The past three months have been a whirl wind of events in my life. During that time - a much needed step back was taken ... but now it's time ... time to get back to some sort of normalcy ...
Back in November I had the opportunity to attend the International Quilt Festival in Houston ... it seems like so long ago ... This was my first experience attending the show - and it did not disappoint!
Originally I was attending alone -
but by chance my guild's guest speaker last October ~ Gladi Porche
had mentioned she had always wanted to go ...
so with that I threw out the invitation
~~Well I'm going and I have a room to myself so if you can get there - you can stay with me~~
mind you I had Just Meet this women!!
and yup you guested it she took me up on the offer - and we had a wonderful time!!
Life can be just full of surprises!
The only way to travel! English Paper Piecing on the plane ...
and yes! Security let me thru with my tiny scissors!
The view of Quilt Festival just before the doors opened!!
There She is...
Funky Garden on Red hanging at Quilt Festival!!!
Had to go and visit her!!
What a thrill it was to see the Original "Ladies of the Sea" made by Sue Garman ...
Just awe inspiring!
Got a chance to snap a quick photo with Yoko Saito!
Her quilts were just incredible - the intricacy and the soft taupe colors just draw you in.
Most of my time was spent looking (ogling!) Yoko Saito and Sue Garman's quilts
Close up of one of Yoko Saito's quilts
And the Cherrywood Van Gogh exhibit was just out of this world ...
I though it was even better than the "Wicked" and "Lion King" displays from past years ...
maybe it was all the blue!!!
And Ya have to Love Danny Amazona's family of Golden Retrievers.
Not sure why ... but I LOVED this quilt!! Just so Funky!!
Once home and back to reality it was time to whip up a quick birthday gift for my
nephew's little girl who turned five and loves mermaids!!
December my mom celebrated her 93rd birthday.
She was living in a nice memory care unit ...
and she thought everyone was there celebrate her birthday!!
The memory care unit was also hosting their annual Family Holiday Party!!
SO cute!
My sister and I gave her a nice big cake -
enough for plenty of left overs for the staff!
With Christmas arriving - that means Santa face cookies in the Elia house!
Victoria, Matthew and Emily made a nice batch this year!!
Tree trimming was - as usual - fun trying to find enough branches for all the ornaments!
We have had the same artificial Christmas tree for 34 years!!
It's a bit lacking in the needle department - but we just can't part with it!!
or the 200 ornaments!!
Victoria and Stella!!
Matthew and Emily ...
she was introduced to so many Elia Christmas traditions,
I think her head was spinning!!
But she was great - they are perfect for each other!!
SO happy for them ... and NO - no date set yet!!
They are enjoying their engagement!!
The Meal!!
Prime Rib Roast Beast!! and Stuffed Cornish Game Hens!!
Yummy!!
Annual Elia Christmas Selfie!
Before heading back to Florida and Texas
Matthew and Victoria each had a nice visit with their Nana.
Lots of nature in my back yard this fall and winter!
In November there was a very large fisher cat! feasting in one of the fruit trees,
then in December two bucks were jousting in the back yard!
and in January I spotted a BIG Coy-wolf!!
Just relaxing in the sun -
watch him for about 20 minutes before he decided to saunter off into the woods!
Picture came out a bit blurry - iPhone and 30 yards will do that!
In January I attended two fabulous retreats!
The first is very calm and relaxing,
and the second is very loud and high energy!!
Love them both for different reasons!
Worked on my Temperature quilt!
It's going to be colorful!
Little "Inga" sewing up a storm!!
The temperature quilt tracks the daily high and low temps,
the Flying Geese point up/down depending on if the daily temp
is higher/lower than the previous day!
It's a fun project and exactly what I needed right now.
In the beginning of February my sweet mom left this earth to join my dad ...
the grief is worse than I expected ...
Just love this picture.
This was a pastel portrait I did of her over 40 years ago
when I was in high school and she was my age!!
Of course the instructor forgot to give her two vital pieces of information ...
first - wear the same outfit to every sitting
second - what ever you do - Do Not get a perm and hair cut!!
SO as a result I never really finished the picture!!
Miss you Mom.
On a happy note the baby elephant quilt has been gifted to this handsome little fellow!!
Everyone loved the quilt - makes me happy!
Have a great Quilty Day and enjoy the process
Janet
