Warm days, hoops, owl, and a hat

 

Today is a very warm end-of-January day - an unusual 70 degrees.  (yes, while the East part of U.S. is buried with storm Juno!, we are sitting outside, enjoying the warmth)  Do you see what is in the middle of this green foliage?  8-)))  We haven't seen this owl for a long time - they apparently like another roost better than this one in my yard but, for now, here he/she is!  

Here is an almost- finished quilt top, a scrappy T-block.  The Z setting really coordinates all the scrappy fabrics.  I will put a plain border on it, then hand quilt.  ( haven't figured how to edit it)

For my husband's birthday I had a silver hatband made for his favorite hat.  The size had to be modified several times.  The element of surprise was lost because measurements had to be taken with his hat on his head.  He likes it!

Below is the 14 inch beautiful quilting hoop that just arrived from Barnett Quilts.  Oh my, it is a beauty.  My father always told us to purchase good tools.  8-))  Mr. Barnett has a wonderful variety of items, but I wanted just the hoop.  I can't wait to get a quilt in it!  It's a piece of art in itself. 

I am still wandering around, trying to use the camera disk in the laptop - I only accidently got these loaded, not sure how I did it.  Very annoying! 

Friends Visiting, more Quilting

A while ago, "someone" brought a big box of unused threads to our local quilting group.  Some of us grabbed it, wondering what those threads would turn into.  Well, here are my 2 beginnings of "something" ... it looked kinda jewel-like, as some of the threads were glitzy.   We layered a LOT of threads over batting that was laid on a backing, then threads, then tulle and quilted a LOT over it all. The brown/pink one was machine quilted with invisible thread, and turquoise one was quilted with regular thread, straight lines.  I didn't like the obvious lines as much as the one quilted with invisible thread.

Remember my owl?  I always thought he looked kinda jewel-like - so little, perfect, almost impossible to see.  Our local group is meeting soon and we said we each had to make "something" with our thread project.   

Here is my project, not yet finished, needing some dimensional leaves or ??? .  Yes, his head and body and wings were made from my thread project above.  His feet was tiny flowery fabric - perfect!  The pine branches are just for effect.  I plan on hiding little owl behind leaves, but I don't think I am able to replicate pine needles - might have to make regular leaves.  I've never done anything like this before - it was kinda fun - can't say it's very "arty" but it was an interesting start.  

Friends from Illinois visited last week and THEY liked the (real) owl as well.  

I HAD to bring my friends to Carhenge, our only tourist attraction (?).  While the cars appear to have been "arranged" after a family wild party, they actually ARE arranged reminiscent of Stone Henge by a former land owner who is not only highly educated and brilliant, but is a world traveler and was very familiar with the real Stone Henge.  mmmmmmm   It's surprising how many tourists visit this quirky stop.

Don't take my picture!!!!

Back to my quilting - here is the back of Bright Maverick Stars.  Even the back has patchwork on it!

The day was warm, I could hear birds singing -- what a nice project.This time I did not put the extension on the table legs and just sat down and basted.  Worked fine.

 Here are the heavy orange clamps I use to simply weigh down the backing.  They are waaaay too hard for me to use for clamping on the table, but the weight of them holds the backing just taut enough -- best solution so far!

 Happy Quilting!

Owl Substitute

My friend in Illinois, a friend since High School, sent me a birthday box, full of surprises - I've told everyone about our owls, and she remembered that the screech owls seem to have chosen a home elsewhere. She is so thoughtful, and sent me this version to give me smiles.

I'll settle for this cute owl substitute.

Our little back yard still looks good, probably the last good photo before fall.