The Little Opera

The Utah Arts Council visits elementary schools and helps classes to write, stage, and costume their own little opera.  On the big day, other students, parents, and grandmas like myself are invited to come watch the final production.

The Arts Council brings in the baby grand piano and a  great sound system with a screen with the words of the students so that we can follow along as they act and sing their hearts out.

My sister went with me and we enjoyed every minute!

 

That is my grandson with the beautiful Beatle's hair cut.

 

Keep in mind that these are kindergartners!  They were so engaged in this project that they had worked so hard to bring about.  Thank you Utah Arts Council!

Easter 2016

Easter came early this year.  And for the first time in years, we did not celebrate it in Arizona.  My spring time dishes had been moved north and the Utah grands would be joining us for our traditional
Easter dinner followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.

Many of the Utah grands had missed the Easter when I knitted spring time critters so this year I put together a few super soft sock lambs for them.

The little miss looked lovely in her  pillowcase Easter dress made from Wonderland fabric.

Have you ever seen cuter bunny faces?

Older cousin got one, too.  Both were really quick to sew up.

Ray graduated this year from hunter to hider.  He was so sweet to help his little sister, Opal, out.

Henry and Oscar were in it for the big haul.  Yes, Grandpa Glen did include money and fireworks as well as candy in the eggs.

Henry really cleaned up in "$" eggs!

Oscar found a few as well.

Ceci just held on to her favorite egg.

I just had to get a picture of her in the tulips.

As you can see, the forsythia was in bloom outside as well as on our Easter table.

I love that they are such good cousins!

Our final shot with Grandpa looking on.

And then I shooed him back inside.  Can't wait until next year!

I hope that you enjoyed a happy, colorful Easter as well.

Civil War is finally finished!

At the beginning of the year my sweet husband asked it my Civil War Sampler Quilt would be finished any time soon.  He thought that he would love to have a writing desk positioned in that location.  While you may think that was a lot to ask, he had actually been very patient.  I had slowly been hand quilting that quilt for years!  I began to make a real effort to finish it up.  It became my project during BYU basketball games.  And soon the end was in sight!

Then it was done and removed from my mother's quilting frame where it had languished for five years.  In 2011 Barbara Brackman began an online sew along of Civil War blocks.  Each week she would release another pattern as well as some Civil War History in remembrance of the beginning of the Civil War 150 years previously.  I came to the party a bit late but by the end of the year had completed all 52 blocks plus a few more so that my layout could be 6 blocks by 9 blocks.  I sewed it together with sashing and borders and made a big decision.  I felt it needed to be hand quilted in keeping with how it would have been done 150 years ago.  I learned that hand quilting is a long process even with a lovely hard wood frame.

So a husband's gentle request brought an ending of a Civil War Remembrance project that took longer than the Civil War.  I used left over backing fabric for the binding.

Those are 8 1/2 inch blocks, each one different.  I fussy cute all of the star corner posts.  I love its patriotic vitality.

The creamy paisley background hides many of my stitches, but that is a good thing!

Special thanks to my sister, Lynette, who quilted with me during BYU football season.

This project was a challenge for me.  It taught me the importance of an accurate 1/4 inch seam as I lost point after point.  I found myself buying a new Bernina 750 which helped greatly with my accuracy after finishing this quilt top.  This project gave me the courage to try harder things.

Great News!

While in Arizona in March, we were invited to the Rustler's Rooste for dinner by my son and his wife.  They told us that they needed to meet with us in person for an important announcement.

 While the sun settled in the west on a beautiful Saturday, they shared with us wonderful news!

Down below, they were setting up for a fun party.  We enjoyed our dinner up above with a great view and a first course of shrimp cocktail graced with a baby pacifier on top.

There was much to talk about because they were announcing the coming arrival of a new baby!  Grandpa was thrilled.

He didn't realize that I was taking his picture thus the more solemn face.

We are all thrilled.  Sometimes we wait a bit longer than wanted for such news!  I can't wait to meet and hold this little one!  I am so happy for these two.

Birthday gift for a boy who loves trucks

My grandson turned two this spring.  I made him a play quilt.

It had to be a play quilt with working trucks and other construction vehicles.

He LOVES trucks.

I found this great fabric panel which was perfect.  I found the smaller plastic trucks and construction vehicles on Amazon.

I loved the black and yellow border and used binding in the same color to come up with the border effect.

I usually try to create a label for the back of my grandchildrens' quilts.

I loosely quilted it with my walking foot and Bernina 750.

I also found him a great book!

I am "2"

I made a quick trip to Arizona for a special birthday celebration.  It began at Joe's Barbecue which is a great place to go with kids.  They love the outdoor dining area.

Especially the trees which they love to climb.

 I just had to take photos of the Birthday Boy's beautiful sisters.

Birthday Boy was happiest standing on the fence next to the street and watching the trucks go by.

We journeyed back to his home for cake and ice cream.

The sisters had helped create a birthday cake with two trucks for two years.

 He was charmed. 

Now it was time to blow out the two candles also with some help.  Grandpa led us in two claps.  This little boy is so happy and loves his world and his extra "mother" sisters.  Happy Birthday!