tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45549787772797193772024-03-14T03:39:25.915-07:00Applique RomanceWelcome to my blog. Please join me on a journey to discovering and mastering Baltimore Album style applique. My love of reading, cross stitching, and traveling will also be reflected on these pages. Please share your love of quilting and traveling with me. Keep in Stitches, Marci ;)Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-50834121401464608262017-03-18T15:14:00.000-07:002017-03-18T15:14:23.338-07:00Germany Christmas Market River Cruise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Germany Christmas Market Cruise</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you have ever thought about going on a river cruise, this post may help you decide to go for it. I had heard so many positive remarks from people that took some of these cruises that I just had to see for myself. My cruise was a Christmas Market cruise on the Main River in Germany. I boarded the ship in Frankfurt and the cruise ended in Nuremberg. I knew the first week in December would be cold and indeed it was. If you go this time of year, bundle up. In Frankfurt, I only needed layered sweaters; by the time we arrived in Nuremberg, coats, gloves and hats were a necessity as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For me, going at this time of year was all about the opportunity to visit the Christmas markets, as well as historic sites I had previously only read about in books. Cruising on the river in a longship is quite different from ocean cruises. The water is calmer and there is ample opportunity to view the landscape. The ships are much smaller and the organized activities onboard are few. Having said that, I found it very relaxing and had no trouble entertaining myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Christmas markets in each port are wonderful; my favorites were in Frankfurt and Nuremberg, with Nuremberg being the largest and most magical of all because of the architecture and beautiful glockenspiel in the market place area. You will find booths with just about any kind of ornament or other holiday decorations you can imagine. I highly recommend sampling the street food at these markets as well, especially the many different sausages and potato latkes. Gluwein, a hot mulled wine, is very popular at the markets and served in collectible mugs. My favorite hot drink of all was the hot cocoa with Irish whiskey. A few of those and you don’t feel the cold anymore! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeTAh3aaLjj44UPf86gjWuoxY3P2yOl4R1XyaRDoxeozYf343nUlKFi8CGyXcApBYRoXMwV9zaqrJqEvTpmqbM56tJOKtzZ_hM_mMMALJ3SRYnpS9p4FW4JAQvEU91bUeM0cPUM6HVr4/s1600/IMG_3118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeTAh3aaLjj44UPf86gjWuoxY3P2yOl4R1XyaRDoxeozYf343nUlKFi8CGyXcApBYRoXMwV9zaqrJqEvTpmqbM56tJOKtzZ_hM_mMMALJ3SRYnpS9p4FW4JAQvEU91bUeM0cPUM6HVr4/s320/IMG_3118.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMXiPsCagxDzP2lSmSD4ZEl4zQoTn-z-jJl11Yi1KpU83UL3M6-kvu0pjUHikbxgAJ_RyBEsgLP9EwJQWv1bTGnKgKMLavO7wMp3ik9TD5sp9Sb3EIK-1H9mpPheA7ID8ZonGPEYSW-c/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMXiPsCagxDzP2lSmSD4ZEl4zQoTn-z-jJl11Yi1KpU83UL3M6-kvu0pjUHikbxgAJ_RyBEsgLP9EwJQWv1bTGnKgKMLavO7wMp3ik9TD5sp9Sb3EIK-1H9mpPheA7ID8ZonGPEYSW-c/s320/IMG_2891.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">Unlike ocean cruises, the wine and beer served at lunch and dinner were included in the cost of the cruise. For me, this added great value to the cruise. What can I say about the food? It was amazing and plentiful! An excursion in every port was also included in the cost of the cruise and was another plus. All excursions were wonderful and well organized. Our tour guides were employees of the river cruise company and very generous with their knowledge of the cities we visited. </span></div>
Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-19287468354449895982017-03-08T10:06:00.000-07:002017-03-08T10:06:25.115-07:00Houston Quilt Festival<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nhKovH8BLdvnaF5ee6_qOc-DcOrh6p9iXfi8okOndYWv5BXXiEaN6J0wjSdTsI70bfEJ_TJY1OayLLsegCFNFihW6neYohlwXje4CaMT8rYrWHyUm91Nn9GGFwR62kevXO_5BjZvsTA/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Can you say "amazing"? That is what we all said about Susan Carlson's exhibit at the Houston Quilt Festival in November.</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Here it is March already and I am only just getting around to posting about a few of the trips I’ve taken over the past six months.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The Houston Quilt Festival had been on my list of places to go for several years.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">This past November, I finally managed to attend with a few friends. It was a grand show of some of the best needlework one could see all in one place.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The vendors…oh! there was no end to the wonderful vendor booths. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The convention center in downtown Houston is quite a distance from the airport and I worried "a little" about obtaining timely transportation to/from the show/airport. I need not have worried; a taxi ride is easily obtainable in both places and fortunately the City of Houston imposes a flat rate cap on what the taxi company can charge according to zones. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Opp at the "Stitchin Heavan" vendor booth.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Everything truly is bigger in Texas folks. It is a "big" show, more quilts and shopping opportunities than you can imagine, as well as lectures and classes to take in. We were there Thursday through Sunday and could have easily filled more time. Maybe next time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There are numerous hotels downtown within reasonable walking distance to the convention center. Although, the Doubletree attached to the convention center is completely wonderful, it is not necessary to limit yourself to staying at that hotel. Other hotels within a half a mile have more reasonable rates. Considering the numbers of people that descend on the downtown and the convention center, the facility and the city are well prepared to handle the crowds.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ildi, Marcia and Jane enjoying the "Dear Jane" Quilt Exhibit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I made dinner reservations at a few choice restaurants several weeks ahead of time and was very glad I did, as seating was in high demand and required a reservation at all hours after 4 p.m. Another convenience was a little specialty grocery store also within walking distance of hotels and the convention center. Salads and deli sandwiches were wonderful as was the selection of wines and sweets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Overall, it was a worthwhile trip; the show was marvelous and all that we had hoped it would be. Sharing the experience with lovely friends made it all that more special. I definitely will go to the Houston show again sometime. The next “big” show on my list is Paducah; in the meantime, my annual jaunts to the Road to California will satisfy my quilt show lust. </span></div>
Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-20445297533248787282017-03-07T14:10:00.000-07:002017-03-07T14:10:07.542-07:00My Trip to Ireland<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep along the roadside outside of Killarney</td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;">Well, here's the short of it. My friend Mel and I had a great appreciation for our time in Ireland, despite the fact that I had just lost my husband a few weeks prior.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;">I almost did not go on this trip.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;">I was distraught and I felt I needed to stay home to mourn and take care of all that would be coming at me over the next few months.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;">Luckily, Mel helped me work through my fears and concerns and we decided to go.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;">It was a good decision, far better than sitting at home crying.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;">Dave was on my mind daily; he still is today, and always will be.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;">The trip was a distraction that helped me through the first month. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 73, 73); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #494949; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A long detailed story about the trip would probably bore you, so I will refrain from writing all the particulars here. I took many photographs and I think they will tell a good part of the story for me. Ireland is a beautiful country and riding the backroads with my friend Mel in a rental car was far nicer than had we taken a formal bus tour. The Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Ennis and Galway areas were highlights of our touring. I also enjoyed our stop at the Cliffs of Moher immensely. There is an excellent photograph of that experience.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmdxm0XSYc4EUdmiQWQLlp5SaiXFQw0oRTWzu5-BwV8wJzC3dpi0JdukDyI_KsHABBbbHyKidEAFJRulmlv8Vt5oAFh-iZuZvrV4cSDkkx2wdr6wac73yJ0RF-jaYP6KuYKuXyjvjHyg/s1600/IMG_2209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmdxm0XSYc4EUdmiQWQLlp5SaiXFQw0oRTWzu5-BwV8wJzC3dpi0JdukDyI_KsHABBbbHyKidEAFJRulmlv8Vt5oAFh-iZuZvrV4cSDkkx2wdr6wac73yJ0RF-jaYP6KuYKuXyjvjHyg/s320/IMG_2209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Ring of Kerry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our preferences were to spend time observing natural scenery, towns and cities. Our interest in churches was architectural rather than religion. The castles were magnificent; one could be found just about everywhere we went in Ireland. We enjoyed seeing how the people of Ireland live, the small stores and groceries where they shop. The bed and breakfast establishments where we stayed were richly furnished with antiques; at night we settled into comfy chairs in formal living rooms with crackling fireplaces while enjoying tea and cakes. The land these lovely homes were on provided spectacular views to watch beautiful sunsets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sheep farms can be seen and visited all over Ireland as well. Another of my favorite photographs from the trip is that of some sheep we stopped to visit along the roadside. I hope to reproduce that photograph in a collage quilt one day! There are no boring roads in Ireland. The scenery while driving is a delight. The geography was never the same, streams and rivers abound. We lingered and took in the beauty of ocean waves crashing against craggy cliffs covered in lush greens that reached out across the hills and valleys. The road we drove along the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula wound around hugging the coast and then doubled back to where we would find an occasional pull out spot from which we took photographs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I told you I would not give you all the details, so I won’t go on much longer. Believe me, I have given you a very short description of all that we saw and did on this trip. Before I end this journal entry however, I must say a few words about the pubs and traditional Irish music. We went to as many pubs as possible and enjoyed pints of Guinness HopHouse lager or Kilkenny Red all across Ireland. Most of the pubs feature Irish music in the evening beginning around 9 p.m. We stayed as long as we could keep our eyes open and enjoyed it immensely. It was difficult to sit still sometimes; I wanted to get up and dance, but I refrained from embarrassing myself and settled for toe tapping! I am sure Mel appreciated that as well. