Moodus Noises

In addition to snow, last night at 8:42 we had a 1.8 magnitude earthquake. Yes, the Moodus Noises were active. It was a pretty sharp crack, but no damage was done in the environs. Experts said it was about 4 miles to the east of Moodus and about 3 miles deep.
Hooray, my income taxes are finished and electronically sent. The Federal forms have been received, but no word yet about the State.
I'd like to do some piecing tonight on the "Signs of the Season" quilt. I've started with the wrapped candy design and it requires working with quarter square triangles. A bit fussy to piece. Also, I got the material and directions for a table runner. It doesn't look too bad to put together and it does have some applique. I may try my new machine for the applique.
On the Hancock's site I found backing fabric for Carol's quilt. It's seashells and would nicely compliment her setting sun. Plus, it was on sale!
Maybe, just maybe, I'll attempt the quilt sandwich on my large bed quilt. I'll have to do it on the plywood floor down cellar and it will take some time. I have the painter's tape and plenty of safety pins, and if my back and knees hold out, I could get it done.

Time for More Snow

Yes, more snow is forecast for tomorrow and Thursday. I'm sure we won't get much, but I'd rather we got none. On this past Sunday I started rototilling for the vegetable garden. And I've started tomatoes and cucumbers in the house. If I could have another afternoon with the rototiller, I could plant peas. But I'm sure ground will be mushy for the next couple of days.
This Saturday the Lions Club and some local builders are going to have an old-fashioned barn raising at the Senior Center. They want to erect a pavilion, an anchor building, for the new Heritage Park on Senior Center grounds. It could be fun and I'd like to stop by to see what's happening. They've advertised that anyone can show up, lend a hand, or just sit and watch the progress.
I'm anxious to get my taxes completed and do more quilting. Annette brought my quilt top, backing, and binding today, but I thought we were going to do this on April 12. I need to get quilt backing for Carol Peterson's quilt before next week. Time to measure again to make sure I get the correct yardage.

National Quilting Day

So, it has been a while since I've written here. Nothing too exciting going on. This past Wednesday I finished up a 7 week long term sub position. The 4th graders were a good group of students, except for the 7 days we all endured for CMTs. Fourth graders normal good-nature left the building under the increased pressure to do well, make the school proud, and keep the Realtors happy. My bitterness about massive testing comes through when I see what these tests do to teachers and students. The 4th grade teachers I worked with are experienced and very capable. But the amount of pressure they are under from Math and Reading experts in the building and the school's administration is high. And, yes, these tests are called high stakes. But some non-educators, outside the classroom, are calling the shots. The fourth graders I had are practicing constantly for the tests and the tests' formats. As one of my teacher friends said, "I used to enjoy teaching. I used to enjoy working up project-based learning activities for the students, and always enjoyed their enthusiasm and pride when projects were shared. But now I worry that I'm not doing enough to ensure success in the eyes of the administration." Students must practice skill after skill, proving that they are good test takers. This is no way for 9 and 10 year olds to develop a love for learning. And if these students are to be successful adults they must be able to function in a society that will be much more complex and rewarding than answering multiple choice and open ended questions. When do they dream? When do they play? When do they imagine? When do they create? When do they experiment? When do they investigate? When do they discover? When do they learn that these questions play a big role in how and what they learn.
I've labeled this blog National Quilting Day, so I should address it. I brought several of my quilts, large and small, to school while subbing. The students loved them. They wanted to know how do you do that? "I see triangles, trapezoids and octagons in that quilt." (Thank you Mastery Test Prep.) One nine year old told me she quilts and was taught by her grandmother. I asked her to bring in what she had made. She was thrilled and did so. Many wanted to wrap themselves in a quilt and I told them go ahead. They are meant to be used. My group even went so far as to set up a schedule when students could wrap the quilt around them, and then had to relinquish it to the next person.
Time to end this entry, find some lunch, and quilt.

It's Wednesday - and It's Snowing

Now I am back in the classroom as a long term substitute. So, you can imagine the excitement among 4th graders when an early dismissal was announced. We have not had an uninterrupted week of school in 2011. I'm waiting for a child to say that it's boring to have all this snow.

The drive from school to home at 1:30 this afternoon was not fun. And the distance is only five miles. It's snowing fast enough that plows can't keep up with the snow on either state or local roads. Every road is snow covered and sometimes snow covered and big ruts. This weather makes me appreciate my Subaru.

I made oatmeal raisin cookies when I get home and then prepared a big casserole of chili. If I become even more ambitious, I'll make some scones. They taste good anytime.

Another Snow Day?

It's time I updated this blog, but not much new has happened. We've had snow storms and an ice event, with another predicted for tomorrow. The big snow dumped 23" in the yard and most of it is still there.

I've shoveled, but have mostly been inside working on a variety of sewing activities. The borders for Lois' quilt are ready to be sewn on and I have to piece the corners. The octagon block quilt top looks fantastic! I've started making flying geese for the final border. And, not able to leave a new pattern alone, I started making little purses with a pocket and zipper. So far, I've put together 14 of them. I'll give them to the Tuesday morning quilt group and the Tuesday night group. I see them being used for buttons, applique needles, special thread. The kinds of things you don't need all the time, but want them close at hand when you're working. Colette also suggested that you could keep quilt shop punch cards or fabric coupons in the purse. Again, the idea is you can find these things when you need them.

More Snow?

So, the weather for tomorrow and Saturday calls for more snow. We'll see.

Tomorrow I substitute in 8th grade Algebra. I had these classes once earlier in the year and really enjoyed the groups. It's been some time since I've had to think algebra-like. Fortunately, these 8th graders seem to know what to do. Plus, I have help one period from another teacher and a para.

My octagon block quilt is looking good. I have the top and bottom borders ready to sew on, and then I am adding a border of flying geese on all four sides. I have the fabrics for Lois' quilt and her final border. On Tues. AMs I am quilting a bed-sized quilt that I've pieced a few years back. The quilting is intensive, so the Tues. AM time is a good chunk of time to work on it.

Here is my quilt center with some borders added for our Round Robin. When it's finished, it will be a large bed-sized quilt.