A Nice Surprise

I walked to the mailbox yesterday and pulled out a thick pile of mail. When I opened one of the envelopes, look what I found! (The surprise was the card, not blogger's fiddling with my picture.)


I took more than one picture, trying to get the color and the quilting to show. Here's another surprise - this one published in the correct orientation!!


Thank you, Wendy! These little cards are addictive, aren't they?!! :) (This was in response to the "50" card I'd given her earlier this month.)

A while back, I posted an applique block of Charlie, hinting that there might be more in the works. I finished this one last night. Yes, I know. The eyes need work. But it still cracks me up, which is the point of it.


Finally, the best surprise is that the Best of the Valley quilt show website is visibly under construction. I haven't mentioned the show at all recently, but changes are in the air. And I've got a hand in them. Stay tuned. One of these days I'll show you my cards...

Lovely Morning

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood... It's been like fall, only not. We're getting a brief detour to warmer temps (upper 80's) for a few days, then it will be back to our week-long fall before winter sets in. One of the sure signs of the end of summer is the end of the coxcomb. I've pulled out most of my crop, although a few hangers on are still in the garden. Most people who see these flowers ask about them. They've "never seen anything like them." They are a brilliant red, and so unusual that they are captivating. Here are two of the last lingerers...



Don't you love the ruffled effect of the bloom? I guess that's what you'd call it. It looks like ruching to me, and if I ever finish my Flower Fades quilt, it should resemble this photo. At least that's the goal. Goals are good.

I made another little birthday card yesterday and took pictures. Sigh. This one shows the color best, but Blogger tipped it.

This one shows the correct orientation as well as the quilting. But the color is washed out. One of these days maybe I'll figure out how to adjust the digital camera (and Blogger) to get the results I desire. Today is not that day.


Finally, here is the recipient of the birthday card. Happy Birthday, dear friend!!! (That's one of the covered journals in her other hand.) Enjoy!!!

Something New Every Day

I got up this morning, got my things together and headed out the door for an 8:45 appointment. This is the scene that greeted me:

This is my driveway. My car was in the garage, on the side of the driveway completely blocked by the truck. interesting. I was able to squeeze out the space (only one tire went over the curb), and was on my way.

When I got back an hour later, the truck was still there. I was finishing my painting project when I heard a noise. I looked out the window to see another truck:

(That's my red car, nose to nose with the tow truck.) I watched for a few minutes, to be sure it was out of the way.

This is definitely not something that I see every day. And the funny thing was, the driver of the garbage truck said that this was the second truck that had broken down on him this morning. When I'd asked if he could move it, he couldn't even start it. Good thing the weather was nice, but that didn't seem to make him any happier...

I finished painting the ceiling, and put the furniture back in order. There are a few more details to take care of, but if anyone needs a bed for the night, there is now one available.

The quilt on the bed is the third quilt I made. I finished it in 1986 or 87. It's kind of like a Double Irish Chain, except that I didn't use a pattern and I graphed it wrong on the graph paper. (The chains don't chain the way they are supposed to. oops.) It's hand-quilted.

Finally, at the end of the day, Malcolm is sitting in the finished room, staring out the window. I'm not sure what he's looking for or looking at - all I know is that at least it's not a garbage truck!!

I'll Tell You a Story...

I told you about the quilt I made for the newlyweds last week. Look, I got Blogger to load a picture with the correct orientation - too bad it's not a very good picture. Anyway, this is the quilt of which I speak.


I bumped into the groom's dad on Sunday, and he said, "Wow, that was an awesome gift you gave the kids!" I smiled, "I'm glad they like it." He said, "Yeah! Micah opened it, and he and Krista were excited about it, and I asked him, 'What is it?' and he said, 'I don't know!' "

hahahahahaha!!!

He really liked it, but he had no idea what it was! ;)

I saw them last night, and related the exchange with his dad about the gift. Micah said, "Well it's great! It's an awesome gift! We're going to hang it...but I still don't know what it is. What do I call it?"

I thought about it for a minute, (and those of you who know me will really crack up at my answer.)

"Micah, it's an art quilt."

end of story. ;)

(Charlotte, I can hear you laughing...)

Pacific International Quilt Festival 2008

tired. Today was an up-and-back trip to Santa Clara to see the 2008 edition of PIQF. wow. What a show! It's been a few years since I've been to see it, and wow. The level of competition has skyrocketed - not that it wasn't high before, but this year? It was out of this world. I can't even tell you how many big names who have won BIG prizes had quilts hanging naked. We're talking quilts that won big at Houston hanging unadorned in Santa Clara. I'm sure more than one quilt-maker was stunned. Especially so if they didn't have the opportunity to see the show. It was STELLAR.