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq9nw8quwL-N-htGHzBIUzfus49beWhLHKfllaCKYqgH5lJAiw1kfFlDymiA5MVYtNURBj8RwBrLTYUWb49ywdDRqrQFmk8i6yxnfpBebjskjk2pVv4no1E9mViFfZYFfgCWOYq7JUKQ/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq9nw8quwL-N-htGHzBIUzfus49beWhLHKfllaCKYqgH5lJAiw1kfFlDymiA5MVYtNURBj8RwBrLTYUWb49ywdDRqrQFmk8i6yxnfpBebjskjk2pVv4no1E9mViFfZYFfgCWOYq7JUKQ/s200/IMG_0055.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffs of Moher</td></tr>
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-69318513121711210612016-05-20T14:13:00.000-07:002016-05-20T14:23:21.645-07:00Making Dieting Choices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ICgTimsWixtUNd0YqG3e1FVEN77nx6_Qq4OXsqD17WABdPjKMBsj2HXuChDGAXYJ_zW7epsvczqe-U3xVF5BXh-I25G9hLJj028u8qbsevcNYLOdDtciQIdV3UggXlfQbywnrLKx8T0/s1600/salmon-entree-white-wine_1414-1383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ICgTimsWixtUNd0YqG3e1FVEN77nx6_Qq4OXsqD17WABdPjKMBsj2HXuChDGAXYJ_zW7epsvczqe-U3xVF5BXh-I25G9hLJj028u8qbsevcNYLOdDtciQIdV3UggXlfQbywnrLKx8T0/s400/salmon-entree-white-wine_1414-1383.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Have you struggled with keeping your weight down for most of your life? If not, read no further because you will likely not be able to relate to what I have to say. Not all metabolisms are created equal; a slow metabolism and/or food addiction will make losing weight far more difficult than the average person experiences. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">True, it is a matter of calories in versus calories burned, but some of us have a slower metabolism and have to restrict our caloric intake more drastically then others. Other health issues can prevent us from engaging in strenuous exercise. This and how well we cope with the constraints we put on ourselves while dieting determines the level of success we achieve. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I would not be able to find the willpower to stay on 1200 calorie a day diet long term because when I restrict carbohydrates and calories so dramatically, I am physically hungry all the time. Thanks to some light exercise and a 1400-1500 a day diet, I have managed to shed a heartening 20 pounds over the past 6 months. If I can do the same over the next 6 months, I will be happy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #323333; font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0px;">I have replaced my breakfast-time toast or cereal with a simple homemade egg drop and spinach soup; my lunchtime sandwiches have been swapped out with a variety of salads. Dinner is always a protein and a </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">vegetable.</span><span style="font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> I try to only eat protein or fruit when I am hungry and I have given up wheat, sugar, flour and potatoes; at least temporarily. No, I cannot imagine not eating bread or pasta for the rest of my life; nor do I want to! I know adding these back into my diet in moderation will be tricky. I have done it before and failed to keep the weight off. There has to be a happy medium and I am determined to find it. After all, what is quantity of life without quality!?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The one thing I haven't given up so far is wine. Indeed, since so many of my other pleasures are now off limits, I drink more than I used to, but I have still managed to lose the weight. There is no fat in wine, but the intake of calories still must be considered. Wine is fattening too in excess. So, too, are creamy mashed potatoes, chocolate brownies and apple pie a la mode. We just need to accept this and make it part of a varied and healthy diet. Wine, after all, is good for us if taken in moderation. And to lose weight, I have made a choice to give something else up. I am darned if I'll give wine up. It's all about choices. I mean what would you rather have: a tablespoon of mayonnaise or a large glass of white wine!? I have made my choice and you will make the right choice for you. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Losing weight is also a psychological process. While adhering to a restrictive diet for 6 months, depression can sometimes begin to creep in. I would feel seriously deprived if I were to give up wine too, whereas skipping potatoes is not as much of a hardship for me. A small glass of dry white wine will have around 85 calories; medium dry will have around 95, and sweet about 120. It’s a good thing I like it dry! A large glass of red wine will also have 120 calories. Sometimes I opt to have two glasses of dry white wine in the afternoon instead of my yogurt and fruit snack. The wine acts as an appetite suppressant; it holds me until dinner time and the wine contains less sugar than the yogurt/fruit snack. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I certainly don’t advocate this approach to everyone. People with diabetes or other health issues should not add wine to their diet. The message in my post is that we all have to make personal choices that will help us stay on a diet and succeed in losing weight amidst all the well meaning advice others have to offer. What works for each of us is varied. </span></div>
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-49888788150412846932016-02-21T14:21:00.001-07:002016-03-11T10:37:20.330-07:00Quilt Con Pasadena<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsq7RwnrpVdTV0HrVlijBgKo_61GpVtIqbTry-UvQ8MDp-gtLPO0UOx5XkH3EZQbFSrVWOwy0XtNW0Ja5J6iq0hyphenhyphenJXQy5FFjdRmXmCRddfsLwbxVifH4bKdCgEqDScGjJIEAxSZZSdh8Q/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsq7RwnrpVdTV0HrVlijBgKo_61GpVtIqbTry-UvQ8MDp-gtLPO0UOx5XkH3EZQbFSrVWOwy0XtNW0Ja5J6iq0hyphenhyphenJXQy5FFjdRmXmCRddfsLwbxVifH4bKdCgEqDScGjJIEAxSZZSdh8Q/s320/IMG_1576.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchtower by Molly Upton</td></tr>
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I went to the Quilt Con show in Pasadena, California on Friday. It is the first show I have attended hosted by the Modern Quilt Guild Association. Most of the quilts were lovely abstract pieces of art. The one to the left is entitled, "Watchtower" and its maker is Molly Upton. I found Molly's story touching. During her short life, she was a prolific modern quilt artist before her time. <br />
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Molly Upton (1953-1977) was a pioneer in the nascent art quilt movement of the 1970's. Molly left us a legacy of many quilts, most of which were on exhibit at the show.<br />
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There were also many of Gwen Marston's quilts exhibited at the show. I would love to take a class with Gwen someday. The way she uses linear lines and color to create her art is fascinating. I have included a photograph of one of her quilts below.<br />
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Here are a few others I enjoyed as well. The maker's name is in the lower right corner of the photograph of their quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghSrSf7ve4_XBcF1Z1FqmPM7DzDL3Esm6cj8QdRD_L5U025-yaTlLUai69XlEsBlLMNdsfEchjx3o30jV9eC2gUMMuc_29Zi4Z9Mk-KFt7Qoe6v4ycIXMmU-69kcqAcKz01C6fNb22rM/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghSrSf7ve4_XBcF1Z1FqmPM7DzDL3Esm6cj8QdRD_L5U025-yaTlLUai69XlEsBlLMNdsfEchjx3o30jV9eC2gUMMuc_29Zi4Z9Mk-KFt7Qoe6v4ycIXMmU-69kcqAcKz01C6fNb22rM/s400/IMG_1571.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QynRnr_sAjUK53B8OOcdojOFL8OCfUYwQ5rEGn3Yy1kKd8MuTrU-VfANba4Y1RwAM87wCQyaCLaFxS0yp2x7uqgvcbtGS74N1Ua9uUsnGDZyjTHQVnyAEpEvaz5wdsnfoD3d1z0csms/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QynRnr_sAjUK53B8OOcdojOFL8OCfUYwQ5rEGn3Yy1kKd8MuTrU-VfANba4Y1RwAM87wCQyaCLaFxS0yp2x7uqgvcbtGS74N1Ua9uUsnGDZyjTHQVnyAEpEvaz5wdsnfoD3d1z0csms/s400/IMG_1559.JPG" width="300" /></a>Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-46852066799328801812016-01-29T14:27:00.000-07:002016-03-11T10:38:26.598-07:00Choosing the Right Quilt Cruise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3DkceokBcS9uf3KMgFSaU9xnGueL_u4Uwdhyphenhyphenc4PvnnqGjaKgZr3NumUDuUzHQSjw1PIAmkuUKwZhyHVxG5kKjrYKKfIiMRht5pA40rOHpTNyEaj9U-LYxofoILNdl4HRHp329_DGXbA/s1600/10423663_10152691597838406_1443179071334874936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3DkceokBcS9uf3KMgFSaU9xnGueL_u4Uwdhyphenhyphenc4PvnnqGjaKgZr3NumUDuUzHQSjw1PIAmkuUKwZhyHVxG5kKjrYKKfIiMRht5pA40rOHpTNyEaj9U-LYxofoILNdl4HRHp329_DGXbA/s320/10423663_10152691597838406_1443179071334874936_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The statistics on this blog site indicate much interest in reading blogs about quilt cruises. This has prompted me to write the following post about a few things one might want to consider while choosing which cruise to take.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">No doubt you have many questions; I know I did. I hope I can help answer some of those questions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">You may also find it helpful to read various cruise forum reviews about specific stateroom cabins and amenities. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The review you will find here is based on my personal experiences.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I do not work in the travel industry; I am just a retired solo female traveler who is always looking for the best overall value to suit my travel interests.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I do much research on the Internet leading up to choosing which travel agents and tours and I highly recommend doing extensive searches of your own to compare tours and prices before booking. