Flowers in My Yard

My yard has been neglected lately, and much of it was dead or overgrown. When I cleared away the dead stuff this weekend, these flowers became more visible and are the stars of my flower beds. The grasshoppers have been very bad this year and have done a lot of damage. Hopefully with some of the dead stuff gone, they won't be able to hide as well and my son and his friends can kill them for me.

Yes, I'm Still Here

It has been much too long since I've left a note here. I've been pretty busy with family, projects, and customer quilts. I also started working one day a week at the local quilt shop, and that has been so much fun! I sent my son off to Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree 2 weeks ago, and they missed their flight today, so I should see him tomorrow.

I hoped to show you more than a picture or two, but my computer hiccuped and deleted my profile. I'm starting over from the beginning and it is a slow process. The two pictures above are a table runner sample made for the quilt shop. We have cut a few kits for it, and this will hang at the shop. It was fun and pretty easy to do. I also have a few new projects I want to work on, a class or two to develop and 2 more customer quilts to do. So, we will see how things go in the next few weeks.

School starts in 3 weeks, then canning season will come along, too. The days just fly by! We are not quite finished with the downstairs bathroom, and we have some work to do on the shed this fall. There just is never enough time to do all that needs to be done - but I will keep plugging away at it.

Keep quilting!

Fireworks

We went to our annual Fireworks show on July 2nd, and really enjoyed the 30 minutes of fireworks. I tried to get a few pictures, and I like this one the best. This was during the grand finale.

I spent the weekend after that at Bear Lake with my husband's family. Since getting back, it has been recover time (2 hours), then lots of work hours at my new job. I normally will work there 1 day a week. There was a big sidewalk sale, so I had extra hours. I have also been working on finishing the bathroom. Flooring on Thursday, cabinet on Friday, then another week or two for the counter top and plumbing, and door. I really don't like putting in the door.

I've finished a receiving blanket, and have 3 more to do - they just need the decorative stitch around the edge. I am also getting my teenage son ready for BSA National Jamboree. He leaves in just 8 short days.

Busy times, not much sewing, but I will get some things done later this month. I'm planning for it!

Keep sewing!

Group Quilt Finished

This is a quilt that was a group effort. We made it as a "Quilts of Valor" quilt to be donated. The big blocks were made by Kristi, Lynn, Ann, Pam and myself. Then, we got together to figure out how to put it together. We spent a few minutes discussing our options, then went shopping! We purchased the blue, and also the cream and red for the corner stars. We had a week to make the stars. Then we got together again and pieced it together. I figured the sizes needed and cut pieces. Kristi and Pam pieced together the checkerboard pieces, and Pam pieced the sections together. Lynn pressed the seams, and Kristi made lunch. I quilted it and sewed the binding on. Lynn and Kristi helped stitched the binding on the back side. Kristi made the label and I stitched it to the quilt. Lynn made a case for it to be in (like a pillowcase), and I gave it to our Quilt Guild representative to be sent away. There was a lot of work put into this. And, as with all "work projects by committee", it took a little more time than we expected. However, it is done, and we can move onto other projects now.

Now, I am working on finishing a basement bathroom, and hoping to get some quilting done soon. I also have several baby receiving blankets to make -- I know a few expectant mothers and grandmothers. I hope to share something again soon.

Keep on quilting and creating!

More Ceramics Revealed

I finished my 10-week course in Ceramics. These are the items I made in the last half of the class. I really am beginning to enjoy this, and to feel I can do it. I know I have lots left to learn, but I love the results so far.

I know that my success in this class (I consider it a success), is due to a very kind and patient instructor, Beth. I am amazed how she can show and talk you through a project, and she is very complimentary of our efforts.

One thing I have learned from taking this class is "Creativity Takes Courage". One student is very creative in her work of hand-building, and takes a great deal of time to work on each project. In this studio setting, courage is easy. There is no criticism of anyone's work, and there is much sharing of ideas and skills. Beth even asked me to share some of my quilting with her, and then she had me share it with others. This was an amazing experience.

I have in my heart a great desire for creativity. Sometimes I just don't know enough about techniques, but many times I am afraid. I am trying to not be afraid. I also would never want to say something to someone else that would cause them to be afraid to share their creative efforts. It is a better thing to appreciate others' efforts and encourage Courage.

Enjoy your creative day!