Journal Square

I have been trying to make myself create journal squares. I am going to set a goal of making an 8 x 10 square each month. Now by telling all of you about my plan I hope you help keep me on track. Making these squares seems to help me challenge myself. This square was a bit like a crazy quilt but I took some illustrations and printed them on muslin with my printer which was very fun. I also used one side of a zipper to add a bit of texture and I like the way it worked. Do any of you make journal squares for a challenge? I would love to hear what you do to test new ideas?

My Hoya

I have a Hoya which is growing in my sun room. I have had a small one for years and it never bloomed and now I have a much larger one that was given to us when we arrived in Gold Beach. It is full of blossoms and I have had more fun watching them bloom. The photos show the progression. They are such strange little things.
This photo is my favorite. I love them when they have just opened and the pedals have a curl on the end.

I hope all of you had a great weekend. I had a wonderful one.

Weaving with Salvages

A couple of weeks ago I received some salvages from Chris over at Dye Candy. I have been working and decided to weave them.
This is how they are coming together. I am thinking I will baste them and try and quilt them in a mini quilt. I will post more as this progresses. I love the colors of all of this fabric.

Seattle

When Mark and I were in Seattle a few weeks ago I purchased a painting from an artist on the street. This is it. I thought it was the coolest painting. I just framed and hung in in my sun room and am loving it. The artist said his name was Danny May. I am so glad I picked this up. It was a steal. He wanted $20 dollars for it and it is about 18 x 24.

Now I have a great souvenir of our trip. I just love local art.

Celtic Knot

Here is my completed Celtic Knots. There are 3 of them on this piece. It was made with 1/4 in bias tape which I cut and pressed. It was very fun to sew. I learned many things doing this piece. For example it really makes a difference what size needle you use when doing hand work. I had no idea that such a simple thing could make things so much more enjoyable. I had a great time doing this now I need to decide what to do with it. The original intent of the class was to make it into a table runner and as I worked on it I decided I really did not want anyone spilling coffee or wine on this so what should I make it into? I have thought of a long narrow pillow but I am still unsure. Please let me know what you think.

I am also planning on hand quilting in a grid pattern. In working on this piece I found out I really enjoyed the preciseness of this kind of work. I have been thinking about how to incorporate this into something a bit less traditional.

We are having a beautiful weekend. I am planning on going to Ashland for a few days and visit my Son so I will not be online but will return later in the week. Have a great week.

Mail

I got a very cool box in the mail yesterday. It contained this bag. My birthday is coming up and my sister sent this wonderful recycled bag. It is made from recycled rice sacks and haul bags. As you can see it is very well made and will be fun to use.
Thanks Karen. I also want to share Karen's exciting news. She was able to get her driver's license back and is loose on the streets. Watch out. :-)
Now this little pile of loveliness arrived in the mail from Chris over at Dye Candy.
She offered these salvages for anyone who wanted to pay the postage and I was fortunate enough to be the first visitor that day. I am working with them and trying to weave them. As soon as I have something worth sharing I will post them. The photo does not do the colors justice. They are lovely and they feel nice too.

She is also hosting a giveaway so go and visit and you will not be disappointed.

I'm Back!

I am so very excited my new computer arrived yesterday and it works! I have missed blogging and my regular routine of reading all of your blogs.

I have been working, walking and playing. I have also been assembling my 9 patch. The photo is not the greatest since it is very foggy here this morning. I will try and take another photo when the sun comes out. I am really liking how it is coming together. I put a strip of squares midway through the quilt to break up the monotony. I am also planning on a pieced boarder. I was going to make this a lap quilt but it is growing larger and larger. It is going to be a queen size quilt. I am wondering about my sanity when it comes to quilting this but it might be time to go for it!?

I am off to work today and had better go, thanks for those of you who have been patient with me in my absence. Things are now going to get back to normal.

Still Waiting

New Computer has been ordered

I am pleased to announce that we have ordered a new computer. I am missing having one to use on a regular basis. It will be a week or more before it arrives so my posting will be a bit spotty. I am never sure when I can post.

There is one good thing about not spending so much time on the computer. I am on my third week of walking every morning with my furry friend. I have been feeling very good about this. It is good for me and the pooch. I usually walk on the beach but if it is too foggy or windy we just walk in town. I have had a very hard time motivating myself to do this. I have always had a friend to walk with and have not found a walking buddy yet, but if I can get into the swing of this it won't matter.

I have been doing a bit of sewing. I have started to assemble my 9 patch squares and will share photos as soon as I get the new computer so I can download photos again. Yippee!! Won't be long now.

Hope all of you have a great rest of your week.

Happy 4th

Here are my babies in 2000 when we took a family trip to Washington DC. It was a very fun but cold trip. We went in April and spring had not sprung yet.

Thinking about our nation on it's birthday made me remember this trip. It was something I will always be thankful that we were able to do with the kids. I hope they have some good memories of this trip. Have an wonderful and safe weekend.

Confusion

I am so confused by this computer and the way it is acting. I shut it off for 2 days and just left it alone and this evening I thought I would pull the battery and try it again and guess what. It is working. I do not get it!!! I guess it may be time to place an order on an inexpensive new laptop. But in the meantime I am going to be able to read all of your blogs and see what all of you have been up to.

Have a wonderful 4th. Ours will be a quiet one.

Computer is gone again!!!

I am sorry to say the old computer is dead... I am not sure when I will be back and running again but I think we will have to order a new computer. So please excuse my absence for a bit.