Saturday, July 21, 2012

Machine Power, Hand Power....and a Bit of Both!


This is what greets me when I go to work...don't you wish that was your stash?:)
Sewing has been happening...even more than what's below....high temps have kept me from finishing big things but slowly I'm scratching WIPs off my list! 
In the meantime...
 Bitty Block Bee June theme was Wine so from field to table these 3.5" were made for Julie.
July's theme Denise picked mushrooms!
For the Sew Fun Bee June is a Bottled Rainbow block for Amber.
July brings hexagon flowers for Wendi.
 I'm jumping ahead with Dena's choice for August....a Scrapbuster block!
 These were the things I made at the Fat Quarterly Retreat in London...the start of my love of English Paper Piecing!
(Both aprons have a top piece but it can be worn up or down...and reversed!)
 A couple of aprons made for some special young ladies who love to surprise their parents with baked goods and tasty dinners....and they clean up!:)  Gotta encourage that to continue!
An international Sunbonnet Sue made for a project my coworker Penny is working on....I chose the Eskimo since I was born in Alaska!

A little baby quilt for a pal of the girl.
Love this little quilt made for Lynz...or rather really for her spouse!:) It's his car, Stink Eric, love that moniker!  It was so much fun to make...once I figured out how to do it!
 But while I am trying to get through the 13 quilt tops waiting to be quilted this is my latest obsession....hexagons....546 of them basted to be made into 78 flowers.  So far 14 of them are finished.  Guess I should get off the computer and get on with it!

~d

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Boys are On Tour!!!

The boy's band Hold Tight! with Pedals On Our Pirate Ships are touring the big old USA celebrating the release of their new LP
Blizzard of '96!!
 One big van and a utility trailer making it's way across the country!

 (Actual photos I took in 1996 on the cover and inside!)
Yeah!!  Nothing they like better than playing in front of a crowd so watch out USA....they are on the road and full of pop punk excitement and energy!!


Here is their tour schedule....do you see your hometown or someplace nearby? Give them a shout out!:)  



JULY
16 - RICHMOND, VA @ THE CAMEL (http://www.facebook.com/events/247438688694036/)
17 - ASHEVILLE, NC @ THE GET DOWN (http://www.facebook.com/events/397034793686594/)
18 - ATLANTA, GA @ THE WONDERROOT (http://www.facebook.com/events/435876416457007/)
19 - BIRMINGHAM, AL @ THE OLD FIREHOUSE (http://www.facebook.com/events/480112602003284/)
20 - MEMPHIS, TN @ CROSSTOWN ARTS
21 - ST. LOUIS, MO @ NO COAST SKATESHOP (EARLY/ALL AGES) (http://www.facebook.com/events/400268789995369/)
21 - ST. LOUIS, MO @ LEMMONS (LATE/21+) (http://www.facebook.com/events/400268789995369/)
22 - KANSAS CITY, MO @ BUZZARD BEACH
23 - DENTON, TX @ TORNADO ALLEY (http://www.facebook.com/events/385391881497308/)
24 - HOUSTON, TX @ EAST SIDE SOCIAL CENTER (http://www.facebook.com/events/338891169524072/)
25 - AUSTIN, TX @ THE ANNEX AT 1808
26 - HT/PEDALS HOTEL PARTY, YOU DON’T NEED A SHOVEL TO DIG IT.
27 - ALBUQUERQUE, NM @ GASWORKS (http://www.facebook.com/events/399649416748371/)
28 - TUCSON, AZ @ THE POUND
29 - SAN DIEGO, CA @ CHE CAFE
30 - LOS ANGELES, CA @ CHUCO’S JUSTICE CENTER (http://www.facebook.com/events/425744204109482/)
31 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ SUBMISSION ART SPACE (http://www.facebook.com/events/312730355470473/)

AUGUST
1 - STOCKTON, CA @ PLEA FOR PEACE CENTER (http://www.facebook.com/events/379082372148785/)
2 - PORTLAND, OR @ JURASSIC PARK (http://www.facebook.com/events/378412705541112/)
3 - TACOMA, WA @ THE RED ROOM
4 - ROY, UT @ HOUSE SHOW
5 - FORT COLLINS, CO @ SURFSIDE 7
6 - DENVER, CO @ BLAST-O-MAT (http://www.facebook.com/events/409503319100305/)
7 - OMAHA, NE @ THE WEST WING
8 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ THE BEAT
9 - MADISON, WI @ DRAGONFLY LOUNGE (http://www.facebook.com/events/334270896655350/)
10 - CHICAGO, IL @ TOWNSHIP (http://www.facebook.com/events/122423564564695/)
11 - KALAMAZOO, MI @ THE FAT GUY HOUSE
12 - CLEVELAND, OH @ NOW THAT’S CLASS (http://www.facebook.com/events/285480408209293/)
13 - PITTSBURGH, PA @ MR. ROBOTO PROJECT (http://www.facebook.com/events/258919517546905/)
14 - PHILADELPHIA, PA


