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SPECIAL: Paducah 2018 Quilt Convention - A Special Ending to the Month of June

6/29/2018

Crazy women (and men), Quiltman, award winning quilts, classes, every quilting and sewing supply or machine under the sun, piano/flute concerts by an award winning quilter, quilting celebrities, authors, and fabric, fabric, fabric - that's what I found plus a whole lot more at the Paducah Quilt Convention this year.

I have been to several in the past, but every year I learn or see something new. I spent two and a half days in Paducah this last April and it was worth every minute of it.

As I wrote in last week's blog, I have been a quilter for a long time. It is the one artistic media that I can incorporate several of other artistic interests into one.

Quilting used to be associated with old ladies and gossip (quilt bees), but it has grown to be a respected art form. It is no longer just bed and baby quilts, it's wall hangings, clothing, and works of art.

In this year's show I saw some beautiful quilts, some amazing quilts, and some unbelievable quilts. Some made it hard to understand how anyone could make something like them out of fabric, they didn't look like fabric, more like paint or photographs. The talent at this year's show was amazing. There were quilts from all over the United States, Brazil, France, and Korea.

Ian Berry is a British artist who works in denim. He had an absolutely unbelievable exhibit of album covers (Jimi Hendrix, Blondie, Rolling Stones, Beatles, etc.), full size phonographs, flower gardens, a washer and dryer (full size), portraits, and many other unique items all made from denim. He uses the various shades of denim to create his works of art. His work has been shown all around the world privately, publically, and in corporate settings. His exhibit alone was worth the trip to Paducah.

The National Quilt Museum is located in Paducah. Much of the exhibit is rotating with some permanent pieces on display. What started out as a small group by Bill and Meredith Schroeder of Paducah and was opened to the public April 25, 1991. It became The National Quilt Museum of the United States in May 2008 by congress. It averages over 120,000 visitors from more than 40 countries every year. The museum offers educational programs for all ages. It's primary purpose is to introduce and preserve the art form of quilting to the world.

Do I have a favorite quilter? Yes. I have two and I can't say which one I love the most. I love their work for different reasons.

I love Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry because she is innovative, creative and uses color like no one else. Her quilts make you stop and ask "How did she do that?" I have been a lover of her work for many, many years. I met her and toured her studio when she was in Paducah several years ago. Her studio was amazing and she is a fine lady. Love her and her work.

I love Ricky Timms because...well, he's Ricky Timms. Seriously, Ricky is talented in so many ways it's hard to pin point why I love his work. He does intricate work and makes it look simple when he teaches a class. He developed the 'caveman' method of quilting and brought a whole new perspective to quilting. He is one of the few men quilters who had his own television show, internet show, magazine, and music cds. He gives concerts during the quilt shows a lot of the time and his concerts are beautiful. He plays the piano, flute, and sings. The music he writes is gentle and often heartwarming. Between his musical talents and his quilting, I don't know which I love the most.

If you love art, you should visit the National Quilt Museum. It's not just a lot of bed quilts made by little old ladies, it's a display of the best to offer in fabric art.

Unbelievable pieces of art that will leave you stunned that a person could create something like it out of fabric.

And if you really want a thrill if you love quilts and art, go to an AQS show. The one in Paducah, every year in April is a spectacular one. The whole town becomes one big quilt and art show. Welcome to Paducah!

Have you ever seen a piece of art that left you speechless? Something so beautiful or so unique that it touched your heart in a major way? That's what this show does for me, it inspires me.

XOXO

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HOBBIES: One of My Favorite Hobbies Combines Several of My Artistic Loves - Quilting!

6/22/2018

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From the time I could hold a crayon or pencil and make marks on paper, I have loved to draw, color, paint, you name it, I love creating art.

In kindergarten, my teacher showed my mother my finger painting pictures and emphasized how advanced I was in comparison to other children my age. Not because I was a better artist but because of my imagination. I would draw more than a house. My house would have curtains in the windows and a cat on the window sill, or instead of stick figures my people had clothes on complete with shoes, and eyelashes - this was in kindergarten.

Granted, today's kindergartners are even more advanced, but in the late fifties and early sixties, this was considered creative. (lol - my how times have changed.)

