Summer of Red, White and Blue

Another table runner is on tap for the brown headed daughter--

this time a patriotic one that she can use during all the

special events that celebrate our military.

This pattern comes from Allpeople Quilt website.  I gathered all my

reds, whites and blues and began to cut

easy assemble--just some handwork on the binding

I decided to add some buttons to the pinwheels--it also hides any

missed points :-) 

All finished, pressed, stitched and ready for the trip to daughter's table.

Art In A Box

Ellen Schiffman has created an intriguing exhibit--and why didn't

I think of this!?   The “52 Box Project,” a year-long project in which she filled a 9”x 9” box each week with a work in fiber, and was recently featured in the nationally distributed Fiber Art Now magazine. She also serves as the Connecticut representative of the Surface Design Association, the premier international organization serving textile and fiber artists. 

This goes along the line of ICAD project but it's all on index cards--why not

think "outside the box" and create your art pieces in an unusual and interesting

way!  

I'm thinking! and thinking!

Table Runner Assembled!

I like it! I like it!  of course, why wouldn't I like it when my

hands worked it?!  Anyway, all the hand work has been completed

and now the table runner (as posted in May 23rd blog) for brown headed daughter

will be on it's way.

Now we go onto the next runner in line for completion. 

I love doing these small works--I can finish in no time!!

Wednesday Yarn Along

It's May's portion of the 2016 Lace Knit Along designed by 

Elizabeth Ravenwood.

Yes, of course, it's June 1 and I have just finished May--

so now I'm ready for that June pattern.

I love adding beads and found my method of using crochet hook is

not the quickest way--

how about using dental floss!?

Hickory, Dickory, Stitchery........................

Want a stitch?  Need a stitch?

Here is the website that has every stitch known to man and woman!

I'm so impressed when I look at all this neat stitches----

of course, do you see me working my hands like crazy to

create these fanciful images?  No, but..............

this handy dictionary of stitches is right at my finger tips when I

need them--whether I'm at home or on the road, I can

turn in, run down the list and

bam!  it's there!

Wouldn't it be fun to do each of these stitches--starting at A?! 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day in the United States

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

Arlington National Cemetary.

©bigstockphoto.com/BenC

What Do People Do?

It is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is combined with Jefferson Davis' Birthday in Mississippi.

Memorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events. For the fashion conscious, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day. However, fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year.

Public Life

Memorial Day is a federal holiday. All non-essential Government offices are closed, as are schools, businesses and other organizations. Most public transit systems do not run on their regular schedule. Many people see Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to go on a short vacation or visit family or friends. This can cause some congestion on highways and at airports.

Background

Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers, who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who died in any war or military action.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.

Remembering My Daddy

Monday, May 30 is National Memorial Day.  A time to reflect on those who

served our country in the military.  My father served in WWII in the Army.

He never talked about his experiences or what war was like.  I wish he had.

Recently, as I was going through more of my mother's papers, I came upon

the map to my dad's grave in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

He died June 24, 1974 and it was all such a blur.

I remember the burial site was near or under a tree

on a hill.  This map pinpoints it exactly--well, almost.

About five years back, we took a trip to the region and I wanted to

see if I could find dad's grave site--it took some investigative work

through U S Government records to find the site number and section.

We finally found the section and walked through the graves to

find the location--there it was....

on top of a hill, under a tree.  This map would have made it much easier.

As we roamed through those numerous graves, our hearts were filled

with thanksgiving for these who sacrificed for us to have

freedom.