Latest happenings

September started out with some serious weather for us Desert Rats. Flooding in lots of the valley, my place stayed high and dry.

There have been several projects that have been on my schedule. Last month the Night Owls had a retreat and I made a quilt, "Old Spanish Trail". Cindy Phare in Prescott it for me and I should have it as soon as we can make connections. I also made a very cute wall hanging titled "Wanda the Whale", this designer has some of the cutest patterns with darling names. I just couldn't resist "Wanda".
The Mavericks project this year is to make a art piece of Arizona, that's right down my alley. The want us to make two, the second one of the state that you come from. There were too many others things I working and and did not want to make two Arizona pieces.
I have two table runners that I'm working on for my daughter's store. One is red silk with wool roving inserts. I should get started on that next week. The other is a SW design, that just has to have the binding finished. 

This is Old Spanish trail

Arizona 4 peaks

Wanda the whale needs to be quilted

Table runner  16 x 82 Inches

Tonight I'm going to a dinner theater with friends to see "Angry Housewife's", this should be a fun evening.

I'm entering the Arizona piece in the Rim Country quilt show in Payson next month, will plan on going with some of my quilting buddies.

Portland show is coming up soon! Finally a vacation away from the heat and see the centennial Quilt again.

The days pass so quickly, I can hardly keep up with all of my activities. Of course that is what keeps me motivated and happy, The retreat at the Point Tapitio with my Night Owls was so nice. I do appreciate my friends and watching all of the great things that they create.
I made a very fun little quilt called "Wanda the Whale". This designer has such fun pieces, could not resit this. One of my friends did "Ellie the Elephant". I will try to get it quilted within the next few days, then I will post a picture.

I finally finished the table runner that I do for one of my daughters  clients. Then at the retreat I was able to get most of my Old Spanish Trail quilt done, I hoping to have this custom quilted next month.  It's pretty now but when it is quilted it will be fantastic.

There were lot's of flooding in parts of Phoenix but done of it effected my part of town, thank goodness.

https://www.facebook.com/wrsealeI'm having a great time at the Night Owls quilting retreat. Pictures to follow.

Several days of sewing and staying in the cool house. I made two baby quilts for my cousins twin girls, due soon. I worked on the DQ mystery quilt, part three. There will be 7 focus blocks which I made of Mexican applique birds on a red background. The first and second clues we made many of the components, this third clue we were able to put together three sections. I have used lots of bright colors with black and white accents.   I was an over achiever this month, can't wait for the next clue in September

Today I weakened and went to 35th Sew and vac for their BIG sale. I needed thread  and also a gathering foot for my machine.  There is always very interesting people to talk to while shopping, sometimes I have my buddy Sylvia, but she is in Mo. for the summer. I started talking to two ladies that were making one of the jackets that I have made so many of, the Raglan Sleeve Topper by Brenson. Since they were not familiar with the pattern, I was able to offer some words of wisdom. It always makes me feel good to share with other quilters, Even though it is very hot today, I have had a great day! I'm ready to start on a red silk table runner for a client. Hopefully it will be complete within a week. When my daughter designs things they are not simple.

Wednesday night my friend Phyl took me to Gammage to see Jersey Boys. What a treat, it was wonderful. The audience was rock'n & rolling which made it all the more fun.

Correction! We are the "Runnaways". Sometimes I get confused.

Here we are, the "Runabouts"

What happens at quilt retreats, stays at quilt retreats.

The quilting retreat in Flagstaff was a blast. We all accomplished projects and had excellent food and drink. The weather was beautiful. The accommodations at Odegaards location were wonderful, we have planned on going back next year. 

Tomorrow I'm heading to Flagstaff for a short quilting retreat. I will be nice to get out the heat for a few days.  The kitties will be very upset with me when I get home. I have several projects to work on. Pictures to come when I get the tops done.

I promised I would make an attempt on my own to post a picture and some messages. Bobbi has been so nice to teach me my way around the blog.

I'm working on a purple jacket with turquoise woven trim, maybe it will be finished today and I will take a picture and post it. Today, I'll post a picture of my kitty Molly. She has me very well trained.
She like to sleep half into the shutters.

Arizona Centennial Quilt, made in 2012

Several of us designed and organized the construction, then
100 ladies worked to complete the project. The quilt has a permanent home at the Arizona Historical Museum in Tucson. The quilt has traveled to Washington DC and Houston TX. This fall it will be shown at the Portland OR Quilt show. 

The quilt is two sided. The front shows images of landmarks, flora and fauna in Arizona. The back shows our flag, seal and other state symbols, as well as lists of notable Arizonans including the quilt-makers.

I'm making progress with the new blog. Lots to learn.

A beautiful Saturday, ready to learn more about posting and arranging photos.

After several hours and many mistakes, I will quit for the day. I need more lessons on how to size images and  to know where to put them. It's great to learn new skills.

Hello, friends!  This is my new blog site.

I finally finished my Grand Canyon piece!!!  

It's going to Portland this fall with other Arizona quilts, 

including the Arizona Centennial quilt.

This summer I'm working on some custom designed jackets to sell at my daughter's store in Carefree.

http://www.suebickerdyke.com/

Here is my new business card.