I also learned to sew around the age of seven from my grandmother. By the age of twelve, I was buying fabric with my babysitting money and making my own clothes. I wish I had photographs, but they were all destroyed in a tornado a few years ago. ☹

Combining my love for color, art, and sewing, I was lead right into quilting. My grandmother made quilts and I think that was my first exposure to quilts as an art form. Through quilting, I found a creative outlet that allows me to use all the media I love - even paint and ink!

In the 70s, teenage girls were not into quilting - except me. While I was into other things, too, such as football, football players, dances, hanging out with my friends, dating, etc., I was a 'closet quilter'. I kept that part of my life to myself.

While I learned the basics of quilt making from my grandmother, in the 80s, a lady named Georgia Bonesteel opened my eyes to the numerous creative possibilities. She introduced and was most famous for 'lap quilting'. Lap quilting was an innovative process that allowed a quilter to take her quilt work with her everywhere without dragging a huge quilt with her. In lap quilting, smaller sections of a larger quilt are pieced, basted, and quilted completely and then joined together at the end to form a completed large quilt. Every stitch, except the joining stitches were completed before they were joined.

Quilting has been a major creative outlet for me for over forty years. I love it as much today as I did when I started. The quilting industry has changed and grown so much since the 70s and 80s. It's become a huge money making industry and a respected art form.

In the future, I will share some of my quilts, quilt trips, quilt tips, and my quilt journey with you. I hope you have a hobby you love to do. If not, why not try quilting? Anyone can do it and your imagination is the only limit.

Do you have a hobby that you enjoy? Are you passionate about your hobby? If you don't have a hobby, are you interested in finding one? Do you realize the mental and emotional benefits of a good, enjoyable hobby? How has your hobby, if you have one, helped you?

XOXO

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Beauty: Sunscreens - A Necessary Evil If You Want Your Skin to Stay Youthful!

6/15/2018

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Of all the things we do that hurt our skin, exposing to sun without a sunscreen is probably the worst. Even one sunburn can cause harm to our precious skin.

However, even if you have never used sunscreen in the past, it is never too late to start and prevent more damage and possibly improve the effects of past damage.

There are many brands and types of sunscreens on the market so how are we to know which one is for us? There are some considerations in choosing a sunscreen.

Let's look at a few considerations and try to make sense of all the choices:

Sunscreens come in many forms. Choose the one that you like best because you will be more inclined to use it regularly:

Lotions
Creams
Sticks
Gels
Oils
Butters
Pastes
Sprays

Sunscreens have expiration dates and they are important!

If a sunscreen product does not have an expiration date, then you must consider it expired after three years according the FDA.

If a sunscreen has an expiration date then discard it after that date. It means that it may not protect you from the sun or it may even be harmful to you. Toss it after the expiration date, don't take chances.

Sun screen must be used year round. A cloudy or snowy day does not prevent sun damage. A sunscreen must work well in all types of weather.

Sunscreen for face is different than sunscreen for body. While a spray may work for your body, you should use a moisturizing lotion or cream for your face, neck and chest.

Chemicals vs natural vs a combination of ingredients? That depends. If you have sensitive skin then a natural product may be necessary. Usually with a natural product you have to apply it more often and replace more often as it usually doesn't have a long shelf life.

Chemicals can be harsh to our skin and sometimes even dangerous. A combination could be the best solution for most people.

Look for:

To Avoid: (These are approved by the FDA and American Academy of Dermatology.)
Retinyl palmitate - a derivitive of Vitamin A, Retin-A is good for wrinkles and some sunscreens add this to boost anti-aging, however, Retin-A and sun exposure do not go well together. Not only does the sun reduce the effectiveness of Retin-A, many dermatologists believe that the combination of Retin-A and sun boosts your chances of getting skin cancer. So just avoid this in your sunscreen. Use Retin-A (or Retinyl palmitate) at night on a clean face, just to be safe.

