it was Pellon weight 50.) I then cut out the tree using a little rotary cutter. That was harder than I thought it would be, mostly because I was afraid of cutting myself. I then sprayed spray baste all over the tree. I used 5 skeins of embroidery floss to embellish the tree. I couched it down using YLI clear thread. I really love that stuff.

Now I have to figure out how to attach the tree to the background. I also need to figure out a quilting scheme. I thought about just echo quilting around the tree. Then I thought about quilting words into the background. Anyway, no decision has been made, yet. I may quilt the names of the guys in my brother-in-law's unit.

Part of the challenge I have given myself with this quilt is to only use things I own to make it. So far, it has not been that difficult. I am also trying out new techniques. I really like how the embroidery floss on the tree looks.

What is a feminist?

I have met a lot of women my age (37) and younger who say they aren't feminists. So what is your definition of feminism? I think it is women having the choice to be and do what they want for equal pay and with equal opportunity. I would also throw in that women can and should think for themselves. I am curious to hear what other women have to say about this topic. My other question is, do you have to be liberal to be a feminist? I really don't think so, but maybe I am wrong about that, just like I wrong thinking that all women were feminists.

By the way, I asked my husband about this issue. He thought it would be boring to be married to someone who was not a feminist.

All right, back to playing with my tea-dyed fabric...

How do you like me now?

So, in the past week I have discovered that one acquaintance from high school has a movie, The Painted Veil, that he both produced and starred in, on my cable's On Demand. I have another friend from grade school through high school who was on "The O'Reilly Factor" about boycotting the new release of Hairspray. The best man from our wedding just returned from a week of rebuilding a church in New Orleans. (He is the tall one in the back on the left.) And what am I doing? I am teaching algebra to at-risk students. Not that it isn't an important job that I am very excited about taking on, it just seems a little lackluster at the moment.

In order to combat my feelings of inadequacy, because all three of these men would think that teaching algebra to at-risk students is important, I decided to work on my piece for Fiber Art Fusion's show, Messages of Hope. (I have also been working on my Trip Around the World, but I need some variety in my life!) I made the background piece and designed a tree. But then I decided I didn't like any of my fabric for the tree bark, so I decided to try to tea dye something to thread paint. I only have herbal tea, so I hope that works. The leaves of the tree are going to be made of camouflage and button onto the tree. There will be a yellow ribbon around the tree. (I get to go back to Nicholas's shop to buy his most fabulous yellow ribbon.) Here is what I have done so far...

And the tea dyeing...

It has been too long

I have been working on things for my new job, and my sewing room has been neglected. Well, except for designing and making ribbons for the rookie league of our swim team. But tomorrow, it is back to work. I hope.

I just finished a two week course on "The Essentials of Effective Teaching." I passed, so I am ready to start my job teaching algebra. I hope. I am very excited about teaching starting in August. I know I am in that fantasy stage where I just KNOW I can change the world. Well, maybe I cannot change the whole world, but I do think I can have some positive effect on these kids.

The kids are out of school. They are swimming every day. We have one more swim meet, and then swim team is over for the summer. It is fun, but a lot of work, and making 18 ribbons a week is just the tip of the iceberg.

Just wanted to say a quick hello.

Kindergarten Program

I went to Ed's kindergarten program today. It was cute. He is not really into doing a bunch of singing and dancing. So he sang some of the songs and did some of the hand motions. He really got into the Spanish songs for some reason. He was standing next to a hyperactive kid, so it made Ed look even less interested because that kid was really singing and motioning. (Even when they were supposed to be still...) Anyway, after the program we got to go back to the classroom and see the books they had written and had bound. They were cute. Each book had a page for everyone who reads the book to sign. It was obvious which parents had older kids in the school because they knew to wander around the classroom and sign everyone's books. Since I had a baby and a two year old with me, I didn't make it around the classroom.

I thought I would share what he wrote about me for Mother's Day. There was a breakfast at school last Friday for the moms. Each mom was given their kid's answers to the prompts.

My mom's favorite color is green.
My mom's favorite food is chicken.
My mom is 37 years old.
My mom wears her favorite clothes when she goes out to eat.
When I am at school, my mom likes to feed the baby.
I love it when my mom cooks a steak for me.
My mom is happiest when she goes to the beach.
I know my mom loves me because I was after Alex, my brother.

