Tile Fun, NOT

Good Morning, I spent the Labor Day weekend Laboring... I got the bright idea to remove the old dirty white, icky, sticky grout and replace it with a nice soft gray grout that will not show stains. I was shocked to find out the person who laid the tile originally did not use spacers and the tiles are too close together to use the grout removal tool I purchased. So I took out my trusty Dremel tool and went to work on the grout. After so much dust and grime I was able to remove all the grout. After the cleanup, I was able to grout with the new gray grout. I am very pleased with the results. It will be so much better to live with. I am not a real fan of the color of the tile but it is in good shape and now that it is not dirty it is not so bad. Next it will be time to remove the white grout between the white tiles on the floor and replace that with the same gray. Now who thinks white tile and white grout are a good idea on a Kitchen floor????

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend. I am preparing to head off to Colorado for work and pleasure next week. :-)

Paul Klee Revisited

I am back at it again....
I keep going back to Paul Klee paintings for inspiration. Last summer I attended the Sister's Quilt Show and won a Jelly Role of fabric. I have had it sitting in my studio waiting to do something fun with it. I thought of just using pieces of it but decided I really liked them all together, so I just would look at it, feel it and think, and think some more.

I was also looking for something to take with me on our trip to Sweden to work on. I needed to be able to pack it in a small space with a minimum of accessories. So I cut a section of each fabric and a piece of Kona gray for my background. Packed a small sissors few pins, needles and background colored thread. It all fit into a small zip-lock bag and I was ready to go. This is how my piece is coming so far. I have not added but a couple of pieces of fabric since we returned. but I am liking what I see... I have a ways to go and this piece will be going with me on my next trip.

Karen Kay Buckley Class

Back in July our Quilt Guild had Karen Kay Buckley come to Gold Beach and taught her process for applique. It was a full class and we all enjoyed Karen and her teaching. I was fortunate to spend some extra time with Karen and have dinner with her two evenings and walking on the beach after. She was very fun, and easy going.

Her process of applique is to use Templar templates and spray starch. I enjoyed learning her process. I enjoy using needle turn for my applique but I can see where by using both I can have my shapes more precise when needed. My favorite part was her process for circles. My circles have never been very precise now I can make the "Perfect Circle"

The photo above was the pattern we received in the class called "Garden Medley" I am using shot cottons in my piece.

HI, I am back...

Well, it has been a while, I have been working much more that I am used to so my time in the studio has become less and less. My blogging has suffered too. I have decided it is time to either not have a blog or make a commitment to it. I am going to start slowly. At a minimum I am going to post weekly to start. Since it has been over a month since I posted I figure that is a reasonable goal.
Life has been busy but good. I have been taking photos and walking on the beach when time allows. The above photo was taken a few weeks ago on an early morning walk at low tide. It was an incredible day and incredible place.
Now, I am going to share with you my first ribbon. I entered a few pieces in our local County Fair and got several blue ribbons on my pieces but got this fancy Judges Choice on my Calla Lilly. The ribbon is just about as big as my piece. It is nice to have this little bit of recognition. I tend to go off in my own direction and not everyone likes or understands my work, so this bit of recognition feels good. I like to think this is not very important but I guess it is.

Have a great day!!!

More of Sweden

This is our chief tour guide, our son Rick. He did a great job. It was fun to have this time with him!
This is the view of Stockholm from the Tower in City Hall. It was a long climb up stairs which the stairwell got smaller and smaller but the view of the City was incredible.


This was our Home away from Home. It was the cutest little summer home in a very beautiful area west of Stockholm.

Sweden

We had an incredible trip to Stockholm, Sweden and Iceland. Here are a few photos. I was fascinated and loved this country and especially the people!!! We were able to see Sweden with our Son who has spent a year here, and our exchange student Kristina and her family from 7 years ago. They all took such good care of us. The provided a place to stay, included us in their Mid-summer celebration and the list goes on and on! I have posted only a few photos at this point and took 1500 photos...
This was our view for Mid-Summer...

Sweden here I come!

I hope all is well with all of you and I hope you will excuse my absence. I have been preparing for a big trip. My husband and I are heading to Sweden to visit out son. He has been going to school over there this last year. I am so excited to see him and excited to see Sweden. I made myself a new carry on for the trip. This bag was made from an Amy Butler pattern and Ikea fabric. I am very happy with it. I scotch guarded it today so it will be ready for the trip.

While I was making my carry on bag, I decided I did not have a messenger bag that would hold my camera. So with the same fabric I made this. I will be quite the wild one. I am quite happy with it.
I also wanted to share this photo. I got it today, it is our son and daughter. She flew over to spend a bit of time with her brother and the two of them are running around Seville Spain. I was so happy to get a photo of the two of them having such a great time.

Now, this is my tinny weenie which is complete. I have finished the quilting and I am quite happy with the way it turned out. I did several new to me quilting. If you click on the photo you can see the stitching.

Well, I will be leaving in a couple of days, so this will be my last post until I return in July. I hope all of you are enjoying your summer so far and have some great adventures planned. ENJOY!!!