WHO KNEW?!

After 13 years of use, we had to replace our kitchen faucet.  Honestly, I'm just enamored with this touch faucet.  How did I ever live without this convenience!

I know this isn't fiber related.....oh well......if one has to be in the kitchen..you might as well have some fun!

SILVER DOLLARS

Feels good to finish another project.

SILVER DOLLARS- 12" x 18"

AVAILABLE HERE

Silk noil hand-dyed in iron water, layered sheer motifs, hand embroidered, machine appliquéd & quilted.  Prepared for hanging.

PROCESS CONTINUES - SILVER DOLLAR PLANT WALL ART

I'm slowing making my way back into the studio as some of the pressing home projects are now completed.  Of course the list never ends but for my mental health.....studio time is necessary too..... I know you all understand that!!

 Blanket stitching around each motif with Sulky Rayon Embroidery thread is slow going, but the results are worth taking the time to do achieve a tidy finish.

 Now some handwork will begin....still my favorite part of any project.

....Several trashy Bravo TV shows later and I'm onto the next step: sandwiching the top with batting and backing, outline machine quilting, and perhaps some more background hand embroidery....stay tuned.

CULLING THE HERD

We've spent years haunting flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores and shows collecting cow creamers.  At one point our collection grew to over 250.  Our move from Wisconsin to North Carolina forced us to find homes for some but still we were left with 183 that had been individually wrapped and stored in plastic bins for the 13 years we've lived here.

It was a chore that took many days to unpack, sort, clean, photograph, and put up for sale.  Happily.......they now all live in someone else's pasture.  We were a tad teary eyed as truly we really enjoyed the hunt....but one needs to get practical and we are patting ourselves on the back for this accomplished....OH WAIT.....MARY is patting herself on the back.  "The husand' only grunted.....didn't participate.....don't say as I blame him.

Next I'm working on the 250+ Excellence Porsche Magazines......We own ALL of them from day one...even though now are now impossible to get.  Anyone collect Porsche memorabilia?!?

DRIVE/HIKE/DRIVE/DINE

Our local PCA group, Appalachian Region of the Porsche Club of America is very active.  Some PCA chapters are all about competition events.....ours thankfully is about enjoying our vehicles, the awesome driving experiences available here in the Asheville, NC area, and time with other members.  This past holiday weekend we gathered to enjoy a Drive/Hike/Dine outing.  

Personally I was a bit concerned that the roads and locations stops would be too crowded to allow groups of 10 cars places to park but we got an early start to the day and everything worked perfectly.

My photo account is lacking.....blame it on being caught up in the enjoyment of the day.  Here's a short overview.

Our route

 Parking lot meet up.  Heading out after our 'safety' instruction briefing.

It was such a pleasant day to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway with its slower speedway......allowing more time for rubber necking.  Did you know the Parkway restricts more than 10 cars traveling in a group?  That's why we had to break up into several sections, staggering the start times.

 Graveyard Fields -  Upper Falls

 View from Devils Courthouse

 Long distance view of the fabulous cars...so many I couldn't even get them all in the photo.

We were assigned a sunny spot so out came the flag we use as a dashboard protector.

SILVER DOLLAR PLANT

Yikes, I've hardly entered my studio for 2 weeks....we are knee deep in home projects.  You know....those annoying small tasks that are so easy to put off till one day you can't any longer.

But to prevent too much whining on my part, I did sneak in some time to begin a small wall art quilt.

I've started with a piece of white silk noil that had been accordion folded, tied, and soaked in iron water to add color and pattern.  I love the texture of silk noil and am always smitten by the warm color that iron water adds to fabric.

After stabilizing with a lightweight non-fusible, a few sparse branches were fused in place and secured with machine stitching.

 Two off-white sheer fabric layers have been sandwiched with fabric "seeds' and now placement auditioning begins.

More rearranging......when ultimately satisfied they will be secured using a blanket stitch and additional hand embroidery....and of course some background stitching.  Stay tuned...I'm headed to do some rug shampooing.....yuck!

THE PASSING OF A LEGEND

THE BEST OF THE BEST

MEMORIAL DAY 2019

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." Elmer Davis - Director of the U.S. Office of War Information during World War II.

Whether your tribute is big or small.....take time to remember the fallen.

CAROLINA HURRICANE QUILT PROJECT

I'd like to share photos of my finished string quilt made for the Carolina Hurricane Quilt Project.  The generosity of the quilt community never fails to amaze me!

My piece was quilted by Boni Lochner who resides in South Dakota. Imagine that......someone who has no connection to our region donated her time and considerable talent to this project!  I just love how the quilt turned out....the quilt motif is exactly right.  With deep appreciation and respect.....I salute Boni.  

She offers custom long arm quilting, if you are in need of this service please contact me and I will put you in touch with her. 

RED-CROWNED CRANES

Just finished "Red-Crowned Cranes", though this is not a decent photo. I need to reshoot when we finally get sunshine again.  Plus, find a location that better suits the piece than my too small design wall...BUT...you get the idea.

RED-CROWNED CRANES -  58" x 47"

Available Here

Machines stitched cottons, quilted with metallic thread.

Linking to:  Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Sarah's Whoop Whoop Friday.