Look what I made...

I just made the cutest wallhanging!

It's from the Fall 2011 issue of Quiltmaker's Small Quilts & Gifts.  I'm a sucker for magazine's this time of year!

Anyway, I saw this cute little guy and decided it would make a great gift.  (Next time....read the measurements!)  It came out really cute.

Daughter#2 told me I should give it to Santa for Christmas.

How sweet is that!

Happy Quilting
Caren

I'm still here

I know it has been ages since I have posted anything...it's been even longer since I have quilted!  This week I checked my AAQI site (here) and was surprised to see I only have 3 quilts left up for sale.  WOW!

Christmas is just around the corner so I thought it was a great time to show the 3 that have yet to sale.  Remember the money goes to Alz. research.  Check out the site:
http://www.alzquilts.org/index.html

7989 – Rocks in a Stream

#7989

Width: 8.75" Length: 11.5"
Materials/Techniques: Hand dyed and commercial fabrics, appliqué, trapunto, free motion quilting, and thread appliqué leaf.
Artist Statement: My goal was to recreate, in fabric, the many streams I saw in the Smokies.
 

7990 – Tranquility

 

Width: 8.75" Length: 11.75"
Materials/Techniques: Hand dyed and commercial fabrics, cheese cloth, free motion quilting.
Artist Statement: I wanted to create a simple, uncomplicated view of the beach, one that is peaceful.
 

7992 – May Flowers

 

Width: 9" Length: 10"
Materials/Techniques: Hand dyed, painted, and inked fabric, needle turn applique, hand quilting, hand embroidery, and piecing.
Artist Statement: I wanted to make a background fabric with lots of texture and well as text. I went through a flower book and wrote down the Latin names of many flowers onto the painted background. I used scraps from other projects to piece the grass. The flowers were free hand drawings of basic flower shapes. Most of my current work is by machine, I missed the hand work, so most of this quilt was constructed by hand.

If you don't like mine check out the quilts for sale page, they have a ton of quilts.  And they make great Christmas gifts.

 

Happy quilting

Caren

 

AAQI at Houston

I'm a little late but....

AAQI is at the Houston Quilt Show.

If you watch closely you will see one of my little quilts fly by!

1 of mine has sold, so far, and 3 from my guild have sold.

If you are in Houston

BUY a Quilt!

Tales of a pointy hat!

I finally got around and made the pointy hat for daughter #1 costume.  3 days early!  When I bought the pattern I assumed, never do that again, that the picture on the envelope would match the directions and yardages.  They didn't!  I ended up making 3 trips to the fabric store for trim and then coming up with my own way to make the hat.  I was not a happy camper last night!

It came out nice!  I added beads, to tack the tulle onto the hat.
Of course who knows how long she will actually wear it  ;)

In other news.....

I finished mister pumpkin.  I used variegated black thread for the bat and a little shiny grey.  I did heavy quilting on the background, which made the bat puff out.  Cool!  The pumpkins eyes, nose, and mouth are outlined in yellow glow-in-the-dark thread.  It glows really well.

I cut the piece out freehand, for a wonky look and zigzagged the edges.  I'm actually hoping for a little ravel on the edges.  I am hanging it on the bathroom wall.  The kids will love it!

Happy Quilting,
Caren

Pumpkin Days

Over at Quilting Arts they are having a forum challenge on "thread designs".  The piece can not have any fabric additions!  No applique...No piecing!  HMMMMMM.....


So I came up with the idea of a pumpkin at night!  Well it is October, it also sounded easier than anything else I came up with.

There's Mr. Pumpkin drawn in chalk with a nice bat in the corner.  I spent 2 days and at least 5 shades of orange doing the thread work.  So here he is halfway through the 1st bit of sewing.

He's showing up nicely.  Now here he is with the open areas painted yellow.  ( I promise I painted them!) And it's after the last bit of sewing.

He's coming along very well I think.  I took it off of the stabilizer thinking I would only do a basic outline for the bat and then use a little glow in the dark thread for the pumpkin face and an all over quilt design.


What do you think I should do with the bat?


