Hello again, m'dears! Hard to believe it's a year since my last post -- but the evidence is here before our very eyes...
I've not been blogging but I have been very busy. making quilts of course, some of which please me greatly.
I made this one for my son David. He's a composer living in Norway. Each block has a fussy-cut musical instrument in the center. The back has an instrument cut from the feature fabric and appliqued in the center of each block. The quilt is assembled block by block in the quilt as you go method, with double sashings on both sides. I chose sunny colors to cheer Dave during those cold dark bleak Norwegian winter days. On one end I appliqued an actual-size piano keyboard -- yes, I traced it from my piano! On the other end I appliqued, hand embroidered, and machine embroidered the melody line for and old song that means a lot to both of us -- "The Water is Wide." He tells me he keeps it on the bed with the melody facing his desk so he can see it whenever he comes into the room.
I started a quilting class at the nearby senior center and it really took off. Here's our original group. 
We were asked to make a celebration quilt for the center's 24th anniversary. Red, white, and blue prints, in a basic snowball and nine patch design, with historical pictures printed in the white snowball centers.It was such a big hit the center director asked us to do a quilt show. We agreed, and made a four patch block design of scraps left from the celebration quilt. We earned nearly $150, which went toward a used sewing machine, rotary cutters and mats, and other small quilting necessities. Now women who want to explore quilting can do so without spending a lot before they know if they'll enjoy it. Since then the group has grown enough that the center is thinking of putting us in a larger room.
Below is the raffle quilt, and a picture of the guy who held the winning ticket. He doesn't look all that happy because his wife had put their SON's name on the ticket -- "Mr Raffle Winner, JR" -- awwww!
When I'm too tired to do anything complicated but still want to sew, I piece 2.5" squares, save them in a shoebox, and when inspiration hits I'm ready. This is a "semi" bow tie design made from all shades of yellow, gold, and cream. I used the rest of the border fabric for the backing. A cozy nap quilt. I've a bunch more quilts to share with you but will save them for later down the road. On each of the next three Saturdays I'll be teaching quilting at the Bernina Center in my local Hancock Fabric store. Setting up teaching plans, making demonstration pieces for each step, writing patterns and instructions, assembling "kits" for each student -- a lovely challenge that will keep me fairly busy. 
In the Sonoran Desert we can expect summer rains -- affectionately known as "monsoons" -- and gorgeous night blooming cacti. Not much rain this year, quite disappointing in fact. But a good year for blooms. No, this isn't the famous "Queen of the Night" or night-blooming cereus. Just an ordinary columnar specimen in a pot on my porch. See Ruth out in her jammies, taking pictures of the cactus flower -- so glad my neighbors are heavy sleepers! Well kids, it's late and I'm hungry. Unseasonably cool tonight, expected low about 30*F. (I know, I know -- count my blessings, and belive me I do!) A bowl of hot oatmeal with honey, butter, cinnamon, and cream sounds like the perfect bedtime snack.
More later....not too much later I hope! 'Night all!
