Celtic Knot Quilt

I'm so happy that I finally finished my Celtic knot quilt. It has been a time consuming project, but well worth it. I learned how to make the bias strips and then appliqued them. You can see in the detail pictures below.



It was a little confusing when I first began the Celtic knots because they weave back and forth. I have to make sure that the correct strip was on top and on the bottom. When I picked out the fabric for my quilt I just went for colors that matched and figured that it would all work out in the end. I think that it worked out very nicely. This final picture it the material detail from the back of the quilt.


The quilt was machine quilted and then I did the binding myself.

What to Say?

Yesterday I found out that a friend of mine is terminally ill. She's had several battles with cancer, but this time cancer has won. Right now she's not seeing anyone except for her husband and immediate family. She is an amazing girl who always thinks of others before herself. I don't want do say good bye, but I do want to let her know that I love her and appreciate her. I'm glad that she's been in my life. How do I say it though? I've never been one to express myself very well.

Drastic Measures

Well, not too drastic I hope. This is the first time I've had my hair colored all over. Only one other time have I had highlights put in my hair. I really like the color and almost feel like it's natural. Maybe because it's almost as dark as Wendy's hair. :P

Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe

I went to the Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe performance. I enjoy going to cultural performances, so yesterday morning when I saw that they were going to be at BYU I got a ticket. Bunraku is a Japanese puppet. It takes three people to work a puppet: one works on the right hand and head; another works the feet; and the third works the left hand, while his free hand is able to help out with the props. Most of the information below is from the program.

The above puppet is a Sanbaso. The Kotobuki Shiki Sanbaso opens every Bunraku Bay performance. He is meant to purify the theatre and scatter good fortune on the audience with lively gestures that mimic the planting of rice and also suggest felicitous creatures like turtles and cranes.


This picture is the Shishimai, the Lion Dance. The Lion Dance proffers good health to the audience. When a Lion bites a child on the head it confers intelligence. While the Lion was dancing there was a child in the audience laughing. It was so cute it had the audience laughing.




These two puppets are Oyumi, the child, and her mother Otsuru from the Keisei Awa no Naruto play. Otsuru was forced to abandon her child as an infant ten years earlier. Oyumi then goes on a pilgrimage to find her parents. When she runs into her mother she doesn't know it's her, but her mother recognizes her. Circumstances don't allow Otsuru to keep Oyumi so she has to push her away to save her life. Some members of the audience were allowed to go up to the stage and work the puppets for this scene.


Hidakagawa Iriaizakura. This last puppet is Kiyohime. She is in love with a man but he does not return her affection. He flees across the Hidaka River and bribes the boatman to not ferry Kiyohime across the river. As she comes to the river, the boatman ridicules her. When she learns the story of her intended love's infidelity, her demonic jealousy transforms both her heart and her form.

The kimonos that the women puppets wear are actually made from ancient kimonos that are no longer wearable. They are very beautiful puppets and it was an amazing show. Below is a picture of me with Kiyohime.

Why Do I Always Have to Play Dead?

I entered the Psych premiere photo contest last Friday and they posted the results today. My photo above was a runner up and I won the second season of Psych DVD. I'm excited that my photo was even acknowledged. Yea...Happy Me!!!

Webfoot

Today is a sad day. When I came home from work today Ariana told me that Webfoot looked weird. He was floating on the bottom of the tank upside down. So, immediately I knew that he was dead. I've almost had Webfoot for three years. Usually miniature frogs live for one year, so Webfoot lived a long life. He will now join his brothers, Ranafrog, Trevor and Zar.

Christmas Ornaments

I'm so excited! Let me tell you why....

I have had my own place for a little over 2 years and this past Christmas is the third Christmas season I've had since being in my condo. Decorating decisions have been difficult for me because there's so much that I like (or dislike). Last year I finally made up my mind about my bathroom and got it painted. I also came up with some decor for the bedroom that Ariana sleeps in (planning on painting that one this year). Anyhow, what I'm trying to say is that it takes me a long time to decide how to decorate.

So, before Christmas I was doing a little bit of shopping and found the perfect Christmas ornaments for me. I currently use a 12" tree that kind of gets hidden behind all the presents I get. LOL!!! These ornaments were on sale 50% before Christmas, but I told myself not to get them at that time. If I was meant to have them, they would be there after the holiday. And, if I really liked them I would go back for them. It was hard to pull away from it, not knowing if I would see them ever again.

Finally, I went to the store today to see what the leftovers were. To my surprise I found everything I wanted. And even more surprising, everything was 75% off. I really am super excited for my Christmas tree. However, after all of that I realized that I have to wait till the end of the year to put up the decoration. (Sigh....)

Oh well, I guess all of you have to wait that long as well to see my Christmas tree. I will tell you though, that the color scheme is purple, pink, green and cream, with gold accents and lots of beads and sequence.