The Little Adventurer

What is the essence of a noteworthy experience? Is it the emotion that lingers or simply the fact that something occurred? Maybe a little of both as you'll see from my noteworthy day.

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The sun was not out. It was only 80' so that meant I could go to the quilt shop. I've been feeling great, why not? An opportunity for an outing. I load up and go. Again, the burning, sizzling, raging, radioactive sun was not out. Gosh it was only 80' out. It never crossed my mind that I wouldn't be able to do this. You know, take a quick trip to the Quilt Shop. I was able but really, I wasn't.



I did okay, don't get me wrong. There was no drama. I simply needed to stop and rest and stop and rest. When I made it home I put my stuff down, didn't let the dogs out of their crates (1.5 hrs - they're fine) as is the routine, didn't eat lunch, didn't do anything but the chores for nap mode. Phone goes and I go to bed. Even Kingston left me alone. Didn't bother to snuggle with me at all. He knew.


This is MS and hitting the wall with fatigue ~ suddenly. When I woke from my nap I found out the lawn dudes were here. That always wakes me up. Not today. I slept right through it. Gosh today was like waking up in Oz. The thick grass was no more and everything was clean. Magically. I was seriously tripped out. My neighbor clarified when I checked.

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I've been asked by friends and family if I'm noticing any changes/feeling different since I started taking this new medication. I've got a couple things going now. More active lately around here which is great and today's sudden hitting the wall fatigue. It does happen but this was of more significance when weighed against the activity. What I'm saying is that for the way I felt you would have expected a walk along the back forty of the Mall Parking lot. There's no troubleshooting needed or judgment and analysis here. It's a fact worth noting. An experience. Thing is, it's also a little scary. I didn't like being out in public feeling that bad. I didn't drive home, I made it home. ~ and those are my emotions associated with the experience.

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Sounds more like an adventure when I think about it! hee.

Things We Lost in the Fire

In the fire of my passion I found it impossible to hold back on the circles. I wanted to start in, learn how to do 'em and tame those circles (I've never stitched) right away. With that passionate fire I started right in. Today we lost a block because of it. That fire!

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The blocks were quite unhappy after they were photographed and viewed. The center fabric was too deep and it wasn't working for me. Just too dark. I went to bed thinking about how I'd remove the centers, just about breaking one my sleep hygiene rules: Don't think about your quilt when you go to bed.

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This afternoon I started in on the surgical removal process. As I alluded to early, my first patient died on the table. It only takes one block death to learn.

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I've learned. A Center often wants to speak for herself. She wants to get what she can in her own way, have her important place of distinction. She wants to be much lighter and not so dark. So I'll let the center fabric come to me rather than forcing it.




This isn't allowed. We had to make some changes but I do love Kippy in this photo. He was really testing his limits, too. ...acting like he was asleep.

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So all in all, I'd say we're still truckin' along. A minor setback but back on the track. I don't feel like getting my @$$ kicked my this particular block. I just don't.

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Thanks for listening... *karendianne.

Passion for Plates

When a man's willing and eager, God joins in"

-Aeschylus

One things for sure, you can't say I toss away my Passion when I'm feeling well. I am feeling well by the way. :) So the Passion is lit and I let it loose. Not wasting any time with these, I've been lost in Dresden Plates and fabric combinations. Enthusiasm taking over like it rarely does - I'm no where to be found!



On Wednesday Susan did in fact come over to the house, spend some time with me (fun!) and walked me through a great tutorial for how to set up the Dresden Plates on your Block as well as her method for Machine Applique. I'm ready to practice. I didn't have the right thread but I ordered it immediately. Perfectly on time, it arrived yesterday so I can get into my "test" pieces (come here little test piece, I wont hurt you...) before I start in on my blocks. I know they wont be perfect but I'd like them to show some real effort to get-it-right on my part.

1. My plans for this quilt will be I-don't-know-yet. I was thinking of 20 blocks but thinking that high is daunting, even for all the enthusiasm and passion I'm clamoring on about.
2. My favorite aspect of these Plates is the combo of the reds and browns. I added some variations in the blocks so they aren't the same reds and browns. It's great getting into the stash.
3. My challenge continues to be the circles. That does not mean I'll be removing them. I just might add some additional variation so I don't get hung up on it.

