Wisconsin trip and busy days quilting

 We have been gone for a week to Wisconsin where we held my Father's memorial and burial. It was lovely, with perfect weather for the graveside part. We all went to lunch locally, and I caught up with my cousins over a delicious Ruben sandwich.

Here we all are at the cemetery, a group of mostly overweight mid-westerners. I love these people!

On the way to Wisconsin, we stopped for the night in Champagne, Illinois. The hotel was outside the city in huge field with other new buildings clustered on the flat landscape. The assortment of shops, apartments, restaurants and a huge clinic looked like Oz...but with corn fields instead of poppies!

The complex was well thought out and the buildings very modern and beautiful. Really quiet for sleeping, too!

Just outside Metropolis, I spied Superman at a rest stop.

Even the man of steel has to pee...

Our hotel in Champagne

Across from the hotel was a restaurant with people eating outside in the mild weather. We decided we'd give it a try and walked over for dinner.. All the buildings have apartments above the shops and eateries.

Mr Wazoo had the Frida Kahlo salad

I had the fish tacos.

Everything was wonderful at El Toro!

Staying on the hotel theme, the one we stayed at in Whitewater, Wisconsin was lovely, too. I especially liked the artwork on the walls outside the elevator. It was made of circles of wood fitted together, sort of like scales on a fish. The wallpaper in the hall had the same design. Really cool!

This is so cool! I'd love to have one of these pieces in my house.

They are pretty big, though.

Then, there is the wallpaper...Somebody did a good job decorating.

Now, if they would only get rid of the big, heavy duvets...horrible.

One day we went to town in Madison and walked over to the Memorial Union on the UW campus. It was a cool, breezy evening and people were relaxing on the terrace in those famous sunburst chairs. I love Madison and all the beautiful parks and the lakes. It was my stomping ground for the biggest part of my life. I miss it.

The ivy covered walls are gorgeous.

The rathskeller still has the dark moody look it had back in the 60s. this room is usually packed with students; eating, chatting, and enjoying a break from their studies.

The Library mall and fountain are lovely with the Presbyterian church towering over them.

Lots of the buildings on campus were built with the limestone bricks, so they always look bright and clean.

Lake Mendota was so calm, the wind-sailing guys were continually falling over. 

My son, his wife and my grandson took us out for bratwurst.

The elderly couple were a bit out of place in the company of the lively young people.

Don't worry! I did get in some quilt shop fun, too! While we were there, it was the all Wisconsin shop hop.  My brother took me to the three closest shops to our home base hotel. One in Whitewater, one in Milton and another in Janesville. I bought this year's Wisconsin themed fabrics for a quilt as well as the collection from two years ago. You will see those quilts later, when I have time to make them. One shop had this awesome steam punk quilt. I bought the panel and the supporting fabrics to make a quilt for my 25 year old grandson. He'll love it.

The quilt was hanging too high to get a better picture, but I have the free pattern to help sort it out.

This is the pattern.

We got home last Wednesday and I went straight to work in the studio. Here are the quilts I worked on this week.

I made this quilt from a jelly roll to be a signature comfort quilt for the evening guild.

The panto is pretty and calm.

This customer quilt is from my favorite quick pattern, Boxed Squares

I used a butterfly panto to compliment the butterflies in the fabrics.

The other quilt was made by my sister. This one is mine. It's the one that had a hole from dragging a needle in it in error. All patched and finished.

It had a geometric pattern for texture.

And my label!

This small quilt is a panel. It is Minkie and really soft.

The maker is waiting for her first great-great grandchild!! Wow!

The swirly panto adds a nice feel to the quilt.

This customer doesn't like her quilts trimmed, so the backing is showing all around.

She wanted a flowery panto, so I chose Flower Spray.

This customer stepped out of her box with this lovely Kaffe Fassett quilt.

I used the panto Splat with bright fuchsia thread.

Many years ago, we gave my brother our small carved bear when we moved to Florida. We had it at our Door County log home, and it didn't fit in at a Florida bungalow. Over the years, it sat outside his front door where it got blistered and cracked in the sun and snow. It was stolen twice by college students and lost a good part of one ear in the process. My brother is planning a move, so we got the bear back and brought it home. It will be much happier here in the mountains. Mr W spent some time on Youtube, and learned how to do the needed repairs from a wood carving professional. Here is where we are today. It looks scary, but it is just like the guy showed him. Today, Mr W will cut the shims down and shave the ends smooth. Then the bear will get a much needed coat of paint. I hope he'll be ready for his debut this week!

Mr Bear looks like he's been in a bad fight! He had a huge crack through his head, down his body and into the base he stands on. He is carved from one big stump, so probably would have cracked in two if we hadn't intervened.

It looks a mess, but is exactly like the one in the video.

Mr Wazoo, patiently fitting and glueing the pieces in place.

I've gone on long enough. Our yard and pots are beautiful and it is good to sleep in my magic bed. I'll be busy this week, but will post next Sunday. Have a wonderful week and do something creative with your time.

Birdy, the Phoebe, has returned with his wife and built another nest on the yard light. I enjoy watching them while drinking coffee on the back porch in the morning.

I got my grandson this cute pot and a little plant for their new apartment.

He wasn't feeling well while we were there, but we had fun despite his coughing and nose blowing.

It was so good to see him and give him hugs. I just hope I don't get what he has...