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Pricing can vary greatly on quilting cruises; the number of days and destination will need to be taken into consideration. The number of quilt teachers on the cruise and their credentials will affect pricing as well. Some agents offer a bundled price that includes cruise and quilting classes and yet others charge separately for classes. Be sure to read the fine print and ask questions so you can accurately compare costs. It is likely you won’t find any negative reviews about a particular agency for obvious reasons, but you will find a few positive reviews about the ones that do an exemplary job.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Reviews written by agents or instructors are often marketing; I like to seek out reviews by customers with no affiliations. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">If very satisfied with an instructor or tour I’ve taken, I like to</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">give kudos by mentioning the company or a instructor in my blogs; otherwise, I simply do not advertise for them. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have had the pleasure of taking five ocean cruises and experiencing three different cruise lines. Despite all the emphasis cruise lines and travel agents like to place on the exemplary quality of their ships and service in order to command higher prices, I have found them to be comparatively equal in regard to the quality of amenities, food and service. I would be a little more cautious with an older ship on any cruise line however. I have traveled on Royal Caribbean, Princess and Holland. If you work with a travel agent, it is standard practice that most will gift you a $50 shipboard credit as a thank you for your business. This comes in handy for Internet access, a spa treatment or special meal. On the quilt cruises, in lieu of a gift certificate, a similar amount is spent on private ship board parties, beverage cards and/or a Pinnacle meal. The ship board parties provide a pleasant social forum for block challenge exchanges and class project show and tell. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All of the ships I’ve traveled on had ambiance and offered extra amenities. All delivered a very high quality of service. The food in the formal dining rooms on these ships is excellent. The food at the buffets is variable, ranging from very good to unappetizing in quality. You will not go hungry! It is easy to choose which wine you might have with dinner if you attend the regular wine tasting events, but be prepared for the costs involved; some wines are only sold by the bottle and a 15% gratuity is automatically charged to your bill. One of my favorite red blends that I buy in the grocery store for $12.99 per bottle was $39.00 on the ship! The shows and activities offered on board are entertaining, but not Broadway or Las Vegas quality. You will enjoy some initially and likely tire of them by the end of the cruise. The on board casinos are small, but very enjoyable. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you are like me, aside from the quilting aspect of the cruise, some other highlights of the cruise will be select excursions. I love getting off ship in all the ports and taking advantage of various opportunities to swim with dolphins, zip line, parasail, or just enjoy the beaches and local culture for the day. While choosing, look closely at the amount of travel time spent in the excursion buses going to and from your activity; sometimes you spend more time in an uncomfortable bus than at the destination. There are so many fun things to do without sitting in a bus for four hours. Do be prepared to pay dearly for these excursions and some are definitely worth it. I have watched the cost of these excursions steadily rise to the point that I am much more selective. Do research on each of the ports you will visit and the excursions offered; quite often, walking from the ship to town is manageable and you may not need an excursion to enjoy the culture of the town. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two of my cruises where quilt cruises, one to Hawaii and the other to the Panama Canal . I loved Hawaii; the port cities are very nice; I would go again sometime, perhaps an extended tour including French Polynesia. I’m glad I saw the operation of the Panama Canal, it is very interesting and quite an engineering fete. Having seen it, I would not go to this area again as I was not impressed with the depressed state of the Panama and Caribbean port cities nor the oppressive humidity and heat we endured while there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For most people interested in a quilt themed cruise, the teachers will be a prime motivator in selecting which cruise to take and I whole heartedly agree. Although I was generally happy with my classes and projects by lesser know instructors, some lacked interest and professionalism in their style of teaching. I would definitely travel with different agencies to experience other nationally known instructors to learn their award winning techniques. Sewing machines were provided and kits available for purchase which helped minimize the amount of supplies one needs to bring with them. The kits cost $110.00 per kit, per class which includes enough fabric to complete the top of a small wall hanging. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The camaraderie among quilters on this type of cruise will contribute greatly to the enjoyment of taking this type of cruise. You will find the environment very similar to what you may have experienced belonging to a quilt guild. There will be quilt enthusiast travelers like yourself who are there to have a good time and meet new people; they are friendly and welcoming toward everyone. I have made a few new friendships on these cruises; we continue to keep in touch and have planned other trips together. There will also be those that have known each other a long time, travel together and have formed exclusive cliches. There was such a group on one of my quilt cruises; surprisingly, they were friends of the agent that organized the cruise! This is unfortunate, but it really doesn't matter unless you allow it to; these quilt cruise travelers are in the minority. You are still guaranteed to have a good time with those that open themselves to getting to know you. You may also meet some interesting travelers on board from all over the world that are not part of the quilt group. I had an enjoyable time playing poker daily with a great group of people. Going to lunch in the “anytime” dining room was also a good place to meet and dine with different people. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The travel agents that plan these trips and the quilting events on board generally travel with the group and will have arranged for everyone in the group to dine together in the formal dining room at tables of 8-10 people. This is a delightful advantage if you travel alone. On both of my cruises, at least half of the people at the table were personable and interested in sharing time with fellow quilting travelers over dinner; some of us also attended shows and activities together from time to time. If I were to take another quilt cruise in the future, I would likely try different travel agencies to experience as many eclectic groups and cultures as possible. I would also seek out some of the more nationally known quilt instructors to improve the quality of the experience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I do believe my next cruise will not be an ocean cruise however and the culture does promise to be quite different; it will be a Viking River cruise in Germany. This type of tour can also be booked with a textile and Christmas market theme. The river cruise costs include excursions and wine with lunch and dinner, so cost efficiency is promising as well. It sounds like a wonderful way to travel and see several cities in Germany before deciding to which I will make a return trip. I will be sure to write another blog post with recommendations about this tour in the near future.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I hope this blog has been helpful. If I can answer any questions, please private message me for more information. In the meantime, Bon Voyage and happy quilting. Marci</span><span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span></span></div>
Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-73188709641989842532016-01-25T10:03:00.000-07:002016-01-25T10:03:11.624-07:00Road to California Quilt Show 2016<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HySdA0Oc0o_SK2jWD5k-a94FyH6m_dLwM4IhXUWKWqwhsG0ONR2ptITYUFKj2HEADQwRmVZgXgsxFNec9Pojmz0WJvj15K2Vusfjdfk9F9a74d_-saE4ck2Tj2qbFPjjLSPAEdsFkwY/s1600/IMG_1436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HySdA0Oc0o_SK2jWD5k-a94FyH6m_dLwM4IhXUWKWqwhsG0ONR2ptITYUFKj2HEADQwRmVZgXgsxFNec9Pojmz0WJvj15K2Vusfjdfk9F9a74d_-saE4ck2Tj2qbFPjjLSPAEdsFkwY/s200/IMG_1436.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewe are my Sunshine by Janet Stone</td></tr>
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As always, the Road to California Quilt Show was fabulous. The quilts posted here are just a fraction of the incredible quilts at the show. The few I have chosen to share are a few of my favorites based on visual appeal and my personal artistic interests. "Ewe are my Sunshine" by Janet Stone was awarded the Marie White Masterpiece Award. The detail in this quilt can only be appreciated by seeing it in person. The quilting is outstanding as well. I believe this quilt was an award winning quilt at the Houston Quilt Festival 2015. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The backside of Ewe are my Sunshine</td></tr>
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In the photograph to the left you can see some of the fine quilting on the back of the quilt.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHMB57mkKG0DAwyYyyNWGUsEEMVu5d6bWjFuiuNMgYxEQi2FtsHBR5aI-pCzNsPM2IVkwqVAy3BKIDl414msqiP5Xoci-zZiMX5xVX51_SjFDK4HneIDTAA-1RsSOg7yRE-5I3Qs5SFI/s1600/IMG_1479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHMB57mkKG0DAwyYyyNWGUsEEMVu5d6bWjFuiuNMgYxEQi2FtsHBR5aI-pCzNsPM2IVkwqVAy3BKIDl414msqiP5Xoci-zZiMX5xVX51_SjFDK4HneIDTAA-1RsSOg7yRE-5I3Qs5SFI/s200/IMG_1479.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vermeer Meets Fassett by Lynn Czaban</td></tr>