Questionable, but no reason to panic:

Oxybenzone - a common UV filter has been shown to interact with hormones in animals that were fed this ingredient in large amounts. However, dermatologists say this is not a good reason to toss your sunscreen.
Nanoparticles - such as Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide broad-spectrum protection in "mineral sunscreens." People who find chemical sunscreens irritating may find these mineral forms a better choice. However, there is a wide spread debate as to their safety. Many places have banned nanoparticless because they are showing up in the liver and in the bloodstream. The FDA considers them safe. You choose.
Waterproof, Sweatproof, Sunblock: The FDA has ordered sunscreen labels to stop using those terms. You'll may still see "water-resistant" or "sweat-resistant" and just "sunscreen" rather than "sunblock." Labels will also have to tell you if the product is water- or sweat-resistant for 40 minutes or 80 minutes. After that length of time, you'll have to reapply.
Spray Sunscreens - The FDA is looking at the safety of spray sunscreens. First considering the coverage. It is recommended to spray and then rub into skin and spray again, as spraying alone may not cover every area completely. Secondly, never to spray on face and never inhale the spray. It is not known, yet, if this results in health issues. Just don't do it until further studies can be done.

What to choose:

SPF: Sun Protection Factor - The higher the number the more protection. For example, SPF 15, means it would take your skin 15 times longer to get red than if you were wearing no protection at all. So if your unprotected skin begins to redden after 10 minutes in the sun, then with a generous coat of SPF 15, it would take 150 minutes for your skin to begin to turn red. We may soon not see labels that promise protection over 50 because the FDA doesn't believe that a product can provide such high levels of sun protection. With that, there's no need to go higher than SPF 50. You must also reapply every two hours if you expect solid protection no matter what the SPF number is.
Broad-Spectrum Protection: Beginning in 2012, that phrase was reserved for products offering UVA and UVB protection. Not all sunscreens have broad-spectrum protection. We need to wear sunscreen everyday in any type of weather but also indoors or outdoors. UVA rays can come through windows and clouds. They are responsible for skin damage including wrinkles and skin cancer.

REMEMBER:

It is best to avoid the sun between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. This is when the sun's rays are the strongest.
Wear hats, shirts, shorts, etc., to provide even more protection from the sun's rays. This does not take the place of wearing sunscreen but rather to be included.

The following list of ingredients have been determined to be safe by the FDA. They are considered good sunscreens. However, they are studying many of them further to see the effects on our health when absorbed through the skin. So be careful and choose sunscreens with a limited number of ingredients and chemicals:
Aminobenzoic acid
Avobenzone
Cinoxate
Dioxybenzone
Homosalate
Menthyl anthranilate
Octocrylene
Octyl methoxycinnamate
Octyl salicylate
Oxybenzone
Padimate O
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
Sulisobenzone
Titanium dioxide
Trolamine salicylate
Zinc oxide

Sunscreen should not be used on infants less than six months old. Keep them out of the sun or completely covered up. Everyone of 6 months old till we die needs to wear sunscreen. Not only does it protect us from skin cancer, it also helps it to retain it's youthfulness. It's never too late to start using it and reaping the important benefits!

Do you use a sunscreen everyday, even if you are not going outside? Do you prefer lotions, sprays, oils, etc.,? Do you have a sunscreen that you really like and is safe that you would like to share with the rest of us?

XOXO

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Book Review: Life, Death, and Beyond (Third Printing September 2001) by Mack Lyon / What is the meaning of life? Is life worth living?

6/8/2018

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If you are over a certain age you have pondered the question of life after death. More specifically, is there life after death? Is Heaven real? Is Hell real? Where have my deceased loved ones gone?

Mack Lyon was a minister of the gospel of Christ in Edmond, Oklahoma. He lead a successful international television and radio program - In Search of the Lord's Way. He had served churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and New Jersey. He and his family had also served as missionaries in western Australian.

Mack covers a wide variety of subjects in this book from life, the meaning of life, what about heaven and hell. He also tackles the difficult subjects of human suffering, abortion and the Christian, do-it yourself death - euthanasia, is there life after death, the resurrection and the judgement.

The "biggie" question for me personally is what is the meaning of life and is it worth living?
I have asked myself these questions many times, mostly when I was struggling.

The Meaning of Life

In Philippians 1:20 the apostle Paul prayed:
"Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death", he added, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Mack Lyon explains it this way, "He's (Paul) simply saying that for him, and for all Christians, life is not simply a matter of the 'period between birth and death'; it isn't just 'being alive,' or even striving to get ahead, or being a success, or making a name for oneself. It isn't owning lands and houses and cattle and oil wells and automobiles or amassing a large estate to pass on to the next generation; that isn't what life is all about.

