Apparently I made the local papers.

Ugghhh. I just got a text from a girlfriend. Apparently I made the local papers. Photo of me talking (what's new?) and showing my work to someone at the Art Show I exhibited in last weekend. I really enjoy meeting people and talking about the process of creating art. Not as big on having my picture taken. The show was very busy start to finish and I do recall a few cameras in the crowd. Oh, well. If it's not too hidieo-so I will add a copy to this post later, maybe. (slight rolling of the eyes here)

Below is one of the prints that didn't sell. I am rather pleased because it looks pretty nice in the dining room in front of my 'Forget Me Not' quilt.  :~)

PS. The Forget Me Not Pattern is now available in a downloadable format - here's the link.

And

Here's the link for the prints if you are interested in purchasing one for your self.


Create something unexpected! Enjoy your day . . .

Pinterest is a social catalog service . . . a virtual pinboard.

Have you hear of Pinterest?  It's a place to catalog the things you love.  It's like an electronic bulletin board. Save favorite and inspiring images. Fare warning: It's addicting!

Here are a couple of my pin boards on Pinterest.

Thinking about "hitting the road" again . . .

Dreaming about continuing my GIANT SHOP HOP this fall.

I am looking for suggestions. What states do you think I should visit this time? Send me a comment below and let me know what you think. You can check out the states and shops that I have already visited on my travel blog.


And while I am thinking of traveling and quilt shops . . . WELL, there seams (I mean seems) to be a sign for everything else. Don't you think we need a road side symbol for QUILT SHOPS?

One of "those days"!

FYI-This post has nothing to do with sewing or quilting, crafting or anything creative.

Yesterday I tried to get my lawn mower started all day long - off and on. At the end of the day a friend of mine came over, diddled with some thing-a-ma-gig and started it with one pull. When he left I went in to put on my lawn mowing shoes and when I came back out and tried to start it . . . NO LUCK. Ugggh. I then had supper and tried again. NOPE.

This morning I walked down to the coffee shop and had coffee with my mother and her friends and when I walked home I found I had locked myself out of my house. Ugggh again! I didn't have my cell phone. I didn't have the keys to my car. And so I just sat down. . .

Later, after walking around my house a number of times and trying the doors over and over. I decided I could remove the screen from the bedroom window and climb through. Now mind you that the bottom of the window is higher than the top of my head. Yes, I have a ladder but it's in the basement. So, I pull the old rotting garden table over to the window. Remove the window box with flowers. Climb up on the garden chair then the table and then using one of my new red tomato cages I rotate the six clips that hold the screen in place, and then remove the screen. NOW, how do I get my 53 year old butt up and through the window. This would have been an easy maneuver 20 maybe 30 years ago, but now??? I turned my back to the house, put my hands on the bottom of the window sill and about the third try I managed to get up high enough. I grabbed the headboard of the bed through the open window and pulled myself up. Then promptly banged my head on the bottom edge of the raised window. Dear God, I hope none of the neighbors were watching. Now all I needed to do was push my bed far enough away from the window so I could get in. And I did it. (Photo below, yup that's the old mower and the window I heaved my big ol butt through)
OK, New number ONE priority. Go to ACE hardware and make a spare key.

While at ACE waiting for the key to be made I take a peak at the lawn mowers. (logical right?) I talked to the 'helpful hardware man' and tell him my problem with my lawnmower. He shows me a shiny new black (sports car looking model) for around $150.00 and assures me I can start it on my own. He even has me pull the cord so he can evaluate the strength and speed of my arm. NO PROBLEM he reassures me. So I take home my shiny new mower and my shiny new house key.

Back home, 1st thing, try the new key. NOPE it doesn't work. Line it up with the old key and see that it's too short. Oh, well. I will take it back later. Now for the lawn. Unload the mower from the Element fill it with gas, push the primer button three times as per the instructions. Pull, nothing. Pull, nothing. PULL again nothing. Then I think maybe I should push the red primer button a few more times since it's brand new and has never had gasoline in it before. Push it 5 TIMES and PULL, PULL, PULL, PULL, PULL. NOTHING!!!!

