Ruston fabrics

I've been working on a gray quilt for the last couple of weeks, so while we were in Ruston, we went to The Fabric Shop, which is right in the center of town.  While there, I picked up three pieces of gray fabric to use in my current quilt.  Of course, I also picked up a few other items.  Aren't we supposed to support the economy?  

Seriously, though, this gray fabric is really beautiful....even without a good pressing.  Sorry about that, I was ready to start cutting and remembered to snap a pic just before the scissors got to work.  In fact, you can't see it, but the pattern is pinned to the fabric!  I so wanted to cut!

How pretty it is happens to be only part of the reason I bought it.  The real reason is that while I bought three pieces of fabric, I actually got six!  6!  This fabric is a marbled gray that has four different shades. The yardage is divided into four sections, each a bit darker than the one next to it.  A bold black line separates the sections.  It is absolutely stunning.  I wish I could take a photo that would do it justice.

Today I cut into the marbled print and tomorrow I'll cut into the other two pieces--one is a marbled polka dot and the other is a solid.  I'm really excited because there are 56 blocks in the quilt and I'm over half way there.  In fact, I have 35 blocks complete and I've started on the next set of five. 

I'd love to show you what the quilt looks like, but it's for a particular project that I'm supposed to keep under wraps for a while.  That's pretty hard for any blogger, but especially for me!  So I'm going to wish you a happy Monday and say thanks for visiting.  Otherwise, I'll start talking about my gray quilt.

Happy quilting,

Mary

There and back again

Richard in his element: back home with kids and grandkids!

Richard and I spent the week in Ruston again.  I needed to be a a workshop for our La GEAR UP program because I am the on-site coordinator.  Last year I served as both coordinator and sponsor but luckily, I'll now have help with the sponsor duties.

My week was mostly spent in meetings, learning how to support the kids who are members of our cohort group, how to correctly complete paperwork, figuring out what our needs are and how we'll meet those needs.  In other words, we worked!  

My finished buzzer....yes! it works!

intense......

But we had some fun, too.  Part of what we do is learn about the many summer camps that our kids attend and what they do while there.  I'll post photos of our trip to Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport in another post, but to give you an idea of the fun, here are a couple pics of our electronics assembly. 




We each received a kit with a variety of electrical components that, when put together correctly, make a buzzer.  We had to assemble the components, solder the wires in place, then test our buzzer.  Since we're teachers, assembly was easy, soldering was stressful, and testing was a cheer-fest.  

Of course, Rich and I had barely made it home and the phone started ringing for Friday night get-togethers.  We had Will and Stacey pick up some supper on their way over, so that was fairly easy. 

Isn't Jolie just too cute!

 Jolie discovered the Matryoshka dolls I bought after mass last Sunday when a couple of Russian nuns came for a visit.  They sold a few handmade Russian toys, souvenirs, and religious items as a way of raising money for the orphanage they minister to.  We made a couple of purchases but the dolls have been a hit among the grandkids, especially Jolie.  

Jolie played for a long time
 with the dolls and the camera!

She arranged them in all manner of ways, including stacking them on top of each other.  When she realize the camera was nearby, she really got into her play.  In fact, these are pics she took.  They are so much better than the couple I snapped!


To visit my posts from our 2011 visit to Ruston last year click here.  This post is of the beautiful old homes, but there are several ther posts as well.


Happy quilting,
Mary

A Week Away

and finally we're home!  Naturally, we've spent the day resting.  First we were off to Beta Convention where we had 9th through 12th grade students intent on competing for awards and a state office.  Although we didn't take home either, we had great fun and ran a good race for 

Beta president.  I'm proud of all the Bunkie High Betas for their hard work, great behavior, and beautiful spirit.  They ran a campaign, worked the Service Project room, and monitored Game Zone.  Our chaperons were just as wonderful and I'd like to offer a special thanks to Mrs. Rolanda, Ms. Serrata, and my darling hubby, Richard.  Of course, we also had a few teachers, Mrs. Melinda drove her bus, Mr. Borrel was in charge of the boys, and Ms. Star came in just in time for the campaign speech and skit.

