For Christmas, Cindy had my blog published so I decided to reread it. It's much easier to read when it is in order, rather than going back and forth, so, thanks, Cindy. As I was reading it I noticed 3 typo's, all on the same blog page, which I corrected. One was a grammar error, another a spelling error (which was underlined, but I didn't catch) and the last one was "quite" instead of "quiet". And I read it ... how many times ... before publishing it?
I do like the book, but miss the links, so if you want to access the links, the blog is the place to go.
Chuck got me a Kindle and I do like it. No, I haven't given up books completely. I still like quilt books with patterns in book form and some older books are cheaper in paperback. I downloaded Mark Twain's autobiography, published this year 100 years after his death & a very big book, and John Casey's new book onto my Kindle. Now I need a trip to not have heavy books to cart with me. I did start reading the Twain book & like it.
I'm going to try and be more diligent about blogging
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
March
We have been having a great time at The Villages, but not all the days have been sunny, and that’s been a blessing. The first day we got here we had dinner with Risë and Denny then Risë and I went to a Central NY gathering while the boys stayed home and watched WVU play basketball. We got home and I got up early the next morning to go to an 8:30 AM quilt meeting. Next was some grocery shopping and getting to know the house & that evening was the monthly quilt meeting. YES, I went!
From there it has been walking with some Greece people ... former teachers & their spouses. We walked every day ... except I miss Tues. mornings because I HAVE to go to the quilt meeting. But Chuck walks. But we are only fair weather walkers.
We got to sleep in 2 mornings because it rained & it felt good. Chuck kept occupied with all the basketball ... it’s endless in March. Even with the rain, it was warm so I set up a sewing room on the screened in porch. Beth Brandkamp had given me oodles of stripes of fabric which were leftovers from some project she got carried away doing and I decided to finally use them up by making comfort quilts.
I was happily sewing away when the phone rang and it was Risë wondering what I was doing and when I told her about my porch set up she asked me if I heard a weather report. No, I had my iPod plugged in, but I knew it was raining heavily. She thought perhaps I should go inside and I told her I would take care ... but ignored her. That is until the phone rang again with a tornado alert. When I got back to my sewing, some of my fabric was quite wet because the rain was not coming down straight anymore, but sideways. So I went to the kitchen table. Oh, yes, the tornado hit Ocala, not us, but it was a productive day.
And those of you that saw my facebook entry and were wondering why I was complaining that the iron was cold, thinking I’ve lost my marbles because I was ironing ... it was for the quilt which only needs binding now And I have enough to make another one, but have to shop for some backing.
From there it has been walking with some Greece people ... former teachers & their spouses. We walked every day ... except I miss Tues. mornings because I HAVE to go to the quilt meeting. But Chuck walks. But we are only fair weather walkers.
We got to sleep in 2 mornings because it rained & it felt good. Chuck kept occupied with all the basketball ... it’s endless in March. Even with the rain, it was warm so I set up a sewing room on the screened in porch. Beth Brandkamp had given me oodles of stripes of fabric which were leftovers from some project she got carried away doing and I decided to finally use them up by making comfort quilts.
I was happily sewing away when the phone rang and it was Risë wondering what I was doing and when I told her about my porch set up she asked me if I heard a weather report. No, I had my iPod plugged in, but I knew it was raining heavily. She thought perhaps I should go inside and I told her I would take care ... but ignored her. That is until the phone rang again with a tornado alert. When I got back to my sewing, some of my fabric was quite wet because the rain was not coming down straight anymore, but sideways. So I went to the kitchen table. Oh, yes, the tornado hit Ocala, not us, but it was a productive day.
And those of you that saw my facebook entry and were wondering why I was complaining that the iron was cold, thinking I’ve lost my marbles because I was ironing ... it was for the quilt which only needs binding now And I have enough to make another one, but have to shop for some backing.
Friday, January 29, 2010
My Paula Nadelstern Top
This is how to spend a cold winter day! I couldn't wait to get these blocks together and I LOVE it! The photo doesn't show it quite square, but it will be when I quilt it and hang it properly. I think I'll do that in FL in March.
I didn't mention, for you non-quilters, why it is a puzzle quilt. There are 6 repeat blocks made with the same pattern pieces, but using different fabrics in the blocks. There are 16 (I know I said 25, but that was not correct. Guess I couldn't count ... or type. I was probably thinking about the other designs that are still running around in my head!) blocks and I made 2 blocks twice and 4 blocks 3 times each. That was a huge challenge because they had to go into one quilt and I had such a variety of fabrics. I didn't buy ALL new fabrics as I have quite a stash already. I think that's why I'm so pleased with the end ... almost ... result.
I haven't heard if the new babies are here across the street, but I have to do their "I Spy" first. Allison was scheduled for a "C" section today.
