2.02.2010
More Motivation and Inspiration
Meet my Mom, Lois Nickel, at her home in Maryland. Mom is a quilter from way back, and got me interested in quilting and sewing when I was in grade school. Her work is amazing, and she has been and always will be my inspiration to persevere.
Mom has Alzheimer's Disease now. This picture was taken recently on a good day. I love her so very much and miss her terribly.
If you never have, pick up a needle and thread and learn to sew a few stitches. It can be peace for the soul. And if you don't mind, please take a minute and click on the AAQI badge to the right and visit the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. See what quilters from all over are doing to raise awareness of and encourage fundraising for Alzheimer's Disease. Please become involved. One day it won't be too late for someone else's mother, family member, or friend.
Thank you.
Be sensitive...be involved! And I'll be back...
Word of the Year!
PERSEVERE!
So to that end, I've joined the gals at Three Creative Studios in their 2010 Creative Cue clues. These are great motivators, and I'm having fun as well as learning. And persevering!!
So stay tuned! Be motivated! Be persevering!! And I'll be back!!
1.05.2010
How time flies!
10.19.2009
Fun in Downtown Dallas!
9.03.2009
More Updates...!
This is Ricky and I at Dallas Heritage Village, one of our VERY favorite places in Dallas. The Heritage Village has all kinds of original historic dwellings moved to this locale and preserved.
Updates...!
6.30.2009
New Addition
6.26.2009
5.28.2009
Subtraction, Not Addition!
12.29.2008
In and Out, Back and Forth
As I less than merrily weave my way through this newest set of BOULDERS in my life's path, my posting will be somewhat erratic; however, I WILL still be here and WILL continue to share my world of fabrics, fibers and founds with you.
For those of you who have been following me regularly (Thank You!!!), you'll know that I have not been able to drive in over two years, which makes this current situation SO much more enjoyable (not!!).
I can report that my Treasure, my daughter, is doing beautifully, and my grandson kicked me hello a couple days ago -- he is SO ready to join us soon (February can't come soon enough!!).
So stay tuned...A N D...
Be curious! Allow yourself to Be Challenged!! And I'll be back!!
11.06.2008
Affirmations for Artists -- Always a Good Thing!!
I always like Alyson's column; she features great tips and tricks on a regular basis. If for some reason you can't follow the video, click here. Enjoy!
Be artistic! Be affirming! And, I'll be back!!
10.28.2008
FIGHT CANCER WITH COFFEE!!
Thanks to Maggie of Magpies Collectibles, I popped over to that blog, and WOW! Get The Bean has a goal of fundraising for fighting cancer, ALWAYS a worthy cause. Right now to celebrate the new opening, they are having a give-away on Fridays of a pound of coffee. Of COURSE I entered! It would be nice to win, but I've signed up as a follower of the blog, plus I imported their button (available on the sidebar near the bottom of the page).
Do take some time and go visit Get The Bean -- I guarantee you will NOT be disappointed!
Be sociable! Be energized! And I'll be back!!
10.20.2008
My Library, Bit by Bit
Art was involved with the Prince George's Historical Quilting Society in Maryland. Prince George's County is located east and slightly north of Washington, D.C. and is the home of the Redskins' stadium (yes, I used to be a Redskins fan before moving to Dallas, Cowboys Country!). My mother was the president of the group and I published the newsletter. Art was the only man in our group, but his incredible talent more than made up for the lack of other men!
Braided Cross Stitch is a well-written book. The first chapter is devoted to explanations and illustrations of the stitch, followed by several pages of color pictures and projects. Art closes with a chapter on how to design your own braided cross stitch piece, and a Question-and-Answer 'clinic'.
My mom gave this book to me. It is still available at Amazon and on E-bay. I highly recommend it as an addition to your own library!
Be studious! Be searching! And I'll be back!!
10.05.2008
Three Generations of Creative Women!
My mother with her Mariner's Compass piece
Then me, my brothers (both of whom are engineers like my father) and Mom
And then my treasure, my daughter Katie Jane.
Katie is also the fifth generation of the women in our family to have Jane for a middle name -- Katherine Jane, Sarah Jane (me!), Lois Jane (Mom), Charlotte Jane (Grandmom) and Sarah Jane (great grandmother).
Be loving! Be learning! And I'll be back!!
9.26.2008
And the First Picture Resides in the Place of Honor!
May I Present My Grandson's First Picture...!!!!
Oh my goodness, I'm SO proud...here is the First Picture of my new grandson, Preston Alan Birbeck!!!
Katie, my Treasure, sent me a letter which I received yesterday. Enclosed was her first sonogram! There's the white wavy I guess amniotic fluid on your left, and Preston is right in the middle, with his head on top (instead of upside down as they so often do...!!!) and part of his arm, and see his little spine so nicely delineated right down the middle??!! I'm excited and entranced and just beside myself!! Although, just for the record I still think I'm too damn young to be a grandma (of course, when IS it ever the "right age"?!!)...
So my Treasure is having a Little Treasure, ok, gotta say it one more time, I'm THRILLED!!!
Now I have to finish the multi-colored crocheted baby blanket I had started, then I have to do a baby quilt in blues, and a little hat and pair of booties. HMMMMM, there will be a LOT of pix in the next few weeks...I'm DETERMINED to get this stuff done before Preston joins us in this world. I only just last month finished the Beatrix Potter baby quilt that I had started for Katie 18 years ago...(*GRIN*)!!
Be excited! Be thrilled with your life -- there's ALWAYS something to bring you joy!! And, I WILL be back!
9.21.2008
And Then Again...! (OR -- Oh Noooo, More UFOs!)
SO, rallying, I found YET another UFO. OK, I've found like LOTS and LOTS!!. But this one, although more time-consuming because less finished, still stands a good chance of being done during the time limit our group (stitchinfingers -- click or see badge on sidebar) has set ourselves. It's one of the "Beyond Crossstitch" series of Victoria Sampler, called 'Azaleas'. I've done two others by VS, I'll have to find them and post pix because I enjoyed doing them. They work up quickly, are quite pretty, and can be finished in a variety of ways. NAYY!
Be brave! Be fearless! And I'll be back!!
9.17.2008
You Never What You'll Find...
Sarah, you possess an interesting balance of hemispheric and sensory
characteristics, with a slight right-brain dominance and a slight preference for
visual processing.
Since neither of these is completely centered, you lack
the indecision and second-guessing associated with other patterns. You have a
distinct preference for creativity and intuition with seemingly sufficient
verbal skills to be able to translate in any meaningful way to yourself and
others.
You tend to see things in "wholes" without surrendering the ability
to attend to details. You can give them sufficient notice to be able to utitlize
and incorporate them as part of an overall pattern.
In the same way, while you are active and process information simultaneously, you demonstrate a capacity for sequencing as well as reflection which allows for some "inner
dialogue."
All in all, you are likely to be quite content with yourself and
your style although at times it will not necessarily be appreciated by others.
You have sufficient confidence to not second-guess yourself, but rather to use
your critical faculties in a way that enhances, rather than limits, your
creativity.
You can learn in either mode although far more efficiently
within the visual mode. It is likely that in listening to conversations or
lecture materials you simultaneously translate into pictures which enhance and
elaborate on the meaning.
It is most likely that you will gravitate towards those endeavors which are predominantly visual but include some logic or structuring. You may either work particularly hard at cultivating your auditory skills or risk "missing out" on being able to efficiently process what you
learn. Your own intuitive skills will at times interfere with your capacity to
listen to others, which is something else you may need to take into account.For more fun seeing everyone's submissions, click here and
enjoy!