Trip and Landscape Quilt Featured

Here are a few photos from our quick road trip - it was wonderful to get away for even a few days. We made a big circle but of course had to go on the Blue Ridge Parkway for as long as we could. I love that road and just think the whole building of it was just phenomenal.

Just a photo of the drive through the windshield and then Big T snapped one of the car where we stopped to take a quick nap under a shade tree. (Didn't nap long, it was over 90 in the shade.)

Quilts and Heirlooms is featuring my little landscape quilt, "The Hills of Summer", today in part 1 series of landscape quilts. Hurry on over and take a look at the quality of the quilts they are featuring. I am so honored to be included. (Remember this was my first venture into this category.)

Hugs - Marie

Landscapes, One-off's and Hexies

From a distance, my landscape quilt is 'not too bad'. But the 'couching' could be much better - so this one goes in the 'first time efforts' stack. I learned a lot from doing this one that will make my next effort much better (and easier).

I have also been working on my hand quilting efforts. My first (and many) attempts were quite interesting and amusing - in fact, maybe downright laughable. This photo is of my most recent effort during the cruise. I used my 'down time' to hand quilt this rose window pattern traced on a 20" square muslin quilt sandwich. I am actually quite pleased with it (if I don't compare it to everyone else). I think I will bind this one and actually find a use for it.

Currently (one of many on-going projects) I am working on a hexie applique for a one-off of a Grandmother's garden. Well, maybe more than a one-off. I am ready for the machine applique as the next step. I'll post a photo after the applique.

Did I tell you that I am taking the 'mastery classes' that came with my new Bernina? I'm loving this new machine. I think I went from a model-T to a Cadillac. (Of course the courses are focusing more on garment sewing than quilting so far - but I am learning the mastery of the machine and what all it will do. But the instructor keeps talking about 'sewing her own underwear' or something.)

By the way - the crib is STILL in my studio. Enough said!

Hugs - Marie

What's Going on During the Heat Wave

It was so hot at the pool last night, the water was like stepping into a bath tub. I loved it - could have just floated on my back and stared at the clouds all night. Getting out was a little cool, but it didn't last long. It is still hot and humid - maybe a 'slight' break tomorrow (don't count on it).

Here is my finished landscape mini-quilt (9" by 12"). I am fairly satisfied with it - at least enough to show it to friends. I used multiple machine decorative stitches for the machine quilting and also did some hand quilting with it. The tree, of course, was done on my embroidery machine. I love combining the multiple arts.

This is my second attempt. Still a mini-quilt (15" by 20") but a little larger. As you can tell, this one is not finished yet. Still have the couching to complete and the quilting and binding. This is my interpretation of the devestation caused by Mt. Saint Helens in 1980. We moved to the state of Washinton just three months after the volcano erupted and saw the devestation caused by the volcanic ash firsthand even 250 miles away in Spokane.

I wonder if the heat wave is the direct cause for my creating a quilt containing a volcano? Interesting.

I also took a two hour class in 'hexies' this past Saturday. So my hand stitching time is now working on some initial hexies. Who knows if I get bored, they might become colorful potholders or trivets for the table.

Hugs - Marie

I'm Back!

It is so quiet around here tonight you could hear a pin drop. After the last four weeks of either being company or having company, I'm just plain tired of talking. We had absolutely great visits and are sad that everyone is gone.

I am so far behind in reading my blog friends - I'm embarassed. Please bear with me while I catch up. (Do you say 'bear with me' or 'bare with me' - hmmm - that could be interesting!)

My sewing studio is now a nursery - tomorrow back to sewing. I have not touched a machine (or fabric) in almost a month. I think I am having withdrawal symptoms. I was visiting on line with Glen tonight and she gave me a great idea - I am going to move my CD player into my sewing studio so I can listen to audio books. I don't care for television or movies, but I am an avid reader and this will be my escape and let me be creative at the same time. Thank you Glen!

The Dude is now out of 'middle school' and is a freshman in high school. Seems like it was just yesterday - - - Being a Grandparent is a marvelous thing!

While my sister was here, we took a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. What beautiful inspirations for landscape quilting! I can hardly wait to get back into the studios (and the fabric store). I am still trying to figure out how to get that 'smokey, hazy' look into a quilt.

More tomorrow - for now just wanted to say "I'm back and thank you for the positive thoughts".

Hugs to all - Marie