Sarah's Yarns

One Little Word

2012-01-08T07:54:00.000-06:00

I'm going to focus on: organizing and completing for 2012.

These 2 words fit for me because my sewing and crafting AND my teaching involve being organized and completing work on time.

I'm joining a group called One Little Word started by Ali Edwards some years ago. Her premise is that focusing on one word for an entire year will help change your life. She also says that the stories of our lives are important. BTW, I know this is 2 words! lol

In the early 1990's I became involved in the Storytelling Project at the Center for Education at Rice University. It changed my life professionally and gave me the words to express my belief that stories (our own or others') are what make the world interesting.

Ali is going to lead a class through Big Picture Classes to help people keep focus through the year and connect it to creativity. I'm looking forward to this project.

Check it out. You might find it interesting.

Civil War Diary continues

2012-01-05T07:35:00.000-06:00

The latest blocks made from the Civil War Diary book by Rosemary Youngs.

Poor Columbia Row 7 Block 7

Sad and Lonely Days Row 5 Block 7

Bolts of Fabric Row 8 Block 2

Death Penalty Row 3 Block 1

The Longest Morning Row 7 Block 5

Sorrow Row 2 Block 1

Lincolnites Whipped Row 6 Block 9

Just Takes 2

2012-01-01T23:51:00.000-06:00

Just Takes 2 is a new blog and quilt! Brenda Papadakis of Dear Jane and Gay Bomers of Sentimental Stitches have created a new quilt and will be sharing it with everyone in the coming year. It's a 2 color quilt in honor of the “Infinite Variety: Three Hundred Years of Red and White Quilts” Exhibit.

Have a Safe New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T07:20:00.000-06:00

**Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts becomeyour words...

**Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors becomeyour habits...

**Keep your habits positive because your habits become yourvalues...

**Keep your values positive because your values become yourdestiny...

~Mahatma Gandhi~

Knitting Fun

2011-12-27T23:31:00.000-06:00

I have discovered a couple of video podcasts that are lots of fun. You get to see the knitting or book the podcaster is talking about and see some of the surroundings. If knitting isn't your thing, you might want to look for other video casts. I like Stockinette Zombies and SockBunny Knit and Fit. Both are on iTunes and Ravelry.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T15:38:00.002-06:00

Have a happy Christmas and a wonderful 2012!

Showing TCU Spirit

2011-12-22T04:00:00.000-06:00

I love daddy's hat!

I know it's football season, but I love my bunny hat, too.

Yarn Fun

2011-12-20T04:30:00.000-06:00

Knitted pocket pal bear.

Crocheted Pete the Cat

First Zoo Trip!

2011-12-17T22:54:00.001-06:00

Grayson went to the Fort Worth Zoo at Thanksgiving. He loved the animals and all the water! I only saw Grayson!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

2011-10-16T00:58:00.001-05:00

Banned Book Week

2011-09-25T08:25:00.000-05:00

If you go to the American Library Association site you will find a list of banned books by year. The list states why the book was banned or challenged. I want to list some of the books from the list which I have read. These are from the 2011 list: Diary of Anne Frank, Water for Elephants, Slaughterhouse-Five. From 2010 list: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Bean Trees, To Kill a Mockingbird. And from 2009: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, The Kite Runner, Wicked, Huckleberry Finn, The Lovely Bones, The Color Purple.

All of the above books were interesting and challenging and well worth the read. One of the books that is on the list is A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. I have had it for years and not read much of it. I think I'll get it off the shelf and read more!

The ALA also suggests you take one of the listed books and read it aloud in public!

LIfe is Good

2011-09-22T18:12:00.000-05:00

School is going well. We have a new principal who has been a teacher and believes in letting her teachers do their job. She's supportive, but stays out of the way.

I'm still VERY happy to be back in First Grade. It's taking a lot to get used to the curriculum and the students' behavior again. They are not as independent as 3rd graders!

I have been sewing and knitting most evenings. It's hard to know, but I think this is in D.C. this summer.

Happy Labor Day

2011-09-05T13:57:00.002-05:00

Labor Day with the grandson and family! It doesn't get any better than that. Rich helped build shelves in the garage and now both Daniel's and Leslie's cars can get in! They are so excited.
We are home now and it's on to work on lesson plans for the coming week.
Happy day, everyone.

Anyone Want to Dance?

2011-08-20T19:38:00.000-05:00

In life, it’s not about waiting

for the storm to pass over.

It’s about dancing in the rain!

I just found this quote on the Dr. Jean & Friends site. She has great ideas for teachers, mostly singing and poems for keeping them focused on the tasks at hand.

I have been working to get my classroom set up and the lesson plans written for Monday. I have been in Third grade for the last 3 years and now I'm back in First. I am so excited. It is going to be great to be a teacher again.

