August has been  busy month! My last multiple day engagement for Guild programs/workshop in Oklahoma happened and it was a fun trip with lovely ladies.  Even fitted in some fabric shopping, though we did not find the one I was looking for.  One more trip – next week to Kansas City, then I will be officially retired!!

We went to Wichita over the weekend for the Opening Reception of the Wichita National All Media Craft Exhibit where “Snow Buddies” is being exhibited. It has a great spot , well lighted where you see it as you enter the gallery; looks good!

While we were in Wichita we visited the Botanic Gardens, The Indian Museum and the Zoo.  The weather was near perfect and I was exhausted by the time we got back home! But it was fun!

Since coming back I have finished the Heron top using some of the fabrics that I found that looked like they might have possibilities.  I un-sewed some of the previous work to insert the new fabrics and I think it is going to be OK. 

Yesterday I squared it up and selected a backing fabric but have not yet layered it for quilting.  I think another deadline has squeezed in that will need my attention first!

News came that all four of my entries to the Visions of the Flint Hills Art Benefit and Sale at the Buttonwood Gallery in Kansas City were accepted.  “Harrier Hunting”, “Prairie Power”, “Drifted”, and “Grasslands” will be there.  This is an art exhibit so it is always gratifying when my quilts are recognized as art! The opening reception is on Oct 2 and the show runs through Nov 27.  Sales benefit the Friends of Konza Prairie.  Be sure and check it out if you are nearby.

This is a new venue for me — The Wichita National All Media Craft Exhibition 2015. I prefer to think of what I do as art rather than craft, but they were open to considering it so I sent in my entry and they accepted “Snow Buddies”.

The show runs from Aug 28 – Oct 18, 2015.

With the return of hot weather, I have mostly stayed inside and am working on the beading of the last prairie fire piece. It’s a slow process, hopefully worth it for the spark effect.  The Heron is still on hold; I’m still hoping to find the fabric I need on my travels later this summer.  I have trips planned for Des Moines, Oklahoma City and Kansas City for guild programs. In case any of you visit a quilt shop keep an eye out for this fabric, and please let me know if you find it!

It is currently showing at the New England Quilt Museum til July 26, then will be going on to show at Texas A&M University.  I’m so lucky to be a part of this SAQA exhibit!

We drove to KC, MO to the Leedy-Voulkos Gallery to see the Midwest Metaphors exhibit that is showing two of my pieces, “In The Bleak Midwinter” and “Prairie Power”. It is a lovely space and a very nice showing. I was thrilled to discover that “In The Bleak Midwinter” had sold!Congratulations to the new owner! Also showing there is “Prairie Power”.  The closing reception for the show is June 27.

The Topeka Art Guild Gallery is currently showing my “Spring Encounter” til the end of July>

I guess it’s been about a week since I’ve posted progress, and there has been quite a bit even though I have not had much time to work. I have finished the fire, worked in some of that grass and added to the tree. Also sewed together a lot of pieces that have been up on the design wall long enough to feel comfortable. It is so important to live with the choices for a while, before sewing them, to avoid having to un-sew them!

Because my bits of available grass fabrics are small, it was necessary to add a rock to fill in a void. I tried four different fabrics before settling on this one; too dark and it didn’t show, too gray and it didn’t blend. There will be more on the other side so this one will not be “lonely” Rocks are common jutting out of the ground here on the prairie. It was not in the original plan, but I work intuitively and add or take away as needed. That grass behind the tree is only laid in there right now because the dark spot on the tree blended into the background too much. I will probably sew it in.

I was working to a deadline at the end of February for this piece, but on re-reading the call for entry I discovered that it will be too big. I can’t cut it down without ruining it so I will have to find something else for that call, darn it. I might be on information overload.

News came yesterday that “Snow Buddies” has been juried in and will be going to the MidAtlantic Quilt Festival in VA. Feb 26-Mar 1.

“Who Me?” is currently showing at the Topeka Art Guild Gallery.

