Origami Window Decor + the Meaning of Brown - Art Every Day Month - Day 13

I'm starting to feel a bit under the weather, and didn't have much energy to work on the quilt I've been hoping to finish by the end of the month.

Instead, I made two more window stars for Thanksgiving. I'd like to decorate the window by the dining room table (there are three separate window panes - so I would like to put nine stars on the windows). 

I chose two easy patterns that I've made in other colors.

Two brown window stars.

I normally don't do many stars in brown. Most the stars I make are in the vivid colors of the rainbow. Yet, in looking at the stars, I'm thinking about doing some more in this color.

According to this website, "Brown represents wholesomeness and earthiness. While it might be considered a little on the dull side, it also represents steadfastness, simplicity, friendliness, dependability, and health." All good things...maybe that's why I'm drawn to these stars at this point in my life.

Eight-pointed brown window star.

On the Sensational Color website, it's noted that the color brown affects us physically by:

==> Suppling a feeling of wholesomeness

==> Stabilizing

==> Providing a connection with the earth

==> Giving a sense orderliness

The Sensational Color website also noted some interesting facts about the color brown around the globe:

==> In the United States, Thanksgiving is represented by brown and orange.

==> The Japanese do not have a specific word for brown. Rather, they use more descriptive names such as “tea-color," "fox-color," and "fallen-leaf.”

==> In India, brown is the color of mourning because it resembles dying leaves.

==> American Indians believe the color brown represents the power of self-discipline.

Back to the quilt for a moment: I have ideas for the remaining eight squares that will be hand-embroidered. Found a great resource on the internet that not only lists Minnesota's state symbols and gives a bit of information about them; but provides a coloring book with the outlines of each symbol.

Tomorrow, I'm going to print out the pages and modify the images so they can be used for the appliqued and embroidered quilt squares. I'd also like to cut out the 23 squares from fabric so I can start to lay out the quilt and see what it will start to look like. I'll see how I feel tomorrow...and what I'm able to accomplish.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 12 - Larry and Maureen

Larry and Maureen have known my parents now for well over 45 years. They have been close family friends; and as children we enjoyed many trips to southeastern Minnesota and later western Wisconsin where they live.

I remember taking the train from the depot in downtown Minneapolis with my sister to visit Larry and Maureen. (Those were the days were it was still safe to stick young children on trains by themselves and not worry about them.)

Larry and Maureen had four children and my parents had three children, so when we gathered together it was a lot of fun - playing indoor games as well as playing outdoors and exploring their large backyard.

This was taken sometime in the 1980s

when our families gathered together in Wisconsin.

We would always enjoy wonderful meals - both Larry and Maureen are great cooks. I remember being a teenager and copying recipes for food that I enjoyed at their home. Their recipes became some of the first ones in my recipe box.

So, today I gave Maureen a thank you note and some pictures from October 9th when they visited our family at St. Therese for a birthday party we were having there.

Maureen stayed with my mom during the past week and provided help and support as she recovered from being in the hospital in October as well as is dealing with grief and loss issues associated with my dad being at St. Therese (nursing home) from October 3rd-23rd, the hospital for 11 days, and now back at St. Therese as of November 4th.

My parents (seated in the front row) with

Larry and Maureen (standing in the back row).

With Maureen helping my mom during the past week, I was able to stay at home and accomplish more with the girls with homeschooling. It feels good to be able to mark things off the plan that I created for the school year; and move forward with some of the lessons and activities that have had to be put on hold because of caregiving responsibilities.

Both Larry and Maureen have been so supportive, insightful, and encouraging throughout the years...particularly on this journey of Alzheimer's Disease with my dad.

Larry, Maureen, and my Dad by the pond

at St. Therese. We went on a walk on the trail

on October 9th.

There have been many times where it's been very stressful, sad, and discouraging. However, having people like Larry and Maureen in my life have truly made some of the most challenging days a bit easier.

Capturing 11-11-11 in Photos - Art Every Day Month - Day 12

On November 11, 2011...or 11-11-11....the girls and I decided to go outside a bit before 11:11 a.m. and start taking some pictures.

At 11:11 a.m. they were ready to go to their favorite spot on the farm: the apple tree in the backyard.  So, here's where they were at 11:11:11 a.m. on 11-11-11:

Sophia and Olivia in their favorite apple tree.

I managed to get a quick photo of Olivia before she ran off to swing on the swingset:

Olivia, 8 years old.

