'Made by Children"

I made this for the YOURstory exhibit,  a traveling  exhibit about human rights.  I 1st chose "clothing" as a human rights but as I did my research I could not find much other than a small wording the UN had,  all humans have a right to clothing. This may be true but it really depends on where you live.  If you live in a climate of heat you may not want much clothing, but if you live in the colder climates that is opposite.  A declaration without a need.  
BUT, in my research, I found story after story about children, yes children making clothing, working in unsanitary conditions, forced into labor to sew at these old sewing machine, usually in so dangerous conditions, little food, little water.  No outdoor play.    

My heart aches for these children,  WE as consumers have alot of blame for this cruelty!!  Many websites will give you the names of the companys, many in our own country that use children to manufacture our clothing.

So, using my own old machines as models,  I made this machine, then I put clothing labels "made by children", "made by a child" and then made by names of children from some of the countries that use this disgusting abuse of children.  

YOURstory... the book will soon be available, you can pre-order now from Amazon.  

April 2nd

I took this photo April 2nd 2018,  A little late posting but thought it a beautiful photo.  This is on the Cody Canal down by the Buffalo Bill Dam.  A walk we take every morning, and every morning it brings something new and beautiful to our day.

I forgot.....

Last post I said we just had the bat to put on the siding.  NOT,  we have the bottom level to finish as well.  Loving how this looks,  the roof is also rusted metal.  Our home really blends into the beautiful Crandall area.   

Siding is going up

We are using a rusted metal for the bottom of our siding.  The top is a board and bat.  We have all of the metal and the board on,  next we will work on the bat.  Teton is not helping but we love this dog and she is loving us in Crandall.  Cannot wait to live there full time.  Her favorite place.

Rugers nest

This was once a long bat of cotton insulation.  Ruger found it made a nice nest for him. We would use it up, come back for another and found he had done this again.  It was quite the argument to get it away from him.  Fortunately we were able to use those small pieces around pipes and in corners.  So,  no loss.

Ruger

This is Ruger,  next week I will show you what he did to the cotton batting we used in our new home.  

Snow lots of snow

 We have had lots of snow in Crandall this winter.  This photo is taken from our deck, actually on the backside.  Thinking we will be spending lots of time looking at this view.

Oh the beach!

This was taken in Cancun, Looks like he is getting tired, all that sunshine, swimming, picking up shore treasures.  What a fun time!

Wool and hand embroidered...

This quilt is completely wool.  It was a kit,  I just finished this last year.  I was crazy about the wool,  but I also used wool batting, because I had a piece that fit,  I also did the backing in wool.  Making this quilt heavy,  really did not need all that wool,  it hangs on a wall.  but it is pretty.

We need to update our family photo...

This photo was taken in Cancun.  I really love it, but last week John and Emily added to our family. So we are missing a little person here

Stunning sunrise!!

Just have to add another Buffalo Bill Res sunrise, looking east of course.  I love living in Wyoming, always something of beauty.

Pilot Index

This is the view from our new home, front deck.  I find that anytime the clouds or dark are not obscuring this view, I just have to take a photo.  So Far, this is one of my favorite, the sky color is stunning!  

Goals for 2017 and now 2018

  Below is my 2017 goals,  check off 

#1  We had our air conditioner (in the attic) leak,  so the spare room was painted,  just one room.  Not a fan of painting,  but this is one that has to be done in 2018.

#2  I have 6 quilts in traveling exhibits, and those same 6 quilts are in books,  Heart Mountain 2 quilts, traveling and a book;   Fly Me to the Moon 2 quilts, traveling and a book by the same name; HERstory, 2 quilts, traveling and in a book same name.  This goal is pretty easy for me so might as well put it on for 2018:)

#3 We have lived in our current home for 36 years, I have found downsizing a huge task. I know my grown children do not want all this stuff,  I don't.  I have a couple garage sales scheduled and a run to the dump.  It is a work in progress, so it goes on the 2018 list.

#4 I will plant more,  I did purchase and plant 6 quaking aspen, and then transferred another 3.  Last fall they were doing great,  my hope is Spring brings lots of new growth.  

#5  I find this one of the hardest goals.  I do think I have gotten more tolerant.  I do have a very long way to go.  So back on the list

NEW:  In addition of the "back on the list"  from 2017 I do want to add one  more.

#1  Move into our new home.

That is all I am going to add.  that is plenty and I look forward to that #1 2018!!!

Sunday, January 1, 2017

JANUARY 1, 2017 

My goals for 2017

#1-  Paint every room in my house,  a last year goal.

#2-  Once again,  I would love to do more fiber art and I am including this on my #2 because these are both last year goals I felt I accomplished… blog blog blog.

#3-  Downsize everything,  our new home design is much smaller than this home.  So, although I have already started this goal,  I have a long way to go.  35 years in this home and I am not moving all of the nook and crannies full of stuff.

