It's All About The Quilts

Yesterday we went to a Quilt Exhibit in Brigham City.  The featured quilt artists were Lenore Crawford, http://www.lenorecrawford.com/ who gets most of her inspiration on her visits to small villages in France.  Dianna Grundhauser of Hawaii, http://www.quiltingspirit.com/artist-statement.asp, and Melody Randol of Loveland, CO, http://melodyquilts.com/  And a few from Utah.  All I can say is every quilt had the WOW factor, and most had won national & international awards.  Also many had placed in the prestigious Paducah competitions.  The main focus was landscape and applique quilting.  Here's a few of my favorites, and I have to say seeing them in photos is a poor substitute for the real thing.  I've also included a close up of most of them so you can see some of the incredible detail and intricate free motion quilting.




Kathy Porter (from my quilt group) and I were asked to show a quilt.
You've all seen mine so here is hers.  She's always winning awards for
her stunning & original designs.  This is from some doodles she likes to do.

 






My favorite

 



Miko - The Puppy Prodigy

I just had to post another video. I can't believe how smart she is. Ryan said she'll just approach them and then sit, lie down, roll over a couple of times and then look up expectantly for a treat . . . . before they even say a single word. Too cute.

It's All About Miko

Here she is. The much awaited puppy of Ryan & Alissa. A little Yorkshire Terrior. And I do mean little. She is 12 weeks old and weighs in at a whopping 2.5 lbs. She is just too adorable!!



A week later she miraculously turns from a baby into a toddler and enjoys a day out at the beach. Get ready for a cuteness attack. Ryan is having a blast with her, as this is his first dog. We're glad we deprived him of a few childhood experiences so he could have a few happy new firsts in his adult life. :)

Meeting Trixie, the emperess of the house, for the first time, hoping they will be fast friends.

It doesn't take long and they are snuggling together. Sweetness attack.


She sleeps in a playpen to give her plenty of room to move over, as her bladder is too tiny to make it through the night.


I'm happy she loves her blanket I made for her.

Misty & New Baby, Parker

Misty was in town for a new baby checkup and stopped by. It is always good to see her. She didn't have the two older boys with her... as if they are very old. I love to just watch them... they are really too funny. It sure reminds you what a crazy time of life it is to have toddlers. Any kid at any age at home, really.

He was content to let Gma2 hold him.


I made him an "I Spy" quilt with a bunch of picture fabric that I've collected over the years.

It's All About The Yard

Yesterday we did what most couples do who have been married for awhile. We went out and bought something we would have bought anyway and said it was for Father's Day. Ken has been mostly in charge of the yard... ok, everything except watering the hanging basket out front. This year I finally missed going and picking out flowers and playing in the dirt. We are trying to fill the yard with perinnials and eventually have everything all lush and beautiful, and doing it by itself every year.

Our front is small... (just our size) On one side we found a big hanging basket and put it in the corner where nothing ever grows.

On the other side we made a little herb garden... we have basil, oregano, 4 different mints, echineacea, comfry, and a few more I can't remember

I love the hanging basket we found for the front entrance... we went to every nursery until we found the most beautiful one...

This is the area we planted in the back. It sure didn't feel like $300 worth of lushness once it was planted. I'll post another picture when that happens...

We even bought a couple of chairs and a little table. You can't tell but it is inlaid with a bunch of tiny tiles. The chairs are just perfect.... simple (without big bulky cushions) but they still rock and swivel. Ken was a very good dad this year..... as always...

Miko

I finally completed something start to finish. Ryan & Alissa are getting a puppy so of course it has to have it's own blanket. Just so you get the right perspective.... the puppy is in the "Let's Play" position.... with it's front paws down and bottom up.

I wish somebody could give me some magical tips on how to get a good tension. I spent more time fiddling with that than the time I spent quilting it...

Much Ado About Everything

April, yes way back then, started out with quite a rocky patch... sadly Ken's mother passed away... and the only upside to these events is that we got to be with our kids (& Kenzie) The "girls" have asked me to make them quilts from some of their mother's clothes, which I am very honored and excited to do for them. Quilts are so much more than fabric to keep you warm... I
hope what I make will envoke all the love, warmth, and security they felt with her.

All of our family with Grandpa Joe

Ken & his dad.... two kindrid spirits...

Kenzie & I fit in a sewing lesson. She wanted to make an "art quilt" so she could give it to me to enter in my competitions. She had no doubts I would then be presenting her with several blue ribbons. I love the confidence in that girl!!


.............................ANDREA GRADUATES....................................

At the end of April Andrea graduated from Utah Valley University in the Behavioral Sciences Social Work and Criminal Justice Program. I'm so proud of her... she gives new meaning to the phrase, "You've come a long way, baby." Now on to grad school...

While she was graduating I had surgery on my left eye to repair a tear in my retina and hemorrhaging from my optic nerve. All went well, and just about the time it was going to be ok to get back on the tread mill, I got an 8 day killer flu.... you know the kind that feels like it's eating your bones?.... see why I don't excercise.... stuff like that always happens....

I'm so ready to be back in my routine.... going to quilting.... having 10 or so projects I'm working on and making a general mess...