You can not get a prize and still be a winner?

And that was the case with Houston...  I felt so lucky just being there.  So for those who didn't get there in person, here is the best photo I have.....

 

And here is a detail shot...

 

You are looking a 3 1/2 years of work and some of you followed along through every stitch.. There are so many special memories including dozens of vintage black glass buttons I received from followers all over the country... In this shot you can see the black velvet bird  carrying the key... a early gift of encouragement from Susan Elliott.  All through the fans you will see some rust colored lace fans... also an early gift from Susie Wolfe.  Much of the fancy trim  was purchased in the garment district of  LA on a visit to Susie... And speaking of Susie here we are by the quilt...

 

 

You can see she could always use the vest to find me.  I am breaking this down into several posts...I want you to hear all about the classes, techniques I learned, my purchases, other quilts etc.

 

Glad to hear from those who still follow.... I am approaching a milestone of sorts.  I am only 16 posts away from 1500 posts.  I meant to celebrate 1000 posts but it slipped right on by...

Home from Houston!!!

The world's largest quilt show  celebrated its 40th anniversary in Houston and I was there with my suffrage crazy quilt......I still find it hard to believe.   The show attracts more than 60,000  people  and in addition to exhibits of traditional and contemporary textiles, there was a full schedule of classes and seminars.

There were red and white quilts everywhere....I am home, tired, overwhelmed and absolutely bursting to share everything I saw and learned.  But first I have to find my way around the disaster I left in my wake getting the much admired vest (yes, vest!) done.

So when I am unpacked, rested and find my way around the mess,  I will start a series of blogs as I get all the pictures Susie Wolfe and I took downloaded... Susie was a fabulous companion and managed to keep me going everytime I thought I couldn't take another step...

But besides seeing my crazy quilt hanging there, the biggest thrill was having someone approach who recognized me and say they read my blog every day...  It was a big boost as I was considering if I want to keep blogging after all this time and do I even  have enough to share to keep going.  I was truly touched each time it happened.

So in addition to  changing to daylight savings and the time zone changes, I caught a cold on the plane home...  much to come.... Needless to say, Morris was so happy to see me and wanted a lot of cuddles and love  and I was happy to oblige.  (DH also)

Susan Elliot sent me this wonderful card last week....so this morning I'm off to Houston just to stand by my quilt and sparkle!  I worked on the jacket until late afternoon yesterday and the sleeves have been on and off...twice

One must sing while milking sheep!!

I finished the wool RR for Kathy Shaw and there's a back story.... She had asked for a lamb and some of you know how I loved my sheep. I used to milk them to make cheese...and although they were eager to get into the milking stand for the grain, they were not that crazy about being milked. Their udder would be tense and the teats like knots so I massaged their udder and softly sang to them...."Ewes are my sunshine, my only sunshine and ewes may be happy when skies are gray! etc." Oh how I miss them....
The lamb and wreath were work together on top and I'll do a tut on the process.  Getting two done catches me up for this month and I wanted it done before I left before I left for Houston Monday morning... I'll leave it packed for DH to mail next week.

Third time's a charm

It has taken me ALL morning just to get the lace basted down... First it was too flat and then next time it was gathered too much.  I finally eased it as I went with my thumb.....about 1/8" every 1/4" stitch...  Now I have to be gone all afternoon and will finished the lace tonight...

Panic time yesterday... There is a black band around the front edge and went to find the crushed stretch velvet yesterday only to find that

 with Halloween next week that it was not that easy to find...  Finding odd bits to fix as I go along such as I forgot the top knot feather on the quail etc.