Tuesday Morning Serenade

Crazy Quilting

On Saturday I went to an all day quilting class taught by Patricia Belyea of Okan Arts titled "Counterintuitive Quilting."  In this class we were encouraged to abandon all habits of quilting efficiency and instead scissor-cut each piece, creating one original block at a time.  We went through three stages of blocks, letting each one evolve differently.  Often I found myself sewing together a block, slicing through it with my scissors, and then changing it completely.  I felt a little out of my element at first, but once I got going I really enjoyed the process.  I pushed my limits and, with a little gentle guidance from Patricia, created something I wouldn't have done otherwise.  It was really great fun and it felt good to get back behind my sewing machine for the first time in what feels like months.

Two Things

 

There is a guy at my gym who looks just like Ed Roland of Collective Soul.  He even dresses like a rocker.  It makes my day every time I see him there.  I want to walk up to him and sing, "Whoooaaah!  Come and let your light shine down!" but I don't know that it would be entirely appropriate.

I'm really proud of my Broncos' performance last night.  They played an awesome game that was neck and neck through until the end when they pulled way ahead, beating Gonzaga 85 to 71.  Way to go, fellas!

A+ for Enthusiasm

image via cnet news

I don't think people really believe it until they see it:  I am a shameless dancer.  I don't mean, after a few drinks at a wedding, when "Louie Louie" comes on at a Mariner's game, or only in front of my closest friends; I mean anywhere, any time.  Grocery store is playing my jam?  I'm be-boppin' down the aisles picking out my cereal.  No joke.  If you're an insecure person, don't go anywhere with me that might be playing hits from the 80s or 90s; you will, guaranteed, be mortified.

That being said, there's a brand new game out that's perfect for a gal like me: Xbox Kinect's Dance Central.  While I don't personally have this game (yet), our good friends got one over the holidays and invited us over to play the other night.  It is so awesome.  Included in the song list are classic hits of my era, such as "Poison," by Bel Biv Devoe.  When it came to my turn, I chose that song and danced the hell out of it.  I may not have hit every move, but I definitely earned points among the group for putting forth unabashed effort.

What I'm Wearing - Industrial Edition

sources: earrings, dress, shoes

Today I'm giving one of my plain black office dresses an industrial edge with slate gray zipper-toed pumps and hanging chain earrings.  I almost feel like I should be going on a date after work.  But I have a different sort of date tonight - a date with Jillian Michaels on my tv.  She and I have been working together on my wannabe six-pack.  I promised her I'd be there, so a night on the town will have to wait...

What I'm Wearing - Typical Me

sources: earrings, pendant, shirt, trousers, shoes

I'm fighting off an obnoxious cold and I just didn't have time to deal with the whole outfit selection circus today, so I threw on a nice safe black button-up / gray trousers combo, stepped into my spectators, and ran out the door.  I love this outfit because (aside from my feels, which are much taller than the ones picture here) it's comfortable and polished and zero effort.

What I'm Wearing - Office Edition

sources: earrings, brooch, top, jeans, shoes

I haven't done one of these in a while.  I know it's winter here in Seattle, but I felt like wearing a sleeveless shirt today.  I lost 7 lbs this past week (I know, right??) and I wanted to flaunt it.  So sue me.