We went for a walk on the nature trail, and stopped at the bench at the end of the trail. It was one of those days where the weather was beautiful, the dogs were having fun exploring the scents on the pathways through the goldenrod, and the girls had a lot of energy and were having fun.

Sophia jumping (above) and

Olivia jumping (below).

As we turned around and faced south, the sun was brilliant and its rays seemed to extend endlessly. 

We each took a lot more pictures on our own cameras to document this day, but these are a few of my favorites.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 11 - Orchestra Conductor

Yesterday, Sophia, Olivia and I attended "The Tin Forest" concert at the Minnesota Orchestra as part of its Young People's Concerts program.

Olivia and Sophia before the concert began.

We have been attending concerts that are held during the day and geared for children for three years now. The concerts have been a highlight for each us, and certainly have enriched our homeschool curriculum.

As part of the 30 Days of Giving Thanks challenge, I wrote a thank you letter to the Associate Conductor, Courtney Lewis, to let him know how much we appreciate and enjoy the concerts. (Since there's no mail service today, the note has to wait to go into Saturday's mail.)

His enthusiasm and insight into each of the pieces selected for the concert keeps the girls engaged, and has helped develop their knowledge of and appreciation of orchestral music.

Minnesota Orchestra during a Young People's Concert.

After hearing multiple concerts, each of the girls are drawn to different instruments in the orchestra. Sophia began playing the harp in June.

Sophia playing the harp for her grandparents at their home.

Her grandfather (Papa) has Alzheimer's Disease, and

had to move to a nursing home in October.

In December, she will be playing some songs for him

(and other residents in the palliative/hospice unit at the nursing home)

that hopefully he will be able to recognize.

At yesterday's concert, there was a piece in which each of the instruments had an opportunity to be showcased. When the harp was being introduced, Sophia leaned over the edge to get a better view of the harpist playing the instrument she is now learning to play. 

Needless to say, her perspective of and appreciation for seeing and hearing a professional harpist has grown considerably in the five months she has been playing the instrument.

Olivia still is interested in the piccolo after hearing it being it played during a piece last year called "Tubby the Tuba" and in Benjamin Britten's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra."

Today's thanks goes to Courtney Lewis for sharing his love of music with children. He and the Minnesota Orchestra truly are inspiring young lives; and helping children make a difference through music!

Hand-Embroidered Loon - Art Every Day Month - Day 11

For the eleventh day of the Art Every Day Month challenge, I hand-embroidered an image of a loon for the Minnesota state quilt I'm making.

Fourth quilt square I've completed this month.

This quilt square is made from seven different cotton fabrics. There are 11 different pieces that make up the design.  (Perhaps a bit appropriate for this special day: 11-11-11.)

All the pieces are hand-stitched to the background fabric

using the blanket stitch.

All the pieces, once they are fused to the background fabric, are hand-embroidered using the blanket stitch. The straight stitch is used for the cattail stems.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The loon is Minnesota's state bird. According the Minnesota's Department of Natural Resouces website, "Minnesota's state bird, the common loon, is more at home in the water than on land. Built like a torpedo, it swims under water in search of prey. Minnesota has more common loons than any other state except Alaska."

The DNR shared these facts about loons on its website as well:
==> The bones of most birds are hollow and light, but loons have solid bones.

==> The extra weight helps them dive as deep as 250 feet to search for food. They can stay underwater for up to five minutes.

==> Because their bodies are heavy relative to their wing size, loons need a 100- to 600-foot "runway" in order to take off from a lake.

==> Loons can fly more than 75 miles per hour.

==> The red in the loon's eye helps it to see under water.

==> Scientists think loons can live for 30 years or more

*~*~*~*~*~*

I've been thinking about the quilt design and am leaning towards a simple patchwork pattern: five squares across by seven squares long (35 squares total). Of the squares, 12 would be hand-embroidered and 23 would be fabrics of different patterns.

My goal is to use only what I have on hand rather than purchase new fabrics. In that way, I can be resourceful and use what I have available.

Using only the fabric I have makes it slightly more challenging to create a quilt. However, then the focus to create a "perfect" quilt is no longer there. Rather, I can enjoy the process of creating a quilt, and having it be practical and usable.

Cool Colored Mandala - Art Every Day Month - Day 10

This evening I colored a mandala that was in Coloring Mandalas by Susanne F. Fincher. I'm not that happy with it, but it is what it is. Sometimes I've liked the results...and other times...well, the final image isn't what I envisioned.

When I ran an art camp for children many years ago I use to tell parents , "We focus on the the process, not the product." 

