The Spectators

Click on this image to enlarge it...........

You will see the red barn in the center of the photo.....just to the left is a small yellow building......this is the Thread Shed.....built in 2000 by my husband. This is where I spend most of my time. I have a lovely view of Marys Peak as I sit at my sewing machine; I can watch the horses munching on hay in the barn and listen to the hens clucking softly. I am also being watched........I can just feel it. I have become a spectator sport. When the windows are open I can hear them breathing as they watch me. I am never alone......the spectators are always there.

This is my view out the window of the Thread Shed. Yes, these are the spectators. I think the hum of the sewing machine grabs their attention. They push each other around trying to get the best view through the big picture window. They can spend hours watching me make quilts.......I am never alone.

Hanging clothes on the line also fascinates the spectators.......

Jockey shorts, t-shirts and most any kind of laundry can really draw a crowd around this place..........I am never alone.

In the spring they watch me plant the garden and tend to the flowerbeds. They are very interested when Brad is BBQ-ing on the patio out back. Our children are grown and no longer live at home, but we will never really be alone...........the spectators are always watching.

When I am not making quilts, I am somewhere here on the farm with my camera.

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May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Suzy.....the Quilting Doggie

Suzy is my quilting companion out in the Thread Shed. The hum of the sewing machines puts her right to sleep. Click on image above to enlarge it.

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Bye For Now,

LuAnn and Suzy in The Thread Shed

Speaking Through Your Hands, Heart & Soul

A Letter to Brad From Cowgirl: A Loyal, Loving Red Heeler

I came to live with you when I was just a pup. You are the best friend a dog could ever have. I rode shotgun for you the rest of my life, and what a life it was!

Our days began and ended in a ride in Big Blue. We rode along together down the bumpy gravel road. You drove and I watched the pedals. We had many adventures together fixing fence, feeding cattle, going to the sheep barn. You never had to look for me, I was always right there by your side. You were the most important person in my life. Gosh, you were my life!

Everyone was my friend. I was always happy to greet people with a wag and a lick wherever we would go. But it was you that I was devoted to. I would wait outside the barn door for hours for you, and would wag my tail when I saw you come out.

I'm sorry I couldn't stay any longer, but we were lucky to have 14 years together. And, I'll still be waiting at the barn door until I see you coming through.

I Love You,

Cowgirl

"Cowgirl" By LuAnn Kessi

A framed memory quilt 18 x 24

My husband's red heeler dog was a loyal companion for many years.

This photo transfer quilt was made to honor Cowgirl and her significance in our family.

Click on the image to enlarge it.......

I chose to express my memories in fabric and thread. It is my way of speaking through my hands, my heart and my soul.

Jimmy Stewart chose to express the memories about his dog Beau in poem. Click on his name to view the video.

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To see more photo transfer work CLICK HERE

From My Heart To Yours,

LuAnn

Fond Memories

I traveled by train from Oregon to Idaho to attend the Bossom Buddies quilters retreat. In a small duffel bag I packed a few clothes. In a BIG suitcase I packed fabrics and quilt projects I had in progress and planned to work on. For 3 days I listened to the hum of sewing machines, dined on delectable treats, was inspired by the work of traditional and art quilters, listened to laughter, made new friends and new memories.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.....

One of my fondest memories is waking up early each morning and sewing in my jammies with my Anny Donna. My aunt lives in Idaho, I live in Oregon. She is my Quilting Guru......my Quilting Kindred Spirit. She has taught me more about life than she will ever know. I am a better person when I am with her.

My aunt is a member of the Idaho Bossom Buddies group. These talented quilters create comfort quilts for women diagnosed with breast cancer. They host several retreats each year to work on their own personal projects and spend quilty time together. I have come to know these outstanding women and have learned something from each and every one of them. I thank them for their generous spirit and creative nature.

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With Fond Memories,

LuAnn

Works of Art

Crazy Quilt

click on each image to enlarge it and see details......

