Savor Each Moment

I can't help but be somewhat subdued tonight after hearing the news about actress Natasha Richardson, who died after a fall while taking a beginner skiing lesson. I hope they know that tons of people give them their love and thoughts of hope. This is the kind of story that just makes your heart break for the entire family. I admit that death, in its many forms, seems to make me cry easily these days, whether I see it in a program I'm watching, or just hear about someone who died. Being with my mother when she passed away gives me a picture of each person keeping their bedside vigil, hoping their loved one will survive, or waiting for them to be out of their pain. I supposed the numbness of my mom's death in June is wearing away, replaced by a sadness that pops up when I least expect it. Life is so short, and you really do have to savor every moment.

I am still working on gathering photos for my website page titled "Photos."It's not an easy process and I guess that's a good thing - it means I have lots of photos I think are good. I think I might go out this weekend and take some new city pictures if the weather is nice. Blue skies are coming to Pittsburgh - today was a gorgeous day.

I was on the Quilting Friends site today and they asked about our favorite tools. Mine is my Martelli Ergo 2000 Rotary Cutter and the Martelli Quilter's Edition Mat, called a Round-a-bout. The round-a-bout is so cool. It has a spinning base so when you need to trim, you just turn the mat, not your block. The ergonomic cutter is wonderful for your hand. I never use my old one anymore.

Carpe Diem.

Top o' the Mornin' to You!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you! I'm sitting here working on the computer, listening to my various Irish CD's and tapes today - from the Chieftains and Bagpipe music to a tape called "Kiss Me I'm Irish," that has one of my favorite songs, The Murphy Bed. Some of these Irish songs are hilarious. It's got all the classics - It's a Great Day for the Irish, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, and McNamara's Band. It also has Maureen O'Hara, the actress, singing several songs. I used to drive the boys crazy in the car making them listen to this tape about a week before St. Patrick's Day. It was great fun! I have to admit though, her rendition of Danny Boy is the best.

So, this week I've been reactivating my account at Facebook. There's also a Quilting Site similar to Facebook called Quilting Friends. I'm pretty new to both, so I'm having some growing pains. I didn't know it was possible to be socially awkward online - like when you look yourself up and it says "Mary Jane has no friends." How depressing. And then there's that point where you find someone you know and you reach that moment of decision. Should I "friend" them or not? Do I really want them to know I was here? Do I want them as a friend? Or do I want them to know what I am doing? Hmmm, it's all quite a dilemma.

I signed up last week on several quilting blog sites and this week found a new one. You can find it at QuiltQua.com. It's got blogs, show and tell, links, articles, and lots of other great stuff. There are loads of wonderful pictures too. You have to take the link just to find out what Qua means.

I'm also busy trying to link my photos to a new website I've found so folks can see them and order them. Please check back in the next week or so, I hope to have the link up by then. I have so many beautiful photos and am anxious to share them.

Until we meet again....(the bagpiping is getting to me)

A Duel?

I think it's odd that so many people are writing about Michelle Obama's arms (here I am writing about it, too) and how she should cover them up. Any woman that has arms that are as beautifully defined as hers are, should show them off as often as possible. Please, all you critics, don't try to tell her how to dress - she knows what she looks good in and doesn't need your help. There's no reason to cover her arms unless she's cold. Personally, I admire her style and think she looks great!

In reading other people's answers to the SewMamaSew stash questions, I was surprised by how many people don't iron their fabric, even when they're into their project. Personally, I think it's so essential to iron your fabric - having everything crisp makes the seams match so much better, but that's just me.

I've been registering my blog on a variety of blog sites in the past few days. I am totally amazed at how many names are out there for websites, in addition to how many bloggers are out there. My own name, The Quilting Crusader, was one that my kids came up with when they were little. The idea was that I was a Super Hero Quilter. We came up with names for all my trusty sidekicks and my adversaries. As I was searching I came across a site called The Quilting Pirate. It's a very nice site and well done. But I gotta tell you, I laughed when I read the name. I could just picture her Pirate and my Crusader in a duel. "En Garde!!" We could cross needles with one another, but who would win?? Of course, I have the shield of my thimble, so I think I have the edge. To my fellow quilter out there -- "Arghhh!"

What do I sew?