It's been a good summer with many visits with Grayson.

Summer Is Over

2011-08-13T07:28:00.000-05:00

Time has flown and Houston ISD teachers return to school Monday. We will be starting school without a principal, but we all know what to do and will be fine. Most of the office staff has started school without a principal before, so we have it covered.
I've spent the last 2 weeks getting my new classroom together. I had to move 2 times because of a last minute grade change but it's ok with me because I'm now back in 1st grade with the same people I was with 3 years ago. They are a great group and I'm VERY happy. We get along well together.
We got a downpour of rain yesterday. I had to use an umbrella and got my shoes wet!! Was a little relief!

Work on Complaining

2011-07-20T03:32:00.000-05:00

"When you start to complain, say aloud, "STOP." Then speak how you want things to be. This is the key to transforming life."

A Complaint Free World

I need this reminder. I am trying to be more aware of my complaining. Transformation has not happened yet.

Summer Time

2011-07-17T09:39:00.000-05:00

   I have been in Hutto babysitting a sick grandson. We had a lot of fun together. I forgot how much energy it takes to keep a 13 month old entertained.
   I have been going through my sewing room cleaning out, rearranging, updating my project list. I have more work today. I'd like to get it completed by tomorrow so I can get back to sewing and knitting.
   I went to a UFO (unfinished objects) pajama party last night at Quilter's Emporium. I finished sewing the rail fence blocks and the 1/4 square triangle blocks for Civil Times by June Vogltance. I bought the fabric needed to complete the quilt, too.

I've chosen a brown with pink roses for the setting triangles and a pink for the stars.

The large print is for the backing. I'm looking forward to completing it.

What is this?

2011-07-11T10:41:00.000-05:00

Someone help me, please, identify what is in this video!

Complaint Free World

2011-07-03T12:34:00.000-05:00

Make tomorrow your Independence Day from negative expression. Try,

just try one single day to be free of Complaints. Don't complain on the Fourth of July. Do your best. If you can't go all day without complaining, see how few times you can complain. Inch by inch anything's a cinch!

I really want to work on this in the coming year. I'm so tired of hearing complaints, but then I notice that's what I do a lot, too.

http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

First Outing with Grayson

2011-06-29T15:47:00.000-05:00

In Austin, there is an outside shopping area called the Arboretum that has a fountain at the top of a hill that flows down the hill into a larger fountain. It was amazing to watch how excited Grayson got and how thrilling everything was to him. I loved watching him watch other kids and go to touch the cows. I loved every minute of it.

2011-2012 school year begins

2011-06-27T22:02:00.000-05:00

   I went to my first workshop for the new school year today and I'M SO GLAD. I went to a reading workshop for a 1st grade teacher. That means I'M A FIRST GRADE TEACHER!!!
   As you can tell, I'm really excited. Leaving 3rd grade and continuous teaching of the TAKS is the best thing that's happened in a long time. I am, also, returning to my good friends who stayed in first grade. I will be moving to a new room in another part of the building and I am REALLY looking forward to it.
   This should be a good year. I can be a real teacher and teach kids to read and love to learn and sing and create and enjoy school. It should be a joy to learn.

Happy Fathers' Day!

2011-06-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Day, Daddy!

Rich, you are a great dad to our boy!

Happy Fathers' Day, Daniel. Grayson is so lucky

to have you for a dad.

World Wide Knit in Public Day

2011-06-18T08:35:00.000-05:00

   Beginning June 11 and continuing through June 18 is WWKIPD. (crochet included) This year it will be celebrated for a whole week! I am the kind of person who knits in public all year, but it's wonderful to have a time when people all over the world will be enjoying their crafting together.
   Last summer on our vacation, Rich took short video clips of me knitting EVERYWHERE! It was really funny.
   I am in Hutt0 visiting my grandson, DIL, and son. I met a Ravelry friend at the McDonald's. We had a grand time knitting, talking, and getting to know each other.

TedxHouston

2011-06-13T10:50:00.000-05:00

   TEDxHouston is an independent TED event. If you are interested in hearing new ideas on every subject you can imagine go to TED and find a video. They are only 18 min, long and well worth your time.
   On Saturday, there was an event independently produced by a group of people in Houston. I heard about 17 different speeches on topics ranging from the creation of audio walking tours in Houston to nano technology to a discussion of why people are involved in service.
   In about a month, these talks will be on line and I will tell you about some that I enjoyed and link to them. Actually, there was only one that was not well presented and too much info for me to understand well.
   Two of the talks are on TED right now. They are both worth your time. One is called "Wearing Nothing New" by Jessi Arrington, all about having fun with clothing and being conscious of her consumption of earth's resources.
   The second is called "Aimee Mullins and her 12 pairs of legs." She is an athlete, actress, and runway model whose legs below her knees where amputated when she was a baby. Very inspiring.