Happy Quilting
Caren

A new dress

I finally felt a little better, so I worked no daughter #1'a dress for Halloween.  Originally she needed it for Thanksgiving, schools having a Middle Ages Feast. (?) 

I still need to add little beads around the neck and rick rack.  She said their wasn't enough sparkle!  This is a close-up of the lacing on the back.  The pattern called for eyelets.  But I couldn't get them to go through the fabric without crumpling, so I made buttonholes (9  on each side!).

The belt won't stay up, she has no hips. (Nice problem to have!)  I still need to make the pointy hat.  I'll do that next week.

happy quilting
Caren

We have a winner

And the winner of the free book by Clare O'Donohue is...

And entry #2 belongs to:

Sand and Sunshine said...

Wow, another author writing about quilts, YIPPIE, I love hearing about those. I will have to see what else this author has. Thanks for the giveaway and the info!

Congratulations:  Email me with your address and I will strap the book to a snail, in time for you to read by Halloween.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Giveaway...

In honor of my GIVEAWAY of Clare O'Donohue's new book, The Devil's Puzzle, I have a Q&A with the author.  What fun.  I tried to ask questions of interest to quilters and readers alike.  I hope you enjoy.  Don't forget, leave a comment on the original post (here) for a chance to win.

1. I noticed, from your website, that you made a Drunkard' Path (Book #2). Have you made a quilt from each book title?

Not yet – though I’d like to at some point. I made the drunkard’s path quilt as part of an Accuquilt raffle, so I didn’t even get to keep it, but I have been collecting blue and white fabrics to make one for myself. And I’ve been thinking of making a Lover’s Knot table runner, but it hasn’t gotten past the planning stages.

2. How do you go about matching a quilt block with the books? Do you have a list of names that you would like to use?

I look for names that are interesting for both quilters and non-quilters, as well as have a mysterious feel – so something like The Devil’s Puzzle, is great. Unfortunately, there aren’t many patterns that fit the bill so it’s always a struggle to come up with a great title.   

3. I know I am fascinated by how people learned to quilt. Especially in an age of technology. Who taught you to quilt?

I’m a self-taught quilter. There’s no tradition of quilting in my family, though my grandmother did make clothes. I loved the look of quilts, and thought (foolishly) it would be less expensive to make one than to buy one, so I gave it a try. My first quilt was a 5 foot square hand-pieced hexagon quilt, which just shows you how nuts I was. My first ‘real’ quilt was log cabin. I call it a real quilt because I knew enough by then to have quarter inch seams, and to quilt evenly across the surface. 

4. What was it like working on Simply Quilts surrounded by such wonderful artists?

It was an amazing experience. Alex Anderson is a dream to work with, and I met wonderful quilters, from Eleanor Burns and Georgia Bonesteel to Jinny Beyer and Caryl Bryer Fallert. Seeing the quilts up close was absolutely heaven for me. At the end of each season (I worked on four of them) the producers would divide up the stuff, so I still have many of the rulers, fabric, pins and books that we used on the show.

5. Do you have a writing routine? I know you have a brand new book out, Devil's Puzzle, and another book, Kate Conway Series, coming out in Spring 2012. WOW. There must be a routine.

Yes and no. Usually I aim to write about 25 pages a week. Ideally, I write Monday through Friday from about 10am to 5pm, which includes time blogging, updating Facebook, and watching downloaded episodes of Dexter. Sometimes, though, it’s not ideal and I have forgo my goofing off time. I still work as a freelance TV producer. I don’t work at that job every day, but when I do, I have to travel, so I write in airports, hotel rooms and while my crew is setting up for an interview. As long as I find my 25 pages somewhere in that week, I feel I’m on schedule. 

6. With your busy schedule of writing, promoting, traveling, etc...do you still find time to quilt? I know you are knitting, that's a lot easier to travel with.

Quilting is my sanity, so I make time for it one way or another. If I’m home, I usually mark out space on Sundays to quilt but I’m also working on a few hand-pieced projects, so I can take those with me when I travel. Right now I’m doing a hand appliqué project. I haven’t done a lot of hand appliqué and this has thin vines and tiny pieces. I love it, but it’s also a challenge for me.

