Checks and Balances

I received an award today. I didn't even know I was in contention for an award, but Lo and Behold! it was on my doorstep when I got home!
I am assisting a designer who has a huge project that needs to be Fed-Exed to L.A. by 3:00 tomorrow. Today was a busy day, that has followed a busy 8 day week without a weekend. We are on schedule, so we are not in panic mode but the pace has definitely has increased in tempo. By 4:30 my efficiency and productivity levels dropped considerably. I was working on a very elaborate 3/8th inch scale chandelier, when I super-glued my ring finger to my pinky. In my defense, this is not an event that denotes dull-wittedness, just something that is unavoidable from time to time when you work on small scale models. However, it does make one feel pretty stupid. Gluing your fingers together isn't painful (initially), and it is fairly easy to undo. The key is not to panic, and calmly get out your nail polish remover (acetone is the important ingredient) and in moments you will once again be free to play the piano, open doors, pick your nose, and get a high score on your nintendo gameboy with 100% dexterity... that is if you have nail polish remover handy... which I did not. With the push to get the project out tomorrow I wasn't able to seek out the necessary solvent. I figured I only had two more hours of work before quittin' time, and since it wasn't my index finger to my thumb (which yes I have done on a separate occasion) I could still continue model building. Here is a hint, if ever in this situation: tape the glue fingers together as well. " What!?" you might say, "You're crazy, that will make me look sillier and bring attention to an already sticky situation!" Here's why: your fingers want to be free, and will continue to try to pull themselves apart, causing the painful development of ripping skin (gross I know). By taping the offending fingers they will not pull and hence buying time until you can get to the all important acetone.
I finished the day, got in my car and drove home where I found a package on my doorstep. Inside, was a plaque that reads "in recognition of your talent and dedication as a Design Assistant". This was for a project I worked on in February. "Ha! Cool!" I thought and before the accolades went to my head, proceded to the bathroom to de-super-glue my fingers.

The Quilt

In my family when someone gets engaged, traditionally the girls in the family make a quilt block. The blocks are then sent to the mother of the bride/groom and then are put together to make a wedding quilt.
After my Mom met my Sweetie she wanted to start the quilt for our wedding ( jumping the shotgun a little.) In an effort not to scare my Sweetie off too much I asked if the theme of the quilt could be 'Art History', instead of say 'Couples in Love'. Now my Honey and I are officially betrothed, date set and everything! So, the quilt efforts are in full steam, and I thought I would share the progress because it is (to put it in my native Utahn) Freakin' Awesome! My mom, who is an amazingly talented artist, did many of them, and there are blocks from sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends. Here are all the blocks that are completed so far:
It will be Queen sized when it's all finished, the due date for quilt block submissions has been set for the end of September.