Steve’s new book
Steve has finished his book! I’m really excited and I really like it. The new book is a extended version of the old one: How I met Van and Numan Future, Present, and Past .
I love the cover art! The book is a humorous science fiction story that take place over time and space. Here is an excerpt:
“Well, Philip came up with the kooky idea of creating a orbital hurricane machine to blow the debris away from Mars. I wasn’t too keen on this idea at the time, until a few nights ago. I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking the streets of Paris, not too far from where I grew up. I noticed all these beautiful colors falling around me. When I reached out my hand, to catch a drop of color, I realized it was a falling leaf. I heard my mother calling me home for dinner. I turned around, and saw a street sweeper vacuuming all the different colors, splattered in the street. I immediately woke up, and wrote down my ideas. At first, I thought it was a Freudian thing, then I thought – Jungian. I couldn’t make up my mind. But then I thought about Philip and his wacky hurricane machine, and it occurred to me at that moment. I envisioned an unmanned space craft with a special armature, that collects the debris of Thor’s Hammer. The ship will send down the raw materials to the Institute, where we will sort through the minerals, especially the silver and gold, for minting commemorative I Ching coins, or merely, for desk legs, pens, and other school supplies.”
“A brilliant idea, sir. If I may say so.”
The book is well written and fun. I’m really proud of his accomplishment. You can preview a larger section at the amazon web site. I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I have.
a very little bit of spring
We have all (and when I mean all, I mean the whole of Minnesota and perhaps beyond) have been anxiously, crabbily waiting for spring. In the wacky way of our weather, one day it is beautiful 70 and perfect, the next in the 40s cold and windy. But finally my little tulip has begun to bloom.
I also planted a few of my tomatoes in pots:
They seem to be doing ok but they could use some warmth. Tuesday it is supposed to be ninety- so I guess spring is over! That is Minnesota.
Hopefully, next week I will be back to posting sewing on this blog.
not a lot going on here, but a lot going on
The plants and the boys and I are waiting for this weather to pass. Today it should break, and we should have some May weather. It is still overcast, but I’m hoping for a little sun.
On the sewing side, not much that I can report. Some things are secret so I can’t talk about them here (yet).
I am starting a new job tomorrow, and I am super excited. I am very happy about the move and anxious to start.
This weekend I am helping Steve get his book ready to be self-published. I am happy for him that he succeeded in this goal. More on this will come. We hope to have it available in about three weeks.
As you can see a lot going on, but not a lot to show!
done!
Yes, it is done. And delivered to a very cute little girl – my little niece, Annie!
The ducks are there- from Great-Grandma Amann’s leftover blocks.
All of the different flowers – pansy
Tulip:
Another pansy:
It was fun to see her wrap up in it and it does fit her sunny, happy personality!
what’s happening
I can’t remember if I showed you this block. It is the first one I completed for the friendship quilt I am working on with my friend, Veronica. This photo from 123rf.com was the inspiration:
We have more layering to add. I am working on another leaf pattern now.
Yes, the ducky quilt is done, but for binding!
And this is a new project. It is my birthday skirt, bought with my birthday money and gift cards (thank you!). I have it cut and waiting to begin. Hopefully, next weekend.
because I am an optimist at heart
Yes, we are growing seedlings even though a secret dark part of me thinks that this is the winter that will never end. Winter, winter, go away (my west coast friends and family can do evil laughs now). These are Eliott’s plants.
I have made considerable progress on sewing although I don’t really have any exciting photos to show. I have lost a semi-crucial thing in my house. The pattern for the skirt I plan to make. I have a strong suspicion where it is, but I need to do some heavy cleaning to find it so I have been procrastinating. I also attached the third side to the ducky quilt, and basted the fourth. I am very close to a finish!
I did some math for the friendship quilt and printed out some patterns. I even got some pattern pieces cut:
I am really excited about these fabrics.
Yes, we still have a snowman tablecloth. We celebrate winter in April here. We are very excited. Stay warm.
progress
So here is where I am at: two sides nearly attached and one panel pinned. I realized that I will need to go to the fabric store to get a third of a yard of batt, but I bought almost exactly the right amount of bubble gum fabric and yellow fabric. I don’t like the blue and yellow striped fabric that I used for an attaching fabric although in this photo it’s not too bad. I bought some more fabric to add another, hopefully straighter, line around it.
I am already in the teenage doghouse for some other antics which have put me high on the list as most embarrassing mother of the week. I might as well put it over the top by sharing this with you. Isn’t this the most beautiful boy?
Getting it Done April
I really want to get done in April:
1. Buy fabric, pattern, for next garment.
2. Piece third and fourth frame for ducky quilt.
3. Quilt and attach third frame ducky quilt.
4. Finish second friendship block.
Things I seriously hope to get done:
1. Quilt and attach fourth frame ducky quilt.
2. Bind ducky quilt.
3.Start love distance quilt.
4. Cut out next garment.
Getting it Done wrap up
I really want to get done in March:
1) Buy and prepare fabric for Ducky quilt and tropical friendship quilt. Done!
2) Cut frame pieces. Done!
3) Quilt first frame. Done!
4) Assemble first block of Tropical Garden Friendship quilt (new project, more to come later) Done, photos to come!
Things I seriously hope to get done:
1) Prepare binding for Ducky quilt. Not done.
2) Attach first frame for Ducky quilt. Done!
3) Quilt second frame side. Done!
4) Mend utility quilt. Done, but now I washed it and because it is so fragile, it needs to be mended again. (Sigh)
Not bad for this month! I am excited that I technically finished seven out eight!
I am posting one day early due to Easter. I will be serving at Easter breakfast tomorrow so I will be very busy. So, I pass one more thing on to you:
He is risen! Alleluia!
quick cut away heart block
I needed to put together a quick block so I reverted to a block I made for the Valentine’s Quilt.
First, I put together a patchwork section that is bigger than my heart template. Then I sewed around the template.
Here’s the back.
Then, I cut away the top, revealing the patchwork.
Then, I satin stitched around the edge. I forgot, but if you make one, do your straight stitch basting really tight and then pull away your paper at that juncture. As you can see, I have some paper tweezing to do. In any case, done is done.
And just because it makes me so happy:
Yes, a tiny bit of Brooks family made spring. These are Eliott’s tiny tomatoes and watermelons. I am so excited for spring!
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