Quilting for Rocky and the Medical Center

Approximate size - 18 X 20 inches
sleeve on back for hanging

I plan to spend the next four day in my Aspen Loft Studio making Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial quilts for Trail Ridge Quilters. I've acquired enough fabrics for the borders to make a dozen or more quilts and I know where I can order more when I run out. A sample of the quilt will hang in the Estes Park Medical Center's lobby along with order forms. I'm hoping to hang another sample or two in other public places. With my variety of fabrics I will make two or three versions (similar but not identical). The proceeds will be split - 5% for RMNP and 95% for Estes Park Medical Center.

Wayne left this morning with several hiking/skiing friends for a long week-end in the Grand Lake area. They plan to do both downhill and cross-country skiing as well as hiking and snowshoeing. That should bring him home totally exhausted!

In addition to quilt making, I'll be watching several old movies and a few British shows on Acorn while Wayne's away and, oh yes, popcorn for supper!

Trail Ridge Quilters

Family Visit, Family Fun

 

While Wayne takes our son and family to the airport for their flight home, I'm looking over the photos I took when I remembered to grab my camera. We all had so much fun and packed several "adventures" into their brief visit.

The weather, which had featured strong winds for several days before, calmed on Friday and was perfect for a day of skiing at Eldora. The kids were fast learners and, after a few pointers, were zooming down the slopes.

All three kids wanted me to teach them how to embroider! So, I gave them a crash course and sent them home with needles, floss, embroidery hoops, and fabric. Courtney, age seven, was the only one to finish hers before they left. I was surprised at how well she did.

No room to eat at the dining table covered with embroidery paraphernalia.

Courtney's colorful kitty face (love the orange whiskers!)

Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial

Our beloved Rocky Mountain National Park will soon be celebrating its 100th anniversary with lots of special activities and events. Trail Ridge Quilters jumped on this bandwagon a couple of years ago when we applied for a license to use the Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial signature logo on wall quilts and a few other items. We were delighted when our design, featuring the logo, was accepted. We plan to sell these 18.5 inch by 21 inch quilted wall hangings with some of the profits going to Rocky and the rest to Estes Park Medical Center.

I'll print the center panel on fabric with my ink jet printer then add the borders and finish the quilt. We have no idea how many we might sell. I plan to make a few for display and take orders. I'm in the process of gathering the fabrics which will be similar to the design above. It's exciting to be part of the Centennial in this way.

Click here to read more about the Centennial.

Inspirational Program at EVQG

Grand Canyon

Patty Hawkins presented a fabulous slide show and talk at Estes Valley Quilt Guild last night entitled "My Art Odyssey, Taking Twists & Turns." Patty, a friend for many years, lives and creates her textile art here in Estes Park. She has won numerous awards for her art quilts. She brought a few quilts to display and the slide show featured photos of many more. It was a snowy, blustery night but many members and guests braved the weather and roads to experience Patty's program. Visit Patty's website by clicking here to see more of her quilts.

Winter Olympics

Watching the 2014 Winter Olympics from Sochi has been exciting. I loved the opening ceremonies. I especially like the figure skating because of the combination of athletic ability and artistry. Of course I'm rooting for the USA athletes but I have to admit I am enchanted by Yulia Lipnitskaya, the 15 year old Russian skater. I get chills watching her skate.

This would make a striking centerpiece for a quilt.

While watching the figure skating and ice dancing, I've noticed the blue art on the low walls surrounding the rink. I can't help but think of it as a quilt image. I'll think about using that as inspiration for a wall quilt.

Forty-Nine Years

Our wedding day

This is our forty-ninth wedding anniversary. I'm so glad I married such a wonderful man. Wayne is my best friend, my lover, and my hero. We're going out for an anniversary dinner at one of our favorite restaurants this evening. We're hoping for many more years together.

Why I Love Winter in Colorado

While the snow piles up outside, I've been playing with collage creation using photos from my own stash. Here is the first  Colorado Winter Collage

"Sweet Maisy Jane"

Sweet Maisy Jane

I finished the quilt top today. Now I'm pondering how I want to quilt it. This might be a good time to try out my machine quilting skills on my new Viking. I'd love to take time to hand quilt it but I need to finish it quickly so I can ship it off to my new great niece.