Science! Cupcakes! Gelato!

We had a wonderful time at the Science and Engineering Festival on the National Mall last weekend. It was a huge event with hundreds of booths staffed by various educational institutions, professional organizations and companies. Every booth had some kind of hands-on, interactive project.
The kids made catapults, created Lego robots, simulated earthquakes, looked at parasites in a microscope, tested their intelligence vs a monkey, measured their lung capacity and more! It was so exciting to see so many kids and families excited about science!

Then we went out for dessert. Benjamin and I had cupcakes. I've never been a huge fan of cake, in general, but these cupcakes were so tempting, that I decided to give one a try.

Benjamin chose Red Velvet and I had Chocolate with Peanut Butter icing. Holy deliciousness. That was the best cupcake I have ever had in my entire life.

Jeff and Claire had gelato.
Apparently it was also quite good, but I still can't get my mind off that cupcake.

Best Laid Plans

Last week my pregnant sister asked me to make a small focal point quilt that she could use during labor and delivery. She remembered that I made a similar quilt years ago for another friend who was hoping for a natural child birth.

I was thrilled to make a little something and send good vibes for my nephew's arrival. It's just a little decorative hanging, really... but, the circle is 10 cm wide -- the diameter necessary to deliver a baby.
Joanna was hoping to do some mediation, deep breathing and other calm practices during her labor. This little quilt could be a focal point. I made one side in calm tones and one side in high contrast.

Apparently, it arrived in the mail on Saturday. On Sunday, Joanna wasn't feeling great, so she and her husband went to the hospital for a quick check. The staff quickly discovered that her blood pressure was high and Baby's blood pressure was dangerously low. Less than an hour later Kristofer James was born by emergency c-section.

Every one seems to be doing pretty well. Kristofer is in the NICU where he is getting lots of attention and needed care. He's super cute and has wavy dark hair. He's tiny -- just 3 lbs 13 oz. Matt and Joanna are very joyful (and a bit overwhelmed, understandably).

So, the little quilt can just be a decoration in the nursery and reminder that parenthood is full of surprises and worries and JOYS!

Autumn Outing

We are having a wonderful fall in Maryland. It's just beautiful. On Saturday, the kids and I ventured out to Sunrise Farm to walk their corn maze.It was totally amazing!
Claire is holding a flag that we could have used if we got separated from each other.
Actually, we did get separated. But the flag wasn't tall enough to wave above the corn stalks. We just yelled each others names until we hooked up again.

Umm... what was that about "no running?"

There were eight stations with "magic totems" that could be transferred onto your map. We only found six. It was a huge maze!

After, we enjoyed the blue sky, the beautiful leaves and some kettle corn.

Thoughts

A friend of mine is going through a tough time. We're not really that close, but I knew she was struggling. I didn't really know what to say, but I wanted her to know I was thinking of her.

While I was working on samples for my Make It University workshop, I made this pair of "painted paint chips" for her.
I tried to infuse them with hopefulness and good thoughts.

We both really like the symbolism of chairs. Sometimes you have sit and wait. Sometimes you need to be still. But, even when you are still, you need not be idle.

List Tuesday

I've been reading Artsyville lately. It's delightful! Not only is Aimee a beautiful artist who uses letters and text as her main themes (love that!), she also lives in Lawrence, Kansas. I went to the University of Kansas in Lawrence and have many wonderful memories of my time there.

Anyway, Aimee is kicking off "List Tuesday" today. She is posting a list on her blog and encouraging others to do the same.

Nothing special here. Just my to do list from yesterday. It's carrying over to today, of course.
One of the "to do" items is to go to the commissary. So, here's the grocery list from the previous page.
I recently started keeping my lists in this cool spiral. I'm sure I got it in the dollar bins at Michaels or Joanns. It's so much better than all the random papers that were cluttered in my purse -- you know, post-it notes, backs of envelopes, folded up paperwork from school, etc.

Plus, it's green with dots. You can't go wrong.

Visitors

We're dog sitting this week!
That's Lincoln in the back. Paddy is the other yellow lab. You can hardly tell them apart unless you're looking right in their sweet faces. Well, they aren't looking so sweet in this picture. But, they are certainly having fun!

This is Marzen. Shes's about 12 weeks old. Lincoln was willing to share his big bone.
We are enjoying a puppy love fest.

Very Very Fun!

I am thrilled to announce that I'll be teaching a mini-workshop at Make It University during the International Quilt Festival in Houston in November. I'll be teaching "Painted Paint Chip Mini-Journals" on Sunday, November 6 at 11:30 am.Here is the official description:

Create a mini journal with a whimsical “painted paint chip” cover. Learn to cut positive and negative stencils using freezer paper and tons of ideas for other painted, stamped, and doodled elements. Fill the journal with a variety of pages and finish using an easy Japanese stab binding.

In the past, I've had tons of fun participating as a student at MIU workshops at Festival in Houston. I am thrilled and honored to be teaching this year. Pokey and her gang create such a wonderful energy and spirit around the Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors booths on the show floor. I'm excited to be a part of it.

I'm spending time preparing samples and gathering supplies.
I'm hole punching, paper measuring and cutting, stamp making, etc.

I hope the students who join me on Sunday will get a kick out of this fun project. So, if you are going to Houston and will still be around on Sunday morning, please please please come see me and say hello!

Yeah!

I received word that my quilt Orion Odyssey was accepted in the "Thread Tails and Vapor Trails" quilt exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of naval aviation.

I knew you would want to hear the news since so many of you followed the process of creating the quilt here on my blog -- and left so many great comments!

I am honored to be included in this exciting event and quite relieved. That quilt was more challenging than I had anticipated, so now all that struggle seems worth it. I'll include updates about where you might be able to see the exhibit in the future.

Plus, there is a gala year-end event in DC on December 3, 2011. I've got it on my calendar!

In the mean time, here is one more picture of my inspiration.

Honored

Possibilities, 12x12"

I am thrilled and honored that this piece which I donated to the Studio Art Quilt Associates auction was purchased today. SAQA is a great organization. I am proud to be a member and I am so happy that my work generated some support for the organization.

There are still several amazing art quilts available in this part of the auction. Quilts are currently $350 dollars. Tomorrow at 2 pm, they will drop to $250. Friday at 2 pm, they'll go to $150 and on Saturday at 2 pm they will be available for a steal: $75!

There are two pages of quilts available. Check them out here and here.

Here are some of my favorites:

Karen Rips, Undergrowth. (She's a "twelve.")Cathy Kleeman, Ventanas 21
Natalya Aikens, Piterskoie Kruzhevo/St. Pete Lace