Do you follow a process for writing? I know some writer's just sit down and start writing with little idea of where the story will take them. Other's plan flow charts of major scenes and events. Where do you fall?

I don’t go into a book cold, but I don’t have a detailed plan either. I know the story I want to tell, and who the characters are. I usually have a synopsis of six or seven pages that highlights the major plot points. But that’s it. I don’t know every scene, and I usually don’t know who the killer is until I’m well into the first draft. I like to get to know everyone, and really let the characters determine their fate. I find it’s more fun that way.   

8. (& 9 combined) I haven't read the Kate Conway series. (My library didn't have it this weekend!) The mood seems very different from the Someday Quilt Series. Was it hard switching to a different style and mood?

It is very different – more cynical, a bit deeper. I had this character in mind and I wanted to see what I could do with her, and Missing Persons is the book that came out.  I don’t find it difficult to switch. I can keep two quilting projects separate, two friends separate… so really, keeping the characters separate isn’t much different. In fact, I think moving back and forth is refreshing. It allows me to take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes – the way working on multiple quilt projects actually makes each one more interesting.

10. I know you have pulled names for your characters from those around you. In reading the Someday Quilt Series I have fallen in love with the ladies in the Quilt Club. The experiences Nell has with the older ladies and quilting is similar to real life experiences I have had with guilds. The ladies are always so willing to help the newbies out. Are any of these characters taken from people you have experienced in real life?

While the supportive, fun nature of a group of quilters is something I’ve gotten from my own experience, none of the characters are based on anyone in particular. I wanted a diverse group, in age and backgrounds, and as I created the characters they developed their own personalities. They feel very real to me, but everyone from Nell to Barney the dog is purely fiction.

Don't forget leave a comment on the original post for a chance to win!

Happy Quilting

Caren

Giveaway....

Help me celebrate almost 1000 views, with the  Almost 1000 Views Giveaway!!!
Ok funny title, how about this Free Book Giveaway!!!
No matter what you call it, it amounts to free stuff.  I like free stuff....Here it is win a free copy of

Yippee!!!

I was contacted by Mary at Plume Books to see if I would like to giveaway a copy of Clare O'Donohue's brand new book. (It might be a week old!)  I just read it and it is great.

If you haven't read the Someday Quilts Mystery, they surround a group of quilters.  Each book title is the title of a quilt block.

(How cool is that.)

This book is perfect for Halloween, hence the timing of the giveaway.

DETAILS:

Since I love all of my fellow blog quilters all you have to do is leave a comment on this post!  You do not have to follow me, although that would be fun.  I love stalkers followers.

This is open to international friends. (I hope I don't end up broke!)  I have received some lovely gifts from people across the pond and beyond.

ADDED: Contest ends Sunday, October 9, 2011 at midnight cst

So there it is.  Win a great cozy mystery for a chance to win a free book. 

Check back tomorrow for another surprise. HINT:  If you have read one of Clare's books before make sure you come back!!!

(Evil laugh)

Winners will be chosen by a random number generator.

Happy quilting

Caren

Giveaway...Giveaway...Giveaway

The time has finally come....well almost.

I have a giveaway.  It will be announced tomorrow!!! (Evil Laugh)

I think you will like it.  I know I did!

See you Tuesday

Caren 

PS. I need a random number generator

I'm still here

I haven't gone anywhere.  I just have not quilted in...I've lost track of how long!

I thought I would share with you the quilt on my wall for October.  It is a few years old.

It's called "Crop Circles"!  My dad is a huge fan of crop circles and alien theories, not that he believes them!  Anyway, the circles are sewn down with raw edges.  They fuss up when washed.  It's the closest I have come to a rag quilt.

And since I am sharing photos.  This is what my kids did yesterday to the poor cat.

I feel so sorry for him!

Happy quilting
Caren

New site...

It's not like I have enough to do!  I started 2 new blogs.  One is cooking, the other is books.  I spend a lot of time doing both, if I'm not quilting!

As the Spine Breaks... is my book blog.  It is mainly a way for me to keep up with the books I read and favorite authors.  I tried keeping a notebook, but my children took it.  They have a strange love affair with notebooks.  Seriously.  My first book is by Clare O'Donohue.  She writes a cozy mystery series with quilt block names.  The books are really good.  If you haven't read one, check it out.

