Thursday, July 25, 2013

ART WORKS

 A flower is a flower
Unless it is a first flower.
Then it is a Flower
with Power .


 A true story.  A short story that is big. . 
so I say anyway.
These are the little artists.

They began with a piece of brown paper found on the floor.
Rip rip.
Laughing.
Little pieces.
Rip rip.

 Small hands placing itsy pieces on a table.
Just a little help from Nanna with the arrangement.
Oh and maybe she ripped that stem as well.

First art work
A simple flower.  

more laughing.
 And then . . gone.
Just like that.
Art works . . in mysterious ways.
Hoping that you can share something simple in your day . . today.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

SHOWS - IT'S NOT ALL WORK

Pretty Little Tires    All In A Row.
I'll tell you more about them later . . Probably.

You could call it paradise . . i'm sure the people that live there do.  The Oregon Summer Quilt Expo was held in Redmond Oregon with Sisters and Bend nearby.   I hadn't been there in over 13 years when i attended the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.  Amazing.  There I took the one and only class i've ever taken . . Rughooking!  Wool.  Wonderful Wool.


This time I rented a house at a nearby resort which two other vendors and our helpers shared.
And now we know.
This is the way to go to a show.
The show . . it was very very slowwww.
More about that later.
Maybe.
But together at the house - every one of us -
best time ever.
Laugh-til-your-cheeks-hurt best time ever.


Located on a golf course which didn't matter to us except for the lovely deer that roamed from green to green.  Funny . . i do not call them lovely at home as they munch around the perimeter of my flower garden.  But here . . soulful eyes and graceful stroll.  So easy to admire.

After the jacuzzi you might want to wine and dine  on the deck.
Storytelling went on into the darkness and way beyond the emptying of the glasses. 



I led everyone on a walk to the top . .  of a hill . . that did not make a loop . . as I had thought.
On and on we climbed.
It began to get dark.  The beautifully landscaped lawns, awing us one after another, no longer visible.
I pretended to continue leadership and insisted that just up over this next little knoll
the way down . . would appear.    That did not happen.
But this did. 
     
   


Have you been to the Pine Tavern?
It is in Bend.  Why have you not been to the Pine Tavern?  Would you like directions?
Just along the river . . look for the umbrellas in their pronounced gaiety, tilting this way and that. 
Listen for the cheerful chatter.

And forget that day sitting in your booth at the very slowwww show.  Before i tell you about that, something else . . I stole 2 delectable mushrooms from Diane's plate. 
She never knew it. 
Until now.
Thank you Diane.


Sally, Laurie, Janet, Barbara, Charlene, Reets, Diane

We forced the waiter to drop his tray and take our picture . . We felt charming and did not want that to escape.  Tips were promised.
Three of our house roommates did not make it here so we all laughed for them.
Someone said
"My . . they are boisterous!"
But we did not hear.  We were busy discussing the days' events.  Which means the vendors were not discussing because their day was uneventful - more later on that.  But Janet and Sally and Diane could not be unbubbled - Told us all about their Sue Spargo class that day at the Sisters show.  The busy one.  

I tried to disguise my pouting as i secretly wished, that i had been there too.  I love Sue Spargo. 
As you know . . she is a lady of wool . . gathering flocks of followers as she goes.  That is supposed to make you think of sheep some how.  Did it?  I love eating out with girlfriends.  I hope that you can join us some day.  The subject is often
wool.
the love of wool.
wool gathering.
and where did you get that piece.
I want it.

Well now it is very late and time has run out and I must rise it up early to prepare for our local quilt show coming up in just one day . . very much looking forward to this one.  Small yet very wonderful.
I will try to do better with some picture taking.    
Oh and I must finish up on that Redmond show . . 
and then there is the Art 101 shop and its magnificent tires.
To be continued . .                                             

Saturday, July 6, 2013

LOLLIPOP HILL QUILT PATTERN

Lollipop Hill Pattern
Did you let your freedom ring on this Fourth?
Good!

The results of our random drawing and the winner of this Lollipop Hill pattern is . .  well since it has been way too long since there has been a drawing . . the WINNERS are . . 

 Number 8 - Rose of Three Sheep Studio
and
Number 20 - Anonymous - Carole -  who said
"I love elephants and my sister loves rabbits" . . 
Please email me so we can get your mailing info.

Congratulations to you both and thanks to all for the very entertaining and thoughtful comments.  It was fun and each comment was very much appreciated . . thank you.
Better do this again sooner than later.
Have a fun stitching weekend.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

RED WHITE AND BLUE

The Red White and Blue
that brings peace into every day.
Sharing them with you.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

JUDY'S LOLLIPOP HILL

Lollipop Hill Pattern



 I knew that our Lollipop Hill quilt pattern would not stay all neatly packaged in its taupes and subdued colors.  They are pleasant enough colors but the designs were begging to be experimented with. 
And so they were.

A few of the very same fabrics were used but Judy Dillree
of Pioneer Quilts
gave her version some added zap!  I love it don't you? The fabric choices and color combinations are terrific.  Super elephant block and look at the fantastic quilting.  Love how the circles were created.
Not sure who did the quilting but what an incredible job.  




