Does not want to be done . . .

So, I loaded the quilt again, added the SID and as I was taking it off for a second time, I noticed one place I missed. I am thinking this quilt does not want to leave the table. Probably because it took me so long to get it done. LOL.

Love these Tuesdays -

Every since getting back from Portland, I have been very inspired. Must be the good vibes from Portland - it is a very artistic city and I always enjoy going. And, I always love that each trip helps me refocus on my art and craft. And I am still thrilled with the memory of the newly planted pansies and the green grass. We still have all of our snow here.

Yesterday I was talking with my Denver friend and we were talking about this quilt - remember it? It is from a customer who is a friend of hers. The customer is in Florida for the next couple months and ask me to just hold it here until she gets back. So, I finished it and packed it away. Then when talking with my friend, I said it would be a nice bed quilt - very Irish looking. She then said the customer (her friend) was planning to hang it as a large wall quilt in a stairway. I don't know how I missed that part, but it caused me to rethink what I had done. So, I got it out and decided it did need some SID around the white areas where I had the Celtic knots quilted. I did do the CC in the green with green thread after this picture was taken, but it still needed the SID. So I reloaded it and that is what I am now doing. I am much happier with it - and I am now proud of my work which I was ho-hum about before. I will try to get some "after" pics posted this afternoon.

Last night I started on a new design book, "Design: A Lively Guide to Design Basics for Artists & Craftspeople" by Steve Aimone. It is a great refresher course on formal design classes. There are tons of pictures, quick connections of the concepts and quilts are included to illustrate points of design implementation. I will share more as I go through it.

Saturday - already!

What happened to the rest of the week in Portland? It was like a whirlwind. Wednesday was more shopping and a fun evening with Meagan - watched her get a pedicure with her mom in preparation for a Disney cruise they were all leaving on this weekend. But - I lost the cable from my camera to my computer so no pictures. . . yet!

I left Portland on Thursday morning early - drove all the way home to Bozeman. I must be crazy as I should know better. What was the big hurry? I was just ready to be home I guess. I know I left the camera cable in the hotel room, but they didn't find it. So, I have had to order another one.

Yesterday, I got into some quilting again - love time in my studio. I will get some pictures. I am obsessed with not having that cable. Maybe I need another vacation.

Sunshine in Portland . . .

It was an amazing day today - lots of sunshine as you can see in the picture of Mt Hood.

Here is what I did today -
1. Drove up to Vancouver to go to a mall there where one of my favorite stores was having a sale - the sale prices were still twice what I can get the same things for at home - but the drive was beautiful and I loved walking in the mall.
2. Stopped to see the BabyLocke Sashiko - neat machine, but expensive for one stitch.
3. Lunch at Sweet Tomato's - my favorite place for lunch.
4. Got the car washed and a piece came off the mirror in the carwash - hmmm - not sure what will happen with that
5. Did some sewing and washed a load of clothes here in the hotel
6. Went to supper with Roy and Meagan at Macaroni Grill
7. Did the "Build A Bear" thing
8. Got a good sale on Shea Butter at Body Shoppe.

One more day and I head for snow country.

lots of fun - lots of pics

Here is my day in pictures. It was a cool, rainy day here in Portland as you can see.

I left the hotel about 10 and headed to Bob's Red Mill which is close to where I am staying to check out their prices on steel cut oats and ground flax seed that we eat every morning. We love the brand - and it is much cheaper by the 25 lb bag here so I will be taking some home - will stop back on Wednesday or Thursday.

From there I went to the Pendleton Mill Store. They have remodeled since I was there three years ago and moved the store upstairs. The bargains are not as good, but I did find some ultrasuede on sale and got an idea for a cute wool jacket so it was worth the stop .

After the Pendleton Store, I headed for Fabric Depot and some uninterupted browsing. It is a huge store filled with all kinds of fabric - quilting, bridal, upholstery, and on and on. I walked all over the store and looked at lots of wonderful fabric. I picked up a few pieces of brights on sale that I like to use in children's quilts, but I could have gotten really carried away on another day.

It was then time pick up Meagan from school and we had to have a stop at Krispy Kreme before we hit Toys R Us. I didn't take a picture there. In addition to a couple other gifts, I gave her 3 coupons - each for a shopping trip to a store of her choice. She used the first one at the Toys R Us. She is very convservative with Grandma's money so she is fun to take. I think the real fun is in looking. And we did a lot of that before we settled on a couple small items.

We then came back to the hotel where she played with her new purchases and watched Sponge Bob. From here we went back to her house and met up with Roy and his dad and stepmom. They brought her a birthday present of a new pink suitcase. She is going on a Disney cruise with her mom later in the week and the new suitcase is just right.



Bob and I also gave her a new digital camera and she enjoyed taking lots of pictures of the entire evening.

We all went out to dinner at Papa Haydn. They have desserts to dream about and Meagan had a Valentine cheesecake after her meal. Here she is with her Grandpa Ross and Grandma Yvonne - they are Roy's dad and stepmom. And, yes, decades ago, I was actually married to him. We are so civilized now.

It was a good day!

More birthday . . .

We spent the day celebrating more of the big 6th birthday. This pic was taken at Meagan's favorite restaurant - or at least they have her favorite milkshake with worms hanging over the edge. She is enjoying downing one of those gummi worms in the picture. We also watched the movie "Bolt" at her house together, read several books, opened more presents, made some dolls out of funny little plastic pieces that you spray with water and they stick together. An amazing day!

Tomorrow is a morning for me,a stop at Fabric Depot and I will pick Meagan up after school for some serious "girl shopping" - with pictures. See you then!

Birthday girl . . .

Meagan had her birthday party at a jump place - you know the kind - filled with giant inflatables that kids can bounce on and in. She and her friends had a wonderful time that ended with pizza, cake and presents. Tomorrow we will share in another birthday party with her. She has the right idea already - have a whole birthday week - and never count the years.

Roy and I went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the Sellwood area of Portland near where he lives. It was a good time to have a long visit - we have not done that for a while as it is rarely just the two of us when we come to visit or when he is in Montana. It was quite a treat! I like Roy - and of course I love him because he is my son - but I really like him as a person.

Before we went out, we watched the movie documentary with Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White called "It Might Get Loud". I was mesmerized. It was amazing to see someone like Jimmy Page believe in himself and his art enough to take the risks needed to change the guitar sound forever. See it if you get a chance.

Here is my inspiration picture for today - it is from the upholstery in the room - I like the design, colors and the possibility for the straight line quilting. I like it because it is so orderly - so predictable and strong. It must be something I need now.