Family, friends, 911 Memorial, blossoms

I just got back from a trip home to America last night - a wonderful week with my daughters in NYC...

and then a few precious days with my Grandma Mary Lou in Denver - at 91 years old, still the best cook I know!  My photos from Denver didn't make it into the "cloud" and I can't access them now - sometimes technology disappoints - or rather my lack of tech-savvy disappoints!

Nevertheless now I'm back at my computer and can blog a little!

One morning Miss N and I met our good friends from Boston at the 911 Memorial site.  It was so moving to see its progress,  especially in light of what was going on in our beloved Boston that same week.   I was so happy to be in New York with my girls, but our hearts were heavy thinking of friends back home in Massachusetts.

Even amidst the construction sights and sounds all around, the feeling was peaceful and respectful at the footprint:

 One of the new towers:

We loved the reflective quality of the new buildings...

Most of the trees weren't yet in bloom... 

But this one was.  It's the "survivor tree" - the only tree at the World Trade Center to have survived the attacks - a powerful symbol.

If it is possible to love Boston and New York City in equal measure, we sure do!  I was actually moved to tears hearing how the New York Yankees joined in singing "Sweet Caroline" to show solidarity with Boston.

On a more lighthearted note, while in NYC, I also met up with fellow blogger (and fellow expat - only she's an English woman living in NYC!)  ChrissieD.  What fun we had meeting up in person at the City Quilter, and then having lunch at a nearby pub, Stout.

Chrissie recommended the fish and chips and I figured she would certainly know!  Any shyness we might have felt melted and we chatted away endlessly!

The great thing now is that I can "hear" Chrissie's voice when I read her blog!  She blogged about our visit here - where you can also see the cute "New York City" themed needle book Chrissie made for me.

Later in the week while my girls were at work/school, Chrissie and I took the train to the Brooklyn Museum to see an absolutely wonderful quilt exhibit called "Workt by Hand:  Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts".  I had really been looking forward to this exhibit and was thrilled that Chrissie could join me.  I always enjoy viewing a show or exhibit with another quilter along.

More blossoms outside the museum:

Stay tuned for some photos from the exhibit - coming up real soon, I promise!

Sticks and Stones, Stepping Stones

We are expecting snow tomorrow... and with last month's big Tokyo snow still fresh in our minds:

Snowy days are perfect for quilting... and last month I got out these cheery yellow squares again .... to work on the "Sticks and Stones" quilt.

The pattern is by Bonnie Hunter and can be found here.  Note that the pattern is free to use by individuals.  Check out Bonnie Hunter's website here for more free scrap patterns.  Awesome!

A little chain piecing... taking over the dining room table for a few days....

I bought most of the fabrics at The City Quilter  in New York City last summer and over the Christmas break:

A group of ladies from my church has started a quilting initiative for "graduates" of an orphanage  here in Tokyo.  In Japan children are fully released from orphanages at age 18, and they often need a lot of support finding an apartment and securing basic necessities and perhaps a few luxuries.

The graduate I'm sewing for is Erika (yes, that's a Japanese name!) and her favorite color is yellow.  And these fabrics are (bright) YELLOW!  Not my usual palette, as I wouldn't consider myself a "modern" quilter, but I have to admit, it was fun to work with these cheery fabrics.

I finished the blocks side by side with Tommy as he studied for final exams.  Sure glad I wasn't the one working on physics:

Julie W suggested "Stepping Stones" as a name for our little initiative - I love that.  A step up, a step forward, a step perhaps over trouble, and into a promising future.

In any case, we hope that this project will become ongoing even after most of us have returned to our home countries.

I hate to admit how long it sat on my floor before I put on the borders - ugh.  It took Downton Abbey and several movies to motivate me through borders, sandwiching, and basting.

And then ... some quilting in the ditch:

I hope wherever you are in the world... that your year is off to a promising start!
Linking up with Plum and June, and with Quilt Story. :)

Cynthia

p.s.  On a few blogs... and on Facebook... I've seen this idea of picking a focus word for the year.  I LOVE this idea.  I'm still thinking about it... but we're in February already.  I'd better pick a word soon - otherwise it will be "indecision" by default. :)

The City Quilter

On our way back to Penn Station Miss K and I stopped into The City Quilter. Wow.... I could live out my quilting days quite contentedly with the notions and fabric found there. Miss K waited patiently with our luggage while I shopped... And then a quick slice of the BEST pizza and back by train to Mass.

Purl Soho

Last week Miss K and I spent a few days in New York City, getting oriented to what will be her new neighborhood starting in September. We do love New York!

In between practical stuff and seeing a few shows (favorite? One Man, Two Guvnors), we did some shopping. It was a thrill for me to see Purl Soho. What fabulous COLOR and they were rolling out the new Liberty quilting weight cottons a day early - luscious!