Way Too Long

2011-06-10T11:05:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I made an entry. This school year has taken all my energy and writing a blog was just too much. I am, however, going to talk about what has been wonderful this year! Richard Grayson Doty - Grayson turned 1 in May and a great time was had by all.

Zentangles

2011-01-11T06:04:00.000-06:00

Have you ever heard of Zentangles? The website says, "Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns." There to books, tutorials, and a gallery of pictures. It's a unique idea and I think it would be fun to try!
Here are some examples by Rick Roberts:

Used with permission.

The Quilt Rat Jill Buckley makes similar designs called Doodles. She combines this quilting, sewing, and other artistic pursuits.

Used with permission.

Aren't they both so inspiring. How wonderful!

Reading is the Best

2011-01-07T06:41:00.002-06:00

I received a Kindle for Christmas. I'm so excited to be able to carry many books with me. This gives me a choice of books to read and saves my arm for the strain of a bag of 10-15 books.

I have bought a few books from favorite authors ( Emily Richards, Sue Grafton, Maeve Binchy, and Debbie Macomber) and downloaded books that are in the public domain.

I chose Sherlock Holmes, Pride and Prejudice, and Tale of Two Cities among others. I've read some othe classic books, but not others. Here is a list of public domain books that are in the Kindle library. Here is an article tells of many places that you can get public domain books.

Hope you read a lot this year, I'm planning to! I've started Sue Grafton's T is for Trespass!

Civil War Anniversary Commemoration

2011-01-05T06:33:00.002-06:00

Well known quilt historian, Barbara Brackman is sharing the stories and quilts from the Civil War Era. I look forward to reading the stories she will share and what blocks she has chosen for us to make. Come join the fun!

used with permission

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T11:32:00.000-06:00

I'm so proud of my school. Grayson celebrated the game with me!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T06:20:00.001-06:00

New Podcast

2010-12-18T06:45:00.002-06:00

I have discovered the most hysterical podcast. It's called "The Knitwits". She's the knit and he's the wit!! They are so funny and random. Carin is a knitter and a spinner and home schools her 2 young children. Rick is a voice over actor. He has the most amazing voice and shares many "horrible" puns. He also shares a favorite or new wine most weeks.
If you want an hour of fun and laughter give them a try.

Holiday Mystery Gifts

2010-12-15T06:20:00.001-06:00

I am part of the Holiday Mystery Gifts yahoo group. In July, they had a KAL (knit a long) to make a stocking with lots of designs to choose from. There were different motifs and stitch patterns. It was so much fun. I made this stocking for my DDIL (dear daughter-in-law), Leslie. I think she's going to use for Grayson's 1st Christmas stocking.

International Quilt Festival Fall 2010

2010-12-12T06:51:00.000-06:00

Once again, I was able to attend the International Quilt Festival. I will be sharing pictures of some of my favorite quilts at the show.
Dear Jane is near and dear to my heart and this is an interesting layout and color combination. Very unique.

"Jeepers..It's Jane!" by Beth Schillig from Columbus, Ohio. She included 112 of the original Dear Jane blocks and a few of her own.

Jeepers..It's Jane detail

"Betsy Ross Never Imagined This" made by Nancy McLearran of Santa Rosa, California
Inspired by a Sisters, Oregon poster, "Patriot's Needle"

Marvelous detail in design choices and embroidery stitches.

Knitting Report

2010-12-09T08:25:00.001-06:00

I've been knitting off and on lately and thought I'd share what was completed this week.
Well, I can't get this turned correctly. It was already hard to see, but this is a Tardis. The top is facing the right. We are huge Dr. Who fans and this is his 'vehicle' - an English police call box.

This is a double sided dish cloth - pattern by Ozknitter. I got it on the Holiday Mystery Knits yahoo group.

Civil War Diary Group over

2010-12-06T08:12:00.000-06:00

Our class may be over, but I will continue to work on the blocks. I have finished around 1/2 of the blocks to make this quilt. There are 121 blocks in all. Saturday was the last monthly meeting of a 2 year class. We had lots of fun and learned a lot about the Civil War. Here are the 3 blocks I made on Saturday.

Love Letter Row 6 Block 10

Guerrilla Warfare Row 7 Block 11

Beauregard's Narrow Excape Row 11 Block 5

Civil War Diary Blocks

2010-12-02T06:36:00.000-06:00

Quilting with a friend today. I completed 2 blocks. YEAH!

Battle of Springfield

Dark Gloom

Civil War Diary, by Rosemary Youngs

Knit Hat

2010-11-28T18:45:00.000-06:00

Grayson needed holiday kint hats. I had so much fun making them.

