Resting Geese

Just wondering -- why hasn't anyone designed a "resting geese" quilt. After all, they aren't flying all the time!

We had at least 100 Canada geese resting on our pond today. They landed mid-morning, in 7-8 groups, and left in the late afternoon. I love to see the boss of the group bark out orders to line up, and then off they go in unison.

This goose was with the crowd, but is different in coloration from the Canada geese. Maybe a cross between a Snow goose and a Canada goose? Anyone seen one of these?

Scraps into Placemats

Here are some of the scraps I've been piecing between other projects. The first one is going to be two placemats for a housewarming gift (hopefully when they are quilted they will look less like endposts on a football field!

The next group is going to be placemats for me! It seems like I never make (or should I say finish) things for my house, but that's the plans for these.

Backyard View -- Fall 2012

I don't have to go very far to see some gorgeous color. This is view from my back yard -- a neighbor's dock on our tiny lake (the lake is so small, no motors are allowed). Lots of maples make for lots of yellow and an occasional red (my favorite). In a couple weeks the branches will be mostly bare.

It's amazing what you can find while looking for something else. I was hoping to find my Halloween wall hangings, and happened upon a UFO (UnFinished Object for you non-quilters).

These New York Beauty blocks were pieced on printed muslin (I think a Sharon Hultgren pattern). My friend Debbie and I finished the blocks a few years back.  The original idea was to set the 12 blocks 3 by 4, with the rays facing the same way. Now I'm doing a new layout just for fun.

I am not sure why it didn't get finished right away, but it could have to do with my worries that the muslin piecing wouldn't be as accurate as paper piecing and worries that the blocks wouldn't fit together very well. I'm over those worries and just want it done!

Scaredy cat Buddy says "Let me in! I hear noises".

Favorites from Quilts on the Grand 2012 Show

There is something for everyone, from primitive to traditional to modern, bright to subtle colors. And of course lots of vendors!

Love the detail and color in this quilt.  It was made by Etsuko Matsuda from Omihachiman, Japan, a Grand Rapids Sister City. The West Michigan Quilt Guild's show has featured quilts from quilters in Omihachiman since 1998.

Don't you love those fun yellow flowers around the quilt? This was made for her 15 month old granddaughter.

Cute as a button "Snowmen in Mittens" by Elly Nyhof. The pattern is a version of "Warm Woolen Mittens" designed by Bonnie Sullivan.

Love how the black/white background makes these colors pop. Called "Wrapped in Love" by Denise Styburski. 

It's not to late to go the quilt show! Quilts on the Grand 2012 is open today Oct 6 until 5 pm, and Sunday Oct 7 12 to 5 pm. It's at the Delta Plex Arena in Grand Rapids, with plenty of free parking.  For more info check the West Michigan Quilters Guild web site.

Wedding Ring repairs continue

I have two more pieces to appliqué over holes or shredded fabric, then this is getting a soak/bath!

My Aunt Pat had a chance to look at my progress on her quilt a couple of weeks ago, and mentioned that she should have washed this quilt before bringing it to me. I told her it was good that she did NOT wash the quilt, because judging from the already shredded fabric on both the back and front (the muslin is very fragile, too), it may not have held up to traditional washing.

The last two steps are tying on the false back with perle cotton, then adding a new binding. Then it's going to find it's way back to Oklahoma!