I have been subbing in a second grade class all week and I'm going back tomorrow. The regular teacher broke her wrist and got a fractured skull when she fell while ice skating last Sunday...what a way for her to end a weekend. Anyway, I've been filling in all week. The kids are great. They are writing books and tomorrow will be their publishing day...they get to go to other classrooms and read their books out loud. Some of the stories and illustrations are amazing!
Speaking of books....mine goes to the publisher today. Hopefully, there won't be a need for any more corrections...Proofreading is such a pain. I always manage to miss simple things.
Needless to say, I haven't worked on any quilt this week. Monday is the quilt guild meeting. If the teacher I'm subbing for is ready to come back to school, I'll go to my meeting. Maybe I can get motivated.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
lots of children around
My creativity has been put on a back shelf in some ways but it pays to be creative when children are involved. In the last couple of weeks I have taken care of my two year old grandson for four days and spent six days substitute teaching in second grade and a special class for fourth and fifth graders. I had a great experience with the fourth and fifth graders that I would like to share.
On the second day, I took 3 of my quilts and a book called Reuben and the Quilt to read to the students. One of the quilts I took was a big, store-bought quilt that I often put on the floor at home for my grandson to play on. I spread it out on the floor and told the students ( 7 boys) that they could sit on it while they listened to the story. Two of the boys asked if they should take their shoes off but I told them that the quilt was a special one for my grandchildren to play and listen to stories on but they didn't need to take their shoes off because my grandchildren didn't. (I think this made the students feel special.)
The boys were quite interested in the two small quilts that I made. One was made by machine and quilted by machine and the other was machine pieced and hand quilted. They liked touching the quilts and looking at the stitches. They actually layed down on the quilt to listen to the story. It was fun to look at these rough and tumble boys as they listened to the story. The story is about an Amish family and the students enjoyed talking about the differences between their lifestyle and that of the Amish family.In the story, a quilt is described to be like an ice cream sandwich - the fabric makes the top and bottom and the batting is like the ice cream inside. The experience was a rewarding way to end my stay with the students.
I have been working on a new quilt. It has baskets on it. I got the inspiration from a book that I just bought that has many basket patterns in it. I have it just about pieced. It will be about 78x78 when I am finished.
On the second day, I took 3 of my quilts and a book called Reuben and the Quilt to read to the students. One of the quilts I took was a big, store-bought quilt that I often put on the floor at home for my grandson to play on. I spread it out on the floor and told the students ( 7 boys) that they could sit on it while they listened to the story. Two of the boys asked if they should take their shoes off but I told them that the quilt was a special one for my grandchildren to play and listen to stories on but they didn't need to take their shoes off because my grandchildren didn't. (I think this made the students feel special.)
The boys were quite interested in the two small quilts that I made. One was made by machine and quilted by machine and the other was machine pieced and hand quilted. They liked touching the quilts and looking at the stitches. They actually layed down on the quilt to listen to the story. It was fun to look at these rough and tumble boys as they listened to the story. The story is about an Amish family and the students enjoyed talking about the differences between their lifestyle and that of the Amish family.In the story, a quilt is described to be like an ice cream sandwich - the fabric makes the top and bottom and the batting is like the ice cream inside. The experience was a rewarding way to end my stay with the students.
I have been working on a new quilt. It has baskets on it. I got the inspiration from a book that I just bought that has many basket patterns in it. I have it just about pieced. It will be about 78x78 when I am finished.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
one project completed
Yesterday I finished the cushions for my antique rocker...didn't turn out too bad. It was the first time I tried putting piping around the edge of a cushion. It was a learning experience but I think it turned out ok. Sure wish I had some hints on how to make the piping better. I have one more little chair I'd like to try...
Someday, when I figure out how to upload digital pictures, I will have to post some pictures of my projects.
Today I am going to start a quilt with a pattern from a new book that I bought. The theme has baskets in it.
Someday, when I figure out how to upload digital pictures, I will have to post some pictures of my projects.
Today I am going to start a quilt with a pattern from a new book that I bought. The theme has baskets in it.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
saturday morning to myself
A beautiful Saturday morning. The sun is shining and I am feeling creative. Bill (my husband) is in a community theater production coming up soon and went to the theater this morning so I am by myself). One thing I had to get used to when we retired was having a husband around all the time! Not that I don't love him but sometimes I like some alone time!
I picked up a great little quilting book at the bookstore yesterday...all about quilts with baskets. I found one I would like to make I had fun last night going through my stash of fabric looking for just the right pieces. Found some but will need to go to buy a little more before I get started.
