Miriam and Dorcas

I have been working on two small pieces of fiber art for Paul's sisters

Miriam and ...

.... the Randy Miller Family for Dorcas.

I first found a picture of Miriam when she was in her late teens or early twenties. She and I taught school together and this was her picture for the yearbook.

I cropped and tweaked the picture using a filter on the computer and then printed it out on fabric that I had ironed to freezer paper.

Then I layered it with batting and backing and quilted it it.

She was surprised to received it as a birthday gift.

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For Dorcas' gift, I took a picture from her daughter's collection of their family's recent trip out West. They sang a song together at sunset at the Grand Canyon and someone snapped a picture for them.

Since the image was so dark; I lightened it up to trace the outline of each person.

Then I found some fabric to resemble the sky, canyon, and foreground and cut out their silhouettes from black fabric. Unfortunately I forgot to turn the image over to get the correct orientation.

I think she was right pleased with the outcome.

Pine Belt Quilt Show

Life ...

I'm not used to hanging out the laundry; but when the heating element goes out in the clothes dryer, you do what you have to do!

... as a Quilter

Mississippi Ag Museum in Bloom

Five of us Southern Fiber Artists each made a section of the original picture. From the left the artists that made each panel are Marcus Weekley, Martha Ginn, Cathy Reininger, Yours Truly and Rita Warnock. We were pleasantly surprised with not only a 1st place ribbon but a small best of show ribbon at the Pine Belt Quilt Show in Hattiesburg recently.

I was tickled to have my sister June with me at the show. Her daughter Jolene is making a quilt just like this one that won "viewer's choice."

Congratulations to my friend Judy Stokes who couldn't be at the show. I stood beside her quilt and sent her a picture of her Best Machine quilting ribbon.

I was tickled that my "Twirly Birds" took a third place ribbon in it's category.

June and I liked the variety of all the dresden plates in this quilt. There's even small butterfly wings made of dresden blades.

And I was tickled again to receive a 1st place ribbon for my "Cattails" quilt. How fun is that!

Farm Life and Quilt of Miriam

Life ...

Paul needed me to drive him to the field ...

... so he could dislodge a stump from the bean header.

Playing Uno with the older grands didn't work too well when the younger ones wanted me to read a book.

... as a Quilter

I took an old photograph of Paul's sister Miriam ...

... and tweaked it on the computer using a filter.

Then I printed it out onto fabric and quilted it.

A Visit with Sanford and Sheila

Life ...

Paul and I, Sheila and Sanford, and Jim and June were together at We Care in Atmore, AL where Sanfords are serving for a year.

We enjoyed worshiping here at this tiny church where Paul's niece Renee & Kevin Kennel and family attend. I wish I would have gotten a picture of them.

An afternoon visit with 90 year old Joe Sims was a highlight. He has a sharp mind and remembers attending our wedding and told us some more stories that we had forgotten!

Another highlight was meeting Della Koehn. We just took up talking right where we left off after not seeing each other for years.

My sister Sheila grilled boneless thighs for the carry-in Sunday lunch. She had the flames going plenty high there for a little while.

... as a Quilter

Lisa stopped in for some quilting tips. She's a new and eager beginner and likes her pieces perfect and precise.

Life

Life ...

I enjoy the pond out in front of the house so much.

Paul needed to move the combine, so he ...

unhooks the header onto the trailer and ...

... away he goes. I was glad that I didn't have to pull the header this time.

Our farm helper, Bronson has been loading and hauling cotton bales for many days now.

One day I looked after some of our grandchildren. They sneaked a bowl of party mix out to the playground equipment.