Nearing The End Of The Road

"It's The Journey"  ~ 48" X 60"

All good journeys must, eventually, come to an end. I put the final quilting stitches in this quilt today... it's been a long road to the finish line.  It all began here, just over a year ago; with what was known as the Head For The Border challenge at my LQS.  There were some false starts, more than a few stumbling blocks, and many, many decisions along the way. The quilting was just as challenging for me; a wide variety of components tested my abilities every step of the way!  This evening I've been trimming the edges and preparing the binding. Just like with every great trip I'm rewarded, at this final juncture, with a wealth of happy memories; from the initial planning to all the stops and sidetrips taken in transit. My plan is to hang this wallhanging between the two front windows in the studio, directly over Snowbird; it will serve to remind me that life never is about the destination... it's always about the journey. All in all, it's been a great adventure, thanks for riding along with me!

Life is Good!

 

Forty Days and Forty Nights...

I was going to make a joke about my recent absence and tell you that we've been building an ark! But, it's not all that funny in reality! I heard on our local television station this morning that these last six consecutive weeks have been the rainiest on record... that's OVER forty days and nights! Our rain gauge had four inches in it this morning, that's what we received overnight; enough is enough!  The Hosta are chewed down to nubs and the Daylilies have been denuded of blooms. It's pointless to spray the deer deterrent as there hasn't been a long enough dry spell for it to stay and not be washed away. I'm not quite gathering up pairs of animals yet, just Hannes; and I'm not heading for an ark, but for the Studio instead. At least that's my plan for now...

...and hoping for drier, sunny, summer days ahead!
Won't you cross your fingers along with me?

Life is Good!

And Yet Another...

... reason to cheer! It was time for "hip, hip, and hooray" last evening at The Strawberry Patch as B. (half of the famed B. Sisters team) completed her first quilt top. She will add a border to hers (as her sister is doing) and soon it will be quilting time. I was so excited to view her artistic layout, rather than placing her 9-Patch blocks randomly she chose to arrange them by color and value producing this stunning optical design. Well done, B.! Her sister's quilt top from the same pattern can be viewed here. They are both awesome!

These same sweet and generous ladies brought me with some wonderful gifts last evening, I can't wait to try them all out! There's a wonderful Prairie Point pressing tool, a cool Log Cabin/Courthouse Steps ruler by Creative Grids and the most precious book: Story Time by Kim Gaddy... all these were wrapped their Momma's fabric and tied with a length of her ribbon, she was a very special woman who is sorely missed and more dearly loved with each and every passing day. In fact, it's their mother and my friend, Natalie, who is our common thread. She has bound us together in this happy quilting adventure that we're all experiencing now on Thursday evenings, for that (and for her) I could not be more grateful; I'm certain that she knows and approves, and that she's smiling!

Life is Good!