I was looking forward to my credit union stop on the way home from work on Friday because there was a chance that I’d see and sandhill crane or two… there was a pair hanging out in an open area next to the parking lot/drive-thru last year, and they’re back!
I was so excited when I spotted one… then two…
…then THREE!!!! I’m willing to bet that they’re a family.
Rusty & I drove over to Wausau on Friday afternoon because he had a piece in a show that was opening at the Center for the Visual Arts. There was also an exhibit of student work from the Wausau School District… and oh, my.
The first piece I saw was “Sunflower Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh,” by Nellie B. — a kindergartener!!
This was also done by a kindergartener, Sidney S., and called “Picasso Inspired Dog.” I love it so much!!
They’ve got quite a crop of kindergarten artists over there, because this is another! “In the Garden” by Scout C.
The exhibit was so nicely done — every piece was framed & each had a tag. The lighting wasn’t that great, but it is what it is.
I cropped this one close because the light reflection was awful… but I sure love this! “Star Me,” by Makayla C, who is a fourth-grader.
We stayed overnight in Wausau because there’s no way I was driving for two hours, hanging out for two or three, and then driving two hours home all in an afternoon/evening. I guess you could call it a #whirlwindarttripwithrusty! The hotel was packed with kids & a few dogs, many people there because they still didn’t have electricity at their homes due to an ice storm the day before. We had some of that, too, and I had to wear Yaktrax to get to my car! Anyway, there was another ice storm predicted for Friday night and indeed there was. My car was crusted over! We were able to navigate the parking lot & the roads were fine, but everything else was coated, and there were a lot of broken tree branches.
It was nice to get home by noon on Saturday — I had most of the weekend ahead of me! I went out to High Cliff State Park to walk with Katie & Kai, I worked on taxes, did some laundry, puttered…
…and opened the mail! I was a winner in Colossal’s recent Knit The City giveaway! Jake Henzler’s designs 
came across my radar a while ago because of their similarity to the Safe At Home blanket that I made a few years ago. It’s a lovely book & there are so many possibilities because the patterns are all “building blocks,” just like it says. I have a cushion or two in mind!
On Sunday, I finished up taxes and took the rest of the day to play.
I sewed the last three rows of squares & sashing together, then laid it all out on the floor to make sure I liked what I was thinking of for the cornerstones before getting too deep in that. I only had enough of three colors of the “dotty” fabric & wasn’t sure that would be enough variety… but I think it’s perfect. The other “dotty” color I used in the blocks was a bit more vibrant than these three, and I like how subdued they are… if “subdued” can even be used to describe any part this quilt. haha. So, I’ll be sewing together those rectangle-and-square rows, then sewing the whole darn thing together.
I started knitting the second sleeve of Farfalle, too, but I made the same mistake starting this one as I did the first, so will be ripping & having another go. Thankfully, I’m not too far along, and I finally understand the stitch pattern, so it’s going a little quicker overall.
See ya Wednesday!
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I would want to hang out and watch those sandhill cranes for a long time; thanks for sharing! That kindergarten art work is stunning. I like them all, but Star Me is a favorite. Your quilt is perfect, if not actually very “subdued”. You had a full weekend!
Kindergarten artwork has been a delight of mine for years and the things you shared here are amazing! And, lucky you, for getting a copy of Knit the City! (I follow a couple of people from Erie and it appears that 2 pairs of Sandhill Cranes are on the peninsula this year! I am eager to head up to see them!)
I’ve never seen Sandhill Cranes, so I had no idea they were so big! I’m very impressed by those young artists, too. Love how the quilt is coming together. Can’t wait to see what you do with the book you were so lucky to win!
So much inspiration here, Vicki. Thank you . . . I really need it today, y’know? We often have Sandhill Cranes both up at our lake and here in the neighborhood (we have a chain of lakes here, too; not in my yard . . . but just across the street). I love seeing the cranes so much! So far, we’ve heard them, but not seen them. The kindergarten art is wonderful. I love the joy and freshness of it all! And your quilt! Oh, Vicki. EPIC. And I’m sure this won’t surprise you at all . . . but I have Jake Henzler’s Copenhagen building blocks pattern in my Ravelry library — and have for years. I bring it up and look at it every now and again. I’d love to do something with it. (And now you’ve got me thinking about it again. . . ) Lucky you to have won his book!!! (Thanks for the breath of fresh air today.) XO
Your away overnight art trip sounds wonderful! Those kids must have a really awesome art teacher because their work is fabulous. We usually see sandhill cranes in the field down the street from us but so far this year I’ve only seen deer there. I will keep checking and think of you if/when I spot them.
What a gorgeous quilt. I love the sandhill cranes. This year we drove out to central Nebraska and watched them roost at sunset on the Platte River. The art show looks terrific. Congratulations to Rusty on having a piece displayed.