HOW TO MAKE A SUPER FUN AND CUDDLY BABY BANDANA QUILT

While looking for bandanas to make Charlotte, our baby granddaughter-on-the-way, a bandana baby quilt, I came across wonderfully whimsical animal inspired navy and white bandanas at J.Crew. The elephant bandana has little elephant heads in the corners and the whale bandana has an overall pattern that includes fishes, anchors, and a compass rose. The bandanas are printed on an ultra soft, almost batiste-like quality cotton fabric. Recalling that newborns can mostly only see black and white for the first three months, and that the J.Crew designs are so charming, I abandoned the pink idea and went for blue and white. And, a portion of the sale from the bandanas goes to support wildlife foundations.

Directions

1) Prewash bandanas, cotton batting, and backing fabric. Press.

2) Stitch together the four bandanas. Bandanas are not a woven design and oftentimes are not printed on the square perfectly. You have to fudge it a little and not be too fussy at this stage.

3) Press the bandana quilt top seams flat. Place the quilt top over cotton quilt batting. Pin or baste the batting in place. Trim batting close to quilt top edge.

4) Place quilt top and batting unit on top of cotton backing. Pin or baste through all three layers to keep in place. Trim to neaten edges.

5) Cut 4 bias strips, in desired width, in backing fabric, the length of each edge, plus two inches. I like to cut my bias strips 2 and 7/8 wide inches for binding a quilt. Fold bias strips in half and press.

Continue reading “HOW TO MAKE A SUPER FUN AND CUDDLY BABY BANDANA QUILT”

PHOTOS FROM THE GLOUCESTER HISTORICAL COMMISSION AWARDS

An outstanding group of citizens were recognized today by the Gloucester Historical Commission for their achievements in restoration, preservation, shipbuilding, education, outreach, stewardship, and documentation. Opening remarks were made by Mayor Romeo Theken. Co-chair Mary Ellen Lepoinka introduced the awardees. Congratulations to all the recipients for their great work, with an extra huge shout out to King brothers George and Charles.

The Gloucester Historical Commission are mayoral appointees. Commission members include co-chairs Bob Whitmarsh and Mary Ellen Lepoinka, Jeff Crawford, David Rhinelander (who is recovering from heart surgery and was unable to attend), Sandy Barry, Holly Clay, and Jude Seminara.

The recipients awarded for their stellar contributions to the beautiful community of Gloucester and Cape Ann are as follows:

Joseph Napolitano: Lifetime Achievement as a preservation contractor.

Sarah Dunlap: Lifetime Achievement as volunteer City archivist.

Harold Burnham: Local Preservationist, for his achievements in historic shipbuilding. Harold was unable to attend. His father Charles accepted the award for Harold.

Marietta Delahunt: Stewardship of the historic Sargent-Robinson House.

: Local preservationists, for their work on the Civil War coat.

Mariana Vaida: Rehabilitation and Restoration of 567 Essex Ave. by a preservation architect.

Gloucester Writers Center: Stewardship of the Maud/Olson Library in E. Gloucester.

Bing McGilvray: Education and Outreach, for his work on Cape Ann art history.

Captain Ray Bates: Education and Outreach, for his book on Cape Ann shipwrecks.

Christine & Paul Lundberg: Rehabilitation and Restoration of their Annisquam historic home.

Melanie & Mark Murray-Brown: Rehabilitation and Restoration of the Amos-Rackliffe House. Melanie was unable to attend and daughter Iona took her place.

John & Betty Erkkila: Documentation of Gloucester History, for their book on Lanesville.

George and Charles with friend Robert

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTw8h1MFhmO/

Studio Spring Hours and Half Off Entire Menu Including Sushi

For more info- www.studio-restaurant.com

51 Rocky Neck Ave, Gloucester MA
978-879-4896
On Facebook- www.facebook.com/thestudio51

Gloucester’s Katy Geraghty part of Broadway’s Tony Award nominated musical Groundhog Day!

How exciting to follow news about this stunning vocalist and actress. Not at all surprised to hear that Katy Geraghty is part of a Broadway musical!

from today’s Gloucester Daily Times:

Katy On Broadway
A Gloucester woman is making her Broadway debut in a show that has racked up a number of Tony Award nominations. Katy Geraghty, a 2012 graduate of Gloucester High School and the daughter of city residents Rick and Martha Geraghty*, plays the role of Debbie in the acclaimed musical “Groundhog Day,” which opened April 17 at the August-Wilson Theater on New York’s 52nd Street…Geraghty, also a 2016 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said she landed the role after being called to audition in March last year. She said she had caught the attention of “Groundhog Day” musical director David Holtzenberg, whose husband, Michael Heitzman, directed Geraghty in North Shore Music Theatre’s 2015 production of “Shrek, the Musical.” “Groundhog Day,” based on the 1993 film that featured Bill Murray, stars Andy Karl, best known for his role in “Legally Blonde,” and has been nominated for a Tony as best musical…

Read the article

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Groundhog Day perform on TODAY show

Today show groundhog day

http://www.today.com/video/watch-the-cast-of-broadway-musical-groundhog-day-perform-live-on-today-930959939988

Katy on Instagram

*Martha Geraghty is a Cape Ann Reads finalist

Katy stepping up to help Cape Ann Big Band raise money for O’Maley Middle School band (from prior post –2min video snippets including classics Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and ‘S Wonderful with vocalist Katy Geraghty) I think we first saw Katy in Once Upon a Mattress

 

The Bookstore of Gloucester and local artists for Deborah Cramer’s Narrow Edge talk at Sawyer Free Library

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Fans, friends, colleagues, and teachers enjoyed a free public program at Sawyer Free Library to hear more about the making of the Narrow Edge by Deborah Cramer. The talk was sponsored by the library, Kestrel, The Gloucester Writers Center, and Eastern Point Lit House (Deborah will be leading one of the upcoming book discussions at Duckworth’s). It was a treat to hear more about the long friendship and collaboration of Deborah Cramer and Susan Quateman (learn more about Susan’s art here) Patty Hanlon’s Cedar Tree Gallery at Walker Creek Furniture in Essex held the inaugural exhibit for this series.

