The Little Things We Do

Go check out my guest blog on photography featured on my dear friend Lauren's blog - The Little Things We Do .



[FYI- click on the photo to take you directly to the my fantastic words of wisdom]

Fill in the Blank Friday

My lovely friend, Lauren [who has an awesome blog at http://thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com/], does these fun "Fill in the Blank Friday" posts every - you guessed it - Friday



I haven't posted one of these before, but since it is about my absolute favorite subject (well, right after how wonderful my husband is), I figured I might as well play along.

So here we go:

1.  My favorite book growing up was: The Mark of the Lion series, by Francine Rivers. It is probably the only book I've read more than twice. Actually, I'm pretty sure I read it every other week throughout my entire adolescence.

2.  The funniest book I've ever read was: I haven't really read that many "funny" books, but the Anne of Green Gables series completely captivated me and etched a perma-smile on my face whenever I read it. I found myself frequently finding a long-suffering family member and holding them prisoner while I shared amusing quotes and sections from the books.

3.  The one book that has truly changed my life is: Obviously, the Bible. However, if I choose another book I think I would choose Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge or Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers.

4.  If you're looking for a real "tear jerker" you should probably read: My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. I bawled. Snotty yucky bawling.

5.  If I could meet any author living or dead I would want to meet: LM Montgomery - Her writing makes me feel like we're soul-sisters.

6.  The next book on my "to read" list is: The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa

7.  If I was snowed into  remote cabin in the woods and could only choose three books to bring with me I'd bring: Eeek! I can't pick just three... Maybe three series??? Or three hundred??  Okay, I'll try to narrow it down.  The Anne of Green Gables series, Redeeming Love, & Ella Enchanted. Ugh. I'm literally forcing myself not to make a ridiculous long list of all the books that I would stack around this imaginary cabin.

If you'd like to play along, just fill in the blanks on your own blog (or in the comment section!) and then link back here using by leaving a comment.

Ciao!

Quilting Swap!

So I'm doing my first quilting swap and I have to admit I'm a little nervous about it. Thus far, all the quilts I've made have ended up in the hands of family members and not under the critical eye of fellow quilters! eek!

One of the things I love most about quilting is the creativity and diversity amongst quilters! I'm always so inspired when I see what other quilters have created with only fabric and thread.

Below are a few photos of quilts (made by more talented hands than mine) that I am inspired by.

I love One Block Wonder Quilts -


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Yay for bright colors!


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I heart circles!

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I've recently been obssessed with mixing grey with bright colors! So fun!


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Note to my wonderful swap partner - I love bright colors in my quilts, but I also love the subtlety of soft colors together. I love wonky quilts and I love structured quilts. Unfortunately, this means that I don't have much direction to give you when it comes to designing a quilt. However, I can tell you the things I definitely do not love.

I do not love pink. Even though you see it in the pictures above and I can appreciate it when others use it, I simply cannot even begin to think about cuddling up with a quilt that has pink in it. :( 

I do not love batiks.

I do not love anything that looks like tie-dye.

That's it! I can't wait to see what you come up with

I promise I'll post pictures of the quilt I'm making and the quilt I receive!

Mawwage is what brings us together today...

A little late is better than never.

Which is why you'll be seeing photos of the beloved Mandi & Ian's December wedding events below.

Mandi & Ian are the lovely people who are brave enough to set up camp and make their home upstairs. They're my favorite. :)

Mandi is the kind of girl that everyone loves and no one dislikes. You just can't. It's impossible. I tried. And failed.

Ian is her stubborn, yet genius, husband who was a goner from the first moment they met. They're madly in love.

Together, they make a perfect couple, and perfect housemates, and we love living with them.

Andy and I at their rehearsal dinner -


Ian's parents - Mr. & Mrs. Stan Oberst


The NEW Mr. & Mrs. Ian Oberst -


Matthew Crews analyzing the algorithms of life. And women. Or maybe woman.


Said woman (a.k.a Hillary) sniffing... lip gloss??


Our token bachelor - Lane - who (for all you amazing single women out there) is an amazing guy. And who I'm going to find a woman for. Soon. I just haven't met any single women who are good enough yet. Please send applications via email. ::winks::


My amazing in-laws. You can't have them. They're mine. [And our Virginian friend, Heather, who is making weird faces off to the right. Heather - come back to Portland! We miss you!]


The Wedding Day:

Nice hair Mandi. ;)


Apparently Mandi was shocked and appalled at how much sparkling cider we brought. Bubbly-making. :)




She's so pretty!




Heather. I ♥ her.


Hillary - looking like a super model. As usual.


Our fabu hair dresser! Thanks Casey! Urban Colorz Salon


The below photo thanks to Chris Becerra photography - here's a pic of all the girls all dolled up.

Mandy, Me!, Mandi, & Hillary

On Libraries

The Library has revoked my privileges. While many of you may jump to the conclusion that my delinquent self must have accomplished some great feat of mischievousness to have my library privileges suspended, it is in fact due to something infinitely less interesting and more frustrating.

Damascus has refused to pay taxes that will give their over burdened tax-payers access to the one of the few reliefs we have from this world - reading. Unfortunately for my reading addiction, I live in Damascus.

[Beware of rant to follow}

Honestly, when we pay some $5,000+ a year in property taxes (which is high even for Portland standards), they should bloody well include a library card. Not only am I outraged by this public service that we've been denied, but so are many others. The revolting decision to remove our library access was made by officials and nary a Damascus citizen consulted.

[Rant somewhat bated below]

I can easily continue on about politics and the deficiencies in our system, but I will be succinct and simply say that I'm disappointed that our city values reading and continued education so little that they are unwilling to pay the measly fee that would ensure that their people have access to the library.

Perhaps I'll stage a peaceful protest demanding our library rights back. I'm ready to grab my picket and start marching against this injustice, following the example of those written about in books I no longer have access to.

The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing. - John Adams

The Things that Make Me

Things that make me...

...feel bubbly inside:  Andy



...sad:  forgotten and discarded children


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...smile:  old couples in love


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...angry:  mean and unkind comments


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...want to dance: Matt Nathanson's music (and watching Jordan & Tatiana)

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...feel at home: tea


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...catch my breath: lightning storms



...laugh out loud: discussions on bodily functions


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...sick: rape


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...feel longing: string concertos (especially Antonio Vivaldi)


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...relax: quilting


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...anxious: performing


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...feel joyful: sunshine


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...frustrated: politics

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...disappear: reading

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The African Queen Quilt

For some reason, all these fabrics make me think of Africa - a modern Africa - but they're so wild and tribal looking that I feel like I'm transported to another part of the world.  As such, I've decided to name this quilt "The African Queen." Unfortunately due to bad lighting, it renders the blues bluer than the teal-ish color that they are in actuality.  You'll just have to imagine.

Fabrics by Moda & Michael Miller & other misc designers.  I'm excited about how the quilt is turning out. 

And this is the mess that is my sewing area:

You can see the edge of my beautiful Bernina Artista 165 that was my Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary present. I ♥ it.