sleeping?

Ack! I really hate when my insomnia kicks in. It's almost 2 in the morning, Tuesday July 29th. Hard to believe this month is almost over. Skyler is home and it's great to have him here. Still trying to figure out if and when we get to meet the famous Alicia :)

My weekend in Long Beach/Anaheim was wonderful. I don't know that any of the quilts I saw were that inspiring - they were all lovely, but most of them were very "artsy fartsy" and nothing that inspired me to do something similar. I guess it comes down to what you find interesting or challenging about quilting. For me, while I can appreciate something painted on a piece of fabric beautifully and then quilting it . . . there's no real challenge there. It is much more interesting when someone takes fabrics designed and produced commercially and then uses that fabric to create new and interesting designs. That takes a special eye and a special way of looking at things - to make the ordinary more than what it is. I particularly like when a quilt takes a traditional block or concept and then puts a new contemporary spin on it, using color, value and technique to create something unique. So while I appreciate things that result from computer programs, painting, and embellishing with threads, when that is ALL there is to the quilt, it somehow just doesn't inspire me. I did see a small whole cloth piece that was beautifully hand quilted. I have to say that in spite of my definition above, when the quilting alone creates the art, that is beautiful to me as well. I understand that each person has their own individual relationship to the quilt and to the art. For me, it's in the process. I don't even care that much about actually owning the quilts because for me the challenge is in the process of making it. A quilt represents more than the hundreds of dollars in materials and hours and hours of time that goes into it because it's a way of trying to capture an idea and a feeling. I only wish that my quilts would come out looking the way I see them in my head!

I am delighted to report that, thanks to Lynda, I got excited about a wedding quilt design for Chelsea and Trenton AND I got the top completed. It will probably be awhile before it is quilted. It's much too big for me to quilt it and I will undoubtedly be on a long wait list for a longarm quilter. I want to send it to Bonnie Hunter in So. Carolina. She did Nick's graduation quilt and does beautiful work. The quilter in Iowa that I like isn't really quilting much anymore. There aren't a lot of people you can trust with a quilt so it's worth it to wait the time and spend the money for someone who will do a good job. The other good news (to me anyway) is that I have an idea for TWO quilts for my soon to come grandson. They are still in my head however, although I have the fabric for one of them. In other quilting news, I got an email from Mary Lou Weidman asking if I would be willing to create a very small storyquilt for a chapter in one of her new books. I have to complete it by October 10th, which is just around the corner so I have to think about it and feel the inspiration. The theme is "short stories" . . . I might do something about becoming a grandmother. I'm still thinking about it.

So besides sewing I also spent money at the quilt show. I bought a cool new thing for hanging quilts up, I bought some fabric, a new large cutting mat, some cool quilting threads, and a few other neat things. All in all, a good time!

On other topics: I'd like to plan a dinner here Friday night! This is a belated birthday dinner for Skyler. What shall we have? I want to keep it simple. And we need to invite the Dubrows. I'm accepting menu suggestions!

Ugh!

I'm on call today. Not such a big deal really because I just have to answer pages. I guess I'll go upstairs, work on Puppy Love and listen to King Dork which I've just about finished. The weather is awesome - overcast and cool. It'll probably burn off but right now I love it.

Brother Pike's funeral was nice. I saw Shayla Menzie from a distance. Lots of old faces. But because I was working, I didn't get to hang around. Sister Pike looked peaceful but I'm sure she's going to feel very lost once all her kids go back to their lives.

Today Skyler is off on his road trip - first to Seattle, then Vancouver, then down to Midden, NV (home of ALICIA!) then over to Santa Cruz before home. We'll be lucky to see him by the end of the week!

Lynda Carswell and I are supposed to go to the Long Beach Quilt Festival next weekend and make a long weekend out of it. I haven't heard from her in the last few weeks so I'm not sure if we're still on. If not, I will probably get to go to Ellie's birthday party.

Sunday

Ken Pike died yesterday. Dad and I got home yesterday afternoon from running errands to a message from Del. I was sad to hear the news. I wonder how Del will do. She's a strong and practical woman, but I know from my own experience with losing my Dad that, even though you think you've done all your grieving for losing the person to Alzheimers, when they actually die, it's still a blow. And for someone who has been caregiving as she has, I imagine it will be doubly hard. The Pikes have always been there as a steadfast part of living in Calabasas and being members of the Calabasas Ward. I have memories of Del coming to bring me a baked chicken when I had a broken ankle and two tiny children at home. I have memories of her being the Primary President when my children were small. Del and I were visiting teaching companions for a long time. I remember Ken just deciding to take my car and fix the brakes on it. I don't know how he knew I needed it or why he decided to do it, but I will never forget that. Simple, down to earth people. I am grateful to have known Ken and grateful for the friendship I have with Del.

I've been getting a bit of quilting done . . . not a whole lot, but some. I have been slowly working on Puppy Love. When I've finished the quilting there will still be some embellishing work and I'm not that good at that. I want to put eyes and a collar tag on Scooter and eyes on the teddy bear as well as some kind of laces or something on the shoe.

So am I the only one posting on this blog? Is anyone actually even reading it? We can't be THAT boring of a family, can we? I'll be glad when Skyler gets home next week to spice things up. I would like us to have a family dinner and celebrate Skyler's birthday. It will probably have to be during the week because I think the weekends are booked up. Suggestions please????

The 4th

Dad and I went to Santa Barbara for the 4th. We decided not to take an RV since it was just the two of us and Scooter. The weather was fabulous. We rented one of the surreys and pedaled around the bike path with Scooter in the front seat. We walked down State Street and I bought a really cute purse. Scooter fell into one of the street side fountains (with help from Dad) and looked like a drowned rat for awhile. Then we ate on the pier and found a bit of grass to pitch our chairs on and sat and waited for the fireworks. After about 8 minutes of fireworks, they stopped. Just stopped. We waited and waited and finally people started leaving and we did, too. We were about half way to the car when they got them working again and we got to see the rest of the spectacular from the street corner. It was as terrific as it always is. We're planning next year to go up the day before, camp in the RV and then park it and set up a BBQ area like so many other people do. We were surprised at how many people rope off HUGE areas for their picnic area. I guess it's squatters rights! Anyway we think it might be a lot of fun and maybe bring up our own bikes and stuff.

Scooter is still recovering. :)

Date Night in Rexford

July already?

So today I spent the evening at the urgent care trying to find out why I'm having palpitations and shortness of breath. The EKG looked fine - I'm just bradycardic (meaning my heart rate is slow), but I'm waiting for lab results and probably will have to wear a holter monitor unless the labs show something definitive. I don't know what it is and I'm not terribly worried. Still it's annoying to have these "jolts" in your chest like someone just scared you.

Dad is doing an alignment tonight so I'm alone and feeling bored. I need to go start on the machine quilting for Puppy Love. I'll probably work on that this weekend.

Dad and I are probably going to take an RV up to Santa Barbara early for the 4th and then hope people will take pity on us and join us for the afternoon/evening. I believe the Olsens are planning on coming, but so far that seems to be the only takers. Natalie? Are you going to be able to come?