Crooked Gulley Art Quilts

I went fabric shopping... I really wasn't going to buy anything...Really!!!  But, I found this great shop in Winston Salem, NC. Karen Gray Design Although there are not any batiks, it is loaded with modern fabrics from the hottest designers.  I got two great pieces to make into A-line skirts for our trip to Italy in September.  I found both in the "sale" area.  Karen has a famous $6 a yard wall! Fabric to die for! Here's the fabric for my fun skirts... I'm going to use the Amy Butler pattern.  My plan is to take T-shirts that will go with both skirts and pairs of black and khaki capris.  This girl will be traveling lite!!! I also got some darling fabric to make gathered skirts for these two cute little girls... Meet my darling grandnieces, Avery and Caroline! Here is the fabric for the little skirts... I thinik Avery, the older of the two - 5 years old - will get the green skirt. Caroline needs the Carol...

Welcome Blog Hoppers from Sew We Quil t!  I have so enjoyed visiting everyone's blog and getting new ideas.  These table toppers are so fun.  I'm posting a few days early because I'm off to visit my niece and her three sweet little girls. I haven't even hugged Elena yet. She was just born in February.  A sweet little Valentine for our family  I started with a table runner and then knew I had to do a topper to go with it. The runner is a pattern by Karen Brown at Java House Quilts. (Sorry, I don't have that link.)  I adapted the pattern to fit what I wanted and have the runner sitting on our china credenza.   Someday my DH wants a koi pond in our backyard. I thought it would be fun to tease him with this runner. ( OMG, don't look at my toes in that picture! I haven't had my spring pedicure yet!) Now the table topper ....  We have a sweet old orange cat named Miss Puny Puss.   I wanted ...

I've taken a break from the spring gardening to make some birthday gifts and a new purse for me. My purse is from Karen West's "Itty Bitty Bag" pattern. I love this size purse and have several. I used a variegated thread to free motion the bamboo and then used the same thread to do a leaf and vine motif on the pockets. I used one of my machine's decorative threads to embellish the handles. This is the knitting bag I made for my friend Cheri. It's from the Ghastly collection. The inside has pockets and places for knitting needles. Last is the present for my friend, Alice. It's a chic BYOB bag to use when our community has Bring Your Own parties. I wanted it to be exotic and whimsical... if you look closely at the daisy pockets you will see that I embedded alligators in the flowers! I used gold metallic thread to outline the bamboo. Alice will LOL when she looks inside. I lined the bag with the leftover fabric I used when I made her whimsical foot co...

This is what we saw this morning... Luckily he stays on the other side of the fairway!

Long time no blog.... Here on the coast of NC, SPRING has arrived. I've never seen the grass green up so rapidly or the Japanese Maples leaf out so quickly! Yikes! No time for sewing, I need to plant annuals, fertilize, prune, pull weeds.... huff and puff... that's what I'm busy with. Hugs from Mary with the dirty hands and ruined fingernails.

I've finished a beach quilt that is a wedding gift for one of my daughter's friends. Her family has many wonderful memories of family vacations at Nags Head. I hope Lori loves it. I'm also hoping the bright border gives the picture a younger more 'hip' look!  Flip flops at the beginning of the trail give the illusion of a couple gone walking... a personal story maybe... Already... I've revised the quilt. DH pointed out that there were no birds in the sky... Oops! I added the birds and toned down the wet sand with a white oil pastel crayon. Now... it is finished!!! Keep stitchin' for the ones you love. Hugs from Mary

So beautiful... Look what greeted me this morning as I walked out the front door with my cup of coffee... just wanting to roam the yard and pull a few weeds... Are you inspired to do an art quilt? I may be... Love the way the sun is coming in and highlighting the ruffles of the petals. Back to reality! Must hurry, I tee off in 45 minutes and still need to get dressed in proper golf attire which is just about anything except jeans. Hugs to you from me.