As the Fat Fries... is my cooking blog.  This was my Sweetie Pie's idea.  I think he figures if I am blogging I will be too busy to buy fabric!  Poor guy.  Don't you love the title.  I don't fry a lot, but I am Southern!  It's food related and fun.

I tried to keep my titles linked to my quilt blog ;)

Don't forget I have a giveaway coming in October!  It will be so much fun.  I hope to have another in November, I have to get Sweetie Pie's help on that one.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Fish Finished

I have had a rough weekend.  I have shingles.  No I am not old enough to have shingles, but I do!  And it is really painful. 

During a lull this morning I finished my Fish Quilt.  The Lure was my grandfather's and I still need to tack it down.  This quilt will go straight on my sewing wall.  I know it is very wavy.  It adds to the feeling of the ocean!

Happy Quilting
Caren

Fishy Foto

I worked on my wild fish tonight!  This is a memorial for my grandfather who died last year.  He was an avid fisherman.  He also had a work shed full of old rusted bits and bobs, that;s what I used for the fabric! A week, or so ago, I posted a picture of the start of the fish.  Tonight I finished the fussy cutting and fusing.  I fused the whole fish to a piece of fabric I dyed this summer.  The borders were "rusted" this summer also.  That was really hard to sew through!  Parts of the fabric have a thicker coating that others. 

The color combination is unusual, but I think it works.  Hopefully I will start quilting it tomorrow.

9/25- Note to self:  When free motion quilting use a "jeans" needle it helps with the crazy tension that is the bain of my existence!

Happy Quilting
Caren

I have a Button!!!

I have a button!!!  Thank you Sue for the site you mentioned, but it took my wonderful techno wizard to figure it out.

The button is on the side, go ahead and grab it, you know you want one!   The code is on the side.

 

I have a secret.

I will be having my first giveaway in a few weeks.  Don't tell anyone...it's just between us .

 

I also started two new blogs, one on cooking and the other on books.  I want to keep my quilting blog about quilting so I decided I needed new outlets.  I'm am still building them, I'll let you know when they are up and ready.

 

Happy Quilting

Caren

Redesign

I have been busy this morning redesigning my blog look....again!
It has been interesting.  Sweetie Pie didn't like my banner, he said it was too big.  I hope this on looks more "professional"?!  I don't know if that's what I want.  Less clutter and neater than my house would be nice.

I want a button!

That's right.  I want a button for my blog, of my blog.  Does anyone know how you do that.  I have spent the morning looking at blogs I enjoy reading.  And I have button envy.  Can anyone help?

A Finish
I did finish little britches dress.  It had less pieces and looked easier than Daughter #1's dress.  She loves it.

Of course she won't be wearing it with her PJ's!  I have to find a long sleeve shirt.

Gotta Go, it's off to work I go

Caren

Quilting Survey

Hello bloggers

Last week at the quilt guild there was a woman conducting an online survey about the Internet and quilting. (I don't know if she is a quilter.)  I took the survey, it is quick and easy.  There is also a chance to win fabric!!!!

If you are interested, you can take the survey without leaving any personal information, here is the website.

Happy Quilting

Caren

I actually sewed today!!!!

The temps. have gone down.  I actually went into the dungeon and used my sewing machine.  It felt so nice!

Today I worked on a Christmas present ( unfortunately it was for someone else!)  My mom has Macular degeneration and can not see well enough to sew.  She wanted little britches to have a zebra print pillowcase, she loooves zebra print.  So mama bought the fabric and I whipped it up this morning, in like 20 minutes!

Her name will be monogrammed on it also.  This is the easiest pillowcase pattern.  Here is the link.  The only thing that takes so long is the pinning.  Once you have the shop cut the fabric there is no cutting.  You just lay it out, pin it, and sew.  The inside is french seams, so there are NO raw edges anywhere.  Super simple!

