Collaborating

I'm done collaborating for now. 

Here's my efforts all ready to mail off to Gaily. 

53 blocks, I got carried away and made too many. 

Of course I did. 

Here's what it looked like on my design wall. 

This quilt is going to huge. 

Gail will add hers to the pot and then we'll go from there. 

She will assemble it and I will quilt it. 

We're having some serious basement work next week. 

I'm glad these will be out of the house for that fiasco.

The dust will be monumental. 

I'm figuring out how to protect my precious stash. 

And my machines. 

We need to move. 

Last night we went downtown to Festa Italiano.

It was a beautiful night. 

Primetime Horns were playing.

This was the band at John & Jenns wedding. 

The lead singer was Jimmys gym teacher. 

They're very good. 

Twas fun. 

Be kind!

Inktense Pencils

Well, I've started yet another crazy thing. 

Im going to try my hand at painting fabric with Inktense pencils. 

I've got the zany idea of graffiti quilting on PFD fabric and then inking it. 

Tonight I made a sample piece. 

You can't tell the color by looking at the pencil. 

It needs the fixative to come to life. 

So, I spent the evening learning the colors. 

This took me 2+ hours. 

I also have Inktense Blocks. 

I suppose I'll have to make a sample piece with those, too. 

I need to get a life!

Here's the SLOW progress I've made on my collaboration quilt. 

The shoo fly blocks are easy to piece, but those 54/40s are a bear.

It's worth it, tho.

The quilt has great movement. 

Little Grace Vanderwahl won Americas Got Talent. 

She's only 12. 

She's very talented, and if Lincoln Bridge couldn't win, then I'm glad it was Grace. 

I worked at Francis House today. 

One of the residents, Harriet, is turning 100 tomorrow. 

She's been with us a long time. 

I hope to get up there again to wish her a beautiful day. 

I'm rambling, must be time for bed. 

Be kind....

34 Years

9/11 is kinda a crappy anniversary day - celebrating feels wrong after the WTC tragedy. 

Today marks 34 years of Murray & me. 

(he snapped this last week at the Daughtry concert)

Murray is kind and generous. 

I'm a lucky girl. 

We're just laying low today. 

Golf this morning and it's the start of football season.

He has now taken his spot in his chair with the remote at his side. 

My cup runneth over.  (read sarcasm)

It's also grandparents day. 

And it's our first anniversary as grandparents. 

Speaking of my favorite little person...

Yesterday, we had a couple of hours with our Nugget. 

She changed so much in 2 weeks!

(still teensy teeny tiny but she LOVES to eat)

She looks noticeably bigger and is blabbering on and on now. 

Quite a change from the serious, quiet peanut she was 2 weeks ago. 

I think it's the babysitter situation bringing her out of her shell.

The sitter has a 1 1/2 YO granddaughter named Ava. 

She sounds adorable, and clearly It agrees with Nugget. 

I can't explain what happens to my heart when I'm with her. 

Labor Day golf in Binghamton was fun. 

We went to the Colonial after golf for dinner. 

It's always fun to be with Jimmy. 

He's so entertaining. 

Not too much studio time cause of nice weather & lack of motivation. 

I've worked a bit more on my collaboration with Gail.

Here's what that looks like. 

Im about halfway done with my portion of the piecing. 

I thought I was going to hate the piecing, but it's a nice departure from my norm. 

I think I'll make another of this pattern, only scrappier, for one of the guest rooms. 

I think that's all I've got for now. 

Be kind!

Labor Day Weekend Quilts

I've been working on this since returning from FL. 

I have had lots of distractions, so I've not gotten very far. 

And peakies & spikes are tedious. 

I decided I needed some instant gratification.

So I made myself a table runner today. 

It's nice, but I still am blue missing Avy. 

I had hoped for a visit with her this weekend. 

Looks like it's not happening. 

Soon I will be cheered up, tho. 

Murray & I are going to the fair tonight. 

And tomorrow to Binghamton to see Baby Boy. 

We are going to play golf at Bing CC. 

Well, they will play. 

I will ride along and enjoy the sights. 

Be Kind...

NICU Quilts

Last night was the SWFQG meeting. 

I picked up 3 NICU flimsies from the charity table. 

I quilted them up on Lolita tonight. 

 The backs...

That green elephant with the bird on his head.....please?

Kelly services the NICUs at all the NYC hospitals. 

She's told me some stories that are so heartbreaking. 

The things these tiny babies & parents endure is hard to believe. 

And thier strength is overwhelming. 

If anyone needs a quilt, it's these young families. 

Earlier tonight I had a FaceTime with Nugget.

That baby is the apple of my eye!

She's fascinated by the iPhone, so her big, beautiful eyes were focused on the screen the whole time. 

And her hair is growing in.

And, she looks kinda like my Herman. 

Only petite

And girlier.

I haven't seen her in weeks, which makes me a little sad. 

Working on these NICU quilts tonight made me feel better. 

And so grateful for my healthy, perfect granddaughter. 