 

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Cramer read quotes from her book that also inspired Janet Essley’s art; Quateman, Essley and works by Michael DiGiorgio and George Textor were exhibited at the Matz Gallery in the Library.  Martin Ray’s sculpture seen to the right and behind Deborah during her talk is part of the library’s art collection.

 

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“Unbeknownst to most people horseshoe crab blood safeguards human health.”

Avery from The Bookstore of Gloucester helped with the crush at book signing time.

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Heidi Wakeman, a Gloucester O’Maley teacher, was excited to visit with her first grade teacher, and Barbara Kelley who we learned accompanied Cramer on a research trip for The Narrow Edge.

 

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More scenes from this wonderful evening

Continue reading “The Bookstore of Gloucester and local artists for Deborah Cramer’s Narrow Edge talk at Sawyer Free Library”

Mercury Goes Direct!

Ayurveda Wellness Healing, LLC's avatarCape Ann Wellness

Wow – now that was a tough three week period of Mercury Retrograde!
Yesterday, Mercury moved forward and just in time for us to enjoy the upcoming weekend, Mother’s Day, Graduations, Weddings and just everyday life! Now everything that happens until the next Mercury Retro you only have yourself to blame 🙂
Ayurveda Wellness Healing, LLC encourages you to go out and do something fun – we all deserve it.

“Blockage is disease/Flow is health” 

http://www.ayurvedawellnesshealing.com

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SUPER EXCITING NEWS: OUR CHARLES AND GEORGE KING RECEIVING THE GLOUCESTER HISTORICAL COMMISSION AWARD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CAPE ANN MUSEUM!!!

George and Charles write,

Hi Everybody!

We are so, so happy to write about two special awards for the Albert Bacheler Gloucester Civil War coat. On April 13th, we received the YMCA MAYOR’S YOUTH EXEMPLARY AWARD from Mayor Romeo Theken at the 2nd Annual Community Awards. The Mayor gave an awesome speech and we felt truly honored to be included. There was a giant reception at Cruiseport including a delicious breakfast. We were presented with a great plaque from the YMCA and a Senate Citation from Senator Tarr. It’s cool to receive such an award from the YMCA because their mantra is exactly the same as Albert Bacheler’s: give kids a good opportunity to learn, have fun and be active. Also he cared a lot about character. The photos we are sharing are from Mayor Romeo Theken and were taken by Ashley Snell for the YMCA event that day.

The second award is from the GLOUCESTER HISTORICAL COMMISSION. It will be taking place tomorrow May 6 2017 at Cape Ann Museum. Please come to celebrate with us and see the presentations. There are many interesting projects being awarded. It’s going to be fun!

 

Here is what they sent us:

The Gloucester Historical Commission invites the public to attend the annual 2017 Preservation Awards ceremony on Saturday, May 6, 2 to 4 pm at the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester.

May is National Historic Preservation Month, and each year the Commission recognizes outstanding cultural heritage preservation, restoration, and education projects, based on the following criteria.

Preserved neighborhood history through research, writing, or art
Preserved a property that is historically significant in age, style, or use.
Restored using traditional materials or methods.
Preserved historical integrity or appearance.
Protected from present threat or future harm.
Completed project within the past two years.
Accomplished by individual, family, group, or community advocacy or fundraising

Award categories include the following.

Archaeology
Adaptive reuse
Stewardship
Education and outreach
Landscape preservation
Restoration and rehabilitation
Local preservationist
Individual lifetime achievement
Documentation of Gloucester’s history

This year’s award recipients are:

Joseph Napolitano: Lifetime Achievement as a preservation contractor.

Sarah Dunlap: Lifetime Achievement as volunteer City archivist.

Harold Burnham: Local Preservationist, for his achievements in historic shipbuilding.

Marietta Delahunt: Stewardship of the historic Sargent-Robinson House.

Charles and George King: Local preservationists, for their work on the Civil War coat.

Mariana Vaida: Rehabilitation and Restoration of 567 Essex Ave. by a preservation architect.

Gloucester Writers Center: Stewardship of the Maud/Olson Library in E. Gloucester.

Bing McGilvray: Education and Outreach, for his work on Cape Ann art history.

Captain Ray Bates: Education and Outreach, for his book on Cape Ann shipwrecks.

Christine & Paul Lundberg: Rehabilitation and Restoration of their Annisquam historic home.

Melanie & Mark Murray-Brown: Rehabilitation and Restoration of the Amos-Rackliffe House.

John & Betty Erkkila: Documentation of Gloucester History, for their book on Lanesville.

At the ceremony, members of the Commission will introduce recipients and present award certificates. Slides will be shown, and recipients will talk briefly about their projects. This event will take place on Saturday, May 6th, 2 to 4 pm in the Cape Ann Museum at 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester, Massachusetts.