Thoughts

Ramblings....  If reading about my thoughts sounds too depressing, please just go on to the next blog.  I'm sharing my feelings.  Thats all.   These last few years have been a struggle for my husband and I.  One employer choose to not pay its employees (we've not ever recouped those funds despite pursuing them through legal channels) another employer went into bankruptcy owing salaries, the courts paid the attorneys instead...then  16 months of no employment.  Hard times,  but hopefully things will begin to ease now that he has a permanent job.  It is a wicked economy, made very difficult for his field of expertise, which is construction.   Anyway.......that on top of some other losses this last year  has put me into a strange funk, aka as depression, not unlike many other folks I know.  I wanted to chat about some of my feelings here.

 I coordinated the Hearts and Hands for Sendai project which resulted in 20 quilts being donated to Hideko Ishida so that she could utilize them for fund raising purposes for the children affected by the tsunami and earth quake along with showing the worldwide friendship we have with her through crazy quilting. An article was even written up on this project in the Grand Junction, CO newspaper thanks to Janet Popish sending a tip!!  I had thought that this was a wonderful testament to cq and friendship......now I don't know.

Why the funk, you ask?  (probably not....but I am rambling on my own blog.....)  :)  I have been accused of  mishandling funds within ICQA, which is an unincorporated non-profit, created by myself with the hopes that it would some day rival AQS.  This puts the "business" in a privately held status.  It  has no public reporting responisibilities/obligations and is considered a private company as  no non-profit paperwork has been generated.  It is my understanding that it needs to have income to move forward with filings?  I don't know.   Anyway,back to the story,  these accusations have hurt more deeply than anyone can know and friendships have been sadly affected. Yes, I understand that i'm not the only one hurting so I don't need reminding. I read that one CQI member was so upset that she thought she would give up cq altogether. That would have been a HUGE loss as she is very talented and it hurt my heart to think of her pain caused by all this. All that said.....back to the story again....no fund raising, specifically for ICQA has occurred and the funds that were in the account were obtained through small silent auctions of donated items and were designated as scholarship monies for members of CQI to attend the annual retreat. $1600 had accumulated. The bank acxount itself,was also used as a clearing house to offer group buys for lace, charms, silk ribbon, etc. for members of CQI.   I had received no complaints whatsoever.   I put together the annual retreat for 2011 in Estes Park, CO.    It was the best yet as far as facility, organization, etc. and I was unable to participate as much as planned due to last minute family obligations. Apparently folks were unhappy with something at the retreat and felt overcharged or something. I have no clue.  The cost for the retreat for five days, was $540.00 for five nights and four days. We had two teachers, one of national repute, a HUGE facility and food a plenty that I had prepared in advance (the remaining food was taken home by some CQI members).  Three attendees were paid for by the scholarship fund.  Based on the figures stated above, anyone can do the math.  Once everyone got home, accusations began.  I was completely blind sided.   I was not ever consulted privately and had NO idea anything was wrong.  Everything happened in a very public way and I have felt completely humiliated.  My instincts have been to crawl back into myself and go into protection mode.  I had a childhood that has colored my responses as an adult and this is my way of coping. Its not the best way to handle things maybe....but it is the only way I know how to cope.  Anyway.....I have been completely quiet as there is nothing more to say.  I am mourning the losses of friends and much more.   I have done nothing wrong except give my heart and soul to a group that has ripped me apart.  The group experienced damage as well, I am well aware of that.  Nothing happens in this world that doesn't have an effect on something else.  The bank account was closed after forwarding the remaining funds comprised of left over retreat monies and  donations  that came in with the H & H blocks in the amount of $1500.00 to Hideko Ishida for her use for the tsunami victims. There are no other monies.  I've wondered, privately, if folks for some odd reason, think there is money enough that i've taken a trip to Tahaiti or something!!  LOL!!  I'm trying to lighten things up by saying this even though I don't feel it in my heart of hearts. I feel nothing but sadness right now.  I am not an accountant.  I cannot produce certified, financial documents even if there was income to produce one for. I cannot personally afford an accountant to conjure up some records to satisfy people. I have given a basic "accounting" of balances to no avail. It was considered a joke, but is all I am able to do.   Some folks continue to spread vitriol.  All I can ask, is why wasn't I questioned privately??  Why?  What has been gained from all of this besides hurt feelings?  I wrote this only to clarify my position.  I do not wish to stir up bad feelings and certainly do not want a continuance of vitriolic accusations.  I would like to simply disappear from the face of the earth.....yes.....that is the depression talking. This too shall pass.  Until next time....... maybe.....maybe not.