There's a stunning full moon tonight. 

Maybe that's why I'm so emo. 

Remember the kindness. 

Blue & White

I like a lot of color, so 2 color quilts are hard for me. 

But, I'm trying. 

It has to be scrappy. 

I'd fall asleep working with only 2 fabrics. 

I've been collecting blues with a nautical/beach theme for a couple of years. 

I decided to cut them up yesterday when I arrived in my paradise. 

I originally thought I'd make Philadelphia Pavement blocks. 

I made 2....

YUCK!  

These will join the orphans for sure. 

Since I've been crushing on Churn Dash lately, I decided to go that way. 

Here they are on my kick ass design wall. 

Much better. 

Plus, the ocean churns, which will make for a good name for the finished product. 

I'm not sure if I'll do positive/negative or add a different block. 

I'm going to sleep on it. 

In other news, I fixed the guest potty today. 

It was running so much that Gateway Water called us in NY. 

I replaced the flapper. 

By myself. 

Well, Leland showed me how but I went to Hone Depot, bought the right part & remembered what he told me. 

I guess I'm a plumber now. 

How awesome are the Olympics?

Michael Phelps and Simone Biles are machines!

I usually do not enjoy watching sports, but the Olympics are an exception. 

Must be my ADD tendencies are satisfied by the variety. 

Be kind whenever you can. 

Quiltweek Syracuse 2016

Sadly, 2016 is the last Quiltweek Syracuse. 

AQS has decided not to return. 

I think they tried too get too big.

And greed played a part, too. 

Anyway, my friend Gail had a quilt in the show. 

So she came and went to the show with me. 

It was an ok show. 

My favorite quilt was Karen Marchettis Lucille Ball quilt. 

No pictures...I was too busy gabbing with Gaily. 

Prickly Passion

I love this quilt!

We took a longarming class with Linda Hrka. 

She was a very good teacher. 

I'd take another class with her. 

Gail was a better student. 

She quilts on her DSM, but she's a natural with a longarm. 

Too bad she has no room for one. 

Gail turned me onto machine quilting many moons ago. 

It was great to spend a Quilty retreat with her. 

Kindness!

Dan's Graduation Quilt

Jimmys good buddy Dan graduated from Virginia Tech in May.

He's like family.

I love that kid. 

I pieced a churn dash quilt for him in Florida. 

I had every intention of quilting it sooner. 

But when I got home, I got busy. 

Being Mayzee

And Mom

And Mrs Murray

And the Orlando quilt happened so I had to meet that deadline 

And I was starting to get a social life

I'm nipping that in the bud 

Excuses Excuses

Anyway, I finished quilting it today. 

I used my longboard swirls cause I hope he'll use it a lot and it's a sturdy design. 

I used batiks, Blues & Oranges cause he loves Syracuse athletics. 

And we live in Syracuse & I want him to come visit us. 

And Virginia Tech colors really don't speak to me. 

Don't judge. 

Here's the front

The back is a brown paisley. 

Let's see how long it takes me to get a binding on this puppy.

When he finally gets it, I hope he likes it!

Kindness!

#quiltsforpulse

The Orlando MQG is collecting quilts for the victims, families & survivors of the Pulse tragedy. 

They suggested a block, and requested rainbow colors.

I decided to donate. 

It's finally finished!

The front...

And back...

I'm so glad I participated.

It was really a healing experience.  

All this violence has been taking a toll on me.

This quilt made me feel like I was helping in some small way. 

My friend Barb sent me 6 blocks, which allowed me to make a big snuggle quilt.

I had used the backing fabric in a previous quilt and really wanted it for this project.

I was so happy to find enough to construct the back. 

I quilted it with fans cause I thought it resembled a rainbow shape. 

And I used a solid black binding to show respect for those who lost their lives that horrible morning. 

I'm shipping it off to OMQG in the hope that an aching heart will get some comfort from my work.

REMEMBER TO SHOW KINDNESS WHENEVER YOU CAN!

The return of Barbgello

Barbgello is back!

Only this time, she's hanging in a museum in Allentown!

Here's a picture of Barb, and her Barbgello. 

I got credit on the write up. 

Tim says this makes me famous. 

I see so many longarmers get furious when their clients don't give them credit for thier work at shows and exhibits. 

I never have had that problem. 

I only quilt for friends, cause I'm lazy. 

And I wouldn't care if I didn't get mentioned, cause for me, it's about enjoying the process. 

But, I must admit, it does make me feel good that my friend acknowledged my small part in this beauty. 

Congratulations, Barb!

After MANY practice pieces, I've loaded my #quiltsforpulse quilt onto Lola-baby.

Lola has been a very good girl, I think she's happy I'm here. 

Hoping to get my mojo back....the summer is hard cause I'm here with my peeps. 

And it's nice out. 

And I'm a Mayzee.

Excuses...I'm full of them. 

Remember Kindness!

Progress

My dear friend, Barb, of IQF Houston fame, is sending me some blocks to use in my #QuiltsforPulse project. 