What I've Been Doing ----

2010-11-26T09:06:00.000-06:00

Trying to survive at work! Have you heard about the HoustonISD policy? If a teacher's students do not grow a year or more each year on the TAKS test, the teacher gets put on a growth plan. It doesn't matter that the students all passed the TAKS or that they got commended (high recognition). For a 3rd grade teacher (me) they base that growth on the difference between a nationally normed test (Stanford) and the state-created TAKS test. It doesn't matter that you can't compare those statistically. The district has created a formula (not to be understood by mere mortals) to base this increase.
     Needless to say, my GT students, for the last 2 years, have not made a year's growth. You know, 4th grade level (at beginning of 3rd) to 5th grade level by the end of 3rd. AND this is all based on an arbritary test on 1 day out of the year!
    All this makes it possible for the district to fire me if they don't make that growth this year!
    I could go on adding more and more information about what the district is making all teachers do, but I won't!

    Why or why did I choose "Gratitude" to focus on this. But I am grateful for all I have: a wonderful supportive husband, healthy and happy parents, a wonderful son, daughter-in-law and grandson. I have wonderful friends - near and virtual.
     Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

More Civil War Diary blocks

2010-10-09T09:16:00.003-05:00

Smallpox Row 6 Block 2

Gardening Row 4 Block 3

A Glorious Rainbow
Row 6 Block 4

The Southern Cause
Row 6 Block 7

For more Civil War Diary photos go to my Webshots page.

Dear Hannah

2010-10-06T08:59:00.004-05:00

The Dear Jane list is starting a Block of the Week challenge for the Dear Hannah quilt. The goal is to make 2 blocks per week. I'm so excited. I have the materials and patterns all ready to go. These are the two blocks I have completed.

B! Tennessee Pine

A1 Nevermore

Dear Hannah was created by Brenda Papadakis. Unlike Dear Jane half of the blocks are applique. This will give it a different feel. I'm making mine with batiks will make a big difference from Civil War Reproductions.

Halloween is Fun!

2010-10-03T21:22:00.000-05:00

Not only is this a Halloween decoration but a pincushion, too. Directions and how-to photos are found on DMC Threads blog. I have used DMC floss all my crafting life. I love the colors and the quality of thread. Hope I can find time to make this cutie.

Balloon Animals

2010-09-23T22:06:00.000-05:00

                          Look! They don't ever loose air!
                                                         I want to make one!
            I know some puppies who would love it to pieces - literally!

Giraffe Balloon Animal,Lion Brand Yarn

Become a member of the Lion Brand family and the patterns are free! Yarn Craft is their WONDERFUL podcast. Liz and Zontee share their latest projects, answer listener questions, and have project ideas to provide years of fun!

Dachshund Balloon Animal Lion Brand Yarn

Made by Grandma

2010-09-21T16:40:00.000-05:00

Look what I made this weekend! Grayson just HAD to have a pumpkin hat!
First, I had to make sure it was going to fit. You can't get the whole effect but he was in shock the whole time the hat was on his head. He did NOT know what Grandma was thinking!!

Now he likes it, though.

God and Dog

2010-09-16T22:26:00.000-05:00

This is simply wonderful! Enjoy!

Still Here

2010-09-12T19:59:00.000-05:00

Life just moves so quickly! Lesson plans, grading papers, district expectations, grocery shopping, washing dishes..

Life is still good!

Grayson's first baseball game - Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX

Someone thinks it's nap time!

Busy With School

2010-08-31T05:33:00.000-05:00

I'm having trouble finding the energy to work on the blog. School has begun and I now have a self-contained classroom. I am teaching all subjects. We have a new reading program that is that thinks we have 3 hours to teach reading. I have not taught 3rd grade math before and this is a new math program since I taught in 1st grade.
I had a Harry Potter movie marathon before school began and then I decided to read the Potter books since the movies can't include so many great parts of the stories. I'm now on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It's great fun to listen to the books on tape and then read parts of the books at home. I live close to work but I can get quite a bit read to and from work and running a few errands in the afternoon.
Hope all my teacher friends are having a good beginning of school.

Support Teachers

2010-08-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

Women 4 Women Knitting 4 Peace

2010-07-11T03:09:00.020-05:00

These are some dolls made by women4women knitting4peace I look forward to seeing Susan McKee, founder, while at Chautauqua. I knitted with them last year and met some of the women who make the shawls and dolls for a Jewish-Muslim community in Israel called 'oasis of peace.'