If you want to see the individual blocks up close, check out my previous blog. I labeled the blocks so you can see which blocks use the same pattern pieces. I did change the one block 6 so it is pieced as the other one ... a change from the Nadelstern block 6, but still using the same pattern pieces. I just oriented half the block differently because I liked the way the center looked.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Puzzle Quilt
When I went to my first quilt workshop in the early 1980's, I agonized about what fabrics I should bring. Did I have the “right” ones for the project? Was there enough variety? What did the teacher have in mind? I probably had more questions and I expressed my frustration to a classmate. She said she never fussed over that because she just concentrated on learning the technique. From there on I adopted her view. And it worked.
Until I took Paula Nadelstern’s puzzle class. I bought the “perfect” fabric ... until I worked with it. I used the fabric and certainly learned the technique, but it just didn’t work. See? I matched most of the parts, except for that one center block, which I didn’t notice until I posted this picture. But that wasn’t the problem.
Paula kept telling us that “more is better” and she was right! The more blocks I made, the prints I used became smaller and not as large as in this first block. These are puzzle block # 5.
So I’m using these 2 and the first one I made will be a pillow. Next I became obsessed with all the possibilities. These are so addictive! This was my next block and the camera came in very handy. The blue corners did not work for me, but I like the corners now.
Can you believe it? This is the same block pattern as the one above! Yes, the exact same pattern pieces were used in block # 3. The blocks are from Paula’s Puzzle Book. There are 6 blocks in the book and Paula has us making 2 of each. And then I was off and running ... well, that’s stretching it. I’ve never been known to do anything fast, but slow and steady was my way.
Next came block # 1:
And then block # 4:
And I never noticed that I turned one of the parts the wrong way on this until a couple of weeks later. See it in the lower left corner? I’m so glad it was not in the middle!
Block 6:
There. Done. Now to find a sashing. I went to Patricia’s House of Fabric’s because I knew my daughter, Cindy, was taking a class there so I’d take a peek at her work and have help picking out the fabric. Cindy had already gone home (I thought the class ended at 4, but it was 1). Pat Pauly was still there so I laid out my 12 blocks and she ohh’d and ahh’d appropriately and we picked out a purple batik. Chuck was also there when Pat said, “Have you thought about making it a square?” I hadn’t, but Chuck thought it was a great idea. So in 1 week I made these 4 extras:
So now all I have to do is put the sashing and cornerstones with all these blocks and quilt it. It isn't as polished as Paula's quilts, but she has done many more of these, but I really like the blocks.
Please don't hold your breath waiting for the finished product as my next quilt is another "I Spy" for a new baby and that will preceed this one.
Until I took Paula Nadelstern’s puzzle class. I bought the “perfect” fabric ... until I worked with it. I used the fabric and certainly learned the technique, but it just didn’t work. See? I matched most of the parts, except for that one center block, which I didn’t notice until I posted this picture. But that wasn’t the problem.
Paula kept telling us that “more is better” and she was right! The more blocks I made, the prints I used became smaller and not as large as in this first block. These are puzzle block # 5.
So I’m using these 2 and the first one I made will be a pillow. Next I became obsessed with all the possibilities. These are so addictive! This was my next block and the camera came in very handy. The blue corners did not work for me, but I like the corners now.
Can you believe it? This is the same block pattern as the one above! Yes, the exact same pattern pieces were used in block # 3. The blocks are from Paula’s Puzzle Book. There are 6 blocks in the book and Paula has us making 2 of each. And then I was off and running ... well, that’s stretching it. I’ve never been known to do anything fast, but slow and steady was my way.
Next came block # 1:
And then block # 4:
And I never noticed that I turned one of the parts the wrong way on this until a couple of weeks later. See it in the lower left corner? I’m so glad it was not in the middle!
Block 6:
There. Done. Now to find a sashing. I went to Patricia’s House of Fabric’s because I knew my daughter, Cindy, was taking a class there so I’d take a peek at her work and have help picking out the fabric. Cindy had already gone home (I thought the class ended at 4, but it was 1). Pat Pauly was still there so I laid out my 12 blocks and she ohh’d and ahh’d appropriately and we picked out a purple batik. Chuck was also there when Pat said, “Have you thought about making it a square?” I hadn’t, but Chuck thought it was a great idea. So in 1 week I made these 4 extras:
So now all I have to do is put the sashing and cornerstones with all these blocks and quilt it. It isn't as polished as Paula's quilts, but she has done many more of these, but I really like the blocks.
Please don't hold your breath waiting for the finished product as my next quilt is another "I Spy" for a new baby and that will preceed this one.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Renate Neeman
It was a perfect day today. First, the sun shone and that is so welcome after all the snow and gloom we've had. Next it was a quilt club day and that's always a wonderfully inspiring day. Then I met Renate and last ... I picked up my wedding ring. I took it off to knead my stollen and had a difficult time getting it off. It seems I have arthritis in the ring finger knuckle & then when I finished the kneading, I couldn't get it back on. So off to the jeweler to get it enlarged ... and they found that I needed the prongs repaired, too. Since it was Christmas, it took longer. It looks like a shiny new ring.