I've decided to wait for them to arrive before proceeding any further. 

Here's what I've got so far. 

When it comes to quilting, I do not enjoy following others directions.

I like to forge my own path.

But, I must admit, I'm loving working on this quilt.

The lack of creativity is completely overshadowed by the good feeling I'm getting.

There's been so much bad news, this work has been healing.

Every stitch makes me feel a little more hopeful.

Hopeful that this quilt will bring comfort to someone with unimaginable grief

             that our society will be more accepting

             that my kids & sweet Nugget will live in a better world

We all start out the same, full of innocence and love. 

What happens?

Quilts for Pulse

Feeling funky, trying to wrap my mind about the violence in Orlando. 

I've been scouring the net, looking for a way to help.

I found it!

The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild is organizing a quilt drive for the victims and thier families.

They are accepting whole quilts made of 10" heart blocks in rainbow colors. 

I've made 6 so far. 

I hope to make a whole quilt by the deadline. 

Of course, I don't know the deadline yet. As va. A

Here's the link, for my Quilty peeps, in case you also want to participate. 

Orlando Modern Guild

https://theorlandomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2016/06/donation-quilts-for-pride-orlando.html?showComment=1465859569520#c3833584559024867990

Cluck, Cluck Sew for block directions

http://cluckclucksew.com/2015/01/making-heart-blocks-in-multiple-sizes.html#lightbox/0/

If you only want to make blocks, the SFMQG is accepting blocks. 

Here's the link for that option. 

http://southfloridamqg.com/blog/quilts-for-orlando

Quilts are gifts of love, and no one needs it more than these folks.

Kindness...

More Silk Painting

I took Deb Cribes intermediate class today. 

Here's what I made. 

I picked up my coneflower painting from last week. 

Since I'm heading north soon, Deb will steam and set these dyes and mail me this one. 

It's a fun process and there are so many different things to learn. 

I really had a great time. 

Learning new things!

Kindness is always your best choice. 

Good Things

.Good things are happening. 

I finally assembled this...

I'll quilt it in NY and give it to a special grad. 

Hopefully I'll remember to post finished pictures.

And this is already quilted and bound for another special grad.

Watery blue & green batiks...Yummo!

This grad is an overachiever...I hope this quilt will always remind her to take time for herself. 

Of course, with the good, there's always a dibble of bad.

While binding this beauty, this happened. 

Yep...less than 2 inches left and my bobbin runs out. 

Just a reminder of why I need a binding fairy. 

Oh well, at least it's done. 

Kindness!

Painting Silk with Deb Crine

Have I mentioned I've been studying color?

And have been curious about making/dying my own fabric?

Well, I have. 

And there is a local color/quilt artist down here who's been holding classes on painting silk for quilts or scarves or anything you want to do with it. 

I've wanted to take her class, but I've always been busy on the days she holds them. 

Until yesterday. 

Yay!

Here's what I made.

Not bad for a first try. 

I loved the process. 

I learned a lot. 

I will quilt the snot out of it and hang it in the studio. 

Deb and her daughter Courtney are just lovely people.

I'm hoping to take her intermediate class next week.

Being a bit blue that my sister & Terry left....this was a perfect remedy.

Kindness!

Trip Around the World Quilts

I may or may not have overbought fabric for my Nugget's quilts. 

So, I made a couple of baby trips...

I mean, what else could I do?

Who doesn't love a trip around the world?

Quick to piece, fun to make and cute as can be!

One is a giftie for a Florida grandma to be. 

Hope she likes it. 

The other will live here and wait for my Nugget to visit. 

They are slightly different....Mimi & Terry helped me choose which to gift. 

Only the giftie is bound....

Where is that bloody binding fairy anyway?

Flamingo backing....be still my heart. 

Have I ever shared my love a tastefully tacky flamingos?

This is Philomena.

She lives on my lanai. 

But, I digress. 

As usual.

Kindness, folks!

Visit

In October, I ran into my old friend Gaily in Houston. 

She came to visit me this weekend!

It was really fun. 

I want to go visit her in Las Cruces.

I've never been there.

The moment I picked her up, it was like we were still living in A2.

We gabbed incessantly, drank lotsa wine, shopped a lot, did some quilt planning and Gail even took Lolita for a spin. 

She's a natural!

She made this flimsy in a scrap class and brought it along to try the longarm. 

She needed room in her suitcase for purchases so she left this quilt with me 

After I bind it, I will bring it north for Murray's Honor Flight quilt effort. 

We were so busy catching up, solving world problems and just having fun, I forgot to take more pictures. 

I took Gail to the airport this morning. 

Twas fun!

Quilt Update

I've been neglecting my blog. 

But, here a visual recap of my Quilty life.

At least part of it. 

I've really got to be better about photos. 

^^^my pimped out seam ripper^^^

There are others...but they have been released into the wild. 

Oh well.

I have no idea what all this underlining is about.

Kindness!