Retreat Joy

Last weekend, I had the sheer pleasure to sew with these lovely ladies at a retreat sponsored by the fabulous Victoria. Boy were they inspiring!

Kim, LeeAnn, Karen, me, Jackie
Jessica, Helen, Bonnie, Victoria

Non-photo taking me didn't have my camera there for show and tell...and then didn't take pictures of everyone's projects, but oh my....if you visit their blogs, what wonders you will see!

Scrap-diving highlighted the weekend! See, even Jessica's son agrees!


Although, we didn't agree of everything. He apparently wanted a scrap for a ghost jacket and I kept looking for little bits of yellow. (Good thing he let go of that Jennifer Paganelli scrap and we didn't have to duke it out!)

I came home with the starts of brown, red and cheddar quilt...

some lovely yellow blocks...

as well as some scrap inspirations for several other projects. I'm dreaming up a red quilt (with splashes of deep purple), a feminine tan and purple quilt (maybe to include the little "Lady of Guadalupe" fabric from Victoria?) and something with the sweet yellow scraps from a baby dress.

Oh my, I had fun playing! So thank you ALL for such a lovely weekend. Your creativity, your scraps and your projects gave me so many new and wonderful ideas. Truly a pleasure to sew with you. Hope to do it again soon!

Design and Play with Metro Mod Quilters

I'm really digging the Metro Mod Quilters' Guild. Here's a peek at a project I participated in for last months meeting.

Jessica made this from a scrap exchange...

She mentioned loving the scrap with the tiny little crumb strips in it. (Can you find it?) I liked the improvised sense, the bright colors and that same little detail. I found it interesting, but wasn't swooning. That makes it a good play project. (When I get overly precious about something, I'm not always able to think outside the box and PLAY.)

When I sat down to work on it, I had a few "rules":

1. Only use fabric I already have.
2. Somehow echo the design elements that are already there.
3. Include more little strips, since Jessica loved them.

Here are the strips....

I kept thinking "borders", but ultimately decided that instead of framing the entire quilt, the borders could echo the block design. I put them on only two sides, making Jessica's piece the cornerstone of one big block. Here's how it turned out...

I went from thinking "interesting" to "love, love, love"! I so enjoyed the process, just experimenting with design and color, rather than focusing on the final product.

Check out what V did with it next!

Three Reasons You Need Quilting Friends

1. They make you think about how to make your quilts the absolute best they can be today, without going crazy. While you all were right that unpicking would be insanity, it made the problem roll around my brain long enough to realize that a little unpicking might do the trick.


And it did.


2. They take you to sweet quilting events, like this quilt give away. All the families in temporary housing were delighted to receive their quilts.


Some couldn't wait until they got home to love on them.


3. They give you funny dreams, like the one I had last night about shop hopping with Amanda Jean and Shelly. Don't ask me why V & I were scheduled to fly home when these two were heading out. I'm sure if I'd slept a bit longer, we would have canceled all plane tickets and gone hog wild! Three days visiting fabric stores with these ladies??? Heaven! I woke up with a smile.

What do you love about your creative friends?

The Quilt Retreat Post...Finally!

So, sometime ago, V mentioned that she was planning a retreat in Minnesota with a group of other blogging quilters. My little ears perked up. Oh, that sounded like an awful lot of fun. Holy Toledo! I had now idea just how much fun.

What a group of gals! Talk about talented and prolific! I mean, there is V herself, who whips up unique quilts at an alarming rate. There's Shelly, who posts stash reports on the hundreds (I am not kidding, hundreds) of yards of fabric she goes through in a year. (Stay posted on her site for the patriotic quilt she was madly sewing while we were there!) And Amanda, well everyone knows how much that girl sews! That's just on the prolific end! How this slow poke got invited to the big dance is still a mystery, but what a ball it was! We sewed and sewed and laughed and laughed, saw the quilt show, and then sewed some more. And the best part? It was the same weekend as my birthday! I haven't had a birthday this fun in YEARS!!!

