Not So Wordless Wednesday (Las Vegas, NV)

On Easter Sunday, we visited Bellagio's Conservatory.  The Conservatory was packed with flowers and decorations celebrating Spring.  I could have spent a lot of time wandering around the flowers despite the fact that the place was also packed with people.  Here are some of the photos I took on Sunday. 

King's 11/22/63

It's been awhile since I read one of Stephen King's books.    Maybe I should have started with another one of his books.  This one sounded more interesting and different with the idea of a Time Traveler going back to save JFK.  There is the question of the "butterfly effect" with such a major change to the past - what would it do to the future?  I was very curious to see how Stephen King would resolve this question.

I forgot how much King is into detail.  He did an amazing amount of detail into Lee Harvey Oswald's domestic life.  There were times I wasn't sure I would finish listening to this book which is 30+ hours long.  I was very young at the time Oswald shot JFK.  I have never had much interest in Oswald, but I have to admit this story did make me a little curious about Oswald's wife and kids after his death.  I found myself doing some quick research online just to satisfy my curiosity.

Back to the story.....Jake is introduced to a "hole" in time that takes him back every time to 1958.   Changes and the butterfly effect are noticeable when he returns to his time in the future.  Each time he walks through the "hole" to 1958, it resets history back to it original setting.  Everything he changed on his last trip is erased....or is it?  There are hints along the way that all is not back to normal.

It turns out the story is not about saving JFK.  It is the reason for traveling back through time and to live in the past for the next five years.  I thought the best part was Jake's visit to Derry, Maine.  If you are a King fan, you know Derry, Maine.  A place I would never want to live, but love to read about.  Some old characters also show up and I found myself thinking that I remember them!  It was like old creepy home week.

Along the way, Jake  finds he likes living in the past and he falls in love.  Instead of one filled with horror or supernatural qualities, this one is a science-fiction romance.

On The Cutting Board

I did a little cutting last night.  I cut out 1 1/2 Uncle Sams and 2 more Rabbits.  I am not sure I like all my fabric choices so I might change some of the smaller pieces out before I iron them together.  I thought I would make Uncle Sam's hat rim a dark gold so it would stand out from the background.  Do you think that looks strange?  Any suggestions for a different color?

We turned our office keys over to the new volunteers yesterday.  I have my fingers crossed for free time to get some tops quilted and more mug rugs done!

Spring Has Sprung!

Mexican Poppies

Looking For Signs of Spring

I know it is early to start looking for signs of Spring, but in southern Arizona with a very mild winter, I am starting to see all sorts of signs - budding trees or new green shoots coming out of the ground.   The sky is a beautiful blue and the Earth feels warm under my feet.  Everywhere I go on the Preserve, I can hear the bees buzzing: "spring is on its way".

Of course, with that comes hay fever.  Oh well, can't have everything, right?

I did spend some time last night working on my February projects.  Both of my Springtime Rabbit Mug Rugs are almost finished.  I should be able to list them on Etsy later this week.  I'm hoping to finish one more project before the end of the month.

Wow!  I feel very productive considering the way I was feeling a couple of days ago with my Should've List.  It's amazing what I can get done if I just focus....yea, not going to happen to often for me.

New Garden Quilt Top (Branson, MO)

Back in July, I picked out some fun summer fabrics that was inspired by picnic shelters on Camp Lejeune's beach.  I finally found a wonderful yet simple block that I thought was perfect for this fabric.  I know I'm a little backwards.  I should be thinking about Fall colors and themes, but I have to go with the idea at that moment (and the fabric kept calling to me)  okay, so I sound a little nuts.  What can I say?

You probably remember these two photos that I posted back in July.

Camp Lejeune's Seashells

Fun fabric

The colors in my Electric Quilt 6 (EQ6) almost matched the fabrics.  I could not find the deep blue, but the blue-green worked out just fine.

Quilt Block

Close up of blocks

Top 40 x 50

I got the appliqué patterns from The Complete Book of ART NOUVEAU DESIGNS.  A great collection from various artists.  I have been wanting to use the patterns in this book.

I think the hand-dyed Batiks will be perfect for this design.  I think Batiks are the best fabric for appliqué work.  It is the most forgiving fabric.  I can iron a crease into it, iron the crease back out, and it still looks good.  I can appliqué it, leave it, rip it back out days later, and still reshape it.

Below is the flower design and the Batiks.

Batiks and Appliqué pattern

 Below:  I'm not sure if I'll use both designs or all the different colors.  I might use just the one pattern on the right.

More Appliqué patterns and batiks.

Placing the designs on the top.  What do you think?

Maybe...hmmm

Freezer paper:  Traced. Cut. Ironed.  Now to trim, mark, and sew each piece on to the top.

Freezer Paper ironed on.  Ready to trim and mark.

Well, that's as far as I have got on this project. Stay tuned.  Oh, and I decided that I wasn't quite done with the Kokopeli quilt.  I'm adding just a little bit more to the top.