My friend Susan sent me this a long time ago.  I keep it in my email folder as a little pick-me-up now and then.  It will make you either pee your pants laughing (as it does for me) or shake your head in disbelief.  I’ve seen other Asian game shows.  They are great!  Why can’t US TV be more like this?  Maybe people would lighten up a little, stop white knuckling their SUV’s through rush hour, stop being mean to their nurses when they are sick, stop scowling in the grocery store line…stop kicking puppies (just kidding on that one. I hope people don’t do that!)

Watch and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7f3B1VCYM

Yay!  I finished pieceing the quilt I blogged photos of earlier (see An Oops Becomes a Gift) at http://hfrank007.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/an-oops-becomes-a-giftan-oops-becomes-a-gift/

It’s bright, cheery, contemporary, I fiddled with the layout veering from the original plan for diagonal rows of light and dark. 

Being laid up with a hurt knee, awaiting what will probably be the knife, I’ve reconnected with my crafty side, sewing up a storm. I’m trying not to be dragged down by the doldrums of minimal active pursuits. 

This top was quick, I recommend the pattern.  Using the original Turning Twenty pattern would be even faster, knock a few hrs of the time.  Cutting it out took the most time.  Now I’m looking for someone to Long Arm quilt it, a special, huge quilting set up that allows you to quilt a bed sized quilt without suffocating under mounds of fabric and batting.  I fantasize about owning one someday. Of course, they’re not really portable, as I am lately.  Will have to wait on this purchase.  A frame holds the quilt together. A behemouth of a machine moves back and forth sewing the layers toegether.  They are expensive but paying someone to do this can run 150-300$ a pop.  See pic below. I copied it off Wikipedia.

Layed it out on the living rooom floor.  Annabelle “helped.”  She LOVES to plop onto any project I put on the floor and be a pill. Maybe it’s her way of showing approval?  Her way of trying to help?  Probably her way of saying, “Look at me, dammit, not this.”

Can’t wait to sleep under it this winter.  Must be an object d’art until, probably December down here in ABQ it’s so warm.  Ha!

Recieved this link from a friend.  “What on Earth?” I thought as it started.  Then I got a little misty-eyed and thought, “Some things are universal.”  And in my typical, probably naive, optimistic way I wondered, why can’t we all get along?

Watch this video.  It’s 4.3 minutes and worth the time.

Hey friends and family.  My friend, Susan, is headed to Mali, Africa to do lots of good…in the Peace Core.  Things won’t be the same without her around.  Nevertheless, I’m bursting with excitement for her.  She’s started a blog.  The link is: http://susanrsahara.blogspot.com/.  It’s also listed under BLOGS I WATCH.  Check it out!  I’m looking forward to a view into her life for the next two years. (Sorry for the weenie pics.  Click on each fo rbigger views.  I’m a little slow learning this stuff.)

Here’s to you, Susan. Much love!

Yesterday (Sunday) I dreaded getting up for work.  How I wished I could sleep in.  It was day three of three of work.  Sunday AM’s I most love to sleep in, read the paper, make a big breakfast.  Love it. 

Got up, went to work, with my co-workers help realized, duh…I wasn’t on the schedule.  “Would you like to stay and be our unit secretary?”  Nope!  Went for breakfst at the Frontier, a must-experience restauraunt across from the University.  Formulating lists of must do’s around the house today (laundry, cat hair clean up, clean the bathroom, etc. etc.) I decided to hell with it!  I’m sewing!

Unpacked my machine two weeks ago. Hadn’t touched it in months.  Hello beautiful!  Pulled out a quilt top I pieced last summer. quilted and bound it.  Made a small quilt from batik scraps.  It felt so refreshing! 

Project ONE:

              (L: Up close detail.)          I’m trying to be resourceful (meaning, using up stash). Pieced the back from other batik scraps.        

Project TWO: Original pattern uses charm squeares, pre-cut 5″ squares of fabric that oordinate and are pre-packaged.  I made my own from stash.  Original pattern pic is alos very traditioal. This version, very differnt.  A quick project, it took around a few hours total.