Chautauqua Institute

2010-07-08T02:21:00.055-05:00

         After the fun week traveling East to West in central New York, we will go to the Chautauqua Institute which is based on the arts, education, religion, and recreation.
    The Ethics of Leadership is the topic for our week at Chautauqua this year. Rev. James Forbes, Senior Minister Emeritus of Riverside Church in Manhattan, New York will be the minister each morning.Riverside is an interdenominational church of American Baptist and United Church of Christ.
   This is the write-up about the rest of the institute speakers:

What constitutes leadership? When one is designated a “leader,” what are the particular obligations of leadership? How are these responsibilities expressed in ethical terms? Does ethical leadership imply social responsibility? Is leadership different age to age? In our annual Applied Ethics exploration, we will examine leadership from the points of view of business and politics, education and sports, from those who make headlines and from those who lead by following.

These are from last year.

On the Water

2010-07-06T02:03:00.003-05:00

Reservations have been made for a 2 hour journey on the Erie Canal. I'm so excited. It begins in Lockport, NY and goes through one of the locks. It will be great to experience this part of history.
I have heard of "Maid of the Mist" for years and now I'm going to take a trip on her. It will be so much fun to see Niagara Falls from the water. I'm trying to figure out if I should take a spare pair of tennis shoes so I have a dry one to wear. We shall see!

Happy Fourth of July

2010-07-04T06:51:00.019-05:00

March block of the month from Pat Sloan's Folk Art America pattern
My completed quilt.

Wonderful Houses and Museums

2010-07-01T06:55:00.055-05:00

The Buffalo, New York area has the 2nd largest number of Frank Lloyd Wright structures. Chicago has the most. We are going to visit 2 of them. The Darwin Martin House Complex is a 15,000 sq. ft. house which includes his famous "Tree of Life" stained glass window and the "Graycliff" home looks Lake Erie.
The Eastman house is in Rochester. There is a huge garden to explore and there are museum displays. Rich is looking forward to the "Colorama" display. These are 18' X 60' panoramic photos that were displayed in New York's Grand Central Terminal.

Vacation Plans

2010-06-29T07:14:00.001-05:00

Rich and I are planning a vacation! This is the 2nd summer in a row! It's amazing what you can afford to do when children are no long a part of the home budget.
The plan is to start in Schenectady, NY so Rich can visit his birth place. He wants to see his house and the church the family attended. We will, also, go to the Lake George area and visit the YMCA camp that Rich's dad directed.

Reading is fundemental!

2010-06-20T08:51:00.001-05:00

Just what a teacher who is a grandmother loves to see!

Happy Father's Day, Daniel.

This Is It

2010-06-19T08:51:00.000-05:00

Michael Jackson is just amazing! I have always loved his music. I watched him as a small boy with the Jackson 5. This Is It is a movie of footage taken from the rehearsals for Michael's last concert tour. The tour never happened because he died right before it was to begin. If you like his musical hits, this is a wonderful way to spend some time. It's a view of his musical genius and a positive part of his life. I highly recommend it.

Embroidery Class

2010-06-15T18:26:00.002-05:00

Mollie Johanson at Wild Olive is having an embroidery project class next month. She is going to present projects for us to learn how to embroider on all kinds of materials: pet screen, cardboard, clear vinyl, etc. It's going to be interesting to learn some new techniques.

Mollie has some really cute patterns, too. She has designs of camping, cooking, vegetables and fruits, just to name a few.

Home from Hutto

2010-06-10T18:25:00.000-05:00

I have spent the last week in Hutto being a grandma helper. It was so much fun to see, hear, and hold Grayson. Daniel and Leslie are becoming great parents. I didn't think I'd become "one of those grandmothers", but here I am. Hope you enjoy the latest pictures. tee-hee

This is the picture Grayson sent to say "Hi Grandma" after I left.

Please Come Home!

2010-06-05T05:50:00.001-05:00

Rich and I watched the dogs while Leslie and Daniel were at the hospital waiting for Grayson to arrive.

Vote all of June

2010-06-03T21:43:00.002-05:00

What a happy Home!

2010-06-02T05:41:00.001-05:00

Everyone is happy to be home.

Is this for me? Fred gets his first sniff!

Maybe we could do this at night instead of during the day!

Yummy!

Having fun in the Hospital

2010-05-29T17:41:00.000-05:00

We see Daniel and Grayson for the first time.

The boys in the room.

It's so much fun to be a grandma.

Grandpa is happy, too.

Caring Bridges

2010-05-24T10:00:00.002-05:00

Have you hear of this? Caring Bridges is a place to keep in touch with friends and family when you are ill. You can make a page and tell your story and invite your friends to be a part of it. You can post pictures and tell those who are important to read your journal. I am so blessed to have a friend who has included me in her Caring Bridges site. It is so great to know when she has been to the doctor and to hear and see what is going on in her life. Pass this information along to others who might need it.