Load the mower and the key back in the Element and head back to ACE. To make this very long story short(er). The helpful hardware man made me a new key. Then came out to the parking lot and pulled and pulled pushed the red primer button a few more times and 'three times a charm' it started for him on the third pull.

I took them both home, (the key and the mower, NOT the HARDWARE MAN) the key works beautifully and so does my shiny new back sports model lawn mower!

Just one of those days I guess!


Jamie

Oh, and I do realize that I just explained to everyone exactly how to break into my place. What I didn't mention is my two dogs a male Airedale & female Rottweiler inside and the fact that I live next door to a cop, plus I am only two blocks from the police station.

Don't Worry BE HAPPY

I like to say, "Enjoy your life". Here's a video with tips on how to become a happier person. I like some of these simple and free ideas. What's your secret to happiness? I hope you'll share them with me and my readers in the comments section.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here's the link to the happiness study that she refers to - Happiness Study

Developing Skill

Thanks to a facebook post by Roseann Meehan Kermes I found this inspiring site:

makeandmeaning.com

"Acts of making are important – whether they involve yarn and knitting needles, wood and tools, pots and pans, brushes and canvas or anything else.

When we make things, time and worry fall away. We’re more aware, engaged, and excited – and we find it easier to connect with others. In truth, making connects us to our best selves." Direct Quote from the Make & Meaning Blog

These two loaves of Danish Rye bread are examples of experimenting (I combined two recipes into one) and allowing myself to make mistakes. (I accidentally used twice as many seeds as the recipe called for, Oooppps). Both experimenting and allowing yourself to make mistakes are essential to skill building.

Developing skill takes time and practice.

And some skills take practice, practice and more practice!

So allow yourself time to learn and explore. Enjoy your life. Create something unexpected!

I hope you will follow this link to makeandmeaning.com where there's a beautifully written article on developing skills.

How about you? Do you have skill building stories to share? Do tell, in the comments section.

Misplaced work ethic?

Just spent a few days at Cool Breeze Cottage on a quilting retreat with a whole slew of Minnesota Quilt Designers. I sewed and sewed and sewed and snoozed and ate and laughed and told stories. Had an awesome massage and a chocolate martini. Today was my first day back in my studio and it seems I've misplaced my work ethic. Perhaps I left it in Waconia?

So what did I do today instead of work? I Baked rugbrød (Danish Rye bread) and in 24 hours I will get to taste it!

So how about you? How do you maintain a good work ethic?

Antique Singer Sewing Machine

Are you a sewing machine collector? Check out this vintage machine (it happens to be looking for a new home) at my friend Linda's blog.

Antique Sewing Machine on Designs by Linda Thiltgen

Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial - Happy Thanksgiving!

You can celebrate Thanksgiving with these delightful fabric pumpkins by Danielle Thompson! View the tutorial on her site, Thompson Family - Life. Click Here.  (Photos used with permission)

The value of an Art Education BFA/MFA | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Midmorning speaks with the new president of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (my alma mater) about the value of an MFA, the importance of arts education, and how artists can help solve real-world problems.

New MCAD president hopes to expand school's reach | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Jay Coogan looks at the value of an Art Education BFA/MFA.  Jay Coogan: is the incoming president of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He was formerly the provost of Rhode Island School of Design.

Visit MCAD's Website

Thank Heaven for Pattern Testers.

Meet Lynn Gennrich a new pattern test volunteer! Thank you Lynn for your participation in this most important step in pattern development. And thanks to Angie at The Noble Quilter in Elk River, MN for allowing us to work in the classroom.

The Textile Blog: Ynge Gamlin, Astrid Sampe and Abstract Expressionism

The Textile Blog: Ynge Gamlin, Astrid Sampe and Abstract Expressionism

I love this textile piece. Read more about it on The Textile Blog by John Hopper by clicking the link above.

Patchwork Plate

Looking for a patchwork plate? I found this one here!