Poof Pouch!

I'm home sick today so I thought I'd cheer myself up with a poof pouch!

 

It's a Pink Penguin free tutorial. So simple and quick. I love it! Made it from the scraps of a t-shirt quilt I'm completing.

This one was made with flex frames (ordered on Etsy), but you can make it with Velcro or tape measures. I think I may have to order more!

Have a great weekend!

Elisa

Oh, on a personal note, I found my 500th Geocache today! Woot!

Spending the Day at the Zoo....

I spent all day yesterday down on Belle Isle in the annual clean-up.  In celebration of hauling out 2 full bags of trash and two full buckets of glass, I went to the zoo today.  Would you like to tag along?

Detroit Zoological Gardens - est. 1928

Spent all day today walking around the gorgeous Detroit Zoological Gardens with my sister, Lorna.  Lorna is a docent at the zoo and can give quite the tour!

New Reticulated Python - 32 feet long

New python exhibit.  See him on the right?

She does this an awful lot.  Harumph!

Look how huge those paws are!

New lion exhibit

Grainy due to telephoto lens but still SO handsome!

Look at the little belly!

"WHERE are the giraffes?"

3 new arrivals were out and showing off!

I'm not kidding.  Kid complained because
he didn't see a single prairie dog!

Didn't realize the reflection off the glass but
they're still too darn cute not to share!

They're all looking the wrong way!

Can you believe he's napping?
I'd fall out of this tree in an instant!

So, isn't it time you visited it?

Happy Sunday!
Elisa

World Book Night 2012

I just picked up my books for World Book Night 2012!

Per WorldBookNight.org:

World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which will see tens of thousands of people share books with others in their communities across America to spread the joy and love of reading on April 23.

World book night was launched in the U.K. in 2011 with the hope of promoting literacy and sharing literary works to those that may not have access or means to attain them. The books were donated by dozens of American publishing companies & authors and the remaining expenses funded by several major corporations.


I just returned from a great Indie bookstore called The Book Beat in Oak Park, MI - we had a strategy meeting to discuss our plan of action for Monday. I will be distributing books in Ferndale, Royal Oak, and a local homeless group. My books are:

• Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
• Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• Just Kids by Patti Smith
• A Prayer for Owen Meanie by John Irving

I'll let you know how it goes!


Happy reading!

Elisa

Another interesting piece of trivia from the website is:

Additionally, April 23 is UNESCO’s World Book Day, chosen due to the anniversary of Cervantes’ death, as well as Shakespeare’s birth and death.

More Excited Now

As you know, I've been working on my journal quilt. Just finished the first two strips - 46 squares.

But now that I see the first strips together - I'm getting pretty excited about this!

The picture is intentionally blurry. Not because I'm hiding secrets... But because I don't want you to see how boring my life really is!

Still pulling fabric for my SKoW blocks.

Happy stitching!

Elisa

A Fabulous Finish!

Guess what I did with my "found fabric"?

I made the Bento bag using Pink Penguin's tutorial!

I really, really love the draw string top! The pattern was super easy - with lots and lots of pictures. I think next time I will use a stiffer interfacing.

Pretty cool, eh?

Elisa

 

 

I Found Fabric!

I must really like this fabric...

Why? Because, when I cleaned up my quilt room, I found a yard-cut, 1/2 yard cut, AND a fat quarter of each!

I wonder what I bought them for?

Well, you'll see what I do with them... Tomorrow.

 

Happy stitching!

Elisa

 

 

Time is Flying!

How can I tell Oscar's birthday is coming up?

His birthday block appears in my next journal strip! Two more days until I start inking this blank strip!

Happy stitching!

Elisa

 

 

Koi Wrangling

Three waymarking posts in a row!  Yes, I know this is a quilt blog, but Spring is magnificent here in Michigan!  I promise, as you're reading these, I'm working on my next SKoW blocks!

The Belle Isle Aquarium was built in 1904 by the famed architect Albert Kahn.  It was the oldest-operating aquarium until the City of Detroit closed it for budgetary reasons.

Last Fall, I helped with the "moving of the Koi" from the pond to the basement for the winter.  Click here to see some of my favorite aquarium pictures.  This past Saturday, with the help of my nephew's Scout pack, we moved them back out!

Scouts on bucket brigade!

Look!  We have some!

What do you mean I have to give them back? I just caught them!

My nephew Andrew said, "This was the coolest thing ever!"

You can see them now.  Eventually, they will add water plants such as water lilies.

Many of these koi are more than 50 years old!  This guy is the oldest.

Tank is filling up!

Things are taking shape.

Job well done!

Can you believe it?  These are the leaders?  

Another view of the pond and conservatory.

 Volunteers have been working for years to maintain the building and take care of the decorative goldfish and Japanese koi.  They have also been working diligently to get the aquarium re-opened again. They've joined with 3 other Belle Isle volunteer groups to form the Belle Isle Conservancy.  And, in May, the 100+ year old roof is being replaced. 

Slowly, some of the inside tanks are getting new residents.

This guy is looking forward to the future!

Thank you for sharing my day!
Elisa

Flowers for Lauri

I have a good friend named Lauri - a former Michigander. She loves flowers and birds and weird 3-D signs.  Did I mention she loves flowers?  Thought I'd share a little piece of home.  Most of these are from the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and all were taken on Belle Isle this past weekend.

And it's only April!  Can't wait to see the gardens at the Detroit Zoo this weekend!

Elisa