Florida House Memory Quilt Finish

Quilt #2/3 for my customer is finished!  My customer wanted it in creams and off-whites for her Florida house.  I was happy to oblige with assorted "low volume" scraps for the sashing strips.  But I needed to purchase fabric for the borders and backing.

This quilt had a softer look than her Black & White quilt and was asking to have the quilting just a bit closer together to give it a more "feminine" look...

A few years ago, I read an article about how quilting for men and women can differ.  Aside from the obvious use of floral prints, just the quilting style can offer a his and hers feel.  For a stronger, more masculine feel, they recommended straight lines, or a square grid. For a softer, feminine feel, curves were suggested or on-point lattice, closer together, such as 2" to 2-1/2" or so.  A diamond grid layout was also suggested.  

I went with 3-1/2" spaced lines for this one versus the 4" spacing on her first quilt.

In case you missed my story on Monday, I had strained my back making it rather difficult to sit and quilt.  I did manage to get it 1/2 done before leaving for a few days to Red River, New Mexico.

It was a veeeeeeeeery relaxing time away.  We enjoyed lunch with some friends that treated us to lunch at Red River Brewing Company.  (They welcome dogs on their outside patio!  Shelby loves it there.) Our relationship goes back nearly 20 years when they were the youth leaders for our daughters.  They now have two teenagers (one is now driving) and have a little more freedom with their free time so they chose to enjoy a nice ride on their motorcycle.

That morning, Dave and I had visited the Wild Rivers convergence in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument area, which is comprised of rugged, wide-open plains at an average elevation of 7,000 feet, dotted by volcanic cones, and cut by steep canyons with rivers tucked away in their depths. The Río Grande carves an 800-foot-deep gorge through layers of volcanic basalt flows and ash. Among the volcanic cones in the Monument, Ute Mountain is the highest, reaching to 10,093 feet.

This area has attracted human activity since prehistoric times. Evidence of ancient use is found throughout the area in the form of petroglyphs, prehistoric dwelling sites, and many other types of archaeological sites. More recent activity includes abandoned homesteading from the 1930s.

The Monument is an important area for wintering animals and provides a corridor by which wildlife move between the two mountain ranges.

The unique setting of the Monument also provides a wealth of recreational opportunities. Whitewater rafting, hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and camping are some of the more outstanding activities that can be enjoyed in the Monument.

The next day we went to town with the purpose of doing some wine tasting and to purchase something from the RR brewery & distillery.  Both errands were successful... I selected two crowlers (think super-sized beer cans) of amber beers for Dave and he purchased two bottles of wine for me. 

I also chose some gourmet cheese - a sharp cheddar with jalapeño and some jalapeño spiced pistachios. 

Both are (were) scrumptious!  The cheese is already gone.

While we enjoyed time in the Junebug campground located in Carson National Forest we read our books, I sewed, and Dave played his guitar. 

I finished two more blocks for our camping journal quilt as well as a quilted hearts.

The blue tent is a memory of helping Samantha set up her tent while in Illinois for the family reunion and the covered wagon for one of the nights in Ogalla, Nebraska, where there was a stop for the Oregon Trail.

We all enjoyed evening walks through the forest between Junebug and Fawn Lakes campgrounds.

My back pain was less noticeable as each day passed.  Alas, we returned home and I sat at the machine to finish the Florida quilt... It is not all that happy again, but I am happy because the quilt is finished!

I'll be calling my chiropractor for an appointment next week before I even consider starting quilt #3/3.

This weekend you will probably find me watching Heartland and doing some hand sewing.  I need to dig into my inspiration folder for the next mini-quilt.

I have a folder on the computer and one on my phone where screenshots of creative and quilty inspirational ideas get placed.

Do you have an idea folder? Leave a comment... I'd like to hear how you organize and save your ideas.

Speaking of which... Did you miss my give away announcement?  

In celebration of the Sew & Tell Party turning 1 year old, I am giving away 9 of the mini-quilts.  Make sure you head over to the party page to enter the drawing!

Happy Friday!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy’s Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

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