Total Eclipse of the Sun 2017

 Hello and Happy Friday! It's been a crazy time leading up to the Total Solar Eclipse (or partial depending on where you are) and the pre weekend is finally here! The eclipse takes place on Monday.  Organizers in my town have been working hard for 2 years to pull off a big event. Solartown and SolarFest.

 A farmer, using GPS and NASA coordinates says this is the center of the line in Madras. I'm not sure who painted it, but I went looking for it yesterday and found it! I told my niece we were taking a little field trip from work and surprised her.

 I've been snapping a few photos around town this week.

 Certain roads will be closed to most traffic for emergency personel to respond quickly. Passes were available for locals and people who live in the "closed" areas.  If you look behind there is an empty lot that will be turned into a food court.

 Lots of porta potties all over town!

 Several farms have turned into tent cities,

 And some have tried to "sell" spaces in dirt and stickers! Ugh!

 Our fairgrounds is the main headquarters of SolarFest. There will be lots of food trucks, music, and shuttle buses.

I believe this grassy area will be full f tents this weekend. Our town of 6200 is supposed to have up to 100,000 visitors! NASA and Lowell Observatory are putting on some great free events too!

I couldn't resist!

On this map my town, madras is about right in the middle and on the line of totality!

This is what I was reading about the difference of being on the path of the eclipse or not.

For those outside the path, there is no dramatic moment of totality, no dance of Baily’s Beads around the edge of the moon’s disk, no intense darkening of the skies, no stars and planets suddenly revealing themselves against an impossible twilight, no corona flashing into view (the otherworldly beauty of which makes even veteran total eclipse observers gasp in amazement), and no primordial fear which sinks ever so slightly even the modern heart. There is no pitch-blackened disk of the sun, no discernable temperature drop, no impossible nighttime during the day, no scintillating chromosphere or glorious prominences, no 360-degree sunset effect around the horizon, no uncontrollable shouts of emotional overload from the assembled crowd, and no lingering post-eclipse sensation of certainty that you have just done one of the coolest things you’ll ever do in your life.

A partial eclipse is interesting but forgettable, while a total eclipse is a memorable, life-changing event which burns itself into memory – and never fades. And so we, who have seen this sight, ask you to join us on this momentous day, and do everything you possibly can to see it with us. But you must remember that “close” is not close enough; in order to see the eclipse in all its glory, you simply must…

Get thee to the path!

Kind of silly, but I'm excited now that the event is almost here!

We had a traffic nightmare on Wednesday. 30,000 people were heading to Big Summit for a Symbiosis Gathering in the Mountains.  Here was an aerial view from today.

You all have a great weekend! I'll be working and hopefully meeting some visitors to my little town.

Love to you all!

Northwest Quilters Guild

I had the pleasure of presenting at the Northwest Quilters Guild in Portland last night!

 My daughter met me for dinner then she came to the meeting! My good friend Michelle from Portland came as well. Debby Dodds, How did I not get a photo of us together?! Debby has done the past 2 large quiltalongs and we have emailed frequently. Only recently did I realize she lived in the Portland area! I got to meet her last night and she has joined this guild so will get to know many new quiltmakers!

 It was a full house.

 I always start with my first quilt- the one that got me hooked!

 And my second quilt- the one that taught me I can do sharp points if I want them. 

 I'd love to lecture and/ or do a workshop at your guild meeting. Please contact me for more information. Thank you Northwest Quilters for the warm welcome!!

Pillowcase Dresses for Colombia

For those of you that have been around for awhile you know I've taken pillowcase dresses with me to South America the past 2 years.  In February I'll be going to Colombia and want to take more dresses with me.

Here is my first one. I hope you'll join me in making one, two or even more.

I deliver them personally and most get put on the girls by me or the team members I'm with.

It's a great way to use up some stash!

I will never forget this little girl.

I've posted several patterns HERE. 

I like Nancy's Notions Pattern for the dresses. 

If you would like to see what I'll be doing and possibly donate to the cause you can go to Mike Silva International HERE. We will be going to Cartegena and serving the poorest of poor, bringing hope, life saving water wells and a huge festival. If you would like to donate on my behalf, please go HERE and know that your donation is 100% tax deductible. Please choose Colombia Serve team and type in my name- Lori DeJarnatt.  Thank you so much for your consideration! Any amounts given above and beyond go to the water well project.

Love you all! Have a wonderful Monday!

Quiltworks Special Exhibit

Quiltworks did not have a First Friday (she is contemplating discontinuing- boohoo) but they have a great exhibit upstairs.  The 3rd and 4th photo down tells you about it, but I really wanted to start with my favorite of the exhibit. It is called And/Or and is part of the Urban PDX (PDX is Portland, Oregon)  exhibit.

When my kids were young and I home schooled we went to Portland frequently to see musicals, plays, museums and parks. When we took custody of my niece and 2 nephews, my daughter moved to Portland instead of San Diego so she could be closer and help out. I love Portland! (Of course, I do not love everything about it) 

This awesome quilt kept my eyes moving from one detail to the next. Love! Love! Love!

The first apartment my daughter moved to overlooked the train station and this tower. It's iconic!

This was done by the same maker as the And/Or. 

I think I'm falling for these modern quilts more and more!

Here's my Instagram for the week- not much new! Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends.