Snow Flakes

I found this fun site in a round about way. I belong to a QuiltArt list. Karen Fridy had a post on her blog, Design Stitches, which directed me to Mrs. Goodneedles's blog and on to Make-A-Flake. What a hoot. Be a kid and give it a try. I did and had a great time. It took a bit before I got the hand of the scissors. What great quilt blocks these would make.
Enjoy.
Jan

Palliative Care Month

I work as a Nurse Practitioner in Palliative Care for CarePartners in Asheville, NC. This post is not about work, it is about a group of wonderful, giving people who provide care to the very ill and how we work together. Palliative Care month was actually last month. One of our very dear members, Barbara Anderson-Friedman, had a brilliant thought about a year ago. She provided cotton squares to a number of the hospital units and asked them to make squares depicting what Palliative Care meant to them and their patients. The blocks were so creative and wonderful, all works of art by themselves. In November the Palliative Care team from the hospital and those out in the field got together for an evening of fellowship to create the quilt top. We had pizza, washed our hands and created. Those who couldn't sew pressed fabric, pinned squares together or just enjoyed the fellowship. One of children of one of our Docs even created a block with a picture of what Palliative Care meant. (It looks suspiciously like his family, but in the pure sense of palliative care that is what it is to him - safety, love and family). That is what this palliative care team is for so many in our community.
We had a great time together. The quilt top is ready for the 2 borders (Yes I will get them done - after Christmas) then someone better at quilting than I, will get the quilt to finish. The plan is to present it to Misson Hospital and it will be hung in a place of honor. Another example of teamwork, love and care we provide to those with life limiting illnesses.

Debbie Aiton (L) & Barbara Anderson-Friedman(R)


Marcie Johnson


Josh Kamell


Nancy Crouch (L) & Jan McNamara Houck (aka me) (R)


Dr. John Langlois


Dr Andrew & Elena Kamell


The quilt top - finished as far as we could go - with Jennifer Kamell (L) & Kerri Spinelli on (R) the rest of us are hiding


Jennifer Kamell, Me, Nancy Crouch, Barbara Anderson-Friedman, Kerri Spinelli

ATC for Christmas

I have been experimenting with ATC (Artist Trading Cards) or perhaps they are really more in the postcard category. They are for the most part 4x6. I made a few for the folks at work. I have enjoyed playing with my ribbons, scrapbooking doodads, and tonight some yarns. I believe I will make up a large piece then cut it into the size I want and see what turns out.
Please let me know what you think of first attempts. Thanks!
Jan

Sorry about the puddle song

After helping a few people learn how to add a subscription link to their blogs I thought I'd go look at widgets. I found widgetbox.com and tried adding several widgets to my blog. A Christmas Countdown widget and a pug dog singing. I laughed so hard I almost made a puddle of my own. (I am getting to that age where laughing hard can have unexpected consequences). I hope you all enjoy the song.
Here is another picture from my favorite photographer, Dan my DH. This would make a great quilt don't you think? Enjoy!

New Friends

Today has been a busy one. Trying to complete items for Christmas, listening to audiobooks and meeting new friends from the QuiltArt list. Most of us have blogs and there have been discussions on the list regarding how to promote ones self during this down turn in the economy. As I have linked to all these talented people's blogs I discovered that many of them aren't promoting themselves through their own blogs. I have gotten to "speak" via email with several artists today. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to share with so many, so quickly. I hope I have made some new friends today. I look forward to seeing their new posts now that I am able to subscribe to their blogs.
I am including a picture of my Husband's that makes me happy. I hope you enjoy.

A Thought to Ponder - or From the mouths of Babes

I was talking to one of my sisters today when she shared a story of a conversation she had overheard at work earlier this week. She's been thinking about it all week and I suspect now I will too.
There was a small child at the therapy department. The therapist asked the father if the child had been talking about a "pretend mother". The father said he had been. He had been telling his parent his real mommy wasn't perfect but his "pretend mommy" was. This is an interesting concept for a small child; real people aren't and don't have to be perfect but in a pretend world things can be perfect.
None of us are perfect and looking for the perfect anything can make you angry and never really satisfied with what you have or are. During this holiday season I want to remember that my real life isn't perfect but my pretend life can be. I would rather have my real life...warts and all.
Jan

New work

We have completed 2 craft shows in the past week. Here are a few of the items that did not sell so far.

This is "Elegant Angel" Original design by Lily Kern. Class taken at QuiltUniversity.com

An original design. "Bear Creek" hand dyed and commercial home dec fabrics. Adapted from Dan Houck's photo.

12 Dog Days of Christmas. Commercial fabric panel

"Summer Bargello" Created during QuiltUniversity.com class Bargello Seasons with Ruth Blanchet - Won 1st place Table Runner at the WNC State Fair, Sept 2008

"A View of the Blue Ridge Mountains" Created with hand dyed and commercial fabrics. Original design adapted from Dan Houck's Photos - Won 1st place and a Judge's Choice Mixed Media at the WNC State Fair, Sept 2008

Christmas Lights and Cotton Candy

Bet you are wondering what these 2 things have in common. Tonight DH and I went to Bristol Motor Speedway to see the Christmas lights display. It is magical! We haven't been for several years and it certainly has grown in the number of lights displayed. It took almost an hour to drive through it all. At the end there is Christmas Village set up in the infield. They have the optional photo with Santa, one craft booth, Speedway Souvenirs and food booths. One of my weaknesses is Cotton Candy whenever we get to go to fair like advents - usually during WARM weather. It was 20 degrees but I got my Cotton Candy in pink and blue - I am such a happy girl!

Back to quilting related items. I have just finished up 2 craft shows. One for work, with 10% of proceeds donated to the CarePartners Foundation and one with the Leicester Artist Group. I will be doing one more on Wednesday in our inpatient hospice unit for patients, their families/friends and the staff. I am not going to make any more items. Very few of the Christmas items sold at the 2 previous shows, go figure.
I want to thank all who came, looked and most of all purchased one of my items. They are all made with love.

My Beautiful DIL

This is my beautiful DIL. The title of the pic is Jon's (DS) favorite 3 things, his wife, their unborn child and fishing. We are expecting our newest grandchild around the 6th of Feb. I hear the babe is kicking alot, and is doing great. Can't wait for our newest addition.

Another Quilt University class

I have spent the weekend trying to catch up on my class work from Quilt University. Started working on a paper pieced angel. Still a work in progress. I have almost completed the 1st 2 lessons from the Machine Embellished Surfaces. I was a bit intimidated about taking this class but know how great these classes are so I hopped in. It has been easier than I thought it would be and can see how these techniques can be used in my art quilts. The first picture is of couching decorative threads and free motion quilting over a variety of specialty yarns and ribbons. The next picture was creating wrinkled fabric I can also use in landscape quilts. The last picture is from the 1st lesson. On the left top a stand alone leaf, bottom a dragonfly. On the right top moss that I plan to use as changing leaves in my landscape quilts, bottom is a stand alone of tree branches. Well off to bed.
Jan