I don't quite understand the last one, and certainly my favorite food is not chicken. But I cook chicken all the time because it is easy and on sale a lot. So I can see where he gets that. There were also pictures all over the classroom that the kids had colored of their moms' favorite activities. Ed said I like to play with Amy and Sam. A lot of moms were playing tennis or jogging in their pictures. One mom was sleeping, and we all thought that was a really good thing.

Seven Interesting Things

JenClair over at Bayou Quilts tagged me for the 7 interesting things about me meme. Ihave to say, this process was really hard for me. I am so totally normal. I am a suburban wife and mother. I am the typical soccer mom, down to the blue Ford Explorer with the soccer ball and school magnets on the back. And I have my yellow ribbon one, too. However, here is what I came up with...

1. I grew up in a planned community. Columbia, Maryland was planned by Jim Rouse in the 1960's. All the streets, shopping centers, schools, etc. were planned at the same time before the land was even bought. It was a wonderful place to grow up. People camped out overnight to be able to buy townhouses in the city. We had great schools. The population was very diverse. There are no church buildings in the city limits. The churches meet in "Interfaith Centers". These buildings have large rooms for church services, small chapels, classrooms for Sunday and Hebrew Schools, and offices for the church staffs. The one where my church met had a baptismal fount (is that the right word?) for the churches who did the full dunking for baptisms. We often had ecumenical services on religious holidays. Anyway, it was a cool place in which to grow up, and I miss it. Oh, and legend has it that Mr. Rouse, who attended my church, coined the term Mall in America. So the mall where I grew up is simply The Mall. By the way, Mr. Rouse designed the renovation of Faneuil Hall in Boston, the waterfront in Virginia Beach, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, and other places, too. The Rouse Company built the Nordstrom at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta. My husband says you can literally watch the stress leave my body when I enter Nordstrom. I am transported back home.

2. I skipped class a few times in high school. (Anyone who knew me in high school who happened upon my blog is now saying, "WHAT??") My friend Norre (who now has an MD from Stanford) and I walked out after second period one day. When we were stopped by the assistant principal, we told him, as student government president and board of ed liaison, we were on our way to a meeting at the Board of Education. He actually got in his car and followed us. Luckily, once we turned into the parking lot, he went back to school, and we went on to the Mall. Emily, who graduated from Williams and is running charity operations in Georgia (of the former Soviet Union), and I walked out of calculus one day. We told the sub we were going to the library, but went and hung out on the pole vault mats for the rest of the day. I don't know why we weren't caught. That was the same day as the Howard County Scholars of Excellence (or some other such craziness) Night where we were both honored. I remember word getting around that Runyan and Reese had cut class that day. It was hysterical. It even made the senior edition of the school paper, The Bear Press. Reese and Runyan, Class Cutters Extraordinaire.

3. My favorite food is French Fries. There is nothing better than Boardwalk Fries. I have been trying to come up with excuses to go to Maryland to have fries since my parents moved a year and a half ago. I am not kidding you.

4. I got my first case of poison ivy three weeks ago. I have never had a reaction to the stuff before in my entire life. I know I have walked through it before. I spent a week clearing some area in our backyard for our new playground and got a little case of the stuff on my legs. It is nasty. I have since worked on getting the plants out of our yard. I will definitely be more careful in the future.

5. My best friends in all the world are my sisters. Though they don't live anywhere near me, I talk to at least one of them every day. I email with my younger sister at least 5 times a day. We vacation together almost every year. I am so glad that I have them.

6. My husband asked me to marry him three years to the day before our first son was born. There was a snow storm in Blacksburg the night before. He asked me to marry him on a playground. The night our son was born, there was no snow storm, and he was born in a hospital. I just think it is funny that the day was the same.

7. My husband and I have the same anniversary as my parents. Of course, they were married 28 years before us. But same day and same time.

Ok, that is it.

Not much

First, the christening picture was a huge hit. My sister-in-law had tears in her eyes. She told me where they were going to put it in the baby's room. It went over very well.

The quilt for the first communion gift was a big hit, too. When my niece opened it, she immediately wrapped herself up in it. She has been sleeping with it ever since. My mom said that everyone at the party ooh-ed and ahh-ed over it. So I am happy about that.

I threw a great brunch after the christening. I made coffee cake, muffins, and hash brown casserole. I served it on my good china with linen napkins. I put the juice in glass pitchers. I did a buffet with a set table. I didn't want people eating on their laps. I really think I did a bang up job. And everyone was appreciative.