Connecting Family and Friends When Health Matters Most

Richard Grayson Doty has Arrived

2010-05-23T20:13:00.001-05:00

At 1:48 AM, Saturday, May 22, 2010, Grayson weighed in at 8 lbs 2.5 oz. and 22 1/4 in. long. We got to see his first bath in the nursery. Mama Leslie, did a great job and everyone said a quick 'Hi' before we headed home at 3:30 AM.
Sunday morning the grandfathers spent some time doing yard work so the daddy wouldn't have to worry about it and the grandmothers went to hold the baby!
There really is nothing more fun than listening to newborn baby noises and getting to hold and talk to a grandchild. Here are a few scenes from the last couple of days.

"I've got my daddy's finger!"

Will Grayson Ever Come?

2010-05-22T01:57:00.000-05:00

   Daniel and Leslie were at the hospital this morning at 7 AM to have the baby induced. Both sets of Grandparents arrived around noon. We have been waiting all day. Leslie would let different ones of us come visit, but mostly we stayed in the lobby and got updates through text messages from Daniel. Technology is great.
   Around 10 PM the doctor became concerned and decided to give the baby one more hour and if he hadn't started to move, there would be a c-section performed. Around midnight it was decided to have the surgery, which began around 1 AM.
   We can see Leslie's room across the atrium from the lobby area. When we realized we could see the room, Rich commented that it seemed we were waiting for the white smoke to rise to let us know the new pope had been chosen. lol When Daniel figured out he could see us, I got a pic of him. (Anything to keep us all entertained.) This was from my iphone. I'll have a better one later from my digital camera.

Rich and Opa (Leslie's dad) have been reading. Oma (Leslie's mom) has been playing on her computer and I have been crocheting and knitting. I'm making a crocheted bag with left overs. The pattern is on Attic 24 I also started a chemo hat for Oma. (That's grandma in German.) She's having a bone marrow transplant next week and will be having 6 days of chemo before the procedure.

Here's a picture of the mommy to be:

More to follow---

Civil War Diary Blocks

2010-05-19T07:04:00.001-05:00

Some more blocks for this wonderful quilt.

Mr. Harrison's Pigs

Confusion and Turmoil (Look at the great Hawaiian fabric)

Southern Flags and Patriotism

New Pincushions

2010-05-16T19:03:00.000-05:00

Lakeview Quilt Guild Quilt Show was this weekend. It was fun to the quilts and vendors. I found some fun pincushions.

Tonda made apples and tarts.

These flowers are attached to golf tees.

Debbie Caffrey Mystery Quilt

2010-05-03T20:29:00.000-05:00

WOW! What fun it is to make a mystery quilt! http://www.debbiescreativemoments.com/ These are Mary Engelbreit fabrics - Recipe for Friendship. I just love her stuff and had to use it!
The red paisley was the inspiration and was to be the border, but it completely over powered the main part of the quilt, so it will be on the backing.

Here is the completed quilt top:

2nd Best Day of My Life

2010-05-01T22:31:00.000-05:00

July 27 is the day I was married. Today (May 1) is the day my dear son was born. The world has not been the same since he came into the world. I love you, Daniel!

Here he is will his lovely wife, Leslie

Amy Butler's Birdie Sling Bag

2010-04-24T10:59:00.001-05:00

I took a class at Sunflower Quilts last week to make this bag. It worked out well because the directions were not easy to read so Jill was a great help getting the bag complete. She had many tips to keep us all on the right track.

I had some blocks and yardage of Jan Mullen fabric that I wanted to use. The blue was the yardage so it was for the outside and the other pieces would be pockets and lining, etc. I loved being able to use some of all of it.

Here is one inner lining. I left this large pocket undivided to hold my wallet.

I added a smaller pocket on the other side of the inner lining to hold my iPhone. It is perfect. I can always find it.

Here is my completed bag and the bag of my friend, Sheila.

Amy Butler Designs

More Civil War Diary Blocks

2010-04-20T19:40:00.000-05:00

Mail Delivery Row 4 Block 2

Glorious News Row 4 Block 7

Oath of Allegiance Row 1 Block 2

Houston Arboretum

2010-04-18T19:37:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we spent a wonderful afternoon in the Houston Arboretum. There were all kinds of things growing and crawling and flying around. It is wonderful.

It may be hard for you to see but there is a mother turtle in the middle of the pond. I never could get a picture of the baby turtle she was ordering around. It was really funny, though.

This is everywhere!

Honeysuckle

Look at this interesting ground cover. I wish I knew what it was.

We will have to go visit again when the water lilies bloom.

Pink Glove Dance

2010-04-08T08:37:00.001-05:00

What a wonderful way to raise breast cancer awareness!

