Daily Blog

Cheryl’s Memory I sit looking out of the kitchen window trying to visualize how she looked. She was so pretty, blonde curly hair, blue-green eyes, a wonderful smile but the clarity of her inner beauty came with her voice and laughter. I can barely remember her voice she was always happy and the sweet way she talked was like music. No matter what the weather each time she called, she brought sunshine into my heart. Oh, Lord how I miss her, today is the fifth anniversary of her death; a dreadful death by breast cancer, Cheryl put up a valiant fight, it took a long painful two-year and half years she fought hard for her life; it was a brave struggle. She finally let go. Leaving behind those who loved her, we all felt her pain we all suffered with her right up to the day she let go. Her husband and two children have never come to grips with her passing. This week will be hard on them. Grief is an action it has to find a place to go and taking your eyes off your pain and helping others is a survival skill. I sought to find comfort in volunteering. I am a quilter and I heard of a group forming to both celebrate the love of quilting and to be a force for fighting Breast Cancer. The funds raised would go to supporting patients in our own community. I joined the Gig Harbor Quilt Festival. Their cause is Breast Cancer; they raise money for local Breast cancer patients all the while promoting the love of quilting in our community. There are so many fundraisers where the money collected goes outside of your community or even state they collect it for research and only a portion comes back to the giving community. There are so many women standing in front of their mirrors and feeling that strange lump, they have no insurance and no idea what to do next. That is where GHQF come in we have funds to provide free screening, counseling and so much more. We have raise over $157,000. Every penny stays in our community. I became the Silent Auction Chair, the first year my silent auction made $900, last year we made $10,000 on the Silent Auction alone, wow is all I can say. This year I stepped down and work in a supporting roll, my heart will always belong to GHQF. I learned the secret of giving/volunteering while leading a support group, I thought I was helping the patients but soon learned they were healing my spirit and I was getting better. There is magic in giving of yourself to others; a magic you ca not find anywhere else. We also have a group of women that meet every other Tuesday they make Comfort quilts for the patients of a local Oncologist. Just picture yourself going to chemotherapy for the first time and having a nurse rap a bright quilt around you, and saying “This quilt is for your recovery; it is a gift from people who care about you.” The sad thing is we cannot keep up with the volume of new patients; we live in what seems to be an epidemic state that is why getting that Mammogram is so important. Have you had yours lately? The phone finally rings I suspect it will be my granddaughter she always calls on the anniversary of her mothers death, we will probably talk for an hour or so, maybe even cry a little. Grieving stays in your broken heart, the act of giving of yourself relieves the pressure but the pain never goes away.

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The Spirit of the Mola

Women have been artists from day 1. Click above and see the Mola created by the women of Panama. Alex visited the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles in San Jose, California and she brings you a sample of the wonderful art and fashion of the Kuna women on display there through October 25, 2009.

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A Bear at Autumn Rock

Many of you know that the key goal when going to Autumn Rock is to see a bear - which might happen once or twice a year. Well, this past Friday we had a gathering with friends out at the property. We were sitting by the fire just below the rock and I caught movement out of the corner of my eye - yes, it was a bear! Whoo-hoo! Better yet, I had my video camera in my hand and I was able to grab a few seconds of the event.

Someday I'm gonna make a Bear Paw quilt. Has anyone out there made one? I have one Bear Paw block in my first quilt.

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Recording in Nashville

All of the recording for my new Christmas CD (Christmas in a Small Town) is complete. I was in Nashville last week for the final recording sessions with fantastically talented players. Here is a clip from the string session on Northern Lights. This is a 12 piece section, but we recorded everything 3 times - so that ends up creating a 36 piece strings section. Just thought you might like to take a peek into this part of my world.

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IQA Long Beach #4- International Quilts

IQA is aware that quilting knows no boundaries. Let's take a look at quilts from around the world.

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Correction: Chat with Cathy Franks Tonight!

Photo by Gregory Case Photography

Be sure to join us tonight, Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 5:00pm Pacific/8:00pm Eastern (01:00 GMT on August 13, 2009), when Cathy Franks is our "Featured Guest" in the chat room. This will be a great opportunity for you to ask her for tips and tricks that can help you with your next quilting masterpiece.

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Just when......

I started video editing, Pop Pop (known fondly as the tomato farmer) stopped by with this basket of delicious treats from his garden. I instantly "got busy" and made gazpacho! Because of the mess that ensued, I decided to make buckets of this fantastic summer soup. I promptly took some to my friends at Alden Lane, because the plants were purchased there. When I was talking to Cyndee, she said that there are still a few openings in my and Laura's class. So if you are considering taking a class at this year's Quilting in the Garden - do not delay. Sign up today.

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Door County 2009 - NQR

I decided to put together a slide show of last weeks vacation - I hope you enjoy!

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Door County Cont.

I tried to walk around (not just from shop to shop or restaurant to restaurant) the area. One of the things I love about Door County is that flowers seem to grow effortlessly. In addition, these wonderful fences are everywhere. Hmmmm...maybe it is time to sign up for a class from David Taylor! As an aside, if you have not yet watched his show (406) - this is a top list priority - If you have, it might be time to watch again!