  

#4-  Plant lots of trees in Crandall,  I absolutely hate the view from our new home sight  of our neighbors, so trees are being planted.

#5-  Be kind to those that are not,  generous to those that are in need, understanding of those that differ in opinion. 

My sewing room has come along way.....

 This top photo was last June, looking East out 2 of the 5 windows in my new sewing room.  This bottom photo February 2018, is with the insulation/sheetrock and 14 can lights installed.  

Our cabin in the winter.

This was a few years back,  but believe this year may be close to that much snow if not more.  Always beautiful in Crandall in the winter.

Seems like a very long time ago

Diapers, and cowboy boots.  Brings a smile to my face.

So sweet...

 Wearing my reading glasses,  cannot believe she can see a thing. 

Great Grandpa Erv and his 2 of his Grandkids

One of my favorite photos,  my Dad and my Grandkids.  You just never know when that one photo will become one of the cherished.  This one is!

A tree...

 No,  we did not cut a tree.  From a few years ago,  my safari is out of date on my computer so have not been able to add more photos.  So, until I get a little update on my computer I plan to post some photos that are old or maybe already on this blog.  

Another Pilot Index

Pilot Index is always a beautiful view.  One we will have daily in our new Crandall Home.  

Fun quilts

I made these 2 quilts for my daughter in laws nieces.  I love this pattern.  I think it was about 3 years ago I made one for my Grandson,  we visited last week and I checked it out.   I did a few things different, most of his colors are boy colors not a lot of pink or purple,  I did not do the 2 borders on his.   It is always on his bed, and he told me he loves his quilts.  2 more just waiting to be quilted, one a donation to Benjamin Smiles Toy Run and the other for our Park County Animal Shelter (photos to come soon).  both will be raffle quilts,  I think, that is the choice of the organization,  I just make and donate.  

It is getting there.

At times it seems to be taking forever!! But,  it is a process that we are enjoying.  The window in my sewing room is now in, and it works.  It blew out the hole when it was being installed.  That just damaged the up and down not the window itself,  installed last week and working great.  Our garage doors are now in.  Russ and I painted those a burgundy color.  Love them.  All the white doors you see will also be painted that burgundy color.  We vacuumed the outside walls in the lower garage area,  today if weather permitted the insulators will be spraying the "seal" part of the insulation on all the outside walls.  Next week the front deck will be finished and the wood up under the overhang will be finished.  We picked up the wood and the steele for the siding the last 2 weeks and when weather permits we will start on that.  These photos are from Nov 2, 2017

November 3rd 2017 Our Morning Walk

 We received about 6-8 inches of snow with lots of rain under that.  Russ and I were in Crandall until yesterday. Crandall…at least 10 inches of snow and was still snowing when we left.  Walking in this heavy wet snow is another kind of exercise,  I feel my calves burn and my hips hurt.  I still go everyday and everyday it is a different walk,  be it the weather, the people we pass, or the animals and birds we see.  It clears the mind and this am was a good laugh to watch the Ruger, he loves the snow and loves to run as fast as he can.  His tail wagging the entire time.  Life is good!

I know that Cowboy hat

This photo makes me smile.    My Dad passed in 2015.  When we cleaned out his home I found a camera and had it developed.   I know that the Cowboy hat is my Dad but not sure who the other person is.  Not really sure what the drain is in this photo either.  but it does bring a smile to my face and good thoughts of my Dad.

A little one will soon call these two "Mom and Dad"

We are thrilled.  We will have another Grandchild in April of 2018.  

Ruger

Ruger, he is a big sweetheart but the biggest PITA.
He is the  75 lb. baby in this family

A buck and the girls

This was yet another beautiful scene on our walk.  Look closely you will see a nice looking buck and 2 girls.  The red sun,  from all the wild land fires in Montana.  

When I see a rainbow….

We walk everyday,  everyday we are blessed with viewing wildlife, beautiful sunrises, flowers, all sorts of weather,   and every now and then a rainbow.  This one was straight toward  the heavens. Those of you that know me well, know that seeing a rainbow has always reminded me that my brother John is looking down on me from the heavens.  40 plus years and he is still loved, and still missed!

Aretha makes the cover!!

I am so honored to be on the cover of this book,  ok NOT me but my art.  Aretha Franklin front and center.  This book actually has 2 of my art pieces,  Aretha and Through the Lens, both have been on this blog.  Soon to be on the book shelves.  Hope all of you find one to purchase,  this is gonna be an awesome book celebrating women in HERstory!!

Forty and other 1st

I could not find a photo of just Russ and I so Olivia is also in this one, and a sweetie as always, love this beautiful girl.     We celebrated our 41st Anniversary this year. A lot of 1st. 
Forty  1st anniversary
1st house we have ever built
and Russ for the 1st time is not working, he retired.    
Looking forward to lots more 1st.