I also visited the decorator fabric store and bought some fabric to make a valance for our bathroom and some foam for the seats of two antique wicker rockers I am going to recover...lots of plans.
I have spent the last two days editing my book....this is the part I don't like! It should be ready to send out by the end of next week.
I also spent some time walking the aisles of the craft store...it only takes me about 3 minutes to get there so I visit often. Right now they are ridding the shelves of the winter things and getting out spring things. I bought a few flower branches to stick in some of my dried arrangements - pussy willow and such...when I was going through the checkout a man remarked that I was rushing spring....it sure feels like spring....60s and 70s....
I picked up a great little quilting book at the bookstore yesterday...all about quilts with baskets. I found one I would like to make I had fun last night going through my stash of fabric looking for just the right pieces. Found some but will need to go to buy a little more before I get started.
I also visited the decorator fabric store and bought some fabric to make a valance for our bathroom and some foam for the seats of two antique wicker rockers I am going to recover...lots of plans.
I have spent the last two days editing my book....this is the part I don't like! It should be ready to send out by the end of next week.
I also spent some time walking the aisles of the craft store...it only takes me about 3 minutes to get there so I visit often. Right now they are ridding the shelves of the winter things and getting out spring things. I bought a few flower branches to stick in some of my dried arrangements - pussy willow and such...when I was going through the checkout a man remarked that I was rushing spring....it sure feels like spring....60s and 70s....
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
politics creating change
I couldn't help watching the NH primary returns last night. Talk about creating!!! The race is creating such interest in politics and the Democratic primary is creating a lot of interest in change. Wouldn't it be a change if one of the top runners became president? Of course for an old granny like me, it would be great to see a woman in the white house! My women's libber alter ego would be vindicated. It would be SO RIGHT!!
Maybe I should be careful using the word RIGHT. Isn't it a shame how labels and words are so inflamatory sometimes. I like to listen to talk radio but it is so full of name-calling and biased talking. I hate to call them dialoges or discussions because there really isn't a discussion...it is actually you listen to what I say but I won't listen to what you say...
What could the election create?
Does this sound like I am getting away from crafting? Probably, but I think it is all related to me and my desire to create things.
The second part of my blog name says write. In addition to making quilts I have been doing some writing. I mentioned in my last blog that I joined a writer's guild. Before I retired, I had a contract to write a book for secondary teachers about literacy and science. I am finishing that up this month. Actually, the final copy goes to the publisher at the end of this month. I am really interested now in more creative writing.
I have been playing around with some fiction but that is just in the beginners stage. This month I want to work on character development. I am planning on attending a guild workshop about this later on this month.
Maybe I should be careful using the word RIGHT. Isn't it a shame how labels and words are so inflamatory sometimes. I like to listen to talk radio but it is so full of name-calling and biased talking. I hate to call them dialoges or discussions because there really isn't a discussion...it is actually you listen to what I say but I won't listen to what you say...
What could the election create?
Does this sound like I am getting away from crafting? Probably, but I think it is all related to me and my desire to create things.
The second part of my blog name says write. In addition to making quilts I have been doing some writing. I mentioned in my last blog that I joined a writer's guild. Before I retired, I had a contract to write a book for secondary teachers about literacy and science. I am finishing that up this month. Actually, the final copy goes to the publisher at the end of this month. I am really interested now in more creative writing.
I have been playing around with some fiction but that is just in the beginners stage. This month I want to work on character development. I am planning on attending a guild workshop about this later on this month.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Getting started
Ok. Here we go.
I am waiting for two twin sized quilts to get back from the long-arm quilter. I made them so that I could put them on the beds in the "kids room" that we have created for the grandchildren. The first quilt has mermaids on it and I think my granddaughter who will be 6 in June will like it. The second one has Thomas the Train fabric in it. I think I will have to make another Thomas quilt though. I have two grandsons - one who is 3 1/2 and the other who will be 2 in January. They are both Thomas fans and I am afraid they will both want Thomas quilts when they are here.
I am waiting for two twin sized quilts to get back from the long-arm quilter. I made them so that I could put them on the beds in the "kids room" that we have created for the grandchildren. The first quilt has mermaids on it and I think my granddaughter who will be 6 in June will like it. The second one has Thomas the Train fabric in it. I think I will have to make another Thomas quilt though. I have two grandsons - one who is 3 1/2 and the other who will be 2 in January. They are both Thomas fans and I am afraid they will both want Thomas quilts when they are here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)