Here I am with Renate Neeman. Thanks, Ulla, for putting us together. It was such a pleasant visit ... about 2.5 hours. We did not run out of stories to tell each other. We both came upon our history recently so it was interesting to compare notes. Renate, also, was not as aware of all the historical drama as she was shielded. Renate is older than I am, but she was in Germany during the war so her story is different than mine but she felt she was sheltered with family & then a family that nurtured her when she went to Amsterdam, she did not feel like she had a difficult life.
Renate gave me a copy of the manuscript translation that her mother wrote shortly after they arrived in the states and I will read that tonight. I understand a Weinberg is mentioned, but after talking to Renate, I'm not sure it's a relative. The English version is scheduled to be published in the spring by Ulla. Renate had the German version of the book that has the memoirs in it and showed it to me. It seems Renate's cousin met Ulla because the cousin is in the book where I'm mentioned. After the book was published former school mates contacted Renate, just like our press conference. I love the connections!
It was wonderful to meet Renate today. I'm sure we will meet again.
Here I am with Renate Neeman. Thanks, Ulla, for putting us together. It was such a pleasant visit ... about 2.5 hours. We did not run out of stories to tell each other. We both came upon our history recently so it was interesting to compare notes. Renate, also, was not as aware of all the historical drama as she was shielded. Renate is older than I am, but she was in Germany during the war so her story is different than mine but she felt she was sheltered with family & then a family that nurtured her when she went to Amsterdam, she did not feel like she had a difficult life.
Renate gave me a copy of the manuscript translation that her mother wrote shortly after they arrived in the states and I will read that tonight. I understand a Weinberg is mentioned, but after talking to Renate, I'm not sure it's a relative. The English version is scheduled to be published in the spring by Ulla. Renate had the German version of the book that has the memoirs in it and showed it to me. It seems Renate's cousin met Ulla because the cousin is in the book where I'm mentioned. After the book was published former school mates contacted Renate, just like our press conference. I love the connections!
It was wonderful to meet Renate today. I'm sure we will meet again.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Weinberg Saga Continues
Last night, a little before 6 P. M. the phone rang. If I'd had an clue what this phone call would be about, I would have taped it or taken notes. The woman introduced herself (I'll put it in my blog after I ask her if it is alright & for now I'll call her R. N.) and told me she got my name from Ursula Bernhold. I remember Ulla asking me if it was OK if she gave my information to her. Of course I accepted. Especially since she had some of my family history.
When I asked how she got the information, she chuckled and said it was kind of convoluted. (That sounds like how I got my history.) It seems R. N.'s family is Jewish, from the Wesermarch area and managed to escape. I think she said they hid in Amsterdam(?). Sometime after the war they came to the U. S. Sometime after that R. N.'s mother wrote her memoirs and when she died R. N. received all her things, including the memoirs which were mixed up with the rest of the items. R. N. didn't know they were there. So they, like Opa's writings, languished somewhere.
In 2002 R. N. was going through all those things and found the memoirs. After reading it she asked her cousin who lives in (Oldenburg?) Germany if she would like a copy and the cousin said yes. The cousin was familiar with Ulla's research and asked Ulla if she was interested. Ulla was and these are slated to be part of a book that is expected to be published in the spring. But R. N. has a partial English translation and has offered that to me now.
I finally had the sense to asked R. N. where she was calling from and she said Buffalo! That's right around the corner! I don't know if she is going to send them or give them to me when I meet her on Jan. 14. It seems she has a doctor here that she visits once a year! I'm so excited to meet her.
And the reference to Weinberg? It seems Opa (perhaps Dad) was offered a political position in Brake, but only if he would become baptized. He refused.
Now I'm so curious about all the new found information. Stay tuned, as surely there will be more!
When I asked how she got the information, she chuckled and said it was kind of convoluted. (That sounds like how I got my history.) It seems R. N.'s family is Jewish, from the Wesermarch area and managed to escape. I think she said they hid in Amsterdam(?). Sometime after the war they came to the U. S. Sometime after that R. N.'s mother wrote her memoirs and when she died R. N. received all her things, including the memoirs which were mixed up with the rest of the items. R. N. didn't know they were there. So they, like Opa's writings, languished somewhere.
In 2002 R. N. was going through all those things and found the memoirs. After reading it she asked her cousin who lives in (Oldenburg?) Germany if she would like a copy and the cousin said yes. The cousin was familiar with Ulla's research and asked Ulla if she was interested. Ulla was and these are slated to be part of a book that is expected to be published in the spring. But R. N. has a partial English translation and has offered that to me now.
I finally had the sense to asked R. N. where she was calling from and she said Buffalo! That's right around the corner! I don't know if she is going to send them or give them to me when I meet her on Jan. 14. It seems she has a doctor here that she visits once a year! I'm so excited to meet her.
And the reference to Weinberg? It seems Opa (perhaps Dad) was offered a political position in Brake, but only if he would become baptized. He refused.
Now I'm so curious about all the new found information. Stay tuned, as surely there will be more!
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