Looking back, preparing to look forward

To See Such Fun

We're in a new year it seems, so it's time to look back. I'll look forward in a day or so, but I need time to process last year. So much has happened, two new babies in the family, the loss of Richard's dad, my hospital stay and surgery. 

Another Red Feather from Red Is a Neutral challenge

Still, as it turns out, I've been quite busy in my little world. 

Dora and Diego 

Busy with what, you might be asking yourself (because I did set myself up for that question). My sassy answer is finish reading the post. But I'm not particularly sassy. 

Mr. Stripey made by Marley

I made or finished several quilts, taught a grandie to sew as she made her own quilt. All of these are quite small--lap or baby quilts, and a few are some tops that I simply quilted. That basket of tops waiting to be quilted is just a little lighter.

Pink Pieces

A Touch of Teal

We finally finished our bedroom and bathroom remodel, which ended the procrastinating to make (or buy?) a cover for the bed.

The Biggest Finish

The Biggest Finish required a great deal of time and effort to complete because, well, it's the biggest finish. It's bigger than a normal king so that it has a nice, long drape to hide that huge mattress. I don't remember the crazy measurements, but it may be the reason I'm going to therapy for this shoulder.

Dresden Teaching Quilt

So those are the quilts I made: from cutting to binding, even if they've been languishing for a year or four. 

Apparently I did some things that are not on my normal Things To Do list.
A quick rundown:

• made monkey costumes for Beta 
• learned to use the Silhouette machine and completed several projects
• chaired the silent auction (and donated items) for the annual church fair
• turned Daddy's old wooden ladder into two quilt ladders (thanks to Richard)
• and I organized this thread cabinet he made for me (It's crazy how much time that took.)
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I also ended my presidency for the Cotton Quilters' Guild, managed the CQG quilt show and managed a (first time) CQG sewing room tour, including my room.

Finally, I tackled Doctor Zhivago Yes, reading is generally on my list, but this book!

Retirement is paying off, and I started some new things that I'd like to pursue, such as

1. GSQA meeting (circuit teacher)
2. GSQA Pursuit of Excellence class
3. BRMQG retreat (three finished tops)
4. CFAL show (Baton Rouge)
5. Quilters' Guild Acadienne show (Lafayette)
6. Houston 2019

Reese's Quilt

And then there were a couple of customer quilts. This first one is for my sister, so it didn't pay much. :) But the ones below did and 
have a special meaning for me, as well. There's a fourth that I didn't get a picture of.

If you know anything about my world, you know there is always an art project going,either sitting near my chair, ready to put needle and thread to, or on the studio worktable. I'm still into art quilts. 

Bayou Des Glaises at Bordino Crossing

Cotton on Green 2

Cotton on Green 1

We have our aches and pains. Richard has some health issues, pain in his neck and back, plantar fasciitis, and an annoying frozen elbow. I fall apart, temporarily, then pull it together again--thank you, Bipolar Disorder. 

Cave in Yellowstone

But all of those are simply the result of living a longer life and we are grateful that it's not worse--there are, after all, so many, many illnesses and horrors in the world. 

Indigo Dusk

We feel blessed to be turning 60 (soon). To know that we are loved by God. To have healthy children, grand children, and great-grandchildren. To be able to help others. To be able to live the life we love.

Big Sky in Montana

Happy New Year! 

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: S N O W

I know it's wishful thinking, but there's a small chance of ice and snow waaay down here in the deep south.  That would, of course, mean no school because we have no way to get children to school on such days.  Buses are much too dangerous, especially on bridges since our drivers are not trained nor are our buses equipped.  Most of them do not even have heaters.  


With this on my mind, I thought it would be fun to have some ice and snow somewhere, so why not in a post?  

Now don't fall for the pictures.  What we call a snow day is really just a dusting of the white stuff.  Sometimes it melts as soon as it touches the ground.  If the temperatures get into the high 20's it will stay for a while, but even that is only a half day.  More often we have what we call an ice storm.  That's really just rain or sleet that freezes.  If the sun comes out, everything melts even if the temps are low.  The worst ice storm that I remember lasted about four or five days.  I can't imagine ice or snow for longer than a week.  

I did spend a week in Canada once and there was snow hip deep.  It was during our Easter break; several teachers took some of the French students to Quebec where our French teacher originated. 

The teens had never seen snow, so I took them to a park on the first night and let them play and run around while the other adults showered.  We had great fun trying to walk in the snow--and losing then finding our shoes. After these two memories, I'm tapped for extended ice and snow.

If we get snow and ice at all, it will be interesting, but it won't last long and chances are that we will have only a day off from school. But I'll take that, and I have no doubt that the kids will also.  If we do, I'm going to enjoy the day in my studio.  Hopefully, we'll have electricity and I'll get to sew!

Fishy Finish

A customer brought in a darling little quilt that her grandmother started but didn't get to finish.  Although the grandmother hoped to hand-quilt it, she asked to have the quilt finished by machine .

I had the pleasure of quilting this fun quilt.  Of course, my photos are of the usual quality, but I think you can see enough to make out some of the quilting.  

I really tried to get the trapunto of the big center fish.  It's pretty amazing. There was already a layer of batting, so my job here was pretty easy. I simply followed the outline of the fish and the lure and added one other line of stitching to stabilize it really well.  Her center line along the gills I decided not to touch because it already gives enough dimension but still allows the center of the fish to really puff out.  More importantly though, it allows the viewer to see the original hand stitches.

 Of course, to make sure that the trapunto stands out, I added lots of stitching around the trout.  Above the fish I quilted wavy lines to create movement in the water.

And below the trout I quilted air bubbles. 

 For the grassy area, I followed some of the lines in the largest grasses and leaves, going around or down the center, which ever worked best for continuous line quilting.  Every cattail, seedpod and large oak leaf is outlined.  I used the lightest beige grasses to travel around the quilt because my beige/gray thread just melted away.

The open water was especially easy.  Some smooth wavy lines created movement and ripples.

The treeline and sky were a little more challenging.  I decided to follow the edges of the woods where the two grays meet. It required really paying attention to where I was headed, but the result is that the line delineates the depth of the trees and the tree tops where the rising sun sheds some light.

Finally the fisherman and his boat got extra special attention.  I outlined everything.  I even followed his fishing line from rod and reel to the lure in the trout's mouth.  It looks easy, but one or two stitches off, and it had to be ripped out because the thread matches the line not the background.

In other words, I really challenged myself and had fun with Uncle Joe's Lures.  Here's hoping both customer and Uncle Joe (yes, there really is an Uncle Joe who hand-makes and sells lures) both love the quilt.

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