Finally ---- I'm Back! So is Summer!

I find it hard to believe how long it's been since I posted a blog, especially one with pictures of anything, much less a quilt!  It has been too long, especially when I consider the reasons for the delay.  Various troubles, as noted in my last two posts, and doctor appointments just left me not interested in doing much.  I'm still struggling with some aspects of my computer, but I'm getting there slowly.  My new quilter should be finishing my patriotic quilts soon, but hasn't called yet.  The repaired A.C. has made life much more comfortable too, particularly through the near 100 degree heat we've had for several days!  I've even been doing a little bit of quilting.  So life truly is getting better.

While my computer was down, many of you were showing beautiful pictures of your spring flowers, so I want to show a picture of my Climbing Pinkie Rose.  Never has it had so many blooms, before or since I took the picture on April 26, 2010.  (It's been so long since I've added a picture, I've almost forgotten how!)

A few weeks ago at Hobby Lobby, I saw a platter made like an American Flag, with the words of "The Star Spangled Banner" written in the white stripes.  I really wanted it, but didn't want to pay the price.  I was so inspired that I decided to make a flag, and write only the last two lines of the lyrics.  I dug out my son's old Boy Scout Flag Book and found pictures of several flags used through the years.

I decided to fringe and applique 13 stars representing the original 13 colonies.  I knew I'd never get all those points turned otherwise.  It's not perfect, but it will be okay I think.  It is 37" x 20".  I will be donating it to my church Youth program auction to help pay summer camp fees for teenagers.  A guy who is a builder is going to make a flag pole/stand and drill it at an angle so the flag will flare out just a bit; I hope he gets it done in time.  The auction is June 13.  I just finished the flag today, and will have to add the ties for attaching it to the pole. 

I probably will make another smaller one for me soon to add to my patriotic collection.  I'm also working on another one, a little different, for the auction that I'll share when it gets further along. 

It has been so good to be sewing again a bit.  I can hardly wait to hear from my quilter about the big ones! 

Hope all of you are getting lots of quilting done.  I'm looking forwarding to seeing all those swap block quilts come together! 

---"Love"