(There is a wonderful tutorial at Stephanie's blog, Loft Creations. The link to the tutorial is here. She's done a great job explaining how to do a Dresden Plate.)
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So that's where I've been - acting like a Quilter! I wanted to get a few blocks made to share with y'all to make it worth your time. There are a lot of Blogs and your time is valuable. I get that. I know I'm not making to everyone's spot that I want to because I need to be with Dresden Plates. I figured you'd understand. The Virtual World can be so like the Real World. We just can't be everywhere we want to be. So if you've chosen to be with me today, thank you!

Delicious Dresden in Draft

Hello?! This block has serious addictive properties. I can feel it. Susan comes tomorrow to help me thru the rest of the process. I plan to get back to my Antiques in Pink but see this is how we get off track, isn't it? If you've not stopped by The Strawberry Patch today for "Let's Talk Tuesday" she's got a great post that touches on this topic (in a way).

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Spending the balance of my quilting time (after nap time) focused on my machine and how to set it up for the tight zigzag needed. Maybe it wont take long to configure the machine and I can spend more time cutting more blades.. or cleaning house. Blades or Housework. Hmmm. Which would you choose?

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We Dig Susan!, *karendianne.

Repetitive Error

Good Monday to you and thanks for visiting LeeHaven located in one of the Hot Southern States. Those of us quilters living in this particular locale, well we're in the business of Heat Acquisition although my understanding is that we're not alone. Pretty much everyone's in on Heat Acquisition. Wish we could turn this into a commodity?



Above I'm making a little something out of these reds and browns. A Dresden Plate. The vote was for 30's and brights or polka dots (which I love) but I'm choosing favorites from my stash.

I blew it with the Antique patches. This error sucked the life right out of me. I thought I needed 40 setting blocks and 40 nine patches for an on-point setting. Well you know that isn't correct and never would be. I wasn't thinking, focused on the fabrics as I was, so I got this weird "80 blocks" number in my head. How did that get planted in there?

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I thought I was so close to blocks done. I'm so not done. Very disheartened. Bummed, seriously bummed. Tripped up without a pattern or paper and planning yet again. Blast! I'm keeping on though with a little sidetracking...

Oh I love these scrappy geese. That's what I decided to do after I was foiled by my error! :) They're cute and I think I'll make a few more. That is, until Susan comes to teach me how to make a Dresden Plate.

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In closing allow me to admit I've made this mistake one too many times. No planning I mean. Especially without a pattern. Funny but I'm a serious planner in other areas of my life. Apparently with Quilting I've been blowing that off. This has to stop.

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Flying by the Seat of my Pants? No more! Bums me out. And how many times has this happened? Well, at least I've caught on (slowly) and I wont be fighting momentary quilt depression on this issue anyway. ...*karendianne.

What Father Does Best

Contributes to my well-being by strengthening my sense of groundedness. Even 3k miles away.

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How does he do that? He shows up. We connect, we talk, we e-mail. It's not hard. It's not perfect either - he sure can set me on fire!!! But it's Father's Day. A day to celebrate the fact that I do have a dad that's willing to share his wisdom and plant it in my head! And that's a gift 'cause what if your Dad didn't want to share?


So I'll say thanks and Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Movies that Changed Your Life

Movies that Changed Your Life posted Thursday by Nicole discussed some of the most influential movies in her life. Thought provoking and surprising. Surprising because when I got the bottom of the post and realized I really had to tickle those thoughts up. Tagged! Nicole also tagged: Susan of Blackberry Creek and Carol of Brown Quilts

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A little difficult because Nicole had on her list an Audrey Hepburn movie and I also thought of the great actress in My Fair Lady. I couldn't choose that one though. It's a favorite but not one of the more influential. Here we go and thanks for asking, Nicole.

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My imagination was lit up like never before when I first saw Excalibur. As a young girl, I wanted to wear the gossamer gold veil that Guenevere wore when she married King Arthur. One scene that grabbed my imagination? The return of King Arthur with his army on powerful mounts galloping through the kingdom. Powerful for it's dramatic display of Majesty combined with the mystical as the lands are literally reborn from the dead to the alive. Everything green, thriving and bloom-busting.

I can thank this film for my addiction to all things [literary] having to do with England and her Kings and lore. My bookshelves are peppered as I move through my life still learning genealogy and battles and old tales. It is my favorite of topics to read about.

