Fun and games at Wazoo

Well, maybe not games, but lots of fun! I have been working on this tee shirt quilt for a couple of days, and it has been so much fun!! The logos are small, so I decided to use one of those shadow illusion looks to make the blocks. I found a tutorial for a small pattern on Debora Exum's blog, Studio Dragonfly, and adjusted it to fit a larger block. The tee shirts are very pretty colors, and make a nice quilt. I should be able to finish the top and get it quilted tomorrow.

First, I sorted the tee shirts into color piles

After ironing on the stabilizer, I cut the shirts to 8 1/2 inch squares

I kept the interesting little bits for later...

I'm going to pick these labels off and use them on my own quilts. I love them!

After adding the gray 'shadow' fabric, I started the background parts. I love how it is turning out!!

The little blocks have the cutest sayings.

This is my favorite because I am a half full kind of gal.

Mr Wazoo had some yard clean-up and maintenance to do, but still managed to get a quilt done. This Christmas table topper is really pretty and a reminder that I had better think of shopping soon!

This table topper has a unique and interesting shape.

Panto: Holly berry, of course!

I also did the quilting on a modern Seminole quilt today. I chose a chevron pattern to coordinate with the Seminole piecing. The customer hand dyed the border fabric and chose her other fabrics to go with it. I think it is an innovative use of modern fabrics for a traditional technique.

Unfortunately, Mr Wazoo took in this quilt while I was at guild. He didn't write down the instructions very well and I went ahead and quilted and trimmed it. When the customer came to pick it up, she asked why I hadn't added the five inch borders all around. I had no clue she wanted me to do this, so I just looked stupid, and apologized profusely for the error. Mr W said he didn't remember the instructions. I gave her the quilt without charge. How embarrassing!! I couldn't think of how to remedy the situation besides giving her the quilting free. She was disappointed, but gracious, and said she would still use us for quilting. I don't have to be mad at Mr W, he is doing a swell job beating up on himself without my help. Oh well, sh*t happens, and we move on.

Pastel Seminole

Chevron quilting

Cornflower blue linen backing.

I should have a good day tomorrow...sewing and quilting the tee shirt quilt. I may bake some cookies. After all, its so easy a two year old can do it!

I couldn't resist...isn't he cute?!

Halloween is coming!

Today, we got right back to work and finishing some autumn projects. I left the scarecrow door hanging on the design wall while we went to Texas, so today I added the sleeve and binding and finished it! It looks festive on the studio door.

Mr Wazoo was busy in the man cave, doing the panto Flower Festival on the center portion of this quilt. Then, he re-pinned it to the big Gammill for me to finish the custom work in the borders tomorrow.

I had Halloween on my to-do list. First, I added borders to this skeleton panel and quickly quilted it with the APQS digital panto: Spiderweb. The backing was a bargain somewhere years ago, and perfect for this project.

The small border is little skeletons frolicking around. I've had that fabric for twenty years or more. 

Here is the quilting.

My $2 a yard backing.

Next, I had a special request from a customer to have her Halloween quilt done for the grandkids. Thank goodness we still have the big Gammill! I quilted it with the paper panto: Gossamer, which looks like spiderwebs! This one really glows in the dark. I took it into the small bathroom in the studio, and it didn't disappoint. Lookie, Cookie!

Here's the quilt in the light

Gossamer is a good panto for Halloween

He's creepy and he's spooky...

he's altogether ooky!

The eyeballs fabric glowed, too!!

We had a fun day without too many interruptions, and that put us back on track with the quilts in the queue. Mr W will be on the road tomorrow to visit his mother. I'll be here quilting and enjoying the cool weather outside.
 Here is a last look at my Dad on his 95th birthday, and the rest of the motley crew who were there to celebrate with him. I hope I am as healthy and spry when I'm 95!! I know I'll be quilting...

My Dad

Dad, my sister in law, my brother, me and Mr W

Out and about

We have had a wonderful time here in Texas, going to stores we don't have in GA and taking Dad out for his birthday. The first dinner out was at the barbeque place, where we sat by a window in order to watch the longhorn cattle outside. After filling up on sliced brisket and ribs, we ventured out to the cow pasture just in time for the man to feed the cows. I got a couple of pictures, but it was getting dark and they aren't the best. The horns on those cattle must be at least five feet long!! How do they maneuver with those big appendages sticking out of their heads? Amazing.

Moooo!

Yesterday, we took Dad to Mr Gattis (his favorite pizza place) for his birthday party with the people from his park. 28 showed up, and we had a rollicking good time.

Dad (in the hat) and some of the party goers. I'm on the right.

Before pizza!

He was wearing his spiffy Wisconsin shirt!

After dinner, a photo-op with Sponge Bob Square Pants.
Dad got a pile of cards and a plant.

You'll have to wait to see pics of my presentation at the Killer Bees Guild, as I have asked to be accepted on their FB page and am waiting for an answer.  It was a good meeting with some beautiful quilts at show and tell.

In the evening, I have been working on the repair job, and I am making progress!!

Now, we're pff to Mr Wazoo's favorite hardware store, and then to Walgreens for some itch medicine for Miss Molly. Leftovers for supper at our host's tonight, and my brother comes late tonight!! Another birthday dinner tomorrow night at Cheddars, a local restaurant, some time with my brother and sister in law, and then home on Sunday. It's been a good week so far!

Texas!

We have been in Texas for a couple of days now, and I felt like I should post a brief report. My daughter Carolyn came right before we left, and we spent some time with her at the Sorghum Festival in Blairsville before shoving off.

This booth was selling barn quilts. They were a bit pricey, but pretty. 

At one point, there was a long line to get a biscuit with sorghum here.

Mr Wazoo was all smiles. He always is when Carolyn comes to visit!

We left Georgia early Sunday morning and were in Baton Rouge for the night. Miss Molly relaxed and watched a little TV while we ate some supper. Off to Texas the next morning, arriving in Harlingen by late afternoon. Mr W unloaded all the boxes of quilts for our customers here, freeing up room for the shopping we'll do while here!

Ooooo!! Dogs on TV!

Molly had to catch up on her Hallmark mysteries...

Speeding along the highway past Houston. By Beaumont and Rockport, we saw the aftermath of the terrible floods after Hurricane Harvey. There were huge piles of household items along the streets waiting to be picked up. Signs were blown down and many businesses had banners saying 'We are open!' Hopefully, Houston will be ready for the big quilt show in two weeks. 

Unpacking the car

My Dad opened up my sister's house for us to leave boxes of quilts, ready for her to bind.

This box went to our host, another quilter!

Yesterday, we took a sightseeing trip with Dad to the Marine Academy to see the museum and the life sized replica of the Iwo Jima monument. It was awesome! I'm sure my teenage grandsons would have loved the tanks and cannons, as well as all the displays of items from Iwo Jima, donated by marines.

The statue is the actual plaster cast, used to make the bronze monument that's in Washington. The museum guide told us it requires maintenance, but has held up well over the years.

In the evenings, I have been working on my latest quilt repair. This log cabin quilt was made by the customer's Grandma, and they want it fixed. Its slow going, but I am making progress every night!

You've had a look at some of the damage...later tonight, I'll post pics of what I've done so far. Now its time to go out for barbeque at Cattlemans, our favorite place for decadent amounts of meat and beans!! Yee hah!!