Little Golden Treasures

Introducing Kara!  Our newest addition!  We had to find another home for Sophie (aka Zipper) as there were serious personality problems with the other four leggeds.  Once gone, Mairin was missing a playmate so after thought.....we came home with Ms. Kara.  She is a little golden red spitfire that keeps ALL of us on our toes!!  She and Mairin will be tremendous friends! 

TAST

I decided to try out TAST this year!  I will work it into a project that will serve several purposes I hope!!!  This will be a fun year!  :)

Hearts and Hanjds For Sendai

The project for Hideko Ishida, a friend in Sendai, Japan, is now complete.  I have confirmation that the 20 quilts made from blocks contributed by friends all around the world, have arrived safe and sound to Hideko.  A dontaion has also been made to Hideko for use in a charity of her choosing in the amount of $1500.00 after expenses.  Thanks go out to all who have contributed.  I am looking forward to hearing about their showing in the Tagawa Internation Quilt Festival!  It is my hope that they create quite a stir for crazy quilting as well as showing the love and friendship that are stitched in each quilt.  Now I will move onto to new projects with my group, World Wide Crazy Quilters.  Thank you everyone for sharing yourself with this project

PHEW!!!!

A HUGE relief to have all of the quilts from the Hearts and Hands for Sendai project DONE!!!!  YEAHHH.    This is one of twenty quilts that I put together.  All of the quilts can be viewed here.  Enjoy the eyecandy!

Tatting Kit Tookit

Tatted Treasures is having a wonderful give away for a beginners tatting
toolkit!  Check it out here to enter!!
http://www.tattedtreasures.com/2011/08/tatting-toolkit-giveaway/

Good luck!  :)

Hugs.....Leslie

UFO completions!

I haven't posted in a veryyyy long time.  I have been busy stitching and

trying to get some things accomplished on top of the usual warm weather   

activities! Without further delay....... here they are!!!

This project was started last year when I took a class with Cindy Brick!  I "HAD" to have one of my trees on it!!  LOL!! 

This is from a Jewels on Black rr years ago.  The stitchers were Hideko, Jo, Sossity and Lou Anne!  Isn't it GORGEOUS?

This is a monthly challenge from a group now gone.... Fairy Goddess Mothers.  This one is for the month of January! 
The next two items were made by my grandmother in law years ago for my daughter.  There were areas that needed repairing, etc.  This is the projess with them.  There is still some embroidery to be done and adding fans in the corners.  Hopefully they will look good when i'm done!  :)

I hope you enjoyed my little cq contribution for the month!  :)

I am re-posting a reminder about our 4th Annual Sept. Stitch Shenanigans crazy quilt retreat! We are accepting deposits now to hold your spot!!! This promises to be a very fun time! 

2011 September Stitch Shenanigans

Where: Estes Park, Colorado

When: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 5:00 PM to Monday, September 26 at 11:00 AM

Please join us for our FOURTH ANNUAL CQI crazy quilted gathering!! This year is jam packed with

teachers Martha Green (Carny Roadside Attraction School of Crazy Quilting) and Gerry Krueger, a

vendor mall, mini tutorials and CQ fun! A sampling of past activities includes Chinese Auction, Stash

dash, Ugly Tie Swap along with a variety of mini tutorials and LOTS of technique shared amongst the

members!! Approximate costs are $255 for lodging, $100 for food and $100 for our teachers and of

course shopping funds! Spaces are limited, so be sure to make YOUR reservation now!!! Day rates are

available for those wishing to attend a class only.

