Archive for February, 2009

Cold!

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Oh yes, Gwynette!  Welcome back. This morning we have a temp of 16 with wind chill at 6 so quite a difference from the balmy 70’s of a few days ago! I didn’t uncover anything yet and I must bundle up and go out to see how the snowdrops are faring. I expect they are just fine.

Yesterday I finished preparing the pattern and pulled fabrics for the new work, and even found one to use for binding on The Merchant’s House. In the process I found some that might work in the second one that I have planned, as well.

Since March has National Quilter’s Day, we are being bombarded with sales ads for more fabric. I will try to avoid those as I already have more fabric than I can ever hope to use.

What I’ve Been Doing

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Yesterday was gorgeous! Who could believe temps in the 70’s in late February? After my walk, I stayed outside for a couple of hours pulling weeds; it was just too nice to be inside. If only the grass in my lawn was as lush as in my flower beds! The snowdrops that I planted last fall are blooming – so pretty!
snowdrops

These ones were growing in Wales on the grounds of Manorbier Castle and inspired me to try planting some here. In comparison, mine are pretty scraggly, but I hope they will thrive and multiply to become a yearly reminder of that fantastic trip.

Working at a very leisurely pace for me, I have finished The Merchant’s House, blocked and trimmed it, and it awaits binding. But now there is no rush. I’ll post it when it is finished.

There are two more deadlines soon, but they are both for small works. Yesterday I made the sketch and working pattern for the SAQA 12″ square. Last year I made that fairy quilt for them – “Don’t Piss Off The Fairies” – this year I’m doing another bird quilt. I’ve been wanting to do a Yellow Headed Blackbird and now’s the time!

I’m back!

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Well, I have been busy! Busy trying to get my entry for Tactile Architecture done in time to meet the deadline of Feb 20. Sunday I finished the piecing and decided that it was not going to happen and I would just submit it to Town And Country instead. Monday morning I checked to see the particulars on that exhibit and found that it is not offered this year – must have been a one time thing. So I thought what the heck, I may as well try to get it done after all. In the past 48 hours I have quilted 30! Everything hurts and still it is not done so I am throwing in the towel. I could probably still make it if I put in another long day and Expressed the entry, but TA is just an exhibit with nice exposure but no monetary rewards so I will forego it this year. Won’t have anything for In Full Bloom this year either and it is the first year in a long time that I will not have entries in these two exhibits.

But on the brighter side, “Spring Encounter” was juried in to Celebrate Spring! and will be in Chicago in April.

This morning AQS informed me that the images I sent them were not big enough, (nothing that explicit about size in the entry instructions) so I am not sure where I stand with them. but I will have a piece in Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival.

You know, sometimes I wonder if it is worth the hassle!

New work started

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Gosh, it’s been awhile since I posted! I’ve started a new piece destined for Tactile Architecture, deadline Feb. 20, based on a photo I took in Wales a few years ago when I spent some time there. merchants-house
Coming down the steps on the left I was struck by the pinkness of the building in front of me, that perfectly accents the Merchant’s House in the center. It was chilly March and sadly, things were not yet open for the tourist season, though the lack of sightseers made for a nice photo op. I knew when I saw this it had to be a quilt! So far I have the pink house finished.

Sunday afternoon I went with friends to see a play – “KOLD Radio, Whitefish Bay”. It was fun and nice to get out and away from the sewing machine for a bit. While I was out I decided to find and purchase the issue of Quilter’s Home that is stirring up so much controversy on line. The cover teases with something about Shocking Quilts and the issue this month is protected by a plastic wrapper to protect the innocent. There it was on the rack at the grocery store and some curious someone before me had opened it so I was able to cop a peek and wonder why all the fuss? They hadn’t bought it and neither did I! I think it was a brilliant marketing ploy to wrap it in plastic so people would have to buy it to see the article and JoAnne’s banning of it only helped to boost sales I’m sure.

My condolences to everyone suffering from the recent ice storms, we were fortunate to miss that one, but believe me, I’ve been there!