You may or may not know that my Mom sews. I grew up at the foot of a sewing machine. That means I've been exposed to many a great old movie. Here's one of the best. At the age of 18 my Mom encouraged me to watch this with her while she was sewing. It looked like a stupid romance and I hate those but I agreed and got a lot out of it. It was a romance but that isn't what I got out of it. What stuck: Lucia/Lucy (Gene Tierney) struck out on her own with her daughter to raise at a time when it just wasn't done. She wrote a book! She found happiness on her own. I loved this movie at 18 and I love it now. So empowering. Thanks for this, Mom.

Easy Rider blew my mind. Completely. I'm not sure how old I was when my Dad encouraged me to see this film, certainly an adult. I'm not even going to write here how this film impacted me because it'll take too long. I just know that it's an important marker in my view of the American Culture. I will say thank you to my Father for ensuring that I have an expanded viewpoint about this era.

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Thank you for the visit and the read if you were able to hang on and stay a while. I'm off to watch Madame Curie and sew.

Finely Sewn Fabric Grows on Trees

As you may recall (take a peek?) Virginia was amazed to find that fabric really does grow on trees. There's a fabric faerie, I always knew it but this is pretty much stands supreme in my book! Amazing things these faeries.

There's a great story here. Scrap Basket Liz, along with my dog, Arlo, made my supreme bagalicious! Liz has an aversion to Orange, along with quite a number of other people. So Liz being the creative powerhouse that she is, dove into Orange (facing it) and created this bag. She dove in and created something beautiful. You've gotta respect a woman for that. Seriously, in my book, that's really cool. It's difficult for me to work with colors I don't like. I'm just sayin'...

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Being behind in my Blog reading I didn't realized she posted the story of "A New Appreciation" for Orange. It never said who it was for and I didn't think anything. I just loved it. I commented with my usual overwhelming use of superlatives and come to find out she was dern waiting for me to get with it, pay attention and comment because this baby was for me!

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Later she described the story of waiting. Waiting for me to get with it on my reading. Waiting. We'd chat but I was behind. She never said a thing. No hints. I'm not sure I could do it but I gotta say, as the receiver of the gift, this is a really rockin' way to unwrap a gift.

Dearest Liz, this bag makes my heart sing. I thank you (and my dog Arlo) for the perfect gift.

Antique Patches in the Pink

Taking this one in a new direction and I'm comforted.

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Thanks for visiting and have a sparkling day! *karendianne.

Even and Odd

Anything with this photo strike you as odd?

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Pool fella really didn't know what he was doing. My shrubs are really sharp in the front. The one comes out to a tippy point in that whole ginsu knives kind of way. The Holly are intended to add balance, a good vibe, but now warn of oddity, "short stories" and "tall tales."

7 Quick Takes Sunday

• In case you didn't see it, there was a discussion on http://www.h-net.org/~quilt/ regarding Quilts and Proverbs. Right up my alley and I thought I'd share in case you didn't see it. Maybe you'd dig it, too.




• Don't you love this block? Made by my friend Susan. The quilt she's working on is adorable and I'd love to share but I didn't ask. ...already in the dog house! I wanted to share as much as I thought I could get away with. It's delightful, isn't it?




• Susan has offered to help me with the machine applique [and the fusible business] needed for the dern center. I know, I swore off that applique but I love this block so I have to learn. Dernit how I do myself in every time. What fabric will I use? I ask myself but no answer yet.



• On Fabric. Faye teaches at the Olde Green Cupboard but she's much more than that. An appealing woman with years of skill, talent and a damn fine sense of reality. She's in my head all the time with this one: You wouldn't believe it but they're printing new fabric as we speak!




• Duplicate names. Have you noticed how many Quilting Karen's there are or Quilting Kim's? Just my observation, running away with me but I wonder if you notice it or have some other names you notice?


• The "Jack's Chain" that I made Friday is fun but it's not calling to me so I'm puttin' the lock on that one for now. Watch, the Chain will start rattling new ideas.

• And finally, I am going to be shopping for a new sofa soon. As if announcing it will somehow make it manifest before my eyes ~ magically.

Back on the Tracks and Pulling Jack's Chain

Well this just happened. In the "Huh, well I'll be darned" way. Had those nine patches on hand for probably a year. Never have figured what to do with 'em. I enjoy this block. Something about it makes me happy. Today I just thought "I think I might do that." Then before I knew it, I did it.