 Isn't the bunny funny?
Liking the birds too.

I'm thinking I had better give away a pattern here.
My friend Janet of
 was so great to send these pictures.  Thanks Janet!



Oh and look . . 
it's the lollipop hill.
More great color choices Judy.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful quilt with us.
I almost want to stop what i'm doing and make up antother one.
Well, who would like to try their magic on this pattern?  See below for your chance to win a free pattern.

TO WIN LOLLIPOP HILL PATTERN
OR if the winner already has this pattern you can pick from any of our other designs.
Leave a comment to this post . . anything about lollipops or the Lollipop quilt.
We will draw a random winner from the comments.
Since there is a holiday, i'll give you plenty of time to win.  
Comments close on Friday, July 5, 2013, at midnight.
Ok . . Thanks again to Pioneer Quilts and Judy and good luck in the drawing.  

Thursday, June 27, 2013

BLACK WINS AGAIN.

Black . . or Midnight Blue?   Tried hard to like the Midnight better.  And I DO love Midnight Blue but alas, the little snowman spoke up louder on his Black background.   Well this will be only one ornament in four.  So Midnight still has a chance.   
Needs some snowflakes tho right?
Must have these done soon for the next show in Redmond Oregon.   It is only two weeks away.
Thursday July 11 thru Sunday July 14
It runs for four days and is the same time as the nearby Sisters Outdoor Show.   First year for this vendor-rich expo.  Click on the picture below to go to Oregon Summer Quilt Expo's website . . and there they will provide you with a coupon for a $3 discount - $12 for the four days.   Classes available also.  Please come visit us in our booth and unbury us from our piles and piles of hand dyed wools and bolt wools and wool flosses and yarn dyed woven cottons and hand dyed woven cottons . . and a few other new surprises.   Going to be a fun weekend in Oregon.  Love that place!

Also working on a larger project using some new wool colors.  It is challenging me . . to say the least.
Tweaking this and tweaking that and stir the pot and peek and stir and peek again and in the end will this days tweakiness bring on a happy face or will a pout come out. 
You just never know for sure.
The magic . .  of the hand dyed pot.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

TEAR DROP ??

No . . Teardrop!  And in this case . . .
it is Raindrop.  The Little Teardrop That Could.
But back to the beginning.  Thinking quilt shows from the past, many might remember
Collett Fenske Hand Dyed Fabrics.  She knew how to splash up a booth in a few easy steps.          Color
Color
Color
Now you remember?

She has since gone on to take over a local Honey Business.  The honey with the yellow lid . . not abandoning her colorful ways of course.  Another long time dream of Collett's was to own and roam in,  a teardrop trailer.  I have known Collett for many years, and she has always been one to pursue her dreams.   So please meet
Raindrop . . and her owner, Wilderness Woman

Oh and then there is Camper Sue . . who had to admit to feelings of envy.

Raindrop Arrives!

First outing - Test run at Kamp Klamath




 A peak inside?
She may not sell hand dyeds anymore but has certainly not stopped dressing up her life with them.  Accessories. . All Vintage!

oh . . . well . . . those feelings of envy I mentioned?
i'm feeling them.  
Oh yes . . take me to a
Teardrop . . NOW!

What are you feelin'? 




Friday, June 7, 2013

MARKET PICS

You don't mind me catching up a bit i hope.  Portland Market was nearly a month ago and we have already gone to and returned from another show.  But Market was fun and I meant to share.  So . .


 We were set up the first day so were fancy free all during day two.  Debbie and Jeff (Wooden Spool Designs) directed us to Monticello.  GO!  I was so excited that it never occurred to me to take a picture of this marvelous place, until we were driving away.   Huge and with the entire backside of the building being their antique garden center.  Oh my . . bring me a semi will ya?

Joan and Debbie and John headed back to the convention center for Sample Spree but wine and dinner sounded better to Kathi and I.   Visited one of my favorite McMenamins in Troutsdale - Edgefield.  The Poor Farm.  Quite a history.   And thank you Troutsdale Historical Society for preventing the county from completely demolishing every single building.  Imagine that.  Go visit and you will thank them too.



This is the main lodge.  And in front,
a very intriqueing sculpture. He wanted to come home with me. . . I'm quite sure of it.
Yum - One of the numerous dining places
at Edgefield.  Was soooo good!
Kathi and Primitive Man





The Enchanted Path
Botanical Fortress


All fine evenings deserve a work day to follow . . i guess.   Off to Market next morning.
Home sweet home for the next three days.  And lots of terrific eateries in the evenings!
We were all booth neighbors.  More fun that way.  My camera did not make it very far.  Wooden Spool's awesome booth was just down the way and you should kick me for not getting you a shot.
Suzanne - Suzanne's Art House
Kathi & Joan - Bits & Pieces By Joan
Kathi - Heart To Hand
and me too - Reets
Market just amazes me.  Wish there was time for more pictures. 
Hope you liked!

Monday, April 8, 2013

A YEAR GONE BY

Oh . . hey . . HI!
No one can believe it .
but we are already one year old.
Mommy gave us first dibs . . she's the BEST!

Hey . . Who took that cake?!
What?! . . yer sayin' another whole year?