Sometimes that's easier to say to someone else than it is to believe it myself. I always like a see a nice product when I'm done. This mandala isn't. Oh well.

I picked cooler colors to use today since it was a rather cold day (in the upper 30s).

It also snowed today for the first time this season. The flakes were not the fluffy kind where you can see each of the points. These snowflakes looked more like round snow - a snow-version of rain, but much lighter in weight. The snow melted when it touched the grass, but stayed on the roof for a bit of time before it melted.

It's always exciting to see the first snow of the season...no matter what type of snow it is.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 10 - Bill

While I'm thanking neighbors, I am going to thank another one - Bill - who also is a volunteer firefighter. Each year, the Fire and Rescue Department hosts an open house during fire prevention/awareness week. 

Bill with Olivia at the

Fire and Rescue Department's Open House.

Bill is in charge of a game that kids (and adults) can play. The kids dress up in firefighter uniforms and helmets and get to operate a firehose. The goal is to aim the hose at one of the holes and then the tubing behind it will fill a jar. If there are two children playing at the same time, the first person to fill their jar wins.

Each year, the girls play the game and Bill helps them. It's something they enjoy doing - even now that they are older (8 and 10 years old).

Sophia operating the fire hose

as Bill looks on.

The girls look forward to going to the Fire and Rescue Department's open house each year.

Olivia needing help holding the fire hose.

(Taken in 2007 when she was 4 years old.)

Part of the reason is because Bill makes the experience fun and memorable for them.

Bill helping Sophia play a game

at the annual open house.

Apparently she wanted to look more feminine

than she would have wearing a firefighting jacket and helmet.

(Taken in October 2007 when Sophia was 6 years old.)

I took several pictures of the girls with Bill this year; and sent him a thank you note along with copies of the pictures. It's a small token of thanks for the wonderful memories he's given the girls, but one that comes with true thanks and appreciation.

Sunburst Stars - Art Every Day Month - Day 9

I'm getting closer to finishing the orders that came in over the past few days. Today I focused on a trio of sunburst designs that a customer puchased. One star is all orange, another blue, and the third a combination of two colors (light yellow and pastel green).

One of the sunburst stars that I worked on today.

The sunburst star is folded 24 times per point (with 16 points that's 384 times to make this star); and measures approximately 10 inches in diameter.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On October 25th, Ulla from German Dolls wrote an article on the Naturalkids blog. It's part of series she's doing that focuses on the hands of the craftsperson or artist as well as the type of work they do.

My hands folding a window star.

My daughter, Sophia, took some pictures of me folding some window stars for the article.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On Thursday, I have nine more stars to make and then I'm caught up. Then I want to continue working on the hand-embroidered state quilt that I started last week.  I'm already done with three quilt squares. The next one is going to be a loon (Minnesota's state bird) with some cattails.

But the personal project - the quilt - will have to wait until the window stars are done. I'm getting a bit restless with wanting to get back to the quilt and doing some embroidery.

One thing Art Every Day Month confirms for me is that I need variation in creative activities...doing the same project is fine for a while, but I have to take a break and do something completely different otherwise my enthusiasm starts to wane a bit, and that's not good.

Tomorrow, hopefully, I'll have a chance to start working on the quilt. In the meantime, I'm busy folding lots of small pieces of colorful, translucent papers that are resulting in a wide variety of window stars that I enjoy creating.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 9 - Kent

My next door neighbor, Kent, is someone for whom I am thankful. In addition to his career, he also is a volunteer firefighter which means when I've had to make 911 calls, Kent is usually one of the first ones to arrive.

Many years ago, I called 911 because I was feeling very unsteady on my feet and I knew that something was not right. I ended up having to go to the emergency room and was treated for dehydration. Not only did Kent arrive quickly and take my vitals, but he and his wife watched Sophia and Olivia while I was at the hospital. He even picked me up at the hospital after the bags of medicine/IVs were done and I was stabilized.

More recently, he came over when I had a very serious asthma attack and couldn't get my breath. It was relatively scary for me since I couldn't seem to get enough oxygen into my lungs and couldn't find my inhaler. He was there even before the police and paramedics arrived.

Many times over the past 16 years - and with only a moment's notice - Kent and his wife have come over to let out the dogs if there was an emergency with my family and I was unable to get back home in a timely manner.

And then there was the time that Kent was there to help when I had a mink that was killing my chickens. He managed to trap and kill it so it wouldn't destroy my entire flock of chickens.

