Labels

Monday, May 28, 2012

Mix Mash of Stuff

You may not know Kansas City is referred to as "The City of Fountains." This fountain is in front of the old Kansas City Star building on the east edge of the Quality Hill district.
These are Mom's good friends from childhood; they came over to sew with us one morning. Sue is peeking out from behind her "Easy Stars" quilt while Peggy (Mom's cousin) assists in holding it up. Notice I cropped myself out on the other side. I was in motion, and the resulting blur was not attractive on me. 
Once I got settled back here at home, Kitten took over the karate-belt padded reading spot I set up, so I went on to my sewing machine and set to quilting.
Roll it up and send it through.
Have you tried these new Clover Wonder Clips for holding the binding on? They are  super for hand stitching the binding, but they are magnificent for using with your machine, since one side is flat.
There we go. All done.
Denim on the back to stand up to the rigors of a Hawaiian beach.
Sweet! 

Sunday, May 27, 2012

One last weekend of vacation

It was tough getting all my stuff into suitcases to come back home. Kitty is sitting on the Kaffe Fassett kit I bought at Under the Sea from Material Girls with birthday money mom gave me.
Note to self: Don't bring those big-ass platform shoes next time. They take up too much room in the suitcase!
Actually the kit is under the roll of pink I bought at Fabric Recycles. Fabric Recycles is like a treasure hunt for that fabric you need just a little of to finish a project (and then you come home with all manner of bits to start something new). The inventory is grouped by color and type, so finding things is easy, and the owner, Page Burns, is so incredibly knowledgeable of her stock and eager to help you get what you need. We'd read about her and her store in a free issue of Generation Q. The magazine is smaller than the magazines we are used to, but the content made the copy one Mom and I fought over (only because I couldn't find the copy they gave me). I cannot wait to see what the magazine does next. I really like printed better than online, so I can sit in my comfy chair. (I have not gone to using a "reader" or I-Pad yet.)
This is a tray of fabric Mom cut up while I was there to make Andy (middle son) a bow tie quilt. Last I spoke with her, she said making bow tie blocks is boring. I hope she sticks with it; he will love it. (I plan to upload pictures of her hooked rugs on her blog when I finish this post: Linda Brannock's hooked rug designs)

Ha! I got photos of the moon flower open.  Mom has been drying the open blooms and framing them. They are really pretty, but I don't think I got a photo of the framed one.
Joey is really glad I am home; he assumed the quilting cat position right away as I got busy making a baby gift for a young friend of one of Andy's. She married a fellow Collins Hill HS graduate and they are stationed in Hawaii. She announced (on Facebook) she was in labor on Friday night while I was in Kansas City, and then it was MONDAY before she posted anything else. Not being a close friend, so not on the phone tree, I was anxious to hear everything went well. Little Lucas is safely here, so his quilt is under the needle.
I put some denim I scored at the local GW store on the back to make is super durable for dragging around sandy beaches.
I think they'll like it.
And here is an unfinished item that I want to play around with.
The colors are fabulous, but it has some problems.
It's a holiday weekend; enjoy your family and get some sun!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Wandering Quilter in Kansas City

On the way to Mom and Dad's from the airport we stopped by Asiatica. We'd read about it on Barbara Brackman's blog. Mom and I were both overwhelmed by the rolls of vintage kimono fabric stored in their work rooms.  Asiatica designers make lovely new garments for high end consumers. Sorry I was too shy to ask if I could take photos. Watch the video on their website.  Really, it it worth your time.
Once we got to the house, I threw my new(ish) quilt over the bed.
Great Grandmother "Mom" Irvin pieced it and I just finished quilting it. I felt it important for Mother to see it in person. 
Mom saw lots of friends: Jan Patek (her design partner), Barb Adams and Alma Allen, Sandy Gervais, Rita Briner of Quilter's Station, Terry Thompson, the Buggy Barn girls Pam Soliday and Janet Nesbitt and Edie McGinnis. The market was HUGE, and we got properly worn out traipsing all over it.
One woman we were very happy to meet is Delores Storm. She designs under Lackadaises, and we love her use of vintage found treasures and wool. Check out her redwork designs too.
Back at the house I mentioned to Mom I'd like to make a string pieced star quilt like one I'd seen, so she brought out this:
I don't remember seeing it before.
She is looking for the pattern.
It is so soft with age.
And it has wonderful geranium leaf fabric on the back. (sigh)
I may want to make another rag quilt too, so she brings this out:
Dang. The back as lovely as the front:
Shoot. Big squares and little ones.
So I just keep plugging away at my quilts:
I finished the binding on Eron's (my paramedic son who is engaged to the lovely Meredith) quilt.
It came out very nice I think.
He wants it for his firehouse bunk, and he requested black, white and red (he said it is a fireman thing). I learned the stack method for the stars at a class with Peggy Barkle, so finishing it for Eron was a no-brainer. 
I am trying to get a good photo of an open Morning Glory (Mom just corrected me; this is a Moon Flower, and it blooms at night, so good luck getting a photo of it) in Mom and Dad's yard. 
This curled up one will have to do for now.
By the way, it is seven months after Mom's knee replacement surgery and Dad is still bringing her breakfast in bed. Every day!
(I got nothing else.)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Peace, Love & Decorating in Duluth

Yesterday, after I finished with an early Dr. appointment, I ate my lunch on the steps of the Duluth, GA municipal building.  As I was sitting in the sunshine admiring the expanse of park space, my eye caught sight of the building that formerly housed Share the Spirit quilt shop. Feeling nostalgic, since that shop set my feet back on a quilting path, I ventured over to see if the space was still vacant.
 To my great delight it was occupied by Peace, Love & Decorating. All the photos here are from their shop.  I was in a big hurry (needed to get to a hair appointment), so I just snapped a few pictures. The young ladies were so nice. They said they'd only been open a week, and would love for me to let folks know about them.
 I am going to date myself here by saying they have seriously groovy merchandise.  I am dying to get back there to purchase the yellow throw in the photo above. (There is an important person in my life who is crazy about yellow, and I am crazy about her.)
 I could just squeal with delight over these pillows!
 The messages are all about celebrating life.
 I hope to get back there soon. (This cat, who had been rolling around in the dirt in the yard, was NOT at the shop, but she knows eye want to go back to PLD as soon as possible). She is watching my every move.
Speaking of nostalgia, anyone going to see Dark Shadows?