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"Vermeer Meets Fassett" by Lynn Czaban is a visual delight. I found the composition very dramatic and the colors stunning. Yellows and golds are becoming more and more appealing to me, especially when paired with red and/or purple. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Tisket A Tasket by Carole Lafferty</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPl0uCwctogRpr7_jsuoMOH89xn3psP0WaaXoHqgKBQGtk__fEtqTYDnBKOQeohunigafb3_9s16uol1UWbMvIJdHRqrKLmaGI-LWQHDt-gAOqnPsKUQ5qAyH9GZdtIcvuqB8QJfOZIA/s1600/IMG_1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPl0uCwctogRpr7_jsuoMOH89xn3psP0WaaXoHqgKBQGtk__fEtqTYDnBKOQeohunigafb3_9s16uol1UWbMvIJdHRqrKLmaGI-LWQHDt-gAOqnPsKUQ5qAyH9GZdtIcvuqB8QJfOZIA/s200/IMG_1449.jpg" width="200" /></a>"A Tisket A Tasket" by Carole Lafferty was done in traditional needle turn appliqué and hand quilted. I was thrilled to see this hand stitched beauty at the show. The twenty block designs in this quilt were taken from the Mary Simon Quilt owned by the DAR Museum. (The pattern may still be available through the museum.) The border was made using designs from the blocks. I have included close up shots of two of the blocks so you can see the outstanding workmanship. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-40918120837371850242015-12-24T10:42:00.001-07:002015-12-24T10:42:41.608-07:00Happy New Year 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">New is the year, new are the hopes and the aspirations,</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">New is the resolution, new are the spirits and..</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My warm wishes are for you and yours to</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">have a promising and fulfilling New Year</span></i></span></div>
Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-73859060900640248642015-12-08T12:45:00.000-07:002016-02-05T14:17:16.656-07:00Passive Aggressive Adulthood Bullying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> <b>Passive Aggressive Adulthood Bullying</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Everyone knows that bullying doesn't always end when childhood does; it happens in adulthood as well. Bullying can and often occurs at work, in organized clubs or among groups of friends. It can even happen among family members. In adulthood, the bullying is most likely done <i>passive aggressively</i> and in a more <i>manipulative</i> way. There are varied reasons why someone would bully others, but no matter what the reason, it is never a behavior anyone should accept. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Identifying Passive Agressive Tactics</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The adult bully will often use <i>sarcasm</i> to put others down and belittle them. This sarcasm provides a convenient humorous excuse should the bully be called out on their behavior. The bully will often use body language in the presence of others they wish to humiliate<i> </i>you in front of: eye rolling, smirking, winking or other body movements. Attempts to <i>make you and others feel something you have said or done was stupid is a common tactic of the passive aggressive bully. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Although I pity the person that makes the choice to bully someone, likely motivated by their own insecurities and personal failings, I’m not in favor of ignoring it. I think <i>ignoring it reinforces a sense of powerlessness</i> in the target and will often invite more bullying. So if someone's belittling, humiliating, or insulting you at work or in your friend group, and you want it to stop, it's best to address it. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sometimes issues can be resolved by expressing directly to the bully how the bully’s behavior is being perceived by you. They may have an explanation and back off. Other times, the bully will feel challenged and try to make you out to be the bully to deflect responsibility; chances are this will be done behind your back in chat with others whose thoughts they wish to manipulate. <i>Open communication</i> with the rest of the group or bystanders in the presence of the bully is key in this situation. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Re-evaluate the Friendship</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I believe that the most upstanding individuals you would want to have a relationship with in any group will see it for what it is and those that don’t may prefer not get involved, especially in an office environment. When bullying happens among friends, it may be necessary to<i> re-evaluate the friendship</i> and decide if it is your best interests to maintain the friendship. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Bystanders Can Help Change the Climate</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Bystanders in a group can play a key roll in prevention of bullying; they definitely have the <i>power to help change the climate a</i>nd stop the bullying. When approached by someone voicing a complaint or negative comment about someone else that is not present, a simple suggestion “perhaps there is a miscommunication” or “I do not want to be a party to this” may be enough. Sometimes removing yourself from the situation is the best option. </span></div>
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<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Bullying Comes from a Bully’s Issues</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Bullies know very well what they are doing; their actions are calculated and most likely the bully will never admit to any wrong doing. Keep in mind that the <i>bullying comes from a bully's issues</i>, not from any characteristics of the victim. Sometimes a bully chooses his/her target because they somehow feel threatened by their victim. Other times they choose their victims based on some perceived weakness in them and use them in an effort to elevate themselves. </span></div>
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<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The Power to Stop Bullying</b></span></div>
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<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We all hold the power to stop bullying; recognize it for what it is and not be manipulated into participating in their wrong doing. Never be unkind to a bully, but neither should we allow them to manipulate our thinking about ourselves or others. </span><br />
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-67197183931325008112015-12-05T13:33:00.000-07:002015-12-05T13:33:28.360-07:00Mannheim Steamroller and Elyse Davis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Attending the Mannheim Steamroller performance in Las Vegas Thursday night was a delightful way to begin the Christmas season. One of my favorite songs has to be "Greensleeves", sung by Chip Davis' 15 year old daughter Elyse Davis. Elyse was not performing in the live show I attended; however, her performance was pre-recorded and featured on a big screen along with the live band on stage. Elyse was a standout for me; her vocals and the arrangement carried a soulful upbeat sound. Do a You Tube search for Greensleeves by Elyse Davis to have a listen. I hope Elyse will record more songs in the near future; she is a talented young lady.<br />
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The performance was held at the Orleans Arena which is a huge venue. The sound volume was just right for the size of the arena, so I would not hesitate to attend a concert there again in the future. <br />
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<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-25397238816358278882015-11-25T10:50:00.000-07:002015-11-27T12:30:56.441-07:00Alpaca Farm Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most alpacas live in South America. This one lives in Kingman, Arizona along with 38 other alpacas on a farm just off of Interstate 40, about 13 miles east of Kingman. <br />
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A friend and I stopped by the farm recently for a tour while in the Kingman area scouting for yarn. The alpaca fiber is very soft and can be made into many wonderful products. The small gift shop on the property has a nice selection of sweaters and socks made of alpaca fiber as well as a small amount of alpaca yarn. <br />
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Aside from their pretty faces and fiber, what struck me most about the alpacas we saw was their curiosity. When we first approached the fenced in area where they reside, many came running out of the barn, craning their necks to look around each other at us. Once they had checked us over, they took off. <br />
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The owner/operator of the alpaca farm selected one friendly member of the group of alpacas for us to feed and walk on a harness and leash. As long as we had food, he was more than happy to tag along with us and let us pet him.<br />
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There were also two adorable pigs among the animals in the barn. The one in the picture below has a curly tail that wags and constantly turns in circles. He made noises that sounded like a wheezing squeaky toy.<br />
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It was easy to see the alpacas are well cared for and guarded I might add. Indeed, there were four Great Pyrenees dogs patrolling the property. The largest of the three dogs was caged while we were there; I can only imagine for good reason. <br />
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<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-3504423059132325752015-11-19T15:45:00.000-07:002016-02-09T08:24:07.929-07:00Sisterhood of the Traveling Autograph Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This lovely little autograph quilt was made for our highly esteemed tour guide Mary, by travelers on a recent needlework tour of England. *The fabrics for the blocks were pre-cut, ironed and placed in individual baggies with directions. Each traveler hand stitched and signed a block while on tour. We had fun playing with the layout of the blocks and organizing our ideas one evening in the hotel lounge. <br />
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The 8 1/2" center block was stitched before the tour began and brought to England. Piecing, borders, quilting, binding, hanging sleeve, group photograph and a pocket to hold notes were stitched later by a few of the travelers at home after the tour, each completing a section and mailing it on to the next person until its completion. The quilt was presented to Mary in person by one of our participants who had the good fortune of seeing Mary's delightful reaction to our surprise gift.<br />
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* The contents of each packet yielded a 4" finished block: 1- 4 1/2" square of muslin and 2- 3 1/4" squares of print fabric.<br />
