A 4th without a fifth....

but we did have wine!

We had the best 4th of July! It was spent going to Amish country in Holmes county in Berlin, Ohio. We met up with two other couples in an RV park in which none of us have met face to face. Us girls are in an online fiber art group. We had a great time showing our trades and projects over the years. I even showed the girls how to do some roping for projects.



Left to right is Norma Jean, myself and Gabriela.

We also went into Millersburg where they put on an old fashioned celebration. On the town square, they were doing some weaving in a round hoop. So cool!




and met up with Angie from the fiber art group and her family. She has two of the sweetest little girls!








We had typically a 4th of July picnic with hamburgers and hot dogs. The guys drank beer while we drank wine. We also got a little sunburnt. We hated to end the evening as we had so much fun, but we had a 2 1/2 hour trip home. There is nothing like good food, good company and a fine wine!

Running on Empty

I only had 3 hours of sleep as I was working on deadline quilts again. I went over to Greta's to deliver another quilt. She had her twin grandson's Noah and Issac there. Aren't they just a couple of cuties? One has blue eyes and the other has brown.


Yesterday was a long day and so I didn't get this quilt started until midnight! I finished it at 7 A.M. and then grabbed 3 hours of sleep before I had to go to Greta's to drop it off. This was to be a birthday quilt, which is why the rush. Her friend Yvonne had made the same quilt so I will have to get a photo of it sometime, perhaps when it is hanging at the show. I did it differently. I had actually finished it before the white quilt went on the machine.





Finally a full view of the the great white quilt that I did for Greta. Not the best photo, but the best under the circumstance with her busy grandsons. lol This is the same quilt that I had some thread run through my machine and it picked up some dirt and grease. Finally figured it was coming from under where the machine's handle bars are attached. I got some good advice from a gal that mentioned getting this product called Grease Lightning from the automotive department. I tried it and it worked great!

After all of the work lately, I decided to really give it a rest and I finally had a nine hour sleep last night. Now to clean house and start the rat race all over again. lol

Quilted

Well, I promised a larger photo of the quilt, but unfortunately it didn't turn out very well, but did get a little better shot of more quilting. When it is hanging at the show, I shall try again.

I also had to get a quilt finished up for Susan as she was giving it to some friends for a BD gift who really miss Florida. I would say that this would certainly put you in the frame of mind:)






Well, I am off to tackle another one for a BD gift. I miss doing my own quilt art, but these pay the bills, so guess I can't complain. I am greatful for a job where I can at least still create even if it is just the stitching!

The Icing On The Cake!

Yay!!!! I am finally finished machine quilting the great white! I have had it in my machine for almost a week. I will have to wait until later in the day to get photos of the whole quilt when I get some help hanging it, but here's a sneak peak. There's something about white quilts that remind me of the days when I would decorate wedding cakes. They are so elegant!

Another Give Away!

I know many may have been disappointed in not winning my blog give away, so I shall send you to another one that is going on at the moment. Who knows, you may just win something really nice from another talented gal. She has 4 items up that she has made, all equally wonderful! Check it out here.

Creation, Design and Textures

I am inspired even by our growing ducks. They are changing every day and I am mesmerized by their textures and wondering what I could create or even use the patterning in my machine quilting. For now I shall dream of making something contemporary, take note and make sketches along the way.



Evinrude and Drumstick. They remind me of a couple of awkward teens.



The awkwardness of fuzz turning into feathers.



Don't you just love those crossed feathery lines? Click for a closer look.


I love the awesome rusty red coloration and texture on Webster.



Their wings are starting to stretch. Here's Crackers and Feathers


Crackers


Puddles (she's still the dainty one)







I am chained to my machine this week trying to finish up quilts for customers for an up coming show. This one has been in the machine for a few days. Although it is very pretty, it is quite tedious and time consuming. I can hardly wait until it is off the machine and I can see it in full view. My friend Greta has an embroidery machine so her blocks are made entirely up of it and white spaces for me to quilt to show off the stitching. It's gratifying to work in harmony with another person's work.


I recently did a workshop "How to Become a Rope Addict", to an online art group of making some roping with various fibers beads and trim. I love it when I can teach someone something. It's at a time when funds are low and needing to work with creative supplies. The roping was made by using an old CD as a tool. We made some with thick fibers and some with thin to use as necklaces and embellishment.





When I was in Seattle in April/May, I purchased some new supplies. There were so many to choose from! The blue buttons are Chechz. glass. I love how they change colors with your movement and light catching it. It reminds me of Carnival Glass. I can hardly wait to dive into those babies and play with them!

We Have a Winner!!!

I nearly forgot about the 100th blog give away! There were 32 signed up and boy, do I wish I could give it to every one! But only one winner gets the whole smackeroo! I let Rog do the honors of drawing the name, so the fate was in his hands. LOL And the winner is.................Pam Snow! Thanks to all who entered and be sure to check back from time to time when I have another piece of art or tutorial posted.