PINE TREE

Finished working on the pine tree for the most part.....next comes a surprise....you will have to stay tuned as I am not telling.

BIRCH TREES

Some birch trees added ....more will come .  Must have a lot of patience making trees....it is repetitious but relaxing at the same time. 

"PEACE"

 "PEACE"

24 1/2 X 34 inches

Original design inspired by photograph taken by me

Rawedged fused applique

Domestic Machine Quilted

Traditional Binding

Now for sale in my Etsy Shoppe

Detail photos below

BELOW SEE HOW PIECE DEVELOPED BEGINNING FROM THE PHOTOGRAPH

Shoreline

Worked on the machine quilting most of the day.   All the leaves are quilted on from the birch trees.  Added another single birch and then the long needle pine and the trunk of another tree.  Then I began quilting on the long needles of the pine.  Lots of progress today.

Three Boats and Fog

Some very good progress....everything is added now.  Had a few small boats but am happy with this as it is so will not add them.  I did the reflection with Inktense pencils and then added more fog over then and the boats.  Now will quilt quilt quilt and then it is finished.
It needs the quilting on the boats and the new fog as well as a few details so this will take my a few days for sure.  Then I will bind it and show the finished piece.  Right now it measures approximately 28 inches by 28 inches.

Background & Fog

The background is quilted and the furthest away parts are finished.  The fog is in.   Looks dreary and lonely right now but it is going to perk up a bit now.   The fog drove me crazy with the invisible thread not cooperating.  I was not very patient with it and got frustrated working with it but persevered.  It does a nice job of disappearing so it is worth the effort but still not my favorite to work with.

Keep On Boating

Work continues on my water scene....slowly.  Lots of distractions this week mostly of my own doing.   I have decided to get a bike, Fuji Hybrid,  and am so excited to start biking to locations to difficult to stop and photograph with a car.  Then in addition to that I bought a new camers Canon Rebel t5i.   So  there will be a bit of a learning curve with the camera but I am excited for it to arrive this coming week and go out and experiment while the weather is still beautiful and warm

This morning went to the Farmers Market in Elkhart Lake again this morning.  This time ran into a High School Classmate.  He does beautiful exotic wood pieces that are exquisite.  It was fun to see and talk to him again.  Then stopped at the Sewing Basket, our local fabulous quilt shop, and bought some new fabric which  hopefully will help me finish the above piece.  I need to remove the larger lily pads as they are way too big in comparison to the boat as you can see.  This will take a bit of time but necessary.

It is my daughter Molly's birthday today  and she has turned 30!  How can that be???? Where did that time go. We are going out to celebrate tonight.  Will go to Wild Truffle up in Appleton.

Should be a lot of fun.....

Pickerel Weed

I have had little time in the studio but I have had some so I continue to work on my new piece.
I have added some Pickeral Weed...as wetland plant found in Wisconsin and other northern states as well as Canada.  I love the Pickerel  Weed  when I am on the lake near Minocqua.  It has these small purple blooms which attract bees and butterflies but it also has heart shaped flowers.....on long green stems.  I have tried to capture it here.

The store is in a full mark down sale now.  We are busy from the time we get there until we close.
We will close our doors the first week of July but have another month to fully move out.
Stressful and yet joyous all wrapped up in one. 

Talon

 I had just enough time this morning, before leaving for work, to make the Owl's Talon and quilt that.   Then I added the furthest part of his chest that just sticks out a bit at the top and bottom under the wings. 

Now I am ready to tackle the wings.   Looking forward to working on them tomorrow when we are expected to have sleet and rain mixed.  Right now it is way to cold for that, but I guess the temps will go up during the night.  That will mean staying put in my studio which will give me the time to concentrate on making these wings.  

Tree & Red Twig Dogwoods

 This morning I finished quilting my second tree on my landscape quilt

 Someone asked where I get inspiration.  Well it is mainly from my surroundings.  I love going out and taking photos of the area I live in for future use on a quilt.  I keep a folder of these photos for later use.

The red in this landscape quilt came from heading out to my mom's to cut greens and red twig dogwoods for my winter pots at home.

 I loved how the red just pops in the winter landscape and had to add it in this quilt.  I fill two pots in front and one big one in the back.  The birds love perching in them and I will keep them until spring.

My telephone pole santa is also in place although he will not appear on this quilt.  I bought him 20 years ago!  He is all handcarved and weighs a ton but I love him and haul him from my attic every year.

This morning Watson was no where to be found.  I checked his favorite places and even looked in the mixing bowl which he sometimes curls up in,  Then I found him.

Seems he has decided to sleep in the guest room in the crib I have set up for Clayton.   Hmmmmm
Hope this is not going to be his new spot or I will be washing bedding before babies come for the day.  It is cute though.