Grapes or Raisins?

109 degrees in the shade - REALLY! It is 5pm. Too hot! But with new A/C unit set at an energy saving 80 degrees this afternoon, and sipping on a cool drink (water) it feels fine inside. It was only 99 degrees at 9:30pm last night when DS was mowing the yard. He was awarded a lemon-lime root beer snow cone for his efforts (ugh) but just what he wanted! Here is some eye candy from previously finished Simply Delicious Fruit blocks. If these grapes were real, they would be raisins by now :)

Nearing the end of July

Writing some, quilting some, burning up (broken A/C), and texting lots with DH & DD. They are at a v-ball tourney in Tucson. It is hotter here - 103-105 degrees daily - than it is in the desert in Tucson! 31 days above 100 degrees and counting.

Plentiful Pears Photo Finish

Pears are now complete. Pattern is from www.pieceocake.com older pattern "Simply Delicious" 1996. I lack apples and lemons (the two blocks that seemed the easiest) to complete the 12 block set! This is truly a pleasure to create.

Lyre Rose Wreath Finished Photo

Here it is - right from my hands - unpressed. Also, I think my batteries were low on camera so quality of pic not so great - but you can get the idea. Will redo photo and replace soon. But, for now here it is! I love it!! Click on image for close of of 3D rose buds.

What's next?

This is a brief view of one surviving gladiola. The piercing heat has been too much for most everything else. Since this flower is in the shade of the tree, it survived.

As for quilting, DD insisted that I finish Simply Delicious Pears before beginning or designing new Baltimore Blocks. Therefore, I have humored her and have been working on the pears. It has been fun but I am almost finished and looking forward to sewing on the next Baltimore wreath that is marked, based, and ready! It is enlarged and slightly modified from Elly's book. I plan to try another 3-D technique new to me to make star runched roses for this wreath.

More rose buds & coming attractions....

In real time all the buds were finished last night. In camera upload time, you will have to wait to see the finished product.

More roses blooming

Not much time to sew or write. Quick visit from DH brother and family here from out of state to enjoy the "best" rural Oklahoma has to offer on these hot July days. International Youth Finals Rodeo on Wednesday night, to T-bird lake yesterday, and yummy sausage, marinated chicken, and some home grown veggies last night in the grill. Even at 9am, I could hear those cicadas chirping their heat alert!

Rose buds began this week...

I had to make this extra post today since the last "heated" posting had no photo and I can't leave it like that! I am still diligent in writing but need more hours in a day. You KNOW my head is in it when I actually had a dream (nightmare?) last night about the concept definition I am working on and the instrument development workshop coming up! YEOW-Za! And of course there are many much more pleasant day dreams of quilts and quilting :)

My posting of applique work runs a few days (or weeks in some cases) slow due to my infrequent picture uploads. Here is a sneak peek at one rose bud in the Lyre Wreath. (Too bad my photo does not show the 3-D effect of the gathered circle rose technique. Hummm...the close up does show that I should have used a little darker applique thread on the leaves.)

In real time I have finished 8 rose buds on the wreath in the past 3 days. That is half of the total roses for this block. They are fun to make and look great! I love it! I even dug in OLD fabric from Aunt Mimi's stash for some rose pieces to get the desired color selection. I already have a circle wreath (simple) and an eagle block (elaborate) getting ready "on the drawing board" for my next Baltimore style pieces. Can't wait!

113 degrees in the shade...Really! Shawnee, America 4:19pm

This is according to online local news report. The thermometer on my porch says 116 degrees. I'll have to post a pic! Basically - yeah, it's HOT! Just took this picture of online source to substantiate the heat wave :)
Addendum: Oh, what a relief, it is down to 109 degrees. Thankfully the AC set at 82 degrees is comfy and humidity is low 19%.

Next come the roses... I can't wait!

Divine Guidance Unveiled - TaDa!

This was lots fun! A good compliment to the holiday weekend and DH family reunion in Atlanta. It kind of reminds me of fireworks! This is the "raw" block - unpressed as of yet.

I imagine you can determine which tiny star I did first and which was last. The good news is that I improved by the time all were complete. Tiny start were a little challenging / tedious. The block looks OK - but nothing like the beautiful fabric selection used by Jane. I might make another center star sometime - but probably not those tiny stars :)