L’s Patchwork Pillow

Years ago, I made a friend online – she was a blogger who, like me, had three daughter and, like me, had ties to Singapore (though hers are MUCH stronger) and, like me, loved to make things and blog about them too.

Then when I won some lovely felt food during a giveaway on her blog and she asked for my mailing address, we realized we lived only an hour from each other and soon became friends in real life.

During one visit, I was surprised to hear that while she loved to sew, she’d never tried quilting and didn’t think she’d be any good at it. (Yeah, right!) On my drive home, an gift idea for her popped into my head…

Because of who it was for, I searched for some solids in my fabric stash – blues and tans. And because of who it was from, I had to throw in some prints too.

I cut lots of strips, tried not to obsess too much over which to put next to which, sewed them into blocks, and then machine-quilted each strip with parallel lines.

The top left block was like a quarter of a log cabin pattern. Could make a person think of the letter L.

The top right block was just simple vertical lines. Kinda like a capital I.

The bottom left was similar, just horizontal stripes this time. Reminiscent of the sideways strokes of an E.

And the bottom right was a shallow zig-zag. Sort of like the right part of an R.

And what’s that spell?!? My friend’s Chinese name.

I was SO pleased with how it had turned out. Everything about the pillow made me happy, but especially the graphic “hidden” letters. I sent it off, not even knowing it would arrive just days before my friend’s birthday.

When she told me how much she liked it, I did ask her not to post about it on her blog. I wasn’t ready for the world to see it. On the one hand, I was afraid that people would see it and love it and make their own versions and there would suddenly be “graphic hidden letter blocks” all over the interwebs. I wasn’t ready to lose my idea yet. I hadn’t ever seen anything like it. And it was still mine.

But on the other hand, I was also afraid that people would see it and be indifferent and no one would make their own version. No one would embrace it. No one would take my idea, the one I was so in love with, and run with it. It would die in obscurity. –sniffle sniffle–

So I kept it hush hush and played with the idea some more. Designed a whole alphabet of “hidden letter” blocks. Designed a quilt top for another friend with her last name and the name of every member of her family, even the dog, hidden in it crossword style. But then other ideas emerged, other projects were created, and eventually that little idea of mine – and its associated sketches – was relegated to some backup hard drive somewhere in my house, two laptops ago.

These days, I see the pillow on my friend’s couch when I stop by for a visit. And I know it makes her smile. And that makes me smile.

And now, with this post, my guarded, beloved idea is out in the open. Now, it can flutter off into the great wide world to seek its fortune. And I’m OK with that.

Roadtrip

On our way home after a too-short visit with dear friends and family. Ruthy, our intern last year, flies back to Germany tomorrow. Think I'll get her pencil case done in time?

Giggly Owl

If I'd made Construction or Painter Owl, I could've showcased that one today, in honor of the dozen middle and high school girls that descended on my home, wielding hammers and saws and rollers and brushes. (They're American Heritage Girls, earning their Home Care and Repair badge.) But instead I'll showcase another owl that fits their activities of the day just as well: here's Giggly Owl!

Accessory: nothing visual, other than the silly pupils going in different directions. But press the blue polka dot up on the right "ear" and Giggly Owl emits a squeak!

Army Owl

In honor of our sweet next-door neighbor -- the only boy at Sophie's party -- who finished up his final vision therapy appointment this week. It's been a long year but he persevered! So tonight we're going to celebrate with him!

I'd dubbed the little stuffie "Army Owl," but his new adoptive daddy soon renamed him Camouflage Ninja Owl. : )

Accessory: I rejected the idea of making a weapon (owls don't need 'em; they have their beak and claws) and didn't want to fiddle with other suggestions (compass, radio, flashlight) so finally settled on an eye mask, which Owl's daddy can wear too! And, unlike all of the other owls, this one's pupils are shifted way to the side, kinda like he's suspicious, on alert, ever ready for attack from all sides.

Party Owl

In honor of my momma's birthday today: meet Party Owl!

Accessories: sequined party hat and gift bag, both removable. (Why I made the teeny gift bag lined with pink felt and with real eyelets and everything, I'm not sure... I think it had just been too long since I'd eyeletted anything.)

Travel Owl

In honor of the "Globetrotter" class I'm teaching after school today, where we "visit" a new country each week, trying its food, learning its language, playing its games, here is Travel Owl.

 
Accessory: removable fake leather messenger bag. Yes, it really opens. No, there's nothing inside it. Yet.

Sleepy Owl

I slept for five hours today. (Perhaps I should be going to bed hours before midnight instead of hours after.)

So it's a good day to show Sleepy Owl, who, due to her lowered eyelids, was also dubbed Exasperated Owl by one of the girls. : )

Accessory: little stuffed teddy bear, made by Sophie and me; bear is attached with hook-and-loop tape

Snowy Owl

In honor of the snow outside, and the man and three girls who didn't have to go to work or school today and played in it instead.

Accessory: blue scarf, knitted by Sophie on a 8-prong knitting nancy but going back and forth, instead of around in a never-ending circle so that we ended up with a flat strip instead of a tube.

Lovey Owl

Accessory: little felt envelope that can hold teensy love notes.

Sophie, asking about the initials on the envelop: "What's S.W.A.K.?"
Me: "Sealed With A Kiss"
S: "Oh, cool!"
Sometime I'll have to tell her about how a less romantic, more literal lover signs it:

S.W.A.L.C.A.K.W.S.

which means

Sealed With A Lick Cause A Kiss Won't Stick

(Mama, remember when you told me about that? I was probably Sophie's age.)

* * * 

P.S. Sorry if you already saw this. I managed to delete the original post when I meant to click edit! 

Overrun by Owls

Time to break the six month blog silence. And since my old way of blogging (taking lots of pictures, writing lots of words, spending lots of time) doesn't seem to be working anymore, time to try something new.
One photo--right off my phone, a few words, a few moments of my day, and done.
By this weekend, these owls will all have gone to new homes. It's been lots of fun making them with the girls, picking out fabrics, deciding on the little touches. Hmm, I think I'll introduce each one over the next 12 days...

Personalized Teachers’ Bags

Had a bit of a break there between the last post and this one! In fact, my kids are now only 18 days away from the start of their new school year. But here are the purses that my girls, together with their classmates, gave their teachers last May.

And since I’m not feeling particularly verbal today, I’ll make this Show ‘n Tell more show and less tell. So the few “in process” shots I’m including have no further explanation; but often a picture is enough, and if you have questions, you can also email me or ask down in the comments. (Click on any of the photos to see a larger version.)

For Frau B---, who is comfortable, casual, and natural, who “sang” into the hearts of her first graders (after the upheaval of their saying goodbye to not one but two other teachers who had to leave due to cross-country moves and other unforeseen issues) and who brought about beautiful growth in each of the children.

And for Frau K----, who is cosmopolitan and hip yet also caring and nurturing, who is returning back to Germany after her 3-year teacher exchange in Minnesota (hence the shape of the applique), and who is deeply loved and admired by her class of third graders.

I must say, I’m getting excited for school to start again. Not so much because I long for a return to routine and structure to our days, but rather because I’m thrilled that our experiment to throw our kids into the German immersion charter school had such great results and I’m eager for it to continue and now include my youngest as well.