Magnolia is Finished

Life …

We received a bouquet of fresh cut flowers with this small flower that was only 3/4” in diameter. I was amazed at closer inspection to find lots of tiny yellow flowers systematically placed around the center. Truly this is a work of God.

… about 7 hours before the lunar eclipse.

… as a Quilter

I have finished my Magnolia.

Detail of 3D seed pod made from thread.

Finished edges are faced.

Loops on the back with dowel rod for hanging.

Signed and dated.

Measurements: 15” x 16”

Cotton fabric and oil pastels

Price: $150 -- SOLD

     

More of the Southern Magnolia

On my design wall ---

I have been battling with this piece ever since I came home from Alpine, AL. Since it was already quilted I felt like I needed to use something besides fabric to give it life. I chose oil pastels for that was what I had on hand.

Thanks to my niece Claire Bleu for tutoring me through the coloring part.

You see … it used to look like this … (and I thought I was ready to add the center and bind it and be done!) ...

… and this.

Now I think I really am ready to make and add the center seed pod and put a binding on it.

   

Southern Magnolia

A couple weeks ago I started this small sample of a ‘southern magnolia’ to see if it would work for my real challenge quilt and I’m so glad I did. So many people commented on the beauty of the background fabric. I took that as a sign that my magnolia didn’t have the limelight it needed.  So I tried to tone down that beautiful watercolor fabric with …

… crayons.

The colors turned it more green but after I heat set them …

… there wasn’t much green left. I decided the “Applebee's” crayon didn’t soak into the fabric. So I used the Kodak crayons and pressed harder and colored the leaves around the magnolia. That seemed to work. Now I’m wondering what ‘Crayola’ brand crayons would have done.

Maybe I can work some more on this piece yet. Somehow I need that flower to get more attention!

  

 

A Truck Ride, A Fish Supper, AL Quilt Symposium, and Magnolia Sewing Circle

Life …

I rode with Paul the other day to deliver a load of wheat.

We are approaching the scales at Tom Soya at Valley Grain near Pickensville, AL.

This was the view out my window while we were dumping the wheat. It is loaded onto barges and shipped to Mobile for export.

The Grabers had an afternoon and evening together for Paul’s folks. Daddy fed the fish to make catching them easier.

I think they have their quota.

Galen was glad for his vice grip to pull the hook from a fish’s mouth.

Jeanie’s skills at filleting came in very handy.

Jerrill preferred using an electric knife to fillet.

Some of the fish were breaded and fried …

… while Quinten grilled some of them.

Dorcas made 3 gallons of ice cream with goats milk. And yes, it was good!

These cousins enjoyed each others company but became right sober when my camera showed up.

I enjoyed holding these two munchkins.

… as a Quilter

I took Velda K. and Louise S. to Birmingham to the Alabama Quilt Symposium.

I like this “Orca Bay” quilt that my friend Judy S. made.

Two handles on a basket with cherries? plums? or …?

Magnolia Sewing Circle

These girls are tying this string comforter that we started HERE.

We continue to hand quilt this quilt for the Annual Benefit Auction.

Memorial Day Picnic at Lowell Mullets

Volleyball is an all time favorite. Can you find the ball?

After the little children had fun with “corn hole” …

… the big boys got to play.

These boys are not twins, brothers, or even first cousins. Darren’s mom is a double first cousin to Craig’s dad.

It’s got to be funny.

This great hill provided lots of fun for the children.

Melanie is ready to catch that football.

The pork chops, tenderloin, and ribs were delicious.

And then there was lots and lots of visiting.