FABRIC BOOK

I mentioned that Oct. was a busy month for me with lots of travel, but THE BEST trip just concluded.  Is there anything better than a grandma trip? Even though our only grandchild lives about 2,000 miles away, the distance won't stop me from getting to know him.

Our 'granddog' Nali also now resides in San Francisco too.  WARNING.....my next few blogs won't be strictly fiber related.....so I'll begin with one that is and perhaps it may give someone inspiration. 

  Several (many several) years ago we provided occasional doggie care for our son's dog. It became known as Nali's Wisconsin Vacations, which eventually got documented into a fabric picture book.

 I was clearly practicing to be a grandmother.....as this agreeable dog was 'treated' to lots of activities.

Here Nali was dressed with an old shirt...buttoned up the back...sleeves rolled up.....as she was engaged in 'art therapy". I know how crazy that sounds....and it was a total riot.  I smeared her paws with finger paints and had her walk over sheets of white paper.  Much of the time (if truth be told) I had to drag her...she hated the feel of the paint on her paws and sitting down wasn't uncommon!  Once the paint and dog hari dried, (don't laugh) I cut it into sections and framed them for family members.....  (I suspect you are now actually laughting!)

 Ring toss was a favorite game....

 It only took her a few minutes to understand the concept of an Easter egg hunt! 

 AND....what would a vacation be without a swimming pool and ball?

 Nali is now older and a bit creaky.....but can still manage going out her doggie door.  Raiden (the grandson...pronounced Rye din) thinks the door is fun too.

Now I have a new 'subject' to play with, is there another fabric book in my future?  Yes, of course!

SPEAKING OF BOOKS....

Our son turned us on to this detective novel trilogy........now it seems every 4th person I see reading on airplanes is immersed in one of these books. From first to last.....'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo', 'The Girl Who Played With Fire', and 'The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest'. The first book has already been made into a movie. I'm waiting to see it after I read all three books, though I understand it's a stand alone movie.

Sadly, the author, a Swedish journalist and writer, passed away of a heart attack before the books were published.

I also just enjoyed the audio book version of '1906' by James Dalessandro. It's fiction, based on facts about the San Francisco earthquake and the very corrupt city officials of the time. 'The perfect child' and wife live in home that survived that event. What I hadn't realized was that a great portion of the damage to the city was done by the fires.......many as the result of dynamiting buildings to create a fire break. Unfortunately, in the panic of the moment.....no real thought out plan was in place.....and that only caused the fires to spread.

I've also been reading books by Lee Smith.....whose books often take place in North and South Carolina.

KINDLE

Kindle, Kindle, Kindle.....I've been hearing, seeing, and thinking about getting one for ages....seriously at least 2 years it's been on my wish list.

So...what's stopped me? Technology......though I can't imagine life w/o a computer or heaven forbid, teaching w/o my live video projection system.....generally technology totally intimidates me.

It's more common than not when tackling a new electronic gadget.....I proclaim....it's broken. Naturally it's operator error and in the long run, I'm happy for my decision.

So...I've had a Kindle on order for about 2 months.....once I finally ordered, they were out of stock. Then I learned a new Kindle model was coming out......for the same price. So, I cancelled the original order and then waited some more. Additionally, there were new Kindle covers to choose from....don't ya just love this red one?

Having a cover is supposed to help make it feel more like a book.....I'm a pretty avid reader so one of my many concerns was would I miss holding/touching/the feel of a book? The cover is flannel lined and will protect the screen from getting scratched.

The new covers come with a built in light. (Which is stored and can be pulled out of the top corner of the cover.) The spot of light you see in the photo came from my overhead light...I couldn't get a good shot of the Kindle with the cover light on. I have to say, I do like this option because the Kindle is not back lit......meaning one couldn't read in the dark....like say on airplanes at night when your seat's overhead bulb isn't working?

I bought this mainly for travel....thinking it'd be easier to transport in the VERY limited space left in my computer bag with all my other equipment. It certainly is less bulky than a hardcover, though surprisingly heavier than I expected.....as heavy if not more than a paperback.

Our local library services such a huge area and is so overused that obtaining current books is nearly impossible....another reason to try this new technology. Of course, where we live....there's no 3-G network to download from......but the Kindle found 'Edge' a slower one to download my first book, 'The Help', in less than 2 minutes.

I'm heading to teaching for Quilt Expo put on by Wisconsin Public TV and Nancy Zieman (of Sewing With Nancy) in Madison, WI next week. Believe it or not, I have 3 flights outbound and 2 returning, and of course with layover time, I should be able to give the Kindle a good trial run....I'll report back.

COOL NEW BOOK CONCEPT

The 'perfect child' and 'perfect DIL' are such thoughtful gift givers....I recently had a birthday and was wowed again by them.

Kelly found this terrific book for me, published by Chronicle Books.

Repro Depot Pattern Book by Djerba Goldfinger.

It contains a CD of 225 vintage inspired textile designs.