I also manages to cut out the first of the dress patterns.  Today when they get home I have to pin it on her to make sure it will fit.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Happy Quilting!
Caren

Stanley Cup Quilt-Off

Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims are at it again!  They are playing in the Stanley Cup Quilt Off! If you haven''t heard of this yet...it is cool.  12 amazing, dare I say famous, quilters have teamed up with AAQI (Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative) to raise money for research.  They are divided into 2 teams.

The Feed Dogs: Alex Anderson, Hollis Chatelain, Becky Goldsmith, John Flynn, Renae Hadadin, and Sue Nickels

The Rotary Blades: Caryl Byer Fallert, Pat Holly, Libby Lehman, Judy Mathieson, Mary Sorensen, and Ricky Tims

Each have made an amazing quilt (Fallert's would look great in my bedroom).  These gems will be auctioned off November 1 - 10.  Just think you could have your very own quilt made by Anderson or Tims! 

There is another way to help raise money.  If, like me, you can only dream of owning one of these beauties you can still help your favorite quilter or team win bragging rights for raising the most money for AAQI.  All you have to do is vote (root) for your favorite.  Each root is a dollar, $5 min.

I know which ones I'm voting for!  I also know which one is going on my Christmas list!  Go to AAQI, check out the beautiful quilts and root for your favorite, or buy one of the Priority quilts for yourself or as a gift.


Happy Quilting!
Caren

Last days of summer

Yesterday Sweetie Pie surprised us with a trip to the beach, well sort of...Dauphin Island, it's closer than Gulf Shores! 

This large fellow hung around all afternoon.  We even saw him catch a fish and eat it!

Theses were everywhere!  Dauphin Island isn't know for it's shells, but it had a ton of driftwood and jellies.  Daughter #2 had fun poking them, until one of them poked back!  Ouch!

                                                                  Beautiful View

                                           The Pier without water!

                 I found shells!  (Sorry about the shadow!)  These move....hermit crabs galore.   

                                               This fellow caught his supper!  I wonder if he will share?

                                                                       Ahhhh....

                                                 Time to go home.
Happy Quilting
Caren

Cool weather

After Tropical Storm Lee left we have had the most wonderful weather.  For the past 2mornings I have woken up  to temps in the late 50s.  It is wonderful.  I am almost ready to start sewing again!  I did a little sewing this morning.  Girl scout season is starting up and Daughter #2 is now a Brownie.  I had to sew on her insignia, although all of it didn't get sewn on, I have no dark brown thread.  (How is that possible!)

Over at Quilting Arts the new challenge of the month is using altered fabric.  Yippee...I have lots of that.

This fabric I dyed this summer and the center was rusted.  Now my idea is a little odd.  One of the blues will be the background with a collaged fish.  The rusted fabric will be the border.  The idea was to make a remembrance quilt of my grandfather who died last summer.  All of the rusted stuff came from his shed and he loved to fish.  I have one of his OLD fishing lures that will be dangling in front of the fish.
 This is what I have so far:

He's not sewn down yet.  Just sort of loosely stuck in place!  I'm not sure if I like the colors.  I like the red fin and the green spotted fabric, but not so sure about the black.  It seems too dark.  What do you think?

I also have another sewing project in the wings.  Daughter #1 is having a Middle Ages Feast for Thanksgiving!?  I know sounds odd, but fun!!!  So of course she needs an outfit to wear.

Of course she likes the green dress with the pointy hat!  For some reason US pattern makers don't make many, or any, pattern for Halloween for little girls above a size 8.  So mommy has the additional joy of altering the pattern.  Her fabric is a glittery purple satin.  The trim is shinny gold rickrack.  She wanted a fancy gold braid, $4 a yard!  I told her it was too expensive for a costume she would only wear 2 or 3 times!  I did tell her I would add a few beads and sequins to the collar.

Daughter #2 was upset she wasn't getting a dress, so of course now I have to make 2!  She's getting the red dress.  She even wants it to be red satin!  Now, she is only 7.  She saw the pattern and got excited over the veil.  She said it looks like a wedding dress!  I am in so much trouble!


There are rumors of other sewing projects, but we will have to see!

Happy Quilting
Caren

New York

I am only on page 251 of New York.  That's maybe 3/4 of an inch from the beginning.  There are a total of 862 pages....I still have a way to go!
 
