Witchy - Poo

 What fun! She wasn't finished by Halloween. But she will last until Thanksgiving. I finished her while my mom-in-law was visiting. Which was only right, since it was she that gave me the pattern! The process was faster than piecing each 1" square one at a time. I wouldn't say that arranging these small squares onto fusible, ironing and stitching the long the long seam was not tedious. You cannot argue with the results.

A Quilt for B

 

Here is my latest version of the Jeans and T-shirt quilt. My first one was made for my niece... this one for my daughter. From stretchy skinny jeans and funky t-shirts that show case rock bands, Muppets, Snoopy and Hello Kitty. She is very diverse!

I like these best after they come out of the dryer after washing in hot water with fabric softener. That final step makes the raw edges all ripply and tactile.

The quilt made its public debut at a high school football game tonight. The perfect stadium blanket, if I say so myself.

Pumpkins

This one is Cam's creation...

Here is J's. It is a creeper from Mine Craft (video game)

Our New Door Greeter

 Isn't he spooky? McCall's Pattern 5488
The shroud is felt over a tomato cage.

The string of lights make him glow eerily.

 Come by anytime!

Art Show in Greenwood Village

 Brianna had these photos on display at a nearby art show. The invitation went out to high school students to display pictures of nature. The portrait to the right is of a frog. Grandma was able to go to the show during her visit. Great job.

James' Birthday

 Even after several attempts to convince James to celebrate his birthday at a restaurant... He insisted that pasta and cake at home was just what he wanted to mark the big day. 14 years old.

 The hamster party animal card was so cool.

 Legos, Chucks and gift cards (for video games). What more could a guy want?

 It was nice to have extended family here to enjoy the day with us.

Thank You John

Welcome

Come on in...

Can't wait. John and Sam will be visiting soon.

Raingutter Regatta

Cam built and designed his boat 'the Monkey'.

And the Monkey proved to be sea worthy. Cam came home with a trophey.

Home Coming 2011

Brianna's Birthday - Bring on the Presents

Brianna spent her birthday at a concert. So, we waited until the next morning to open gifts. (We will go out to dinner later tonight to celebrate with pizza)

Brianna's gifts were arriving by post all week. She received PJ's and Pez dispensers from Shaune's family. Hello Kitty of coarse. A gift card from Sam's family...

 A manicure set, books and jewelry from grandma...

Headband and gift card from her other grandma

Fish eye lens and Big Bang Theory seasons 1-3 from her parents. Candy from J and bubble blower from C.

Thanks everyone!

Paint Make Over

J's room was used as a guest room this past June. Many saw the desert earthy color on the wall. J called it pink and was really more than ready for a change. The walls are now green with a dark blue stripe around the top. About 18". This was his project, so much of the spackling and taping and caulking and painting was  done by him. That isn't to say that mom and dad didn't do their share! The color choice looks great. Especially against the bedspread grandma made.

I am not late.., just early for next year.

So here is the next project in a series selected to improve my applique and machine quilting skills. I was lucky enough to make two of these. My sister's runner was finished during her visit here last month. The kit available from Connecting Threads was generous enough to make a pair of runners. (With careful cutting and a little modification). I used left over fabric to piece the backings. No waste here!

Still looking for more applique projects to improve my skills (or lack there of).

Adventures in Appliqué

I hate to admit how long this little quilt has been in my work in progress... I think I made a similar one for my sister years ago.

This gave me an opportunity to practice free motion quilting. Not to mention the applique. How is it that some techniques come more easily than others?

I tossed this into the wash to see the affect of the stippling. All in all, I am happy with this little quilt. Measuring only 15" X 15" -- I recommend a small project when you are learning to machine quilt! 

Happy 4th of July

This is my best picture of the fireworks. Straight out of the camera. B will have some impressive pictures on her camera.

Not wanting to fight traffic or crowds we opted for a grassy hill with a view.

A nice finish to the day.

Pike's Peak

Looking up...
Today we took the cog train to Pike's Peak.

Not the tallest peak in the Rocky Mountain Range...
However, you can enjoy a 360 degree view from the top of Pike' Peak.

Here is the view from the top.

 This is what makes the 25% grade possible.

Here we are back at the depot. Only 3 short hours after we boarded for the ride up.

Yogurtland with Sam and Audrey!

According to Brianna's post-Novocaine request, we headed to Yogurtland today. Everybody enjoyed it quite a bit; it was the first experience there for everyone but Brianna. It's self serve, and they charge by weight. You choose your flavors, toppings, and amounts of each, and weigh at the end for thirty cents an ounce.

 The wall of frozen yogurt flavors!

 Audrey's on left, Brianna's on right.

Come Sit On My Swing

I had a few projects to complete before company comes. First, I painted and added 'no-slip' strips to our garage steps. (and a mat.) Very welcoming for a garage entrance.  Next I sanded and stained the front porch swing. It had aged to a disappointing grey. Like its suppose to. I didn't agree with nature and after sanding and adjusting the hinges used a can of stain from the garage. It didn't cost a thing for the improvement until I decided it needed pillows. The trip to the fabric store wasn't so bad. The project was done in one day. Now we are ready for company.

Exterior Paint

I am so happy to have the painting completed on the exterior. Here is the before picture. Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of yellow. However, I could have lived with a clear yellow shade. Our home in Idaho was yellow. This before shade is muddy and had green undertones that just looked like a dirty beige. After much family discussion, we settled on green for the new house color.

So here is the 'after picture'.  I have noticed too that I am becoming bolder in my color selection in my old age. Perhaps 10 years ago I would have chosen a more demure shade. I wanted no doubt in any one's mind that ours in the green house.

So when you come to visit, ours is the green house, you won't miss it.

Department Awards

Tonight Brianna was recognized by the Visual Arts department for her acheivements (academic and body of work) in photography.

I was able to get these pictures, but Miss B did not look over at us for a real photo op pose.

Good job, we are proud of you.

Year End Concert

James' final concert for the year included several powerful pieces including Thunder Hill Overture...

 Mystic Mountain March...

One Night in Athens

Highlights from King Kong... and finally Portent.

Done. All Done! Jeans and T-shirt Rag Quilt

Here is hoping that my neice is going to love it. Not just because of how orange looks next to denim blues...  

Or the cotton Ts in orange and black (her school colors) on the reverse side...

Or because the washing machine made the raw edges furry, rippled and oh so tactile...

Or because it is soft and cozy like your favorite jeans...

But because I made it for her