- I am back from Quilt Market, which is always a whirlwind. And this year, it’s just a few days before Halloween, which means I walked into a walking timebomb of costuming needs. Have spent nearly all of the last two days scurrying around to prepare to dress the six of us as the Scooby Gang this year.
- It is particularly hard to find a slouchy orange sweater, and even harder to bleach/dye a red one until it’s orange. FYI.
- I finally held a copy of my new book in my very hands, but then I had to give it back! Word is, they’ll be shipping in the next four weeks, so God willing, I’ll have another few copies around here pretty soon. Two words: giveaway.
- I saw some amazing quilts in the displays at Market, and have come back with a few ideas that I think will suit Tony Danza very, very well. Now I just need to find some tulle in a variety of colors… Considering I heard a rumor that it might actually be possible to get tickets to the event, I am ready to get cracking and finish this piece of art! I’m assuming it wouldn’t be tacky to take just the quilt top, would it? If the whole thing isn’t done by then?
- I’m in the final phases of prepping for my Happy Handmade Holidays class. And while I was up in the air between here and Houston, I had this wild idea that maybe the class will roll over, and eventually there will be projects for ALL the holidays? It’s still cooking, but I would love that… The wreath and mistletoe are particularly cool, and the hand puppets will knock your socks off, just sayin’.
- The weather here is far beyond freezing, but I am so grateful to not be under water right now. My sister lives up north and doesn’t have power, which sounds so miserable. Here’s hoping Sandy blows over soon.
- But doesn’t it make you think that about 18 months ago, all anyone could talk about was the Mayan Apocalypse, and now that it’s just 7 weeks away, no one even seems to be thinking of it anymore? But then the SuperStorm? I mean, sometimes I wonder.
- I didn’t mean to, but I accidentally planned another quilt. Using some vegetable- and seed/bark dyed fabrics I got from a vendor at Quilt Market (along with a truly fabulous basket that I carried all over downtown Houston with me). I think it’ll be amazing, but suspect it’ll be 2015 before it’s finished. Assuming we survive the Apocalypse.
- My oldest child just took the ACT, and it’s her last chance to score in the big leagues before she applies to college. COLLEGE. Am horrified and elated and proud and frightened, all at the same time. In another few months, she won’t live with us anymore, and I realize now that our lives will be irrevocably changed in a way that I can’t really anticipate or comprehend at this point.
- I just finished reading J K Rowling’s new book, which was wonderful, as expected. All about, really, the power that one individual can have to deeply impact those around him, and the ways in which our smallest decisions and actions–or lack of them–can have reverberations throughout lives other than our own. Not for children, but highly recommended. If nothing else, it makes us realize how we fail to see our own actions and words through the eyes of others, and wish to be more careful with them.
- Our friend down the street apprehended someone breaking into a house yesterday, one of three break-ins or attempted burglaries in recent weeks. She full-on shouted at him and then called 911. Am SO referring to her as “Bulldog” from now on–not sure I would have had the nerve to do that, but glad to have neighbors who won’t let criminals intimidate them.
- I have folded more laundry since coming home from a three-day trip than I even knew we owned. And I loved every second of it.
- I am realizing that I love my house and my neighborhood and being a mom and being a wife above all other things in my life–even you all, no offense. I don’t know if I’ve just hit That Age or if I’m settling into the groove, but after a few years where I hardly knew which end was up and I was so busy that I literally forgot how to spell my name more than once, I think I’m hitting my stride. It is a welcome and satisfying feeling.
- Lying on my floor right now, I have an XXL yoga skirt and an XXL tee from the Target super-sale rack, ready to cut and assemble into my Daphne costume as part of the Scooby Gang this Halloween with my family. Am off to see if I can convince my frigid fingers to work that material through the sewing machine, since we’re too cheap to turn the thermostat up above 62. If you don’t hear from me soon, assume I’m burrowing under the down comforter, getting warmed up!
Rachel at Stitched in Color
October 30, 2012 at 4:10 pmFinally, someone who keeps the temps down lower than us! Now I can feel luxurious at 68 degrees. Sorry to be so selfish =(
There are lots of good bullets in this post, so I’m glad you shared it all. If you have a chance to reply about the holiday projects, I’m still game!
Charlotte
October 30, 2012 at 8:11 pmit was so lovely to meet you! Thanks so much for the copy of your book – I love it!
Deborah
November 1, 2012 at 9:35 pmYou, too!! I hope you made the return trip home safely, and the book didn’t weigh you down too greatly. Will hope to see you again–maybe I can convince husband to make the trek to the Fat Quarterly retreat in July!
Janimal
October 31, 2012 at 10:52 pmGreat minds think alike. Our family was the Scooby Doo gang!
Oh pleeease have handmade gifts for other holidays. Pleeease!
Deborah
November 1, 2012 at 9:36 pmGET OUTTA TOWN. This year?? What are the odds of THAT??? Ha!
I really think the other holidays will happen–I don’t know if anyone will care besides the two of us, but I think it’ll be super fun, and worth doing just so I can challenge myself to design the projects. Cross fingers for 2013!