Life isn't just 'being good and doing good' as important as that is. Rather it is to do what we do, and be what we are for Christ. It is to so totally lose our time, our energies, our talents, and our prosperity in Him that Christ may be glorified in our bodies whether by life or by death."

Is Life Worth Living?

Philippians 1:15-21, Mack paraphrases it this way: "You came not into the world because you chose or when you chose, but because God had need of you."

What is life all about? What are we doing here? Is there any real purpose in the universe? Is there any meaning in life? Scientific materialism says no, Humanism says only we create and develop our futures here. Is it any wonder, then, that many people are asking, "Is life worth living?"
[Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America (pg 10).]

Life consists of five elements: (1) time; (2) talent; (3) energy; (4) productivity; (5) and purpose.

Mack refers to "a study conducted by University of Akron sociologist Margaret Poloma revealed that people who feel close to God on a personal basis have a deeper sense of purpose and are happier with their health.

Poloma says, 'Religion has been under emphasized as a factor leading to life satisfaction.' The study which she presented to the American Sociological Association also suggested that religious identity is the most important factor in a person finding happiness in life - even more important than job success or family."

Yes, it is worth living.
Two reasons why it is worth living:

As long as you breathe you can be a positive influence on another person. You can show them love and how to live. You can stop another person from suicide.
As long as you breathe you can do the work that God has given you, teach others the gospel and thereby, save their souls.

In this book, Mack deals with each subject with compassion for man, but foremost a commitment to God' Word.

In this book is a beautiful poem written by Robert Whitaker, well thought out and worded. It should be inspirational to any reader:

Live for something, have a purpose,
And that purpose keep in view;
Drifting like a helpless vessel,
Thou canst ne'er to life be true.

Half the wrecks that strew life's ocean,
If some star had been their guide,
Might have now been riding safely,
But, they drifted with the tide.

Live for something, and live in earnest,
By the world of men unnoticed,
Through the work may humble be,
Known alone to God and thee.

Every Act has priceless value;
To the Architect of fate;
'Tis the spirit of thy doing
That alone will make it great.

Live for something - God and angels
Are they watchers in the strife,
And above the smoke and conflict
Gleams the victor's crown of life.

Live for something; God has given
Freely of His stores divine;
Richest gifts of earth and heaven,
If thou willest, may be thine.

If you struggle to find a purpose and meaning for your life or if you struggle to keep a desire for living, I would recommend this book. It is educational, thought provoking, and provides solid answers. You can purchase this book here: https://amzn.to/2Lfw5Qe

Mack Lyon died in 2015 at the age of 94 years old and
he was active right up to his death.

If you struggle with life at any age, but especially as we cross over that 50 mark and beyond, don't let it get you down and keep you down. There are books and people that can help. Sometimes all it takes is getting off the sofa or out of our homes and just going for it. Take a leap and see where you land. Do something out of the usual.

Push yourself.
don't crash and burn.....
rise from the ashes!

On fire!

Have you struggled with finding a purpose for living or even the will to live? Please share your struggle with us, it will help us but it will also help you. Together, we can rise above anything. What did you think of the review of Mack Lyon's book? Is it something you would read?

XOXO

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Beauty: Unwanted Hair! What's a girl to do? 12 Options to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair.

6/1/2018

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Every woman on the planet, if she lives long enough, will experience the dreaded stray hairs on the body and face. It can range from one or two hairs that keep coming back to many hairs in various locations on your body. How do you deal with this? What are the options for hair removal? What are a woman's options to get rid of unwanted hair? Wild and stray hairs are not just a problem for older women, younger women get them, too. The choices for removing these strays are the same no matter what your age.

There are several options for unwanted hair removal. I have tried all but the laser (and laser related treatments), threading, and sugaring, so I feel I can give you a good idea of each option. The results and my opinions are based only on how they worked for me, they may work better or worse for you. Hopefully, this information will help you.

There are a lot of home hair removal recipes and techniques out there to be found. In all honesty, I haven't found one that works all that well. I have seen some things remove some hair, but not a lot of hair and certainly not for very long.

Below you will find all of the options that I am aware of. I have reviewed almost all based on my experience. However, I have not done laser, threading, or sugaring, so I can't give you my thoughts on those treatments. Also, this is only my experience and your experience may be different.

