Well, surprise! Surprise! I'm actually getting caught up on the blog!

I actually bit the bullet & used metallic thread on a quilt. I'd always thought it would have been one of my own first, but it wound up being a customer's quilt.  I was a little intimidated by metallic thread, but I believe in my Glide thread, so I took a deep breath & went for it!
  My customer is fairly new to quilting, but not sewing. She was an instructor for fashion sewing for many years, consequentially, she can definitely think outside of the box! Her ideas are incredible, but her execution needs quite a bit of work. I'm guiding her as we go along because I see some major awards in her future. Anyway, her quilt was poofy in spots, points didn't match closely, & of course, wavy borders. Not too bad on the borders though, she's improving.   
Here's some pics of how it finished up.

The light lines are actually silver bias tape sewn down. She also used a chiffon type lame cloth in the diamonds, which can be very stretchy. I did manage to get it to lay down, but it sure wasn't easy!

Oh no! A months gone by...again! Well, I have been busy, with my oldest son & 2 of his kids coming for a visit, quilt shoes, & of course, quilting!

That's Johnny (16) on the left, Catherine (20) in the middle, & #1 son, Robert on the right.

Robert & I.

Well, just playing around with some cloth the other day. I've always wanted to make a Cathedral Window quilt, so I tried my hand with a Mini! This one measures 11.5 inches square!

I think I'll put it into the Canton show this year. It'll be for sale. If it doesn't sell, I'll donate it to TAQC next year.

 

Diamond Log Cabin won a ribbon! I got "Honorable Mention" in my category, which is a big deal at this show. I was up against some stiff competition!

My Grandson, Chance, went with me & ended up helping!

We had a great time at the show!

Well, which much a due, I present you....Diamond Log Cabin!

Here's a close up of the corners.

The quilting of the blocks can be seen here also.

Now to do the finishing touches, then off to the Plano Quilt show! Keeping my fingers crossed she comes home with a ribbon!

Well, here's the smaller version of 54-40 or fight. I quilted it almost identically to it's larger version.

I did the outer border differently.

This one is already entered into a couple of shows. Let's see if it ribbons!

Well, as well as getting the trees burned, I did manage to get some quilting done.  Here's the quilt I did for Dianna.

Finally got my thread rack for Queenie built too. Floyd helped me with it.

This prompted me to do some re-arranging. Still have some to do, but I like how it's coming out!

Here's the sewing area, now complete with block design boards.

Cutting, ironing station & fabric stash. The new design wall goes all the way across the end of the building, 14 feet!

Longarm area. Much more organized.

Library, scrap bins & quilts in waiting to be quilted. Of course, there's my quilt Christmas tree. It stays up all year with all the ornaments handmade from quilters.

I just got the quilt off Queenie, so I'll show it to you soon!

Well, it was a busy 4th of July. We were supposed to have a big family reunion at our house, but we only had 2 of the kids home. Floyd's son, Sam, came in from Spokane, WA & Melissa came in from Longview, TX with her youngest son, Koal. I already had her oldest, Chance, as he'd been with me for a month. Keeping up with an 11 year old can sure get tiring!
Here's the only picture I got that day. Floyd &  Sam sharing pictures on their phones.

While Chance was with me, we tackled the pile of tree debris from the 3 trees that came down 2 years ago. We've been under a burn ban for so long that I couldn't burn them off. Finally, with all the rain we had this Spring, they lifted the burn ban & Chance & I got busy cleaning up the back yard.

The trees covered from the tree here on the right to almost the grey building (Floyd's shop). And from the trees to the fence. The white area that you see is actually burn area #2, with #3 behind it. #1 was to the right of the trees so I could burn out a small stump. I got it out too!

After nearly 6 weeks of burning, this is what's left. The 3 huge ones won't be burned, we're leaving them for seating around the campfire, but this will be our permanent burn area.
Now that it's all cleaned up, I can plant some grass in the bare areas & mow it when it gets going.

Well, busy little beaver here! With the rain finally stopping, the burn ban has been lifted, so have been tackling the wood pile & getting it burned. I've had the help of my Grandson on the yard work.

While browsing the flea market, I came across what I think was a microwave cart. It's all wood & on rollers. I brought it home & hubby cut me a piece of wood for the top & I proceeded to upholster it into an ironing table.

Then an idea hit me. It has a 2 1/2" lip on 3 sides of it. So, I stuck a couple of LED lights on the surface & put a piece of plexiglass on top. A light table!

Not bad for spending $25, huh?
I also finally was able to get the insulated foam boards & got them covered in flannel. I now have a 14' design wall!

Of course, this has prompted me to do some spring cleaning of the studio & re-arranging. I'll be back to quilting shortly!

Well, the rain has finally stopped here in Texas. The sun came out yesterday & the whole neighborhood was out & did yard work, including me!
But, I did get some quilting done beforehand.  I got the Double Wedding Ring wallhanging finished pieced & quilted. Now to get it trimmed & binding done.

Here's a closeup...........

This is my 1st attempt at a DWR. There's a couple of boo-boos, but I was able to hide them with the quilting.

I know, no posts in awhile, but I have been busy! Dianna, a good friend & customer has kept me busy on Queenie.  Here's the latest.  This is called "Floating Fans". It's 108"X108" or 11,664 sq inches. Just a little thing!  It's a stack & whack. I did a medallion wreath with a single rose in the center & duplicated it in the 4 corners.  Did a simple curl on the ribbon border.

This is the background fill. I have no earthly idea how many pebbles are in this!

And a corner........

The center.........

It's on it's side, it's actually running up & down the quilt.

This took me 35 hours to quilt, 4 hours of marking & 1 hour for the misc. stuff. Even Dianna's hubby is thrilled will it! So am I!

Well, finally got the center done on Diamond Log Cabin. Now on to the four corners & top & bottom.
Stay tuned for more!