Small Things

A few little finishes before I go on a 4-day quilting retreat.

"Study in Pink" is done.  It will hang in the bathroom with our beloved pink toilet from the 1960's.

I made this pillow for a special little girl's birthday and sent it off.

The kitties come from a pillow case my grandmother made when I was a little girl.

And I planted pots of red geraniums with chartreuse sweet potato vines.  I love this combination.  

It reminds me of a quilt I'm about to work on with the same color combo.

'Tis the season for quilting retreats.  I hope you've got one too, even if it's a one-person retreat at home!

Tennessee Lightnin' Strikes!

I've been working on this slowly over the last few weeks.  Lots of fun.  It'll have a border eventually.  

It includes fabrics from several friends.  45" x 63"

The weather finally warmed up enough for Malti's annual haircut.

  I think she likes it!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Fun with Gwen!

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of spending the day with Gwen Marston in her class on small quilts!

Here's what I made the first part of the day.  I'm calling it "Study in Pink," 16.5" x 14".  It's my first small quilt.  It was so fun and easy.  I can't wait to make more!

Here's Gwen with my little quilt before I put the borders on.  

She is really a gem.  I've taken several classes from her, and will definitely take more.  I never tire of her generous spirit and great sense of humor.  I love hearing what she says about learning from old quilts.

Here she is at the beginning of the class, showing us some of the 450 small quilts she's made.

Can you guess who's wearing those cowgirl boots?

Do you have Gwen's fabulous new book yet?  You can order it directly from her, complete with signature.

The second half of the day I started this one, a rendition of my favorite quilt in the book.  

Tennessee Lightnin'

When I was in Tennessee with Mary, Bonnie and Tina, we all got a few items at the Cleveland Goodwill.  We split them up 4 ways and each went home with a bag.  

This is the start of what I'm making with the pieces.

It's inspired by this African American quilt made by an unknown maker in the 1930's.  

It was found near Huntsville, Alabama.

It's shown in one of my all-time favorite books.  Scott Hefley features his very inspiring collection of African American quilts in this book called Bold Improvisation. 

I made a similar quilt last spring with a combination of fabrics from other friends.  

I love the challenge of making a quilt from a wacky bunch of fabrics!