It was exciting to see quilts by a number of local friends, as well as quilts by bloggers whose blogs I lurk at. I thought it might be fun to show you a few.

This was one of the first quilts I saw - hey! I know the maker!!

"Milkweed in Autumn"
Kristin Eilers
Lemoore, CA

"Bourbon Street"
Kristin Eilers
Lemoore, CA

The quilt actually hung better than this. I couldn't back up far enough to get the proper angle. I struck up a conversation with a man examining both of Kristin's quilts closely. "I know her!" "Lemoore is far away." "Not that far." "It's southwest of Fresno isn't it?" "yes." "Well that's far!" "It's only about 4 hours..."

"Don't they have an Airforce base there?" "Yes, well, actually it's Navy." "Navy? In the desert?" "They do fighter pilot training there." "For aircraft carriers?" "Well, they do that part in Coronado..." He looked pretty skeptical. Navy? In the middle of a state? What is this woman thinking? I moved along...

This beauty was hanging on the opposite side of the hall. Quite a hike, but I found it! (Then I had to wait for the women examining it to move along. They were entranced.) :)

"Breit Beauty"
Debbie Van Fossen
Visalia, CA

And check out this next quilt. I heard a voice, turned around, and it was Lynn Drennen. She'd just arrived and was looking for her quilt. I told her I knew exactly where to find it. She was with Marilyn J. Smith, one of her co-quilters, the other quilter, Gina Perkes, couldn't make it. (Rumor has it she has to go to Houston in a week or so, and couldn't swing 2 weekends away...)

"Grape Harvest"
Gina Perkes, Lynn Drennen & Marilyn J. Smith

(internet friends)

Speaking of internet "friends," here are a couple of quilts made by quilters who have blogs that I have stumbled upon...

"Stay the Course"
Debra Spincic, Rian Ammerman & Deborah Geyer

"Nourish the Body, Nourish the Soul"
Sarah Ann Smith
Camden, Maine

Finally, had I remembered to vote for Viewer's Choice - the ballot is still in my back pocket - this is the quilt I would have chosen. I LOVE this quilt!!! (For some reason the color is exceptionally poor.)

"Road to Po'ipu Point Kauai"
Susanne Rasmussen

And in keeping with the "small world" theme of this post, the above artist is going to be the guest speaker at the local guild next month. I guess I'll be going to see her lecture, especially if she's going to be bringing along more quilts like this!!

But the best part of the day was my lunch break.

The show was held 3 miles from where our oldest son works. When he found out I was going to be in town, he perked up. "Mom, let's do lunch!" You betcha I'll do lunch! And we did, his treat! wow. He was even willing to let me take our picture, twice!!





I tell you it was good to see that boy!!! It's been too long, and I've been having withdrawals.

All in all, it was a good day, and hurrah for CalTrans for FINALLY finishing that overpass on Hwy 152. It makes all the difference in the world!!!!

Painting Bummer

No quilt news today, at least not yet. I've spent the morning painting, trying to finish the unfinished bedroom. I finally did finish the walls, despite my best efforts to ruin them.

What happens when you teeter on a ladder that is near a dresser on which a very full cup of coffee sits? Usually nothing. But this morning was not usual. Instead I teetered, the dresser bumped, and the coffee dumped. Not only did it dump, but it went flying.

I couldn't believe it.

It landed on the tarp - yay for the tarp - but the bottom of the cup broke OFF and coffee went EVERYWHERE. I'm talking mostly on the tarp, but also on the carpet, on the dresser, on the WALL, and IN THE PAINT. bummer.

It was at least 45 minutes before I was able to resume painting. I opened the second can of paint, since I'd mixed coffee with the remnants of the first can, and it appears that the second can is a slightly different color. or not. or different. It's hard to tell in the shadowy light of the afternoon. sigh. I'll know tomorrow.

At least all the dinge and the spackle-filled holes are covered, so it looks better than it did before I started.

But the coffee break was still a bummer.

Moral of the story? Finish your coffee? Don't take coffee out of the kitchen? Don't drink and paint? I don't know if there is a moral, but there's got to be a lesson in here somewhere. ;)

More Little "Art-sies"

Well that's just plain rude. Somebody, anybody, PLEASE tell me how to get Blogger to STOP TIPPING MY PICTURES!!! It's always when I have something that I LIKE that they load sideways....not that I don't like the pictures that are right side up, but really. Enough is enough. Did they have to tip three of the four?!!!

