More Danish Hearts

I'm continuing to fine tune the table topper pattern that looks like Danish Hearts.  

Today I sewed up a version that worked out well.

I had discovered I needed good contrast between the white in the hearts and the corners, 

so I decided to use some left over fabric I had that has little trees on it.

 Better contrast, I think it will be perfect.

It might look a little Christmassy but that's okay.

 I also widened the sashing between the hearts.

I like the separation.

 I'm still not very proficient at binding.

I have 2 quilts waiting to be bound, so I need to nail this skill.

My final product turned out great.

The hearts really stand out.

Now, I'm going to take this pattern and work on a runner pattern using the hearts.

Hearts are good.

Life is good.

The Good Life

On Tuesday I started the day with a Bridge match as part of my Marathon group.  Marathon bridge is a set of matches, played over the fall, winter and spring, with each team's total score submitted at the end.  There is a banquet to celebrate the winners and have a little time as a big group.  The match on Tuesday was fun, with some good hands and some challenging hands.

After bridge, I came home to work on puzzles, and then worked on some sewing.  I'm working on felt table covers for our bridge club at the senior center.  It's nice to do a little sewing with no pressure.

In the evening, I wanted to watch some of my regular shows like NCIS and Bull.  But I'm also needing Danish hearts for my birthday cards.  So, while I was entertained by the TV shows, I knocked out 20 hearts.

The weaving of a heart is easy, but takes practice.

 I'm using a shiny paper for this batch, really easy to work with.

I think this is my favorite pattern, simple.

I'm pleased to have a nice supply of hearts on hand,

I'm pleased to have the chance to play cards and meet new friends,

I'm pleased to have such a relaxed, some might say lazy, lifestyle.

Life is Good.

Symphony jazz

We are lucky to have a talented group of musicians in the area who have formed The Red Cedar Symphony.  Their Spring concert was performed on Sunday afternoon at a local church.

Friend Carol and I attended and it was well worth the ticket price of $15.

The program was complex and included a very interesting piece featuring jazz bassoon.

I wasn't expecting that.

Then they transitioned back into Tchaikovsky and it was wonderful.

After the concert, Carol and I stopped to quench our thirst at the local supperclub,

Lehman's.  The bassoonist walked in to meet several of the other musicians.

We chatted with her a bit and she told us that they have formed a small jazz group here in town and will be playing at Lehman's in April.

I can't wait, it will be fun to have local jazz.

Spring Show, Luck, WI

I thought you might enjoy great niece Emily's bio in the Spring Show program.

 Her family includes 5 kids, 2 adults, 2 dogs and a lot of busy-ness. 

The Spring Show included about 20 comedic skits. Some short while others were more extensive.  My favorite had to do with dogs playing cards and a do-gooder Lassie dog.

I was surprised that the show went 2 hours but it was quite entertaining throughout.

Well done great niece Emily and all the cast. 

Cold

I've been resisting, but woke up this morning with a cold. I canceled out of tutoring (auto correct typed that as torturing, I wonder) and piano lessons then spent time under a flannel blanket in a coma.

Once I had a good nap, I started on today's NYT puzzle. It's a clever shape.

I'm hoping AlkaPlus is my friend. A warm blanket and the fireplace helps too. 

Fun

I had a really nice afternoon today. I had bridge here and none of the women had ever been here before.
We had a fun afternoon of cards, lots of entertaining conversation and they were quite complimentary of my home.   My new felt table cover worked wonderful too.

My dessert was apple bars from the Chetek Bakery, always a favorite and I even have one left over for my breakfast tomorrow.

😁

Learning

I have a lot to learn about sewing techniques and also lots to learn about adapting patterns with my own color ideas.

I made the little green, shamrock table topper and wanted to adapt it to red and white to look like a Danish heart.

So, this was my first attempt, and as you can see, I chose the wrong color for border and corners, the heart disappears.  But, this is very usable for a place-mat, and the next one will be better.

I thought I'd post a few photos of the construction.

Slicing the strips.

Laying out the blocks, starting to see the pattern form.

Some corners have to be cut, on purpose.

I started to see my color choice was not going to work, but I carried on.

