Finished in December

Hopefully this one won't be the last--we'll see. DH gave me the fat quarters for this 2 or 3 Christmases ago. It's from a Moda line I liked. And I practiced another edge to edge. This put me over 100 yards from stash. Hooray!

PS. Forgot to say the block is a monkey wrench set on point

It's beginning to look

alot like Christmas! This flamingo is the ornament my sister in law from Texas sent me for my birthday.
And I finally have a fireplace to hang the stockings. However, if Santa can squeeze down my stovepipe, he'll have a big surprise trying to get out of my fire box!!

Quilty update

Well, where to start?!? That's the trouble with long pauses between blog entries.... In October I went to the Northwoods Retreat in Homer. Had a blast, did some work (a top, 3 aprons, and lots of arranging and some making of military donation blocks.)
In November, a dear friend came over and showed me how to do an edge to edge the easy way (Becca wasn't here to lead me through the ropes of a new machine!! waaah!). So this one is finished. It was leftovers I cobbled together from an inset circle class with the intention of practice quilting. I am also in the middle of many more, (of course!!)

Deck update

Oh My Goodness!! Things have changed! But it HAS been over 2 months... Ooops!

On my deck

are these lovelies.. Summer is finally here!

Gifts

from Becca!! Photos as promised.... She made these awesome necklaces with her own two little hands, and they are superb!! (and green!!) She also sent me a very modern tray and votive cup centerpiece. I need to get some candles for them as our days are getting shorter :( and it is time to break out the light. Thank you so much Becca--I LOVE them! ( By the way, saw Jer at Mykles last Tuesday night.)

Another job

associated with Lith. If we had to do this by hand, we might get more exercise, but this log splitter is the only way to go!! 2 weeks worth of wood in 20 minutes....and all i had to do is operate the lever! Well, then there IS bending over, picking up, bending over, stacking, bending over, taking into the house, bending over.....

Lith

is what I named our new soapstone wood stove. When he is used this winter, I will only have to burn 2 loads a day and the whole house will be heated. We still have to finish the tile around him. Ain't he a big boy?!? And the lizard (AKA moi) can snuggle up to him on the bench and warm my bones!!

And I received a wonderful package from Becca--but that's for another posting after pics are taken. She absolutely blew me away with the gifts she made!! They are beyond fabulous!!

I'm a slug

and I have no valid excuse. I think I have the lazies. all I do is lounge around unless I'm at work or church. I have no ooomph.
So I will show you the fabric tulip I painted in a class last month--I cannot take credit for the drawing of it--Trish Stuart whipped it out in less than 10 minutes; in fact, I believe it was closer to 5!!
Hopefully I will find some ambition this week.

Cold summer plants

My lilac bushes have never looked so good! They must like to be shivering! The peonies always do well since they are snuggled up against the house on the south side. (also this is the first year for the dark one and she was ready to bloom when planted!!) the light one is absolutely loaded with LARGE buds.

Fabulous ink class

I attended a great class taught by Trish Stuart today. She will be teaching 4 more classes, as our Quilting on the Kenai featured artist and teacher. She is the nicest lady---a lot of fun and my kind of gal! I didn't get a photo of any of my attempts (After I get them closer to a finish--and much more practice!! you MAY see them). Here are just a couple: There were 21 ladies in the class, and as you can tell, there were a few artists in the group!
I'll tell you about the Art to Wear Fashion Show at a later date. I'm hoping to snag a photo from someone that was there as a spectator. I was one of the many models and have to say, one of my outfits was......well, you'll have to wait!!!

Gertie's Playground

Well, it's not done, but it is what it is!! The space in front of her that is now housing a table and my ironing board will be my scrap booking counter eventually. I think the rest will work as is, if not, it can be rearranged except Gertie is in the only space that she will fit!

Gifts part II

I have been sloughing off on the blog updates. Mea culpa! Here are the photos promised eons ago. Fabulous souvenirs, huh?!? My sister loves me. The gown feels wonderful, as only silk can, and it's cut on the bias, so just flows . The pearls are drop dead gorgeous. I admit it, she spoiled me!

Gifts galore!

I have been blessed with goodies in the mail! From my SIL (the one we saw in Houston in
April) I received these cute Flamingo corn stickers--but as she suggested, I am gonna put them in my plants so I can enjoy them.
And from my sister, I received this VERY CUTE bag and souvenirs from China, which will be shown in another post. (They are very awesome!) So I scored big time . I'm smiling.

Oh! For crying out loud!!

It's June 7th!! Already! I have been busy setting Gertie up ( or rather DH has!) and working 3 days a week to get ready for the Quilting on the Kenai Quilt Show. Also found a home for Henrietta--she now lives with the nice ladies from Kenai Piecemakers who make charity quilts.
Photos of my rearranged studio will happen once I get it organized and clean. Gertie is a much bigger girl then Henrietta--the 2 feet in length is nothing compared to her extra large girth!!!