Wordless Wednesday - Butterflies and Flowers

Pieced Quilt Tops

Hello.  Welcome to Empty Nest Gardens and Quilts.  Today I am finally going to show you that I actually do a little quilting (piecing) from time to time. 

I have 3 quilts top that I have finished piecing and all I need to do now is machine quilt them.

First, let me tell you that I don't have anyone to help me hold my quilts during my photography sessions so my dear trusty swing set serves as the holder.  My husband would help if I ask but he is really not the type to model quilts...lol.

The quilt above was made from a jelly roll by Tula Pink.  The fabric is Neptune.  The quilt top is in 2 pieces.  I will be machine quilting it in sections using my Bernina sewing machine and a method taken from the book Divide and Conquer by Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan.  Their book is out of print but I was able to purchase a pdf document of the general directions on this method from their website Great American Quilt Factory.

This is a table topper that was made from a charm pack.  I used the Disappearing 9 patch pattern.  You may be able to tell that it is already layered (top, batting and backing) using the 505 temporary fabric adhesive.  I started quilting this one yesterday. 

This will be a queen size quilt.  The pattern is called Springtime in Oklahoma and I used Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  I left it in 2 sections so I can again use the Divide and Conquer Method. 

This is a quilt top my daughter cross stitched.  She wants me to put a backing on it to cover up the stitching on the back.  I haven't decided how I want to do this since it is already quilted.  Some how I want to add a thin bat and a backing, then do a little quilting to hold it together, then add a binding. 

I have 5 more quilt tops started so there will be more quilty blog posts coming soon.
Until next time,

Maidenhair with Flowers

Hello friends.  I like these pictures that I snapped recently in my yard.  I thought I would share them. 

Maidenhair Grass

These pictures above and below are a David Austin rose called Abraham Darby.  I have them growing in the cottage garden.

My wave petunias are blooming again....yea!!

Ferry Morse Mixed Sunflower

Sunflowers make me so happy. 

I hope life is treating you well.  Until next time,

Eat Pray Love

Eat Pray Love is one of the best books I have read in a long time.  It is one of those books I will read a second time.

I finished reading the book just as the movie was starting to play in the local theatres.  I have seen the movie twice.  It is a very good movie but the book is soooooo much better. 

This is definitely a woman's book.  So girls, if you need something good to read I highly recommend this one.

Cooler Weather

Hello all my blogger friends.  I haven't posted in a while because it has been so darn hot here.  BUT the weather has been very nice the last 2 days.  Last night I was at the park with my 2 granddaughters and the air felt cool.  It was a little strange. 

I thought I would post a few pictures I snapped tonight in the yard.  Enjoy.

A view of the back yard. 

Flowers along the driveway. 

This is Dynamite Crape Myrtle and it has just started blooming.  The picture does not do it justice.  It is a bright red.

A little yard art. 

A look down the breezeway at dusk.

This is one of our 2 cats.  Her name is Nosey and she has found a little shade under the fire pit....(which I am so looking forward to using this fall). 

I have been sewing on several quilt tops but I never seem to take any pictures of them.  I am making myself a promise to post a few quilty pictures soon.

Until next time,

Wow, it is really HOT

For the past several weeks our high temperatures have been between 100 and 106.  As I type this, it is 11:00am and the temperature is already 99.  I am amazed that I have anything blooming in the yard but I do.  There are several blooming plants that like the heat.  I thought I would share a few of these pictures taken from my yard this morning.

The Mandevilla started blooming as soon as it got hot. 

The sunflowers I planted in June are starting to bloom.

 

 

This is Obedient Plant and it absolutely loves the heat.  It can be very invasive and is often given as a pass-along plant.  It is pretty this time of year but Beware if someone offers you a start of it!!

There are 2 butterflies in this picture that were being so playful.  They were fluttering all through the garden.  I was surprised that I was able to get this picture. 

I hope that you are staying cool.  Until next time,

Naked Ladies

Before

After

The high temperatures this week are running around 100-104.  There are not many flowers blooming except zinnias and these naked ladies. 

Until next time,