Craftiness

Summer allows for a little craftiness.  Finishing a project is even better, not only for me, but the recipient too, Kirstin looks great wrapped up in her quilt.

Alaina took photos of the new little boat sails I made up last week, reversible even. I have to say I really love how they turned out, and I go back and forth between which side I like best.

Kirstin and I picked out all these patterns for a colorful design over a year ago.  I think the black accents make it fun.

This is the largest quilt I have made and it wraps my kiddo up just perfect.

Kirstin holding up her finished quilt!

The backing looks great too.

This is the first time I have allowed myself to machine stitch the binding on

A Special Day at Ferryland Lighthouse

An absolutely beautiful wedding between 2 beautiful people.  They shared their special day with their close friends and family and how lucky one of those people happens to be me.  In anticipation of this special day I made them an art quilt to remember their day.  I taught myself new techniques, borrowed ideas and supplies and made something quite special.

my first art quilt

Arriving to Ferryland Lighthouse was so exciting to see it in person after creating the quilt from a photo.  Kirstin something along the lines of it is like walking in the quilt, and it was like the quilt came to life in front of our eyes. By the time we left the sky had blued up just like the quilt sky too! What a beautiful place, complete with whales passing by during the ceremony even.  A magical day I will carry around in my heart.

Finally visited a quilt show

Quilters Anonymous held their quilt show at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds this weekend, a wonderful variety of handmade loveliness!   It was great to spend time with my friends outside of work, even if one was volunteering the event, we borrowed her quite a few times, I also got to meet her long time friend, guess what, another quilter!

I am gathering ideas for a few projects I have started in my head and this was the  perfect place to see techniques done up close. Even ideas I could never had thought up, ever.

Sometimes you need a little rest, and then maybe a little more

Paper Pieced Hexagon's Wild

Hand sewing. Paper piecing. Using creativity to find peace.  I miss my dog. Oh, I have a cat in my lap as I type this, and the cats do greet us when we get home, but they are cats, not the same. I yell less, or was that my form of barking back?  I actually have vacuumed up food (and a lot less hair of course). I really still don't like to say his name yet, but he said goodbye and let me know he was happy and okay and he also did help me wake up on time one morning recently too, nice to know he checks in, what a good boy.

Tucker's last bath, with Nini trying to keep him warm

Not only sewing, but sleeping and Pinterest and 3 seasons of Downton Abbey later, I think I am over my bout of bronchitis, check that off my bucket list, I better never have that again, ever! Just waiting to kick the last of this headcold thing, blech. When it is time to rest, life gives you the opportunities you might say. So my heart heals with time to rest.

Valentine paper pieced hexagons coming together.

We've also had to say goodbye to Great Uncle Bill.  What a kind man from another generation. His service has been arranged to include a Naval Tribute, as appropriate for he served over 30 years for our country.

I thought I would cheer my Gramma up, as now she has lost another brother and also the father of her children lately, a visit to her old friend Norma was in order.  Kirstin even got some more freeway driving practice before her driving test, which she passed, no problem! Now a car?

Norma 3 years ago at 104!

So Norma turned 107 last week!  She is also a very kind lady.  I like to think of her as sort of a mother figure for Gramma, and nothing better than a hug from someone special.  Norma was thrilled with the visit and we also brought her a little surprise.

1878

This is her Grandparents marriage license from Lehigh County, Iowa 1878!  We framed it with UV protective glass for her to have out and she can share with her family, there are still quite a few of them left in town. In fact, while visiting Norma, I got to meet cousin Claudia, who knew of me thru another cousin Katy, who I have yet to meet other than thru email, but we have been working on their family tree together.  Again, funny how life works isn't it? Claudia remembered my Gramma from years ago, and was happy to see her again.  My Gramma married into a really neat family, and they are one reason why I enjoy genealogy and family history so much. I really can't wait to see what is in their box of photos!  I do love that life continues to give you things to look forward to.  I end with, Newfoundland...and a Way To Go Hawks!

Paper Piecing might just be for me

I have started in on my material fat quarter stashes, but have not limited myself to just my own fabric either!  The hand stitching, well you can take on the go with you, such as cold windy track meets or just waiting around as the driver of the teenagers who don't drive, comes in handy and relieves stress.  College apps, Prom, Graduation details, no worries, just pick up some hand sewing.  The funniest part about that, is if my mind is heading in a negative direction you can bet I will stab myself, and then I turn it back to something positive and keep on sewing. Today our friend Marla recieved a mini hexi coaster in blues and greens that Sheryl, Peggy and I whipped up.  I threw in a mini bunting with fabrics shown in the star below, her office needed some home sewn touches that add a dash of color too. Marla is awesome, what else can I say?

First attempt on a machine, might be the last,
hid the center with a really cool button
and gave it to Sheryl, it is a mini wall hanging now.

My very first attempt at English Paper Piecing,
I added a felt back and made it a coaster of sorts, hand quilting, we'll see...
I really like that each material is from someone else and I get to think of them

My first hexi design

I don't know where these color ideas are coming from,
it is a year outside the box for me for sure!
Guess I need the Queen of Hearts herself now,
the Queen took off with Alaina's autograph book at Disneyland when she was 11,
great memories!