First, a comment about the new iron. Shark? My foot. It has no bite. I tried using it, and it only got lukewarm, even on the highest setting. I'm going to have to sit down and read the directions - don't you hate that? I've been ironing since I was about 5 years old. I should know how to use an iron, for heaven's sake!! Anyway, if I can't get it any hotter, I'd better dig the box out of the recycling bin and take it back to the store. harumpf.
I may just go back to a Black & Decker, which I have had in the past, but for some reason I like the more solid feel of a heavier iron. Unless I drop it on my foot. But I digress..
Now, on to happier things.
You all know how much I love my garden, don't you? I love to go out there, especially now that it's cooling off a bit, and pull weeds and pluck deadheads.
For a long time it didn't feel like my yard any more - digging everything up and having professionals suggest plants and do the planting was quite the experience. But I'm coming to know my new friends, and we seem to get along pretty well.
One of the selections of the landscaper was Coral Bells, which is a variety of geranium. I've always had good luck with geraniums, but Coral Bells seem to be temperamental. Two just up and died, for no apparent reason.
Rather than replant the same, I planted something new to me. I haven't had a coleus since I was in college. Are they making a comeback?
Our neighbors down the street have them, and they're luscious. My sister did her entire patio with them. It looks like a velveteen sanctuary. I thought it was high time to see if they work for me. Guess what? They do.
This is the second one I planted. I think it's called "Chocolate Something-or-other." It's tripled in size in the two months I've had it.
This is the first one I planted. It's more than quadrupled in size, although it's currently under attack. I don't know what, but something is eating all of the red from the leaves. Does red taste better than white, yellow or green?
As you can see, I've got Coleus on the brain.
And I've just added a new Coleus to my collection. This one is quilted.
I bought it from the
SAQA Benefit Auction that is currently in progress. That's me, "Anonymous." Last year, when I left the square blank, it showed up as "Suzanne Kistler Collection." For some reason I thought it would be the same this year. It was not.
Anyway, I LOVE this piece. I've been drooling over it since I first saw it, and have been holding my breath that it would still be available once it entered my price range. I haven't decided whether or not to keep it - I have two potential recipients, should I choose to gift it. We'll have to see.
The quilt is white cotton, painted with acrylic paint and machine quilted. If you know me, you know that I could never produce anything so wonderful, using such methods. The best thing I can do with acrylic paint is to roll it on the wall. :)
If you haven't seen the quilts available on the SAQA site, hop on over. They are quite a lovely bunch. I've got my eye on a few more...if they're still available in a few days, you might just see a few more posted here...
The next is a basket quilt by Pat Robertson. It's made from Cherrywood fabrics, and she says that the background fabrics were all the same until she washed it. It bled like crazy. When she called them, they told her to wash it in hot. It blended nicely, but the setting triangles were originally as light as the background squares!
This was one of the few art quilts I saw at the show. My camera died as I took the picture, I couldn't even see what I was photographing, I just pointed and shot. I like the way the maker cut a circle print for the thin pink border. It made the quilt. My apologies to the maker, for missing out on her name.
I hadn't planned to shop, but then I never do. It just kind of happens. 
In addition to the quilt, I bought some other things. There's a scarf from India, in brighter colors than you'd think from my picture. I'm not sure of the fiber content, it kind of feels like jute. I'm hoping that washing it will soften it up.
And that wasn't all. The colors of yarn were simply luscious. "What are you going to do with the boucle?" ummm... Do I have to know? I've been warned that it is not comfortable to wear. hmmm. I just REALLY like the color. I'll think of something. And then there are the cookies, made by the Home Ec class at the high school.
The bead vendor was also there. This was their first quilt show. We're pretty excited, because we've talked them into having a booth at Best of the Valley as well.
And I guess that's about it. 
"Sequoia mini"
Anyway, I just want you to know that I am LOVING my quilts, and am trying to figure out just where to display them.
This is the second one I planted. I think it's called "Chocolate Something-or-other." It's tripled in size in the two months I've had it.
As you can see, I've got Coleus on the brain. 
"Starry Night"
"Mittens"
I've already put 2 hours of quilting into my May project today, and it's not yet 1pm. yay! I will probably (hopefully) get another couple of hours in before dinner time. Right now, I'm taking a break.
Next, dupioni silk from Shobha Imports:
A few yards of fabric from Quilter's Quarters:
How about some yarn, from Dulitz Tree Farms. Am I thinking of knitting? No. I'm just a collector...
Giant rick-rack from Maricopa Quilt Co is pretty cool...
May I introduce my assistant? He is NotMyCat!
Step out of the way, Vanna, the people want to see the cool beads and jewelry from Janet Farris!
I know it looks good from all angles. You're still in the way!
I give up. Here is a lovely embroidered blue work, as seen on bark, instead of a protective photography drape. I purchased this from the Valley Oak Quilt Guild's big/little quilt sale.
I guess Blogger doesn't approve of NotMyCat's assistance, ergo it's tipped the picture...
He may not be my cat, but he's definitely ALL cat!!!
And that's all I've got for you today. Hopefully tomorrow Blogger will keep my pictures straight.
The embroidery is beautifully done. The quilting? Not the best, but not bad either. And the quilt is in perfect condition. Some of the flowers appear to be faded, but I'm wondering if the maker just used very pale threads. There doesn't seem to be any sun damage to speak of, and many of the other colors are still quite vibrant. I like Kansas. :)
The final detail that I'm captivated by is the fine blue scalloped binding. Personally? I wouldn't put such contrast in my binding - it would be too noticeable if I made any mistakes. But this quilter had no qualms about that. She chose vivid blue, scalloped the border, and put on a binding that I would be satisfied with. 
When all is said and done, I'm glad no one answered K's Craig's List ad. I had no intentions of buying a quilt this week, but I'm more than happy to give this one a home...
The other quilt I took a picture of celebrates her sister's cat. We've all had a cat like this. She goes hunting outside, then brings her "treasure" inside the house and lets it go...always still alive. It's called "Violet's Catch and Release Program," and there are mice and birds hidden all over the quilt.
After Ellen Edith's presentation, she gave away some prizes. Apparently when I was out of the room, she called my name. I was thrilled to win this little fabric flower fairy and the cat magnets. How did she know? One of the magnets says, "Cats love a good quilt." (I think Blogger is jealous - it flipped the photo.)
I still had a few minutes at break, so I did some shopping. I've never seen her fabric designs before, and I thought I could have some fun with these cats.
I also liked this sunset-y fabric and the matching cactus print. The "relax with a 6-pack" bookmarks were too good to pass up.
When I got home, a package was waiting for me. I'd ordered a pin cushion from the Silly Boodilly's Etsy shop. I LOVE the quilting on it. You should see it in person. The texture is fantastic. Again Blogger must be jealous, flipping my picture!
Finally, I did a small amount of quilting this week. Very small. Yesterday was Elaine's birthday, so I made her this card. She's a fantastic gardener, so I wanted to do something garden-y. It's kind of ironic that I decided to add a thistle, since they're weeds. But they are purple, and it matched. What can I say? It's artistic license, doncha know? ;)
Here she is, yesterday. She seems to like it. 
I asked her to pose in front of some of the irises that we've taken from our yard. I have now dispersed HUNDREDS of them throughout the county. I expect to see them planted and blooming next year, everywhere I go. :) If not, oh well. The ones I kept will grow...eventually.
