A Brief Rant

Okay, I'm annoyed enough to need to vent again!

First, there is a commercial for cinnamon rolls--the lady is making 5 rolls--for 6 people! And none are being cut in half for the kids! What gives with that?

Then there is the toothpaste commercial where the spokesperson does not seem to realize that there are two Ts in dentist. She pronounces it "denist".

Can we say "too loud" when we can hear the music coming from earbuds on a pizza roll commercial?

Something I'm grateful for? That the yogurt commercial with a "supermodel" is no longer being aired. Could that have been more disgusting? And we wonder why kids act the way they do.

I do love the new Fancy Feast commercials with the white kitten! And the new show "Mike and Molly". "Blue Bloods". And that guilty pleasure "Glee".

That's it for this Monday evening.

Hugs,
Sharon

Lucky Shot

I admit it...I'm a point and shoot kind of photographer. Unfortunately, I don't seem to do all that well with stationary subjects, much less anything that moves! But a couple weeks ago I caught this photo. Two full sisters circling--and all their feet are in exactly the same position. Seriously, I couldn't have planned that.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Hugs,
Sharon

We Interrupt This Lapse

for wool and woodpeckers! First up, my sweater...yes, that one! I am making good progress, having put the sleeve stitches onto waste yarn and speeding along on the body. I'm almost at the end of my third skein. The yarn is Plymouth Encore, a 75% acrylic/25% wool. Don't you love the striped effect?

This woodpecker was checking out this tree--almost "barber-poling" around it!

I think he has been there before--see all the divots in the tree?

Happy Sunday to everyone, and Happy Easter to those who celebrate it.

Hugs,

Sharon

P.S. I'm reading Once Upon a Time, There was You by Elizabeth Berg. Listening to Hell's Corner by David Baldacci, Santa Fe Edge by Stuart Wood, Happily Ever After by Nora Roberts.

This and That

Shirley, from the Watkins Glen area, joined the Monthly Bliss 1 class last year to keep her daughter, Debbie, company. She wasn't really that happy with her fabric selection and definitely didn't think she liked hand piecing. But, lo and behold, she stuck it out and this is the result:

The blocks are hand pieced, the top set by machine and Shirley had it machine quilted by someone else. It is absolutely beautiful! Something to be proud of. Thanks for sharing, Shirley!

Saturday night I was treated to yet another stunning sunset. The pictures were taken just minutes apart.

Have a great start to your week. The peepers are in full voice--a sure sign of spring. For those of you with butterfly bushes, now is the time to trim them down almost to the ground. They only blossom on new wood.

Hugs,

Sharon

Not Quite This Bad

While not taken today, it wasn't all that long ago that we had ice covering everything. I think the light hitting the ice crystals is so lovely. But also so damaging to the trees.

Happy Thursday! No matter what the weather is, it has to be better than this!

Hugs,
Sharon

Spring--I don't think so!

These were taken today ;-(

Hugs,
Sharon

Monday Came...

and Monday went. In what seemed like a blur. I tried to do a bit of horizontal surface cleaning, which was moderately successful--until you visit the places where the stuff should have been all along and there it now resides--on another horizontal surface! Sound familiar?

Did a bit of horsing around, a bit of knitting--only two rows til I have the increases done and can start the body! Put many of my quilts away--they have been out and about for several weeks and know they get a chance to stretch out and rest. Lynnie breathed a sigh of relief to see the giant suitcase return to the closet.

And now it is blogging and then bed. For those of you who keep track of such things, yes, I am posting a bit earlier than usual ;-)

Hugs,
Sharon

P.S. Yes, Rose, I am still quilting on the mystery quilt. The outlining is done and I have finally decided what I want for the background quilting. It will be worth the wait!

More Proud Moments

My students are just fantastic! Here are the finished quilts of three of these women. First up: Bettina K. of Watkins Glen. This is her rendition of my In Baltimore Style block of the month. Featuring four cutwork designs, four flower-filled vases and a center heart wreath, Bettina hand appliqued and hand quilted her beautiful quilt. And, she designed the top appliqued band--a perfect complement to the blocks.

Here's a close-up of one of the blocks. Stunning, Bettina! Thanks for sharing!

Lori M., also from Watkins Glen, completed the Monthly Bliss 2 hand piecing series. Lori chooses beautiful fabric combinations for all her quilts. And her workmanship is meticulous. Just gorgeous, Lori!

This is Sue Y.'s rendition of Monthly Bliss 1, another hand piecing series. Sue had her quilt professionally longarmed and the designs chosen truly complemented the top.

Those of you who are long-term readers of the blog may remember other quilts from all three ladies. You can see them again by choosing the "quilting" or "students" category in the left hand column.

Thank you, Bettina, Lori and Sue for sharing your works of art. All three are in a long-term applique class with me now--and their blocks are striking. I'll share more as we go along. All these classes were held at O'Susannah's in Watkins Glen.

That's it for tonight! Thanks for tuning in. Happy Monday, everyone!

Hugs, Sharon

P.S. I am listening to Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb. Love the entire series.

Tonight's Sunset

After spending a wonderful day teaching several extremely nice women to hand quilt my way, I was treated to this sunset. The sky changed colors very quickly and was just spectacular. Enjoy!

Hugs,

Sharon

April 1--No Fooling!

Are any of you suffering a time warp? How can it possibly be April 1? Isn't it harder to believe when spring never seems to get here? The lilacs and maple trees are just waiting for a really warm day to burst forth with leaves. It's like they are holding their breath in anticipation.

It's been a really good day here--a lot of basting (quilt sandwiches for a class), good friends, horses (it was like herding cats!), and a spot of knitting. Hopefully I can remember to get a picture of my ever-increasing sweater soon. I am almost to the end of the increases! I just love the yarn.

Hope none of you were seriously fooled by anyone/anything today. I'm always glad when I can escape unscathed!

More tomorrow! Happy Saturday, everyone!

Hugs,
Sharon