This quilt is the result of a short term BOM issued by Ricky Tims.  I chose the "Wizards's Wardrobe" color option. I received my kit in the the summer of 2018, but did not begin work until February of 2019.  I completed the applique in the summer of 2019 using a double blanket stitch and several colors of Glide thread, but only completed the machine quilting and machine embroidered binding in July 2020 during the quarantine days. I machine quilted around each applique shape and inserted as many tiny feathers as I could fit in the background. I used my Brother Scan 'n Cut to scan and cut all the applique shapes. The quilting fabric was Ricky's hand dyes, the batting is Hobbs 80/20, the thread was two colors of Superior's 'So Fine".  I did the machine quilting hand guided on my Innova long-arm machine. In the borders,  I followed the pattern's spine designs, but quilted much thinner feathers than the pattern showed.

The fun wall hanging makes me smile. 

Althought there is snow outside my window and we are currently 'sheltering in place', it reminds me that summer is coming and there will be time to enjoy cherished friends.

Alien Eyes is my first try at a quilt in the modern style - interesting, clean, and simple with a focus on negative space. The quilting is important but not overwhelming. The eyes' center design was taken from Hajime Ouchi's book Japanese Optical and Geometric Art.  

Alien Eyes was published in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited.

Cotton fabric, machine pieced and quilted with walking foot and free-motion, cotton batting.

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of Heaven, blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the Angels.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow                                               

 

 

 

 

Bailey on the sailboat belonging to our son and daughter in law. They adopted Bailey before they bought the boat and he turned out to be a happy sailor.

Background is  photo shoped to "watercolor" and printed on fabric.

Growing up on a ranch, it always stirs emotions when I come across an image as this.  Once a treasure now 'put to pasture' begins the thoughts of the stories this relic could tell.  My heart ponders as I create my art piece and finally conclude that life has a way of moving on.

This quilt is a combination of Sue Garman's Bed of Roses and my layout.  After watching the 2020 BOM show, I realized I had never posted it at TQS.  I wanted to do something a bit different, so I did the applique out of Kaffe Faucett fabrics and combined it with a Civil War Reproduction red background and some lime green.  I enterd it in Houston and won an Honorable Mention.  I was fortunate to communicate with Sue prior to her death.  She and I had a nice conversation about how I chose to quilt it and why I chose the colors I did.  How I wish I could have met her.  

I created this quilt as a sample for a 60-30 Kaleidoscope class that I was teaching. It uses Paula Nadelstern mandala and other prints.

Truly a labor of love.  I bought this fabulous kit from Ricky and changed out the background fabric for a very different look.  So much stitching!  I scheduled a couple of “at home” retreats over the summer and had my friends keep me company.  Brandy Rayburn did her magic quilting and the result is pretty amazing.  Finishing this project got me motivated to finish my first Rhapsody that I started 10 years ago in La Veta with Ricky’s guidance.  And off I go again!

I started the 2017 BOM but time constraints didn't allow me to complete the entire project. My mother, Carol Hood, generously offered to hand quilt the portion I completed. I was totally thrilled with the result. I saved the monthly patterns. One day I hope to revisit this project and complete the entire quilt.

I made this family quilt for a gentleman whose intention was to use it on this beautiful guest bed, and more importantly, to have it passed down through his family. I included fabrics that showed his many interests. Images of cats, chickens, fawns, and the many frogs that roam his country property. He enjoyed a trip to Hawaii, so I found pineapples and flowers. He loves cars, especially Corvettes. On eBay I found a Corvette fabric by Alexander Henry from the 1990s.  It was used as part of the backing, so that when the top of the quilt is turned down the Corvettes are right side up, facing you. 
I included a diary that I wrote in as I made the quilt, recording the work, and both the joys and frustrations, of the project, as well as the times. I suggested that future owners add to the book.