CONTINUED.....

.....CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY....

My friend Dort is a quilter and in some respects....lives a pioneer life.  Her home was built in 1880, and of course many updates have been made since then.  She got an indoor bathroom in the late 1970's!  

They have some space heaters, but the main heat source comes from this wood stove.

After lunch on Dort's deck, we unveiled our show and tell.  Lynn (on the right) shared a quilt that will be selling at one of the venues she works with.

Dort has her own studio which is above her husband's work shop in a stand alone building.  It's compact and jammed with supplies.  She's working on a vest made from upholstery fabrics.

The next time I even 'think' about complaining that there's not enough room in my studio.....I'll bonk myself on my head.  Dort's manages to do the most amazing machine stitching in this small space!

Next, we took a hike to the end of her property, into a neighbor's acreage where we all gawked at a really, really old log cabin.  Note the draw bridge....it spans between the door and stone steps....over an area which must have a small stream at times.  I wonder what the impact of that water must be on the cabin?  Look at the size of these logs....seriously, they are at least 16-20" wide.

Now, this is truly pioneer living.  I think I'd be forever constipated if this relic was in my world.

The property also had a fish pond....and of course we had to investigate.

Connie found this box turtle....after the photo session.....it was placed back where it was found.....headed in the same direction.  Apparently that's key....though none of us knew if this was folk lore or not.   

I'm finally settling in here.....experiencing different lifestyles and a new environment and best of all with new good friends.

FUN WITH FRIENDS

Today, members of our small bee -  PTA (Piecing, Talking, & Applique) met at Dort Lee's home......(look for her quilt juried into Paducah).  Her property is amazing.....52 acres completely off the beaten path.  Driving on a gravel road, (path??) you have to ford a creek to access this hidden area.

Notice her two cows grazing in the background......which we were told will be be in their freezer soon.

Wild flowers abound everywhere.

The creek that runs through the property is enchanting....I could have sat and listened to it all day.

This is a back view of her home which was built in 1880.  The original beadboard walls and ceilings are still in place.

SORRY DEAR READERS.....AFTER TRYING FOR AN HOUR, I CAN'T GET BLOGGER TO UPLOAD ANY MORE PHOTOS....TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW......

PLAYMATES

Despite my dread of these two wheeled vehicles.....'the husband' wore me down.  I finally relented and agreed not to put up a fuss if he purchased one.  He's thrilled....our area is motorcycle heaven.  Lot's of curvy roads with beautiful scenery.

However, I refuse to go along.  Our personable mail delivery gal teases us about my fear of the road.  Recently, she set my husband up on a blind date with a fellow midwesterner who is in the process of building a home nearby who was looking for a riding partner.  The 'boys' enjoyed their first date about a week ago.

David - aka 'the husband' and his BMW

Now David has two playmates.....our new friends Lee and his wife Janet, originally from Milwaukee.  They'll be returning to their lake home in Michigan in May until their mountain home is complete when they'll come back and live here full time.  (Clearly, Janet is NOT afraid of motorcycles!)

The weather has turned warm and beautiful.  Since the leaves are still not filled out, riding is a joy because you can see forever.  Unfortunately, David's 'seat time' is on hold.....he got called for jury duty and has been serving since Monday.  He's hoping to be released at the end of the week.  I'm trying to keep myself busy in my studio....yeah!!!!

GIVING

Thank you friends for sending birthday wishes my way.....really, I am very touched!

Our darling daughter-in-law Kelly, has a family tradition where in addition to perhaps receiving gifts, they also GIVE gifts on their birthday.  In that spirit, since 'the husband' was scheduled to give blood for our community Red Cross blood drive, I got up my nerve and became a donor for the first time.  It truly can be the gift of life for someone in need.  Frankly, I don't know why I've been such a chicken about it!

As a first time donor, I received a little thank you gift packet.  This is a really nifty insulated lunch sack......but I'll bet sewing tools would fit nicely, and they'd be well protected.

