I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted and I have a hundred excuses (none of them noteworthy).
Our much loved Nugget developed cancer last year. We chose to care for him until his pain was no longer manageable. When his quality of life diminished, we had him put down. It was a hard decision but one I wholeheartedly believe was most humane. He is buried with his quilt in his favorite spot of the yard. I think of him and miss him every single day.
Between Quilt – finished 09/13/12
In September, 2012, I finished the ‘Between’ quilt. It has a 2″ black inner border and ‘piano keys’ outer border with rounded corners and is backed with beige squiggle wide fabric. It is hand quilted in a lattice design and now resides on my tall, queen-sized bed. It hangs 4″ from the floor all around and is wonderful as my newest bedspread. I’m enjoying it!
I decided to learn English Paper Piecing in making my next quilt top. It’s a ‘Grandmother’s Flower Garden’ without stones or paths. The main part of the top is finished but I’m undecided if it should have borders. It’s patiently waiting for a decision.
I’m now working on two quilt tops. The first is an English Paper Pieced ‘Tumbling Blocks-Star Layout’, made exclusively with batiks and black Kona fabric. It’s striking and I’m enjoying hand piecing it as I watch movies at night.
Quilting prior to binding and washing
For my February birthday, I purchased a Singer 301 sewing machine manufactured the same year I was born – L O N G ago. I absolutely LOVE it! I’ve been sewing away on it as I’m making 144 segments for a ‘Split-16’ scrappy quilt. The blocks are finished and I’m currently sewing them together and deciding how I want it to be bordered. I’m anxious to get it into the frame for hand quilting.
I’ve managed to sneak in a little travel since last posting. My brother, Jim, and I took his shiny new red Hyundai Tucson to Big Bend National Park, Big Bend State Park and to McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains. I was able to map a route that did not include any freeway – a nifty feat when traveling from east to west Texas! We saw lots of small towns and countryside and thoroughly enjoyed the stress-free driving trip. We will do it again!
Jim and I recently went on a short eating/gambling tour of southwestern Louisiana. We both love Cajun and seafood and Spring is the perfect season to enjoy these fresh delights. We took advantage of complimentary free rooms and gaming at L’Auberge and Coushatta Seven Clans casinos. While crawfish are still in season, we are planning to return in a few weeks. Crawfish Etouffee, here we come!!
Shirl