Welcome Back, Shreveport Symphony

Fee and I joined Amelia and Chris at Ernest's last night for a wonderful meal before the Symphony.  Almost everyone there was in evening dress (big change for me not to be in yoga clothes) either for the first performance of the Shreveport Symphony in 18 months or a crew party for one of the local Mardi Gras crews.

Notice how much better Fee's picture of me  is than my picture of him!  Maybe I was jealous!  He looked so handsome, but the flash didn't go off, and I had to work in PhotoShop to get anything out of the dark image.

When the current economic crisis hit last year, lack of sufficient financing for the Shreveport Symphony ("Louisiana's oldest continually operating professional orchestra") put them on a long hiatus.  Finally, some sponsors stepped up, and people who were feeling the loss, joyfully produced a sold out performance.

Grammy-nominated solo violinist Jennifer Frautschi was marvelous, as was the entire Tchaikovsky Spectacular.  Michael Butterman, the conductor, was also a pleasure to watch as he and the entire orchestra looked so happy to be back.

It was such a lovely evening...a genuine celebration!  Our thanks  go out to Willis Knighton Health System, Chase, and The Community Foundation (which we do support) for their roles in bringing back the music.
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I suppose I've decided to spend the entire day in my pajamas!  I've done my yoga, read, worked on catching up my reading statistics (almost done) for my reading blog, played a bit with some beads on the quilted hearts I'm making, read, run the Triad up and down the stairs with the laser light, sent Fee off to watch a movie, eaten the left overs from Amelia's Veal Picata, read, and done nothing of significance all day.  Just lovely!

Where do the pictures go?

 This was the second part of the earlier post that just disappeared. 

  Amelia and Bryce Eleanor came over this morning.

Everything for a two-year-old is an adventure and watching Bryce Eleanor is similar to watching the Triad.  A smile lingers on my lips as she moves from one exciting and novel experience to the next.

She might become frustrated about something, but before long there is a new thought or experience that catches her attention and produces a new interest.  While two-year-olds have relatively short attention spans, whatever absorbs B.E. at that particular moment gains her full consideration.  She has living in the moment down pat.

Lucy was off the bed in an instant, but Stinker kept her busy for a while.  Then Edgar...

 And look at these pockets!  Fascinating!

 

Great game of "Off/On" provided more fun.

Be Still My Heart!

Valentines!  From the Crafty Sisters these cheerful and cute shaggy hearts complete with tutorial.








From Moda Bake Shop, Hugs & Kisses.  Created by Natalia of Piece N Quilt.


































How about this tutorial for a fabric Valentine letter?   

from Lucykate Crafts.

For some reason, many of my pictures keep disappearing from my posts.  They show on the preview, but don't show on the published post.  So I'm making a separate entry for all of those that disappeared about Bryce Eleanor's visit this morning.

Little Red Riding Hood

The story of Little Red Riding Hood has always been one of my favorites, and so I've always been attracted to any art based on the theme.  Here is a new quilt block featuring Red over at Frida's Hive.  I love it!


One of my favorites sites, The Cart Before the Horse, made an adorable quilt based on the story and gives a tutorial here.  (I know I've posted this link sometime in the past, but it is just so wonderful! ) Jo James calls it a "cheater" quilt because it is painted, but it is nothing short of delightful--it even includes dolls of both "little Red" and the wolf.

She has another fairy tale quilt that includes "little Red" -- the pattern is available in her Etsy Shop.

Her Story Time Gallery has yet another version, as well as many other whimsically adorable versions of Red and other characters!

The picture on the right is yet another of Jo's portraits of Red.

Another find on Etsy is this jointed paper doll set of Red and the Wolf, found in Wool and Waters Shop.  

And in Stephanie Fizer's Etsy Shop is this charming Red.









Andrea Zuill's Bad Bird Etsy Shop contains this intriguing illustration.

I'm out of time, but there are so many versions of this tale that have been interpreted in such creative ways, and I don't remember where all of them were found.

If you have any other Little Red Riding Hood interpretations, please let me know.

I Love Whimsey!

A visit with Jude at Spirit Cloth always lifts my spirits.  Don't you love the expressions communicated through the eyes on this one?   I wish my imagine was this whimsical, I could entertain myself for ever by telling myself stories!

Another way to use up scraps and a great valentine project over at The Attic Window.  Check out Carol's applique tutorial while you're there!

On another subject:

This is my reading and sewing nook downstairs.  I can hide my embroidery paraphernalia in the drawers of this old Chinese chest when I want to straighten up.

On the other side of my chair is my new bookcase.  Now I'm not spread out all over the living room with stacks of books on every surface.  I can watch television and embroider or read as I choose.

I've been reading more than usual for the last month or so.  As a result of the packing and moving and unpacking and arranging, sewing (other than tiny embroidered pieces) has not been practical.  I'm almost caught up with reviews over at A Garden Carried in the Pocket, my book blog.

Of course, the Triad can present a problem with reading and embroidery unless I banish them.  They try to turn the pages of my books before I'm ready and find embroidery floss a delightful challenge.  So...depending on their behavior (Stinker is always good), Edgar and Lucy often find themselves on the other side of the door.

Quilts and Kittens

I'm so enjoying visiting quilting and craft blogs again.  Here is a terrific idea from Sew Take a Hike:  A ticker tape quilt using those tiny scraps that you hate to throw away.  What a great idea.

 And these lovely hearts from Gerdiary!   She was inspired by these cheerful hearts over at Rough Around the Edges.

Yesterday was chilly, but the sunshine was wonderful.  A picture of our entry way, a place where the sun shines in and brightens my day.  None of the Triad were lying around in the sun when I took this, but it is one of their favorite places to sprawl, warming themselves in the sun.

Edgar, Lucy, and Stinker have grown considerably, but Edgar is the largest, and delicate little Stinker is by far the smallest in her little black and white tuxedo.



Another favorite location is on the stairs that lead to my sewing/yoga studio.  I have a great time running a little laser light up and down the stairs for them to chase.  Even fat cats need exercise.  Here, Lucy uses Edgar's head as a pillow.

Christmas and the New Year

Another long absence; we are now nicely ensconced in our new home.  Complete with The Triad (with all of the implications implied) of kittens, full of vim and vinegar and mischief.

Bryce Eleanor tries on Mila's shoes...over Max's shirt, which she donned like tights under her dress.  We call her "Imelda Marcos, Jr." because of her shoe fetish.

Erin, Mila, Max as we prepare to go to the country to join aunts, uncles, and cousins.  And I left my camera at home, so no pictures of that.