Maybe this will help someone with unwanted hair to find their own personal treatment method:

Tweezing: hairs are tweezed, or pulled out, with tweezers or with fingers. This is temporary. The hair returns usually within a week.
Waxing: a hot or cold layer of wax is applied and then removed with a fast pull of porous strips from the skin in the direction of the hair growth. This can irritate the skin and at times be painful. It is temporary and the hair returns within a week or two.

1. Shaving: You can shave with a regular razor and shaving cream, or you can use smaller shaving devices such as battery operated shavors or electric shavors. This is temporary and usually the hair returns within a week or two.
2. Cream Removers: chemicals that dissolve or break down the hair so that it can be “wiped” away with a cotton ball or cloth. They generally have a strong smell of chemicals and sometimes can irritate the skin. This is a temporary treatment as the hair will return in a few days or within a week.

1. Bleaching: applying a treatment that bleaches the color from the hair will not remove the hair but it will make it less noticable. Bleached hair is still there, only lighter. These bleaches can irritate the skin and only lasts for a few days until the hair grows longer.
2. Electrolysis: This method (after several sessions) produces permanent hair removal. The technician inserts a tiny rod into a hair follicle and an electric shock is delivered to the hair root. The cost of electrolysis is usually charged per hour or half hour, and the average cost is $80 for an hour and $60 for half an hour in my area (you will need to check for the cost in your area). While this is a permanent solution to unwanted hair, it takes at least a year in the same area to get rid of all the hair as it grows in stages. Maintenenance is as needed.

1. Threading: A thin (cotton or polyester) thread is doubled, then twisted. Then it is rolled over areas of unwanted hair, plucking the hair at the follicle level. Unlike tweezing, where single hairs are pulled out one at a time, threading can remove short rows of hair. Cost varies.
2. Lasers: This treatment is more expensive, but it's considered one of the most effective methods to permanently remove hair. It can be used on any part of your body. The cost for this treatment can be $100 per half hour or $500 plus. Large areas, such as legs, can be done in one session. One side effect for some people is irritation or redness on the area where the hair was removed. Applying ice packs to these areas will ease the pain somewhat. Laser hair removal can remove dark hair, but will not remove lighter hair.
3. Epilators: mechanical devices that rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out. This is temporary and the hair returns within a few weeks.
4. Sugaring: hair is removed by applying a sticky paste to the skin in the direction of hair growth and then peeling off with a porous strip. This is temporary and can cause minor skin irritation.
5. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): similar to laser with the same effectiveness.
6. Diode epilation: high energy LEDs. Similar to, but not laser diodes, with the same effectiveness.

If you are plagued with unwanted hair on your body, the first thing you should do is have a doctor rule out an illness or condition. There are some cysts and diseases that can cause hair growth in unwanted places. Get tested and evaluated before deciding on a treatment. The doctor will need to see where and how much hair you have before they can offer a diagnosis.

Let me know if you have any experience with any of these treatments and share in the comments with other readers. I wish I had known when I was younger what I know now, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble and expense.

How do you deal with unwanted hair? Do you use the same treatment for your face as you do your body? What are your thoughts about the treatments I wrote about today? Please share your information and experience.

XOXO

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SPECIAL: Paducah 2018 Quilt Convention - A Special Ending to the Month of June

HOBBIES: One of My Favorite Hobbies Combines Several of My Artistic Loves - Quilting!

Beauty: Sunscreens - A Necessary Evil If You Want Your Skin to Stay Youthful!

Book Review: Life, Death, and Beyond (Third Printing September 2001) by Mack Lyon / What is the meaning of life? Is life worth living?

Beauty: Unwanted Hair! What's a girl to do? 12 Options to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair.

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SPECIAL: Paducah 2018 Quilt Convention - A Special Ending to the Month of June

HOBBIES: One of My Favorite Hobbies Combines Several of My Artistic Loves - Quilting!

Beauty: Sunscreens - A Necessary Evil If You Want Your Skin to Stay Youthful!

Book Review: Life, Death, and Beyond (Third Printing September 2001) by Mack Lyon / What is the meaning of life? Is life worth living?

Beauty: Unwanted Hair! What's a girl to do? 12 Options to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair.

My mission​

Categories

Archives

About

Blog

Contact

My mission