Finally can share about a special quilt

I have kept quiet about the last two quilts I made since they were to be gifts for some special people in my life. [Thus kept secret until the recipients received them.]
This weekend was the wedding shower of my nephew Gerald Taylor and his bride to be Megan McFall.  I was not able to travel to MI to attend but my gift made it's way thanks to the good ole USPS to the shower. I hoped they could tell my thoughts were with them.

When deciding what to design for this very special couple I wanted to honor their contemporary side yet also honor their family sentiments and traditions honoring their Irish heritage. [*Side note: Jerry proposed to Megan while they were traveling throughout Ireland]

So I chose some pretty batiks in colors I felt they liked and then decided to use a traditional pattern. "Irish Chain".

Irish Chain squares design sewn together.

Completed Quilt top on my design wall.

Next step quilting completed on my HQ16.

Detail

Signature on front. I actually did label this quilt on the
back with pattern name, date, made by, etc.

Trying to take photo to document yet the wind was not totally cooperating
;-)  heck maybe you can semi see the batik backing I chose.

I miss the wonderful bridge I used to use while photographing my
creations. Sadly it's in VA and we now live in PA.

Staging on the rock in our backyard for the time being until I can locate
another sweet bridge or spot to use for photographing my quilts..

So the wedding shower has come and gone. I've been told the "soon to be married" couple love their quilt. I'm hopeful to receive a photo soon of the lovely couple w/quilt (if I'm lucky). Hubby and I are looking forward to attending the wedding Oct. 27, 2012  to be a big family celebration.

So Until…..stay tune, I hope to be able to post about the other completed quilt soon, I just need to hear it has made it way to it's recipient.   May the sun keep shining on us all.

Chipping away at things that should have been done long ago

So my design board is busy in my studio but can't post photos of what I'm working on since the creation is to be a surprise for someone I know.
But little by little I am beginning to feel more like myself like the saying goes, inch by inch, step by step….
I'm messing with Annie Sloan paint again this time painting some old oak bunk beds I bought long ago for my one son's bedroom, about 17 years ago. I've got them just about painted then the fun part..waxing the furniture to complete the process.

Oak bunk beds being painted with pure white Annie Sloan.

In the end we will have 3 twin beds for the grandkids room

Bottom painted now on to the top.

The beds will soon be ready to wax.

While I'm working on these hubby's job is to paint their room.

So until next time…may the sun keep shining on us all.

The house seems so empty since my mom went back to MI

So we took my mom to LGA airport on August 30 to head back to MI. We spent her last night in NJ at my son's home where we had the pleasure of visiting with two of my grandchildren.

Here is my mom feeding baby James.

Charlotte and my mom playing itsy bitsy spider.

Our house seems so quiet and empty without my mom visiting so I have been staying busy trying to develop a new norm since my mom's visit in August was also my first full month to be in my new home. Now it feels a little strange that she is not here.
Here is the next project I completed:

My grand-daughter Brynn's birthday is this coming week and I've been told she wants a puppet theater. So guess who was assigned to try to make her one. 

This is how it began.

Ok so now I put in a top rod and middle rod along with some curtains.

Curtains open.

So hoping my grand-daughter likes the puppet theater I made her. I am looking forward to watching some puppet shows.
So now it's time to get back to some quilting.