Another look

I just thought you would like to have a closer look.

Just Look What I Found!!

Sometimes life gets in the way and when that happens to me I try to get out of the way. So, last Sunday I checked out my favorite antique stores. I walked through the aisles, not finding very much to interest me, but just enjoying being there. At first I passed by that glass cabinet with only a glimpse of pink and white textiles. As I walked around the rest of the store, I kept thinking about that small folded bundle. So up to the counter to request that glass compartment A2 be opened to allow me to examine what turned out to be a sweet little crib quilt. When opened it was clear this would have to be cleaned as it had water stains and a few darker spots. I knew I would be taking it home. The next day I went to the local quilt shop for Vintage Soak and the quilt went into the solution for the next 24 hours, Not all the spots came out but the quilt is almost pristine. There are seeds inside indicating a soft cotton batting, perhaps carded and spread out on the backing by hand and then layered with the top. be sure you check out the sweet pink and blue prairie point edge!

Pretty in Pink, Yellow and Red

"Pretty in Pink, Yellow and Red" is my newly finished project for the Main Conference Class at the 2010 Applique Academy in Williamsburg VA. I am pretty happy with this although I would change those tiny flowers if I could think of something to replace them. The basket is a solid nod at the baskets designed by those talented ladies of Baltimore. The flowers are certainly inspired by the same artists. The techniques used include ultra suede applique, folded roses, reverse applique, needleturn applique, perfect (?) circles, bias tube basket ribs and embroidery.

Out of the frame

Day before yesterday, I finished quilting my newest quilt and so removed it from the frame. At first I felt let down, but as the tacks and staples came out I realized that I was moving from the let down to elation. I actually had a great laugh. It has been a long time, and after one year this quilt will find it's home with my daughter. This daughter has mentioned that I have not made a quilt for her since she was twelve. The same daughter who also claims she gave birth and still no new quilt. No matter the baby quilt I made and presented her with at the baby shower to celebrate the birth of her beautiful baby girl. All kidding aside, it has been my intention for some time to give her this quilt. So, out of the frame, and more to share when the binding is complete.

MOKA Program Friday Night

Our Friday night program went on as scheduled because the weather was still pretty nice. Our speaker was Joe Phillips, a local Broken Arrow citizen who shared his love of quilt collecting and needlework. His quilts were for the most part family quilts and he knew time lines and people who made them. The one above is a drunkard's path pattern. Joe said he had looked at it over the years and has finally decided that while the pieces are right, it is put together wrong. I have examined my pictures and sometimes I think he is right and sometimes I think he is not. What I do know is that when a two color quilt is made of red and green close in value, the two colors conflict. They vie for attention and the result is what you see. Great quilt. let me know what you think. More later.

Top Of The Day

Friday march 27, 2009 and I was on my way with my husband to Broken Arrow Oklahoma. I always look forward to MOKA (Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas). We now meet three times a year to share quilts, to study quilts and to learn as much as possible about women's history surrounding quilts. This meeting was to be about quilts made during the depression. We were aware that there would be weather today and the above photo was taken at eight this morning. The white spots are not reflections, the flakes were very large most of the day.
The Oklahoma group did a fantastic job under less that optimal conditions. First of all, because of bad weather, the members from Kansas did not attend. They were dealing with their own weather. I am the only Missouri member and their were only four women from Arkansas. We had around thirty when we are used to anywhere between fifty to eighty. Their speaker for Saturday could not get to the meeting. Nevertheless acting with grace under fire, they put together a great program, including a morning of quilt study, using family quilts brought to share. My hat's off to you Oklahoma. Over the next few days I will share pictures and more information. This is a fabulous group. You should join us.

Almost Finished

I was reminded by a friend that it has been a long time since my last post. The reason for that is I am waiting to hear from a blog designer to help me make my blog a thing of beauty! Well I guess we will see.

However, in the meantime, I know that at least one person has expectations of me and so I will try to be more vigilant about posting. So, tonight I want to talk about a quilt that has been on the frame longer than I am prepared to say. But, at last, I can say that it really is almost finished. I am quilting the final border of this 82" square. The eighteen inch blocks are the result of teaching a Piece o' cake designs block of the month at the request of friends. The center medallion and borders are my own design using elements from the blocks to tie them into the rest of the quilt. My incentive to finally finish comes from my desire to enter "In My Garden," AKA "The Endless Garden," AKA "Never Again," in Amador Valley Quilters show in Pleasanton CA. I have been a member almost from the beginning of the guild. "Never Again" refers to my ill fated decision to quilt twice around every appliqued element!!!

I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy sharing it with you