When I finished and walked away to take the shot, I started to hear it. "I seriously need some Red, Karen!" Damn skippy it does. Serious red. Not overdone red but this one is just too dark for me. The triangles.

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The rest of my life is back on track. A little bit off the rails it did go. At one point I was a case without a basket! So I did sit down a make a list of perceived issues, map it out to see if it really did fall under "emergent" and I decided it was reasonably important but not emergent. I'm coping, feeling renewed energy to make the right phone calls (which is kinda stressful actually) and push hard to get my appointments sooner than June 24th. Those are lined up for next week.

Coping was the reason I wasn't on the computer. I needed rest, the comfort in chores, the assurance that my body was holding up without outside pressures. Not really much TV. Reading. Getting morning sun actually. And finally some piecing.

Odd. Odd how at this time, after all I've put forth these past couple of days, I'd chose to piece rather than work on my easy nine patches.

Odd as well that my ear is "broken" again with this treatment. Don't ask me what's up with that. I'm just a crazy lady. Apparently.

Connecting

Tempting to critique. Lovely, dainty, pretty and sweet. What about that center white floral? It made me smile. I'm pleased with today's batch (more variety, not shown here).



They're more controlled. Not nearly the severe spectacular scrappiness of the other blocks. Iron. Making a mental note. What a sight.

Nothing that can't be fixed. As if we didn't have other happenings to tend to.

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The week planned. The IV infusion is was Thursday. Early morning we had to move it up to tomorrow. *Kink* Fortunately for me after I was ill, I wasn't just being "The Kitchen Quilter" or "The Library Quilter". I was gettin' it together. Over the past weekish the house was stocked on needed provisions except 1 thing. We'll live. Last minute date changes ~ you get it. Manageable, but you get it.

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In between, I was sewing and tending to some of the other chores. Lots of quiet in the house today. Lots of getting my "head on straight" stuff, which is really another way for me to express connecting with the Divine. Not only that but also awareness of thought. Noticing what's rolling through my mind. What sort of little thought viruses are spreading around because those needed to go. We're making room for something healing that brain tomorrow.

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Connecting and focusing isn't a bad way to spend the day...

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Thank you for visiting and connecting!

Imagining High Born Cloths

Valuable. Yes, that's it. To my eye they're valuable cloths from the sideboard on the plantation or the fine cloth in the first born baby girl's room. They're the petticoats like grandma wore as a girl or the wallpaper in the formal dining room. Valuable reproductions in that sense. That's the story I imagine for these.

Above is what I created today to add and create and array such as what you see below.

The lavender is still on the table but I do believe that distracted from the "Valuable" meaning that's expressed (to me) in the fabric. That is to say, not everyone likes that color. So for today I removed it from the photo. But I will be including it.

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Sometimes it's good to be a girl! Thanks for the share.

7 Quick Takes Sunday

(1) Worked with these fabrics today. I pulled everything off the Design Wall and reworked it. My efforts were thwarted. Natural tendency to see high contrast is tough to overcome. I wont be giving up on this. Yes, Cathi you're right ~ think soft.

(2) Comments and questions galore for fancy mat. You know, the one I had my parrot food on? Lots of y'all wanted to see it. Enough I chose to post it and share with all. Yet another great pattern from Marcie over at Patchalot. Now, you'll have to touch base with her because I have not a clue how to make this.

I just know it makes a killer, rockin' gift and I use it every single day. Where you see it is where it rests. Imagine the uses... I need more but Marcie has cut me off, says I'm only good for one gift every 5 years - if that - since I could make this myself. She's not putting up with any of my crap!

(3) I don't usually read two books at once. It's not my way. But something got inside my head. I figured since I'm reading twice daily - why not? I'm near finished with S in Splendor anyway so...

(please do not treat the following as political - it isn't intended that way at all- don't spam me!)

I have to admit this. I have a crush on the author of this book! He's an MSNBC and Meet the Press News Analyst. A Brit. It's his intellect that turns my head truth be told. So I had to get the book. There's no one to stop me! And it isn't just the intellect and political perspective that he brings to bear on a topic but he's a skilled writer. I knew he wouldn't let me down! It's a good read.

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(4) I read according to Technorati, since 2002, 133 million blogs were started and of those only 7.4 million have be updated in the last 120 days. Any thoughts on why that might be?

This fact did get me thinking. Thinking about why I Blog? It's writing. And more. Check back with me...

