Quilt Show Post-Mortem

It was a wild and wonderful weekend. Tomorrow is my surgery and I’m going in feeling very upbeat and relaxed. I spent the weekend working in the “Our Quilting Heritage” exhibit at the quilt show. It was very, very popular. We had a number of antiques (plus the fairy quilt “Dreamweaver” on display along with demonstrations of how to properly hand quilt for tiny tiny even stitches (I learned a lot), operating a treadle machine, and crazy quilting. I got to spend the whole weekend discussing my favorite subject. There was enormous interest in crazy quilting

I had four quilts entered. One challenge and the three others allowed for guild members. I won a first in mixed media small, a second in abstract non-representational, the third in the challenge that was already displayed at the library…and one disqualification. On “Neptune’s Garden” the judge said that the definition of a quilt is three layers of fabric held together with thread…and I thought “well hell, that’s the last time I spend a week hiding my tying”. LOL

She did go on to note the yellow submarine and that the embellishments were extremely well done. I actually got very good comments and now know what I need to concentrate on for my next quilt.

Overall it was the best show I have entered or attended to date. Had a wonderful weekend.

Fabric Chicks has asked if they can hang my quilts in their booth at the Sewing Expo in Reno next week…so they will be displayed there. I hang out in Beth’s shop quite a bit and teach there every month so I figure this is another good chance to get my work exposed.

	Arachnophobia II: The Sequel
	Pickled Ginger
	Loyann (on the treadle) and me

A Wonderful Antique Crazy Quilt

 

Here are some wonderful pictures taken by Janie Cattoor of Douglas County, Nevada. This is a crazy quilt made by Anna Emma Gavin who was born in 1857 in Kentucky and died in 1940 Montana (I bet she had some stories to tell!). The names embroidered reflect members of Anna’s family. The designs that she embroidered came from a watercolor book. The quilt was made in and dated 1888.

This beautiful quilt is in the guardianship of Anna’s niece, Doris Bennet of Genoa, Nevada. She received it from her father in 1987.

So many things, so little time

This has been the month of disasters. The hot water heater died…and of course, it is one that is very difficult to find. Lowe’s tells me it will be twice as much as we were originally quoted and then it will be six to eight weeks before we get it. Thank You Champion Homes for selling me this piece of crap home. Nothing fits. Nothing is standard size and if you do try to fix something it breaks something else. And yet I keep making payments…oh, and then the oven went out and the dryer went out and the truck broke down. Oh and I have to pay my portion for surgery in cash this week. I’m standing in the middle of this and every time I think this has to be the last of it, something else happens. Sigh. I know I will live though heating water on the stovetop sucks big time.

I’ve been busy too. I’m working on some mermaids blocks.

 

Buffalo Gals won 3rd place from what I’ve been told. Just didn’t have time to drive to Fallon for that show. Maybe next year. My challenge quilt, Quixotic Obsession won a third also. I have three other quilts entered in the Carson Valley Quilt Guild Show, plus the fairy quilt will be on display in the quilting heritage exhibit. That will be five of my quilts on display. I have also been asked to demo my sewing in the exhibit and answer questions both days…..so I’ve dug out a silk blouse that I haven’t fit in in years and making a simple black skirt and maybe I will even dye my hair for the occasion.

I’ve started a new spider web and bugs quilt for the demo because the spiders are always so impressive to everyone.

Happy Adoption Day Chinky!

Chinky joined our family 4 years ago today. He must be 8 or 9 years old now. In the time he has been with us he has learned to imitate the sewing machine, a wolf whistle, and…a car alarm. Even older birds can learn new tricks. LOL

    

Catching up all around

As I sit here writing this, Chinky is trying to squeeze his head between my hand and the keyboard. Poor little guy is molting and getting pinfeathers. He is desperate for someone to scratch him all the time.

Finally I have Buffalo Gal backed and bound. Need to have it done this weekend. All it needs is the label. Could have sworn I printed one, but I can’t find it. I’ll have to print another. I have it saved on the hard drive on the other computer. I should go ahead and make the label for Arachnophobia:The Sequel while I’m at it. I plan on backing that one this weekend.

 

 

	The Theme is “Under Western Skies” for the Nevada Quilt Guild Challenge. The western prairie wouldn’t be complete without some wild flowers.
	Cowboy Gals all in a row. A herd of four buffalo nickels. Would have been more, but I didn’t get it done in time.
	Penny centered shisha sunflowers with Chenille petals.
	The moon and stars because the songs goes something like “Buffalo Gal won’t you come out tonight and dance by the light of the moon”.

Catching up with TAST this weekend. Put the detached chain and chain on the same page. This challenge is pushing me to look at variations. I really need that.

No Time for TAST

Well, like always happens…I have great plans for “Take a Stitch Tuesday” and everything else gets in the way. I do plan on picking it up and playing catch up later this spring. Right now I am preparing for the three quilt shows in Northern Nevada.

I just finished Carson Valley Quilt Guild’s Challenge “A few of my favorite things”…and got third place! The quilts were voted on by the guild. Now it’s currently hanging in the Carson City Library.

The quilt is called “Quixotic Obsession”

Right now I’m working on the Nevada Quilt Guild’s Challenge “Under Western Skies” and this quilt is called “Buffalo Gal Won’t You Come Out Tonight”. It will be three blocks where I sew the backing together and piece over the seams to make it feel like one piece. I’m currently working on block three (yes, I number them) and am piecing blocks one and two together. Need it done in two weeks.

