Monday, February 25, 2013

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!!!!!!! The Big Reveal!

The big day is here and now it's all about ME!!!!!!! What an incredibly fun and creative blog hop this is and has been! I'm sending out a big THANK YOU to Mdm. Samm at Sew We Quilt and Marlene at Stitchin By The Lake (Marlene has the full schedule posted at her link) for their organizing and cheerleading skills, and to Amy Bradley for the adorable lady she so generously offered to the participants to play with!


I'll be honest, I've been looking at my pattern sitting on my desk for several weeks and got nothing. The hop started and I knew my reveal day was still a week away, so no sweat, right? Then, there was that heart-attack causing KU-OSU basketball game last week (2 overtimes and KU won by one point!!!) and when it was all over at 11pm I was all wound up and excited! So, off to the sewing room I went. It was also the night of the (first) huge midwest snowstorm, so I knew Jacob wouldn't be coming in the morning, so why go to bed early? Geez... So, at 2:30am, I finally stopped and was all of a sudden to the point of sandwiching my creation! She's wonderful, she's marvelous, and she's all ME!

 Despite being a die-hard KU Jayhawks fan (crimson & blue), my favorite color happens to be purple and has been for years. That's all good and fine until my kids come around and see me wearing KSU's color! Hey, I have a right to wear KSU purple! It's where I'm getting my Master's degree! No, we don't have a "house divided" between the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. The kids are ALL KU! But I am a "person divided" loving the KU Jayhawks AND the KSU Wildcats. Such is life in Kansas. As my daughter says, "Oh, Momma, it's okay, I'll cheer for KSU, as long as they're NOT playing KU!" LOL!
So, purple was the first color out of the box for this project. While I didn't find any particular stripe to use (I'm not biased, am I?!?), I did find this lovely psychedelic plaid for my dress that has moves in all the right places! You might notice, she's not quite as buxom as she used to be. I may have curves, but not THAT kind of curves! LOL! Being a child of the 60s, I had to have my little peace sign on my pincushion pin. And then there's the Beatles--I remember being in front of the TV the first time they were on the Ed Sullivan Show. In tribute to their mod-style, I had to go with the round wire-rim glasses (which I actually wore for years!) with the moon and the stars in her eyes. Not quite Lucy (no diamonds on this girl), but still a pretty far out kinda gal! Don't you think? And that hair! Yes, it's a pretty close match to my spiky, naturally strawberry blonde locks that rarely stay where I tell them to. And of course, her final touch was the pair of amethyst earrings to match her shirt. The orchid Fairy Frost made a perfect backdrop to set off the gold and white Fairy Frost moon shining down on her. Finding a picture of me without my grandkids is pretty hard, so little Jacob gets to join me in my comparison shot. As my girls say, "Thanks, Mom, for that great double chin!" (yes, they got it too! LOL!)

It's so hard to find one song that really says it all to you, you know? Aside from a long list of Beatles songs (who can choose?!?), one of my top 5 is Moondance by Van Morrison--both the song and the album. Some of you may have wondered about my blog name--Gypsy Dreamer Quilts. Well, since this blog hop is all about ME, I'll tell you that it's tied in with this song, a dear friend, a moon-lit night on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and dancing! For about ten years I was totally addicted to contra dancing. I danced every Saturday night somewhere in Kansas and went to at least six dance weekends (think 18-20 hours of dancing, plus pot-lucks and music jams from Friday at 8pm to Sunday at 4pm) in a five-state area per year, plus several vacations expanded my dancing to nine states. My closet held nothing but broomstick and circle skirts that would flow as I twirled through the moves, not to mention my two pair of suede-soled shoes that slip and slide nicely over the wood dance floors! I even became a caller and started calling 2 or 3 of these Saturday night dances per month. My life revolved around working all week just so I could get away to dance somewhere on the weekend! I had dreams of becoming a dance gypsy!

Well, all that changed when I returned to California in 2004 to care for my folks--Mom had dementia and Dad was just darned old! Being a full time, live-in caregiver is a huge commitment that has to be made in love and compassion if you're to maintain who you are on the journey. I gave up dancing  and took up quilting, and embraced a mostly sedentary lifestyle, being in the house (usually in the sewing room) where they could easily find me if needed, while working half time in the mornings when they were good and I could get away for a few hours. After 7-1/2 years, needless to say my knees aren't the same. In fact, not much of me is the same! I've returned to Kansas with a new dream and a new passion for quilting, but still hold tight to my memories of that special night, in the moonlight, on a magic night...

Now, don't forget to visit the rest of the lovely ladies being revealed today on the It's All About ME blog hop! There's two more days, not to mention all the lovely reveals we've already had--click here for a full schedule! I hope you'll leave me a comment and visit again soon!

Tuesday, February 26
Pat Sloan's Blog
To Love Handmade
Feathered Nest Studio
Selina Quilts
Gypsy Dreamer Quilts ** That's ME!!!**
Sheila's Quilt World
Meadowbrook
13 Woodhouse Road
Zellerwear
Stitches of Love
Janice at That Other Blog
In The Sewing Basket


More snippets from the sewing room soon,
Liz

84 comments:

  1. OH LIZ!!!! I just LOVE HER!!!! What a great story you've told...you sounded JUST like me (I started mine on the Monday BEFORE the Wed nite I had to post - just needed that adrenaline rush of the 'quilt or get off the pot' moment)...BUT as soon as I hit the part where you talked of your parents...I said to myself.."I HAVE to follow this gal ANYWHERE"...Just LOVE those "SHADES"..very cool...and that DRESS!!! Perfect PERFECT fabric...Perfect! haha This has been such an incredible hop...I can't believe all the talent! Thanks for sharing!!!
    "peace out" :)
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks great , just love those glasses!
    umm, word verification should be off, just saying

    ReplyDelete
  3. Replies
    1. Thank you so much! So glad you hopped by for a visit!

      Delete
  4. What a fantastic you! The dress fabric is wonderful and I love those glasses. Thank you for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely lovely! And so beautiful with this background! Cute glasses!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love everything about you! I remember watch ed sullivan with the beatles. Oh my gosh, still love paul!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have enjoyed your story and the picture of you is awesome. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great job. She kinda does look like you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fabulous job on your biased babe! Your dress material (and placement of said material) is awesome!!! Totally the illusion of "cushions"! I'm a purple lover too and wish I had a bit of that material in my stash!! Your tree, moon and hills are subtle and perfect. Loved your story too :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think yours just might be right up there with the Roll Tide lady for me! I just love your creation and the story behind her!

    And remember... It isn't too late to follow your dream... only when your toes are turned up, is it too late. Go for it girl!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your gal is just great. And your comments about KU and KSU bring back so many memories. I lived in KC for 5 years a while ago and I so miss it at times. It has been a long time since we visited but hopefully we can again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nice to meet you I am Sharon from TN and I love the fact that so much of you came from your memories and what you have loved all your life. It is nice to hold on to our memories and maybe getting a chance to go back to what we love....have a happy day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your lady is just great and I love the stories behind your design choices! Your creative muse may have taken awhile to arrive, but when she did, she hit it out of the park! Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the glasses. Your background material is great. Very cute grand son.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love your rendition! I so enjoyed your post! Just watched the contra dancing video! I have a friend how does contra dancing in the Cincinnati area - and she LOVES it! Now I see why! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story & lovely mini-quilt. Love how the psychedelic plaid shows off "your" curves.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sparkly sunglasses, spiky hair, amethyst earrings, optic pattern dress - altogether they make for a wonderfully individual lady!I love all these little touches.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the night skies reflected in your glasses! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well done! Love to see what others think of themselves via Amy Bradley.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love You! Lol. I should have added a moon to my "me" quilt too. Great colors and the earrings, moon, hair and tree are great touches, as well as the peace sign too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Just adorable!!! love the bling and the background is fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  22. cute! beautiful sunglasses! thank's for hopping with us! enjoy your day

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just love your version of you, the glasses are terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fabulous fabric choices. Fabulous background. Fabulous glasses. Simply fabulous! B-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your not just kidding when you said your dress had moves in all the right places. What a score that fabric is!!! Beautiful background with the sun and the tree! And those glasses!!! :-) Incredible! I was watching Ed Sullivan too. Oh to be old! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I too remember watching the Beatles on the Sullivan show for the first time. Love the thread stitching and the wonderful starry eyes glasses. Your stories make this post so personal. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. what a great block! I LOOOVe that fabric for the shirt, it really makes the ahem FRONT look 3D :-) great that you have a picture of you too

    ReplyDelete
  28. How wonderful!!! I love the way you used the illusions of the fabric to give yourself curves. It's perfect! I also love the moon, the glasses, the hair....well, I love it all!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I just love it!! Thanks for sharing your story! The glasses are terrific...you are a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  30. The bling and the background and moon are fab! When you have grandbabies - it just can't be all about me:)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Rosemary B here: I love this! You look quite groovy!
    You seem to be about as busy as I am. I started figure skating (very random action really) after my oldest sister died. I needed something to make me stop crying.... you cannot cry and skate at the same time,
    Anyway, so, for 15 years I skated, the last 7 were ice dancing. It was a blast, but the last 3 years I was yearning for more time with my machine and fabric. I love dancing and music.... and dancing. I am sure when you hear a tune you love you dance!
    Your creation turned out marvelous. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story!

    ReplyDelete
  32. ah, I too was a 60's girl and loved Van Morrison-even saw him in person in San Francisco! love how you were inspired for this

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great job capturing you in cloth. Once you decided to get going on it, you really hit it too!

    I understand that whole state rivalry thing as DJ and I are transplants from IL. Of course in AL you are supposed to pick a team from birth and swear your allegiance. I would say we cheer on both AL and AU until they have to play each other---sound familiar??

    ReplyDelete
  34. Your project turend out great. Love the colors of teh fabrics you choose. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a great project! The fabrics are perfect--I love the moon.

    ReplyDelete
  36. What a great YOU. I enjoyed your story. I of course am a Shocker fan...just down the road in Wichita.

