Kitty Kapers!

 I am never short of help when I sit down to sew.  Here is Zoe who is ALWAYS there ... doesn't matter if I am sewing, on the computer, cooking - whatever - she has a need to be closeby her Momma and lending a"helping paw!"

Now Keisha is a different story ... she is mischief looking for a place to happen in! The stories I could tell about this mischievious kitty would bring a smile to anyone's face!

Friday is here ... again!

Where do these weeks go to?  It seems that one day it's Monday and the beginning of a brand new week and the next day it is Friday and the end of that week! ;-)

I picked up Emma and Lauryn from school yesterday as I always do on a Thursday and we came back to Nana and Poppa's house for some fun and games, a roast beef dinner and a sleepover.  Our home is so full of chatter and laughter when the kiddies are here running around.  Today is a Pro-D day and they have been picked up by their Daddy to go and have some fun.

I am making headway on my guild doorway challenge and can see it taking shape.  The quilt studio is a total disaster and I have to say I am looking forward to cleaning it up after this project!

We have lots to do around the house this weekend as the new carpets are being installed starting on Monday .... where does one put an entire household of furniture at times like this? LOL  I really hate disorganization - oh well, it will be over soon and the home back to "normal." ;-)

But hey, enough of that ... would you look at the beauty that abounds in beautiful British Columbia - this really is a very lovely place to live!

Beautiful Artwork from Panama

During our recent trip to Panama I was able to buy this beautiful piece of embroidered handwork called a mola.  The artistry of a mola reflects traditional Kuna culture.  Mola art, I have learned, was developed when Kuna women had access to store bought fabrics.  These designs are often inspired by modern graphics such as pictures from books and tv cartoons and in nature as the piece of artwork that I personally chose.  Many hours of careful sewing are required to create a mola and the ability to make an outstanding mola is a source of status amongst the Kuna women.  Would you look at the detail and the perfection of the stitches.

You can't see it from this photo, but there are 3 layers that comprise this lovely mola.  The quality of the mola is determined by such factors as the number of layers, fineness of stitching, evenness and width of cutouts, addition of details such as zigzag borders and lattice-work or embroidery.  Whoever the lady was who made this was indeed very talented and I am so happy to one day be able to incorporate it into one of my art quilts.

Henrietta

I have been following a block of the month on the internet posted by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs called Henrietta.   Bunny Hill Designs is such a lovely website that Anne Sutton owns and maintains.  http://www.bunnyhilldesigns.com/dynamic/?page=welcome

Anne's patterns are all very lovely and I have made quite a few.  Anne is also very generous in making free patterns available to her viewers.   Henrietta is the BOM she is offering this year.  I have made three blocks so far and wanted to show you.  They are a lot of fun to make and you can let your imagination go wild with adding small buttons and other bits and bobs as you go along.  Here is my Henrietta ...

Organized Confusion!

I have made a start on my guild "doorway challenge" and doesn't it show - and these are not even my "real" scraps but batik cuttings from various quilts made over the years! LOL

I think I can - I think I can ... ;-)

It's a Quilting Day!

In preparation for our new carpeting to be installed next week, I spent all day yesterday ripping up the old trim ... what a tiring job!  I can hardly wait for our new carpeting to be laid ... it is called "coffee bean" and is so warm and inviting.  I will be sure to post a photo of before and after when it is completed.

So after the tiring day I had yesterday I am rewarding myself with a whole day in my quilt studio today.  I have registered to take part in another of our guild's challenges and that is to design and make a quilt/wallhanging of a doorway.  I can't write too much about it because I know other members of our guild read my blog and I want it to be a surprise.  The challenge has to be finished and handed in by our June meeting.  I am really looking forward to working on this piece.  I have found over the years I have been slowly getting away from traditional quilting and more into the art quilts.

It looks a little overcast outside ... a perfect day to play in the quilt studio! ;-)

Good Health is Such a Blessing!

I am just now starting to feel semi-normal after battling some flu-like symptoms for the last 3 days.  I seemed to have drifted from bed to couch and feel like I have slept the last few days away!

Today is a new day and I am feeling a lot better and eager to play catch-up with my life!  Sew much to do ....

We have a lot of work to be done around the house in preparation for the new carpeting which is being installed next week.  We decided to go with replacing all of the carpeting - a major undertaking.  All the trim has to be taken up and, of course, new trim installed after the carpet is laid.  The biggest headache of it all is where does one put an entire household of furniture when the carpet layers want to just keep moving from one room to the next!  Eeeee gads!  Thank goodness they are removing and disposing of all the old carpeting and underlay.

The beautiful sunshine is so inviting outside today ... I think maybe a little walk in that lovely fresh air is in order after being cooped up for the last few days on the couch.

We are also looking forward to taking our 10 year old grandson out for dinner this evening while Mommy and Daddy enjoy some well-earned time alone.

Yes, I feel a good day comin' on!! ;-)