Here's the first. I showed it unembellished on September 27. I've since added some foofoo on the bottom. Is it done? I'm not sure. It seems to want a bit more, but I don't know exactly what more it wants. Speak quilt, or forever hold your peace.


We went to a wedding today. The lovely couple met in our living room, during a College/Career Bible study. I've been too busy to make them "a quilt," but I did find the time to make them a little piece of "art." Now it's really artsy, what with the tipping and everything. arg.


I had a bit of trouble keeping the writing from going uphill. After picking it out twice, I decided that it was going to have to do. When I showed it to my husband and asked, "What do you think?" his immediate response was, "The writing isn't very good..." Too late. It was already finished and in the frame. Here's a close-up. Yes, I usually do better, but I just couldn't seem to get it together this time...


Finally, I try to get pictures of the quilts (and cards) that I make with their recipients. For the past year, I've been doing an exceedingly poor job of photo-documenting. In fact, I've been doing a very poor job of even keeping track of what I've made lately. I already know what one of my 2009 resolutions is going to be.

Here is one photo of a quiltlet and its recipient. Since it actually loaded right-side up, I thought I'd share it with you. Happy bday, Wendy!!!


That's all for now folks. Enjoy!

Thoughts on Pruning

So. I went on retreat over the weekend, and while I was gone, Pete was at a loose end. He had the perfect opportunity to do some "pruning," and he grabbed it. Those of you who know us, know that I tend to "lose it" when he prunes. He is always heavy-handed with the shears. Ironically enough, this time I didn't even notice his handiwork until Tuesday. wow.

This is one of the bushes that he didn't get to.


I would agree, it needs pruning. It's got some limbs reaching out-of-bounds, causing the bush to lose its bush shape. But my idea of pruning is to cut as little as possible. Pete's is not.




We were both outside when I said, "hmmm, looks like you did some pruning..." He reddened and said, "You know it will grow back!!!" Yes, I do know that it will grow back...in 6 months to a year. I just really like having a living barrier between our house and the neighbors. Right now it looks like sticks in the ground. It's not pruned to grow to any particular shape, it's just cut back. period.

How glad I am that our Heavenly Father takes His time when He prunes us! He doesn't look at His watch and think, "I've got 2 hours, let's get it done!" Instead, He looks at us carefully, examining which branches to encourage and which to remove. The process can be painful. It can hurt. But we are being formed and shaped, into His image. He will lovingly nurture and restore that which He has allowed us to retain. In the end, we will be more firmly rooted in Him, and become more fruitful than we ever imagined possible. John 15.

And that's what I'm thinking about today...

Taking a Sewing Break

After being away for a few days, the work that needed to be done around here began to stack up. It always does, doncha know? ;) The bedroom is still half-painted, and I just realized that I never finished cleaning and papering the last few cupboards in the kitchen. Folks, that remodel was back in July. My biggest problem is that when I've seen a mess for too long, I stop seeing it. I HAVE to remember to look around here with new eyes - to see the mess as others see it - and yikes! There is much to do.

But deadlines have arrived, so I took the day off to spend in the sewing room. Item #1 was to box and ship "Cascading Crystal Kaweah" to Pacific International. Consider it done. whew!

I covered another journal, and am quite pleased with the results.


I have a lunch date with a friend tomorrow - friend, if you are reading the blog, cover your eyes! I needed to make her a card. Mark another item off the list.


Finally, we've been invited to the final adoption hearing on Friday for Relli Mitchell. The invitation included a cute picture of little Relli, and I thought it would be appropriate to "immortalize" her in fabric.


I am really enjoying our new printer and the quality transfers that it does onto Printed Treasures sheets. I love these front-opening shadow boxes. They are perfect for transforming little quilts into works of art. (I get the boxes at Michael's, usually at 40% off.)

Oh, and hey Charlotte! See that sea foam? It's cheesecloth!!! I cut a 1" strip of cheesecloth which I rolled in a 2" strip of tule. I then stitched it down with some free-motion foamy stitching. It almost looks like lace, but now you all know better.

And hey, there's one more to come. I haven't transferred the photo yet, but I need to give the gift on Sunday so there will be another post some time soon. Happy quilting!!!

Ain't it good to be back home again?

Well, I'm back from our church Ladies' Retreat. yay! I had a lovely time, walking in the mountains, enjoying the rain and developing new relationships. But when all is said and done? I LOVE being home. I actually prefer it.

