You can visit the store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/WriteRoundJournals. I’ve also started a new blog dedicated to these journals, so you might not see so many on Rule Variations anymore. My new blog is writeroundrecords.wordpress.com.

For her prize, Jenny selected the Cat Stevens “Teaser and the Firecat.”  Congratulations and thank you, Jenny!

Journal/Album cover "Teaser and the Firecat"

The Artist Formerly Known as Cat Stevens

Industrial Paper Cutter

We were taking the long way to the dog park, meandering down the river road, Owen and I on our day off.  We were looking for a vacuum and decided to stop at a sprawling yard sale along the way.

This humongo paper cutter was hidden, leaning innocently against a table topped with children’s board games, heating pads, and walkie talkies.  I spotted the leaver, though, and knew I struck gold.

These guillotine paper cutters can cost a few hundred bucks (used), and honestly, they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.  This one is industrial size, the yard saler a contractor who guts places and saves his finds before renovating.  An aside–this guy had an amazing 2-story playhouse for his daughter, bigger than most NYC apartments.

We got this paper cutter for $20.  The book maker in me is still giddy.  Also, it’s come in great handy as work space.  Sitting where it is on the floor, it’s  a great work surface for cutting my journal covers.  It needs a sharpening before we get to actually cut paper with it.

2 Drunkard's Path Squares

My first lesson in  intermediate quilting was sewing curves.  We used the Drunkard’s path as our trial.  I did the one on the left first, feeling creative with some new colorful green material, but I had such a hard time sewing curves this small! This is the first quilting experience I haven’t enjoyed completely.

But I forced myself to keep going, quilting the one on the right to much more success, and I like the design better.

Apparently this method works anytime you’re sewing curves, so now I’ll just apply it to bigger curves

So, I need a catchy name for my store and I’d like you to help.  And as an added bonus, if you come up with the winning name, you’ll get a free album cover journal made by moi (worth–$25)

So far we have one contender:  “Album Notes.”  But you can do better, I know you can!

To post your idea, leave me a comment, or send me an email or FB message.  Looking forward to hearing your ideas!

Here’s my latest journal, sold at my house concert last weekend:  Barbara Streisand’s “Butterfly.”

Barbara Streisand--Butterfly

Inside Cover of Barbara Streisand's Butterfly Album

The previous occupant of this room was a teenager and I inherited the bright red/pink room from her.  Perfect for creativity once you get used to it. I made the best of my room (and my postcard collection) by decorating it with a travel and adventure theme.

A Portion of my Postcard Collection

Authentic (and somewhat legal) RR Signs.

Baby Sam, sitting in his sampler.

Last week I made the 9-hour drive to Cecil County, MD to meet little Samuel.  We had to work at it, but Laura, Muriel and I were able to pose him on the sampler quilt I made him while mommy was distracted on the telephone.  We were even able to get the pacifier out of his mouth for just a sec.

We started with this album:

Willie & Family Live

Here are the results:

Front Cover

As Maria transitions to her new/old home in Asheville this summer, I hope she can use this journal to document it!

Here is Mr. Hoke’s announcement, which includes details on reserving your space:

________
“We are superexcited that our friend Erin Condo is going to play in our living room in April. Erin gave me a copy of her CD a few months ago, and it keeps nudging others out of the stereo to get played again. And again. I’ve also had the great fortune to get together with Erin a few times to play music, and I LOVE this woman’s voice. No kidding. When we ask someone to play for our friends in the living room, we always weigh whether or not we like this person’s music enough to clean the bathroom. I like Erin’s enough to clean it twice. No kidding.

“Better written info on Erin and her music can be found at http://www.myspace.com/erincondo. There are also a couple of videos of Erin playing her songs (in case you’re one of those video-liking people).

“I think you all know our houseconcert routine, yes? We’re limited to 20 well-groomed music lovers, so kindly RSVP ASAP for a SPOT. $10 donation per person (all to the artist, of course). CDs will be available for purchase. We’ll have snacks and drinks on hand but feel free to bring something tasty to share if you are so inclined. Doors at 6:30, music commences at 7p.

“Lastly, Django fervently hopes we have a full house; he enjoyed his musical debut with Jaime back in February. I hope we have a full house too. I hope you’re part of it. I think that’s it–holler at me if you have any questions. Get those checks in the mail (and let me know, please, when you do).

“Thank you for your attention. Back to the daffodils.
Todd”

Erin Condo

http://www.myspace.com/erincondo

Saturday, April 24
$10 suggested donation
Doors @ 6:30p, Music @ 7p
411 Hillcrest Circle
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 545-3858 (Todd)
(828) 545-3862 (Meg)
hoketodd@hotmail.com

Stephanie and her partner Steve didn’t find out the sex of the baby before he was born, so I made the quilt to be for either sex. I chose really bright (really bright!) colors rather than the more neutral green and yellows and pinks and blues normally used. I meant to focus on green and purple, but loved the orange so much I ended up putting quite a bit in. The comment I got most from the class was “Wow, it’s perfect for Halloween.” But what about for a baby?

Samuel was born a few weeks ago, right before I could finish the quilt. I haven’t met him yet, but the quilt is with him and when Steph sends me some pictures of Sam with the quilt I’ll pass them on.

For now, here’s the finished product:

My First Quilt, A Sampler

I used polka dots for the back of the quilt--and purple, of course!

For Samuel Mitchell

Our teacher insisted that we always make a label for our quilts stating who made it, who it was made for, and where and when the quilt was made. Luckily, my new handy dandy sewing machine does letters!

I had so much fun making this quilt and am happy that I have two more baby quilts to make in the near future!