Is this really a school?

Sometimes it is hard to tell if I work in a school, a pet store or a zoo.  We are very much a pet friendly place and you never know what kind of animals you will see when you go into a classroom.  The chicks are in a special ed. classroom, the class watched them hatch.  Unfortunately, the ones that hatched died and the teacher went out and found the same kind of chicks that were just a day old.  He is one of the best teachers.



Jack is the granddog of our retiring health teacher. 

I was looking forward to our PE teacher bringing in his goat, but the weather was just too bad.  Can't wait to see what kind of animals show up. 

Red and White Swap

A few weeks ago I stumbled across a red/white fabric swap sponsored by Karen over at Sew Many Ways.  I have been trying not to do too many swaps, just because I am trying to sew what I have not get  more, but I couldn't pass this one up.  This one is my favorite colors red/white.  I can't wait to see what I get and decide what to do with it.  I need to get busy cutting the fabric for the swap I am doing at Thimbles next month.  Wish me luck!!!

What will I do?

I don't know what I am going to do next year without my clerk.  Neva and I have worked together for the last four years, we came to Shiloh and started in the media center at the same time.  It has been the best working relationship.  Neva is always there ready and willing to do whatever I ask of her, I don't even have to ask most of the time.  It is like she can read  my mind and know what has to be done.  After much soul searching she and her family are moving to Dothan, AL to take care of her parents.  I completely understand this, but I am going to miss her.  I decided to make her a quilt as a going away present.  I wanted it to be one that was very girly looking, so her DH and DS wouldn't want to use it. I used a Moda jelly roll pack since I didn't have a lot of time to get it made.  Lisa quilted it for me and she did a wonderful job on it.  (I actually thought about keeping it)  I couldn't wait until the last day of school, I gave it to her last week.  Neva emailed me this photo of Cody, her poodle,  on the quilt.  It has the Cody stamp of approval.  I am glad that this is our last week of school, but I am very sad that it is the last week that Neva and I will be working together.  I already miss her. 

How does my garden grow?

Three weeks ago



Yesterday

 Yes, our garden is growing!!  While growing up we always had a garden, and I swore that I would never ever have one and do all of that work when I grew up, well I am eating those words.  (hopefully, will soon be eating other stuff.)  DH has really gotten into this gardening thing.  I am really glad that he has found something to keep him busy.  The potatoes are blooming, the watermelons and yesterday I picked the collards, and mustard.  Now we just need some rain, for everyting to keep growing.  In addition to all of the veggies, we also have a healthy crop of posion ivy, which I can just look at and break out.

Classes in Paducah

Several months ago, I started thinking about my job and my future.  I love my job, but to be honest jobs in the school system aren't as secure as they once were.  In addition this is my second career, so I still have lots, and I do  mean lots more years to go.  Sometimes I wonder if I can make it.  I thought about what I could do after retirement or if I happened to lose my job.  I love quilting, but don't want to do it for other people, I also love reading but don't think there is a career in reading for other people.  After some thinking I realized I could put together two of my loves, quilting and history.  I knew that there were people out there who appraised quilts and decided to pursue quilt appraisal as a third career.   I was advised to start reading about history of quilts which I have  been doing.  I was also advised to take the skills classes in Paducah.  I did and had the best time.I had three days of classes taught by Mr. Gerald Roy (of the Pilgrim Roy collection) and two wonderful ladies, Carol and Linda.  I never knew how much there was to know about quilt appraising.  This is not something that you  become an expert at overnight.  I have a long way to go, but am definitely working on it.

Quilt from Alabama in appraisal class.

Quilt blocks from Montana in our appraisal class.

I am still doing lots of reading and have started trying to put together a collection of antique quilts.  Wish me luck.

Sixties Day at School

Last Friday was Sixties Day for one of our fifth grade classes.  It was a class that I had worked with a lot during the year and they wanted me to participate with them.  One of our teachers had just purchased this van which was a perfect background for photos for the kids.  Unfortunately, they thought that it was mine from the 1960's.  I guess I made a pretty convincing hippy.

Blogger's Spring Quilt Festival

I always look forward to Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival.  There are always the some of the most beautiful quilts on display.  I wanted to show something new, but really dont' have anything new that I haven't blogged about recently.  I looked back thorough some of my quits and decided to show one of my all time favorites that I did a couple of years ago.  This was a kit that we 

did in Silver Thimbles, put together by Mary Ellen over at Little Quilts.  (she outdid herself on this one).  The pattern is Glory Bound by Bonnie Blue Quilts.  There isn't anything about this quilt that I don't like.  I am thinking about taking it to our cabin and hanging it on one of the walls.  If DH can have his hobby hanging up (deer heads)  I can too!!

 

It called my name

 I am trying really, really hard to not start any new projects, but I couldn't help myself with this one.  A coulple of months ago I saw this pattern in a  magazine and couldn't get it out of my mind.  The name of the quilt is Stars of the Olde West, (perfect for the quilting cowgirl, right).  It has a lot of applique and I am trying to finish my Carrie Hall applique blocks but had to put them aside and start this one. 

The background blocks are four neutrals sewn together with large circles appliqued on them, then there is a star added to the top of the circle.  I am trying to get all of the circles done before I start adding stars.  I have finihsed three of the circles so far.  It is a good thing I have a collection of neutrals.

Great Funny Read

My clerk said yesterday that since I read such a variety of books how did I decide what to read?  I thought about it before I answered and then said, I did lots of window shopping a the public library.  In some cases the books are wonderful and I discover a new author, in some cases the books don't do it for me and I don't even finish them.   Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter by Lisa Patton is one of those books that I devoured and didn't want to end. It has been a long time since I laughed out loud while reading a book.   My husband kept asking me what I was laughing at, and it just didn't translate well.  The main character Leelee Satterfield leaves her home in Memphis, TN to help hubby run an Inn in Vermont.  Needless to say, things don't go very smoothly for this Southern Bell in Yankee land.  I think one reason I loved it is because I grew up about 90 miles from Memphis, so I could relate.  If you are looking for a quick funny read I would definitely recommend this one.  I am anxiously awaiting the sequel this fall. 

I met Quilt Man

 While in Paducah last week I ran into Quilt Man at the Museum.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pose with him.  Later that same day Becky and I saw him and his new sidekick Bobbin

Bobbin was having a little trouble staying on his skateboard.

Great time in Paducah

I can't believe that it has already been a week since my friend Becky and I headed to Paducah for the Quilt Show.  We had a great time catching up on everything in the world on the drive up.  Our first stop once reaching Paducah, even before heading to our hotel, was Hancock's of Paducah.  It was just our luck that it was closing just as we pulled up in front of the door.  Since we couldn't fabric shop we decided to head to the hotel, it the best hotel I have ever stayed  in but at least we had a room.  Several hotels were flooded and people had to find other rooms.  Hotels weren't the only things flooded, this photo shows a park that was down the street from our hotel. 



The Ohio River just beyond the flood walls in Paducah.

The bubble or marshmallow where the award winning quilts and some vendors were located due to flooding.

Aside from the weather Becky and I had a great time.  I had three days of Quilt Appraisal classes while Becky had fun looking at quilts and shopping.  I did find time to see all of the award winning quilts and do some shopping.  I was very lucky to be in the bubble and meet Pat Holly with her Best of Show Quilt.  It isn't a great photo, but I did ask her permission to use it and she graciously gave it.  Her quilt is absolutely outstanding.  I understand why it was awarded Best of Show. 



Pat Holly and her award winning quilt.