Finally, a floor quilt. Which is really just like a floor cloth, which is really just cloth with many many many coats of many things that take many hours to dry! But it was fun, no sewing involved, and gave me lots of ideas for other things. Plus it looks really cool. Can you see the silhouette in the center? My husband thought it was just a free form blob of fabric, and my son thought it was an elephant. I'll post a picture that I got the shape from- maybe it will make it more recognizable.... oh yeah- all Sis Boom Bell Bottoms fabric! But of course, dahling.

Jennifer Paganelli made me a  derby crown! Do I have to take it off?

I'm crushed. And also ashamed and conflicted. I call myself an animal lover. I love tradition, I love horses. But after yesterday, I wonder about horse racing, and whether these young horses are pushed beyond their limits. Having had a Thoroughbred, I know that these animals do have the desire to race at breathtaking speeds- naturally. But after the demise of Barbaro and the tragedy yesterday of Eight Belles, I think that more needs to be done to protect them and to ensure that they are brought along in a healthy and safe manner. I'm still a big fan of Equine Sports and even racing, if all precautions are taken before, during, and after the race.

We had my party, we celebrated the tradition of the Kentucky Derby, and celebrated the short but brilliant career of the filly, Eight Belles. But it might be the last Derby Day for me.

To Eight Belles...

HAPPY MAY DAY! I must share with you....

My friend, horse trainer Farah Dejohnette, just received a gift from the gods today!

Isn't she lovely.

Now, that's good craftsmanship! I am in awe of natures beauty.

This is a commissioned quilt for a lovely girl, Paula Sexton, in Lubbock,Texas. The "mane" subject is her mare, Lucy, and the only direction she gave me was to think "fall colors and sunflowers". It's not easy choosing fabrics and designing for someone else. Each decision takes about 10 times longer, than if you were making it for yourself. This is what I came up with, and I hope she likes it!

I just attended a workshop with Jennifer Paganelli at Tinsel Trading in NYC, and she has done the impossible! She has got me crafting with paper! Really didn't think I would go there, but here I am with glue, glitter, and round edged scissors! Tinsel Trading is also a huge inspiration, even if the website is the closest you can get. The class coordinator, Terri Ventura is a hoot and also very talented. I especially love her victorian jewely collection available at ABC Carpet and Home in NYC.( Another great field trip...)

Alas, what do I do with a paper cone made with ephemera and antique embellishments? And so the "Sugar Cone" is born, (and the "Carrot Cone", too!) A lot of the craft shows I go to are at horse shows, so what better vehicle for a little horse enthusiast to carry her horse treats? When you get home you can hang it on your door knob with some dried lavender, which always comes in handy if you spend a lot of time around horses......

It's been a creative and energetic dry spell. But I've galloped my way through this creative wasteland and I'm back to work! And I have my trusty steeds to thank. Meet my real horse, Tys, who has just celebrated his 10th birthday with a lovely carrot cake. Also, meet "Lambchop" the hobby horse. She's the first of a herd of boiled wool ponies mounted on birch  twigs, with vintage embellishments and hand  embroidery.

3 new quilts to show! I'm so glad that they are finally done! Anyone who quilts knows that feeling when the binding is at last done! PHEW! One for my new grand nephew, James Declan Geaney, a.k.a., "the lad", and two are up for grabs. I have them listed on my Etsy shop. The one is a 60''x 60" throw, inspired by the bright colors I associate with Sweden, and the Swedish "Dala" Horses. Surely you have seen them around, brightly painted wooden horses in oranges, blues and greens. A typical folk art item of Scandanavia.

The other is a twin (68"x 82"), quilt with the entire book, "Fury"(1958), depicted on the center for your kids to read while in/on bed. As you see the "kitties" really love it!

Derby Day is coming upon us! May 3rd to be exact. I'll try to keep you posted as to who's who and who's to look for. An insider, my nephew's sister in law, has given me her favorites. She failed to mention "El Gato Malo"(the bad cat!), and with a name like that, we must include him. The all 'round favorite to win is Pyro. Denis of Cork and War Pass, Big Brown and Colonel John are a few notables, but it's still very much up for grabs. I have a Colonel John, C.J., in my barn, so we may have to cheer him on... he's the bay pictured above.

In the meantime, it's all this Derby-esque- not a stretch for me!

I'd like to say I won all those ribbons, (and sometimes I do pretend...) but most are from ebay and some are from my friends, members of The Happy Bottom Riding Club!

And, of course, start looking for that perfect hat! These are from the Sis Boom Collection, photographed for the July issue of Hampton's Magazine by my husband, Tim Geaney.

Yep, that's yours truly in 1985- still posing as a master equestrian. My love for all things horsey goes way back and runs deep. It has only been recently that I have been able to embrace the "W.A.SP." within! As you can see, we can only be who we are. So I've said goodbye to my Birkenstocks and gotten a pair of Jack Rogers sandals... wait- the Birkenstocks stay! Can't we all just get along???

( Can you believe I once shared a half page...okay, quarter page.... with Wallis, The Duchess of Windsor!)