I thought about sewing today, but I got distracted by the heat....again!

I have been mentally thinking about a larger quilt.  My girls have medals from swimming and no place to put them.  I was thinking of a quilt about 1/2 yard in size with a large shark in one corner.  The team mascot is a shark!  Then the rest of the are is blue for the ribbons and medals to hang.  So far it is just an idea!

Happy Quilting
Caren

New book

I just finished a new cozy, but I didn't care for it that much so I won't name it.

I went to the library for a refill on books and found this huge book.  It was sitting on a table with books about New York.  When I saw it I got so excited, my children looked at me like I was crazy!

New York, Edward Rutherford

This book is huge. 860 pages. I read Sarum when I was in 9th grade (about 15 years old) and loved it.  I have read several of his throughout the years and have enjoyed everyone of them.  The plan is to start reading the book, and if I like to buy it.  Unless it is awesome and I do nothing but read for  a week!
 
Anyway, I am really looking forward to reading this book.

Happy quilting
Caren

Too hot to Sew...

Yes, it can be too hot to sew.  I haven't touched my sewing machine in weeks ( or at least that is how it feels).  Anyway.  I went for a walk at the mall this morning and the merchants were already pulling out heavy sweaters!  It made me sweat just looking at them.  We still have a good month or more of hot weather.  Good news is all the summer stuff is on sale!

Sew, what have I been doing instead of quilting you may ask.  I have been working on a secret project (ha ha ha), reading cozies (mystery books), and finishing off the first 10 seasons of Midsomer Murders!  It's amazing so many people can die in a small county!  On that subject I have to ask my readers in the UK two questions.  1- What's the deal with coconuts? Every time there is a fete, Ins. Barnaby gets a coconut. 
2-  Are those baked beans he eats for breakfast or BBQ beans?  And can I get a recipe!?

I think the heat is starting to mess with my mind!

I just finished another great little book and I am surprised I have not run across this writer sooner.  "Booby Trap" by Sue Ann Jaffarian.  It was so funny.  Very well written.  Unlike a lot of cozies, the sleuth isn't old.  She a little older than me, but she is a big gal.  Unlike media of the day she is beautiful, bright, and a lot of fun.  There are several books in the Odelia Grey series and I highly recommend them.
 
Ok.  I have bored you enough go back to quilting.

Caren

AAQI headed to Houston

If you read the AAQI blog you know they need quilts.  If you don't they are on my blog roll or just click here.  The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative needs more quilts.  They are starting to keep some for the November trip to Houston for the huge quilt festival.  You can see the quilts here.  They hope to have 1,500 quilts at the show.  I have never been to the Houston show :(  But this year 2 of my little quilts will :)  I mailed 4 more off today.  I hope one ore two of them will make it. 

So if you are going to Houston for the show check out the AAQI booth, better yet  buy a small quilt.  They make great Christmas gifts  ;)

Happy Quilting
Caren

Christmas in ...129 days!

This is totally unrelated to quilting.  I went to the library today and checked out this little book:
"The Official Guide to Christmas in the South or, If you Can't Fry it, Spraypaint it Gold"  by David C. Barnette.

I laughed the entire time I read this book.  It is hysterical, which it is meant to be.  BUT it is so true.  I saw more than a few relatives and loved ones in this book.  Now I have to admit I am only half southern (my mama's from Texas and everyone knows it is it's own country.).

It covers all of the southern traditions, more than a few may be odd to outsiders.  If you need a good laugh go to your local library and check out this book!

Happy Quilting
Caren

Birdbath???

Look closely....

Stripes has made himself a new bed!

Happy 11th Anniversary....

Sweetie Pie and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary yesterday.  He was so sweet, he surprised me with an evening trip to the beach.  It takes an hour and a half to get there from here and is my absolute favorite place in the world and he knows it.  Sweetie Pie doesn't like the beach so much :)  We had a amazing meal of fresh seafood, I even braved the shrimp and crab claws ( I'm allergic... thankfully I only ended up with a case of the itchies... don't tell my doctor!)  Then we bought a beach towel and watched the moon rise and the waves rush in.  It was so very romantic!  ( sigh of contentment)

The gift:  So my sweetie gave me a gift. 

