Happy Independence Day!

First and foremost.......

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to all Americans!

And thank you to all those who have served our country so that we may remain free.

Let's pray that it stays this way!

I have been flying a lot as of late, however, I do enjoy having the holidays off.  This year I am staying locked away in my sewing studio, and will watch fireworks on television.  Typically, I go to my sister's home and spend it with family barbecuing and making homemade ice cream.  But, this year, since my niece and nephew are older, and aren't as interested in shooting off fireworks, I am going to stay home.  I am hoping to finish up my 'Talkin' Turkey" Christmas top.

 2014 Rainbow Scrap Challenge

"Soul Searching" by Kathy Doughty

You all may remember, I made this quilt thinking it would be for me during last year's

RSC2014 hosted by SoScrappy?

Plans changed when I was flying with my long time flight attendant friend, Chris.

He was interested in seeing some of the quilts I was working on, so I showed him several

photos.  When we came to this one he simply asked "How much?????"

Backing of quilt........using up that stash!

I had never sold one of my quilts, but, after much thought, I decided I would.

Chris requested a scrappy backing, so I went through my black bin and black with prints bin

and went to work piecing the backing.

I LOVE a pieced backing!  It kind of gives a quilt a 2 for 1 look!

My friend Dar of Dar's Patchwork Garden quilted it beautifully in "Spiral Squares."

It is hard to tell in the photo, but, she used a variegated rainbow thread.

The quilt and quilting all work together to create a beautiful work of art in my opinion.

 Here is Chris on the left with his son holding his quilt.

Not the greatest photo I know, but, you can definitely tell they are pleased with it.

I have received numerous text messages from Chris thanking me, and telling me

who all he has shown his quilt to.  That is so AWESOME knowing how much someone

loves their quilt you worked on.

I am so glad I was able to experience this first sale with a friend.

I also have something to share that I am BEYOND pleased with and proud of!

EAT  QUILT  SLEEP  REPEAT

You all remember my awesome cousin Phyllis!

We go to the AQS Paducah quilt show together and have a blast!

Well, we have a great time together, even when quilts aren't involved.

She made this AMAZEBALLS Cross Stitch wall hanging for me!

I am ABSOLUTELY in love with it!

It pretty much sums up my life!

I just haven't a clue how she makes all of these tiny little stitches to look like

they melt together!  That "QUILT" is so intricate and SCRAPPY!

I! LOVE! THIS! SO! MUCH!

Thank you so much Phyllis!

Photos soon after it is hung in it's place of honor in my home!

Phyllis and her husband Jerry came for Decoration at the cemetery where my 

maternal grandparents and great grandparents are buried.

Here, in Missouri, we call this "Decoration."

The 4th Sunday in June is designated as the official day to decorate the graves in this 

mountain cemetery.  I can remember as a child coming to this "get together" and there would be 

hundreds of people.  Not so much anymore.

 This is a photo of my immediate family members that came this year.

We had a great time reminiscing and telling the stories we knew to be true about

those gone before us.  We also had a wonderful picnic!

On the drive back to my parent's home from Decoration, we were able to stop at this

antique store which has several vintage quilts displayed.

The place was very small, and I couldn't get the quilts down to get really

great photos of any of them.  But, they looked really cool all hanging along the walls.

Phyllis is also a lover of day lilies like I am.

She brought me a variety of day lily named "Quilt Patch!" (not pictured)

I cannot wait to add them to my day lily garden along with these!

The rain has really made my flowers flourish this year.

Please keep those farmers and families who have lost so much

in your thoughts and prayers during the flooding in this area.

Here is hoping your holiday weekend is as awesome as you all are! 

(International readers included!!!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter