Finished a big one

I have been quite enamored of stars lately. And using up my scraps. Now I can reveal the combination of both.

A wildly descriptive and unique name:  Scrap Star.

This is big, 84" by 84". This quilt is larger than my pin wall at work. That is my desk in the lower right corner.

Free motion quilted on my Viking Sapphire 830.

I used YLI cotton threads. Variegated in the white/ecru solids, a light beige solid in the scrappy areas.

Got one started on my design wall I hope to be quilting this weekend.

Work has been quite busy. There is always some catching up after a vacation, but my work load has increased as well. I am glad. I like to stay busy and I have great customers to collaborate with. On a personal note, my son is starting his final semester as an undergrad, and I have written my final tuition check. Now I begin saving for a long arm!

my late uncle

As I mentioned in my previous post, we have spent some of our week-long staycation visiting family. One family member is an aunt who has had some trouble with vertigo. She also has two beautiful, really sweet labs. Since she has been ill, her dogs haven't been able to get adequate exercise, so we have gone to visit and walk her dogs a couple times this week. 

This aunt is a widow, having lost her husband (after 52 yrs of marriage!). And this late uncle of mine was quite the folk artist. 

It has been so fun to revisit their home with the time to walk around and see his work. 

 This bird house is a small work, 

but has always been a favorite of mine.

It was always a fun place for me as a child, but as an adult, I really appreciate his skill and vision even more.

He created his work from oil drums and tractor parts, remaking these materials from the mundane into the magical.

This is a large (6ft tall) wind chime, the air tank moves and 

makes such a soothing sound when it hits the side tines.

The life-sized mermaid sits at the edge of a pool.

Peeking out of the trees, this ram stands guard at the gate.

a week off

Well, hello! We took this week off of work and had a good ole "staycation". Sleeping til we naturally woke up, drinking coffee, cleaning, making a new patio.

While we adore our "still new to us" home, there had been minimal landscaping. The most problematic for us was known affectionately as the mud pit at the base of the deck step. With our man-cub home, a new patio was built. Red dirt evened-out, landscape fabric laid, metal edging installed, white river rock for a zen feel and an 8 ft square paver seating area. LOVE it!

 

We bought a cool fireplace and deck chairs for this new area. This has really helped keep the dirt down in the house and given us a nice outside living area. We could not have done it without the help of our son!

We were also assisted by our able hounds. They were especially helpful with the sand. they love digging out a cool bed.

 

We have also visited family. Seems the busy-ness of daily life doesn't give us enough time for this. So, we have taken advantage of the extra time. The man-cub and I went to one of my aunt's and walked her dogs. The old family home still stands and the weathered door is so beautiful.

More quilty stuff to come. I have an exhibit to prepare for!

Stunt sewing part 3

I got my 3rd top complete for my friend's quilt shop. I call it "Mixed Berries".

It measures 54" by 62" and I used a 2 1/2" strip set along with 1/4 yard of a white on white print. 

Fast, fun and I will definitely be making another (or 2)!

Stunt Sewing part 2

It has been so very hot here! Brutal. And while I love summer, the heat and barometric pressure teamed up this week to give me a monster migraine. Battled this monster for 3 days. Finally feeling better, but I feel like I have been in a fog all week. Well, hubby and I are on vacation all week, so I am hoping to spend some quality time in my own sweat shop.

For my girlfriend who is opening a quilt shop, I have made this cutie, I call it "Abracadabra" because it is a disappearing nine patch.

I am not a "pink" person, but these prints are so cheery and the touch of chocolate brown adds sophistication. One more for her to go!