Quilting, not just a hobby anymore.

Front of Carry-all. Pocket for ruler and rotary cutter.
Back of carry-all....Ironing surface, and pocket.
Inside of carry-all, cutting board and organizing surface.

I am in charge of planning the programs for the Utah Valley Quilt Guild. Yesterday we had a meeting that I have been working on since April. I think it went well, actually better than I expected. I had decided nobody would be interested and it would be the poorest attended event for the last 5 years, but in actual fact, LOTS of people came. The thing I am GLADDEST about (I just finished reading "Pollyanna") is that it is over and I don't have to worry about it anymore! I taught a class how to make a mini quilting carry-all. I designed it. I am GLAD to have all the kits gone and out of my kitchen.

My next stress is Utah Quilt Guild Festival next month. I am teaching 2 classes with optional kits. I am also in charge of door prizes that have been accumulating in my house since April. I am sure it will be the worst door prize meeting they have had for the last 5 years.

I am also making a "Dear Jane" quilt. Jane Stickle made a quilt in 1863 with more than 2200 pieces. The blocks are tiny and intricate and every one is different. Each block takes 1-4 hours to make and there are 225 blocks. I have 5 rows finished but with deadlines constantly on my horizon I have been setting it aside more and more. So I live with the stress of knowing I am getting farther and farther behind. There is going to be a "Dear Jane" quilt show in one year that I need to finish it for. Oh dear, my stomach hurts.... I'm sure it will be the worst one anyone has seen in the last 5 years anyway.

My version of "Dear Jane"

SanFrancisco

I'm not sure I am doing the pictures right but at least I put some up. It as a random bunch to be sure but it is a sampling of the pics I just downloaded onto my computer.

We recently returned from visiting Ben's family in California. I still love California. The cost of living is attrocious but the weather is so mild and delightful. I love the wierd vegetation and the smell of Jasmin and Honeysuckle and the neat/wierd people. I don't mean Ben and Val are neat/wierd, I mean the general public, not that Ben and Val aren't part of the.... oh forget it. Ben and Val and the 3 little hippies are so much fun, I REALLY hated to leave. I bet Ben and Val are happy to be able to sleep in their own bed in their own room and only have to feed their own crew. Love you guys

All my daughters and daughter-in-laws ran a 1/2 marathon a few weeks ago, well, except Hannah who had JUST had a baby. (Is that really a good excuse? We just found out Betsy ran it pregnant!) There is a serious lack of macho men in this family. I can just imagine the comments I am going to get about THAT statement. Relax guys, I'm just baiting you. I started running when I had 4 little kids and lived in San Francisco. Jim packed all the kids in the car and followed me as I ran through Golden Gate Park to make sure I was safe. I know my sons and sils (sons-in -law), are watching their kids so their wives can get out and maintain a semblance of sanity. They are sacrificing for their wives. Good job girls, you married well.

Gulp! And now it begins....

Ok, I have spent most of the day reading about blogging and getting familiar with this blogsite. In plain english that means I have been working up the courage to start my own blog. I hope it will be fun for me and not too boring for my family who are the only ones I expect to read it. I tried to put a picture on, but on two separate computers full of pictures, there are only 3 pictures of me and I was at least 15 pounds heavier so forget it. I will try to take a picture of myself soon.

I know that blogs without pictures are BORing.

Tomorrow is our 34th Anniversary and we very nearly forgot about it! Honestly, trying to figure out how to celebrate is just another stress. Probably not for Jim, he's the romantic one. I think a nice dinner would be great and then forget the whole thing. Poor Jim.