Back in the Saddle

We have a new hard drive and I am finally able to load photos to my computer again. Hopefully this means I will be blogging at a more steady pace again. Actually, I am working on a tutorial, so check back over the next few weeks to see what I can manage to come up with!

This is the finished "free cut" piece which I think I shared with you previously. I free cut the graduated circles for the flowers, and the leaf shapes as well. I've been experimenting with machine quilting techniques. I need A LOT of practice! Apparently just buying a fancy new machine is not enough! Sheesh. So I used this piece as an opportunity to do just that. My first feathers - please don't look too closely!

A few updates from previous posts ...

*The gorgeous purple flower is a Passion Flower. I really must plant one and see how it does in my yard. They are captivating. Thanks to all who helped me to identify it!

*The tree that was struck by lightening is dead as a doornail. The leaves are all brown and falling in droves. It's really too bad. It was a nice tree. We'll have to get a tree service to come out and take it down (it's probably 60 feet tall). I'm thinking we'll replace it with a nice maple and relish in the fact that it's one less tree to rain acorns down upon us!

*Our exchange student is settling in nicely. We actually had a second one here for about two weeks and that nearly put me over the edge, but she's moved on to be with her permanent host family. Slowly things should return to whatever normal is these days!

I guess that's enough for now. My thanks go out to all of you who continue to pop in now and then and who have not given up on me. Hopefully I am back - with things to share!!!