Two more

The hummingbirds are here in full force.  The Rufous are noisy and guard what they now claim as their territory--our two feeders.  I love to see them feeding from plants, and I hope soon, we'll have trumpet vine flowers for them.

I finished two more quilts for Dr. Kaufman, the last of the stack Patty E. gave me.  I have one more from Kathy F. to quilt, and two that I put together.   I used Feng Shui Fans panto from Dave Hudson and also  had a backing with fans for this top with Oriental fabrics. 

I used my other new panto, Pharoah's Collar from Judy Lyon.  I can't say enough about her designs.  I used to be intimidated by them, but now I revel in their complexity.  I do prefer them on solid colored backings where they'll be more visible.

Thanks to friends, specifically, Tove, I have a lot more tops to quilt before I have to resort to piecing more.  I received a box yesterday with ten tops she is donating to our cause along with a quilt for my longarm services.    

Sewvivor--hilda's hideout--Hilda

I've been looking for a challenge in my quilting work.  In looking over things I had made in the past, I felt they were a little more creative and I missed challenging myself.  On my early morning blog hopping I came across Rach's Sewvivor Season 3--Quilter's Edition.  I wasn't familiar with her previous season challenges, but this seems perfect for me.

Here is my audition, my just recently finished summer quilt.  I'd been meaning to make a summer quilt for our bed and finally got it done, using my recently acquired Kaffe Fassett stash.  

The stats:  The quilt measures 89 X 94" after shrinking quite a bit in the wash.  I used 100% silk batting which said should be dry cleaned only.  That's rather impractical and anyone who knows me, knows if it doesn't survive the washer and dryer, it doesn't last at my house.  I did take special care, washing it in cold water, and low heat drying.

I used 100% Egyptian cotton king size sheet for backing which was just a bit too short for the top, but I had quite a few flying geese leftover, and was able to use them to grow it some.  

I used Meadowlyon's Coils panto on it, and I love the texture it gave the quilt without standing out over the piecing.  I used So Fine thread on top and Fil-tec magna glide bobbin.  This quilt turned out light and perfect for summer.  This was my first experience with silk batting, and I love the loft of it.  

I hope I'm able to go on and compete in this!  I already have some ideas for some of the challenges!

 

 

More insects!

These two moths were hanging out on the garage wall.  I think they are a type of Sphinx moth.  They look like they'd blend in better in a more wooded area.  

I finished this great quilt from Kathy F.  I used my new Judy Lyon panto, Coils.  While it is very dense, it's not overly difficult.  The texture is wonderful.  

Our plants are doing well.  Finally the Spanish broom is flowering.  It really needs the protected east side of the house.  The gaillardia (blanket flower) beside it is a wild volunteer.  

The bird of paradise started blossoming.  I don't think it will ever get very large because of our winters, but at least it's surviving.  

 

Happy Fourth of July!

This was Pat's Christmas present.  Not an original idea--but borrowed from my friend Rosie with permission.  I have a little washboard to make one for me, but I have nowhere I can hang it.

I've been working on getting my summer quilt finished.  Just had the last border to do which I was too tired to do last night.  Being refreshed this morning didn't help me avoid several mistakes, and I'm reworking it for hopefully the third and final time!  

As I came out of the sewing room, this beautiful grasshopper was outside the door.  Daughter Lindsay was familiar with the breed, Dactylotum bicolor--Rainbow grasshopper, but this is the first one I've seen.  I'm not fond of bugs (major understatement) but admired this colorful guy.

Hallelujah!  We had two rainstorms in the past few days, first with a half-inch of rain, and last night with five-eighths-inch.  I hope it's the start of a real monsoon season.