Now that I am done patting myself on the back...

Last Thursday was my son's orchestra concert. It was wonderful. My brother-in-law received his Ph.D. from Georgia Tech the same night, so my husband was at that with our kindergarten child, and I went to the orchestra concert with our little people. I sat in the back right next to the exit thinking we wouldn't last very long. We lasted the entire hour. My two year old sat on the edge of her seat directing along with the director for the entire concert. (She had to sit on the edge, or the seat would fold up on her.) She really paid attention. And she recognized a couple of the songs from hearing her brother practice. The baby was mesmerized for the first half. He started to get loud after intermission, so I just fed him. It really was a wonderful evening. I wish I could buy a cd of it for my husband to hear. Another little girl was carried out of the concert kicking and screaming, and I wanted to stand up and say, "Alex, it isn't us. We are behaving back here!"

I have noticed in the past week that my kids are really growing up. The baby is now sitting on his own. He is also getting up on all fours and rocking as if he is ready to crawl. My two year old is really starting to show very appropriate behavior in many different settings. She was great at the christening, too. My six year old has become extremely coordinated. His attention span is getting much longer. He can read just about anything, which has its good and bad points. His math skills are improving by leaps and bounds. My twelve year old, well, he is all preteen now. I am having to give him more independence. He can discuss things on an adult level. (And I think he is beginning to notice girls. Maybe.)

Soccer season is over after next weekend. We are hosting the U6 team party at our house. It should be great fun. We really do have a great group of kids and parents.

I have started getting calls for interviews for teaching positions for next year. I am excited and a little sad. I feel like an era in my life is over. But, I know it will be a good thing.

Christening Picture

I finished the christening picture last night. I need to get a frame and frame it today. For this picture, I just set it in this frame. I haven't decided what size frame to use. Well see. I blocked the baby's name out. The printing is done on ExtravOrganza, which is an organza that has been treated for printing on an ink jet printer. I used Misty Fuse to fuse it to the base. The blues were all pieced. I quilted parts of it with a Sulky silver thread that I have been wanting to use for a long time. All of those products came from my fun visit to Fiber on a Whim yesterday. (I got to go without children for a change.) Anyway, this is to go with a silver plated bunny bank that will have a little cash in it. I hope this gift is appropriate. I am over this whole thing. I have been cleaning like crazy for a week, and I am tired of it. (What do boys do to their bathrooms to make them so gross?)

Just to say hello

First of all, this picture is for Jane Ann. My mom made this dress for Amy to wear to my husband's niece's christening next weekend. She wanted to make a coordinating outfit for Sam, but she ran out of time. My niece is having her first communion at the same time, and my mom was making a gorgeous dress for my niece for that occasion. So Sam will wear one of many hand-me-downs that we have. There are certain advantages to having the two youngest grandchildren, and hand-me-downs are not the least of these.

I finished this quilt to give as a first communion present.

I am still thinking on the christening present. I decided against a quilt because both the mom and grandma quilt. I don't want to accidentally step on anyone's toes. However, I am going to do a small wall hanging inspired by Deborah.

And it looks like I need to clean my camera lens. I'll have to ask my sister to take another picture of that quilt because it is on its way to her house already.

I am a Hokie

I graduated from Virgina Tech 15 years ago this month. I spent a lot of time in Norris. I am very sad. And I am very mad.

I will be wearing my orange and maroon tomorrow for worldwide Orange and Maroon Effect Day.

I Passed!

I passed the teacher certification exam. Now I need to find a job...

Fun Shopping Day

I finally got to Fiber on a Whim and Nicholas Kniel today. And yes, Nicholas's shop is to die for. Ribbons, ribbons, everywhere. I had a hard time choosing. I cannot wait to go back when I have no kids with me. (Does that ever happen? Yes, but not very often.) Anyway, I got 6 different ribbons. My two year old has absconded with one of them. She is very into rainbows, and this one qualifies. So I have enough ribbon to make ten flowers to put on the Nursing Mom piece.

At Fiber on a Whim, I picked up this gorgeous piece of fabric. I don't know what I will do with it. I bought all that was left on the bolt. I have a sneaky suspicion that I bought a yard before. I'll have to look. I also got this thread to do some thread painting in Nursing Mom's hair. And this gorgeous bug to put on the piece somewhere, too.

But for now, I will get to work on the Trip Around the World. I hear Walter Reed needs quilts. So I will get this one done for them. And then maybe start another one...

