Honoré here: The sun is setting, a cold front is coming through - we're promised early morn temps in the 40s - 50s - and September is drawing to a close. As they say in the old country, where did the time go?
As I look over my calendar, here's where:
Shimelle's Learn Something New annual September event. This year, I used a SMASH book to track my learnings and am in the process of making ATCs (artist trading cards) to record the "lessons."
Quilt Guild resumed after the annual summer break. Deborah Boschert, a member of the Twelve by Twelve quilt group was our first guest lecturer and she was just great! I met Deborah via the 12 x 12 blog and her blog, several years ago. Earlier this year, the Twelves (as they refer to themselves) published a book, which I read and found so inspirational. Deborah and her family recently moved to the Annapolis area from Dallas. When I learned that, I immediately thought: bring her to quilt guild. I lent the book to our program person, who agreed, and, well, as they say, the rest is history...
Tech woes, as previously shared (read earlier posts this month), indeed consumed a lot of energy - that, and combatting mosquitoes - since we've had several monsoons this month, those unwelcomed peskies have been a real nuisance. Picture Norman and me sitting in front of the TV several evenings this month, our heads and arms covered, trying to avoid being bitten. Indeed, a funny sight...wish I had a photo but unfortunately, I don't ... just know, it is to laugh. We're delighted it's turning cooler; time to get rid of those peskies. Hooray.
One of the former owners of the quilt shop we all loved that closed two years ago was in town earlier this month (she lives in Texas now), so a group of us, who had become close, had an occasion to have a Saturday evening get-together. (My, that's a long sentence!) T'was just the best of times; reconnecting with old friends, always is.
My friend Kathy and I also had an opportunity for a get-together at our favorite spot: Barnes & Noble in Annapolis. We packed in a lot in three hours...Spending time with Kathy is always a treat. We've been friends for ten years. Wow!
Norman and I went to a Nationals' Sunday afternoon baseball game - they won! We had fun, ate salted peanuts and half-smokes, and did all those things people do at ball games. This was my first time going to the new stadium. It's quite nice and easy to get to: just hop on a Metro train.
This week, I've been cleaning out storage areas in the basement. Tomorrow (Oct 1) is shred day and I promised myself I was going to clear out an old file cabinet in the basement. I hadn't been in that file for easily 20+ years (lost the key). So, we jimmied the lock and once inside, I found a few gems to keep - a few letters from my parents and one from my niece (Kayla's mom), written when she was about Kayla's age , eleven. I even found two photos of me - I believe they were taken for my passport, issued in 1981. Fun! (Adele: I think there's some fine imported stuff for next year's bazaar...)
Yesterday, I attended an all-day workshop: creating painted pages for art journaling. We started by covering a book with luscious handmade papers and then, using different paints and techniques, we created 12 interior pages. Now, all we have to do is fill the pages with journaling, photos, doodling, etc. I liked the opportunity to experiment with different paints and to learn some new techniques. Taking the workshop at a store that sells the paints and papers was quite like the workshops I take in Sisters, OR. Nothing beats being able to "run out into the shop" to get product or a tool. I learned that I liked using chalk pastels best - we also used spritzers, spray inks, distress inks, and monoprinting with acrylics.
I finished my tweed sweater...more on that next month.
Looking back, September has been a busy and rewarding month, despite monsoons, mosquitos and tech woes. October promises to be just as busy and rewarding. I'm looking forward to the tenth month of the year.
Hurry sundown, see what tomorrow may bring.
Cheers~