A Happy Girl

For Mother's Day, we traveled.  Grampa wanted to see Penny, and actually found time to do it.  He couldn't get enough of the little girl.

She is more than willing to stand independently, but won't walk.  She doesn't crawl either.  After watching her, we know it is by choice, not because she can't.  Here she's telling him all about the toys on the other side of the room.

And then there was the cape.  She kept draping it over her shoulders.  Perhaps it is the source of her super power?  She can get Grampa to do anything she wants.

 

 Uncle has some cool shades.  She was fascinated by them.

We went to the park, and she sat on the slide.

 You don't think I want to slip down this thing do you?  That would be crazy!

Grampa was determined to teach her to walk. 

Oh, Penelope.  You're supposed to test everything, not taste everything!

 Here you go Mama.  YOU taste it!  :)

And that's what we did on Sunday.  Hope your Mother's Day was filled with good memories!

Innocence

I Cut Something!

I've been trying to decide what to work on.  How wonderful, to actually have time to quilt!  And yet, so little time.  I want to make the most of it.  How can it best be spent?  Good question.  How do YOU decide what to work on this minute?  Is it the project you've been working on steadily?  Do you go back to an abandoned UFO?  Does an upcoming potential deadline motivate you?

I keep getting the SAQA reminder that auction quilts are due by June 1.  That means that if I'm going to do anything - and I guess at this point, I should stress the "IF"... it needs to be EXACTLY 12" square, finished, and at its destination in less than 3 weeks.  At this point, I have nothing.  Is there a UFO in my box that could be put to use?  No, not really.

But wait! 

I have a box, containing a collage vest project, ala Rosemary Eichorn.  I took a class at least 5 years ago, got started, and never finished.  I pulled it out for a second embellishment class, added some beads, and shoved it back in the box.  I've grown (larger) since taking the class.  Why spend time on a vest that will not fit if/when finished?

 

No point, is there?  I haven't been motivated, despite loving the fabrics, the theme, and the collage work I'd already done.

And then I had the "aha!" moment.  I have a rotary cutter, I have a ruler.  Let's see if we can make something useful out of that useless vest.  Three hours later, here are the results.

 I have always been particularly fond of these frondy sea plants and sea urchins.  I don't want to cut it down, it measures 14" in one direction.  It will not do for SAQA, but it will do for a project when I need one.

I like the sea turtles too.  But to get them all in the frame, I still can't trim it down to 12".

The sea urchins standing alone are also fun.  Can't you just see some additional embellishments adding a lot to this understated piece?  It measures less than 12".

 There were some 5 x 7" pieces that will work for future quilted cards.  Useful for me, not for SAQA.

And finally, I took the leftovers and zigzagged them together.  I like the look, it's definitely "fiber art," eventually it may be quilted.  But it's not big enough for SAQA, and I don't have enough leftovers to make it bigger.  It is a fine size, as is.

 

So there you go.  I got inspired by a SAQA deadline AND a UFO.  The UFO is definitely on its way to becoming all kinds of fun art quilt project, but a SAQA piece?  No, not even close.

Despite my "failure," I'm pretty pleased with myself.  Today has been exceptionally productive.  woohoo!!

I Sewed Something!

 I finished this nice little tote bag, as a gift for my sister.  I used some Marimekko fabrics that she gave me for my birthday a few years back.  I didn't have much of the green "tulip" fabric, but I think it worked out well.

 A gift needs a card

And since I was making cards, I have another friend whose birthday I missed last month...When I saw the worn, appliqued pillowcases in Kentucky, I knew that the applique would be perfect for cards, and the bulk of the fabric would be perfect for any vintage repair work I may be called to do.  Good deal, when it's only $1!  :)

 Now that the irises have finished their bloom fest, the roses are getting started.  Queen Elizabeth, you're looking particularly lovely today.  Not a bad showing for the first blooms of a bush that has only been in the ground for 4 months, not bad at all!!

And that may be all I've got for today, but I've still got plans for May.  

Sew, baby, sew!!

Cleaning Up

Now that the quilt show is over...  Let me begin again. 

Now that I have survived April, I find that May is running away without me.  My stated goal for May has been "I'm going to quilt my way through May!!"  Oh, how that thought pulled me through the paperwork!  "If I just finish this, that, and the other, I will be able to sew!"

And yet, now that it is time, I find that I can't find anything.  My "Studio" is buried under mountains of...you name it, it's in there.

Rather than shift the piles from here to there and back again, I'm determined to sew my way through part of them and at least make a dent.  I brought this stack of Komforters for Kids home from the last guild meeting.  At guild, they leave a "quilt sandwich" on the table, hoping that someone will take them home and stitch them together.  I stitched them on Sunday and quilted them on Monday.  These go in the back of patrol cars, etc. and are given to kids in distress.  They are a permanent gift, to keep, as they travel through The System.

 I had fun practicing "happy sunshine" on the top quilt.  I haven't machine quilted since March.  I have some quilts-for hire waiting for my attention, and I need to get my groove back.  This definitely helps!