A refrigerator magnet, first time donor pin, and a donation calender were also included.  I was surprised to learn that while only 5% of eligible people actually donate, it's estimated that 95% of us will need blood in our lifetime.

PLEASE consider becoming a regular donor.  Visit the American Red Cross to find a donation center or blood drive near you.

LAUGH OUT LOUD!

My brother and his wife sent me this card.....truly LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY.  So, okay, it doesn't take much...but I loved the bovine theme.

Yup, today's a big milestone birthday....where did the time go??  Happy birthday Nancy.....I know you are nearby.

SMOKEY MOUNTAINS

We've been enjoying some much needed rain today.  The moisture brought us the conditions that helped to name this area.....Smokey Mountains.  What can often appear as smoke from a fire that creeps up and out of the forested mountains, is merely low clouds.

This photo was taken off our back deck in a north eastern direction.  The mountain is approximately 4,500-5,000 feet elevation.

Here's another view, perhaps a bit more dramatic.

Two of the three mountains to our south are obscured by the misty clouds.  More rain is expected tonight, but by tomorrow the temperatures will be nearly 70 degrees.  'The husband' is already planning a ride on his motorcycle.....while I'm going to work in my studio.  Life is good here in our mountain valley! 

GRAZING BACK IN WISCONSIN

After selling one of my favorite large quilts last year, I made the decision to find new homes for many more pieces.  We don't have room to display them and since most are highly embellished, they are too difficult to travel with.   More importantly, I'd really like to have them appreciated, instead of stored in our guest room.  

A collector in the Milwaukee area, whom I've known for ages, just purchased this fun little quilt. I couldn't be happier that it's finding its way back to Wisconsin....so it can graze with whatever herd it desires.

I've mentioned often about how working with a specific theme helps to generate ideas and even new techniques for me.  A bovine theme continues to make me smile and get my brain cells bouncing.

SPRING, SUMMER, WINTER, FALL

Designing around a specific theme or subject is my most common work style.  Why??  Well, basically, I have way tooooo many ideas pin balling around in my brain.  So, to help me focus, I narrow them down to a specific subject and then see how far I can take it. 

Several years ago, a beautiful oak tree that grew just off our wall of windows, overlooking the Sugar River in Brodhead, WI got my attention.  I recreated this mighty oak to reflect the 4 seasons.  Each piece is 22"wide X 27" high.

All are hand appliqued, hand & machine embroidered, embellished, and heavily hand quilted. The series is for sale, please email by using the link at the upper right if you wish to discuss details.  I'd prefer to keep them as a group, however I haven't ruled out individual sales.

SPRING

Spring (detail) -   leaf buds were created with silk ribbon embroidery

SUMMER - silk leaves are dimensional

FALL - leaves were created using machine needle lace techniques

WINTER - Ice Storm 

Winter (detail) - heavily beaded

JOURNEY TO SHELBY

The Foothill Quilters Guild in Sheby, NC have Southern hospitality down to an art form.  My visit with this small guild was splendid.  It was evident the members truly cared about each other and were eager to learn new techniques.  

Shelby, NC is located along the rolling foothils of the Blue Ridge and South Mountains.  The drive was spectacular.  The white blossoms of the Bradford Pear trees, mixed with the pale pink flowering redbud trees were awesome.  This photo was 'grabbed' from the internet as I was too busy driving and gawking to stop and shoot pictures myself.  The trees here at our higher elevation are just beginning to start their show, I'll try to get the real thing documented this week.

IT'S WARMING UP

It may go from cold spring temperatures to summer.....overnight.  Today it got to nearly 70 degrees, time to begin planting!

Yikes....this looks like work to me!

DRAT!!  we purchased two huge saucers to go beneath two really big pots and in the latest round of cold....they cracked.

Last year we had several smaller stoneware crocks, filled with flowers, next to our back door on the back deck.  They looked silly....the scale was way too small.  This year we are featuring large holly bushes instead.

TA-DA!!

Tomorrow I'm off to spend 2 days with the Foothill Quilters Guild in Shelby, NC.....If the internet gods are with me, I'll be chatting with you again soon.