Now, let's talk about birthday generosity. These gals gave me the loveliest quilty things, even a few from ladies I was meeting for the very first time. What sweetness!

This is the little quilt from V that looks awesome in my living room.

(Don't you love the quilting stitches?)

Here's a bit of Amy Butler fabric from Rene' (one of the nicest gals ever), shot cotton solids from Toni and Doris (a joy to watch as a powerful creative team and as truly supportive friends) and the Hmong applique blocks I treated myself to for my birthday. Can't wait to play with all this fun fabric!

Then, the quilting genius Shelly (yep, we had two Shelly's there) let me decimate raid her batik stash looking for a few extra blues and purples for my borders. I may have gotten more than a little carried away and she was nice enough to just say "Happy Birthday!", not "Get out of there crazy lady!"

Add to the mix Terry (who found the most fabulous Halloween fabric ever and I hope to see in NYC one of these days), Mary (who had the loveliest old Featherweight, calm presence and beautiful spiderweb quilt -- you can check it out on her banner) and Heather (who couldn't stay, but left the biggest box of fabric to share), and you have a quilting fiesta extraordinare.

Birthday + new friends + quilting? Man, I'd do it all again next year, without a doubt! (Yes, Miss Amanda, I'd even go running...or at least jogging...for short spurts...if there are no low hanging signs.)

p.s. Don't you love how Amanda's completed the red theme of her quilt?

Generosity: Soap and a New Friend

Ever since my trip to Minnesota this June, generosity's been on my mind. Throughout the trip, generosity kept peeking out, the first time with a new friendship and a bar of soap.

When I discovered Megan's blog some time ago (through Carol of Giraffe Dreams), I knew I'd found a kindred spirit. She posts about the things she is grateful for, her travels and favorite recipes (which look sublime by the way), but every now and then she posts some thoughtful reflection on a topic like, oh, Mercy with a capital M, and wham, I just want to walk right over to her house with a plate of cookies and have a real conversation. As I started reading, I hoped this girl would become a friend.

When I emailed her about visiting while I was in MN, I didn't know what her response would be. Talk about generous! My invite to meet for lunch was reciprocated with an offer of a ride from the airport, an invitation to stay with her and her hubby and another offer to drive me up to the retreat. At the rate she was going, I wouldn't have been surprised if she offered me her sweet puppy for company the entire time I was in the state! Was I ever glad to take her up on some of her offers! It was so fun to chat in real time, to eat her yummy food (and the excellent arugula/goat cheese pizza at Punch) and to see lovely MN.

Then, like good friends do, she taught me a lesson. Shopping in the cutest little shop, she came across something that smelled delicious and asked me if I liked almond. (Why yes, I do.) She started to tell me about a soap she bought that was almond scented and I immediately interrupted to say, "And you really don't like it?" (You know that something you bought that you just didn't love in the end, but you don't want it to go to waste and you know someone will love it? Mmm hmmm, I jumped right to that conclusion.) No, she LOVES it. She buys extra to give to others all the time, sharing her abundance. Made me wonder...why was my first assumption that she was offering to pass something along because she ended up not liking it? Yikes! Do I share only that which I don't like or don't need? Showed me again how joyful it can be to share the best. I can do more of that! Thanks Megan for the good example.

What have you been taught by a friend's good example?

Intercambio de recetas (or recipe exchange)

(Cornbread, pepper chicken and beans, those lovely habichuelas!)

I have discovered my dad's cornbread recipe has bartering power. Wahoo! This week, it was worth one lesson on Dominican-style beans. Oh my, did I get the better end of this deal! Admittedly, this is more on the "concept" end of things than a hard and fast recipe, but Marisol said you're supposed to season it to your taste. So please do!

