Yellow Coneflowers

Yellow Coneflowers is a hand appliqued wall quilt inspired by Kumiko Sudo's quilts.  It was the first time I used bamboo batting for hand quilting.  I like the silky feel of the bamboo and the softly quilted quality it achieved.  I tried using a hoop for the quilting but the dimension of the flower petals kept getting in the way so most of the quilting was done without a hoop.  I liked the way that felt with all the fabric and batting soft and bunched up in my hands.  Here is a shout out to all the "liberated quilters" and the freedom to do what feels good and works for you.  This quilt is currently on display at the Appalachian Art Center retail gallery. 

Beep Beep!

Beep Beep is the name my grandson gave his quilt.  It is appliqued in the center square and then a "quilt as you go" technique I saw on HGTV was used for the borders.  It has a soft flannel back in a "Hot Wheels" print.  He has a fleece baby blanket too with cars on it and he calls it "baby cars"  When he is ready for bed he asks for "Beep beep, baby cars"  such a cutie.

Monogramed Coasters

Here is a pile of monogramed coaster sets I made on commission this year.  Fun project.  When I can't come up with anything new to add to my blog, I'm going to go through my photos and add something from there.  Now if I could just find a way to organize my photos (and the time, because I think it just might take years to do that) and remember to take photos of the things I've made.  All too often they leave here before I remember to document them, sigh.

A Little Knitted Postcard

I made this little knitted postcard to send as a Thank You note to a very special person.  It arrived safe and sound in Maryland.  Fun little project.

Question about Elephants

Such is Life:  sometimes things just CAN'T happen because there is an elephant in the way.  (from "how to fail a test with dignity" email)

next question:  How do you move an elephant?

More Wildlife

I caught this little guy sunning himself on the window ledge.  The privacy fence around my patio has "windows" just like an indoor room to provide a view of the garden.  I'm just not sure which side of the "wall" this guy lives on as he enjoys the patio as well as the garden.  Personally, I prefer him in the garden where he is less likely to startle me.  I call him Lizzy.

The windows are here, right behind the pampas grass and the climbing rosebush.  Pretty good disguise eh?  Since the patio is uphill from the road we were feeling like we were on a stage for all to see without the fencing.  Now we can look out but looking in is nearly impossible. 

Wildlife

We have had quite a summer here in the Appalachians. Bear sightings in several neighborhoods, copperheads nesting in waterfalls and gardens. Hawks and Owls shopping for dinner in our yard. Some of it has been a little scarey, some of it very enjoyable, and some of it has been downright funny.

I made this little toady as a gift for a friend following an especially funny story about not being able to get back in the house one evening because there was a "huge" toad sitting by the door just waiting to jump into the house if she opened the door. So just how do you get a toad to jump out of your way without touching it?

I filled him with rice so he is quite poseable. His eyes are 4 beads (the black ones fit just perfectly inside the clear ones (how lucky is that?).

Go Dragons

I had a little trouble getting a willing model.

Reviving the blog

I've been thinking about reviving this blog thing for awhile not. Seems I spend too much time blog hopping to do any blog writing. But I'm going to try.

first up........ GO DRAGONS!!!

I found some red and white eyelash yarn in my stash and asked my dd if she would like a furry school spirit scarf. This is what she requested instead.... something about "Where's Waldo" stripes and "Thing one and Thing two" furry heads.

Easter banner for St. Joseph's

what I've been doing in the studio

coasters for a chicken lover

Table topper from kaleidoscope hexagons

embroidered baby shoes made with repurposed felted wool

Quilted banner at St. Joseph's Church

Grandchildren

We stopped for a quick visit with the grands on the way home. Just enough time for a violin concert, some hugs, and lots of smiles.

APQC Red Ribbon Dinner and Great Art Auction

Here I am with my brother and the 3 items I donated to the auction. We had a smashing good time. This is the second year they have asked me to make them a quilt out of cast off blue jeans that they collect and send me. The red ribbon wall quilt is constructed from neckties and the messenger bag/purse is constructed of more men's neckties. great recycling fun in this "Green" economy.