"Oh it looks so small"

Recently, we drove through Delavan, Wisconsin  and past Ted's home where he spent his childhood days. The inlet on Delavan Lake was a popular spot for him and his buddies.  I took this photo as he stood there for some minutes just looking at the lake.....and remembering.

Little Foot

In the last few years, my brother Charlie, has incorporated chickens in his back yard in Seattle.  Little Foot was a favorite.  Unfortunately she has gone to 'chicken heaven'.  

This photo was taken by my sister-in-law Marilyn.  I recreated it in fabric for his birthday.

Happy Homes

This project - highlighting the homes we have enjoyed since we married in 1971 - has been on my mind ever since we moved to Menasha.  First of all I wanted to include it in a large quilt.  Well.....this lovely home we now have is much smaller and fewer spaces to display a large project.  So I had to think small.  Finally I decided where it would hang and that would determine the final size.  I came up with a plan.  What fun it was to plan.....not to mention the trip down memory lane.  Each home....from our first apartment to our current home....has been a very special space for Ted and I.

Sunset on the Water

This pattern by Margaret Okuley was recently featured in McCall's Quilting Magazine.  I enjoyed the challenge and it's a nice reminder that warm weather is on the way.  When?  Not soon enough!

Patchwork Posies

Another unfinished project done! I found this pattern about 5-6 years ago and decided it was perfect to use to make a bed quilt with some vintage fabrics that were part of my mom's fabric stash.  I'm guessing the fabrics are 40--50's era and from cut-off scraps from a uniform factory in Evansville, Indiana.

Started the project, and worked on it off and on.  Pull it out, add a few more stitches and pieces and....back to the shelf.  Finally this winter as the snow falls and warm weather is months away, I decided to finish it...........as a wall hanging or mini quilt.  It is not the bed quilt I initially wanted to make, but at 48 inches square, it turned out well.....and FINISHED!

In Flight

Saw this "In Flight" pattern in a quilt shop in West Bend when I dropped off my machine for it's annual 1000 mile checkup.    I kept thinking about it.  Of course when I went back to pick up my cleaned machine, I was helpless....I had to buy it.

 

It found a home in the laundry room hanging on the huge metal safety pin.  It is next to a window, so when the light is off, the geese just seem to be taking off in flight!         

                                                                 

Sunset over lake

My first oil painting.   I took a class with a certified Bob Ross instructor.  She talks and demonstrates you through the whole process.  After 4 hours - you end up with a completed painting.....something like hers.

I just may try another one....another day.

Celery Boquet

It is a new year and time to try something different.  First I took an oil painting class.  Turned out pretty well. I'll share it with you after it dries and is framed.   Then I found a story in a magazine about using the base of a celery stalk as a stamp for flowers.  Had to try it!  Some acrylic paint, pigma pens, an upholstery sample for the vase (my sofa is a brown version of this print) and an unused frame with glass hiding in the storage room...TADAA!   Compostion may not be the greatest, but it sure was fun.

It's cold here and that means a lot of indoor time.  A big stack of UFOs (unfinished objects) are all yelling for attention, so the fabric and thread are flying.  Stay tuned and I'll share some of them.