A Visit With Mother in Virginia

Life ...

It's been so nice to have Dustin & Gina with us for a little while. And Tina, Talya, and Georgi think so too.

We had a Sunday lunch invitation to Darren & Becky Knepp's place. The children sure enjoyed the battery operated car. "Come on Ashton, give us a push!"

Becky fixed us a Belizean meal and made her own soft tacos. Delicious!

And now I get to spend some time in Virginia with Mother. She loves working with her flowers. I can tell by the whistle/hum of "Do Not Pass Me By" that she is happy.

She has a beautiful view of North River out her living room windows and loves to feed the birds and watch the ducks, geese, and wildlife. Today she saw 5 deer crossing the river down at the ripples.

I took her up the river to see the tree house that my nephew Josh Helmuth is building. It's going to be an Airbnb and is quite cozy and will be a beautiful place to stay.

Originals and Depictions

I'm trying to get an inventory sheet ready to submit to the Rosenzweig Art Center for my upcoming exhibit. In the mean time, here are a few of my pieces that will be on display.

My original "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel" quilt measures 53"X53."

And here I have made a depiction of that quilt using a filter at DreamScope.com. I edited the piece and printed it out on cotton fabric. It only measures 7.5" X 7.5" and is heavily quilted, faced, labeled, and mounted on black mat board.

I also took one Mother's oil paintings that she painted as a wedding gift in 1963 for Uncle Edgar and Aunt Evelyn and ...

... made a depiction of that painting. (Used by permission) This one, called "Serene Lake" measures 10"X7" and is also heavily quilted, faced, labeled, and mounted on black mat board.

   

Ralph / Vera Heatwole Reunion and Mother’s Oil Painting Exhibit

My brother, Oren Jr. and Paul help hang the oil paintings.

David and Rachel brought their painting to share in the exhibit. Rachel said they took their painting along with them to Pureto Rico when they lived down there.

Paul and I stayed with my brother Oren Jr. Cheryl made this beautiful quilt for the guest bed.

This painting was gifted back to our family from Linda H. What a treasure!

This is one of Mother’s earlier paintings.

Aunt Vera Rose and Bonnie

This is only a small part of all the china Mother has painted.

Katina, Coleen, and Michael examine broken bits and pieces of Potter John Heatwole pottery.

June, Marlene, and Aunt Vera Rose help prepare lunch.

Mother and Aunt Doris found a good story to share.

Sheldon acted as master of ceremonies.

Dennis & Naomi

Twins – and a few sets are missing.

As we boarded the bus for our “Vera’s Journey” tour, I snapped a few photos of my cousins and families.

And now I can’t even remember some of my 1st cousin’s names. I’m not sure if this is Helen or Grace; but I do know she is U. James and A. Doris’ daughter.

Loren & Renee and boys

 

Danny & Benita. Does she look like me?

 

Paul and Yours Truely

Lonnie & Krista

 

Heidi or Cheryl? U. Robert & A. Twila’s daughter and husband

Royal & Jenn

 

Sheldon & Anita

 

Barton & Amiee

 

My baby sister, Barbara

Kathy was our guide and told us about the different places that are mentioned in the book.

Heatwole Sewing Retreat and Father's Shirts

Our annual family sewing retreat took place on the Outer Banks of NC.

My first project was to make another small quilt from Father’s Shirts. You can see my first one HERE and HERE.

Mother marked the backside of some of the squares for me to sew diagonally to get 2 half square triangles from 2 squares.

I chain stitched the squares and then Mother snipped the thread between the chain and then cut on the diagonal line making 2 half square triangles.

Inspiration for this quilt came from the book “Mad About Plaid” by Debbie Bacon.

I thought I was finished with this top; but now I want to change those light triangles in the border for a medium value.

Now Coleen is taking the scraps and making herself a “Father’s Shirts” quilt too.

Jolene machine quilted her huge queen size quilt on her domestic Bernina. I think it has been in the making for 10 years.

Four generations of quilters – Great grandmother Margaret, Grandmother June, Mother Jolene, and Daughter Afton.

Polly machine quilts feathers on her Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt, Grand Illusion.

Mother helped Barbara with a quilt, piecing and ironing.

I loved finding inspiration out by the beach for another piece of fiber art.