Habichuelas Dominicanas por Marisol

Ingredients:

Large pot of beans of your choice, cooked until soft, undrained
garlic, lots of it & chopped fine
oil
vinegar
8 oz. tomato sauce
small red onion, with ends and skin removed, cut in two pieces
1 sopita cube, which appears to be Domincan flavor bullion, cut in half

small red pepper, green pepper (and/or other peppers of your choice), seeded and sectioned
tomato (such as grape tomatoes), only a few
adobo
Dominican oregano
cilantro, regular and wide leaf

1. Heat oil. Add garlic and saute. Add 1-2 TBS of vinegar before it starts to brown. Add the onion cut in two. Add tomato sauce. Add 1/2 sopita cube. Let simmer for 5 minutes, mas o menos.

2. Add the hot garlic/tomato/onion sauce to the beans. Also add peppers, tomatoes, dash of adobo, oregano (crushed in your palm before it's added), and other half of sopita cube. Bring beans to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes or more, until the water has cooked down but the beans are still soupy. Add both cilantros, whole. Let simmer an additional 10 minutes. Take out large onion and pepper chunks and cilantro if you desire. Season to taste with salt, pepper and adobo. Serve over rice and enjoy!

The power of a phone call

Today I called a friend I serve with about "business." She said to me at the end of the call that I am the only person from church who regularly calls her. I felt instantly guilty because I usually call her when "business" needs to be attended to. Shouldn't I be calling because she is my friend?

It made me think of another friend I haven't really talked to in a while and I decided to call. We talked for only 8 minutes. (Cell phones details....) As we were saying goodbye, she said thank you too. She expressed that she doesn't feel like she has many friends, which surprised me. She is kind, generous and loved by many people. How does she not feel it?

How often do I assume those I care about know it, focus on my own problems, or think a small little thing like an 8 min. phone call is insignificant? All the time, to tell the truth. Tonight reminded me that showing it, in small ways, is how people know I care about them. Its how they feel it. And it is how I know I care about them, too.

It feels good.

Visiting V: Quilting Report

Earlier this week, I got to go to V's house. Wow, I think every city dweller needs a house away from all the chaos. There were trees and greens in the garden and quiet nights (and mornings and afternoons) and sandy shores not too far away and grassy design walls.

I took these three blocks I won in the block of the month raffle at the guild meeting last month. I thought they'd be great in a summery/4th of July/Americana table runner for my entryway. But we also played with V's fun stash. This was my favorite:


Isn't it great??? In the end, I decided the traditional look would fit my entryway better, but oh . . . I still question giving up on all that lovely color!

Here's a close up of the pearl cotton quilting I've started, also inspired by V.


We tossed my scrap blocks on a bunch of different fabrics.

What fun! Good to just play around. Good to start the juices flowing with possibility. Good to get away for a day. Thanks V!

p.s. Check out her project for the day here.

Wordless Wednesday: Visiting V . . .

Friendship making it happen!

Photo at M.'s company's NYC debut concert, 2007.

Dinner last night included: three friends, one birthday, two farewells, three unknown futures (aka adventures), one heartache, a good measure of laughter, a few secrets, lots of listening, a variety of perspectives, not enough spring rolls.

Three and a half years ago, the three of us came together as Mormon modern dancers in the Big Apple. Together, we formed an Artists' Circle to make things happen. Now both of these friends are leaving within only a few weeks of one another, perhaps to return next summer, perhaps not. So I look back at what this time has brought....

We made things happen! The short version? We self-produced three shows in three years (with all that entails...publicity, fundraising, rehearsing, etc. etc.), choreographed various independent projects and created teaching opportunities locally, out-of-state and internationally. But between those professional endeavors, we shared things much more valuable...brunch in the park, early morning studio time, hospital visits, dessert, a sounding board for professional problems, baby-sitting, inspiration, a listening ear for personal struggles, picnics, subway rides, ideas and a bit of our hearts.

