I have been super busy the last few weeks producing four 12 x 12 pieces for my Artist of the Month show in September at The Topeka Art Guild Gallery. I wanted to do six, but I waited just too long! They are all finished except for the hand sewing on the back. Well, this one is all finished.

Inspired by the wren baby photo that I took earlier this summer, combined with one of the feeding parent.

During this time period I got word that the photo deadline for new pattern Market ads was Aug 27, so over the weekend I whipped out a larger version that will become a new picture piecing patten for fall. This will finish at about 24″square like the others in the series.

Yesterday I layered and basted it and got started on the quilting, there’s no time to waste!

For the past couple of weeks I have been tuned in to these wrens nesting in an ornamental birdhouse by my deck. It’s time they fledged and I spent yesterday afternoon and evening out there waiting for it to happen, and reading “The Husband” by Dean Koontz.

I’m sure the parents are more than ready as they have the never ending job of bugs in, poop out all day long.

Can’t tell how many there are as the most that can be seen at any time are two and the decorative birdhouse cannot be opened.

They have never shown any fear or concern about people on the deck or even the dogs. But yesterday one came in with a nice bug and immediately went into such a display of anger that the bug was dropped as the scolding and posturing went on and on. I had to get up to see the cause of the concern and there at the bottom of the tree was a huge black snake! I scared it away but still the bird ranted on. I got up to check again and saw nothing. When I sat down again she flew to the railing maybe 5 feet from where I was, looked right at me and jabbered something that I think was “Thank you!”.

They are getting braver, perhaps they will fly today.

Needless to say, I have not made much progress on the goat quilt!

I received notice that “The Merchant’s House” has been accepted to “Tactile Architecture” and will show at IQF- Houston in 2010, Cincinnati and Long Beach in 2011. They said “many” were entered but only 33 quilts were chosen, so I am honored to once again be a part of it!

The Orioles are back and both the male and female are enjoying the Hummingbird feeder. So far we have seen only one Hummingbird.  The Bluebirds are already feeding babies in two of the boxes and nesting in a third.  They are so pretty!This feeder, along with a sunflower seed feeder hangs by the window where my sewing machine is, so I get distracted quite a bit!

Progress is slow on the longhorn, but only the sky and water remains. Yesterday I worked all day at the Topeka Art Guild Gallery. It was a slow day so I got a LOT done on my book keeping so I don’t feel like it was lost time.  Today I need to go get a permanent so again there will not be a lot of time to sew.  It’s just one thing after another around here!!

The Spring issue of the SAQA Journal has arrived and it contains a wonderful article about Del and The Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection, entitled “Growing a Contemporary Quilt Collection”. Congratulations, Del, on the nice article and the recognition!

I am happy to say that the collection owns several quilts by me and one of them, “Early Birds” is pictured in the article!

Also in this issue is a photo of “Burlingame Fire” in the Members Gallery of Pieced Quilts!

Wichita was great! Rushed, but great. Two different lectures and a workshop plus travel in two days is a lot, but it was fun because the Prairie Quilt Guild was so nice and friendly! Yesterday I got the quilts put away, the finances dealt with and the inventory started. The before and after chores add at least three days to a trip! I hope to have some pictures to show from the workshop but I have not checked the camera yet. Some wonderful works were started.

Just before I left, I got word that “Baltimore Oriole” exhibited at the Aullwood Audubon Center’s show was sold to the Executive Director! How cool is that! A sale is always good but even better when it goes to an expert like that.

The other day I was on the deck brushing one of the dogs and saw a Rose Breasted Grosbeak at the sunflower feeder. What a beautiful bird!! I have seen one before but they must just pass through on their migration as they only stop for a snack. Still no Bluebirds this year, they must have all stayed at Gwynette’s house, but the Hummers and the Orioles are hitting the feeders hard.

The roofers were here for a day and a half. They really have it down! Strip off the old and put on the new, clean up and be gone. If it hadn’t rained I think they might have finished it in a day – of course there were a bunch of them. Glad it’s done, now I can choose a color to paint the house.

Reading the QA list this morning I realized that the deadline for IQA entries is next week! Somehow that didn’t get on my To Do list. So I took care of it this morning. I have not done any sewing since finishing the Bluebird quilt and all of the quilty stuff is on the back burner right now. I will not start anything new until I return from my trip with Del to the SAQA Convention next week and the opening of Quilt National.

I decided since my last horse died last fall and I have no plans to get any more that I should try to get rid of the tack. So I have been cleaning tack. Boring!!

Another acceptance letter from Mancusos came Saturday so “Packrat Palace” will be joining “Lazy Afternoon” In Denver!

It was a dreary weekend with cold rain mixed with snow in the mornings, so we enjoyed a fire in the fireplace and just visiting as we gathered to celebrate a family birthday. I used the time to prepare a class sample.

So far I have not done anything with the bluebird idea – it needs to percolate – but I do need to get sewing! Lucky you, Gwynette, to have bluebirds year around!  I have not seen any yet.