a finish, firsts and lasts...

...this was started in the winter and I finally got around to finishing it.  It was fun to make and I'd like to make another in a different color-way.

* * * * *

The past few days were summer-like and I've been outside getting some yard chores done. 

While giving the patio furniture a fresh coat of paint, this cool dragonfly visited.

...luckily, this chair had already dried...

We always get a lot of dragonflies, but this was the first time I've seen this type. 

He was quite large.

To the naked eye, his wings looked like paddles, but through the lense you can see his full translucent wing. 

I hope he comes back- I'd like to try and get a better photo. 

...this was the best I could get- he flew away before I could  focus....

In the blink of an eye.

* * * * *

sort of like this...

...from the first day

to the last ...

... graduation on the horizon.

...time flies.

a sneak peak. . .

 . . . I promised a sneak peak. . . 

. . . just of the back so as not to spoil the surprise. . .

 . . .she wanted pretty quilting; not stiff as a board so we chose Quilter's Dream Wool. . .

. . . I love the loftiness it adds.

Mother Nature's Coloring Book

Convergence -

Today is quilt reveal day for the Fiberactions group and our challenge word this term was convergence.

This is my interpretation and it's named

-HeLa-

Insprired by the book

"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot.

 Interweaving: history, research, ethics, culture, bio-medicine, race, love, emotion, fear, genetics, compassion. . .  

all of which converge together in the background of one woman's story.

+ + + + +

  DNA

+ + + + +

HeLa cells in culture under fluorescent light.

+ + + + +

This was perhaps the most difficult challenge for me. I do not generally, if ever, work in the abstract. I struggled with this right down to getting a good photo - - -

this was a challenge!

fledging the nest. . .

This has been sitting on my desk for awhile. I finally finished stringing it together over the weekend.

I love it and I loved making it.

Can you see the little bird?

I think he is getting ready to fledge.

Hanging off the nest is a locket and some crystal teardrops.

Inside the locket are the brothers.

Rather than find new pictures, I photo copied another locket and used the pix that were inside it.  They were the perfect size.

working through the scrap basket...

...an inch at a time

An inchie is a 1" x 1" square of art. These are some I've made recently. 

They are so addicting!

repurposing...

...an old tee into a garden tee....

...by adding vintage dyed lace, buttons....

...and fabric petals using Misty Fuse and the Petite Leaves Galore Applique Template...

...easy peasy lemon squeazey!

dying for spring...

... and I think it really has sprung in New Englnd. After some ugly wintery weather during this past week, yesterday was a beautiful day. It was nice to take the time away from quilting inside and take in the spring weather. The Sues,(Pelland and Bleiweiss) Kathleen and I got together and dyed more fabric.  We used Sue's deck and what a great space to enjoy the day, the colors, artful friendships and a delicious lunch!

I used Egyptian cotton and dyed mostly yard cuts of blues, one new green...

 a few oranges, and berries.

The piece below is a cotton/silk and it has a beautiful hand.

I had some left over table lace from last time.....

I started making a garden-tee using the table lace, some already fused fabrics I cut into leaves and vintage buttons. 

More on that tomorrow....

Today is another beautiful day packed full or outdoor activities!

Happy Saturday!