Monday, November 16, 2020

The Round Table Composite

Our internet connection gets so slow late in the afternoon (kids doing homework and at home playing video games) that, as I worked on this round's composite I was forced to consult an old-fashioned reference source, the World Book Encyclopedia.  Yes, we have a set, purchased for our 7-year old grandson who is an avid reader (and reads at this level).   All I could remember about the Round Table was "One for all, all for one!"  I thought I remembered the words "legendary."  It's a tale at least 1,000 years old.  Therefore, when this round's theme was announced, I suspected we would step back all those years--mostly.  But again your creativity surprised me.

The top row--Jane, Tricia, Kathy--lends a summary touch to our crazy world today.  We are, truly, spiraling out of control and longing for something as simple as a family "sit-down" together, over a good meal, and perhaps at a round table!

The second row is confession time for Randy.  Since I'm not, technically, a quilter, then, technically, I should not be allowed to voice an opinion for #1.  In another life I did present workshops on the use of humor to develop the skill of creativity and that tired old cliche of "think outside the box."  When I saw Judy's quilt, my first reaction was WOW, that's outside the box.  I invented my own prize, an Excalibur Recognition. I really don't mean to slight the rest of you, but Judy's just made me think, "Box, what box?"  Then Nedra's quilt just had to slip next to it to keep us focused.

Alice, if you really stretch your imagination, you can see an angel in that white cloud floating over your Wee Folk King, Queen, and Knight.  Plus what a gift you gave to your grandson to demonstrate what you can do with needle and thread.  I would expect nothing less from an experienced teacher and a loving grandmother!

To close the composite, a graffiti quilt from Gail, a swirl of confusion as to how to cope as we try to sort fact from who knows the truth.  Andrea, I couldn't resist, I put a mask next to your quilt because you so succinctly said "Social Distance."  Unfortunately, that says it all for these days.

Again, hold steady my friends; we will get through this--together!

Jobs well done.

Randy
 


Thursday, November 12, 2020

Judy S.: Let's Shake hands at the Round Table

To start with the Round Table I thought of many ways to modernize the Knights of the Round table, but they just didn't flow. One evening at my Camp Gladiator workout I talked to my friend Melinda who is a math teacher. "Is there anything interesting to do with math that would use a Round table?" She thought a minute and said, "There is one where there are 10 people around a table and you have to figure out how many total handshakes there would be if everyone shook each others hands." She continued to tell me that there is a visual where you draw different colored lines for each person and then you just have to count the total lines to get the answer. Oh WOW! I wish she had been my teacher! (Oh and as I was walking away she said, "There is an equation for it too.") Lol

I went online and discovered one where they used the 9 Supreme Court Justices as an example. That seemed appropriate with what was going on at the time. Guess what. Nine is not an even number to make an easy shape, but I got it! The close up shows the different ribbons, yarns and fabric I used to give each one their own color.
 
I basically couch/quilted the ribbons and yarns on. The back is fun to look at too with all the small zig-zag stitching.
Now to find the answer the red ribbon Supreme Court 
Chief Justice shakes 8 hands, Dark Green yarn Justice 7 handshakes, Gold ribbon Justice 6 handshakes, Lavender braided yarn Justice 5 handshakes, Pink ribbon Justice 4 handshakes, Blue ribbon Justice 3 handshakes, Orange fuzzy yarn Justice 2 handshakes, Light Green ribbon Justice 1 handshake and Dark purple Justice already shook everyones hand. So the total is 36 handshakes to go around the table.