During the time we were away, our son Adam cared for the puppies and in the three days they grew like weeds.  Tonight everyone got a nice warm bath and then posed for a family portrait.    The babies are now walking and crawling all over each other.  I imagine in another few days they will be getting into big trouble, just as puppies should be.

When we got back from Beta, we cleaned up a bit then rolled out again.  This time we headed to Ruston to attend a follow-up meeting for the La. GEAR UP Professional Development from last summer.  I wrote about our week in Ruston in several posts last July.  One of my favorite is this one.  Here's hoping you had a good week also and got lots of rest today.
Happy Quilting,
Mary

Goodbye Ruston

Since today was our last day in Ruston, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into how Richard spent his days while I was in my professional development workshop.  He had a good six or seven hours with nothing more than a hotel room and the car.  (Little cash since we'd agreed not to spend much.)  

The town is really very pretty.  Since it's a college town there are a few places for entertainment and learning.  It was first founded in 1883, so there are some beautiful old homes in the area.  We really enjoyed riding around and looking at those homes.  Richard spent part of one day doing just that and snapping photos to share with you.  Isn't he the best?  

I saw all of these houses, but I wasn't there for the photo session, so you get to see what he finds interesting and noteworthy.  I have to say, he did a fine job of photographing.  


In fact, I may have to relinquish the camera to him because these pictures are much, much better than the ones I generally take.


He hasn't told me why he chose these homes, so I assume that it's simply because he likes them or, as I would say, they speak to him.  
If you want to see and read more about Ruston, click here for the official website.  To know more about Louisiana Tech, the university in Ruston, click here.


As we were leaving town today, we had to stop at the one fabric shop I found, but this is just a teaser....I'll show you what I picked up tomorrow!

Before closing, I want to remind you to go here to enter my giveaway!  You'll find the rules and information you need to enter.  Good luck!

Now tell me what do you think about these homes. Wouldn't you love to visit this town in the Deep South?  

Ruston afternoon

Really fast, please click on the Picket Fence voting button 
on your left.  I'm trying to get a couple of votes 
for my blog...love ya for that!  :-)


Ever visit a town not too far away, for whatever reason, and somehow manage to spend a few minutes touring the place?  That's pretty much how Richard and I spent our afternoon.  After my workshop and a brief rest, we started off with a driving tour of the city, then found a parking space downtown and did a little walking tour.  I managed a few pictures, one of which is......

ta daa! a fabric shop!  No we didn't shop, but that's beside the point....the point is that I found one without even trying.  

It's just too easy, I tell you.  

a pretty little water fountain in the middle 

of a little square on the old railroad track

The gorgeous scroll work on the top of an old bank building.  

In person, this is so beautiful!  Oh the quilt designs!!!

just too cute rubber duckies swimming around in a water fountain.  They were just outside a children's clothing store....how perfect?!

Okay, I'll admit it, this building is not so great from a distance, but I have a baby camera.  Up close and personal it's just quaint, as are so many other buildings in the downtown area.

This brick four story building really has a lot going in the details, which my camera couldn't get.  The sun's glare was unbearable to boot, so I was happy to get a photo at all.

 We ducked into the cutest little Italian restaurant for dinner.  The inside is covered with this white lattice and plastic grapes, old signs and other memorabilia .  Talk about quaint.  I meant to get photos of the food, but it didn't happen.  When Rich and I thought about it, the food had been destroyed.  We had appetizers of shrimp garlic bread and shared a plate of veal parmesan.  The shrimp bread was unbelievable!  We couldn't finish the plate of veal with both of us working on it!

How about the view above our heads?

That was our afternoon....a bit of a surprise since we'd 

agreed on the drive down not to overspend or overdo.

What was your day like?  Any interesting tours or meals?