I found a site today called SewMamaSew.com and they asked folks to share information about their fabric stashes. After reading the blogs (all very interesting, I might add) I thought I'd take the plunge and answer the questions. I will admit up front, that I feel I have an embarrassment of riches, as far as my sewing space and stash are concerned.

What do you usually sew? Quilts. I did take a sewing class a long time ago when I was learning how to use my sewing machine. I made 2 skirts, a couple tops, and a jacket. And I made my youngest son a cute Dalmatian Halloween outfit when he was a baby. Other than that, I make quilts, usually for other people.

When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?) Well, I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I subscribe to the "One yard if you like it, two yards if you love it, and three yards if you can't live without it." The problem is, when I'm buying fabric, I love it all and usually buy three yards when I'm buying fabric. Believe it or not, these fabrics were from three different stores in Lancaster (left of photo, upper right, lower right). I didn't even realize how well they coordinated till I got home.

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need? Typically, I make a big trip to a great store about once or twice a year and go a little crazy buying fabric (like in Lancaster). When I'm there it's all impulse.

Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it? I used to always wash it when I got home. These days, I have a table filled with fabric to be washed before I use it.

Do you iron it? After I take the fabric out of the dryer, it goes in my cupboard. I always iron my fabric before I cut it for a project.

How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.) I tend to love the way fabric stores put colors together, so it's in my cupboard according to the way I bought it (not very efficient, mind you), or in the kit it came with.

Do you have any special folding techniques? I didn't know there were special folding techniques. Now that I've read about some of them, I may just go and have a folding party.

How do you store your fabric? Some of it is on wire shelves, some in wire baskets, some in plastic containers, and some in the bag I still brought it home in from the store. I also use closet organizers that have drawers and keep fabric in there too.

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash? I don't think I know the answer to that. Whenever I try to make something I always need to buy more fabric.

When do you say enough is enough? I think I'm there. Unless I'm somewhere special where I can't resist the fabric buys, I think I need to start producing more quilts in order to be able to buy more.

What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects? I don't think it's possible to bust your stash. Recently I tried to get rid of all my patriotic fabric by getting our Quilt Circle to make a Patriotic Patchwork quilt. The fabric multiplied. I now have more red, white and blue fabric than I started with.

Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it! I love fuchsia. I love this line of fabrics. I think it's called Razzle Dazzle.

What’s your definition of the perfect stash? (Consider sharing a picture or two of your stash & storage, or direct us to a pic on Flickr!) I love my stash. Being organized would make it perfect!!

Things that drive me crazy

Here are some things that drive me nuts.

Plastic surgery and Botox on women who used to be absolutely stunning. Olivia Newton John, Meg Ryan, Annette Benning, and worst of all Cheryl Tiegs. Why do they do this? Did someone actually tell them they look good? Did you see Faye Dunaway on Gray's Anatomy last week - oh my gosh - just awful! Cheryl Tiegs is, ironically, on a show called True Beauty. She looks like a different person. Oh, and Glenn Close - what did she do to her mouth? Why women who are so gorgeous do this to themselves baffles the mind. Sophia Laren looked incredible at the Oscars on Sunday and she didn't look as if she's had surgery. She had normal beauty and wrinkles and laugh lines in her face.

TV's - everywhere! Don't misunderstand me, I love watching TV as much as the next guy, but do I have to be bombarded with TV at every restaurant, doctor's office, dentist's office, airport, PT office, hockey arena, football stadium and baseball park? Is there nowhere I can go where there isn't the white noise of television? I especially hate it at restaurants, which used to be a relaxing place to go away from home.

Blackberry's and cell phones - this includes twittering and texting. What is happening to the attention span of the average adult? On the news today, they showed how the Congress and Senators were twittering during Obama's speech last night. How incredibly rude. It's so much more important to say stupid things like "Here comes the Supreme Court" or lamenting "The Senators have the aisle seats," than to be seen paying attention to someone who is speaking. Where is Emily Post when you need her?

People who talk on their cellphone in restaurants and bookstores in their normal voices -loud and annoying. The same goes for talking on your cell phone when you're with someone else. What better way to say "you don't matter" than to carry on a cell phone conversation in front of your companion. I'm not saying not to ever answer your phone, but truly, is every cellphone call that important? I think the person in front of you deserves your attention first.

