I hope everyone enjoyed some rest and relaxation with loved ones this past holiday season! I had a very mellow, quiet, and restorative break; the highlight was visiting my mother for a few days just outside of Las Vegas where she lives.
Above is a view of “The Strip” in the distance, just beyond her rose bushes in her backyard. This is as about as close as I ever get to The Strip, because the only gambling I can handle is hedging my bets on how well I will free-motion stitch a quilt I have to make for someone!
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Bogie on his very own quilt.
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My mother picked up quilting again exactly one year ago, and she has been prolific ever since. I think she showed me about 10 quilts she has made in the past year alone, and the one above is one she made for her rescue pooch, Bogie.
From left to right: Dianna, Bonnie, Kathy (my mom), and Sonia.
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Just after I landed, my mom told me she wanted me to meet her quilting friends, so off to the “Sewing Club” we went, which is a room in her local community center. It’s a pretty slick quilt/sewing facility outfitted with massive cutting tables and ironing stations, a long arm machine, and at least a dozen Janomes and Berninas. I was very impressed!
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My mom’s dogs, Tee and Bogie, resting on two of my mother’s quilts.
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On the first full day of my visit, my mom and I enjoyed a pumpkin facial (which smelled lovely!) and a deep tissue massage (which hurt like hell!) at a local day spa. Afterwards, we visited my mom’s favorite independent quilt store, Quiltique, where I loaded up on fabrics, and we spent the rest of the time quilting in pajamas while the dogs supervised. (I even caught the remake of “King Kong” with Jack Black, but I couldn’t watch the last 10 minutes and chose to go to bed because there was no way I could watch King Kong die.)
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By the time I left Las Vegas, I had finished this tote that will be a part of a fundraising effort. (More on that soon.)
Today is January 1, 2013. A new day, a new year, a new chance. Here’s to cramming in as many positive, healthful, creative, friend-filled, and quilt-filled moments as we can.
Happy New Year,
It was nice to finally meet you Pokey.
You, too, Bonnie! Keep my mother in line…;)
Pokey, you said it all!
Hope 2013 is Quiltterrific for you! Glad you got to refuel with Mom!
Omg ,,, I watched king kong this weekend.
Faked a headache so not to have to watch
The last part ,,,
Pokey, you were in my neighborhood, I live in henderson. My church St. Thomas more has a group called piecemakers. We make comfort quilts for the sick and bereaved in our church and community. Loved his post.
Happy 2013 Pokey!
First, Happy New Year! Looks like your time with your mother was pretty fab. She looks amazing, and I like her new hairstyle! Please convey my best wishes to her. Sending all the best to you in the coming-year.
xoxo
Happy, happy New Year! Looks like a fabulous visit and I so love Quiltique! Its one of the couple of “must stops” on our yearly road trip from SoCa.