My baby made these for me.  He turned them on his lathe.  2 are wood and the other is acrylic.  I'm not sure which I like better ;) They are heavier than the cheap plastic ones, but not too heavy.  They are really sharp!  I like that they can be closed.  I've poked myself more than once by the standard variety.  I also like the pen clip at the top.  I can't wait to take them to the guild and show them off!

Disclosure:
(There's a girl in my blog roll that sells acrylic seam rippers on etsy, her husband also makes them, I just can't remember who it is. )  We may start selling them as well!?  Who knows seems like a lot of work to me!

Isn't she beautiful:

Ignore the messy house.  We were getting ready for church!  This is daughter #2.  She is wearing the dress my eldest niece wore in our wedding.  This picture is my favorite.  I have a proper picture of her standing in the garden, but this is so much sweeter!

Happy Quilting!
Caren

Bad internet connection....

I have had the worst time with my internet connection this week.  So I am trying to post this real quick.  I have done very little sewing...too hot.   I did finish this little red quilt.  

HELP.....
 I need a title and the top corner seems to need something.

Happy quilting

Caren

Rusted Fabric...

My daddy thinks I'm crazy!  He collected a bunch of rusted parts that were scattered around my grandfather's workshop.  I told him I wanted to rust fabric.  His reply..."On purpose?"

Yes on purpose, and it turned out great!  This was just a sample to see if it would work.  It was so easy.  I have the presentation for the next night guild meeting.  The topic will be surface design for beginners!

You can even make out the little nuts and bolts.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Exciting news

During the last Quilt Show, a handful of quilts were chosen for the Shared Experiences exhibit at the Mobile Museum of Art.  Shockingly, my little quilt "Games we Play" was chosen to be displayed.  I am so excited.  I took the kids and met Sweetie Pie and my parents last night to view the show.  It was beautiful.  There were ceramics, glass, wood, Photography, and paintings.  And of course quilts.  It was a great show.

The picture is not great.  I got distracted.  Little Britches was being scaled by the security guard for running through the exhibit.  Yes, we did discuss proper behavior before we left.  (Strong willed and bored!)
It was a great 20 minutes!
In other news.....
The weather has cooled off quite a bit here.  Of course it is raining most days!  I have gotten a few things started.  This one is called "Cookies for Santa".  The title will be written around the cookies, repeatedly, like it's the rim of a plate.  The cookies are sugar cookies.  I know some of them will have beads and fused Angelina fibers.  One or two may have puff paint for details.  I'm not totally sure...still working out the kinks.

Only 2 weeks until School Starts...yea!  Only 2 weeks until I start another year without a job...boo!  Oh! well I guess I'll quilt!

Happy Quilting
Caren

Beat the Heat

It is HOT.....
This summer has been miserable!  Up until last week we have been in a terrible heat wave and drought.  Everything in the yard has withered and died.  My daylillies briefly bloomed and my elephant ears were wilted.
Thankfully, last week the temps dropped slightly and it rained for about 3 days.  The rest of the country is in a heat wave now.  Our heat is not as bad.  Today the high will be 90*F, of course humidity is 93%.  So going outside is stepping into a sauna!  And unlike the rest of the country....we have air conditioning!

How to beat the heat:

1)  Read a book

I have already read the book, but since I just saw the movie I wanted to reread the story.
2)  Put a puzzle together

This is a small 500 piece puzzle daughter #1 is working on.  She won't let anyone help!

3)  Earn a badge

Girl Scouts is turning 100 next year!  Great way to occupy the kids!
4)  Watch a movie

I'm not happy about the new price increase....but I'm not giving up my movies.
5)  Sew (early in the day or late at night!)

This is a new Alz. quilt.  It still needs some work.  Sewing during the middle of the day is too hot!  So it takes a long time to finish anything in the summer.  Speaking of sewing.  I have almost finished my fabric doll.  I still need to finish her hair and add some more details.

She's not named yet.  I think she looks pretty good.  The girls love her.  They were disappointed to find the clothes don't come off.  They are sewn on!

Happy Quilting
Caren