On the street corner by my apartment, well after midnight, wrapping up our conversation as we have after so many other late night subway rides, M. expressed it best. We are blessed to have found each other and will forever be different people for having known one another. As they are leaving, I think about the gifts they have given me that could have only come from them and I agree. I am a different person from having known them. Our Artists' Circle friendship made something happen, something within.

Blessings to you both! Hope we're dancing and talking and eating together soon!

Getting through

To say the last few weeks have been hard would be an understatement. Another setback on our journey to parenthood leaves my emotions reeling. Yet in the midst of this, the tears and the painful days, I am getting through. How? "How am I ok?" I ask myself.

While Mr. CK, my family and my faith are bedrock during the worst of it, noticing the small and simple things is day to day survival. Perhaps it is the coming together of the Buddist idea mindfulness, the "tender mercies" talked about David Bednar and this blogging community's focus on honoring everyday beauty. (So a Buddist monk, a Mormon apostle and a blogger walk into a bad day....?)

In any event, since this is a place for recognizing the beauty in my life, here a few of "the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts" I've received this past few weeks:

peonies on my kitchen table (inspired by bloggy friends)...

an invitation for tea...

time to create...

(A mad mess of strippy scraps sewn up into 16 lovely blocks.)

a virtual hug....

a visit to the Botanic garden with a friend....

texts, e-mails, lunch hour visits...

things that make me laugh...

(Is it appropriate to notate seminary honor roll achievements (aka diligent attendance at 6:30 am religion class) with symbols that look like cartoon expletives???)

(R. reigning in her desire to chase the bunny in the garden...)

(...and almost succeeding!)

a few new plants for my window sill...


blogging to reflect on it all...

Thank you for being part of my tender mercies.

Connecting with home

I've spent more than ten years in the big city, away from my family and many dear friends. I totally dig living in NYC, but lately I've longed for my loved ones back home. Seeing them, catching up with them, hugging them and laughing with them earlier this month filled me up to overflowing! I felt so strengthened and reassured in my current path. Knowing they love me made me feel full of joy.

Want to meet some of the people I love?

My beautiful mom, who roots for me always, even when following my dreams takes me far, far away, and hermanacita, who makes me laugh, laugh, laugh....

My crawfish (even though spell-check insists it's crayfish) cooking Papa-Bear....(oh I need to post about our crawfish boil! What fun it was!!!)....

The Four A's (re-nicknamed the A-team on this trip) who were my constant high school confidantes, cheerleaders and conspirators....

My best college friend, who gives the most awesome hugs....

Sisters and mothers and in-laws....

A New York friend who is out West for college. She is delightfully smart, extremely funny and great company....


My grandpa, who is so deeply devoted to my grandma, even through her Alzheimers, and my grandma who I still love talking with....

My other grandma, who inspired me to start quilting and taught me how to bake a good loaf of bread...

A (2nd?) cousin (once removed?) who is my age and used to be a favorite playmate and pen pal. So fun to get back in touch....

And Hhhh-era, who has the most fabulous wit and had the gall to move to a place where you are worried about snakes and scorpions instead of subway rats and yappy dogs...

(Ok, this pic of us is several years old, but I was silly and didn't take a picture of us together this trip!)

And still, there are so many more people I wish I'd been able to see! (You could come to Women's Conference next year, you know! :) I guess it just gives me lunch dates and cousin barbeque's to look forward to this summer! I'm so grateful I'm connected to these people! They love me and pray for me...I can feel it!

Who fills you with joy and makes you feel loved?

Magic Slippers

This morning, I tiptoed into the lives of two little girls and discovered the delights of reading stories about the ballet and a child's love of the night sky, creating celestial hair decorations in a Crayola studio and dancing 'round a playground where hippos wander free.

On the way back to my "regular" life of part-time office job, I found this in my shoe:

the tail of a shooting star. I smiled and took it out...paused...and put it right back in.

After all, how often do you get to wear magic slippers to work?