High Flyin'

Today Mr. Ate was in Dubai.  He was up up up very high.  This was his view this morning. The highest building in the world, I believe.  The Burj Khalifa.  aka The Dubai Tower. Mr. Ate had to make a reservation to go up on the observation deck.  I'm sure he bought a t-shirt or other trinket to add to his collection.  And now Mr. Ate is on his way home.  Yay!  Merry Christmas!

Quilting....again!

WAAAAAYYY back in 1999 I took my first quilting class.  It was at a shop in St. Anthony Park, St. Paul-- of course I can't remember the name of it-- that is now closed.  It was a beginning quiliting class.  When I took that class I had no idea that that was the beginning of a lifelong hobby for me.  It was such a great class and the instructor was wonderful. 
I did not grow up in a home with a quilter.  In fact, no one in my family quilts.  I just thought quilts were beautiful, loved how the fabric felt after it was quilted, and wanted to experience it for myself.
It was a 9-block sampler that we hand-pieced.  I made it for my son who was born in October of that year.  I chose some bright fabrics, the theme was bugs.  Since then I've tried out many methods of piecing, methods of quilting and types of projects.  I've done applique with freezer paper and fusible web.  I've done paper piecing (that is FUN).  I've made hand bags, rag quilts, placemats, wall hangings, lap quilts, bed quilts. 
Quilting is addicting.
But then I had more babies.  Got divorced.  Got remarried.  Had another baby.
Time went by.  One year, and then another, and then another...
Last month I decided my fabric stash and UFO's had sat neglected long enough.  So I took another class.  This time a Binding Basics class at Silver Lane Quilting.  A refresher on binding.  And boy did I need a refresher. 
And it was good.
Finished a Christmas wall hanging.  Ahhhhh......