What did I get at Paducah

Hmm.... not a lot.... even though it cost a lot of money.  Nine items.  5 packs of fat quarters, 2 books, 1 chalk pen, and 1 chalk refill. 

Fabric is the last thing I needed.  I just couldn't resist those.  The books are for my inspiration and encouragement.  I love Laura's books.  I'm not sure if I will get into fusible applique quilts or not.  What's important to me (from the books) is her art style.  It's cartoony.  It's helpful for me to see other textile artists who do cartoon type work.  I tend to watch the work of other people who do cartoon type work so I don't feel alone.  My friend Marilyn (Metaphor in fabric) is another person I draw encouragement from when I do cartoon quilts.  Her work is always fun and whimsical. 

Yesterday I couldn't decide what to do.  I just grabbed the first thing my eyes caught and put it on the machine.  Remember the wild roses I did a few months ago?  I called them Andrew's roses.  The ones where the fabrics didn't appear to go together at all?  If you don't remember them.... click to see the before pictures and come back here to see this picture again.  The rose is about 24" X 24". 

Does it look better now?  More like the fabrics go together?  I covered it with sheer fabric.  I used an upholstery fabric scrap for the background. I'm doing some freehand embroidery on it.  There is no batting or backing yet.  I've been trying to decide whether to actually quilt it or simply do freehand embroidery and stretch it on a frame.  Or both.  If I decide to frame it, I would have to buy a frame that's about 30" X 30".  I'm not sure how much that would cost.  One frame might not cost much but 5 frames could get expensive.  I'll have to check on how much they would be.  This one is going to be a gift for the man who drew the rose when he was young.  Which way do you think the roses should be finished? 

I'm not sure what's going on with blogger today.  Some of the comments I could get posted and some won't post no matter what I do.  My mother has been moved from the hospital in Indiana to Baptist East here in Louisville.  I'll be with her the rest of the day.