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Step 1 - Lay one print square in the upper left corner of the 4 1/2" muslin square, right sides together. Sew on the pencil line drawn diagonally through the center, from the lower left corner to the upper right corner of the 3 1/4" square.<br />
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Step 2 - Position the other print 3 1/4"square in the opposite (lower right) corner of the 4 1/2" muslin square, right sides together. Sew on the pencil line drawn through the center, from lower left corner to upper right corner.<br />
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Step 3 - Cut off the excess corner fabric on the backside of the block leaving 1/4" seam allowance.<br />
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Step 4 - Sign your name in the center of the muslin space on the diagonal with a permanent ink pen, such as Pigma or Micron pens. Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-44612011971080940002015-10-19T17:23:00.000-07:002015-10-19T17:23:26.059-07:00Kaffe Fassett in Henderson, NV<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpw1wXuixr8QQg7h7YqiORiWMq_jjat_2OwgmPKL4B1K4ZmK-3tNT5ixdmhgqxRsOHrmavxgKzD4A4pXwoHHk0A-Dt_v_ugC8Gz2Fa2Mu_Y4ar5unEbY6qEBFqIv8_-SGIAv3wi9SWLU/s1600/IMG_1262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpw1wXuixr8QQg7h7YqiORiWMq_jjat_2OwgmPKL4B1K4ZmK-3tNT5ixdmhgqxRsOHrmavxgKzD4A4pXwoHHk0A-Dt_v_ugC8Gz2Fa2Mu_Y4ar5unEbY6qEBFqIv8_-SGIAv3wi9SWLU/s200/IMG_1262.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaffe Quilt Design</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPIX5KHM4r-Tw64NtVQmH1jWrzZFgftpWrmjsbCatiLAIPK32KlUfE_znT1uR5vlcvUqHgm-3viFymUujS0vgfCC0AsAl5Lnppn0ucBnYTggXrlFh1LF2WFTtbJncCTydfBD1x1lHkqw/s1600/IMG_1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPIX5KHM4r-Tw64NtVQmH1jWrzZFgftpWrmjsbCatiLAIPK32KlUfE_znT1uR5vlcvUqHgm-3viFymUujS0vgfCC0AsAl5Lnppn0ucBnYTggXrlFh1LF2WFTtbJncCTydfBD1x1lHkqw/s200/IMG_1266.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaffe's Pickle Dish Quilt Design</td></tr>
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My friend Irmi loves Kaffe Fassett's fabric and designs. She has made well over 40 quilts using his fabric and owns most of his books. Irmi is a revered quilt dame who does not get out much due to mobility impairment and heart health concerns; this does not slow her down when it comes to making fabulous quilts. In fact, although she does not make quilts for herself anymore, she is prolific in making them for various charities. When she called to tell me that her lifelong idol Kaffe would be giving a lecture and trunk show in the Las Vegas area, there was no question that I needed to get her there to see him in person.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB8-wBinQgVivN5h39q3mQ2QMNsRCAr7daBbvRdoUO0h3u-qsNOfgt_Nw0xNlD7OH3iq5yqrQGpiJlGCxRnlxAmAxLpo0HzI7gSj8a8IVqU_4Re9xYGDj0ttZ9NGWieeFIDxPMk8bk70/s1600/IMG_1284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB8-wBinQgVivN5h39q3mQ2QMNsRCAr7daBbvRdoUO0h3u-qsNOfgt_Nw0xNlD7OH3iq5yqrQGpiJlGCxRnlxAmAxLpo0HzI7gSj8a8IVqU_4Re9xYGDj0ttZ9NGWieeFIDxPMk8bk70/s200/IMG_1284.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic Overlook</td></tr>
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The ride up to Henderson from our hometown is about 150 miles, so we decided to stay the night after the lecture and drive home the following day along a scenic route through Boulder City and Kingman, AZ. The lecture was lovely and the quilts were fabulous as you can imagine. As we stood in line waiting to have our new Kaffe books signed, excitement grew for Irmi at the thought of having a few brief words with her idol. Instead, he shrugged her off and mumbled, no smile, no engaging words, just an aloofness that took us both aback. I asked for permission to take a photograph and although permission was granted, Kaffe refused to look up at the camera and again mumbled when I asked him to smile. Maybe he was having a bad day. Irmi was disillusioned and I was sad and disappointed for Irmi. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee Cup Cafe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4-H0dldbhxjJZwgiA4Ft5qajGYMVYNbnyOipQklehpJjK0PqJkx8_E3n7XJF3MBylto7eeQQHnRrUUYi7P5Kms4YxAV1mhVuC2bO3EnQLdwDmrj0SX76yx_43uVtUEE2IoTlpbM-xzM/s1600/o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4-H0dldbhxjJZwgiA4Ft5qajGYMVYNbnyOipQklehpJjK0PqJkx8_E3n7XJF3MBylto7eeQQHnRrUUYi7P5Kms4YxAV1mhVuC2bO3EnQLdwDmrj0SX76yx_43uVtUEE2IoTlpbM-xzM/s200/o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Fried Steak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3IU6wRi2bKtTZwAp6RLhXG-HrQCyf9pZwt-2lO1v-x98-3877yjWRaAiGFrBPhUD5hxjsq31AqiimxOHhl1U3tUjmTu-DVycG1KKbqkP4GpFllHELErT4AzWU2su2X0C48Jwa_5mHqs/s1600/o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3IU6wRi2bKtTZwAp6RLhXG-HrQCyf9pZwt-2lO1v-x98-3877yjWRaAiGFrBPhUD5hxjsq31AqiimxOHhl1U3tUjmTu-DVycG1KKbqkP4GpFllHELErT4AzWU2su2X0C48Jwa_5mHqs/s200/o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Chili Verde</td></tr>
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All was not lost; we had had a delightful time at the lecture and now have books signed by this gifted fabric designer. The hotel and casino where we stayed the night was a nice respite from another night at home. We enjoyed a beautiful drive back home along an alternate route that took us through Boulder City. We had heard about "The Coffee Cup Cafe" from Guy Fiora of the Diners, Drive ins, and Dives show on television and decided to stop there for breakfast. It was as yummy and interesting as Guy said it would be. If you go, try the Pork Chili Verde and Chicken Fried Steak with sausage gravy. YUM!<br />
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<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-64040741786617111552015-10-10T09:15:00.000-07:002015-10-10T09:15:23.364-07:00Butterfly Pavilion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zZdxU7yjlOkibsN-WfbDUYah9bXsvFoVIf4DaAiNv8GhpRehhWPo-liMtAJh6g7EnyLcNSgpAGJLJQUDoMaiJpEsfmX0OjJHvL_Ps7vUtdRvzbgRqgZ5_CHSF_BtMp5nyrCBZAzw_Og/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zZdxU7yjlOkibsN-WfbDUYah9bXsvFoVIf4DaAiNv8GhpRehhWPo-liMtAJh6g7EnyLcNSgpAGJLJQUDoMaiJpEsfmX0OjJHvL_Ps7vUtdRvzbgRqgZ5_CHSF_BtMp5nyrCBZAzw_Og/s200/IMG_1226.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Q2e6rMX0F-aOL777Rag70qiygjXeJGwVVe3RhSgJQ5SpLVrdXWmP1PR7EJM2I6SAhbO7sI06WyOfbKchMcsfzIJHwn8MEju258vhoq8rRunX1_teyfYyo4GbEDuUojn7nqeqHWE9c0/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Q2e6rMX0F-aOL777Rag70qiygjXeJGwVVe3RhSgJQ5SpLVrdXWmP1PR7EJM2I6SAhbO7sI06WyOfbKchMcsfzIJHwn8MEju258vhoq8rRunX1_teyfYyo4GbEDuUojn7nqeqHWE9c0/s200/IMG_1228.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Butterfly Pavilion in the Broomfield/Westminster Colorado area is a fun place. My grandchildren enjoy frequent visits to see the butterflies, insects and spiders. There is also an indoor playground area and a small educational theater. The gift shop has many unique butterfly and insect toys to delight the whole family. My personal favorite was the plush butterfly wings that would make a lovely Halloween costume.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmyUdsKfXsVVPTxd2LPtCLpvceH3uCGKqv0_aGmUIYgw_WFqvqOs8WFBF1yqgTFRawYnrIUsefMGT2VQX8yJhf6r02iDmHZOh3lSaC_gUubfS1_6ZVt3SE6-889wPLDLND43-JN4jdw8/s1600/IMG_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmyUdsKfXsVVPTxd2LPtCLpvceH3uCGKqv0_aGmUIYgw_WFqvqOs8WFBF1yqgTFRawYnrIUsefMGT2VQX8yJhf6r02iDmHZOh3lSaC_gUubfS1_6ZVt3SE6-889wPLDLND43-JN4jdw8/s200/IMG_1218.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKxLsRcwBOhfPQ-Tc1v209ZuNy1wEwNB9KKY_H78vPUBNT8WFdkFXSLOFMnKMt1YwjXONqwOX6Rb6NNFjdQ3XTzLhYVy96LCEqSgAPKDWJ_makX86ufA4mG4ty4qUvGFwy1p29GQ-Kxs/s1600/IMG_1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKxLsRcwBOhfPQ-Tc1v209ZuNy1wEwNB9KKY_H78vPUBNT8WFdkFXSLOFMnKMt1YwjXONqwOX6Rb6NNFjdQ3XTzLhYVy96LCEqSgAPKDWJ_makX86ufA4mG4ty4qUvGFwy1p29GQ-Kxs/s200/IMG_1204.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
The tarantula on the left is Rosie. I did not hold Rosie, but my 3 year old granddaughter delighted in holding her on a recent visit with me and her parents. There were also large hissing beetles that one could touch and pet, if one were inclined to do so!!Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-30155470654746376292015-09-28T13:42:00.001-07:002015-09-28T13:42:51.666-07:00Martha and Mary Tours Revisited<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmkyLjlhyphenhyphenoLkjJ6c-IdZ-BQQHy8IwcWE1VUGyp0Q-Tz5B7oqWTtX4nUCFX_1DHaOj5LK8gva_zOch-h7aR1-oVRZHpUdWW0z9yb3jQqavYrAozQsBoHqLtoadP5tyHD4PsZTIVUJJlrc/s1600/IMG_2971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmkyLjlhyphenhyphenoLkjJ6c-IdZ-BQQHy8IwcWE1VUGyp0Q-Tz5B7oqWTtX4nUCFX_1DHaOj5LK8gva_zOch-h7aR1-oVRZHpUdWW0z9yb3jQqavYrAozQsBoHqLtoadP5tyHD4PsZTIVUJJlrc/s320/IMG_2971.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy Horsfall's Quilt - Gawthrope Hall Textile Collection</td></tr>
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Nancy Horsfall's quilt is only one of the delightful pieces of needlework we saw on a recent quilts and needlework tour in the north of England. This quilt is part of the Gawthrope Hall collection. The condition of this quilt is indeed fascinating in its design, let alone pondering that it was made 182 years ago. The date on it is 1833!<br />
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This fabulous needlework themed tour is the second I have taken with "Martha and Mary Tours", which operates in conjunction with "Journeys with Jeff" of Rochester, MN. Several of us had traveled together on the 2013 tour, so it was a grand reunion. Sadly, Mary could not make the trip with us this time, but we all sent her our love and best wishes via postcards, journal entries and with a special quilt project soon to be delivered to her door. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQr3FWFBltSD2A0JcSl0xZa0Vt_n3hjvJhyphenhyphenYNkgElLN5cz8QPfkeQVQLzDdoees_pRCwpZuSvNyywfLodwSD8lvdnMJYFYOU8nereXoyeRZyCAJOoAE4wxKpaf66WylqY4HIRPQLd3Rec/s1600/IMG_2975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQr3FWFBltSD2A0JcSl0xZa0Vt_n3hjvJhyphenhyphenYNkgElLN5cz8QPfkeQVQLzDdoees_pRCwpZuSvNyywfLodwSD8lvdnMJYFYOU8nereXoyeRZyCAJOoAE4wxKpaf66WylqY4HIRPQLd3Rec/s320/IMG_2975.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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Martha arranged for our group to have a private lecture and<br />
showing of the Gawthrope Textile Collection of Rachel<br />
Kay-Shuttleworth. Gawthrope Hall is a Tudor period manor<br />
house. After the lecture we were treated to a lovely tea and then toured the large magnificent barn and stable area on site. <br />
