"The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most"
-- John Ruskin

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Much Thanks!!

Ok, so here are the results from the little one day survey of the design that I posted yesterday--I've removed the artwork from public display to protect myself from copy cats prowling around out there in the cyber world :( .  Out of 53 votes, the 1st design received 53% of the votes, the 3rd design received 34%, and the 2nd received 13%.

    
So Sophie by My Minds Eye
for Riley Blake Designs
Thanks to everyone who participated in my vote!  I have randomly chosen a winner for a small bundle of 5" precuts from the "So Sophie" collection from Riley Blake designs... Karen - the grandmother, artist, and quilter (don't know her last name yet).  Congrats!  http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/shop/category/riley-blake-designs/just-arrived/so-sophie/so-sophie-cottons/

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

This or That?


I'd love some feedback!  Which color scheme do you prefer in this pattern that I've created?  
Please leave a comment or let me know on Facebook which you vote for, and I'll enter your name into a drawing for some Riley Blake fabric!  




Tuesday, November 22, 2011

self binding blanket...

I just finished this "tactile temptation" baby blanket for my new baby nephew--it's the first time I've made a blanket using the "self-binding" method.  It was super simple!  The blanket is made with soft corduroy, minky, flannel and cotton.  I've added "tabbies" made from ribbon, felted wool balls, and ric-rac that is snipped so that it will fray.  It's not perfect, but alright for a first attempt!  I like the concept, and I think I'll experiment with the pattern until I come up with something that I love.  Then I'll post it if anyone is interested!




Monday, November 14, 2011

Grandpa Woodward 1925~2011

My sweet Grandpa Woodward (Melvin James Woodward) passed away last night.  I woke up this morning to a "face-ache" from crying so much yesterday.  He's my first grandparent to die, and as I'm almost 40, I've had the very unique circumstance to know all of my grandparents through an adult relationship as well as the fond memories of my childhood interaction with them.

I recall that my grandpa, ever the "coach", taught me to play basketball, and golf.  He loved sports and he LOVED coaching!  As a child, I could always expect to be treated to Big Hunk candy bars in his shop.  And, as an adult, I could request that he make a piece of furniture for me in his shop~a table,  lamp,  chest, wall rack, and more.

As a young man, my grandpa was a Marine and served in WWII aboard the USS Enterprise~ the most decorated aircraft carrier of the war (the Star Trek Enterprise took it's name from this famous ship).  Grandpa received several battle stars, and shared stories of the times he shot down enemy Japanese planes, as well as the bomb that hit the deck of his ship but failed to detonate.

He was also a star basketball player and track participant at the University of Utah.  His basketball team won the national championship, beating Kentucky, and placing the U of U on the map in college athletics!


The most admiral quality about my grandpa was something that our family witnessed in the last 6-7 years of his life.  He lost his leg when he was 80 due to diabetes, and yet not once did anyone hear a single complaint from him.  He was so happy and positive for all the years when he suffered with poor health and disability.  He has been a great example to me of being tough, and sweet at the same time.

Go Utes!

looking like a movie star!


Grandpa with his dad & brothers (in the white suit, 2nd from the right)

track & field star at the University of Utah

Grandpa in his Marine uniform
Grandpa (in the middle) somewhere in the South Pacific during the war
rugged outdoorsman


Grandpa making tables for the grandkids

I love my grandpa, & it's with great sadness that I said goodbye for the last time yesterday.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Sweet Caroline Quilt




I guess I should be a little careful about posting this, because I'm giving it to my mom for Christmas.  My mom is something of a blog stalker, so it's likely she's going to see it here.  (Just pretend you didn't, Mom)!

Anyway... here is the latest creation!  It's made using my Sweet Caroline quilt pattern from an assortment of fabric from my stash.  For the complete PDF files of the pattern (the files will be available for a short time only), visit:

https://public.me.com/petiterougehttps://public.me.com/petiterouge