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(5) Signature Blocks. I'm not interested in these but if I were, I think I'd name my quilt: A Collector of Worlds. This particular block I snatched from The Dutchlady. ~ Kieny, I hope you'll allow my borrowing.

(6) I know my walls need major repair but if you can get past that... look at those cute little Roni Toes! Kanga-Roni-Bucket-o-Cute.



(7) Do you know anyone that isn't going to be able to handle the TV transition to digital? I'm just curious. We had big thunderboomers today and the cable and digital phone when out for a bit. I have my cell phone but I'm just thinkin' digital ain't all that! I'm just sayin'.

Another Side of Life at LeeHaven

Parrot food? Yes, Parrot food. This particular batch consists of garbanzo beans, steamed Brussels sprouts, pecans, couscous and pumpkin. Some stuff is worked with my Cuisinart and after that it's eventually mixed. This batch needed finger mixing. I keep stuff on stock so I never really know what I'm making for these two.

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The stuff has to include vegetables, fruits and high Vitamin A stuff. Along with healthy nuts and things.



Never seed - not really never, still not healthy. Nuts, yes and definitely pellets from time to time. Katie (seen below) is a great eater. She's a Female Eclectus. Eats about anything. Unlike Kismet, the green Amazon. From the beginning of her life with me (a few months old?) she was picky. Worse than a cat I swear. Her youth was a little stressful. After a while I told her "I'm not a short order cook." Obviously that remark was for me and me alone. I had to tighten up. Kismet has improved yet not adventurous like Katie; like Mikey, she'll eat anything!

Still much work ahead but Kismet's in front of her window now. Happy Parrot.

I've got large hanging play gyms for these guys and I'm looking forward to getting them out. Not sure when that'll happen but it's on the radar. At least as long as the Animated Radar Loop refreshes every so often like it's supposed to.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit another side of Life with me~! Have a lovely quilting day. I'm sure hoping to myself! :)

USS LeeHaven and the Leak

Generally I run a tight ship. Tonight we sprung a leak.

I received a note from a friend stating they sent me photos on Tagged. While I thought we were sharing "quilting" it was secretly copying the contents of my personal address book. Very evil. Naturally I worked frantically to avert the crisis. Did I avert the crisis, fend off the intruder and avoid complete invasion? I have no idea.

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But I do know this....

I did not intend for it to send you this:

Karendianne Lee sent you photos on Tagged Want to see the photos?

I apologize deeply for any and all horrific trouble this may caused you.

Out and About

Had an outing. My first in a while. ;) Lunch out, quilty things and crafty things. Lisa teaches at the Quilt Shop and lately she's creating the clothesline fabric wrapped baskets and artistic plates with Bali Pops (note: using "It's a Wrap" method). I just have to share this plate with you. I didn't ask but I'll beg for forgiveness later. It's got me all distracted. I love this plate. The button is actually an antique.

We came back to LeeHaven & I showed Lisa my nicely folded stash. Together over time, we've built my Civil War Stash, which is to say my entire stash. Except for my current dainty antique looking (to me) fabric.

It's my current project, my restful sewing. I'm still not up for real piecing. I'm good but not that ready. I wasn't ready to share this because it's just blocks. I guess after I got over my "whatever" I decided I could share with ya'll.

Looking at it this morning I see something I haven't noticed before. Hmmm. Something to consider. That's cool!

I'm mindless sewing here and just enjoying the process. "She Sits and Sews" pretty much.

It's hot. I had an outing. It was a great day.

I Did Not Do This?

I did. Really.
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I found it. Stashed away in some far away corner in the back bedroom. You know, where Kismet's at. Spending time with her (because that's what mom's do) I found this. Imagine my delight!


At the time, this was the only quilt book I had. It's a GREAT one, too, although if you're really new measurements of 1/16 or something that reads "+" is tough to work out. It seemed. I thought. It looks like perhaps not so hard?

I did it though. At the beginning of my quilt life. I'm amazed that I made this. The fabrics, the balance, the piecing. Sure, mistakes I can find but for a "One Year Quilter" without a pattern this is amazing to me.

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Amazing too because I was so free and tried things. The fabric. I chose what I love. I pieced it with an eye to what I liked. And there was no pattern. Today I'm really into patterns. I prefer patterns. This sort of thing, I've grown away from.

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I guess I have it in me though. Just not into it.