Falls newsletter project
Happy Thanksgiving everyone;
The reds, yellows, and golds outside my window are beautiful. Today is bright and sunny and I am counting my blessings. Bruce and I accompained Mei Li and her young family to Zion and Bryce National Park this fall. Pressure, heat, and wind have created incredibly-astonishingly diverse and unbelievably beautiful shapes there.
This year has brought a lot of stress/ heat, wind, and pressures to all of us. At 72, my daily mantra is - ”Choose Happiness!" I try to focus on the things that bring me a sense of joy: family, friends, animals, hugs, playtime, love, beauty, gratitude, kisses, cookies, butterflies, and babies. In the spring, I gave you a sneak peak of the quilt I am hoping will show at Road to California. About 500 hours of hand appliquéd fun.
Happiness 30 x 77"
Due to the dense and complex quilting designs, I decided to quilt the panels separately. My plan was to join them together after. A big hug goes out to my quilting buddy, Nancy Anders who inspired and guided me into choosing traditional Fagotting embroidery stitches to join the panels. There are lots of YOUTube variations of this time honored method. (Such a wonderful textural contribution too.)
Happiness is meant to be shared. So I created a new pattern from the duo on the right for all of you! 36 x 36"
Suitable for Hand, Machine or Fused applique. Make it whimsical...make it realistic, I promise it will keep you smiling as you applique the fun reticulated polygon shapes over the base outlined silhouette shape of each giraffe. The bubbles are optional. I made them by painting shiny synthetic transluscent fabric and turning the edges under.
click here for pattern in my shop
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Family news. Bayley pup has learned to mountain bike along side his Dad. This funny, affectionate, year old bernadoodle pup has to be the easiest we have ever had. Shona continues to give long hours to her patients at the hospital. 2 year old Nora Cosmo was the best 29" hiker in Zion. She takes after her parents. Chris completed a 100 mile race in September, running continually through the night to raise over $6,000 for indiginous youth mental health programs. I curtsied to him when I saw him. Super human effort!
christopher_porcaro_ 101 miles down. l'd first like to thank @frankoscarweaver and @weaverjenelle. I couldn't have asked for a better crew. Y'all are such troopers! Thank you for flying out from Florida to drive around the freezing Oregon forest all night setting up my aid stations. You too absolutely killed it! I also want to thank@bobersaur and @leahmsmith78 ( the remote crew.) But most importantly, I want to thank my incredible wife, @meiliporcaro. Without your love, guidance, and countless sacrifices. " wouldn't have been able to pull this off. Not onlv did you make time for me to train and go on day long races, but your love was the beacon that guided me to the finish. I love you
We hope and dream, as parents, that our children will be happy and live by the Golden Rule of kindness and giving to others. Our kids surpass our own hopes and dreams.
New Apliquick Stocking Stuffer products - I LOVE them !!!!!!
Handcrafted 5" curved snips feature micro-serrated curved blades for precise thread cutting. The curved handles use spring action for easy operation, and the curved tips easily fit under a presser foot. Great for cutting threads on the backside after quilting. $38.00
Large 3 hole scissors back by popular demand - 6.5 inches, 3 holed ergonomically designed scissors prevent strain on fingers and joints. All five fingers lie in a natural position as you cut. The microserrated edge grips the fabric, holds it in place, and cuts without fraying. Great for cutting gentle curves and straight lines. These are perfect for most of your basic cutting needs.
My prayers are with everyone affected by the severe flooding and hurricanes. May you all have a Happy Thanksgiving meal with your friends and family.
hugs, Kathy