Knitting Blankets

2010-04-05T22:14:00.001-05:00

I have been knitting lots and lots lately. I have completed 3 baby blankets. They are so much fun to make and give. We have had 2 baby showers are school so far this year. The first was for Mrs. Rodriguez and the 2nd for Mrs. McCollum. The last is for my grand baby due in May.

Civil War Diary

2010-04-02T22:00:00.002-05:00

The latest blocks made from The Civil War Diary by Rosemary Youngs.

Top Center: Troops Arriving, Row 3 Block 8 Above left: Glorious News, Row 4 Block 7
Right: A Union of Name, Row 11 Block 3

Bonnie Blue Birthday Quilt

2010-03-30T21:37:00.001-05:00

Last year my friend, Sheila, surprised me at our joint birthday party with a quilt class with designer Paula Barnes of Bonnie Blue Quilts. Paula taught the pattern Appomattox Court House. Sheila graciously gifted me the quilt kit and cut much of the fabric so we could start sewing. It was wonderful!
Here is a picture of the recently completed top and detail. This is now on my "to be quilted" list.

Lights are Back On

2010-03-27T21:33:00.000-05:00

Our lights are now back on after 1 hour. It is only a gesture but if no one takes climate change seriously changes won't be made. Do your part, everyday!

Yarn Amazing Yarn

2010-03-23T22:05:00.000-05:00

You have to see this clip "Making of Natural Gas". It shows a commercial being made in Belgium. they have used yarn and knitting to make the point that gas heat is perfect for a winter morning. It is FABULOUS! Knitters Rule!

Internet Radio?

2010-03-05T09:51:00.004-06:00

My favorite quilt designer, Pat Sloan, now has a radio interview show, Creative Talk Radio, that is on the internet. It's such an amazing idea and her show is wonderful. She has already talked to some of the leading quilters in the business and is adding new segments every episode. Give it a try!

Looks like there are other interesting programs, too. http://toginet.com/

Olympics Are Over

2010-03-03T09:36:00.000-06:00

It has been a fun, exciting and disappointing 2 weeks. I just love the Olympics and enjoy most of the sports in both the winter and summer events. I hope you have enjoyed them as well. I feel everyone should watch, at least, part of it to see what people of the rest of the world are like. It's an opportunity not to be missed. Hope you didn't.
Go to the olympic site to see the fun.

Crafty Websites

2010-03-01T09:17:00.001-06:00

I cruise the net everyday and am always finding inspiring, fun blogs. Here are a few you might like to cruise through, too.

Pinks and Needles

Little Cotton Rabbits

Free Amigurumi Patterns

These creatures are just the cutest. You find many blogs and patterns for this little things.
I have a whole list of them I want to make. These are just a few I've actually completed.

What a Bummer!

2010-02-27T09:17:00.000-06:00

It is so disheartening after 34 years of teaching and putting my heart and soul into the "care and feeding" of children ages 4-12, that someone is going to tell me I don't do a good enough job unless my students make a year's growth on a standardized test that is given on one day out of a whole year!
This is a very complicated matter and I can only talk about my own classroom, but this article gave the best analogy I've heard that explains the situation I'm in.

Suppose you are foreman of a project and your pay will depend on how well your crew has done the work. The rating, however, is not based on the job from start to finish but on how much better your job is than that of the jobs the crew worked on last year under other foremen. The projects were different from yours and took place in different locations. Now you know what the so-called value-added models for teacher performance evaluation are like.

"Grading teachers: What's the best way?
The method the state wants to use certainly isn’t"
By VICTOR L. WILLSON
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Feb. 13, 2010, 7:02PM

I won't go on any longer but teaching has now become very depressing and it makes a person want to retire RIGHT NOW!

Gratitude

2010-02-24T20:48:00.000-06:00

Complaining is the denial of responsibility. And blame is just another way of excusing yourself from being responsible.

A Complaint Free World

The Gratitude Campaign

2010-02-18T08:44:00.004-06:00

Have you heard of The Gratitude Campaign? Scott Truitt, founder of the campaign began to say "thank you" to Service Men and Women he saw on his travels. There were times he was not able to speak directly to the military personnel so he looked for an alternative. Scott says, "I did some research and found this sign, originating in 18th century France which, fully translated, means "thank you from the bottom of my heart.""

Put your hand on your heart and lower it down toward the person you are gesturing to. They will know how you feel.

Gratitude can be a way of life.

Girls Night Out Mystery KAL Clue 4

2010-02-16T08:38:00.001-06:00

WOO HOO!! I've complete Clue 4 on both socks!! Didn't think I'd ever make it. You can't really tell, but I've turned the heel. I'm not sure what will happen next, but I can't wait.