I will be there tonight for the First Friday opening of this new show. Looks like Feb is going to the dogs!

I got up really early yesterday morning to see the total eclipse of the moon. The sky was clear and the view was great! Then about half way through some clouds moved in and it was touch and go; but even then it was beautiful with the clouds all backlit. You can see the interesting reddish glow that was the shadow of the Earth.

Most of my pictures were pretty bad because it’s hard to hold the camera still enough but I’m sure you saw better ones on the news or online. At least I was there!

Here’s my latest masterpiece!

“Splash” 40 x 40″. The timing was right and the quality good enough, I thought, to enter it into Quilt National this year. They require that the work be kept undercover so I usually don’t have anything available to enter. They did not accept it so I am free to show it now. I used a combination of hand dyed and commercially printed fabrics in this entirely pieced, larger than life toddler.  I especially like the way the batik contains reflection colors and some white that looks like foamy waves. Most of the fabrics in the hair are printed “grass” fabrics. Heavily machine quilted with various threads to compliment the fabrics.

We had our first frost last night so it’s a good thing we brought all the tender plants inside for the winter. Brrrr– I am not ready for this! We didn’t get much of the predicted rain but I did, at least, get out and plant some of the seeds I have been given.

Last evening was First Friday at the Topeka Art Guild Gallery and we had a better than usual turnout for the reception. Since it was our annual judged show of Kansas themed art from Kansas artists, there was perhaps more publicity, so that was gratifying. My entry, “Prairie Power” was awarded Third Place against some very tough competition.

Good news, this week, “Bignonia” went out to AQS Des Moines,

and “Snow Buddies” to LaConner in Washington;

also the little Yorkie 12 x 12 quilt was sent to Houston for their Benefit Auction. Can you find the changes I made?

The SAQA Silent Auction starts next week; check it out at www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?cat=34

My entry, “Iris”, comes up in the third week, I believe.

Bad news this week from Houston, “Fur Family Portrait” did not win anything in “Raining Cats and Dogs” and apparently “Jesse At The Lake” did not either as I have not heard anything about that. Well, it’s good to have at least gotten work in and hanging there!

It’s been rainy and cooler here and I’ve dug a bunch of Surprise Lily bulbs to get them out of my flower beds. They need a place of their own. They were especially beautiful this year, but they crowd their neighbors too much and just have to move! I have lots to do outside now with cooler weather.

Progress on the Yorkie piece,

It wasn’t until I got things all sewn together that I saw some places that I need to change. Perhaps today I will do that. But I DO like the new background better.. Once it is layered with white batting, and quilted, those seam lines will not be so obvious.

I’ve been dragging my feet since arriving back home! Don’t EVEN have the quilts all unpacked yet. I spent the afternoon yesterday outside reading the newest Stephen King book, Mr Mercedes. It was hot out but with a nice breeze, not bad in the shade. I was also trying to make contact with the stray dog. He seems to sort of enjoy being talked to now. At least he doesn’t run away.

We got a really nice rain last night, several inches and no run off. It all soaked in and not a moment too soon. Everything was withering away.

This weekend SAQA’s “Seasonal Palette” including my “December Dawn” is showing in BRAZIL!! What a milestone; this is the first time my work has been shown in South America.  Hope they enjoy it!

With cooler weather, I have been working outside more, but still, quilting at least a little most days on the current work. It is maybe half finished at this time. The Daylily club had their show and contest and I usually go to admire the flowers and get some of the free plants they hand out.  This year I chose “Cinnamon Circle” and was given two – my husband right behind me also got two, so I planted then on the bank next to the storm shelter.  They should bloom yellow with a lime green throat and cinnamon edges with a bit of a ruffle. Should look nice next to the gray concrete.

News came this week that my entry to IQF in Houston was juried in to the contest “World of Beauty” in the category for “people”. It is a relief to have the acceptance letter!

I had already heard earlier that “Fur Family Portrait” will be there in the “Raining Cats and Dogs” contest, so this means I will have two pieces there this year – maybe I should think about going!