Look closely to see the heart shape.

Adding some batting and a backing.

Time to 'stitch in the ditch' to quilt the backing and batting to the piece.

Why does the thread always run out in mid project?
I decided to keep going and I got lucky, this time.
I didn't run out of threat before finishing.

I wonder if any other quilters are particular about their pins.
I only like super sharps, and I always keep all the pins facing the same direction.

The finished table topper.
The hearts disappear, so the next version will use a darker fabric for the borders and corners.

So, I'm learning that laying out all the pieces before sewing, can save a project.
Learning something every day.
+++
I got a package from Amazon today, post it notes, nothing fancy.

Inside was a little card thanking me for my purchase.

Nice touch.

Life is good.

Assists

"Help others along the way, and you will help yourself."

The quote above was written by my Aunt Ane Marie in a high school graduation card to her brother, my Dad, Valdemar. 

No one keeps official stats as we live our lives, most folks are quick to lend a hand when asked, but seeing the need,  before the ask, that's a special person. Something to aspire to. 

Time will tell as to the character of our Johansen youth. But I'm very optimistic. 

Perhaps sports give us a window into the mindset of the athlete. Is it all about the player or the team? It's easy to find examples of both. 

It is my hope that great nephew Jack will carry his basketball skill into the rest of his life. He's been a leader in assists on the court for years and in his Senior year of high school, he has ranked high in the state for total assists.  Now, as he graduates and starts making his way in life, will he continue to rack up assists?  I think so, but time will tell.  In the meantime, I'm proud of Jack's selflessness on the basketball court. 

Well done #5! 

A little sewing

I'm getting used to having more free time now that I am done with basketball and editing of all the basketball photos.

I'm hosting bridge here a couple of times this month, and decided I would like a felt cover for my table.  It helps with picking up the cards and also is built in coasters to soak up any spills or condensation.

I had picked up the felt on sale quite some time ago, it was a quick project and I'm pleased.

 Simple yet so useful.

Then I got interested in a kit I had ordered online.

It's supposed to be a shamrock but I'm interested in the pattern for Danish Hearts.

So, I sewed up the fabric that came with the kit and it will be a cute table topper,

but now I'm excited to use reds and whites to see how it looks with a Danish spin.

This Shamrock still needs a backing and binding.

The table topper is done and in the mail to a friend with good Irish roots.

It is supposed to be delivered on Saturday, 'just in time' for St. Pat's day.

It's nice to have time to sew.

Quilt camp is coming, I need to be thinking about the projects I'll take along.

Roasted fish?

One of the cats may have decided to roast one of the fishies.

Not sure that's a great idea. 

Here fishy fishy fishy

I kept seeing ads for these cat toys and finally ordered. 

So far, Barley loves them the most.

Hops seems a little interested, but only after I've gone to bed. 

Happy cat, happy life. 

Got it

Erin sent me this photo of Jackson's finished puzzle work.

It's fun to use my photos for something useful and fun.

And so it goes

The Luck Boys Season ended at the Regional Championship game.

It was an exciting season with many highlights.

Beating Unity the first time in several seasons certainly was a thrill.

More than one close game causing hearts to race and knuckles to be white.

Jack's Senior Year and final season of high school basketball, 

I'll miss seeing him on the court, that is to be sure.

The Starting 1,2,3,4,5

#5 Jack Johansen

#1 Carsen Ely

#4 Levi Jensen

#3 Payton Ellefsen

#2 Gage Johansen

Jack

Jack

Jack

Jack

Jack and Gage on D

Jack and Gage

My 2017-18 Basketball Stats

54 Games watched in person, includes all the youth games

Roughly 1700 Minutes in the bleachers, or 28 hours

Approximately 38,000 photos taken.

3676 Miles driven to watch basketball

About 60 hours sitting in the driver's seat.

Moments of joy? To numerous to count.

Overall rating, priceless.

I can't wait for next year.

Gage and the other underclassmen will step up to fill the shoes of this year's Seniors.

So it goes.

*****

I have to say how much I missed Janice this year. 

I think she was my co-pilot more than once helping me avoid a close call with a deer,

or manage a tricky drive in the snow.