Quilts

This past year I made two twin size quilts that I want to show in particular.  Both were the fun and scrappy design of "Yellow Brick Road" and both have gone to Sofia, Bulgaria.  The first is for Gabriel for his fourth birthday.  The top of the quilt contains fabric not only from other quilts of his but a number of his pillowcases and other fun fabrics.  Most quilters have a 'thing' that they do with each quilt.  Mine is that I like to put fabric from another previous quilt into the new one I work on.

 The backing is a Map Of The World design and because I so fell in love with it I decided to overlook the fact that the fabric is rather heavy weight.  It's a very warm quilt which will serve well this last winter in Bulgaria.

 This is the second Yellow Brick Road, also twin size, that went to live with it's owner Roza in Switzerland via her grandmother, or 'Mimi', Mariana in Bulgaria.

This is also one of my early adventures into a pieced backing, which also contains the label.  And I was very happy with the results.  Much more interesting and attractive than just a seam down the back. And looks good whether centered or off center.

It was important to me to label this one and in, Cyrillic writing, the label says;
To Roza with love from Mimi
Made by Gayle, quilted by Tomi
In Ontario, California, USA
June 2012

С РОЗА С любов от МИМИ
Направено от Гейл, ватирана ОТ Томи
В Онтарио, Калифорния, САЩ
ЮНИ 2012 г.


Roza and her quilt;

Mariana works with Jason at the Peace Corps office in Sofia.  She was my first contracted quilt and I was honored to be asked to make this for her granddaughter.  When I visited Sofia in Sept (Next Post!) I spent a  wonderful afternoon lunch with Mariana discussing quilts, our children and grandchildren, and the destiny of finding a quilter for her granddaughter. 

A Year In Review

I was startled to discover that I had done one post in the entire year.  And that one was lame so I deleted it.  Now that the Christmas season is upon us and soon we will be reflecting on another year past I've decided to do some after the fact posting, and probably in no particular order.

After living with us for over four years Kiera and her mother made the decision that she would move to Dallas Texas to live with her mom when school ended this past May.  It was a transition that could have been accomplished in a different way than the method used and lives changed in some ways that might have been handled better. It has taken awhile for me to realize the impact that the events of this year has had on our lives.  Life is to be lived and one thing you can't prevent is change, it's best to just move forward in a positive way.

We had a trip to the Getty in April for Kiera to finish research on an Art paper.  Not that any sort of an excuse is required for a great day at The Getty.

For anyone living in southern California who has not taken a day to visit this amazing place it shouldn't be missed. The architecture;

 The views;

It's been a year....but aren't they all!

Every year brings changes, many good, some not as much but such is life. With the New Year we look forward to experiencing all that comes our way. I'm going with this motto; "Never regret anything, because at some point you wanted it."

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Santa knows where he needs to show up early. Our Christmas morning.

Opening presents with Ryan and Jess during their weekend visit.



The 'go anywhere do anything' fleece blankie.  Chargers on one side, home decor on the other.

Rainy Day

Sometimes we get rain in October and today we've had enough that I've turned off the automatic sprinklers for tomorrow. That's real rain. And it looks very fall season-ish outside.

I left work early to come home a pick Kiera up for her dentist appointment, back home about 5 and the cool temp, below 60 (!!) inspired me.  I tossed an environmentally friendly pre-formed log from primarily recycled material into the fireplace. I lighted the scented candles above the mantle to cover the smell of said log. Put on my sweats and slipper socks and relaxed on the couch with the cafe mocha we picked up on the way home and the book I wanted to finish.

Doesn't that just look cozy? Until I noticed that the living room was looking a little hazy and realized the flue apparently wasn't opened although I had moved it from the prior position. Fortunately the flames from a post production recycled material log didn't prevent me from reaching in to open it. And as I type this the fan for our central heat and air is running and the haze is clearing nicely. And I think I'll go make some tacos for dinner. I am happy to report sunny and back into the 80s for my planned day at Glen Ivy Spa with Roxanna on Monday because obviously I'm not 'doing' the fall thing all that well.
http://www.glenivy.com/springs/

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

This morning I was thinking yet again I should blog more regularly, or at least once in awhile. That may just go the way of cutting and using coupons at the grocery store but it is a desire of mine. I love reading blogs, Kel's is #1 and she is the undisputed queen of the blog for our family. And I thank her because she provides us all a view of family life for people we love far from home. There are a number of quilters with some entertaining, amusing, and instructional blogs out there to help me get my quiltgeek on. And of course my laugh of the day over at Dooce.com. I have doubts that my blog is ever half as entertaining as others, but whatever.

Saturday night Mike and I took off for the 5:35 Padres vs Dodgers game at Petco Park in San Diego. Back in August I'd gone onto Stub Hub an acquired some amazing seats at a bargain price. Upon settling ourselves in Section 114, Row 29, Seats 5 & 6, we agreed they were quite nice. The cheerful season ticket holder who sat next to us said the couple, who's season ticket holding seats we had purchased, were in Michigan for the Michigan/San Diego State football game. We told him to please let them know we enjoyed their seats very much, particularly at half their usual going price. Stub Hub Rocks.
View from our seats:



Kiera was off to Universal Studios Halloween Haunt and we are anxious to hear about her adventure today as well. She arrived home late, very very late. Good stories this morning about being chased by chainsaw wielding clowns.

The Padres won, we enjoyed a delicious Belgium Blonde beer since they now sell more than disgusting tasteless cheap beers at games. We made it out of there in time to make it to our favorite little restaurant MexiCocina up in Poway.
Seen on our walk back up to the parking lot, apparently someone with a cap and a blue vest was picking up extra cash!



While in Modesto in August to spend time with every one of my grandkids I was able to finish and even remember to photograph this quilt for Naia and Gabriel's new cousin on Kel's side. Welcome to the world Makayla, this is your first quilt.

Where The Buffalo Roam

This story is dedicated to Shannon.
Last Friday was the final day of our San Francisco vacation and we took to the car for the first time in the entire week. After a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge we spent a couple hours walking Sausilito, had some ice cream, and headed back to the city (or The City). As we wandered down the coast route we stopped at The Cliff House and visited Camera Obscura, but more about that later.

Golden Gate Park has buffalo, well if you want to get technical Bison. Four years ago Shannon and I, with Jenna in the stroller, were the last of our group determined to SEE THE BUFFALO and from a great distance at that. This time we drove into the park and following the same not too trustworthy map, located the purported location of said Bison.

Here is the Bison field. Nope, not a one in sight.

The sign claiming that there are indeed American Bison (Buffalo!) here,,,somewhere.

The empty paddock, securely locked. To keep the Buffalo out maybe?

The walkway along the front of the empty paddock.

Further investigation to the end of the paddock reveals a rough path. We decide to follow it.

Obviously not any sort of a 'developed' walkway,,,but wait......
BUFFALO!
Buffalo shedding winter coat.
Buffalo sitting in the sun.
Yes, a small herd of American Bison do in fact live in Golden Gate Park.