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Gawthrope was a grand closing to our adventure which had taken us to many historic sites, museums, and cathedrals in the York, Durham, Penrith and Manchester areas. I could not choose a favorite stop among them; every single day of this trip was perfectly planned and interesting. Writing posts about this trip enables me to relive the pleasure and realize it wasn't all dream! <br />
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My hope is that the dream will continue in 2017 with another Martha and Mary tour! Stay tuned for details.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBp3i-vcACIl5IOP_lxwv9ZBEiMDf2pEBi6BrA-HCrxMXfAhoLGbdKSW9Es4Z3SB-p77tSsdzVNaljpt-himGoa4sZRHfiBaOxRlrPH_yBfu_Ci2R-h_TuVZNTNBt0_pcCUiW2U_AXFc/s1600/Mary%2527s+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBp3i-vcACIl5IOP_lxwv9ZBEiMDf2pEBi6BrA-HCrxMXfAhoLGbdKSW9Es4Z3SB-p77tSsdzVNaljpt-himGoa4sZRHfiBaOxRlrPH_yBfu_Ci2R-h_TuVZNTNBt0_pcCUiW2U_AXFc/s320/Mary%2527s+Quilt.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary's Autograph Quilt Project</td></tr>
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Each person traveling on the 2015 needlework tour of northern England stitched and signed a block for Mary's autograph quilt project. Borders and quilting are now being added and it will be delivered to Mary soon with warm wishes and memories of our delightful tour. Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-28114610961577382522015-09-18T14:43:00.000-07:002015-09-18T14:43:51.022-07:00Ancestral Gifts Exhibition<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_G2pjGxMsXyKtMWs5iTuXsw8RggFfd-Pw1zSRzXp5Tw5lCdqYdG-nFZOTx3UmyyMh5HRYZGKzevVl-W7rmOLm9AytoUTI_zEPDAL1sXGMZNvNiteTVL3VIYKrV-MZse9NKcPHTuuzoo/s1600/IMG_1191-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_G2pjGxMsXyKtMWs5iTuXsw8RggFfd-Pw1zSRzXp5Tw5lCdqYdG-nFZOTx3UmyyMh5HRYZGKzevVl-W7rmOLm9AytoUTI_zEPDAL1sXGMZNvNiteTVL3VIYKrV-MZse9NKcPHTuuzoo/s200/IMG_1191-3.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cartwright Hexagon Coverlet 1865<br />The Shirt Family</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmyjLgbmlsyLEjbkwNqGso6k7DETCi3jN_Nj2sr7NIRS9z6SBMDeP3gdH-fHmsIYyB9WAUfhm2MJoY-8U2_Xt8QSB_NqlKMt3W4qe3SLrv6y_X8_lG1i_229hyvv7rGkrNzKZXe4CYJo/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmyjLgbmlsyLEjbkwNqGso6k7DETCi3jN_Nj2sr7NIRS9z6SBMDeP3gdH-fHmsIYyB9WAUfhm2MJoY-8U2_Xt8QSB_NqlKMt3W4qe3SLrv6y_X8_lG1i_229hyvv7rGkrNzKZXe4CYJo/s200/IMG_1192.JPG" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Jubilee by Kaffe Fassett</td></tr>
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The Ancestral Gifts exhibition at the York Quilt Museum features 15 historic quilts from The Quilter's Guild collection, alongside 15 new Kaffe Fassett quilt designs. As a fan of Kaffe Fassett's fabric designs and quilt patterns, I enjoyed studying these quilts while visiting the museum with my tour group on August 27th. The quilts were arranged in pairs, showing the historic quilts alongside Kaffe's inspired designs. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytxcxJYR4MzQNB7dnOwGyloSAFbfgT4nWzStsEYag9m3Rs1vNsyl7Bxh7LuAr53ouqWwWF_nzBj5VoLJqF002C9bGLwzQB0NZY15IKAxn3A32Rq90pz-OADesOnFJYrt4BMqHRJiXztU/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytxcxJYR4MzQNB7dnOwGyloSAFbfgT4nWzStsEYag9m3Rs1vNsyl7Bxh7LuAr53ouqWwWF_nzBj5VoLJqF002C9bGLwzQB0NZY15IKAxn3A32Rq90pz-OADesOnFJYrt4BMqHRJiXztU/s200/IMG_1194.JPG" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Squares by Kaffe Fassett</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABtspq6Ge4c7TNynXmxybjqnn40hma_HGk18fKnz64vOrxKui5EjDuBYZf7b3khpxKddrb2roOgpo8wJ1h2Gcc_a6k1p2OpYRoFowfa7ryyeQhLFLPDzEf17eEymh5-LRRqI9rKHN0kk/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABtspq6Ge4c7TNynXmxybjqnn40hma_HGk18fKnz64vOrxKui5EjDuBYZf7b3khpxKddrb2roOgpo8wJ1h2Gcc_a6k1p2OpYRoFowfa7ryyeQhLFLPDzEf17eEymh5-LRRqI9rKHN0kk/s200/IMG_1193.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Manor House Maker Unknown</td></tr>
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My favorite historic quilt in the exhibit<br />
can be seen in the photograph to the left,<br />
"Red Manor House Applique' Coverlet"<br />
1850-1860. The edges of the flowers, <br />
buildings and animals motifs are<br />
surrounded with a herringbone<br />
embroidery stitch. The quilt was paired<br />
with Kaffe Fassett's "Red Squares" quilt.<br />
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The photographs above were taken by me while attending the exhibit at the York Quilt Museum and are only a few of the magnificent quilts in the exhibit. A booklet entitled, "Ancestral Gifts" may still be available by contacting the museum. Although the York museum will be closing in October, I would imagine the quilts will continue to be on display at other venues. While on tour in Wales in 2013, I saw a similar Kaffe Fassett exhibit at the Welsh Quilt Museum near Cardiff. <br />
<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-6452585420617585142015-09-18T09:16:00.001-07:002015-09-18T09:16:57.419-07:00The Bowes Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG2aU_YFBxYrvwZApBRncys0ZZO-rEhIT9LfRdjjqnaeeGmaP_lF_e4IWC2lhTRcwJ3mVz9iyuw2ZhX4Mq4OBEDQ6RbjDubCdZZ6-miNKDjqXPbU-yVjCEf6ZV3sf1eJ480v39a9WDbQ/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZG2aU_YFBxYrvwZApBRncys0ZZO-rEhIT9LfRdjjqnaeeGmaP_lF_e4IWC2lhTRcwJ3mVz9iyuw2ZhX4Mq4OBEDQ6RbjDubCdZZ6-miNKDjqXPbU-yVjCEf6ZV3sf1eJ480v39a9WDbQ/s400/IMG_2661.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowes Museum</td></tr>
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On our way from York to Durham, we stopped at the Bowes Museum for a few hours. The Bowes was built to house the vast and varied collection of John and Josephine Bowes. <br />
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There are several galleries within the Bowes Museum. The fashion and textile gallery displays fashion and textiles from 1550 to 1970. As an added bonus there is a small Yves Saint Laurent exhibit and film to represent modern French Haute couture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAAUBlWDYudu2WlVrZMjrW5gt95cVY9bazcwS7GwKQYnhnZT_B7OT5US_1f5D-JuWACLoWEQDO1CdjxKkaMRfK6JMlSw-4IOA7pI1XWVSH_5Af2CFoneHUNMX9JzWR72WDdRkyi0Md90/s1600/IMG_2666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAAUBlWDYudu2WlVrZMjrW5gt95cVY9bazcwS7GwKQYnhnZT_B7OT5US_1f5D-JuWACLoWEQDO1CdjxKkaMRfK6JMlSw-4IOA7pI1XWVSH_5Af2CFoneHUNMX9JzWR72WDdRkyi0Md90/s400/IMG_2666.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josephine Bowes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUcKx6hkPY6xUCUPWYloV6AlLJutNn_fCPYePqv1HxqiQmSInpsEDQj_ayyP33vpViqWsmhKciM0NkTrn9JImVh40jC6bSqDYMurawiuqcfRA2nbYuSZ0deOdndcjrwhMSfIx4IOf-U0/s1600/IMG_2673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUcKx6hkPY6xUCUPWYloV6AlLJutNn_fCPYePqv1HxqiQmSInpsEDQj_ayyP33vpViqWsmhKciM0NkTrn9JImVh40jC6bSqDYMurawiuqcfRA2nbYuSZ0deOdndcjrwhMSfIx4IOf-U0/s320/IMG_2673.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
I was most impressed by the collection of furniture and paintings, some of which were painted by Josephine herself. One could spend hours just examining the beautiful portraits. Another fascinating object was the Silver Swan, an 18th century working automaton. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNmtBT2fWCHTzn5k4qL3EoPZ8a-QiOSUDbRUlVnHQImGhNToJ7DG4Sz3LGVasCtXP6w74nvtOEogL3LEbCFW57FS8E4O9247i_H-N2PZM3V8NPCJdv7CZEG_t4MI9t10DWFmo_POrdVs/s1600/IMG_2714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNmtBT2fWCHTzn5k4qL3EoPZ8a-QiOSUDbRUlVnHQImGhNToJ7DG4Sz3LGVasCtXP6w74nvtOEogL3LEbCFW57FS8E4O9247i_H-N2PZM3V8NPCJdv7CZEG_t4MI9t10DWFmo_POrdVs/s320/IMG_2714.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yves Saint Laurent Fashion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D4gAqjELT81q3-9Dk0zVv-WlWB5bjZ-GIypA7BBDS0JqfIWjURQZNRL1rjYZArwKMJ1gyiHfPuGHSXac0BhL28MvBtd6g_i6F6MFB3CF7xRKJNrv3AnsTYC820wniFrUkWyBwYpb1h0/s1600/IMG_2715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D4gAqjELT81q3-9Dk0zVv-WlWB5bjZ-GIypA7BBDS0JqfIWjURQZNRL1rjYZArwKMJ1gyiHfPuGHSXac0BhL28MvBtd6g_i6F6MFB3CF7xRKJNrv3AnsTYC820wniFrUkWyBwYpb1h0/s320/IMG_2715.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yves Saint Laurent Fashion<br /></td></tr>
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<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-64805847162564868582015-09-17T09:30:00.001-07:002015-09-17T09:30:39.028-07:00Sweet Quilt Treats from The Great Northern Quilt Show Harrogate 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UuJJWHlKKeo7zXBfHIVxvFQSiru3SGeyxcbseBGkBZdLVH69SPWN0FgCm_744Kwy4KKQlyPvoj83lHfs81Wqgk2dx6ZyW2t_SFfAxIn2h-W-QPG0I7V04XYyuxtwfl8k3h0f5z67b5U/s1600/IMG_2864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UuJJWHlKKeo7zXBfHIVxvFQSiru3SGeyxcbseBGkBZdLVH69SPWN0FgCm_744Kwy4KKQlyPvoj83lHfs81Wqgk2dx6ZyW2t_SFfAxIn2h-W-QPG0I7V04XYyuxtwfl8k3h0f5z67b5U/s400/IMG_2864.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perseverance by Susan Lax</td></tr>
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While on tour in the north of England, our travel group spent a lovely day at the Great Northern Quilt Show Harrogate. It was held at the Great Yorkshire fairground. <br />
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There were a large number of beautiful quilts on display. Applique' is my favored form of quilting and so most of the photographs I took at the show were of that medium. Perhaps one of the most stunning examples of fine appliqué workmanship can be found in Susan Lax's quilt entitled "Perseverance."<br />
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"Perseverance" was awarded a Judges Choice Award. The placard next to the quilt indicated that Susan found inspiration for this quilt in an antique plate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YWTvhLnQUxAaY3gdrZAaZQZWAhTum7V_aNrTwc-Coel7UG_iNhFrQpGDHp07eqI-nOVBkPoDRD5qWKKMnQPZx-_65ND95L5bF_3UaY9L6fn4fMgFmiyULt9DdG0X0aYaGD37oaECs4I/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YWTvhLnQUxAaY3gdrZAaZQZWAhTum7V_aNrTwc-Coel7UG_iNhFrQpGDHp07eqI-nOVBkPoDRD5qWKKMnQPZx-_65ND95L5bF_3UaY9L6fn4fMgFmiyULt9DdG0X0aYaGD37oaECs4I/s400/IMG_2870.JPG" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnum Opus by The Chaucer Quilters</td></tr>
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"Magnus Opus" by the Chaucer Quilters was also a big favorite of mine. I have been pondering the setting for my own nine Baltimore album blocks and have found inspiration in this exquisite example. <br />
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The Chaucer Quilters' names were not listed on placard and so I cannot name them here. They did give acknowledgements to Patricia Cox, Shirley Bloomfield and Jeanna Kimball, whose drawings provided inspiration for the making of this quilt. <br />
