Lots of progress!

I was up before dawn this morning.  With only 9 days left to the registration deadline, and 3 quilts to get far enough along to register there is no time to lose!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     But first a couple construction photos.  The crew arrived and started working on the lift for the new boat.  First they pulled out the pilings that are in the way. 

Then they started putting in the new concrete pilings that will support the lift (and boat).  Took all day and they only got 2 started....they are drilling into bedrock under the water, so it is slow going.

The parts of the boat lift are laying in pieces all over our back yard.

OOH...looks like I need to pick some lemons!

And onto the work I accomplished today.  Got some of the applique stitched down on the red/white/black quilt.  I'm using metallic thread...love the shiny look!

And another...excuse the kitty fur; I'll get that off later. Harry was laying on it/helping me (;>0

I also made all of these prairie points for this quilt.

Then I worked on my painted wholecloth for a couple hours...no pictures of that today.   And I also worked on the Flamingo quilt....dyed this batting for the palm tree.  It is a really nice brown...the color is off in the photo;  painted tyvek for the bird beaks too. And painted the background fabric.

Then I cut out my flamingo bodies from these fabrics.


and their feathers from this wool I felted a couple weeks ago specifically for this project.
Don't they look great together?

And that was my day. I got a lot accomplished.  If I can keep up this pace, I just might make the deadline!

So, what did you do today?

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Home Alone again!

Well, except for Don and the kitties that is!  Kids left this evening.  It was great having them this past week.  I can't believe I didn't get any pictures this time!  Well we had fun...you'll just have to take my word for it!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Today's mail brought this cute quilted postcard from my sister Ann.  All felted wool, and very cute!  Thanks Ann, I love it!

And while on the family exchange, these are the ones I made and sent...all pretty much the same except for the background fabrics.






Now, comes the big rush to the finish to get my entries done for our quilt show in February....I don't mean completely done....just enough to take the pictures for the registration that is due by Dec 31st...yikes!

Then 2 more customer show quilt to complete before I quilt mine.  Guess I need to get on the stick!                                                                                                                                                                                                      

But before I leave you, Chloe and Harry are exhausted too from all the company this month!

Have a great night!

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I'm getting like Mary...changing my photo.

I got my hair cut today....it had gotten way too long, but she might have gotten it a little too short!  New color too....this time a slightly darker shade of blonde.  Only caveat is it doesn't cover the gray as well as the lighter blonde did. Oh well!

Looks better than yesterday's photo!

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Back home; some progress, and fun mail!

I'm all warmed up from the trip up to Maryland...actually had the AC on this afternoon!  Had a great time and it was wonderful to see everyone even for a short visit.  The party for Mother and Pat was fun too. The photo below is a great one of Mother and all my siblings. It is so hard to get all of us together, that we really enjoy it when we do.
And here is son Stephen, DIL Janet, and of course Fiona!  She has grown so much since I saw her the end of July!

And here's another of Fiona with a bearded dragon named Skeletor on her.

and of course, we have to get our workouts done each day!

In between unpacking, laundry and cleaning up from my absence....  I was able to make a little progress on the black/white&red quilt.  Still a long way to go though.

And today's mail brought a few beautiful things.  This Christmas postcard from Vicki. The photo doesn't do it justice...it's beautiful.  Thanks, Vicki!

And this one from Mother....lots of pretty beading...gorgeous! Thanks Mother.

And then this from Barbara....not a postcard, but a beautiful handmade card.  Thank you Barbara, it's just beautiful!

Oh, and I also had a trip to the eye doctor for a new pair of specs!  Just ignore the wrinkles and the extra chins...I do!

So, now to get ready for another kiddo to visit...Travis is arriving Thursday! We're looking forward to that!

Have a great night!

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Busy Week!

Very busy week!  Trying to get client quilts done before I leave for Maryland.  And lots of other stuff going on too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      First thing, this is the really cute Christmas postcard I received from Mary today as a part of our family exchange.  Really cute...love the tree lights!  Thanks Mary!

Then I'm getting a few things together for Christmas gifts.  Aren't these cute?  Actually, the one in the middle is not a gift...it's the one I'm keeping...lol.


Then this a  client quilt I finished earlier in the week.  I would have liked to do closer swags, but she preferred less, so that is what it is.  Still OK though I think.  I used the circle lord heartz templates for the hearts, Tracey Browning's' template for the swags, stencils for the other 2 borders, and ruler work and freehand for the rest. 

Fairfield bamboo/cotton batting and Superior So Fine thread.

And I don't know if I mentioned, but we sold our big sailboat.  The new owners are from Anchorage, Alaska;  and they arrived today.  We are helping them load and going over all the systems with them.  They will set sail on next Monday, bound for the Caribbean.

As I was removing our personal stuff off the boat in preparation for the new owners, I came across this little quilt that I keep on top of the linen chest in our stateroom.  This is where Sidney and Ira always sleep when we were underway.  I made this when we bought this boat 10 years ago, before we set off for the Caribbean on our adventures.





Needless to say, a few tears were shed when I came across this, it brought back many memories of all the wonderful travels on this boat with our beautiful Sid and Ira.

Such a bittersweet time.

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Black,white and red progress

Between working on client quilts, teaching classes, having company  and all that fun stuff called laundry and house cleaning; I have stolen a few moments to work on the black,white and red quilt.  As I posted before, all the black and white yo yo's are made; the shell buttons are all made and about half of them painted so far.  The lone red yo yo is made.                                                        

So now I'm working on the applique.  I have now finished the major applique elements of the center medallion, though there are still a  few elements left to do on this medallion.  But the biggest part of it is done. To give you an idea of scale...the center medallion size is 42 inches square...finished size.  Feels good to have gotten this much done!   

Tons more to do on this quilt top though; this is only the center medallion....Will I be able to get the top completed  by Dec 31st??  It's gonna be really close!

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Just checking in...

We've had company since last weekend.  Always nice to see old friends.  I have gotten a little work done here and there but not too much... maybe I'll get a picture of the current one tomorrow.

Lots to get accomplished before I leave for Maryland and Mother's birthday celebration next Friday!  It'll be a busy week.

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