For more information, please contact Leslie Ehrlich at pinyoncreekq@q.com

Hearts and Hands For Sendai

As a refresher to folks, as we are a little over a month away from our deadline.  I have started a project, named Hearts and Hands For Sendai! The purpose is to open this project up to the quilting community at large and have blocks made in any quilting medium. These blocks will then be assembled into wall hangings and sent to Japan to be displayed in the International Quilt Show in coordination with Patchwork Tsushin as a fund raiser when viewed. I have created a logo, such as my first attempt with photoshop goes, and anyone is welcome to use the logo to advertise this project on their own blog or in their own quilt organization. I greatly appreciate everyones participation in this event! If you have any questions about this project or would like to participate, please contact me at pinyoncreekq@q.com .

Renaissance Stitch

I just recently discovered this little gem of a stitch on Sharon Boggon's Stitch Directory!  I LOVE it!  It is called the renaissance stitch and is really very easy to do!  The picture above is Sharon's rendition!  Isn't it wonderful?  So, following are some pics that show you the basic steps.

I am basically following the seam line to help me judge placement of the middle of the first stitch and the top of the second stitch.  I also discovered in playing with the spacing that it can be made to look like a row of diamonds OR one, cohesive unit of stitching, creating a stitched version of ric rac.  I hope you enjoy!

Hearts and Hands For Sendai

As many of you know from my crazy quilting group, CQI, I am promoting, coordinating...ummmm......putting together, LOL, an exhibit in coordination with Patchwork Tsushin. This exhibit will be for the purpose of generating donations for the re-building of Japan. If you are participating in this project and are not a member of CQI, would you please email me privately to let me know that you are stitching a block and how many you are making, please? My email is pinyoncreekq@q.com . Thank you ALL, once again for jumping in with both feet and helping with this terrific project!!!

Hearts and Hands For Sendai

As many know, I have started a project, named Hearts and Hands For Sendai!  The purpose is to open this project up to the quilting community at large and have blocks made in any quilting medium.  These blocks will then be assembled into wall hangings and sent to Japan to be displayed in the International Quilt Show in coordination with Patchwork Tsushin as a fund raiser when viewed.  I have created a logo, such as my first attempt with photoshop goes, and anyone is welcome to use the logo to advertise this project on their own blog or in their own quilt organization.  I greatly appreciate everyones participation in this event!

4th Annual Sept Stitch Shenanigans

I wanted to re-post a reminder about our 4th Annual Sept. Stitch Shenanigans crazy quilt retreat!  We are accepting deposits now to hold your spot!!!  This promises to be a very fun time!

2011 September Stitch Shenanigans

Where:  Estes Park, Colorado

When: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 5:00 PM to Monday, September 26 at 11:00 AM

Please join us for our FOURTH ANNUAL CQI crazy quilted gathering!! This year is jam packed with

teachers Martha Green (Carny Roadside Attraction School of Crazy Quilting) and Gerry Krueger, a

vendor mall, mini tutorials and CQ fun! A sampling of past activities includes Chinese Auction, Stash

Dash, Ugly Tie Swap along with a variety of mini tutorials and LOTS of technique shared amongst the

members!! Approximate costs are $255 for lodging, $100 for food and $100 for our teachers and of

course shopping funds! Spaces are limited, so be sure to make YOUR reservation now!!! Day rates are

available for those wishing to attend a class only.

For more information, please contact Leslie Ehrlich at pinyoncreekq@q.com

Hearts & Hands For Sendai

Hi everyone!  I have just created a Flickr group for those that are participating in the Hearts and Hands for Sendai project.  Everyone is welcome to share their blocks from their "naked" beginnings to completion!  Thank you ALL once again for your heartfelt participation!

Hearts and Hands For Sendai!

I am coordinating a project to raise funds for the recovery of Japan. The quilting community as a whole is welcome to participate!  Traditional and crazy quilt blocks will be accepted!  I am posting the guidelines below for those that are interested in joining in.  Please contact me with any questions you may have. I look forward to working with everyone!  I know this will be a fabulous project upon completion!  Stay tuned here or at the CQI blog for updates on blocks as they come in!!  Please feel free to utilize this post on your own blog to help in spreading the word!!!