Besides this overview of the patterns, the book contains full size pages of each design and several projects ideas. The concept is to print them on paper, but I'm going to try fabric as well. I also look forward to altering the patterns using Photoshop....

Thanks for the fun kids!

Wendy asked if I was familar with Spoonflower.....a company that custom prints YOUR fabric designs.....yes, I blogged about it some time ago..... Here's their link.

CREATIVITY CARDS

I've been an author with C & T Publishing since they published my book, "Beading Basics", in 2004. Six years later, I'm still delighted to be working with this forward thinking publisher of quilt related materials and where 4 of my solo publications continue to be in print.

For all you bargain hunters......go to the C & T website and check out their large selection of books on sale right now for $5.00 each......from all your favorite authors! Scroll down on the left side bar to the very bottom and click on sale/close outs.

C & T just published Inspired! Creativity Cards available here for $9.95. It's a collection of playing card size quilt photos and thought-provoking statements about finding inspiration, handling stress, and exploring your artistry.

The 36 secrets and quilts come from the world's most celebrated quilters. Pick a card, any card when you're in a creative rut, need a boost of positive energy, or when you just need a new idea.

Here's my card.....the quilt is 'Funky Rooster', a bead appliqued folk art style wall quilt.

I'm very flattered to be included in this collection.....but honestly I had to laugh when I saw what category my quote was given. Anyone who knows me, I'm SURE.....would not think of me as dispensing Wisdom! But, I stand by my statement which I've shared for years and years.....

OOPS & BOOKS

Here's my oops.....I mentioned that I'll be the guest blogger on the Quilting Gallery website for March.....sorry, it's not today......mine will be published March 24th.... I'll provide a link next week.

Instead, I thought I'd share some titles of the books I've been reading. Yes, real books.....though I've been flirting with getting a Kindle for over a year. It was my understanding that downloading onto a Kindle wouldn't be possible from here, but fortunately our future new neighbor (thank you Terry) showed me that connecting here in rural America is possible!

Because our local library services way too many folks, our selection is often poor. For instance, they have the book "The Help", but the waiting list is over 20 people long. So lately, in search of some new authors, I've been checking out the recommendations from the library staff which has moved me beyond the thrillers I often enjoy.

This fiction book follows the life of Olive Kitteridge, as it intersects with others in her small town. No murders, no huge drama.....rather.....it's a study of human nature.

Generally non-fiction doesn't hold my attention......see, that's shows just how shallow I am! However, this interesting, disturbing, and thought provoking story about Darfur was time well spent.

The main character in this fun read is a detective. The book is written from his companion's viewpoint.....a dog. The author certainly nailed all the characteristics of what appears to be a lab, even though the dog portrayed is a mutt. The actual story line isn't that deep or fascinating, but the book is definitely smile worthy if you love dogs.

SHENANDOAH ALBUM NOVELS

I'm a big Emilie Richards fan.  Her Shenandoah Album Novels are a must read for any quilter.

Check out the quilt studio section of her website.

Sister's Choice will be released in paperback next month.  Other series releases are:  A Lie for a Lie, Feb. 2009, and Happiness Key, July 2009.  

Thanks to Emilie's blog I learned about Good Reads......a free website for book lovers.  I'm an avid reader so I'll enjoy exploring all the book reviews.  There are way too many people using our local library which makes it difficult to get all the titles I'm interested in.   I'm currently reading 'Water For Elephant's', by Sara Gruen....(waiting over 6 weeks to get it!) 

So, lately I've been considering buying a Kindle....the new model makes it even more tempting. I'd love to hear comments from anyone who owns one.

FELTED MITTENS

My friend Kirsten provided the pattern source for the felted wool mittens I shared in yesterday's post.

It's in Warm Fuzzies by Betz White, available at Amazon.com....click here for the link.

SISTER'S CHOICE

There are little things that happen in one's life that makes you stop and wonder...why now?  That's exactly how I felt as I read the first couple of chapters of Emilie Richards new book "Sister's Choice" that arrived a few days ago.

First of all, I love books, and usually read at least one a week.  Now that I live in the South East, I've been enjoying stories set in this completely new environment.  Her most recent release is another Emilie Richards' Shenandoah Album novels (set in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.) 

The 4th of July holiday time always leaves me a bit misty since our family lost my twin sister to Leukemia, six years ago on July 2nd.  The book's focus is of two sister's estrangement and their quest to form a bond again.  Naturally, I'm a sap for the sister thing, especially after being a bone marrow donor for mine and learning at that time that we were identical twins!! Considering the timing, frankly, I can't put the book down.

Emilie Richards intertwines quilting throughout this series and features a quilt on the cover. Leisure Arts publishes companion pattern books to enable readers to make their own versions of the quilts in her novels.  

They are well illustrated with lovely photographs, and well written instructions.  Her books are widely available at local book stores, Amazon.com and if you are lucky enough, you might even find Emilie herself, signing books at a quilt show.  Take a break from your sewing room this summer to read this inspiring novel.