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The making of "Magnum Opus" began over four years ago. The Chaucer Quilters report how much they enjoyed choosing the colors and making the quilt. The colors are indeed beautiful. I have enjoyed studying this quilt. Thank you Chaucer Quilters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCca4P__CoQG7HiIgpMa3qb1PAbSqQgyDDJLUImMG4L9XGR47sjosSzJapJ21sqfdeW12sMflTgIHSxgiBq90mJ6LoOAsfHmpWyEo-i7itjKLF3rCYuEfA1GwVbOsOlXIQ13I19asDH1I/s1600/IMG_2871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCca4P__CoQG7HiIgpMa3qb1PAbSqQgyDDJLUImMG4L9XGR47sjosSzJapJ21sqfdeW12sMflTgIHSxgiBq90mJ6LoOAsfHmpWyEo-i7itjKLF3rCYuEfA1GwVbOsOlXIQ13I19asDH1I/s400/IMG_2871.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornithological Odyssey by Anne Beaumont</td></tr>
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I love the interesting borders around the bird blocks on "Ornithological Odyssey" quilt by Anne Beaumont. They have a celtic feel to them and compliment the lovely British birds depicted.<br />
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Anne drew inspiration from Pamela Strong's book "Feathered Beauties" and used Pamela's woodpecker design seen in the center block.<br />
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The rest of the birds are Anne's own bird pattern designs. The simple floral and vine on the borders perfectly showcases the birds and inner borders.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lillies of the Field by Margaret Evans</td></tr>
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It is difficult to see all of the lovely embroidery in this quilt "Lillies of the Field" by Margaret Evans. The hand embroidery beautifully compliments the flower and leaf designs. <br />
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Margaret found the outline drawings for this quilt in an American Quilting Design catalogue. Her love of textures and stitches is reflected in her lovely work.<br />
<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-89423586103863465652015-09-16T10:15:00.001-07:002016-02-05T17:13:06.505-07:00Walking Tour of York, England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWewIDCtO_2JClALYBmc6AkLdHkpk9oeqr0gxxgoCWq8wRKQM6xvk11h9Ry7GETWlJvdH2O9L5eE1_lYAk5tensJWKFaM5Da_yqTsUBA3p5hI4qxFmho9EPzbWq_ok3vFcyUOlxBoJEDo/s1600/IMG_2519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWewIDCtO_2JClALYBmc6AkLdHkpk9oeqr0gxxgoCWq8wRKQM6xvk11h9Ry7GETWlJvdH2O9L5eE1_lYAk5tensJWKFaM5Da_yqTsUBA3p5hI4qxFmho9EPzbWq_ok3vFcyUOlxBoJEDo/s400/IMG_2519.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
Walking the old (Roman) wall around the city of York is a great way to see and experience the city. At the advice of one of our lovely tour group comrades, I strolled a section of the wall to get to the Monk Bar area located near our hotel. It is not a strenuous walk; there were a few steps to traverse, but the rest is fairly even walking. Walking on the stone surface does require wearing substantial shoes and caution should it be raining. <br />
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The walls are easy to access and well maintained. Walking the wall gives one an interesting perspective to this old city. You can dip in and out of its route and visit other attractions within the city. There are plenty of great photo opportunities.<br />
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The Monk Bar is the largest and most ornate of the bars in the city; it dates from the early 14th century. It was a self-contained fortress. <br />
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There are many shops, restaurants and tea rooms around the city. I especially enjoyed walking the shops in the Shambles area because of its historic significance and to see the area in which a part of a Harry Potter movie was filmed. Betty's was a fun place to have afternoon tea and scones. It is a popular place and the line to get in can get very long! As much as we enjoyed tea at Betty's, in all honesty, other tea places around the city were just as good without the long wait in line. I loved visiting York and hope to return one day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monk Bar</td></tr>
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-1671369370820316832015-09-14T20:07:00.000-07:002015-09-14T20:07:04.404-07:00Hadrian's Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwexSqZGtrWmGhugtHcbplC1f8T2AZvWC7X8b3JjgVPUEtCb5SG0zhbDb5WiwpvvCHvNqO7rlqvZqccKN4pXqP6CzwPTt_ovMawJEG6qe0rQwFF_Ko60dVDWU_oN0CrHSp7i_CqPlFRA/s1600/IMG_2826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwexSqZGtrWmGhugtHcbplC1f8T2AZvWC7X8b3JjgVPUEtCb5SG0zhbDb5WiwpvvCHvNqO7rlqvZqccKN4pXqP6CzwPTt_ovMawJEG6qe0rQwFF_Ko60dVDWU_oN0CrHSp7i_CqPlFRA/s400/IMG_2826.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;">"</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwexSqZGtrWmGhugtHcbplC1f8T2AZvWC7X8b3JjgVPUEtCb5SG0zhbDb5WiwpvvCHvNqO7rlqvZqccKN4pXqP6CzwPTt_ovMawJEG6qe0rQwFF_Ko60dVDWU_oN0CrHSp7i_CqPlFRA/s1600/IMG_2826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Hadrian's Wall was a defensive fortification in the Roman province of Britannia, begun in 122 AD during the reign of emperor Hadrian. A significant portion of the wall still stands and can be followed along the adjoining Hadrian's Wall Path.</a><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;">"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The site is</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> the most popular tourist attraction in Northern England and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The wall is a bit of a walk up hill from the parking lot, but well worth the effort to see. The ruins of a Roman fort can also be explored a short walk further from the wall. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">All of the historic sites built so long ago that I have had the opportunity to visit leave me in awe, this one was no different; however, this one also left me a bit perplexed at how its short height could possibly keep anything but small animals from crossing it! I imagine the wall may have been higher originally, but the existing stone appears so intact it is questionable. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman Fort</td></tr>
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-76850781474501987642015-09-14T15:16:00.000-07:002016-02-05T17:11:10.129-07:00Edinburgh Castle Visit<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqE0tiS_3_nZyAIerEu3yJwvexZUp6RSsHcgwKrMkfzn3bg207DGAOPUfH4r4w1x6AgJ-VY81jBl_aaNY8NJF1VVrmFMMKu0o4XqilBiBbMvyGV4kY1RF0UGCa4_kg-0M0493pyovOig/s1600/IMG_2269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqE0tiS_3_nZyAIerEu3yJwvexZUp6RSsHcgwKrMkfzn3bg207DGAOPUfH4r4w1x6AgJ-VY81jBl_aaNY8NJF1VVrmFMMKu0o4XqilBiBbMvyGV4kY1RF0UGCa4_kg-0M0493pyovOig/s400/IMG_2269.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh Castle</td></tr>
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This is a photograph of Edinburgh Castle as seen from my hotel room window just a few weeks ago. Visiting the castle was an awesome experience. It all seems like a dream to me now as I sit here writing about it and recovering from jet lag.<br />
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As I and my friends walked the Royal Mile on a steep incline up to the castle, it was an amazing feeling to ponder that the rock it stands on is the plug of an extinct volcano, which is estimated to have risen about 350 million years ago.<br />
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Reportedly there has been a royal castle on the rock since the reign of David I in the 12th century. Located around the castle are many historic buildings as well as more modern structures.<br />
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Staying in the Grassmarket area contributed greatly to the enjoyment of our stay in Edinburgh, as we could walk almost everywhere we wanted to go. We did ride one of the sightseeing buses for a couple hours to scope out areas we wanted to go back to spend more time. Going in August during festival time was also a pleasure. <br />
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The Military Tattoo performance and the Gilbert and Sullivan concert we attended on the fringe were delightful shows. The many pubs and eating establishments throughout the city provided good food and drink; seating was surprisingly quick considering the large numbers of festival goers in the area. I hope to return to Edinburgh one day; if I do, it will be during festival time. <br />
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-53140304573228412852015-06-12T15:26:00.002-07:002015-06-12T16:26:18.074-07:00Norway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmdEonJtdO7IqAyUvsgkoY3q6PnCD6KsaHDH179LIAfaA_CLMU2visIsGCLhOnrdnNO3-Qc3iwfDm3wNlMBSkpGmQM1f61pDNoKNcuzSgEmUdVTM0wfCLkjy6zodunCs3CgwT_y1qJ64/s1600/11406118_837345486345400_9110251826306800485_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmdEonJtdO7IqAyUvsgkoY3q6PnCD6KsaHDH179LIAfaA_CLMU2visIsGCLhOnrdnNO3-Qc3iwfDm3wNlMBSkpGmQM1f61pDNoKNcuzSgEmUdVTM0wfCLkjy6zodunCs3CgwT_y1qJ64/s400/11406118_837345486345400_9110251826306800485_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Norway is a beautiful country! I have just returned from a 12 day tour that began in the stately capital of Oslo and ended in beautiful Bergen. Along the way, my tour group took in the breathtaking scenery found in the mountains and fjords across the country. Lillehammer, Roros, Trondheim, Alesund, and Sogndal were on our itinerary as well. <br />
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The highlights of the trip were an unforgettable cruise on the Geiranger Fjord and a Flamsbana railroad ride from Flam up 3,000 feet to Myrdal. I took the photograph to the left out of the train window as we ascended the mountain. Small villages and some isolated farms dotted the landscape. Can you imagine waking up every morning to such a beautiful sight? <br />
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The Geiranger Fjord is equally as beautiful with its snow capped mountains and abundant waterfalls. See the photograph below. Of the cities we visited, my personal favorite was Bergen. Our hotel was within easy walking distance of the magnificent harbor and the historic row houses. The city's famous fish market was enjoyable as well. You can select your fresh fish and watch them cook it for you. We munched on fresh prawns and then enjoyed a warm Irish coffee while overlooking the tall ships in the harbor. If I am fortunate enough to return to Norway one day, it will be to the city of Bergen and the Geiranger Fjord again. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bergen Row Houses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bergen Fish Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fjord</td></tr>
