Can you tell that there is stitch-in-the-ditch quilting and lots of diagonal lines?



Magic Eight-ball says:  The answer is No!

Pam assembled the quilt sandwich and did all the straight lines on the quilt.  Then she turned it over to me to do something with the prints and those gazillion borders.

The outside borders got a leafy vine ...

Here is the continuation of my blog about our Chicago trip.  We stayed in a hotel on Michigan Avenue and were able to walk everywhere we went.  I very much admired the garden plantings on both sides of the street.  Most were either raised on concrete platforms, or had low wrought iron fences surrounding them to deter doggies.

Art and Architecture:  Yes
Quilting Shops/Shows/Sightings/Purchases: No

Having said that, I will share with you some highlights of my past few days in Chicago, where Mr. Quilty and I spent the last few days.  We were hoping to avoid the oppressive heat here in North Carolina, but it followed us to Chi-Town where they experienced their hottest day of the year on Friday.

We had an easy trip to Gastonia.  As soon as we got to the exit for Mary Jo's, a black cloud appeared above, along with thunder, lightning, and rain.  I was given an hour to whirl through the store, and when I came out, the rain was just ending.  I was looking for red and gold fabrics for a project I am contemplating.  I got some yardage and some fat quarters ($1.39/yard) and other large scraps ($.25).

Yes, it is still very hot here in central North Carolina, and the HVAC guys have been here since 9:00 AM installing a new system to replace part of our sixteen-year old air conditioning units.  I got up at about 6:30 AM in order to clear off the steps and landing to my finished attic rooms so they could install the new duct work and returns up there.  We are told that the new system will be much more efficient, which is good.  Usually it is too hot or too cold upstairs.

Anyway, I have been staying downstairs ...

We got back today from another fun-filled mountain weekend.  This time we were joined by our older son and the two grand-kids.  Great weather except for some much-needed rain on Friday night.  We spent the whole weekend fishing in the pond, floating in the creek, and going on Gator rides to the top of the mountain.  This time the kids ran all the way down...great idea for getting them sleepy before bed!

Continuing my journey in mixed media, I painted and stamped a canvas board, added some collaged papers and lace, and drew all over it with black ink. The brown shading is done with Conte crayon. The text at the lower right was on a bit of scrapbook paper.  It is the first three lines from a poem by Thomas Campion: 


There is a Garden in her face,
Where Roses and white Lillies grow ;
A heau'nly paradise is that place.


I chose to interpret the poem quite literally!  I like the colors and layering on this one, but might do ...

I was wrong when I said yesterday that it would be 101 degrees.  Our home thermometer registered 105!

While I was at the beach, my awesome quilt group, Cyberbee, had an all-day meeting during which the Re-Vision Quilt project was launched. 

We have been toying with the idea for this swap for a long time, since Michelle read about the idea on Judy Rys' blog.

 I sent my project (a Ricky Tims Harmonic Convergence quilt top) along in a stapled brown paper bag, and Jean picked up a brown bag project for me.  When I found out it was from Mary Corcoran, I got excited because Mary is an awesome quilter who uses vibrant color combinations.

Yesterday, Jean ...

My darling husband showered me with nice things, including these quilt-related items that I am looking forward to reviewing.  I think I will have enough new ideas and techniques for a lifetime!

I have a wonderful new book that was an early birthday present from my son and daughter-in-law.   Stitch Alchemy by Kelli Perkins is all about combining fabric and paper for mixed-media art.  The author refers to the resulting product as paper-cloth.  I have also heard it called fabric paper.  This is a process that I am anxious to try out!

Why paper-cloth?  For one thing, you can create colors and designs that are uniquely original, rather than depend on commercial fabric.  For another, you can cut paper-cloth and applique it without turning under the edges.  Paper-cloth can be stitched, painted ...

My father has seven children- all of us are in the above picture, which also includes my Aunt Billie.  And every one of us think we had the best father in the world.  That is saying something!

Dad has 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren so far.  That's a lot of father's day love!

We left our rented beach cottage on 40th Street, Sunset Beach,  behind this morning.

We will miss being with our kids, grandkids, and grand-dog.  And the other four houses of Turners and McBrayers in the neighborhood.