I Finished It!

Wow, this took some doing! :-)  I decided I wanted to design and make a quilt for my grandson (who is now 16) in an adult size that would reflect his love of animals, and also use his favorite color turquoise.  I started this quilt in Tucson at least six months before we moved.  I started the applique sections and pretty much finished them, then I had to give up and pack it away as we prepared for the move.  Of course, moving in was as time-consuming and difficult once we got here, and I didn't drag the quilt out to work on it till months after our arrival.  I did the herringbone piecing sections, then added borders to make it a Queen size.  But, now I had a problem...it is so big I knew I needed a good big table and some help to get the quilt sandwiched and ready for quilting, and this took me a few months to finally get accomplished.  Once it was safety pinned to the batting and backing, I was overwhelmed by the aspect of quilting it on my machine, but I started slowly.  Finally I finished quilting the center sections (not without some problems), and was able to start quilting the herringbone sections, which was a breeze.  But once I started working on free-motion quilting on the borders, I started having problems with my thread feed.  That was a battle!   I took the machine to the shop and had it cleaned, oiled and adjusted (another two month wait) and then went at it again.  Overall, what I had wanted to give my grandson over a year ago, he will finally receive....better late than never! :-)   I'm glad it's done!  He has seen it, and loves it, so that makes me happy!

The lake and the animals in and around it are all machine appliqued...

The frog in the water was the first "critter" I made

Do you see the lizard?

There's an osprey with a fish flying overhead.  Turtles on the rocks are watching it and the fabric-painted clouds. I did do a little bit of fabric painting on the center panel also.

Sisters OR Outdoor Quilt Show

This was wonderful!  Not only did I get to enjoy one of the best shows in the country, I had my friend Paulette at my side for it all.  It was a great day!

Just some of my favorites...there were SO many more!

Paulette getting a photo at a darling little park area...

Here we are about to go back to the car.  As you can see, I borrowed Russell's mobility scooter and we carried a folding chair for Paulette, but never needed it as there were plenty of places to take a break in the shade.  It was wonderful getting to enjoy this with my special, dear friend!

Goldie Richmond Exhibit

While we were visiting in Tucson recently we went to the Arizona History Museum with our friend Paulette.  I was happy to share the Goldie Richmond Quilt exhibit with her!  Goldie was the owner of a Trading Post in Sells, AZ near the Tohono O'Odham Reservation back in the 20s to 40s.  She hand-appliqued and quilted quilts while she waited for customers.  Most of her work represents life on the Reservation at that time, and are wonderful charming works.  She also appliqued floral designs.  Only about ten of her quilts have survived.

I love how she used fabric with pottery on it for the stripping!

One of my favorites...the rider being bucked off his horse!

 
Goldie was six feet tall and quite a fascinating person...she had to save her husband from a bobcat once and killed the very large bobcat with her bare hands!

I would love to make a Goldie Richmond homage quilt at some time...with my own scenes inspired by hers, of Indian life.  There are actually patterns of homage quilts for sale at Cactus Quilt Shop in Tucson, HERE, but I would like to do my own thing.  I have no idea WHEN I will get this one made, though!  So many quilts, so little time!