Live music

Last weekend I bought a new skirt.


It was on the outside rack of a store in Jackson Heights, the Indian neighbourhood in Queens. I knew I had a winner when I saw this 'Kill Bill' skirt (she wears a long light blue skirt in the last scene, when she kills Bill. heh!), but it was obvious why it was marked down: the stripes were badly, barely seamed, the beads falling apart (it isn't clear in the photo, but there are a few ebroidered viney beads along the skirt). 'No problem, I thought, I can fix it with some knots and straight seams.' The first time I wore the skirt I got caught in the rain, the skirt got very, very wet, and very, very heavy. I had no idea how difficult it is to walk with a wet long skirt! Naturally, after that ordeal, the skirt was in desparate need of repair.

Tonight L. is rehearsing with a new group, playing some smooth, Latin music - and they are really, really good! So, I took a glass of wine and sat by the sewing machine. It is a warm, summer night. The cats gathered around me, at first trying to 'help' and then curled up and fell asleep. It didn't take long to fix the skirt. And then, just as I was about to finish, I paused and realised that I have done all that listening to some awesome live music! Free concert! Yippee!

The mystical communication of cotton

One of the things I have been collecting (or should I say stashing) over the years is cotton squares and small amounts of fabric for quilting or just playing around. Most of the projects I have made over the last year are from this stash. They are fun and an inexpensive way of collecting fabric, even though there isn't much uniformity in what I end up with. And sometimes they can be found in the most unusual of places.

Like this last batch, which I found in a 99-cents store a block away from work.


As soon as I came home, I played a game. I laid them all on the floor and sat in front of them, just staring and trying to imagine what each piece would like to become. It was an interesting experience, as different projects came through my mind as possibilities for the different fabrics, and in a very mystical way the fabrics rejected my ideas. Heh.. Finally, two decided to be cooperative.

So now I have a definite project for this:

And possibly for this:

Hopefully some of it will materialise during this weekend.

As always, Skid had to inspect the fabric-stash box

The Adventures of Purple Pillow

One of the most constant presences in my life has been my beloved (and coveted) Purple Pillow. It was given to me by a friend of the family, sometime in the late 1970s. It has my name on it, and it is handpainted by another friend of the family, who has a gift shop in which the pillow was sold.





The little pillow had been laying around in my room for several years, without a serious use but being unable to get rid of it as it seemed like a useful thing - and it had my name on it. Until sometime in the mid-1980s I used it as a sleeping prop. At first I just put it between my elbows, so that the top arm wouldn't be hanging too much when sleeping on my side. After that it has found many more uses to make my sleep comfortable, and soon after I got my first sewing machine, I bought some purple silk and made two matching pillow cases for it. Ever since then, its name has been Purple Pillow.

It has been with me ever since, in all kinds of trips, sleep-overs, camping trips etc. It has ALWAYS been with me. The original filling has been replaced with feather and down, and other kinds of maintenance have been dutifully and lovingly performed as needed. In the last 20 years I must have slept without it no more than five times - and every time it was uncomfortable, Purple Pillow missed sorely. Purple Pillow is also very coveted. Everyone who sees it, thinks it's a great idea and asks if they can have it. Naturally, the answer is always 'No'!

Sadly, yesterday morning Purple Pillow had an accident... Skid needed to express herself, and part of her discontent landed on the edge of poor Purple. I only found out when I went to bed, so I had to put it aside, doomed to an uncomfortable night. So today, first thing after work was to cut open the inside casing (the one with my name on), which has certainly run its course.



Due to its many holes (which result in feather loss), it has now been retired, and a new, plain one took its place.


And here it is, in it's rightful place: my side of the bed!

Good night, everybody!

Really...?!!

Sometimes I 'm so obvious...

You Should Spend Your Summer at the Beach

You're a free spirit who is always thinking of new ways to have fun. And you don't just love summer... you live for it. So, you really should blow off your responsibilities and head to the beach!

Where Should You Spend Your Summer?

I belong in Fall

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Does this mean that my favourite season should be Fall, or that my personality reminds of Fall?
Does this mean that my favourite season should be Autumn, or that my personality reminds of Autumn?

I like "Autumn" the best :)