Wool Applique- Yet Another Obsession

I live in Texas where it is currently over 100 degrees. Anything with wool just sounded silly. I can't recall what drew me to wool applique but I am addicted. I think all kinds of applique are beautiful but I'm not a very patient or exact person. Wool applique is so forgiving- no needleturn, etc. It is so fast and rich looking. My favorite part is the variety of textures you work with as you stitch. Luscious.

My bird piece is kind of leaning but I think I can position it in a frame so it is more balanced. So much fun to do.

This is next in line for stitching. It is a Block of the Week, yes I said week, from Primitive Gatherings. Lisa Bongean is the designer. I think it is ridiculous for me to think I will keep up with it each week so I think of it as a Block of the Month for me. I just love the colors she is picking for us and I've become a proponent of kits and BOM programs. I become weary when I have to drive around looking for just the right fabric or thread.

We are in a drought down here. After months of no rain we got 3 days of showers. My rain lilies finally bloomed. They have been dormant for 2 years. Just a little bit of pretty when there are floods and fires across the country. It is certainly easy to count your blessings when you listen to the news and hear of so many struggling.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Pineapples and Peonies

I finished my Pineapple Block Wallhanging. At last year's Houston Quilt Festival I was amazed at the display of pineapple quilts. When I saw a class using Gyleen Fitzgerald's ruler, I jumped on it.

I was a very bad student. I wasn't careful with my 1/4 inch seam but I held to my principles of using only scraps for this project and "letting it go." The result is far from perfect but lots of fun to make. I just love the pineapple block. Gyleen is coming to my guild next Tuesday. I can't wait to be inspired again.

Above is a snapshot of me sewing the border. I still don't know the best way to mark a quilt. I tried the Pounce with chalk. I couldn't see it after I wrestled the quilt under the machine. I've heard such different stories about marking with pens. A quilt teacher told me they don't come out. I think I need a class.

My fused applique Peonies didn't turn out as I planned. I bought a kit and I'm not thrilled with some of the fabric choices. The flower on the far left is the one I need to somehow fix. I'm thinking if I do some embroidery stitches it might balance the flowers. Still a work in progress.

It's hot outside and great for sewing. I'm off the play with a stack of half-square triangles.

Today is Father's Day. I can't help but think of my dad today and how he enjoyed working on creative projects. He was always learning something new. Such a good model for keeping the brain young and creative.