In the backyard, we've got a different kind of clean-up happening.  Mr. Siamese swings by to scarf the food dish quite regularly.  He's one of the biggest cats I've ever seen.  Every once in a while (not often), he'll forget that I terrify him and let me pat him.  Nice kitty.  At least he is now.  He still patrols my yard, but now, instead of trying to chase my cats out, he's after the nasty solid black one that is trying to add our cat haven to his turf.  Mr. Black Cat?  The cost is high.  Just ask The Siamese.  He paid dearly...Then again, he now has all the food he can eat and a much improved personality.  And he no longer smells bad.  yep.  Want to pay the price of admission?  By all means, we can and will accommodate you.

When I mentioned "cleaning up," I'm guessing you thought I'd be talking about something quite different.  hahahaha!!  :)  Maybe tomorrow.

I've got another UFO just about finished.  Another hour of attention, and it might just find its way out the door.  woohoo!!  Goals are good!!  :)  See ya later!  :)

This n That

 It doesn't matter what time of year I'm in San Carlos.  It seems like the CA poppies are ALWAYS blooming.

 Penny likes to look at dots on Gramma's t-shirt.  :)

 I actually picked up a needle and thread, and finished my block for our 2013 guild opportunity quilt.  yay!

And I made a birthday card.  One down, a dozen to go!

Who's Such a Big Girl?

I love my new hand-dyed socks from Paducah!

I love my delicious applesauce!

I can sew.

See?  I do it...

all by myself!

I like to ride on Mommy's back.

I eat a Reuben!

I steal Mommy's pickle.

I like to eat dumplings.

And I like my Gramma!

Oh, Goodies!

My goodies from Paducah have arrived.  I understand that some of you are curious to know what I could possibly need (ha!) or want

 (I want it all).  ;)

First, I bought a piece of every color of Dupioni silk from one vendor.  Who knows when I'll finally break into crazy quilting?  When I'm ready, I plan to be able to jump right in.

 I bought a nice selection of perle cotton.  Same reason.

 I bought a lot of fabric, because I was at Hancock's of Paducah.  The only way to avoid that is to avoid Hancock's.  But if I've gone all the way to Paducah, don't I want to do EVERYTHING?  Indeed, I do!

 So much for the new "improved" Blogger.  It still flips my pictures.  This is another fabric I bought from a vendor.  I never would have noticed it on the bolt, but she had it draped over a table.  scrumptious!  It reminds me of little girls.  :)

 The National Quilt Museum had a special anniversary line of fabric featuring dogwood.  I needed some.  :)

Because I was there.

 And I bought perle cotton from Laura Wasilowski, silk ribbon from Frieda Anderson, and thread from Superior.  You can never be too prepared to stitch now, can you?

The other thing that came from Paducah today were my quilts.  wow.  I have to say that the judges' comments really surprised me.

  "Lacks dimension and perspective needed to achieve realism" on one;

"Design not cohesive" on the other.

Really?  Perhaps they just didn't "get" them.

Then again, earlier this month it was suggested that I

 "strive for a more consistent hand quilting stitch."

smirk.

You know what?  I really do enter my work so that people will see it.  If the judges like it?  Great!  If they don't?  I read their comments, see if there's anything that I can learn, and if not?  oh well.  They hung my quilts anyway, and I'm still smiling.  :)  A different day, a different judge, and who knows?  The same quilt might just be a "winner."  ;)

New Things

When I returned from Paducah, my garden was filled with new blooms.  Most of the spectacular iris are spent, but there are some itty bitty lovelies that are now making an appearance.

 The first Bird of Paradise is laughing at the fence.  I've spotted two more buds making preparations to pop.

 Another wee beauty bloomed in a pot.  Who would've thunk?

 I have some mini orchids that bob merrily every spring.  The sun is so bright, they look over-exposed.  Sorry about that!

Out at the ranch, there's a new kid in town.  She likes car repairs.

 

 She likes to check out the orchard.

 

 The nuts look good this year!

Miss Kitty has made herself quite at home.  She loves people and has no problem with other animals, even if they may have a problem with her.

 Mr. Cat is particularly unhappy with her appearance.  It's HIS house, HIS mechanics, HIS orchard...who does this interloper think she is, just marching in like she belongs?

 

For the most part, Chupa pretends she isn't there.  One cat swiping at her nose is quite enough, thankyouverymuch.  Not that Miss Kitty has the bad manners of Mr. Cat, mind you, but a dog can never be too careful...

I guess the question is, where did she come from and will she stay?  She's skin and bones, but quickly found Mr. Cat's food dish.  She's got a week to stick around and fatten up before she goes to the vet for a little alteration.  :)

I'm hoping that my last box from Paducah will show up today.  When it does, I will give you a peek at some of my new acquisitions.  :)  They're all good!  :)

Home Again

I flew in last night, after a long day of travel.  Much easier to get from CA to Nashville than Little Rock back to CA.  Just sayin'.  Next time I'll try to avoid Phoenix, as it was not fun in either direction.

But look what I found waiting for me when I got home!  woohoo!!  Boxes from Paducah!  There are still a few more in transit.  I can't wait to open them and see what I bought!  :)