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Jeanie Sullivan, who worked as Vendor Coordinator for the AQS show in Paducah, KY has regretfully stepped down from that position upon the advice of her doctors. She has gone from a full-time worker bee back to being a stay at home homemaker. Yes, on top of my many other monikers, today I will be therapist. Jeanie will be the comedian. This was her email to me today. Read on!

Dear Ricky

Emergency advice needed, I am not prepared for this... decided to clean the oven... which was okay, as it is self cleaning, I opened a double pack of Clorox magic eraser, note to self ... will write to them later that these need to be larger, as I progressed around the room I noticed things moving in the corner of the room, not knowing for sure what it was, I wore protective gear (grandsons hard hat and hair coloring gloves (as I evidently have not cleaned since working at Schroeders) working for me has been deciding what color of hair I wanted not scrubbing the walls and we won't even talk about the bathroom. I also put on as my protective gear my camo pajamas as I thought if it could not see me it would not fall on me. .... ....after looking through my grandson's binoculars it turned out to be a massive cobweb an had obviously been busy knitting this web for years, one sweep of the only cleaning supply I have (a ruler from Jean Lyle) did not move it, after the second sweep and many attempts of jumping forward and backwards really fast - well as fast as fat can move - in my head it was ninja fast... it fell right at me, my screaming and stomping, jumping onto a chair that moved when I tried to land on it, so the chair rolling, around the floor moving other objects aligned neatly until today, awoke my sleeping husband who just worked off a 16 hour midnight shift.
My instructions are to sit on the couch and knit quietly for the rest of the afternoon and not even look at him for any reason.
I think we are going to have to go through therapy together. But the web is gone, and I only have one blister, two bruises and my pride.
I will read and study a little more or maybe even buy a subscription to How to clean after 50..

Jeanie


Dear Jeanie,

This is a riot - now, for your next assignment as you will find this worthwhile, entertaining, and also provide a great connection to over 22,000 quilters.
1. Join The Quilt Show, if you have not done so. This modest subscription fee will do more for you than the therapist.
2. Create your personal profile - it's easy, but even if you find it a challenge, you'll learn something new.
3. Click on Member Blog and create your own Member Blog - call it My Life After AQS
4. Post your email to me as your first blog - you'll get several responses.
5. Continue your blog diary right there online for the world to see - post frequently.
6. Explore other site features such at the 7000+ quilts and Ricky's Rhapsody Reality Blog (but start with Blog 1 on that)
7. Report back to me on how this quilt therapy has helped you make the transition from working to homemaking again.


Ricky

Look for Jeanie's profile - she's promises to become one of us! Is that a blessing or curse?

Update - Jeanie has joined - she is MyLifeAfterAQS 

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      Wedding Gift-"Lighthouse @ Peggy's Cove" by NikiB

Quilters all over the world share their talents with family and friends by giving quilts.  They are made for new babies, graduations, weddings and other such occasions.  A great deal of thought and effort goes into the creation of this special gift.  Ideas used for the pattern and design are as varied as the quilts themselves (hobbies, articles of clothing, special times spent together, vacations, etc.).  With each quilt the creator is giving a part of themselves along with a wonderful memory. 

Keep that memory from fading by makin a label for the quilt.  A label preserves the name of the maker, the occasion, and when it was made.  It can be simple or elaborate.  The choice is up to you.  For more ideas on making your own quilt labels you might want to read The Ultimate Book of Quilt Labels by Margo J. Clabo.  

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So it rained on Saturday - that didn't dampen our spirits one little bit!

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     "Out of Africa Baby" by ardyt

Sometimes it takes a special project for a friend to get you out of your comfort zone.  "Out of Africa Baby" was made as a baby quilt.  Mom has a Masters in African Art History so African fabrics were the obvious choice.  Ardy did not think she would like the fabrics, but soon found herself loving the bright colors and patterns. The pattern is original but inspired by the work of Sandy Cummings. 

The next time you decide to make a quilt why not go out on a limb and work in colors and patterns that are out of your usual arena.  Who knows, you just might find you like a whole new range of fabrics to add to your collection.

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Sorry but the following link was removed from YouTube for copyright issues. It was the William Tell Overture sung by a very experienced mom. - Very funny. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_oc1j5NakY

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If you are web savy, no doubt you have http://www.quiltersbuzz.com/ ear marked in your favorites. We LOVE Gina for her enthusiasm, insight and so much more. Today, take a moment to check out the latest post - it is from Photo Man's observations of Quilting in the Garden 07!

(Photo by Gregory Case)

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    "Accrington Brick" by drlodown

If you have spent any time walking around a quilt store lately you probably saw these beautiful bundles of fabrics called "Jellyrolls"on display.  They are 2 1/2" x 44" strips of one entire fabric line wrapped up like a cinnamon bun and tied with a ribbon.  Very yummy, but what exactly can you make with it?  It certainly is not enough to make a lap or bed quilt. 

TQS member drlodown designed this very sweet baby quilt with a jellyroll pack.  She actually has some fabric left over.  You could also make a wallhanging or table runner.  Think of all of the  holiday gifts for family and friends you could whip up in a short time.

The next time you need to come up with a small quick project think of a jellyroll.  For more pattern ideas check out Strip Happy by Donna Kinsey.  They are very delicious without all of the calories.

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Last night while I was editing Quilting in the Garden Vid blogs there was a knock at the door. The gentleman, Mr. Redding, who was collecting money for abused kids instantly commented on my haircut. I replied that was a good pick up line and then he broke into............. - This is a REALLY true story!

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Rain and shine the show went on. This year's featured artist was Valori Wells from Sister's OR. Valori, her Mom (Jean Wells) and baby Violet made the treck from OR to share, present and tempt our pocket books with fabulous goodies.

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Terese Agnew was walking through a department store one day and noticed the signs of all of the designers posted amongst the garments for sale.  Having recently met a couple of garment workers, she realized that their identity and was rarely thought of and deliberately hidden.  She became inspired to create a work of art utilizing the tags from the garments themselves.  Her work is based on a photograph taken by Charles Kernaghan of a labor worker in Bangladesh.

There was a massive campaign to aquire the labels, with thousands of people painstakingly cutting the labels from garments.  She used the labels in numerous ways to create shading, background and a border.  "I have always been fascinated with how the work of art becomes an artwork", she says.  "Twenty years ago I started out as a public sculptor.  My early work included large-scale installations that involved hundreds of people in the art making process.  Their involvement demonstrated the potential for people's labor to become a form of public communication".  In 1991 she started making art quilts in addition to sculpture. 

You can learn more about Terese's work by clicking here.