Hearts and Hands For Sendai


This project will be dedicated to helping those affected by the earthquake tsunami disaster in Japan. Per Hideko Ishida's request, all quilts will become a part of an exhibit in Japan where money will be raised by viewing the quilts. Ultimately, these quilts may be auctioned and the proceeds given to a charity designated by Hideko Ishida, our Japanese CQ Sister! We will keep everyone informed as time progresses. This project is open to the quilting community at large! You may track details on the Crazy Quilting International blog, http://crazyquiltinginternational.blogspot.com or the ICQA Facebook page http://tinyurl.com/4h3x28a .

Guidelines are as follows:

Theme: Friendship and re-building of a country

Finished block size: 8 inches

Colors: Jewel Tones

Style: traditional or crazy quilt blocks will be accepted

For traditional quilt blocks, there are no pattern restrictions. The only requirements are the size and the colors. Finished size is to be 8 inches (20.32 cm). Please allow a half inch seam allowance. Colors are jewel tones. No restrictions to the type of fabric used.


For crazy quilt blocks:

_ Cut foundation at 9 inches (22.86 cm), piece the entire foundation.

_ Baste a line at 8 inches (20.32 cm) to stop embroidering

_ Do not add beads or charms past 7 ½ inches (19.05 cm)

_ Zig zag edges to prevent edges from fraying.

_ Add your name and address on the back of the block.

_ Mark the block with “UP” to show which side is the top

_ Prefer all fabrics used be “fancies” (ie: silk, satin, taffeta, velvet) but if you have

some kimono fabrics or other oriental themed fabrics in your stash you are

welcome to use them.

_ All beading MUST be double stitched and knotted with BEADING THREAD!!!

NO exceptions!!! These items will be handled a great deal and beads, buttons,

charms are among the first to begin to loosen. Embellishments – may be done

by machine or by hand.

_ Lace and other motifs are acceptable and must be securely attached

_ Trims are acceptable and must be securely attached

_ SRE is acceptable

_ Tatting and crocheted butterflies and dragonflys, etc are acceptable and must

be securely attached

_ Please sign the back of your block

Please refrain from using any reference to the rising sun as this has political connotations in Japan.

If you have any questions, at any time, please just email me or call me; Leslie pinyoncreekq@q.com . All completed projects will be mailed to me no later than June 30, 2011. Please contact me for mailing address information.

We are asking for an entry fee of $10.00 dollars for each block. This fee will be accrued and forwarded to either Hideko or a charity of her choosing. This is to generate funds to help Japan as much as possible.

Funds can be sent vis a vis check, money order (payable to ICQA) or Paypal, icqa4u@yahoo.com. Please check gift for the donation. I appreciate everyone’s participation and look forward to seeing all the fabulous creations!

4th Annual September Stitch Shenanigans

Please join us for our fourth annual Crazy Quilting International gathering, SEPTEMBER STITCH SHENANIGANS!!

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept 21, 2011 (5:00 pm) to Mon, Sept 26, 2011 (11:00 am) 5 nights  accommodation, Classes Thurs - Sun

WHERE: Estes Park, CO YMCA - large private cabin

WHO: YOU are invited to join in the crazy, creative, stiching fun!

This year is jam packed with lots of fun activities, classes and workshops, and much more!!!
TEACHERS:                    De Crow  AND  Gerry Krueger

We will also feature:

Crazy Gift Exchange Game - sometimes called a Chinese Auction
Stash Dash - tables-full of stash, yours for the taking!
Show & Tell - everyone can share their own CQ work
A Vendor Mall - inquire how you can sell your wares!
Ugly Tie Swap - an optional way to build your tie stash
Round-tables - where members share favorite stitches with each other
Workshops - dyeing, beading cabochons, Angelina fibers and more

Approximate costs are $255 for lodging, $100 to cover teachers and, of course, your own funds for shopping and meals. This is a phenomenal deal!!  Spaces are limited, so be sure to make YOUR reservation now!!!

For more information, contact Leslie Ehrlich,  pinyoncreekq@q.com

Breast Cancer Charity Wall Hangings!

Every year at Crazy Quilting International, we have a charity project for breast cancer. These are the wall hangings, made out of the blocks contributed this year! Beautiful work is to be seen here! Soon, I will get these up on Ebay to auction for charity! Stay tuned for more details on that!!  This next year our theme will be a "Tribute To Mothers"!  I cannot wait to see what everyone conjures for this!