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<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-14138631118389941362015-04-18T16:49:00.000-07:002016-03-11T10:44:11.659-07:00The Invention of Wings Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCg0acHu6ud7r7ZGIaU0jX-LhHc7aRgfr6GS3WaJwF9Wf5YrOr5K3IUOUFmCALR704OU6gxDJyz0i5ZP61FgNBr4oEgw1jBAoO8f-DaJX-PulS2y4K4MtdSqlooqIQseJaxhzjGvP3LI/s1600/18079776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCg0acHu6ud7r7ZGIaU0jX-LhHc7aRgfr6GS3WaJwF9Wf5YrOr5K3IUOUFmCALR704OU6gxDJyz0i5ZP61FgNBr4oEgw1jBAoO8f-DaJX-PulS2y4K4MtdSqlooqIQseJaxhzjGvP3LI/s1600/18079776.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It has been a long time since a book brought me to tears and this one did just that in very short order. I often listen to audio books while quilting or walking and this one is probably the best audio book I’ve listened to all year; not only for the skillful storytelling on the part of the author, Sue Monk Kidd, but because of the skill of the orators of this audio production as well.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The novel is read by actresses, Adepero Oduye and Jenna Lamia who expertly bring the whole story to life as they narrate the alternating perspectives of their characters. Listening to Adepero and Jenna’s readings was more like listening to a movie. Their narrative was so personal and inspiring, I had a vivid picture in my minds eye of the action taking place and I couldn’t sleep for wanting to listen to more.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Will Sarah and Handful achieve their goals? What will happen to Charlotte as a result of her defiance and determination to see her daughter have a better life? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;">While pondering the rich history behind this novel, I thought about the quality of life and sacrifices my own great grandmothers endured during the same time period and wish I had had the where with all to ask the important questions and thoughts their daughters, my grandmothers, had as they watched the women's rights movement unfold. Because of the excellent quality of the audio production, I highly recommend listening to this novel. Whether you decide to listen to or read this novel, I have no doubt you will be glad you did and </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">it will provoke much thought and reflection.</span><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Paraphrasing from Good Reads: This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Inspired by the historical figure Abolitionist, women’s rights activist, Sarah Grimke, the author goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters. Sue Monk Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah Grimke’s eleventh birthday, when Sarah is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty-five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As their stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements.</span></div>
Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-68899016729673533082015-03-20T19:52:00.000-07:002015-03-20T19:52:13.721-07:00Quilt Show Road Trip<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6BHwE0BnzBTOWxNOrH1rzKs3_L6MzN2ydoPHdQRPPITEKU7ZEUneh5A4Yj3I6mspM_WOQ4zWdzLLwzZHh1uoTWj85Y3xiu8qLdIcHmbXAT6MdF1u_z0Ub9L1SJor41JC2sAWp3XkSrI/s1600/IMG_1073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6BHwE0BnzBTOWxNOrH1rzKs3_L6MzN2ydoPHdQRPPITEKU7ZEUneh5A4Yj3I6mspM_WOQ4zWdzLLwzZHh1uoTWj85Y3xiu8qLdIcHmbXAT6MdF1u_z0Ub9L1SJor41JC2sAWp3XkSrI/s1600/IMG_1073.jpg" height="320" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Enchanted Garden by Lynda Blair</td></tr>
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Today was a fun day with friends at a quilt show in the Las Vegas area. The first wonderful wool and cotton quilt pictured is My Enchanted Garden by Lynda Blair. It is difficult to see in the picture, but it is embellished with hundreds of beads. You can see some of them in the close up block below. Another favorite of mine was Fire Lights by Karen Garth. Just beautiful! Next picture in line-- the whimsy of Whacky Sounds by Marcia Katz tickled me. Two in the small quilts category that had big visual impact are: the 3D wallhanging, Bountiful Bloom by Victoria Brazzle and Diamond Back by Karen Garth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHIOqg-SiX3xwTh0D4DRwSD0EBKCrnSkScpG6J3BVERrzve24LEzg4DzZF-gyiCiXtvQozuxoAzvx_0BCo1d3IqgiQG1VgQTs3YZ00aVZvTm_w_Gii-vI8N3zORAdIKd-7x9mzTjAT2c/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHIOqg-SiX3xwTh0D4DRwSD0EBKCrnSkScpG6J3BVERrzve24LEzg4DzZF-gyiCiXtvQozuxoAzvx_0BCo1d3IqgiQG1VgQTs3YZ00aVZvTm_w_Gii-vI8N3zORAdIKd-7x9mzTjAT2c/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whacky Sounds by Marcia Katz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7l7k6PsH-vJC7X6Eenr3Bl_Awb9jeo5Dk08Brfiv4qk0Oh8Kqts5S5ci31UOEkkFWkV9e84cXY4sxR12Mpq5y5Rp3wK7PQu1bfsjICw8hd4dd1YhLTR-y2K6m_TUXulUY2dUnGn4SMQ/s1600/IMG_1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7l7k6PsH-vJC7X6Eenr3Bl_Awb9jeo5Dk08Brfiv4qk0Oh8Kqts5S5ci31UOEkkFWkV9e84cXY4sxR12Mpq5y5Rp3wK7PQu1bfsjICw8hd4dd1YhLTR-y2K6m_TUXulUY2dUnGn4SMQ/s1600/IMG_1080.jpg" height="320" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bountiful Bloom by Victoria Brazzle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW5KwbbJkfrbBMzgnELNpo8GUTXZUypZt1OjHEEWE6OgoQ13FBoQzwcAiCe5gFa5ULWhLSy8D4v3KniGSf7biN61XGSgelHrmYH6gc07rKzKkTNnTk63uOAPuaC1WQuaYdlx8c2uhQYc/s1600/IMG_1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW5KwbbJkfrbBMzgnELNpo8GUTXZUypZt1OjHEEWE6OgoQ13FBoQzwcAiCe5gFa5ULWhLSy8D4v3KniGSf7biN61XGSgelHrmYH6gc07rKzKkTNnTk63uOAPuaC1WQuaYdlx8c2uhQYc/s1600/IMG_1071.jpg" height="320" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Back by Karen Garth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZN9yG4ZkuDMlzkZ-H5uOz3ePg-0vxT6GdWt3HxsGS-vFIjXH2x_VLETGPy1xk0lNshKAYIDSjuOWEgi1I3Q5a-5svhZ6ITNkMGpQqkTPQMa4AczfoyXVRa3dLViuN9e2Qh0NIaGvJcM/s1600/IMG_1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZN9yG4ZkuDMlzkZ-H5uOz3ePg-0vxT6GdWt3HxsGS-vFIjXH2x_VLETGPy1xk0lNshKAYIDSjuOWEgi1I3Q5a-5svhZ6ITNkMGpQqkTPQMa4AczfoyXVRa3dLViuN9e2Qh0NIaGvJcM/s1600/IMG_1070.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Lights by Karen Garth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt8dOsRKjYfF4AfK-YvzFpicYYuSzkoJ6hTccQCAQ8PlLMZsvMWst59yCi3GcwmArwHZGxqTPqaYcIhON3rpSdoTdZ6lMhAEIab0d5ntOAVPYrFOq2U0nvKrOeF_XPR6c5EQO4e_Wb4E/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkt8dOsRKjYfF4AfK-YvzFpicYYuSzkoJ6hTccQCAQ8PlLMZsvMWst59yCi3GcwmArwHZGxqTPqaYcIhON3rpSdoTdZ6lMhAEIab0d5ntOAVPYrFOq2U0nvKrOeF_XPR6c5EQO4e_Wb4E/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Enchanted Garden</td></tr>
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Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554978777279719377.post-72571119576498278722015-02-15T10:58:00.001-07:002016-02-05T17:07:03.563-07:00Quilts Made with Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38z81BLGZvyrLFb8TZiZxfyFAFhq2SY0mUxRB_ezxWq9F5-5SZjMT6xZSxJCdwHsWj1OOu8L4Ccg1gJVwvPfYn055WISjyOpNmINut9DpyJB8GQBEt639zgZXbMW8cCif_KWhyd3nSZE/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38z81BLGZvyrLFb8TZiZxfyFAFhq2SY0mUxRB_ezxWq9F5-5SZjMT6xZSxJCdwHsWj1OOu8L4Ccg1gJVwvPfYn055WISjyOpNmINut9DpyJB8GQBEt639zgZXbMW8cCif_KWhyd3nSZE/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Today I am reminiscing about some of the quilts I have made with children. It was a fun and rewarding experience I will always remember. The quilt in the photograph to the left was made with my youngest daughter and her first grade classmates for a very special teacher. I learned as much as the children did while making this quilt. <br />
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It was to be a surprise, so I made arrangements with the school art teacher to allow me to give instruction and make the quilt blocks during art class. I handed out 13" blocks of muslin and permanent fabrics markers to the children and asked them to draw a self portrait. They also signed their block when finished. They had fun with it and used all of the colors available to them. Many of them filled the entire space of the fabric. They also enjoyed looking at each others blocks and commenting on the various different expressions each chose. I could see the sense of community they shared and it occurred to me that there was a lesson in diversity during this project as well. I made red school house quilt blocks for the four corners of the quilt and added blue alphabet border material with red and white gingham intersecting squares. At the end of the school year we had a little party and presented the quilt to the children's teacher. He was thrilled and seemed genuinely surprised. The children were delighted at his reaction and in awe of their creation. <br />
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In the photograph to the right you will see another quilt made for a special second grade teacher. For this one, I asked the children to draw a picture of something they learned about in class. Wild animals were a popular choice, but there was also a volcano, a dinosaur, a book, a sun, a flower, a tree and a house. We also traced each child's hand on paper. I used their drawings and hand prints to make templates and they helped cut them out. It seemed fitting that I should appliqué an earth symbol in the center of the quilt and have the quilt stitching radiate out from the center. After the hands were appliquéd to the background, the children did their best to identify their hand print and signed their name in the curve of the thumb. The project was a big success and their teacher loved the quilt.<br />
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This is one of the favorite textile projects I did with my daughter. It was a relatively quick and easy project, but impressive on visual impact. She folded and cut the blocks of wool felt and flannel material the same way we make paper snowflakes. Even the scraps were utilized to make other designs or to embellish the snowflake blocks. Larger cuts had to be made due to the thickness of the material, but the designs turned out lovely just the same. I held the fabric for her so she could use both hands to make the cuts with very sharp scissors. This quilt was made for a school sponsored art competition and it was awarded first place in her age category. Today, as an adult, my daughter has fond memories of making these quilts with her mom and the sense of accomplishment she felt.<br />
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<br />Marcia Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08431169840216282568noreply@blogger.com0