A Couple Updates

January 2 and I already feel like I am behind for the year!

I have updated the schedule here and on my website. And I have added several new sites to my blog list.

In the midst of this changeable weather, I thought I would share this pic.  It's in the summer, during haying season.  That's me, Lacey (30+ years old) and Luna, one of the barn cats.  

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Gone Again by James Grippando.

The Tale of a Twice Quilted Quilt

 In early December I finished hand piecing this coffin piece.  I basted it and started hand quilting it.  I drew the leaves freehand and quilted them with a Sulky Blendable 12 wt.  A hera marker and ruler were used to mark the "bee" pieces, quilted with a 40 wt. cotton.

I was almost done, removing the basting as I finished an area of quilting, when I decided I just did not like how it looked.   Sigh....

Since the quilt was still partially basted and the rest had been quilted, I decided I didn't have to rebaste; I could use the already-quilted areas in place of basting while I remarked and quilted.  I love the lines of a stencil I've used several times, sort of a flame design with a very organic feel.  You can see a portion of the requilting here.  I removed the leaf quilting as I went.  I requilted with a 40 wt Mettler in a solid which blended better with the background.  (I believe one of the reasons I did not like the original leaf pattern may have been the 12 wt. thread.  12 wt is very thick and makes a strong statement.  It overpowered the bee fabrics.)

Here you can see the leaf quilting and the new lines to be quilted, marked with a Clover white Chaco-liner.  

I even requilted the bee fabric with a slightly more matching thread.  

And here is the result.  I am so happy that I followed my instincts and requilted this piece.

I probably shouldn't mention that this is not the first time I have requilted something, should I?

Blissful New Year's Hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  Sorry about the lack of cropping on some of the pictures--my photo editing software is on my other computer, which I can no longer hook to the internet. :( 

This party's almost over

Do you notice how much more quickly the time seems to go as we grow older?  2016 has gone by in the blink of an eye.  

These pictures have nothing to do with the end of the year.  But I was fortunate enough about a week ago to have a flock of about thirty wild turkeys near the house.  They are fun to watch and are much faster runners than people give them credit for.  The corn was finally cut just about a week before.  Some was missed, especially where they make the turn in the northeast corner.  Full cobs hung down ready for "gobbling" turkeys!

As we get closer to the start of 2017, I would like to say how grateful I am for my family, friends, and students.  I've been graced with fabulous opportunities in quilting and with horses.  I am indeed blessed with good fortune.

What will 2017 bring?  I'm not sure...but I will try to bravely meet the challenges, and revel in each moment of goodness.

My wishes for you?  Health, happiness, family and friends...and enough.

Blissful hugs (the last for 2016),
Sharon

P.S.  I have updated the pictures on the blog back to October.  Many of the recent posts have been done using my smartphone.  I am still trying to adjust the picture quality for the blog posts sent from my phone--it's a slow process :(