Jacobs Ladder

Are these blocks gorgeous or what...i just love batik fabrics!!! These came in the mail today...another swap i participated in...sent in two different sets of six blocks and this is what i got back....another wonderful variety! All these blocks should keep me rather busy for a while :)
Im really enjoying this quilting forum! Hope you are enjoying the photos :)

Asian Lantern Block Swap

Well, i finally received the last square in the Oriental Lantern Swap, and this is a photograph of the whole set! Its rather interesting that there wasnt one duplicate print in the bunch...and they all look great together! I look forward to sewing this into a quilt for our bed!!! I need a few more squares to make it into a queen-size...but i dont mind...besides, this will be the first time i make a quilt for myself, so Im kinda excited to get started!
But with Glory just around the corner, i have more garb to sew...so i guess i better finish that up first! :)
Hope your week is filled with creativity!!!

Birthday Block Swap ~

The quilting forum i mentioned in an earlier blog has a fun quilting block exchange going on right now, so i decided to sign up. Its called a Birthday Block Swap. How it works, there are 12 to a group, and each person is assigned a month...not necessarily your birthday month, but it will feel like your birthday because when your month arrives, you rcv 11 blocks from all the other quilters in the group :) You get to choose the size, style and color theme of your birthday month block, so when they arrive, they will match beautifully to make a wonderful quilt!!! Well, thats the idea anyways :) I chose xmas colors of reds and greens in any sort of star-type pattern 12 inches with a cream background :) Ive always wanted a xmas quilt, so i thought this would be a great way to get me started! June is the first month of the exchange, and the woman requested a star in blues with a white bckgrnd. (see photo) Next month is my block month, so im rather excited about that.....i get my goodies early in the swap :) I will post each month with the new quilt squares i make, so if you are interested, feel free to follow along! Ive participated in a couple of other quilt exchanges recently, so when they all arrive, i will take photos and post those too. These Block exchanges are quite inspiring, and they keep me busy trying new things! I am creating more now than i have in a long time....and the deadlines help keep me from procrastinating too :) If you are interested....wander over to about.com and look up the quilting section! Now if i could just get motivated to start painting again!!! :)

In Loving Memory of Baron Patric

We all have that one person in the SCA that made the dream come alive for us...the person that opened their heart and home to make this game special....a person who kept us coming back...that person to me was Baron Patric.

Id like to share my fond memories of this beloved friend.....

My very first SCA experience was at a fighter practice some 9 years ago....i knew no one and felt a little out of place and uncertain as to what i should and shouldnt do. This very tall, teddy bear of a man, probably recognizing our newby gaze, came over to my cousin and i and introduced himself..... "miladies, my name is Lord Patric...how are you this evening". His chivalrous display was a refreshing change, and we were immediately taken in by his kind face! He soon took us around the site, sharing his knowledge of the SCA and introducing us to some wonderful people. He explained the fighting etiquette, the various kinds of armor and even let us try some of his gear on. I can remeber laughing out loud as my cousin and i took turns hitting each other on the head with a sword, while wearing his helmet. Naturally the marshall came over and we got busted (Lord Patric included) but it was too late......we were hooked! If this kind and generous man was any example of what the SCA was all about, then we wanted to be a part of it too!

My cousin and i decided to try a camping event next....Crown Tournament! We each sewed one outfit and a cloak, and then loaded up the car. We headed to the event with great excitement, but when we arrived we realized we still didnt really know anyone so we ended up driving around the site for sometime, trying to figure out where to camp. Lord Patric, once again, spotted the "lost newbies" and invited us to camp with his family. So there we were among these gorgeous tents with our cheesy little pup tent and hibachi grill, never once feeling out of place due to the kindness of one man and his family. This was definately the turning point of the SCA for me. His benevolence made me strive to be a better person and a mentor to new folks in the SCA. I wanted to make people feel as welcome as he had made us feel. I will always remember this kindness...were it not for him, i may not be living the dream today!

Over the years we would run into each other at events and share fun stories of how we all met and what we were up to in our lives. The last event i saw him at, Baron Patric and Baroness Mary insisted that they carry my 3 month old daughter during their procession into court. It was her first event, so who better to spend it with then the folks that welcomed us into this fine organization.

We will miss you dear friend!!!

Gifts From Nepal

Here is a photo of Jordyn wearing her new t-shirt and wrapped in prayer flags from Nepal. If you read my last blog, you learned of our friend Jon's adventures over there. Its a wonderful site, so be sure to check it out! He was kind enough to bring back these goodies for Jordyn, and as you can see....she loves them! Thanks Jon!!!
Its a gorgeous day up here in the mountains...but then again, when isnt it! :) I went down to the city for a few days and had a wonderful time with family and friends! It was my cousins birthday, so we gathered for food, drink and socializing! Its always good to get away for a few days, but a few days is about my limit in the city...then i am ready to come back home. The peaceful sounds of nature are what my mind and body crave....I love it up here! Of course Jordyn loves visiting with folks too...she is quite the social butterfly...but after a few days she definately misses her daddy. So, after some fun with the fam...dining at the armadillo and ordering chinese take-out...shopping sprees at the fabric and craft stores....it was time to venture back home! So here we are...Jordyn rocking away in her swing napping, and me, kicking my feet up with a good book and pondering my next project!
What was your weekend like?

Tales from Tibet

Hi again....ive been enjoying following along with my friend Jon's adventures in Katmandu and Tibet....he's a techno geek, so naturally he's been sending phone messages to his podcast site.......lotsa fun! Check it out if you get a chance...... tibet2007.therestofeverest.com/
He's been working on a film of Everest, and now he's back over there doing more research, etc....He's already had some interesting mishaps...but continues to travel forward!   Good Luck Jon.......and be safe :)

Crisp Spring Morning ~

Another beautiful day up here in the canyon! Its a toasty 19 degrees right now, and justin, jordyn and i are curled up in front of the fire....complete with sweatpants, slippers, and a warm drink. Winnie the Pooh is dancing across the screen in search of a Heffalump with his 100 acre wood buddies, and im about to start working on another quilt. I am participating in a block exchange....20 women make 20 quilt squares, and then mail them out to one another....we each end up with 20 different squares to make a quilt with. Women from all over the globe are participating, so its quite fun! This particular block is made with asian fabrics and the pattern makes a paper lantern....very pretty indeed! I look forward to going to the mailbox each day to see if any new blocks have arrived.....so far i have only rcvd one, but the deadline is May 1st, so there is still lots of time left! I may even get around to those neglected christmas gifts i never finished :) I love days like today!!! What projects are you working on?