housework elevated

I have a day home today and am trying to pull together several half-started cleaning projects. To keep me going, I have Brahm's A German Requium on loud enough to follow me around the house (and probably as far as the neighbors too).
Several years ago, when he was our seminary intern, Greg Sabetta (now pastor of Edgebrook Community Church/UCC--check out a service if you are nearby!) led a six week  lenten study on the Requium. He brought in history and music theory along with scripture and what was going on in Brahms world to give us a deeper understanding of the message of the piece.
Ever since I have made a point of making the Requium part of my lenten journey. My old tape finally gave way (along with our tape deck) and I got a new CD this year of Solti's 1979 CSO recording.
Thank you, Greg, for enriching my life.

sixteen patches

I am pleased with how the 16 patches are coming along.

little blocks

Judy over at Patchwork Times posted a block she is making in browns and golds. I don't know how large she is making her blocks, but I am making some that are finishing at 4 inches.
For a block: Dark--two 2 1/2 inch squares and two 1 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch rectangles. Light--two 1 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch rectangles. Press to the square.

I'm sewing together four blocks so the 8 inch larger blocks make it easier to put up on the design wall. Watch for more blocks.

engagement photographs 1984

We celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary on St Patricks Day.
Did I know what I was getting into?

Oh, yes, I did.

three months late

I am finally finishing my mother's birthday quilt. Just have the sleeve left to tack down.
There are 81 blocks for Henrietta's 81st birthday.
It is a fun quilt. Thanks again to Wanda Hansen at Exuberant Color for posting her pattern.
Watch for the other H quilt for Hannah soon.

red quilt show

I so wanted to go to the Armory Show in New York. Over at
Repro Quilts Taryn is helping those of us who are missing the show enjoy red and white quilts of the blogasphere. I included my red cross quilt.

quilters

My mother's quilt guild (Sioux Prairie Quilters, from Sioux County, Iowa) made props for the play Quilters back in 1985. They have rented out the quilts to productions all over the country for the past 26 years. This and next weekend, they are in use by Elmhurst College. My sister Janna and I went to see the play tonight.
Mom made all the vining around the center and the border. It is hand quilted in each section, then machine stabilized. It is huge--I believe the quilt measures 14 by 14 feet. It is showing wear, but that is part of its history now too.