Quilting together.
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

We've been learning with/about quilting. Inspired by the fact that the Gee's Bend quilts ( www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/ ) were coming to the Indianapolis Museum of art, I put together some learning with quilting as a theme. We went to see the Gee's Bend exhibit the first week it was here, and oohed and aaahed about them. We talked all about why they are special and important. We watched the documentary, we have been reading through the "Gee's Bend - Architechture of a quilt" book.
We have explored pattern and shape and color. (fun for both L and K!) We made a paper quilt, now we are working on fabric quilting. L has dropped to the wayside, he is kind of still at the lacing card level, but K has been enthusiastic about working on her quilt. She has done a little hand sewing, but once she got into the groove with the sewing machine, she has gotten very good at it!
She started the unit wanting to make a traditional quilt with a pattern (she actually wanted to do the log cabin pattern. or the friendship star....) but after much thought decided to free hand it like the women of Gee's Bend. I didn't know what to expect, but I love it! I will post pictures when it's done. It's for her doll Kirsten, so it won't be a months long project.

St. Basil's Cathedral
Originally uploaded by justynrebecca.

This was part of the gift from A and B.... a Russian doll that came with a snowglobe! The Russian doll has been a much loved possession since coming to live with us. She is a princess according to K.

K's birthday cake!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

One cake and a tub of icecream only just fed all those hungry children! (The mama's had apple slice.)
Her birthday was perfect weather, all the kiddos played and had a grand time!

Another couple of weeks has come and gone, and the busy-ness of October has been consuming!
I got to go to a drumming weekend- womendrum- that I adored. So beautiful and I learned lots of new things. West African rythym is so different to much of what I have learned, but I am thankful for my classical music background, since I can make sense of what I see and hear and try. (I just need more practise trying to make it come out right!)
Sweet K celebrated her birthday, we had cake and friends and fun! Her doll Kirsten recieved thre new outfits and has been on cloud nine because of that!
Rob and K had a 24 hour illness, they are over it, no one else got it thank goodness.
The Hoosier Storytelling Festival was a lot of fun, despite locking ourselves out of the car for the day. : P We were taken care of by our friends all day!
We have wrapped up our unit on Apples and are begninning a new thematic unit on quilts. The Quilts of Gee's Bend are at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and we began the unit with a tour of the display. So beautiful.
Our days have been continually woven with the thread of community, and as always, I am grateful. : )