Bristlecone Pine

Can you see the textures here?  This tree sits at 10,000 feet above Cedar Breaks.  It is probably hundreds of years old.  Amazing lines and textures. 

Colors & Textures in Utah

Utah is one of those fabulous places where the colors, the sky, the textures are so different from what I am used to here in the humid, wet midwest.  These pictures are from Cedar Breaks, just above Zion and not too far from Bryce.  We are at 10,000 feet elevation.  Amazing.  My spot of worship.

Solids Only challenge - Modern

I wanted to give you an idea of what all the different challenges looked like.  We voted for the top three so all were laid out on the floor to look at.  Aren't they wonderful?

Kaufman Solids Only Challenge

As a part of the Modern Quilt Guild members participated in the Kaufman Solids Only Challenge.  We were each given a packet of 45 fabrics and had to use 21 in a piece.  There were size limitations/guidelines as well.  We could add other solids but nothing else.  This is my piece.  We all showed them last Saturday and there were 36 who participated.  It was awesome. 

Luna Moth & other creatures on the river

We have floated 3 days this week on the glorious Missouri rivers:  Jack's Fork, Current and Huzzah.  While floating we saw a great deal of wildlife:  otters, blue herons, river herons, snakes, frogs, fish of all kinds, teenagers, families and more.  Two especially fun finds are pictured here.  The luna moth and the tadpole for a bull frog.
The wings and antennae for the moth are fabulously detailed and I could see enlarging them to make a fabric piece someday.  Doubt I would do anything with the tadpole but he is almost cute. 

Memorial Day Ride

Tom and I are always looking for places to ride our bikes without a lot of traffic.  This morning we headed out to the Femme Osage Valley north of Dutzow, MO.  This area was settled in 1830 and is very close to the Daniel Boone Home.  Some of the grave markers in this cemetery had dates back into the 1700's.  Can you imagine how self sufficient these people were living in this valley.  I think it is one of the prettiest in this part of the state and the ride was great. 
While riding I thought alot about the strength of the people who settled this country.  Strong stock. 

Sacred Threads

I found out last week that my wall piece, "Passed this Way" was accepted to the Sacred Threads exhibit in Washington D.C. this summer.  http://www.sacredthreadsquilts.com/.  This piece was made for a Day of the Dead exhibit at the University of Missouri.  I have been fascinated by roadside crosses in our rural area and have collected pictures for a long time.  I used commercial fabrics to make the bright, glorious colored flowers depicting life, rebirth, growth and remembrance.  The roadside cross pictures were screened onto organza and fused or stitched to the top.  It is heavily quilted and I like the back as well as the front.