Can you believe all the places they are going? WOW! I wish I could travel with them....be Merch Mom!:)  Speaking of merchandise...how about these tees?:)

On the left is one of my photos of girl and boy walking....or trying to walk...down our snow piled dirt road....I'm getting verklempt thinking about it!:)

If you are interested in buying Blizzard of '96 or any of their music and merchandise you can check them out here at their blog...
or
or

 Everyone on the East coast remembers where they were in '96....oh the memories! 


You can get all their music for free download on their blog....I don't think the new album is there yet....but I heart it so and I think you will too!!  
You can also go see Matt at Animal Style Records and purchase the LP....yes....it's an LP in three color choices!:) Tell Matt that I sent you!;)

Godspeed boys and as a friend says...hasten ye back!:)
xo
~d/mom



Sunday, July 8, 2012

Part IV....Scotland...The End....or The Beginning?:)

The last part of our trip was spent in Scotland....this is who greeted us in Stirling!!
(Those Union Jacks are coming straight out of The Chook's head!:)
My online buddy (and now real life pal) Lynz and her Chook were there to meet us at the train station...such a lovely surprise! First things first....food!:) After a lovely meal and a wonderful visit to Lynz's fantastic abode (and a meet and greet with the spouse and the Chook's horse collection) we were dropped off at our hostel!
 The Willy Wallace....our first time in a hostel!  Not the girl...she's a pro but we were first timers!  Check out this colorful room...there were two other set of bunk beds to the left.  Even though the room was full....and there were a few snorers....we slept like logs!
Before we went to bed we did some exploring and enjoyed the glorious sunset.
In the upper right is Stirling Castle glowing with it's new gilding!
The Holy Rude Graveyard below the Castle is amazing, so many paths leading to so many stories!
(At the very top of the Dumyat you can just see a flame!)
We stumbled upon several gentlemen with their tripods and cameras aimed toward Lynz's Ochil Hills...of course I had to ask what they were looking for...seems there were to be bonfires lit all across Scotland in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and lucky us we were able to see FIVE of them. We felt like we were in the Lord of the Rings movie!!

The next morning Lynz and the Chook picked us up and we headed to another amazingly kept cemetery...Tulliallan Kirkyard.  We have to thank Lynz's uncle for getting the key!
This is one of the best examples in Scotland of how an old graveyard should be restored and cared for...it's also a great place to sit...and chat with a friend...and a pony!:)

After a visit to a coffeehouse for provisions we hiked up The Dumyat!! Our girls went on ahead as I was holding up progress....dear sweet Lynz stayed with me and was my cheerleader....hubby walked alone between the two groups just in case he needed to run ahead....or below....for a rescue!:)
 (Hubby, girl, Chook and Lynz looking toward Stirling)
Thanks to Lynz I made it to the top...oh was it worth it! Lunch never tasted so good!
 On the walk down we met up with a few of the local Highland Cattle!  We did so much in 1 1/2 days...all cause of Lynz.  I really think she summed it all up better...check out her post here!  Thanks soooooo much pal!!

The next day we took the train to Edinburgh. We had the whole day to play before heading back to London and the first thing we did was have a re-meet with Jo!!  We took the bus to her shop.  It is sooo cool!!
 Colorful and whimsical and full of inspiration!  All I wanted to do is shop but we only had so much time.  I did buy one of Jonathan's Dream House prints.  Perfect souvenir!!

Since we only had a few hours dear Jo drove us all around the city.  It's amazing what you can see even from the back seat of a car!:)  Such a beautiful place...even on a drizzly day.

I think the term "Old World Charm" was coined in Edinburgh...or at least it fits!

 Every turn brought us to new and exciting views....
 ...it was like being in a fairy tale!  Having so much fun I really didn't take out my camera that much....totally tried to live in the moment!
We didn't want to leave but the time had come for us to go back to London and home.

The best thing about our UK trip....
....being with the girl!:) 
xoxo
~d