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a great YOU. I enjoyed your story

    ReplyDelete
  38. She is a perfect YOU!!! I love it. You did a wonderful job on her too. Are you enjoying your Kansas snows this week?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh my...I love her (your) big round glasses. Great job!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Fabulous! I love the hair and the glasses!
    Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love your rendition of AB's pattern. I was touched by the story of your brother, Robert and the quilt you made in his memory. I was born and raised in SF, but now live in the suburbs. Isn't life interesting how it twists and turns and changes? Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nellie,
      Thank you so much! I wasn't sure if I wanted to post that piece about Robert, but felt the need to share his story and my journey with his quilt--my first quilt. My mom was an SF native and I grew up visiting my grandparents on 33rd Ave in the Sunset District. My folks moved to Pittsburg (out Hwy 4 along the Delta) long before I was born and that's where I went back to when I took care of my folks. There are so many twists and turns in life, but every one of them contributes some small part to who we have become and I have zero regrets and am grateful for who I am today.
      So glad you hopped by!
      Liz

      Delete
  42. LOVE your gal. I am another Kansan, down here in Winfield. Isn't the snow great! Finally some moisture.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Fun project you did. We just moved to Kansas from Portland, OR about 16 months ago. My husband watches Kansas State games on TV. Thanks for the fun blog.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Dancing in the Moon Light, that is a song from someone I know. But anyway. Love your story and your "ME". You Dance when you can and dream all the time. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love your story and your 'you'. you found the perfect fabric for her.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love it all - the story and the glasses and the moon....
    I took care of my parents too but only for one year. They died four months apart and that's when my quilting began in earnest. Love it! blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  47. It's a marvelous night for a moondance you! Thanks for sharing ... :) a "brown eyed girl"

    ReplyDelete
  48. oh my gosh your 'dress' is amazing! Inspired in deed. I love these hops... mine is up today too! http://blog.patsloan.com/2013/02/its-all-about-mmm-me-you-who.html

    ReplyDelete
  49. Liz, yours is lovely, adore your background

    ReplyDelete
  50. It is lovely Liz , really adorable ,I love those glasses and can relate to all of the story about the Beatles etc.

    ReplyDelete
  51. You did such a great job! I love the fabric you used for the dress (and the decreased bustline--that's me for sure!!) The hair is also terrific. And I enjoyed your story of your gypsy dreaming--how good of you to sacrifice your dream to take care of your parents. You go, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Just fabulous! Wonderful! Your post was also a great read.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Very Very Good!! this is just amazing!! this hop!! so creative!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I loved the story that went a long with your sweet lady in purple. What a fun hop learning about you ladies

    ReplyDelete
  55. I like everything about you're lady. That dress looks like one that I have seen in a store and her sunglasses are wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Enjoyed your blog. I liked your entry as well, very good!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Wow, absoutely gorgeous!
    Nice dress and cool sunglasses, great work!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Love your glasses! Your gals hair is fabulous too!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I really, really, like what you did with your "ME". The background, the moon, the tree are just a perfect backdrop to you. Love those 'out-there' glasses and the fabric in your dress. Even if it wasn't a total fit with you (which is seems to be), I would label it a complete win!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thank you for sharing your story. Creating Ms. Biased in your personal style is refreshing and wonderful. I am really enjoying this hop. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

    ReplyDelete
  61. You did a great job. It was very fortunate for your parents to have you as a caregiver when they did. That shows a lot of heart. Enjoy your quilting days.

    ReplyDelete
  62. You did a great job and what a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Awesome "ME" you made of you!!! Love her!!! You are a delightful lady...wish you were my neighbor!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love it! Her dress is SO messing with my mind. In a good way! And thank you for sharing your story. You are a good woman!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hi Liz, thanks for sharing your "me" I think she looks great and telling us about yourself and your journey. Thanks for sharing. Susie x

    ReplyDelete
  66. Love it I will be following and visiting again really soon Thanks Becky

    ReplyDelete
  67. Being a "dance gypsy" sounds like a fun sort of life (loved your story.) Your YOU is just so cool and entertaining. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Love your story and your 'me'. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Your story is amazing and that is just, just, just the tip of the iceberg. I love your choice of fabrics. Your hair is clever with the fabric. And your glasses are awesome. You just had to rub it in about the OSU win. My daughter is an OSU alum and I was working on my PhD there until I had to quit due to health. I do love a close game. Thank you for participating and inspiring us with your project and a glimpse of who you are! Hope to see you in more blog hops.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hi!! Love your lady the purple and the moon!!! Love your story!!! Thanks for the fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  71. From a former caregiver of a mother with dementia, I can celebrate the joys and heartache of your sacrifice. it's a sacrifice that is hard in the moment but looking back, one you'll never regret having made, and the new perspective it gives you on life is priceless. Glad to meet you...you're still a dancing gypsy at heart!
    Blessings
    Gmama Jane

    ReplyDelete
  72. What a wonderful story to share. Your gal is really cool. I love the shirt fabric!

    ReplyDelete