Busy

And not solely with quilting.  I've been on jury duty this month, and assigned to a trial.  I can't talk about it, but it is taking up all my time right now.

I still have my dream quilt for the MQS auction on the frame in the midst of being quilted...still a bit left to do, but jury duty ends next Tuesday, so I'll be back at it then.

 

On another note, my friend Cathy turned me on to this optical website for glasses...really inexpensive.  Since I have aged...and need both far and near vision correction, I tried the progressive lenses a few years ago.  I had a terrible time adapting to them...never really did.  Come to find out, you need a larger frame so there is room for the transition of the lens powers.

The site is Zenni Optical...and one of the cool things is that you can upload your own photo and" try the frames" on before buying. It's simple to type in your prescription info and them e-mail or fax your hard copy from your doctor.   They are inexpensive, and the prescription in my experience is perfect.  They ship reasonably fast...I received mine within 10 days of my order. I ordered two pair to start, using middle range frames. Even with the extra cost of progressive lenses, an optional anti-glare coating, and clip on polarized sun glasses to fit the frames, my costs came to $109 for two pair.  Amazing, since the last glasses I got from the alleged discount place "Eyeglass World " were $600 for one pair.  Imagine, 2 pair with all the extras plus clip on sunglasses for $109!!  They come with a plastic case and lens cloth. Also included are anti-scratch and UV coatings.

 

I'm sold!  At this price I can have a pair to match each outfit colorway :)

 

So, just so you can see...here are the two I ordered...I like them both...DH prefers the second one.





 

It's sorta like shoes...you need a variety :)   And at these prices, I can!

Just to say, I'm not affiliated...just a happy customer.

Next Up

Now that "The High Priestess" is finished and starting her show journey, it's time to start working on the next one..."Les Barons".  This will be the second in my Voodoo/Tarot series.

One of the early steps in the creation of my quilts is to develop a color palette.  I use Joen Wolfrom's color tool initially and then paint chips.  Then I can use my paint chip chart to paint, dye, or purchase my fabrics.

This is my paint chip palette



 

I then sent it to Vicki, and this is what I got in return



 

These are going to make an amazing background!

Add a few treasures from my recent Bead Shop foray...



 

And we have a good beginning... Stay tuned to watch this develop.

WOW, It's Been a While

I was surprised when I saw how long it has been since I posted!  Lots of things have happened...some good, some not as good, but I'm still here.

My shoulder has improved, I have about 75% of my range of motion back now; that probably is as good as it's going to get.  But that's OK because I can do most things that I want or need to.

So what have I been up to since January?  Well aside from shoulder related stuff and the winter crud, I've been working hard to get my "High Priestess" quilt ready for the show season.  I finally accomplished that and she will make her debut at MQX's New England Quilt Festival in New Hampshire next week.

This quilt combines a variety of techniques like painting, dyeing, hand piecing, machine piecing, machine applique, foiling, and beading to name a few, and of course some crystals.

The pieced fabrics are Vicki's Twilight gradient... So rich! My hand dyed border and back, dupioni silk and silk charmuse...along with wool felt.  I'll share some photos...

The front



 







 

The Back

 











 

And I also had two of my best girlfriends visiting me this past week...Candace and Cathy. We had a great time working in the studio, shopping and eating! I didn't take any photos, but I pilfered theirs :)  so you can see how much fun we had...

Candace working



 

Cathy and I doing hand work



 

Shopping at  one of my favorite places...the Bead Shop



 

And at the best trim and fancy  fabrics shop...Jefferson Variety.  Eating at one of the best spots for oysters Dragos...those oysters were HUGE! And delicious.



 

And enjoying a day at the horse races for the running of the 100th Louisiana Derby



 

We had a great week and I can't wait to see them again in a few weeks at MQS