Baby Quilt

I recently moved into a much larger rental and have so much more space to quilt. I have an entire loft space in which I can make a mess and never have to clean up when people are coming over. Now, I can just close the door.
I have been putting off making this quilt due to lack of space. My dear friend is having her first child. She originally said she was going to have a gender neutral baby room. After preliminary photos were sent to me, I realized her idea of gender neutral was different than mine. I am thinking primary colors, or yellows and teal or grey and orange. She went for a country chic look. I love it. I was able to use some of my favorite fabrics I have been hoarding for years. The white with tiny purple flowers is from the first set of fabrics I ever purchased at the ripe age of 13. The solid yellow is from vintage sheets I got from my grandfathers house when he passed, they are ohh sooo soft. The yellow with tiny flowers is my absolute favorite fabric in my entire collection. I have many items in my life made from this fabric; top, bag, pillow, jewelry roll. I still have 3 or 4 yards left even after making this quilt. I started with strips. The chambray is timeless, a true favorite of mine. I love denim or denim looking items. Gotta **~ LoVe~** the stories that fabrics hold.

Then I struggled with my initial design intentions. I wanted to do the plus pattern, unfortunately I cut all my green strips the wrong direction. So, when I laid it out, the direction of the birds on the lines drove me crazy and the pink popped too much. I realized it wouldn't easily be pieced together, even if I changed the direction of the plus.

I left my quilt laying out for a few days while I pondered over its fate. I totally scrapped the whole idea and when for something else. I HAVE to get it finished this weekend, the baby is due in a week so...hopefully I'll have a pic for you soon.

Instead of a finished shot of the quilt, I leave you with a beautiful image of Crater Lake, OR and Wizard Island in the middle, from last weekend. Vacations get in the way of my quilting often, maybe if I didn't live in such a beautiful state. Nawwhh.

We Made It!

Well after a month to take our time getting across the country, WE MADE IT!
It will take me a bit of time to get set back up to enjoy my crafting and sewing. We just got internet today which is very very exciting! Hubby has been to his new lab a few times and we are feeling like we made a great choice to move to Eugene, It is truly beautiful here and the "folks" are just as nice as southerners!

Here are a few more lovely iphone photos of our cross country trip

Palo Duro Canyon, TX

Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

Huntsville, UT

Idaho City, ID

Blue Lake, OR

Floating

Ive been craving water and to float. We got out on the lake in the boat last weekend. It was bittersweet, i was in heaven in the water, but sad to be leave my home and family here. I've been going to the lake with my dad since I was little. We never do much more than float.

Iam a water/ air sign and feel very connected to water. I always crave it this time if year. The ocean is a great fix. A lake is awesome when it is calm and few folks were out because the water is cold still. This is Lake Tillery, NC.

Great Aunts House

 I have a great aunt that is 92, she lives off a finger of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. She is a staunch democrat and environmentalist and historian. She lives in a home that was built in part of a 1800's farm house. It was added on to a few times with close attention to detail. She has a wonderful eye for antiques and decorating. We picked a wonderful weekend to visit. There was a nice cool breeze the entire time we were there. She has no air condition.

 She lives on a few acres of land that consists of two fields split by this cedar lined driveway. The cedars were planted in the late 70's it is amazing how big they are.

 Part of the family sitting on the dock. We had a great time together visiting, laughing and educating.

I took many pictures but, this is my favorite. I couldnt help but feel that the rest of our family who is no longer on this earth was with us in heart and spirit. I found it very healing to be in her home and with my family on such a beautiful weekend.

Salvo, NC vacation

I just got back from a lovely vacation to the Outer Banks of NC. This is not my first time going. The rain kept us off the beach a couple of days so we traveled to the Hatteras Lighthouse and a few art galleries like Pea Island. We love the natural beauty of the long stretch of beaches. Here are a few photos from the trip...... Ahhhhhhhhhh.....