However, in the process of "mink elimination" the mink decided it wasn't too happy with Kent. As Kent opened the live trap, the mink made a run for it - right up his leg. Needless to say...it was quite chaotic and very stressful for everyone who was there. It's probably one of those memories he'd rather forget.

Give Food to a Neighbor - 52 Weeks of Giving - Week 45

A neighbor had a double mastectomy on Monday and she is back at home now recovering. She and her husband have been wonderful neighbors; and operate a rather large farming operation.

So, on Wednesday, the girls and I made some homemade food and brought it to her so she didn't have to prepare at least one of the meals during the week. 

The girls making homemade fudge brownies.

After everything cooled down, we put the wild rice soup, snack mix, and fudge brownies in containers. (We used ones that once held food at another time, so she could just recycle or reuse the containers and not have to worry about washing and returning the dishes to us.)

After signing the card and packing up the food,

we put it in a bag to bring next door.

The girls were excited to bring food next door and help neighbors who have been very supportive and kind through the many years we've known them.

Olivia and Sophia ready to deliver a meal.

They invited us in while they were finishing up their dinner. A customer had ordered a rather large load of corn, so they were eating late that evening, they said. We had a nice conversation, and then left them to finish their meal.

After having surgery multiple times through the years, I know how welcome meals and visits can be, but also how tiring they can be. We didn't want to exhaust our neighbor...especially after she had such a major surgery. 

This was the 45th week of the 52 Weeks of Giving challenge.  Only 7 weeks left, but still so many opportunities - especially as the holiays are approaching.

(We received a nice thank you note from Carol that said, "Ann and Girls, Thank you for the soup, brownies, and snacks. Very good. It really tasted good that night. I'm doing pretty good now - get tired really fast - but suppose that goes with the surgery. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness and concern. Carol")

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 8 - Mark and Mary

I've known Mark and Mary now for well over 15 years now. Mark and I use to work together at the American Composers Forum. Both of us left ACF many years ago to pursue other career opportunities.

He and Mary moved to Canada for some time and then to Massachusetts. This past September, Sophia, Olivia, and I were traveling through the six New England states. The last state we visited was Massachusetts.

On the last night of our stay, Mark and Mary picked us up from the hotel and we went to dinner. We celebrated both Mary's birthday as well as Mark and Mary's wedding anniversary while we were there.  It was a fun evening; and it went by all too quickly.

Mark and Mary (left side).

Sophia, Olivia, and me (right side).

Yesterday, as Sophia, Olivia, and I were driving to the Minnesota Orchestra, we were following a Koi Acres truck. Mark, Mary, Sophia, Olivia, and I visited Koi Acres when they were visiting Minnesota some time ago.

Some of the many koi at Koi Acres.

As we passed the truck, Olivia began remembering quite a few details about Mary and Mary's visit - including the snapping turtle that we encountered on the road.

While trying to "encourage" it to move across before it would be run over by a vehicle, the turtle literally jumped towards us. Needless to say, we didn't move any closer to get a better view of it or pick it up to move it. 

The snapping turtle that

didn't want any help crossing the road.

I am very thankful for people like Mark and Mary who have been true friends, and who have made such a positive impression on Sophia and Olivia.

E is for Elephant Ears - ABCs of Homeschooling

During week five of the ABCs of Homeschooling, we continued to use the children's cookbook called Alpha-Bakery produced by Gold Medal Flour. (We are using the cookbook for one aspect of homeschool home economics.)

For each letter of the alphabet, there is a corresponding recipe. Out of the five recipes we've made so far, four have been desserts or breads; and one has been a main dish.

This week, we're back to desserts with Elephant Ears. The recipe only makes four cookies since you cut the dough into four pieces and are supposed to press them out to be about six inches wide.

Elephant Ear Cookies.

Yes, there are only three cookies instead of four.

Someone apparently wanted to eat a cookie right out of the oven.

For some reason, ours didn't press out to be that wide nor have the cinnamon-sugar swirl pattern as illustrated in the cookbook. Nonetheless, the cookies were very good and we all enjoyed eating them.

We thought that cutting them into smaller pieces would be better next time so there are more cookies to eat over a longer time period.

Elephant Ears

Ingredients

1/4 cup margarine or butter (we used dairy-free butter)
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk (we used dairy-free milk)
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Sugar

Directions

Heat the oven to 425°. Oil a cookie sheet. Heat margarine until melted; set aside.

Stir flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, the baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in milk and 3 tablespoons of the melted margarine until dough forms.

