Wonky Houses off to the mail

 I participated in an online block swap of 'wonky' houses.   I made 12 and sent off 11 of them to Erin in North Carolina today.  She will get hundreds, mix them around, and send me back 11 from different quilters also participating.       FUN!!







This one is my favorite, a photo before I cut it to it's size......12.5".

It's called Big Giant City, or something like that.






I decided early on that mine would all feature the American flag in one way or another.  Some have a flag roof, most have a flag towering above the houses.

This one is called Pagoda House.




So these are just a sample!!

Today, Wednesday May 30 2012

 Manuel gave me some pottery, and I keep buying pieces from him.    He owns PotteryLand in Lynnwood, a great place to get pottery.  I trade work for pots.

Here are some beans growing up some sticks, and a curly willow and that one in the background is 'Sara's Pot'.  I bought that in memory of Sara.  She loves that green color.





Steve and Paul brought home a load of granite remnants, and we're all working to build this walkway to the shop. 






 This is my current favorite pottery.  It has a fuschia that has flowers that look like mini purple mink Queen Elizabeth crowns dangling.   

If I was the queen, my crown would look kind of like these blooms.  But loads of diamonds and some ruby danglers, too.

So this is what it looks like out there right now.  A mess, kind of.......we have to get it all spiffed up for Father's Day family get-together.

No problem!

OK Mom!

Here is my paisley design inspiration for quilting Shelley's quilt.  I look over at it once in awhile when I'm 'drawing' on the quilt. 

 The back of the quilt in progress.

 The front.

 I signed up for a block swap.  I'm making 12 wonky houses.  Mailing 11 of them away, and getting 11 from 11 other quilters from around the world. 

 I decided that my blocks would all feature an American flag.  I like the flag......

 More wonky houses, next to the ongoing strip quilt, which will be done one of these days. 

 The crazy ferris wheel quilt.  Maybe that will be it's name.  I'm mulling some finishing ideas for it.  I want to set off the wheels, do something interesting for the edges.  Anyhoo.......there you are, mother!!!!!  I have to go take a shower and go to work!  ~Susie

Hanging out with BBA

This guy is really cute.  And good, too!  He didn't fuss one bit at the quilt show....so we have high hopes he will be a quilting buddy!  A fellow fabric addict.











Here is his mom, my daughter, Victoria.












Achilles, aka BBA, always likes to test things out in his mouth.  Including the camera.    And, he is very adamant, insisting, and doesn't give up easily.  He also has an extreme grip.












I gave him a bath in the sink.  He had a blast.




I've been sewing and sewing.  Still in the stitching/piecing stage on three quilts.  I have another in the pipeline to start for Shelley,  and want to get together some travel work.  Steve and I are leaving for a road trip Thursday morning.

More later............

Piggies

MY BABY

He's 5 months old now.  We hung out at the cafe and counted toes. 

FatQVina, my sewing Godmother

This is a paper - pieced block I made today.  It was a fun, free mystery block by Paper Panache.

After answering some questions, the Paper Panache site 'spit out' this pattern for me, and her name is FatQVina. 

She's on my design wall right now, watching over my projects, egging me on.

Loads.....in progess

The leaf quilt is all pinned up.  It has to hang out awhile until I decide on threads and quilting designs.

The beaded spectacle holders make a great clanging curtain at the door.  They GLOW!!

I put this quilt back up on the wall.  It is addictive fun making this one....and the sewing room is really scrappy/messy because of it.  I am really liking it!

 

Shelley's quilt is now off the wall.  I have basted on all the big wild pieces, and have to sit down and hand stitch it on.  It's really wild and pretty so far.

Spectacle Lanyards - Croakies

Really Pretty Beaded Croakies!


I have been making these beaded eyeglass holders. 

Hannah's going to sell them along with her wonderful baby blankets, at the Bellingham Farmer's Market beginning April 2012. 

They will cost $30.00 each.

This one is lightweight, light colored, dainty.
Really Pretty!! 






There are so many wonderful, gorgeous beads to use!!

This green eyeglass keeper features an assortment
of glass beads.  Adding crystal and metal charm beads to the mix really makes it sparkle!






I spend a lot of time bead-gazing, playing, sorting, and then putting together the combinations I come up with. 

It's so fun!  Here is a predominantly red 'chain'.  It's got pink bugles, yellow frosted donuts, red glass and seed beads, and a couple of lampwork beads.  Throw in some metal and crystal, and POOF!!   Another yummy chain.





Blue. 

Sea blue, milky blue, frosty and opaque blue.  Throw in some green and metal accents. 

I'm going to purchase more glasses to keep around the house!






Multi-colored, chunky mixed beads.  Big squares, small cubes, chips of stone.

See-through, dark, shiny, sparkly, filigree.

I love beads!








My friend, Dianna, asked me to take a bead class with her October 2011.  Just four months ago.

I am completely smitten and slightly addicted to beads.

There is a lot to learn!  It's great fun!  



More later, I'm sure!     ~Susie

Stuff I'm Doing Today

Today I get to stay at home and work!! 

I enjoy my days at home, when I get to work on my projects.

I'm pinning together the Leaf Quilt top, batting, and backing.   (Guess what?  I found a piecing mistake!  Don't tell...)





I have another batch of eyeglass keeper-lanyard-croakies for Hannah to sell at the farmer's market.  



Until she takes them, they will hang as a curtain in our entryway!