Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Traveling West

 Life …
We traveled to Texas to my sister Emily & Perry’s place.
IMG_1709

Their son Adam and his girlfriend Megan helped to host us for the night.
IMG_1710

The pool was a welcome and relaxing spot for June. Most of us sat along the edge and “cooled” our feet in the hot tub.
IMG_1721

At College Station, TX we had a tour of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
IMG_1759

Acting president Barnhart.

IMG_1765

These gifts were given to the president but since they were worth more than $300.00 they couldn’t keep them.
IMG_1773

I guess they really belong to us, the American people.
IMG_1774

This tapestry really caught my eye. You know it would have taken a lot of hours to make it.
IMG_1778


 At The Alamo in San Antonio we learned some of the history of Texas.
IMG_1825

Emily and Polly are standing by the fort wall.
IMG_1821

This live oak tree was in the courtyard and I thought would make a lovely tree for the grandchildren to climb.
IMG_1830

Then we traveled to Fredericksburg to …
IMG_1854

the Insight Gallery to view an exhibit of Oil Painters of America. Claire Bleu, my niece painter/artist was in her glory!
IMG_1860

IMG_1885

I really liked this painting of the old car.
IMG_1881

While Claire spent more time at the gallery, we walked and toured the streets of Fredricksburg.

Mother, Coleen and I posed outside of a candy store as lollipops.
IMG_1888 

Texas – Longhorns – Lone Star – Cowboys
IMG_1893

… as a Quilter
This piece of art was a gift to George and Barbara Bush. Isn’t it great inspiration for a quilt?
IMG_1777

Coleen finished the feather stitching on her velvet doll comforter that Mother pieced.
IMG_1913

Monday, June 10, 2013

Farming, Traveling West, and Emily’s Cow

Life …

Since it rained and the weather turned warm we went to the field to “hear” the corn grow.
IMG_1632

Paul showed us how to strip the leaves down and dig inside the stalk to check the ears.
IMG_1641

Just a tiny little cob, only 1/2” long.
IMG_1663

And Gabriel claimed it had 18 rows of corn!
IMG_1647

Gabriel in his hog barn outfit ready to do the chores.
IMG_1665

We had our family in for pizza to visit with my family who came to pick me up for our trip West. The four oldest grands enjoyed their cake and ice cream while I sipped my decaf. coffee.
IMG_1672

I had lots of help in the kitchen cleaning up after our pizza supper.
IMG_1677

And then the house buzzed with talking and laughter until past bedtime.
IMG_1681

Sunrise on The Spirit of St. Oren.  See my sister Polly's update here.
IMG_1688

There are 8 of us traveling today. Ashton was sad to see me leave so he and Paul joined our group for a picture.
IMG_1694

Good-bye, Good-bye, Good-bye.  Safe travels for us and I wish you all well at home.
IMG_1695

…as a Quilter

Remember the small art quilt that Emily started here? Well, here she is working on it.
IMG_1550

She cut out her silhouette and fused it to the background then sewed around the edges.
IMG_1554

I’m guessing the size to be 16”X 12” and made mostly from cottons.
IMG_1555

Detail
IMG_1559

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Wheat Harvest and Baking Cookies

Quinten is cutting wheat while Bronson hauls it to the truck.IMG_1602

IMG_1608

Paul and Gabriel discuss what needs to be done.IMG_1610

These are mini bulk bags of soybeans that need to be planted yet after wheat. One mini bulk bags holds about 45 regular 50# sacks.IMG_1612

Paul is ready to go to the field to pick up another load of wheat.IMG_1614

I was intrigued with this little vehicle that belongs to Roy Oswalt, the baseball pitcher that we farm for. And there is a 2nd one over there. 

IMG_1616

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I invited the 4 oldest grands to come for this morning to play and have a tea party lunch. I decided they could help me make cookies. After the dough was mixed I started on the right with Kirby and said they could all dip their finger into the dough for a taste. Kirby very politely got about 1/4 teaspoon on his finger to taste. Georgi was next and her taste was just a little bigger. Then it was Stacy’s turn! … Georgi can hardly believe what she is seeing!IMG_1618

And the cookies were good after they were baked too.IMG_1631

Instead of the tea party lunch we just had a picnic out in the carport. That was much easier for me and it suited them just fine.

Monday, June 03, 2013

Wheat and Lilies

Life …
The men started cutting wheat today.
IMAG0156
Ashton found this little critter yesterday on the weather boarding of the house. Later he hopped over to the front door and looked as if he wanted in. Today I saw his tiny fingers curled around the ledge of the dumpster. His beady popped eyes were peering at me over the ledge.
IMG_1565
… as a Quilter
Remember the art quilt I started on Memorial Day? I decided to put some kind of a lily on it.
IMG_1532
I quilted the background with a serpentine stitch from side to side.
Then using the Carolina Lily block pattern for inspiration I designed a bouquet, sitting in grass, framed with lily petals.
IMG_1544
After I had fused the grass down and looked at it a while, I decided I didn’t like the grass. So, I heated it up again and pulled it off.
IMG_1545
Then I cut out some more lily parts like the top and sides …
IMG_1547
… and added them to the bottom and I liked that much better.
IMG_1548
Then I stitched all the silhouette down.
IMG_1574 1984X1487
I couldn’t think of a good name so I just call it plain “Lily.”
IMG_1576
IMG_1580
And then I thought, well, why not get a picture of ‘Lily’ with real lilies!
IMG_1597 1984X2188
Here I can visualize the real lilies making the shadows on the quilt.
IMG_1585 1981X2445
And Emily was with me for a day. She started this quilt around lunch and finished it up just after supper. I’m anxious to show you her finished project, but I must wait.
IMG_1552

See other inspiration at Off the Wall Friday and Amanda's Finish it up Friday.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Genesis and Gethsemane

Life …
The Little Red Caboose always came last.
IMG_1531
 
Fun in the gravel while waiting for the meat to grill.
IMG_1517 
 
… as a Quilter
And now I have finished the two art pieces that my niece Coleen B. Barnhart started here.
IMG_1078 

She can magically make beauty with scissors and fabric.
IMG_1116
 
After she finished her part, I did the thread painting, quilting, binding, and finishing.
 
Genesis – “Let there be light”
An Explosion of Joy and New Life

IMG_1416
 
 
Detail

IMG_1417
 
The Back
Insert a small dowel, chop stick, or skewer under the top triangles. Pound a nail in the wall and balance the quilt on the nail.
IMG_1385
 
We lovingly refer to Coleen as Claire Bleu since her mother’s name is also Coleen. 
IMG_1390
 
 
Gethsemane – “It was midnight in the garden when the Savior knelt to pray.”
A Dark and Stormy Night
IMG_1413
 
I used bobbin thread work to create the lightning.
IMG_1409
 
A second dowel, chop stick, or skewer may be placed under the bottom triangles to keep the bottom of the quilt from flipping up.
IMG_1386
 
These pieces measure 9-1/2” X 9-1/2” and are for sale for $150 each (I wish I could say in my Etsy Store, but I don’t have one.) I guess you will just have to email me.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...