Wednesday's Wanderings #1 - Key West

Happy New Year to everyone.  First I want to share what it's like in Key West for New Years.  then I want to tell you about my annual quilting project.

We have spent a few New Years in Key West.  It has to be one of the wildest places to celebrate New Years Eve. I am getting too old for the craziness so I thought I would just do a short walk down memory lane (or Duval St aka Main St.).

The hottest spot for bringing in the New Year is in front of Bourbon Street Pub.   People are packed in like sardines.  Restaurant employees are throwing beaded necklaces off the roofs  and porches of the building.  As midnight approaches, a drag queen named Sushi, positions herself into the dangling red stiletto and is lowered to the street amidst other drag queens.

The next hot spot is in front of Sloppy Joe's where a huge Conch shell is lowered at midnight.

And last but not least, a wench is raised up the mast of a sailboat down by the water.

A couple of times I went out with my grown kids and we roamed the craziness.  Last time we were here for New Years, my husband went out with me.  That night I decided that was my last time. 

 And I'm sticking to it. So last night was movie night and leftovers.

 

But I spent today making a small quilt block.  I am committing to making a block a week.  I have been inspired by my wonderful friend Kelly, of Pinkadotquilts. She said I gave her the idea.  frankly I don't remember.  I find a need a theme to motivate me.  My theme is "Oh the places I've been".  At this point I am planning on it being a travelogue.  This may change over time.    But what won't change over time is that I will share a block every Wednesday on my blog.  I am calling it Wednesday's Wanderings.  At the end of the year I am going to put the blocks together to make a quilt that will reflect my travels for 2012.

 

You can guess that my first few blocks will be inspired by Key West.  I am unveiling the project today to celebrate the New Year. 

This measures 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" 

I used silver beads ti make the illuminated numbers.



I invite you all to join me in this annual project.  Pick your own theme.  Use it as an opportunity to grow and try new techniques, but most of all to have fun.