Last Night at Fiber Art Fusion

Last evening, Fiber Art Fusion met at Fiber on a Whim. It was a blast. Nicholas Kniel was there. He has the most wonderful ribbon shop on the continent, I am told. I will find out later today. Anyway, he taught us to make gorgeous ribbon roses. He brought a ton of ribbons from which to choose, and we all made two roses. The one on the right was made with a plaid ribbon, which I just thought was crazy cool. Today, I am going to get some smaller ribbon and make some roses to go on my nursing mom piece. That way she can be sitting in a flower garden. He has a book that I am going to order so I can make some different flowers, too. It is back ordered right now, but I'll let you know what I think when I get it. I am also going to go to Fiber on a Whim to figure out a better way to do her hair. I think it needs to be more 3-dimensional.

Sharon Serrano Ahmed brought some of her wonderful pieces for show and tell last night. Sharon does the neatest 3-D felting things. I love her faces that she has been doing. I just love that she creates all the time. I can almost see the creativity flowing out of her. And she is so willing to share her knowledge and time with people. I really admire her.

Now, do you quilt a piece before you embellish it? Or do you quilt after you embellish? Or both? I quilted the heart before I embellished it. I did not put a back on it. I just quilted the top to the batting, and I am planning to add a back when the whole thing is done. I just thought it would look messy otherwise. My grandma and mom both taught me to have nice backs on my needlepoint and cross stitch pieces. So I am kind of in that frame of mind.

In other news, I did the Couch to 5k again this morning. I ran inside the house again. I don't even want to know how many laps around my first floor I do. I think I will have to invest in a treadmill after we replace the carpet. Otherwise I will wear out the carpet. My two year old walks with me for a good portion of the time. Sometimes I carry the baby during the walking parts. He thinks it is funny. Then he gets deposited in different area each time. Sometimes in the bouncy seat. Sometimes on his quilt. Sometimes in the excersaucer. (Thanks Rebecca!)

Dave threw me for another supper loop tonight. He agreed to meet someone after soccer practice. So salmon is on hold for another night. I think we will go with the Curry Chicken Salad tonight. It is from the In the Kitchen with Rosie cookbook by Oprah's former chef.

Nothing Exciting

I just realized how long it has been since I posted. I have not done anything on the quilt below, but hopefully will get back to it tomorrow. We were in Florida on Spring Break for a week. That was a lot of fun. I got to see my parents and hang out at their house. I still feel weird about visiting them in Florida instead of Columbia, Maryland, where I grew up. But, they are happy down there. They are healthier. And they have made a ton of friends. Not to mention, they pretty much have a revolving door for their old friends coming to visit. And even some really old (not in age, but from high school and college) friends have come to stay with them. But, I want to visit home sometime, too. Maybe next year for my 20th high school reunion. (Has it really been that long?!) Just another weight loss motivator.

I walked this morning. And Sunday. This morning, I did the couch to 5k program for 30 minutes. It is the same idea as when I started running in December. I hope I will keep it up this time. I had to do it inside this morning. While I own a double jogger stroller, I don't think the baby is quite big enough for it, yet.

And yesterday, I planned out a menu for the week and went shopping. Unfortunately, I mixed up which kid has soccer practice which day. It wouldn't be a problem except I have my Fiber Art Fusion meeting this evening, which means I will not be here to cook after everyone gets home from soccer practice. So now I am in a quandary for tonight. I really don't think Dave will be up to cooking salmon and asparagus when he gets home from coaching soccer for two hours while keeping up with our little people, too. I just figured it out. I will make tomorrow's macaroni and cheese casserole tonight. I will cook it, and turn off the oven when I leave. That way, it will stay warm in the oven. Everyone loves mac 'n' cheese, so Dave won't have any fights about food when they get home, either.

For the rest of the week we have:

• salmon, broccolini, and rice
• curry chicken salad, jalapeño cheddar cornbread, and asparagus
• corn chowder, cheese and crackers, salad, and maple baked beans (these were to go with the mac and cheese, but they need all day in the crock pot)
• low country boil with shrimp, corn, and potatoes
• fiesta quesadillas from Wolfgang Puck's kid cookbook

Hopefully I can stick to it. Oh, I just remembered, Saturday we have a late soccer game at the Northwest Y. That means, dinner at Five Guys. So I have an extra meal planned. YAHOO!