No pictures or projects to share today, just something weighing heavy on my mind.

A few months ago my 8th grade class held a 40th reunion.  They set up a facebook page where former students connected with each other.  

Although I didn't attend the reunion, I have truly enjoyed reading the fb page and reconnecting with some of my former classmates. 

Now to be totally honest, I have a terrible memory.  While I can remember like it was yesterday the smell of formaldehyde and dissecting a frog, or sitting in the library with massive headphones on listening to 8 track tapes, I have a really hard time remembering so many of the other things my fellow classmates remember.  For that matter, I have a hard time remembering some of my former classmates.

Well this morning a former classmate, a woman, wrote about a bullying incident that has haunted her all of these years.  She was the butt of an awful joke, and she has asked for an apology.  

Given that I don't remember the incident, or even the girl very much, it made me start to wonder about the other people involved, the perpetrators or for that matter, the bullies.  Do they remember?  Do they know the obvious permanent pain they've caused this person?  Maybe not.  They may not even know they are who the message is intended for.  So often it seems people are unaware of the consequences of their actions.  

This message comes the morning after a 12 year old boy in Roswell NM, took a gun to school and shot another boy in the face, ( the intended victim), and another little girl, (possibly an unintended victim).  The shooter was a victim of bullying.  At 12, this is how he dealt with the pain.

And this school shooting comes the day after another shooting in a Florida movie theater where a young father was killed for texting during the previews.

And now I've listed two major topics in this post, bullying and guns.  I'm sure bullies have been around since the beginning of time.  And I really don't have a solution, or really even a valid point to make.  I'm just touched with an awful feeling that I can't seem to ignore.  And a wish that we could all be aware that our actions in a brief moment may have consequences that last a lifetime. 

Occupying time

Last Sunday we spent the day snowed in.  We were visiting my aunt in the hospital and staying in her condo.  She's been back and forth between the hospital and the rehabilitation center since October.  I'm sorry to say that yesterday she was moved to hospice.

But I digress.  In order to save her some money, we had her cable TV and internet turned off at the condo. Great idea, until you are in a blizzard and can't get out.

We read and sat by the fire.  I knitted and did some drawing, trying out the new art stix I got for Christmas.

 The week before we went on a tour of the local brewery in KC, Boulevard Brewing Co.  I took several pictures and decided to put this one in my sketch book.

I love that feeling of living and walking around in a project.  Whether I'm drawing, painting, reading a book, knitting, or working on jigsaw puzzle it consumes my brain to that extent.  Now that we're home, I have several worlds I'm walking around in, and loving every one of them.

2013 Project Collage

A look back at some of my completed projects in 2013.....

 I'm looking forward to what 2014 will bring; my head always spinning forward with ideas....

Handmade Christmas...A Very Late Post

This post is so late.  I wanted to post some of the gifts I made this Christmas.  I didn't get pictures of everything, but here are the ones I did photograph.....

Lily's embroidered portrait.....

Hanna pillow portrait.....

Cousin sweaters!!!

Emily Dickinson Lap Quilt

 A gift for my mama, who turned 75 yesterday!

I have a huge girl crush on Emily Dickinson.

We were lucky to have her here visiting us this past weekend!  And doesn't she look marvelous for 75?!!!!!

So Happy

Remember this picture from my last post?  A sneak peak at what I've been working on.....

Well yesterday I did some speed sewing to finish up.

And finally, father and son Jayhawk Letterman sweaters.

The happy recipients, my son and his son.

And a pic of knitter and son, and two special little photo bombers.

Couldn't be more pleased, both with how they turned out and that they are finally finished!!

Long over due.....

I apologize for my lack of posts. Sometimes life gets in the way.  But I wanted to post the projects that have kept me busy the past month and a half.

Our second granddaughter turned two.  My established tradition is to give them a handmade soft book on their first and second birthdays.  Here's a look at the book I made for Lily's second birthday:

I was so flattered when a friend of mine saw my Frida Kahlo shoes and wanted to order a pair for her daughter-in-law.  I just loved the way this second pair turned out, much better than mine.

And finally, another friend ordered a football snuggle sack for a gorgeous little baby boy.  I must say, this being about the 4th that I've made, I am getting pretty quick at punching these out.

But to tell the truth, I've been working on another project that has really been eating up my time.  It's nearly finished.  Here's a preview....

I can't wait to finish these matching Jayhawk letterman sweaters for my son and grandson!