Sprinkle a surface lightly with flour; turn dough onto surface. Knead 10 times. Roll dough with a rolling pin or pat with hands into a rectangle, 9x5 nches. Brush with remaining melted margarine, using pastry brush; sprinkle with mixture of 3 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon.

Roll dough up tightly, beginning at narrow end. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Cut into 4 equal pieces with sharp knife.

Place cut sides up on cookie sheet; pat each into a 6-inch circle. Sprinkle with more sugar.

Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet with a spatula. Let cool on wire rack. Makes 4 elephant ears.

An African elephant that Sophia, Olivia, and I saw

at the Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island in September 2011.

We were able to see this elephant and two others

get their feet checked and cared for while we were there.

They were such gentle and fascinating animals to watch.

Making Lots of Window Stars - Art Every Day Month - Day 8

For the past couple days I've been busy making a variety of window stars. Had lots of orders come in over the weekend which is nice.

The ones I'm showing today aren't ones I'm keeping, they are ones that I am making for others to enjoy in their homes. (I took the pictures of these stars at other times, but the ones I'm making are just like the ones shown.)

Three different people ordered this set of stars.

It's like having snowflakes all over the table

as I create them.

When my daughters were younger, they asked me at different times if it was hard to make something that I liked and then have to send it to someone else and never see it again. Sometimes they were referring to the window stars I make, and other times the items I would hand-embroider or needlefelt.

Some of the items I sold through Etsy, other times they were sent through swaps on Swap-Bot, and other times simply made as gifts with no expectation of anything in return.

Close up of the blue and green window star.

I told them that it is about the happiness I get from being able to craft...to create...and then to share.

It's important to be able to let go...that things you create aren't always meant to be kept to yourself.

Red window star with ten points.

I can tell people are thinking about the upcoming holidays and change of seasons by the window stars they choose.

The sunburst, 5-pointed star, and snowflake designs

are all ones I have been working on yesterday

and this morning.

It reminds me of the handmade gifts I still would like to make to give to others next month. Perhaps next week I will begin working on those projects. Right now, I'm enjoying making window stars!

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 7 - My Brother

Today I thanked my brother, Jim, as part of the 30 Days of Giving Thanks challenge by sending him a thank you note and some pictures in the mail. I've been meaning to thank him and Melissa for a birthday gift they gave me some time ago. (A thank you note should have been sent much more promptly.)

The other reason I wanted to send a note was to thank my brother again for the chicken coop and indoor fencing in the barn he built many years ago (around 1996).

Originally, the fencing was used to keep the sheep away from the lawn tractor, rakes, and other other tools. Now, it keeps the horses away from the rakes, pitch forks, shovels, and other tools I have hanging on the barn wall.

Some of the sheep I use to raise.

The chicken coop was home to over 40 endangered and rare breed chickens at one time. In 2003, with the adoption of Montague, I had to sell the chickens because his goal was to chase and try to capture the chickens (he's a golden retriever). It was not a good situation for the chickens.

Mother hen with her flock of chicks.

Now, the chicken coop has been changed to a place where I store grain and a few bales of hay for the horses. (The rest of the hay is in hayloft on the second floor of the barn.)

Having a separate room for these items helps keep the horses safe. They can't get into the feed or hay and overeat - a potentially dangerous situation, especially for a miniature horse.

Bailey and Hoss resting in the pasture.

My brother's help is reflected in other ways at the farm as well. He and my dad planted the Austrian pine tree that is in the front yard right by the driveway.

Olivia standing by the pine tree that

Jim and my dad planted over a decade ago.

They both dug up the small tree from another part of the farm, brought it up to the front yard in a wheelbarrow, and transplanted it so it could be seen and enjoyed each day. I think about my brother and dad each time I walk or drive by the tree.

My brother, dad, and nephew.

(Photo taken on October 9th.)

(This was also linked to Homestead Revival's Barn Hop.)

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 6 - My Niece

Today I thanked my niece (Ashlie) by writing her a card and sending two pictures of her at a family gathering last month.

Ashlie is standing behind my parents.

(This was taken in the healing garden at the nursing home.)

My parents took care of Ashlie when she was a baby through her early elementary school years when her parents both worked. She brought my parents a lot of joy because they were able to spend so much time with their first granddaughter.

My mom still talks about baking cookies with Ashlie, and how she helped them set up before mass or special services (my dad was a deacon).

She brought a lot of joy to their lives - and the memories of their time together still bring back remind her of happy times. These type of memories are so critical, especially on days that are more challenging.

I thanked Ashlie for her love towards my parents - unconditional love that she gave so freely and that made such an impact on their lives.