The Question is

What is a real art quilt?  Someone said 'my first real art quilt' in reference to creating...my first real art quilt.
 I mused on that for a while took the idea of bedding out stitching out  to several layers of fabrics to more then two layers of fiber that took care of quilt, now the  'real art' part.  Got stuck endless loop of real not real art not art.
gudrun

Olympics!!!

Just have to add a note about Television....I am not a television person, (when the boys left the house, we
disconnect the cable (not internet).  I had an anal discussion with the person on the phone when I attempted to disconnect, one that went in circles about my not wanting television, and she insisting that basic was
a good option, but not if you don't want  cable :)  It has been disconnected for about 4 years.  Discovered a few weeks ago that we get several channels without connecting. Who knew? But I am sure
pleased to have this medium for the Olympics!!  I hung on till midnight watching the opening ceremony.
Wahoo!  So sad it isn't cold and snowy on the coast but heh nothing new there, eh.
I am going to see if I have a Canada toque somewhere!  I recently bought a baby blue beanie, I like it but
it isn't 'patriotic'.
Lots of 'patriotic stuff.... I had to smile at the adverts that suggested ' we are nice, we are friendly, welcome, come on,  get your ass kicked'
Bring it on, and lets pray no one else dies.
gudrun

Confession

Not everyone will find this quilt ugly. It is, and it was poorly constructed,  make it impossible for me to quilt.  The centre is larger than the outside, using an extra layer of batting in the middle helped a little, but lots of other problems.
I got this in an auction.  I took a 12 inch outer border off, before I started. I tried quilting this as a newbie long armer, realized I was out of my depth, threw it in a corner. Pulled it out again a few weeks ago, for the third time and decided I needed to get it out of my life. Just not worth the effort.  So I took all the pins out, wrapped it up nicely and donated it.  Maybe some one will give it a life, maybe not.  I feel so much better, like when you take the tight pants off and put on elastic waisted sweats. (grin)

Challenging

I am fortunate to be part of new gang of quilters who are all interested in stepping out of our boxes.
(so to speak)  It's a smallish group, and we have three themes a year to complete. Two rules apply you must complete them within a given time frame and they must be 75% fabric.
It's nice to have a small group. I have been looking at the members blogs...lots
of talent.  I must not get intimidated. An unfortunate habit of mine.
The first theme is Hidden Treasure. Wow! 
 My first thoughts were about a grade 7 project I  did as a 'book report',  on "Treasure Island".  I wonder when I last thought of that  :)  Other ideas are also on the watery side of life. 
gudrun

Cat Quilts

I made two cat quilts using a panel, this is the first. It is an Andover panel. I added borders, stitched in some cat and mouse silhouettes, a spider web, to cover a booboo (should I have confessed?)  a bit of embroidery and a few beads. It lives happily with my best buddy and her family of cats.

This is the second one, a bit different, used a log cabin block down the left side, more silhouettes not as much hand work. I gave it to my MIL.

This is the third cat quilt, also started with the same panel.

 I did not buy three of these panels, but someone was charmed with them, thought I did such a marvelous job with the first one he gifted me with a couple more.  

I cut the last one apart, lost the pot of flowers, &  had lots of fun. In the outer border I stitched silhouettes of cats, but later decided there was too much of that green, trimmed the border and cut the heads
and feet off a couple of the wee creatures. DUH.

I thought I had come to the end of my session of cat quilts so I use squares of cat material on the back. Apparently I am not done with cat quilts.  I have another one pieced.
It's not a panel, and I call it Ode to Willa.  Willa is where ever it is that wonderful cats go, when they leave us forever.  She stayed with us for 19 years, and left us a year ago.
gudrun