Here’s the website:  http://thisandthatpatterns.com/patterns_charmpatterns.php  It won’t let me copy and paste the image of the original pattern I used.  It’s pattern number 45.

Today, after I get the domestic duty list done, I’ll start the Turning Twenty bed quilt I’ve cut out and mentioned in Previous Post:   http://hfrank007.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/im-in-heavenim-in-heaven/      

To be continued!

              Love the flowers!

Another trip into unfamilliar territory.  A couple weeks filled with moving and doemstic duties had me itching for a chnage of scenery.  “I’ll get up nice and high,” I thought.  Camp where it’s cool.  Also, have a friend from first trip through college days, in Duluth, MN, John, who lives in Taos.  perfect!  If all works right, this link should take you to a basic map of the area I covered starting with Las Vegas, NV to Taos via Angel Fire, Red River, then Questa.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Enchanted+Circle+Scenic+Byway,+New+Mexico,+United+States&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=57.947788,108.28125&ie=UTF8&cd=7&geocode=0,36.453970,-105.592210&ll=36.297418,-105.276489&spn=0.934143,1.691895&z=9

Armed with a tent, more food than I could have eaten in the few days I was away and my trusty yarn and quilting store guides I headed out. 

Nursing a sore knee, to be evaluated by an orthopedist this week, I knew it would be a trip of leisurly sight-seeing and great fabric and yarn stash-building potential. 

Headed up I-25 to Las Vegas (NM) pointed north east and took my time driving through meadows with mtn views, tiny little towns with adobe churchs, falling-down old adobe houses and various critters in the roads (dogs, goats, mandating a slow speed).  Things were green out there, to my surprise.  Must be enough snowmelt, yet.  Found a weaving shop in Mora which was closed. Doh!  Peeking in the windows I really must return. Haven’t ventured into the art of spinning and weaving.  But it’s intriguing. 

  Mora, NM  As peaceful and idyllic as it looks.

  Looking to rain.  Love those dark clouds. Never happened.

A collection of old falling-down structures between Mora and Angel Fire.

Drove up and up to Angel Fire ski area and town. Looks small but fun.  I’m happy just getting out to ski these days.  Must return when (if) there’s good snow. 

                                                                              Wheeler Peak, I believe?

  Nessie?  Put into a field but someone with a very witty sense of humor, I think.  Not sure why that streak of light is in the pic?

Camped by Red River, another ski town, cute and quaint.  Would be fun to ski there as well.  I’ll bet it would remind me of skiing at the larger Michigan areas, family oriented and quiet.  Maybe.  I’ve heard it’s a haven for Texan-who-can’t-ski on vacation.  Regardless, was a beautiful setting. Most inportantly, slept up high, by a river.  It’s been awhile since I’ve been lulled to sleep by the sound of rushing water.  Forgot dry kindling.  The stuff on the ground was wet.  Grrr…missed out on a fire.

Visited a friend and his girlfriend outside of Taos, in Valdez, the next day.  Together they share an Earthship home, fascinating.  It’s perched high up on a hillside, amongst others but very private.  A fascinating home, I got the full tour of it’s unique atributes including wals made from tires and earth (500# dirt in each tire), passive solar heat, cistern, plants that take condensation from the windows and humidify and purify the air indoors.  Patty, John’s girlfriend is a phenomenal artist in photography and stain glass. The home is filled with her work.  A local did the ironwork (railings, lights, etc.)

  A peek into the structure of the home.

  That’s some chandelier!

    Views from the deck.

  This little hummingbird investigated us at supper and landed long enough for a picture.  I’ve heard they live less than a month?  So sad. Makes me appreciate them more.

Had supper with them and two of their friends.  Was a treat to see John again and meet his family and friends. 

Camped by another river that night  for another lullaby opportunity.  Wasn’t so pleasant.  Some jerks in a sports car showed up around midnight, blaring music, hanging out in the parking lot of the area.  Being a female traveler, solo, I chose to keep to my tent, choosing safety over sanity and serenity.  Why does travel have to be complicated now days?  They left after an hour or so. Probably got bored and headed to town. 