Bathroom stalls - I'd love to know who puts the toilet paper dispensers in these stalls. Do they ever try and sit down with those giant 2 rolls dispensers on the wall? They are either too low to reach the paper, or right next to the seat so they dig into your leg or push you off the seat.

Computers - I love them and I hate them. I can't be the only person who keeps having their hard drive crash. I'm on my fourth one. Why doesn't anyone know how to fix these things and get my information off - for a reasonable price?

Great Inventions - No touch sinks, toilets, and paper towel dispensers. When you're traveling the turnpike in PA,, you really appreciate not having to touch anything in the bathrooms.

Let me know what drives you around the bend.

The Steelers really are Super!!

Can you believe it - the Steelers won their 6th Super Bowl championship!!!! What an exciting game that was! They took it down to the last few seconds, keeping the anxiety churning away at us, before they won that game. But how great we all felt when it was over (and we won). We were jumping up and down and hugging each other at my house -how about you? I'm a sometimes football fan, always a Pittsburgh fan. I've really enjoyed these last two Super Bowls and I regret now that I wasn't more "tuned in" to the 70's Steelers. I recall that I was immensely proud of being from the City of Champions and feeling the pride in Pittsburgh, but at the time, I was actually more of a baseball fan (you might recall we also won a World Series in 1979). Can you believe it? I didn't even watch the football games. I mean I was there, and I knew we won, and I celebrated, but I wasn't a football fan. Thank goodness my husband (after 30 + years of marriage) and sons have the patience to still explain the calls to me during the game, or I'd never know what's going on.

I hadn't even realized it's been a month since I blogged. I've been working on scanning the old photos I mentioned previously (which are now done) and am making CD's. I've been quilting a friend's quilt - unfortunately I'm still only capable of loop de loops and swirls on my quilting machine. I'm hoping to progress to pantographs at some point in the future.

Last week at Quilt Circle, I picked up my Cathedral Window blocks to hand sew. It's been so long since I did some hand sewing, I forgot how much I missed it. I tried out a new (new to me anyway) "under the quilt" thimble that actually works. It's called W'nder thimble. You can use it for hand piecing or under the quilt. The plastic is thin enough that it actually works. You can find it at quilterslittlehelper.com.

I don't think I mentioned this, but I got a quilting email about the dress Michelle Obama wore at the Washington Cathedral prayer service and to receive visitors the day after the inauguration. She's wearing a 100% cotton quilt-shop-only fabric design from the 'Empress Garden' collection. This is a photo of Michelle in the dress. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/01/21/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4743183.shtml The fabric is from Kona Bay (a Hawaiian fabric company) and features cranes among the wisteria. You can buy the fabric from Peggyannes.com -they're making a quilt from the featured fabrics. http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Store_id=507&Page_id=17&categ_id=181&parent_ids=0

Two weeks ago, I had a super great exercise week. I walked on the treadmill 5 days in a row, then my knees started hurting, so I rested for a week. Now I'm having back spasms again and am doing PT again for my back. One step forward, two steps back. I keep telling my children to take care of your back - you don't realize how important it is until it gets hurt.

Well, I'm off for now to put a little heat on my back - the good news is that it's getting better.

Till later.

The Shadow of your Smile

If you noticed the comments to the last blog entry, my friend mentioned that the phrase "each one of our ancestors on our tongues" in the inaugural poem is how she sees me. She explained "I think that you are very tied to your ancestors...and they are near your 'surface.' In your everyday life you think about, and search, and do things your ancestors have done.....I do not think that is "Noise" to you, and if it is, it's a good noise that keeps you grounded in family." How ironic that she would say that, considering what I wanted to write about today.

I've spent the last few months, with my son Zack's help, scanning photos from the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's (almost done). We started on this project so that everyone in the family could have a copy of my grandmother's photos, even though there aren't a ton of them. I took the opportunity to ask around for more photos from other relatives. I had photos from 6 different sources, my grandmother, my great-aunt, my mom, 2 of her sisters, and then my dad's photo albums.

I've sat with my grandmother and my mother looking at most of these photos, having them tell me who they are. I've looked at the photos in my dad's photo album, absorbing and analyzing them, and he had the insight to label most of his photos. For the most part, I've lived these pictures over and over again, so identifying them wasn't expected to be hard, just time consuming.

