I don't like adding quilt sleeves!!

 I finally went to the ear, nose and throat doctor to see why I lose my voice after working all day in the studio. He looked in my ears and nose, then ran a tube down through my nose to look at my vocal cords. Everything is A-OK. I have some sinus problems and they drain all the time. That may be a big part of the hoarseness, so I now have a nose spray to use twice a day to slow that down. Also, he suggests I wear a mask when working. Ugh! I will start the mask wearing next week.

I called the dealer to see why my machine cord didn't come, and she told me they are temporarily out of stock. I'm going to Franklin on Thursday for the longarm club, so I will borrow a cord from the shop until I get my own. So the giant Christmas quilt is still waiting for something to happen.

On top of all this, I chipped my incisor! Last night I was just watching TV and sewing a sleeve when I felt a piece of something in my mouth. I thought it was a seed or something, but it was a piece of my tooth! Now it feels rough where the piece came off and I can't keep from feeling it with my tongue. I'll need a trip to the dentist to fix it. No pain, but really annoying. Sigh...

Anyhoo, here is my finished top for the Seminole patchwork sew along that Gail and I have been hosting. I like it! Bright and interesting. I used an Australian Aboriginal print for my border, and pulled the quilt's colors from that. It is a nice size, 55x65.

I have a new custom project for a customer on Big Gammill and will be quilting in earnest this weekend. The quilts for the fiber arts show are to be turned in on Friday and I have been sewing sleeves on them every night. One to go and I'll be ready. I hate sewing on sleeves!!

Two done and one to go!

Otherwise, there is nothing new going on in the studio. Outside is another matter...everything is lush and beautiful with Mr Wazoo's loving care. How lucky am I to have such a great yardman?! ha ha

The clematis is loaded with huge purple blooms.

Roses are blooming everywhere and even the shrubs I thought were dead are coming back. The mountain laurel is at its peak, covered with lovely pink flowers. What a wonderful view from my studio!

Back to work!

 I took a couple of days off from running the longarm and sat with my foot up, doing hand quilting on the bunny quilt. I have done 10 of the 20 blocks so far! I ordered a stencil for the borders and it is perfect. I'm finding big stitch relaxing and fun. I did have to get a rubber finger tip for my thumb. You know, the kind bank tellers used to wear to count stacks of money... It sure makes pulling the needle through the quilt easier and less painful.

I called my Handi Quilter dealer with all the motor error problems that persist, and she has ordered a new cable that connects the carriage to the machine. If that doesn't work, I'll be getting a new carriage. Quilting stopped on the machine two days ago. One quilt squeaked through before everything quit.

This is another of the many mystery quilts from the small guild. It is fun to see all the different color combinations!

The panto is a square spiral in tan Glide thread.

The backing is a tan lacy pattern.

I loaded the next custom job and got it done in spurts with rest periods in between. It was Fun to do. I didn't have a plan, but pondered what to do on it while stitching around all the appliqué. It isn't a formal pattern, but a fun batch of Dresden plate flowers on ledger printed background. I decided to let my imagination take over and just go where it took me. The result is a happy collection of swirls, flowers, leaves and pebbles in the background, and a whole bunch of different motifs in the flowers and leaves. I used seven different colors of thread, mostly Glide, with matching bobbins. I like it very much the way I quilted it!

I did another quilt like this a few weeks ago, but with Baptist fan quilting.

The customer used rather thin batting (her choice) and it doesn't have much definition from the quilting. Too bad, because it is really nice.

All the flowers are quilted with the appropriate colored thread.

Hard to see, but the border has piano keys where every fourth one has a stacked swirl design.

More background fill and flower quilting.

The customer was pleased with the result.

Mr Wazoo has been working hard to get the yard cleaned up and the gardens weeded and mulch put down. My flowers are blooming like crazy and I couldn't be happier. The peonies smell wonderful, as do the roses. I am enjoying the fruits of Mr W's labor.

Coral bells

More iris

So pretty!

What a crop of giant peonies I got this year!

The mountain laurel does its own thing without any human help. Such delicate blooms!

I love how the color changes to this white and pink combination as they open. I think this ranks right up there with lady slippers as my favorite wild flower.

 

My daughter sent these lovely Spring flowers for Mother's Day. 

Mr Wazoo got me a potted orchid and made ribs on the grill for supper. Mother's Day was a true Sunday Funday!