Wow, it is going to be 112 here today. Yesterday it was 108 and the wind was blowing so it felt like the oven was open. Ugh. Work is hectic. I run around doing a zillion little things and have about 50 different conversations a day. Really.
I guess that's better than a boring job where things just go plunk plunk plunk...I remember now what I like about being home for the summer...a little of this, a little of that, and the pace is just so nice. It is a great job, but it would be nice if it was less of a scramble everyday. But reference work is like that...one day someone needs a photograph, then someone needs help with a paper on a local issue, then someone needs a pencil. I need to hold some fabric! Thank goodness I have an entire closet full to love!
Okay friends and bloggers, I had a great time yesterday playing scavenger hunt with Anne Sutton of Bunny Hills Designs. You will be happy if you do! You know Anne, the fabulous "Rabbits Prefer Chocolate" pattern gal. Go on over and take a look and see what fun she has in store for you! I learned alot and found fabric and books I simply must add to my stash! Thanks Anne! xo Pam
Tomorrow begins my 56th semester at Chico State...yes, that is correct. Actually, that is only the number of semesters I have worked at the library. If you count 1974-1980 for school and other jobs...it comes out to 68 semesters...double wow. Maybe only a couple more until I am on to another chapter--get it--that's a library kinda joke :) During those 68 semesters I have gone from 21 to 55 in just what seems like yesterday. No worries. I have mostly enjoyed it here and will love what comes next.
Hard to believe that 10 weeks of summer have passed by! Carmen went to Spain, we went to Oregon, I went to Washington and Canada and to a quilt retreat in Chico. Where did you go? I feel so very lucky to have had all this fun! Now back to work and let's keep the party going. I was outside picking flowers for my table this morning and waiting to see if I could spy a praying mantis on the dahlias...which I usually can if I am thinking of my mother. (Really) and surprise, instead there was a beautiful swallowtail butterfly among the sunflowers. I raced inside to grab the camera, and thanked my mother for a treat in yellow.
Arriving on Friday afternoon and continuing right on through Sunday afternoon, 35 of us were the ladies of Richardson Springs with our fab hostess Cindy Needham. Many women marked quilts with wonderful patterns and took to machine quilting gorgeous tops that had many hours in them already. Some ladies were marking vintage linens to quilt to fabric and give them new life as quilts, table runners, etc. 
This is Cindy's wonderful invention! She has a book entitled, Whole Cloth Linen Quilts published by the American Quilt Society.
Here are a few views of the classroom and projects.
Another unexpected treat was the incredible workmanship of Penny Tucker of the SF Bay Area. She happened to be sitting facing me and was working on a piece of applique that was green and red. My favorite quilt colors and so loved by the quilters of long ago. I introduced myself and ooed and awed over her project. She turns out to be just as lovely as her work...kind spirited, intelligent and all around great gal. Who happened to have a recent birthday we helped to celebrate (and eat delicious cake provided by Cindy from the Upper Crust!)
She is a teacher of applique at Prairie Queens and a board member of the American Quilt Study Group. It turns out that we had alot more in common than just arriving at the same retreat. Years ago (23 years ago in fact) I had a hand in organizing the Butte County portion of the California Heritage Quilt Project. The Project was formed to study and record the history of California quilts and quilt makers. Penny is a part of the historical quilt study community and knows personally all the wonderful people that keep this research going forward. Barbara Brackman, Terry Thompson, Sandi Fox, Julie Silber, and more...I am so happy to have had the opportunity to meet Penny and also equally talented, Pam Crooks her traveling and quilting buddy. I will post more when I have time to show you what is happening in the special world of quilt history.
We woke at 3:20 a.m. to the most amazing lightning and thunder storm and best of all, rain! It poured in Chico for at least an hour! The smell of rain is the most wonderful thing, especially after months of dry, smoky air! Today was fresh and the ground was damp! Here are some bouquets I made from flowers that grow right outside my back door.
