SAQA has an annual conference in the spring. Members are invited to submit a small (6 X 8) art quilt for the Spotlight Silent Auction.

I started with a pile of my lovely, dyed and painted silk.

My idea was to create some colorful houses. I love to see homes in an array of colors as you do in many locations around the world. Here is how I started.

I added some sky, windows, and shrubbery.

I like to make compositions that are a bit wonky and not perfect so this was making me happy.

Here it is after quilting.

It is titled, Over the Rainbow Condos. It went in the mail this morning. I won’t be at the conference this year. I hope it finds a new home.

A lot happened while I was absent from blogging. Mark and Jayme had a baby boy in 2017 – the day after my birthday. He is now two and such a sweetheart. I made him an I Spy Quilt which I gave to him this past Christmas. He pulled it out of the bag and said, “I love it”! He then crawled up on the sofa and wrapped himself in it!! What more could a Grandmas ask for.

The quilt has 80 different fabrics. The back has fabric designed by my daughter, Lisa. It has lots of fun items making it a double-sided I Spy quilt.

In 2018, I turned 80 and bought myself this t-shirt. I have fun wearing it.

I like to have an arty project every year. Last year, I did a sketch every day for the whole year. This year, I am creating a torn paper collage every week. I use the New York Times Magazine for my inspiration. I try not to spend a lot of time and make it too precious. I am having fun and that is my main goal. These are the first four that I have created.

My surprise for the birthday boy was a success. He had a great time being feted by his friends. Thankfully, one of them took photos.

In other good news, I sold one of my large aspen quilts. This one is High Desert Aspens. It has a painted silk background. I shipped it off to Oregon’s high desert which seems appropriate.

Next on my agenda is to start making! I have ideas in my head and some sketches. It is time to pull out some fabric and get busy.

Yesterday, I got an email from UPS saying I was getting a delivery today that was sent next day air from LA. I couldn’t imagine what it could be because I had no pending delivery. It was a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the SAQA board, thanking me for my two years as the Oregon Rep. I love getting flowers and I don’t get them that often. So, that was something I did during the time I was not blogging! I really enjoyed being a part of the dynamic SAQA Oregon team.

Today, I made these delicious raspberry ricotta wholewheat scones so that Mr. C will have something special for his 80th birthday breakfast. I also bought a big carrot cake and birthday candles (80) and dropped them off at Trinity Cathedral. He will be there tomorrow doing his weekly volunteer work and I thought it would be great for them to celebrate his birthday. I can’t be there because I won’t have the car and I have a SAQA conference call at 11 am. Someone has offered to take photos for me.