My hubby found this cartoon, which he had given me last year, and brought it into the studio while I was working on my “feathers quilt.” We both thought this was perfect for this situation.
After spending part of almost every day last week learning how to quilt feathers, I finally got this one done.
I know it’s hard to tell in this picture but some of my feathers look pretty good. And some? Well, not so much. I don’t have a picture of the whole quilt, yet, because it was raining outside when I finished and there was no room to lay it out on the inside.
I had to take breaks frequently because I found that I was using a “death grip” on the handles.
So then I would change to a finger tip control. I was frequently surprised to find that my hand had gone back to the death grip. This went on all week but did get better toward the end.
I left the side borders unquilted. Then I turned the quilt, fastened the now top border (with my wonderful red snappers) and let the rest of the quilt float with only the magnets to hold it tight. When the top borders were done I turned it and finished the bottom borders. It was so easy. This was the first time I have used the magnets and they were great!
On Saturday I took the day off from this quilt and we went to the gulf. We found a great place to sit under the pier (shade) and watched the pelicans and people. It was a beautiful day and so calming.
We had a great lunch at Outback. This is chicken, artichoke, and parmesan cheese on flatbread. Then some shopping, a “short” visit to Dunkin Donuts and back home to the puppies and cats.
I do have one regret. This is the first month that I didn’t get my color challenge made, or even started. I did make a plan for a pickle dish table runner in what looked to me like fall colors. I cut some of the fabrics for the arks but that’s as far as I got.
I got the fabric out for the backing on one of the Christmas quilts and will be piecing it soon and have it on the frame soon.
And, today the new Funky Chicken and Teapot blocks come out and I’m ready for them!!
This quilt top has been my only quilting focus so far this week. As of today I have quilted almost to the center, attempting to learn how to quilt feathers. To say I am a complete failure at this attempt would be false but to say I am getting any better would also be false.
I first quilted the “over the top” type of feather. I don’t seem to have the control to stitch on top of the previous stitching. Also, I seem to make squareish tops of my feathers.
So the next set I tried the more traditional feather. They do look a lot better, don’t you think? However I don’t feel at all comfortable doing them. Maybe I’ll get better on the second half. 
I decided to do a small meander in some of the triangles and as a background around the feathers. Because the thread is variable, it makes an interesting focal point. Hopefully that will draw the eye away from the feathers. 
Since feathers are not, at this time, my favorite pastime, I spent some time working on the lessons in EQ7. I am up to doing applique blocks and was really surprised that I could complete the block as called for in the lesson. I have only two more lessons to complete for the online “class.” I have learned a lot but the best thing I have learned is how to find things when/if I need them again.
And, true to my retirement plan, I took some time for a snack and a good book.
So, what was DH doing while I was slaving away in the studio? Well, 6 years ago, when we moved into this house, I gave him the living room to display his B Western memorabilia. And, for the last 6 years, I have tried to get him to complete his display. Well, for the last 2-3 weeks he has been working on it.
He has movie posters in all sizes. Lash is on a 4’ x 8’ insulation board,
As is Starrett and Burnette. These posters were situated outside the theaters to attract movie goers.
The smaller posters were inside the lobby.
We have records, books, games, lunchboxes,
autographed pictures, cap guns,
cameras, radios, and any number of other things.
Right now it all looks a lot like a flea market booth but he assures me that it will, someday, be put in order. Someday……
We had a great lunch at Outback. This is chicken, artichoke, and parmesan cheese on flatbread. Then some shopping, a “short” visit to Dunkin Donuts and back home to the puppies and cats.
