Quilting Companions

 I wanted to show you the quilt I did last week with Sid's help, but it is a Christmas present for a client's adult daughter.  I don't think she'd see it here, but I would hate to ruin a surprise for anyone.  I'll post photos after the holidays of this really cool t-shirt quilt.  I have Sid working for me again this weekend.  We have begun another silk tie memory quilt.  This one is going to be in a windmill pattern.  For some reason, I like doing traditional patterns with these beautiful silks. Sid and I have created many wonderful quilts together both traditional and non-traditional styles.  The quilt pictured here really captures both of our talents. 

            We are very proud of this quilt named "Kundalini".  It was made several years ago as a commissioned piece by someone who liked our seed of life quilts.  This client used the word Kundalini when describing what they wanted.  I did a touch of research and discovered that fire and snakes were associated with Kundalini energy.  The client thought it was wonderful and so we created the quilt you see here.
All of the fabrics were dyed by Sid and I did everything else.  I am fond of saying that my quilts are a series of mistakes.  I learn incredible things when I allow myself to make mistakes.
The lesson this quilt taught me was about bias tape.  I had made my own and used bias tape for years.  Then we got this brilliant idea to dye the snake fabric on the bias and cut it 2 1/2" wide.  This looked great! What I learned is that bias tape over a certain width will not lay flat in curves!  After an hour of freaking out,  I decided to methodically pleat the inner curves and sew them down.  This solved the main problem and gave the snakes such LIFE!  It really looks like the snakes are moving and writhing around in the knot work.  You can view other quilts we've made using the Seed of Life pattern at our website, www.mountainjoyquilts.com.
Well, it's truffle time.  I must dip and package many of these chocolaty delights to send to all my loved ones.  Sometimes, I think it's a cop-out to send truffles every year.  I know they are looked forward too though with great anticipation and I might even get in trouble if I don't send them.
We all need a yearly overdose of chocolate, don't we?  Happy quilting and creating!

A Beautiful Week

I spent my first week at home quilting and it was wonderful. Two quilts are done and the house is beginning to look better. In fact, today is quite busy with the normal blacksmith convention. My great husband however is busy fixing a part of our roof. It has leaked a river into what should be my walk-in closet since before we bought the place four years ago. It's a good thing it is usually dry here!
Anyway, a friend with expertise came over and they are fixing it right now. Whoohoo!!! Therefore, I am busy making them cinnamon rolls and apple pie. Later the friend gets a gift cheesecake too. I found it was his very favorite. One of the things I love to do is find out people's absolute favorite desserts and make them for them.
Short writing today as I'd like to get back to other things. Keep Quilting & Creating!

Laboring on Labor Day

We had our first frost last night. The temperature dipped to 28 degrees. I've had iris in a paper bag since this spring and a friend of mine just gave me some more plants too. I guess I really should get outside and use this weekend to create a new garden bed and get it planted. That is one of the problems with gardening at high altitude, you have to find soil first. You can't just plant stuff outside, it is all solid rock. I don't mean it's rocky soil either, I mean it is bedrock! It is usually easier to build garden beds up than to dig them in here. So, I'll see how many of these plants are survivors. You have to be tough if you want to be in garden.
The cooler weather has started the mouse population migration as well. Luckily, my two cats really love to hunt them at night. They are a little evil, my kitties are. If you are a human, these cats are very nice cats. If you happen to be mouse, however, these two cats will now be your torture specialists for the evening. This is pretty horrible and gross so if you have a weak stomach, stop reading right now. The cats will catch a mouse and put it in the bathtub to play with all night. I can't remember if I've written of the "torture dome" in previous blogs or not. Where did we leave the plywood that we cut to fit over the tub? It's time again to close this torture dome.
The cool weather inspired a wonderful meal last night. I made some colcannon and steaks with a honey-mustard sauce. It was quite delicious and really fitting for a fall night.
Have a good week and keep creating!