This is a picture, taken from the bridge right outside my room. If you click on it, you'll see a bigger version. It reminded me of a prize-winning quilt I've seen, although when I called up the quilt, it is much different than my photo. The quilt I'm thinking of is "Into His Light" by Patricia Pepe. hmmm. Here is my photo.


This next picture was taken along a path, as I was trying to get in position to take pictures of my friends as they were paddle-boating along the stream.


Finally, I thought these tree trunks were really interesting. (try to ignore the one in the background.) Yes, I thought, "ooh! Art quilt material!" See, I'm getting adventurous! ;)


I'll be returning to this same camp at the end of the month, for their weekend quilt retreat. I went last year, and it was an enjoyable, peaceful, productive experience. I'm looking forward to going again this year. I can tell you that they have a new chef and he doesn't serve ordinary camp food. I'll be going for the food, as well as the fun and fellowship and quilting.

Well, I just wanted to let you know that I'm back. I haven't quilted for several days: I'm still painting and trying to uncover my sewing table. But I have two quilted gifts that need to be given on Friday and Sunday, so stay tuned. There should be pictures later this week.

Gone Retreating

No pictures today, although I do have another wall and 1/2 painted in the bedroom. That feels good: only 1 and 1/2 walls to go. Maybe I'll take pictures when it's all finished and put back together again.

Instead, I've been packing my bags and I'm ready to go...retreating.

Our church is sponsoring a "Ladies Retreat," and for the first time, I will be joining them. It looks like a fun and restful (almost) 48 hours. I've been to Hartland once before, and found it to be quite refreshing. (I typed "quilt" rather than "quite." I tend to do that. The last time I went was for a quilt retreat. I'm going again at the end of the month.)

Tomorrow evening I'll be giving a trunk show. I've brought the bulk of my "faith quilts," and will probably give the ladies more insight as to their inspiration than I normally do when I give a trunk show. Ordinarily I let the quilts speak for themselves, unless I'm asked specific questions.

I am very glad that the two quilts I'd sent to the Northwest Quilting Expo came back yesterday. They are packed and ready to go. They came back with "participant" ribbons. No surprise there. When I made the decision to enter them, it was with the intent that they speak to viewers and nothing more. Hopefully at least one of those quilts touched at least one viewer. If it did, I am most satisfied. (Isaiah 55:11)

When I get back, it will be time to wrap up "Cascading Crystal Kaweah" and ship it up to Pacific International. I'm curious to see what West Coast judges have to say about it. This will be its second show, so I'm still up in the air as to how good it really is. (I think it's quite good, but I am VERY biased. ;)

So. I'm off to the mountains and praying for cool weather. The weatherman says "rain and possible snow." Snow? Snow?!!! There'd better not be snow! It's only October 3, I am driving, and I do NOT have snow tires.

I can't wait to see what the weekend brings. Hope yours is stellar!

New Paint, New Collars

Sorry folks, no fabric pictures to post. I haven't been doing much in the sewing cave other than ironing shirts. (That's my house rule: iron the laundry before ironing fabric. Because the fabric sirens are always calling, calling, I rarely have laundry that needs ironing.)

Instead of creating in cloth, I've been painting. I haven't done much yet, mostly it's been prep work. I do wish I'd taken a "before" picture, because the after of the wall that I painted looks SO amazingly different.

Here's the finished wall:

The white spots are reflections - I didn't notice them in the camera, they're not in the paint.

This is the wall to the left of the window:


These aren't reflections, they're spots of spackle.

Here's where the two walls meet. Yes, I can see the difference! (viva la difference!)

And these are the other two walls waiting for attention.

Did you notice the ceiling? It's WAY up there. I should probably paint it too, but the idea is not at all tempting.

It looks like they're going to be waiting longer than I'd planned, but I've got a lot on my plate this week.

Along with the walls, the kitties also needed sprucing. They've outgrown their collars, so I picked up some new ones. Hold still boys, while I take your picture.



There, this will get their attention. arg! They're holding still, but Blogger wiggled. sigh.

Finally, here's one last shot. Charlie is outgrowing Edgar these days, and there's not much Edgar can do about it. Pete says that Edgar should have known better. He (Edgar) was always the aggressor when we first got them. Now that Charlie's bigger, he's the one who's always picking fights.


It's almost like having the kiddies here, only not. The nest is empty, and I'm going into withdrawals. I think I'd better go sew something. I'm pretty sure you're getting tired of pictures of cats...