Cultivate beauty and wisdom in and around you

I guess if I'm going to get anything else written before 2013, I'd better get at it. Earlier this month Loren and I went to downtown Portland and watched the Tuba Christmas. It was held at Pioneer Courthouse Square and was beautiful. Listening to that many tubas outside was wonderful. It was a little misty and a bit cold but all crowded together, it wasn't bad. I love the old courthouse. Tried to get the flag billowing out, almost. It is such a beautiful old building. We don't have many buildings like this, we tear them down and make something new. nice tree...great back view of someones head! After watching for a while we went to.... Besides the greatest smelling cigars, they sell their wonderful cigar boxes. I was looking for a perfect one to give my daughter with a scarf that I knitted for her. Of course, I found one and sorry I didn't take a picture of it. It is black and just perfect for her. Score!  A little l

As most of you know, I am privileged t o teach and work at Pioneer Quilts. www . pioneerqui lts hop.com/ It is a beautiful shop that carries many different styles of fabric and the people who work there are full of great ideas to help you with any of your projects....or to help you get started if you are new to the art of quilting. I have a few classes coming up that I wanted to make you aware of. The next one is a hand piecing class that will show you how to make Cathedral Window blocks. This is what the blocks look like. They are all done by hand. You can make a large quilt out of these blocks and don't need to add batting or backing as they are finished as you go or you can make a doll   quilt like I did. The class will be held Wednesday December 12 from 10:30-2:30. Call the shop if you would like to join us..503.654.1555 _________________________________________ Several years ago Jan Patek began a series of patterns for a group that she called G

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Gone are the hot days of summer and in comes the cool nights, the turning leaves, days of turkey and getting out those projects that were set aside for the long summer days. Memorial We went to the traveling memorial in early November. It was a cold and rainy day which fit the somber mood. My husband, Loren, is a proud Marine. This tribute was for the Marines, but there was a wreath for all the branches. Beautiful even in the rain. This museum was inside and had a lot of interesting things. Probably more so for those who have spent their time in the military and know these things personally. Thanksgiving Getting ready for Thanksgiving, we worked doubly hard to get the garage/studio in shape. The barn boards are going up and the ceiling is nearly finished. All unnecessary items were removed and an extra table was added for the festivities. Where's the turkey?!! We didn't have v

Aurora Quilt Show Oct. 2012 I have loved going to Aurora for many years. We have shopped for antiques for The Quilting B and have been to the Strawberry Social in the spring and even gone caroling in the Christmas season. Several years ago my husband and I were checking out the quilt show and bought a ticket for the raffle of a red and white Trip Around the World quilt. Some time later I received a phone call from "Patrick" who said I had won the quilt. I thought my husband was tricking me, but it was really the truth. Pretty cool. Here are a few of the quilts we saw this year. This is a friendship quilt with lots of embroidered signatures. L O N G Bench I love the old log cabin. If you've been inside you know the warm  fire is crackling and cookies and apple juice await you. In the back part of the house there is lots and lots of stuff to look at! They sell notions and linens and old quilt books,etc. Always f

Just a reminder that the Aurora Quilt Show is going on. You might want to ride out and enjoy the quilts and the antiques. “Seeing Red”  40th Annual Quilt Show General Admission $6.00 Groups of 10+  $5.00 Students $2.00 Old Aurora Colony Museum October 12-21, 2012 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Daily Today we finished our second class at Pioneer Quilt making the  Flowers in the Garden quilt designed by Primitive Patchwork. It was a great class and all the color choices are amazing. Following are pictures that I took today to give you an idea of the creative expertise shown by these great students!!! by Mary Ann by Helen by Pat by Sarah by Carol P. by Carole by Gail by Ellen by Linda by Carol U. My picture quality doesn't do justice to how beautiful they all are. We hope to get together in January and see how many of us have finished. It was a fun clas