The next day I headed to Arroyo Seco, an ADORABLE little town between Taos and and the Taos ski area.  Apparently this is the area Julia Roberts lives in?  There is a yarn store there called Taos Sunflower, of legendary status.  WOW!  Ebautiful stuff.  Helpful staff.  They had a sale on some yarn I couldn’t resist and gave me an add’l discount for buying sweater amounts.  Not sure which patterns I’ll use, yet, but I’m thinking.  Their website: http://www.taossunflower.com/whats_new.html

The loot: Many skeins of Noro Silk Garden Chunky in blues and greens, knits at 3-3.5 SPI.

Many balls of GGH Aspen, a super bulky, 2.5 SPI wool in Eggplant. I’m thinking sweater with cables. (Color 17)

Spent more time that day in Taos proper. Went to La Llana Wools, yummy hand-dyed yarn there. Was good and didn’t spend $ there.  Went to the Mecca my mom and I found on our last trip to Taos Plaza, COMMON THREADS, a mis-nomer, it’s not common at all.  This fabric shop is of imported fabrics from all over the world. Scrummy, I just have to share it with you all.  I asked to take photos and they were kind enough to oblige.  Found some Guatemalan cotton I couldn’t leave without.  Will become a table runner.  Their website: http://johndunnshops.com/CommonThread.html

All trips must end eventually, headed home the not too interesting way, the cat very happy to see me home.  Although she’d used to me leaving for a few days at a time, she was particularly clingy this time upon my return. Little does she know I’m already planning the next trip…

Baby things are fun to knit.  I’ve decided this.  They are small, pretty quick to make projects as long as you don’t subject yourself to fingering wt. or heirloom lace-type projects.  (Not that heirloom lace is bad, but, one sour baby belch…)  I made this little sweater for my friend Lisa, in Denver, expecting a little girl in September.  Despite a row gague problem (discovered when I noted the chest circumference was nearing the size of a two year old) which I fixed it was so much fun to make!  The yarn is by Noro, all cotton (should be somewhat washable) and self stripes, like opening a X-mas gift each time a new color emerges from the center of the skein.  Mailed it off this week.  Enjoy Lisa!  See my Ravelry profile for more info on the project.  www.ravelry.com  profile name is: hfrank007

MUST CLARIFY:  The duct tape care was NOT MINE!  I’m not that thick! (Was clever though, eh?)  My friend Cliff sent me those pics he shot randomly years ago while driving.  NOT ME!  My move involded a UHAul, lots of strong friends, subs and beer, three pick ups, dinner at Monroes NM restauraunt and one shipping cube.  I repeat:  NO DUCT TAPE!

Thanks all!

No internet at home, yet.  Should be set up in one week.  Thinking I’d save money by not bringing it into my apt, I’ve hit the coffee shops a few times to stay abreast on online stuff.  What seems to happen is I get loaded on caffiene and can hardly type! 

Have been unpacking over the last 2 weeks.  Finally got my sewing room unpacked.  Yay!  Hello old friends!  (Some new. Con’t the tradition of yarn/fabric “souviners” during travels.)  It’s a small room but with great light and a view to the back patio, pleasant.  Painted it a Robin’s Egg Blue, perfect for creativity, I think. 

Cut out a quilt the other night.  A bed sized quilt, pour moi, have never made a big one for me.  Will be very bright, cheery, made from mostly Kaffe Fasset fabrics.   Patter’s a spin on the original Turning Twenty pattern.  Lights and darks make diagonal stripes. 

Pattern:

Lights:

Darks:

Should be a gorgeous explosion of color and come together rather quickly.  I’ll keep you posted on  it’s progress. 

Travel pics next week!  Headed around the Taos area this week for a few day stretch.  Nursing a sore knee so will probably be more gawk and putter than romp and roam. 

Cheers!

  Photos curtesy of my friend Cliff.  Surely they spent as much on duct tape as a UHAUL?  Scarey!