Grandmas' Treasures

Years ago, while living in Frankfurt, Germany, I designed this wallhanging to represent our family.

Grandmas' Orchard


My hubby's sister was an artist and after I'd raved about her graduate art show, she gifted us with a portfolio of her work. Included in it was q block print of their grandparents home. It was the basis for the home and reminds me of many times visiting there when we were first married

The hills, mountains, apple trees are reminiscent of my family's home in Washington. Many happy, happy memories of times on my grandparents' and uncle's orchards as a child and later my parents apple orchard--part of which we now live.  People in the orchard are hubby and I plus our children and my brother's in there, too.  The columns are three dimensional.

The lake and fish reflect both families as we all love fishing.  Hubby has great memories of fishing with his grandpa and I've spent many, many days fishing on lakes, rivers and the ocean with my family.

Entered this in a contest for military wives through a magazine catering to military families and was thrilled to be awarded an honorable mention.

Piece was sewn on my then brand new 1976 Pfaff.  Had lots of fun trying out what seemed like an endless variety of stitches!  It's still a good machine.


Be sure to go here to see all the wonderful quilted pieces in this spring's blogger's quilt festival:
http://amyscreativeside.com/2013/05/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-wall-hanging-quilts/

Flying Flamingo Pillow

Flamingo Thread Painting Appliqued and Quilted Into A Pillow

Amy, at http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/ is hosting her spring blogger's quilt festival again.   As usual, it will be wonderful and she'll have put in countless hours providing us with untold pleasure as we peruse all the entries.  This is the flamingo pillow made for hubby last Christmas.  Years and years ago, I'd told him I thought those plastic yard flamingos were fun.  He said, "I'll know we're over if I ever come home and find one of those in the front yard!"  Well...never one to forego a challenge, from then on I've found ways to give him flamingos.  And after awhile he and our family have gotten in on the fun, too.  We have flamingo puppets that amuse the grandkiddos, a little rug, Christmas ornaments, a monster-sized flamingo pen, etc.  

Nothing exciting, but the back

Saw a painting of a flamingo in flight and decided to "paint" with thread after being inspired by several quilters.  Enlarged the design, pinned it to material, batting and a backing and did an outline of largest areas.

This is a very out of focus picture, but shows the outline a bit.

Just started sewing very densely with the feeddogs down and my quilting foot.

Flamingo really coming together, but you can see the puckering that happened.

Up close with the "painting"

Ended up having to cut out the "painted" flamingo from the original material because of the puckering.  Stitched a very small and very tight zigzag all the way around it before cutting.  Then I appliqued that to another piece of the batik with backing and batting, again with a tight zigzag stitch.  Quilted it in a circular spiral sort of design to give it an airy feeling.  Then made the pillow case with piping.  It was definitely a labor of love and hubby was really happy for his present.

Be sure to go to Amy's and view all the quilting candy there.  You will not be disappointed!!!  Suppose this would be in the art category, or small quilts...not sure what other area it fits in!

http://fligamapoof.blogspot.com/search/label/flamingoes  shows a lot of the flamingos we have