Girl's Night Out Mystery KAL Clue 3

2010-02-14T08:33:00.001-06:00

Once again this has been a challenge, but doesn't it look good? I'm so excited.

Girls Night Out Mystery KAL: Clue 2

2010-02-12T07:17:00.001-06:00

There has been a short pause in life as I know it to make 80 9-patch blocks and sew the last round on a Round Robin with my Dear Jane group. Here is a sneak peak since the recipient is already at the retreat will the quilts will be revealed. I'm not going to be there to see my own quilt, but will receive it in the mail.

These Dancing Girls were hard to make, but they sure look fun. I had to knit, unknit and reknit so many times I was afraid the yarn would fray. It's a real challenge. Ravelry has a great group of people to talk to about all this, too.

Matthew Henson

2010-02-02T09:04:00.001-06:00

Matthew Henson, was an African American explorer and associate of Robert Peary during various expeditions, the most famous being a 1909 expedition which claimed to be the first to reach the Geographic North Pole.

History of Black History Month

2010-01-31T21:04:00.001-06:00

CNN.com had an article today about the beginning of Black History Month. Dr. Carter G. Woodson is considered to be a pioneer in the study of African American history. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, he developed Negro History Week. Woodson believed that "the achievements of the Negro properly set forth will crown him as a factor in early human progress and a maker of modern civilization." In 1976, the year I graduated from college, it was expanded to Black History Month.

We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.
- Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) on founding Negro History Week, 1926

Day of the Dead at Festival 2009

2010-01-20T07:50:00.000-06:00

I've been looking through pictures from the Houston International Quilt Festival 2009. I took these pictures for a friend (Hi, Jill) and thought I'd share them. I love Halloween and Day of the Dead designs.

Martin Luther King Day 2010

2010-01-18T08:45:00.001-06:00

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Day 2010

2010-01-17T20:42:00.000-06:00

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2010

2010-01-15T20:25:00.003-06:00

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Focus on Gratitude

2010-01-13T20:24:00.000-06:00

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. --Jackie Windspear

I'm searching this week for the good in teaching. I'm looking for positive feedback on all the hard work teachers do.

This is what Houston ISD wants to do: As reported in the Houston Chronicle

The Houston school board will vote Thursday on a controversial plan to evaluate teachers — and possibly fire them — based partly on their students' test scores.

This is a test that happens one or 2 days out of a whole year!

Winter Again?

2010-01-07T21:38:00.000-06:00

I live in Houston, for goodness sake. We don't have winter! It already snowed! Now it's going to be in the 20's? What is the deal?

From Click2Houston.com: Headlines for Thursday, January 7:

Hard Freeze To Last Days Houston is known for its heat, but for the next few days you'd never know it as temperatures plunge below freezing.

Gratitude

2010-01-03T17:15:00.000-06:00

After discovering the idea of A Complaint Free World, I found Christine Kane. She chooses a word each year to help her focus her intentions. I'm sure there is way more to learn about this idea, but I'm going to discover it as the year progresses. I looked for a positive spin on being complaint free and decided on Gratitude.

I have already discovered that it is hard not to complain! I can't be whiney about having to go back to school tomorrow if I'm going to commit to being complaint free. So what is there left to talk about today? Wow!

Wishing all of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-01T10:00:00.002-06:00

Use it Up - Wear it Out - Make it Do!

2009-12-31T09:47:00.000-06:00

I have noticed there has been talk lately about how people saved, re-used or wore out all they had back in the 30's and 40's. Since we are in the midst of economic hard times and the 'go green' movement, people are interested in how to save money and help the environment.

On That Quilt Show website, there is an article about "The Art of Sashiko" a type of Japanese needlework and how that is related to being frugal with our resources.

Brenda Dayne of the Cast On podcast presented a series on the topic Make Do and Mend. They are Episodes 78-85 The ideas for these podcasts are based on a series of pamplets called "Make Do and Mend" published by Ministry of Information in Great Britain in 1943 during the time of war and scarcity. The information is interesting and worth a listen.

You may want to search for ways YOU can help.

A Complaint Free World

2009-12-29T10:00:00.001-06:00

I just discovered this organization and thought it was a great idea. They based their goal on this quote by Maya Angelou.
                   If you don't like something, change it.
                 If you can't change it, change your attitude.

     What a great opportunity for have an effect on the world!

Claymation Carol of the Bells

2009-12-27T10:00:00.001-06:00

Scene from the 1987 CBS "A Claymation Christmas Celebration" produced by Will Vinton creator of the California Raisins.

Winter in Houston

2009-12-26T10:00:00.001-06:00

I know we had snow recently, but this is what winter in Houston REALLY looks like.

I sure is great that Rich and I love the rain!!!