More Quilting And Some Distractions

First, here's a few shots of the second row in progress.  I'm almost done with the mini blocks.  Then I'll quilt in the dark purple sashing before returning to the larger blocks.

Also, I've been working on a thread cabinet like the one described in The Creative Homemaker's blog.  Here it is drying after the first top coat of paint.  I'm excited to hang this up in a closet full of quilting supplies - away from the sunshine, but accessible when needed. 

Mr. Seeing Stars helped me a lot.  We mostly used pieces of wood we had stashed in the garage.

There's a field full of cotton behind it. Not many flowers so far.  So in a few more days, I'll get a close-up photo of the flowers.  They are pretty!

My yellow quilting friend posed for this photo.  I'm not sure what kind of bird he is, but maybe some kind of oriole or warbler or vireo.  My book shows photos, but his markings don't really match anything that I found.  Anyway, he landed on my sunflower and I loved the image.  He didn't cooperate for a photo then.  My friend, Florida Farm Girl, might be able to help identify him.

Finally, here are a couple of quilt tops that I made at the beach.  I like to have something else to do in the evenings or rainy times besides watching tv.  So I pack a few fabrics and notions ... and a machine and table ... and of course a cutting mat and ironing surface ... and soon the whole van is full.  My poor family loves me to put up with my shinanigans.

Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars

One Row Is Finished!

After seven months of quilting, the first row is complete.  Only 3 more to go!

No, I'm not quitting my day job any time soon!

I like the quilting more than I did when I first started.  Mostly, I think I've seen what digitized quilting is capable of creating and I wanted to see that type of precise work on this quilt.  Even with rulers, I haven't achieved exactly what I was hoping to see.  But with each block customized, I'm happy with the result so far.

Here are a few close ups.

The double triangle - I'll go back and fill in the rest of the background with pebbles.  I thought they'd mix with the bear claws, so I stopped to think about it.

That free hand dragonfly - I ripped out the leg on the left and sketched it with chalk to make it more symmetrical.  But somehow, he really wants to kick that leg up a little, so it was quilted with a kick again.  This time, it will stay as is.

Here's a preview of Row 2.  I plan/hope/really want to get this one done this week. 

When our raccoon bandit passed away, I sort of celebrated that my bird feeders would be able to feed the birds again.  However, we have discovered that she left two babies.  These little fellas also learned to scale the pole and steal the birdseed just as their mother did.  Oh well.  Double the trouble, but they sure are cute.

Enjoy your day!
- SeeingStars