Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Off the Grid

 
Oliver and I have been "off the grid," as they say in one of my favorite tv shows, "MI-5."  I keep thinking I blogged about one thing or another, or checked in and commented on your feedback, but I guess I have not been in the blog state of mind lately, so I apologize but retirement is sort of becoming my way of life.  Those of you who have retired know what I mean!
 
Spring has arrived finally, although the past holiday weekend was cool, and today very rainy.  We are living in a green-out of lush foliage and blooming trees, so pretty.  I've had some down time from chronic illness, and haven't been quilting, but every now and then an idea pops into my head.  I hope to share some of them with you here soon.
 
I did go to the AQS quilt show in Paducah, had a good time, talked to many quilters and old friends.   It's wonderful to see so many familiar names with quilts in the show, many with awards.  I am always so proud of the work you all are doing.
 
The Celtic Bubbles tutorial was fun and now having many of you send me photos of what you've done is terrific!  I just knew this design could be adapted to whatever style you like or need for a particular quilt, and I was correct.  It's also something that most can learn to do, and see dramatic results right away. 
 
If you have any questions about it, please comment on this post and I'll try and answer them.  I know many of you are adapting the spirals so you can make more than one at a time, but for me the "one and done" works so well to keep the formal look, and keep them all consistent. 
 
Oliver is exhausted today; he was up all night watching out the windows for the reappearance of a visiting raccoon that came to the front step under the porch light.  Oliver made a symphony of cat noises that would wake the dead, fluffed out his fur so he was almost as big as the raccoon, and his tail stayed inflated for at least half an hour. 
 
It is his job to protect his house, his people, his territory, so he guarded all night and is sleeping today.  I hope the raccoon will not come back.
 
Watched a delightful movie last night, "Salmon Fishing in Yemen," and now it's time for vacation to be over.
 
Hope to do a quilting post soon, so don't give up on me.  Meanwhile, keep quilting, your work gets better every day.....!
 
Diane