It's coming along nicely...

...if not for the deadline!!  Actually I think it's going well.  I have twelve of the fifteen center purple flowers ready to attach, which only leaves stamens and circles.  That shouldn't be too bad, right?  Oh, and borders.  They haven't been designed yet but I have ideas swirling in my head, most of them fairly simple.  I put this one on my schedule, it has to be ready for quilting by the second week of April and ready to deliver to Quilt Depot on the 20th (focus, focus, focus).  So many other new ideas keep intruding, distracting, begging for attention.  Not to be mistaken for other projects being worked on, these are completely new ones...like designing an applique of a close up view of barbed wire (random, ha?).  Back to work, just wanted to share my progress :)

New project in the works!

This is it!  Isn't it great?  Now there are two reasons for starting this project.  The first, and most important, is that I am working on it together with a great friend.  It's a perfect excuse to be able to spend some fun times with her.  We'll both be blogging as we go so be sure to check out what Nancy has to share on her blog at Hen House Studio.  The second reason, an exercise for me to use only from my stash.  This quilt has twelve blocks, six pieced and six appliqued.  We have a goal of completing two blocks a month for the next six months.  My first two blocks are now completed.  The Spirit of Sacagawea seems especially suited to my attention, maybe because we live in the Pacific Northwest and have always been aware of the Oregon Trail and Lewis & Clark.  Be sure to check out the authors blog, it's really wonderful.  I love their new fabric collection called Indigo Crossing...gorgeous! 

 This block is called Shining Star.  Possibly more commonly referred to as a lone star.  The block was to measure 18 1/2", I'm considering myself fortunate that mine made it to 18".  My scant 1/4" is never scant enough.  I didn't have quite enough of this background so I pieced it before I cut the pieces.  Almost impossible to see my seams in the busy print.

Nancy chose our applique block for this month.  It is called Log Cabin.  We changed our dogs to reflect our own pets.  Our Ratchet is an English Pointer.  I can nearly picture the early explorers hunting for pheasants with one of his ancestors.  I decided to add embroidery to the bird where the pattern showed quilting lines.  Only thing I'm not completely pleased with is my cabin door.  I may still change it...what do you think?  and change it to what??

Trying new things!

I love trying new things.  That's why I've learned to knit, tat, crochet...yes, even macrame.  This opportunity involved doing a shadow box for a friend who wanted a piece of her wedding gown quilted and included.  Yikes!  I'm supposed to cut apart your wedding gown?  The quilting was the easy part, well, the second time anyway.  I didn't like the design I did on the first piece (it looked better later).   The lace, bow, and sleeve are from her gown as well.  I'm really pleased with the way my very first shadow box turned out and look forward to exploring this craft a bit further.

Been Quilting!

I've been keeping up with my schedule, for the most part, so when I saw a little window of opportunity I jumped on it and quilted my project from October retreat.  I love the way it turned out.  Another break would be nice so I can get it bound.

We trekked out this last weekend to cut our tree (usually we use an artificial tree).  I have way too many ornaments but how can I resist putting on every last one.  These are from some of our first Christmases. 

Not quite finished, still one box to go...but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (singing in my head).  May you receive and celebrate the greatest gift ever given, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Fun times!

One of the great things about having teenage grandchildren is they like to do fun pictures that don't involve faces, and they're great instructors to the 'littles'.

They also get super embarrassed when the littlest go silly... this was the first Thanksgiving in I don't remember how many that all of our grandchildren were together with us.  We had an awesome time together. 

 

Doodling again!

Recently a friend posted on Facebook that she needed someone to draw something for her, to which my sweet husband responded, "My wife can draw it for you".  I'm not certain it's exactly what she had in mind but she loved it and it went out in the mail today.  Can you tell what it says?

I do enjoy drawing, more accurately, doodling.  It was a nice change of pace from the norm.   I'm not a real artist by "real artist" standards but I don't believe that should ever keep you from the creative process.  The nice thing about drawing is the cost is minimal, there are no risks and no limits.  Try it, you might like it.

Remember this one?

Veggie Cats will be traveling to Houston for Quilt Market.  Helene Knott, designer of the applique blocks, will be displaying it in her booth there.