LANGUID WEEPING WILLOW IN THE AUGUST HEAT

At least there is a stream in which to cool off or perhaps go fishing.  The little mice are playing in the marshy area among the cattails.  

My aim was to use washed out greens and even some gold-greens for the leaves to show that summer is moving towards an end, things are dying out, losing their bright summer looks.  The leaves are pointing downwards to contribute to the lazy, slow summer feel.

August was my most stubborn problem child.  No background was right and the foreground was too blue or too green, and the mice always hid in the fabric. After a lot of trial and error I arrived at this final version.

Lots of water side vegetation.  Do you like my pretty ceramic fish?  When I get to the crazy quilting part of this which is seeming like my life's work, there will be more of these small delights among the 

rest of stitching activity. 

I am thinking now about the quilting.  I will machine quilt it but not sure what size thread.  Maybe 100 wt wonderfil invisafil?  I have used that before and my Tiara, Queenie,  likes that thread.  I might use a few colors like pale blue, pale gold, pale pink or maybe just use a light cream as invisafil sinks into the fabric.

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All set up to begin fabric painting.  I am painting Helen Godden's Midnight Magic BOM.  You can see more on her webpage https://helengodden.com/store/midnight-magic-bom-2020/.  Her class prices are listed in Aussie dollars which translate into about 66 to 75 cents in US dollars depending on the currency values at that moment.  She has excellent painting and quilting videos for each block

 

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This photo reminds me of my father who was born in 1911.  He was in 1st and 2nd grade in San Francisco at the time of the 1918 -1920 pandemic.  He told me everyone in school wore masks for most of this period.  Here it is 100 years later and we are back at it.

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AND NOW

YOUR MOMENT OF ZEN

Incredible moths...first the dead leaf moth in brown and then the walking leaf moth in green.  Photographs by Robert Clark.

These camouflage experts are fascinating.  Here are some more:

And then there is this moth which is just plain amazing.

I am linking up with these wonderful quilt sites

Oh Scrap at http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/
Patchwork and Quilt at www.quiltingpatch.blogspot.com 

BOMs Away at https://www.katiemaequilts.com/blog/
Sew and Tell Monday with Bambi at http://bambisyr-evaj.blogspot.com/
Monday Making at http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/
Design Wall Monday at https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/
Colour and Inspiration at https://www.cleverchameleon.com.au/blog/

Keep creating, stay well, stay cheerful

-HARD KNOCKS-

LIFE IN OUR TIME

May block from the pattern "His majesty, the tree" by Piecemakers.  A new born colt under a sycamore tree surrounded by wildflowers.  What not to like?

May was one of the simpler blocks.  Most of the tree was applique so few leaves were made of ribbon embroidery.    The foreground was trickier with all the wildflowers

Different types of stitches were used here as well as different types of threads. The stitching on the outside of the blocks is where the 14 1/2 inch cuts will be made for a 14 inch block.  Some excess is left standing in case I measured wrong (my forte) or in case I want to shift the design.  Knowing I needed help with exactitude, I had a glazier cut a plexiglass square 14  1/2 inches.  I am going to do this more often for the tricky bits.  Only cost $9.00, much much cheaper than buying a ruler.

Here is the design wall with all 12 months. 

 8 are completely finished, one (December) just needs some pinecones and cardinals.  3 months need the time consuming treatment of the leaves individually make with silk ribbon.  Since the blocks are on point (like a ballet dancer), they will need 4 triangles to make a square.  These triangles are crazy quilting which will be a new technique for me.  And therefore a bit intimidating. Before I take on this new challenge, I have some fabric painting to do.

But, my project is coming along!

HELP...I NEED ANSWERS....anyone...please

How do I add the box to be checked proving the respondent is not a robot?

I have lots of people (bots?) sign up to follow my blog (not making comments) but a lot of them are somethings like "sexy girl like man handsome" or some such which is a clue that they are not in it for the quilting?  

I want some kind of a "gadget" or the like so people have to prove they are not robots if they want to follow me on bloglovin.

Thanks...anyone

AND NOW......

YOUR MOMENT OF ZEN

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

Don't forget those sweet DREAMERS who help make America beautiful.

Thank you Judge Roberts for seeing America as the majority of Americans do.

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Stay well and wear your mask

I am linking up with these fabulous quilt makers and hostesses

Needle and Thread Thursday at http://www.myquiltinfatuation.com/

Finished or Not Friday at http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/

Off the Wall Friday at http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Whoop Whoop Fridays at http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/