One More Skill

For those of you who don't know, I broke down and purchased a "Smart Phone" about a month ago to go on the trip to North Carolina.  My old phone (for the last 10 years!), which I dearly loved, which fit beautifully into my pocket, which was just a phone and uncomplicated, would no longer hold a charge.  I asked about a new battery and was told they were no longer carried in the store but that I could contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer's rep almost laughed at me and just said, "sorry".

Since I was going on a trip and might want access to email or Mapquest or Google and since I have a iMac at home, I purchased an iPhone. Seamless integration, Cloud and all that - what???

Anyway, this weekend Cindy and I went to the Ann Arbor Quilt Show. Here is the first picture taken with my iPhone (which has more megapixels than my Nikon camera). I wasn't sure how uploading would work. My faith was that I only had to connect the cord to my iMac and Apple would do all the rest. Yay! It worked! 

Next on the list is cropping and resizing...

The photo on the left behind the plastic sleeve is the original photo. The resulting quilt is on the right.

Rock climbing Cubby out on a perfect Sunday morning bike ride.  Love it!

Kzoo Show continued....

Here are a few more quilts from the Log Cabin Quilter's show in Kalamazoo:

This was quite striking and really grabbed your attention when you came around the corner.

I have this pattern somewhere. I also have a stack of lime green Christmas fabrics. Rather whimsical.

This is another quilt by Billie Gunderson. "Yellow Submarine" is Cubby's favorite DVD at the moment. He's quite taken with the Blue Meanies and doesn't seem to find them threatening at all. " 1, 2, 3, 4, can I have a little more? ... look at Meeeeeeeee. ALL TOGETHER NOW!" You'll have to get him to sing it for you.  He gave a full voice rendition at Speedway last night. Gotta love him!

Great Weekend

On Saturday morning we packed Mr. Energy in the car for a trip to the Apple Butter Festival at Fenner Arboretum. It was very cold but the sun was shining. Seems like it's been a long time since we've seen the sun. We saw Jackie B and Pam A (and another quilter that I didn't know) quilting on behalf of the CCQG. Cubby wasn't too interested in stirring the apple butter, I think the fire and smoke was too scary. But he loved the music and actually sat still for a song or two.

This is his "I'm at the top of the stairs and I'll be gone by the time you can get up here" smile. Gamma Gamma needed a nap by the end of the day...

On Sunday I drove to Kalamazoo to the Log Cabin Quilter's Show. Cyndee was too sick to go so I drove alone and made a side trip to see my parents. Saw Kari and Dan at the show too. Bought too much hand-dyed fabric from Windberry Studio but I couldn't resist.  The show has moved from the hotel to the fairgrounds. Easy access off of the highway but unfortunately not much improvement in the lighting which was my biggest complaint at the Raddison. Nice show. About 300 quilts. This quilt is by Billie Gunderson and uses Jane Sassaman fabric.

I have quite a stack of Jane fabrics that I have collected. Maybe it's about time...

Durand Quilt Show

Saturday, Cindy and I went to the 10th Annual Durand Quilt show.  It was a small show but it had many very nice quilts. In addition to the quilts at the Methodist Church, there was also a display of antique quilts at the train depot. The depot itself has been restored and is very beautiful.

I really liked this applique quilt. It has that folk art flavor that would look good in wool also.

This quilt was bright and cheerful. I'm pretty sure I've seen this commercial pattern before.I have a sunflower quilt in process (UFO) that has paper pieced petals. Maybe I'll get back to it someday.

Today I went to the Turner Dodge House for the First Sunday Gallery walk. There were several amazing photographers exhibiting their works.  I particularly liked Kim Ellen Kauffman. She scans actual pieces of plants and then photoshops different layers on top of each other. Check out her work.

I also saw John Diephouse who lives in our neighborhood. He has a photo of peppers that I would like to hang in my kitchen. I'll have to wait though because right now it is on display in Midland.  He has a exhibit beginning Friday in Owosso. Maybe a road trip.....

Sauder Village

Great Day for a Quilterly Road Trip

The Leaves of Change

This was my entry for the Sauder show and it's actually hanging sideways. I kind of like it this way too. There are buttons and beads and the 3 gold spirals are my first attempt at painting on fabric.

Well here goes......

My first official blog entry. My friend, Ruth taught us how to blog last week. I'm afraid of becoming a blog junkie. Once you start, are you hooked?  Kind of like quilting!

On Sunday, a gaggle of us went to the quilt show at Sauder Village. Perfect day for a road trip.