Buttons

Mother Nature

The Artful Bras Project:  Members of Quilters of South Carolina have created a one-of-a-kind bras for Breast Cancer Awareness.  The exhibit consists of 49 works of art which are unique, entertaining, humorous and beautiful. 

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May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn Kessi

Don't Leave Home Without It

There are two things I don't leave home without.......The first is my camera.

Just think, I could have missed the motorcycle riding cat in the photo above, if I didn't have my camera sitting on the seat beside me.  That is my red pick up in the background.  I was parked in town, when I heard this man talking......I thought he was talking to himself......until I leaned out my pick up window and saw the gray cat.  

Click on the photos to enlarge them and see the details.......

This cat absolutely loved riding on this big, noisy motorcycle.  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself.  I grabbed my trusty camera, jumped out of the pick up and introduced myself to the cat and his motorcycle man.  They were more than happy to pose for a few photos.  They also told me they were at McDonald's every Sunday morning for breakfast......just in case I wanted to see the motorcycle kitty again.

So remember........don't leave home without your camera!

The second thing I don't leave home without is.....my Featherweight 221 portable sewing machine.  When we are going on a trip, I always bring along my FW221.  It is small and doesn't take up a lot of precious cargo space.  I also have a narrow folding table that goes along and is a perfect work table for wherever we end up for the night during our travels.  There is always enough space to set up the table, sewing machine, I grab a table lamp from the room and I am ready for some quality sewing time.

This FW221 was made in 1959.  It is a little, lightweight workhorse.  It has the best piecing stitch of any of my sewing machines.  It is a pleasure to work on, and is so easy to bring along when we are on the road.  On this particular trip we traveled to eastern Oregon to the painted hills country.  My husband and son went on a bass fishing trip.  They fished and I sewed........all the world was in harmony.

These are the gorgeous painted hills in Oregon...........yes, this photo will make its way into a quilt someday.

These are my fishermen.  It was a great trip for all of us!

Remember that camera.........and that sewing machine.

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Don't Leave Home Without Them,

LuAnn

My Happy Place

I have sewn everywhere.........the kitchen table, my bedroom, a walk-in closet, motel rooms, on trains, planes, in camp trailers, and in pick up trucks. I have even been tempted to take a few stitches while I am stopped at a long traffic signal in town. If there is an inch or two of space and I have a moment of time......I sew something.

The summer of 2001 the Thread Shed was born. It is 16 feet wide and 20 feet long. A free standing building in our yard. My husband and 2 sons built it in 90 days! As they worked on it, they had lots of questions for me: How big do you want this thread shed? How many windows? Where do you want the outlets in this thread shed? When we moved everything into my new quilt studio, of course, it was officially named "The Thread Shed." My brother-in-law, a sign maker, came by and put Thread Shed on the front door. Click on each image to enlarge it.......

Over the years we have landscaped around the Thread Shed. A license plate, Jersey Girl, hangs from the arbor by the front door.

The Thread Shed has become my happy place. This little building brings me joy. And, the textile art that is created in here brings joy to others.

I have a gorgeous view of Mary's Peak out the back window where my sewing machine is set up. From the big picture window I can watch my favorite guy out at the barn while he is working. In the summer, when the windows are open, I can hear the cattle and smell the horses. I am surrounded by inspiration.

Quilting, Photography and Gardening are my passions. Holly hocks are the newest additions to the Thread Shed flowerbeds. When I have quilted for hours, and need to get up and stretch out a bit, the hollyhocks lure me outdoors to photograph them and appreciate their beauty.

I am never alone......the hen house sits right next to the Thread Shed. The girls are good company. Their gentle clucking soothes me as I sew.

Wherever you sew, whether it is the couch for handwork, the kitchen table or a motel room, may it bring you joy and may you always have a happy place.

To see more of the Thread Shed CLICK HERE

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From The Thread Shed,

LuAnn