The six folders of photos had several that crossed over, and one aunt would label it one way, and the other aunt another. Sometimes the back of the photos said something else. I wanted to start teaching Zack who some of these people are (it seems so obvious to me). Except for the fact that he kept labeling everyone who was young as Nanny (his grandmother), we finally got into a rhythm. We used labels in one folder to help us in another folder. We soon realized that there were two or three parties scattered over the photos, with different photos in the folders. Zack started using clothes to help identify people in certain photos, which was very perceptive.

Then I lost my helper because he had to go back to school in January, so I continued. I came across one photo of kids that I sent to my "genealogy cousin" (because his dad and mom were at this party) and it turns out they were his brothers and sisters. The party pictures were taken by my dad (most of the 40's-50's photos are after he came on the scene), so I've seen them before. He would take group photos of the adults in the family, one of the brothers and sisters, one of the kids. Does this sound familiar to anyone who knows me? Then I came across a picture with my dad and one of my aunts in it, and several people I wasn't sure of. I identified some from other labels, and kept thinking it over, trying to puzzle out why those people would be in a photo together. A day later, it hit me - it was an "outlaw" photo, and that narrowed down the choices of who the others were in the picture.

My mother has two brothers who are identical twins. We just kept labeling those as "twins" because as babies, who can tell? That's where my dad's photo albums came in. Meticulous to a fault, my dad labeled the photos of the twins in almost every circumstance. I am so thankful he had the foresight to label those baby photos of the twins, or none of us would have had a clue.

I used my genealogy file to cross reference ages with people in the photos or cars in the photo to determine a year for the picture. While I was doing this labeling, I signed on and was using a free trial to Ancestry.com. I've done genealogy research before, but now that the census reports are online, it's so much easier to find someone. I worked all day last Saturday online doing census research that would have taken weeks to do at the library on microfiche. Happily, my relatives are pretty reliably in Pittsburgh, and not too hard to find. There are a few stragglers though, that I'm having a hard time with. You can get so caught up in cross referencing this person with that person, and knowing when they married, and what happened in their lives so would they still be in Pittsburgh in 1920? My head was spinning when I went to bed at 4:00am that night. I dreamt of being in a maze of streets with different names and trying to find cross streets and where they intersected one another. I love to see names that have descended through the generations, and reflect on how much of a wonder it is that we ended up here at all. In a family, sometimes, only one child survived and that happens to be our ancestor.

So then, I'm back to the photos, reviewing them, and I start getting lost in their faces. I see my aunt's face in her children and grandchildren. I see my other aunt in her youngest daughter. I look at my cousins and I can tell who they are as a baby because they have the same smile at 51. I get lost in the smiles and marvel that I didn't realize until recently that I have my mother's smile. I look at my great-grandmother and I think maybe I have her smile too. I wonder what it would have been like to travel here as a young person on a boat, that probably took anywhere from 10-14 days to come to America from Ireland and from England. Did they come alone? Did they travel with family? I wonder how they met one another. I sometimes get lost in what their lives were like. My head spins for awhile over things I'll never know the answer to. I have so many questions now that no one can answer, because people who might know aren't here anymore.

Shortly before my 75 year old grandmother went into the hospital back in 1980, she and I sat on her couch for hours looking at some of these photos. She told me who was in the photos, and told me stories about the people in them. She was so thrilled to talk about her life. I know we exhausted each other that day, but I knew I was going back to Maryland (where I was living at the time) that day and she was going into the hospital soon. I wanted to squeeze every moment out of that special day, because it was unlike any other. She told me with enthusiasm about the day she first married her husband and had to keep it a secret. I had to look at her in a totally different way than I ever had before. I suddenly saw the young girl inside her - that person we all are in our mind, no matter how wrinkled our faces get, or how old or infirm we are.

So my lesson for today, is ask the questions. Ask your parents who they are and how they met. Ask them about what they like and what they are interested in. Ask about their parents and who they were and about their grandparents and where they were from. What kinds of jobs did they have and what drove them? What were their personalities like? And then write it down - for your children and your grandchildren. And then write down your own story. Write down every detail you know today, because 10 years from now, that memory will be gone from your brain. Write down every story your parents tell so it will survive them. Most importantly, when they start to talk, LISTEN.

And while you're at it - label those photos.