I just finished Pickled Ginger and just need to put the sleeve and label on it. I just finished reorganizing my sewing room and can’t remember where I put the label…sigh. That’s nothing new.

And of course the week is not complete without Chinky helping me clean the sewing room. Poor thing is so distressed by change. I think he believes he is going to a new home every time I move furniture.

Take a Stitch Tuesday Week 7–Detached Chain Stitch

Well, I find myself short on time. I realized that I have about 6 weeks to get a challenge quilt dome for the Nevada Quilt Guild’s show in Fallon, Nevada. The theme is “Under Western Skies”. So I find myself very short on time for other things. I am putting the binding on “Pickled Ginger” when I have a few moments here & there I put a couple of stitches on the back.

A-n-y-w-a-y….I haven’t had time to do my stitches on the pages like I planned. So here is what I have. From the challenge quilts I am working on:

I’ll try harder this week. I promise.

The Massage Therapist grabbed ahold of my tendon while I moved my shoulder into place. Talk about painful! I have bruises. I did feel it go back into place…what a relief! Sure beats surgery. He did tell me I had torn another tendon that held this one in place and so now I have to be careful in how I extend my right arm. Sure is nice to be able to use it again.

My helper, Chinky, is here trying to insinuate himself between me & the keyboard. Pretty soon he’ll climb up on my shoulder and bite my ear. I tried showing him other cockatiels on you tube (that always excited the other birds), but I guess since he is unaware he is a bird so I guess it’s not a biggie to him. He does like his own videos…..runs over to the computer to listen to himself.

Take a Stitch Tuesday – Chevron…and stuff

My Chiropractor says that my bicipital tendon has “jumped out of its groove”. It’s a whole new level of pain management. Of course it’s my right arm and I am very right handed. The doctor didn’t even charge me (wow) and recommended a sports massage therapist and warned me “it’s gonna hurt like hell”. Really?

So I call this therapist and when I tell him the problem he hesitates…then says “did the doctor say anything about it?” Sigh….he says the procedure us one of the most painful he does and makes grown men cry. That's something to look forward to (we really need a sarcasm font). So Tuesday I get my first hour of torture. My alternative is an MRI and surgery. Those may still me in my future if he’s not successful in reseating it.

Take a stitch Tuesday week 6. This is an easy stitch…lots and lots of variations and I know I’ve only scratched the surface. Can’t believe I made it….bring on week 7!

Take a Stitch Tuesday–Herringbone…and stuff

Here are my stitches for week 5. Always a fun stitch, but I never really go “outside the box” on this one.

Been quite a week and I’m sooo glad the caucus is over. It wasn’t as bad as I expected. I was bracing myself for the very worst they could throw at each other. Living in the state capitol makes it so much worse. Mud slinging seems to be a sport here. I hardly turned on the TV this last week.

Yesterday I went to the annual 4H Rummage sale and came home with bags and bags of crazy quilt goodies. Bags of beads and broken jewelry. A cream silk scarf that is huge! trims and goodies. I go back this morning to see if the cabinet that I liked is still there. JoAnn’s has thread for half price anyway…so that’s another excuse to go out.

Pickled Ginger is on the table for basting this morning. Need to get it done before the edges ravel to nothing. This seems to be the one that everyone wants to see.

I gave the little blue fairy to my friend. It was made from a picture of her grand daughter. I took her for surgery that day and she showed it to all the nurses. Now people want my business card. I’m not prepared for this. All the nurses want one (or more). I’m not quite sure how I will handle this…but I guess I need some business cards….

And here is Chinky in his morning preening watching over the Pickled Ginger process. I never bother to close the cage anymore. He knows when bedtime is. I have bowls with treats or food in several places around the sewing room to promote natural foraging behavior. He is a total member of the family. Biggest problem I have is when he tries to follow someone out the front door. He gets so upset when anyone leaves the house. Stands at the door and screams. Silly bird.

Pigtales and Quilts: Calling ALL Crazy Quilters!! - Are You Getting Ready For The Show?

Pigtales and Quilts: Calling ALL Crazy Quilters!! - Are You Getting Ready For The Show?

How can I not post this?

Take a Stitch Tuesday–Cretan Stitch

This week was the cretan stitch. I could do this stitch with variations all day. So much variety….so many choices!

My help this morning…and when I play it back on the computer, he runs over and does it again. He can keep this up all day.

Today I will finish my calendar quilt for class, I will work on the CQJP block….and I will clean the pantry out. Anything that I will never use that hasn’t expired will go to the local food bank.

TAKE A STITCH TUESDAY–FEATHER STITCH

 

The feather stitch is a fun stitch. Not quite as many variations came to mind as the buttonhole…but close. I think I will revisit the fly stitch in a week or two. I don’t think I did as well on that stitch because I wasn’t yet in “the mode”.

Finished work this weekend

I managed to finish the blue fairy. I’ll give that as a gift after I show it at the guild meeting tomorrow night and the crazy quilt club next weekend.

	<---- One of Crazy Judyth’s Dragonflies!

Next on the hit parade: I finished the guild challenge quilt. Haven’t named it yet. Nothing is jumping out at me yet.

I’ve nearly finished the top for my class. Calendar quilt with a valentine’s day theme. Started my Crazy Quilt Journal Project. All and all a very productive weekend. And all with the help of Chinky: