FQ's Challenge

A few months ago I was challenged by a online group I subscribed with to use only 2 FQs and create a "iron tote". I think it could also be used as a "curling iron" tote when traveling and don't have time to cool the iron off before packing to leave when DH says " we gotta get on the road".

I used a "orphan block" and came up w/this. It has a lining of one FQ and batting. Inside has insulbrite. I was so tickled that I had everything available in the "stash" cupboard! Even the zipper was down in the bottom of a box of all the stuff(accruments) I have to use for sewing clothes! Now, is that "thrifty" or what!

Soothing Sights

I was reaching to pull a weed from the ore bucket planter and slipped off of the pole fence I was stupidly standing on and "wrenched" my wrist and ankle the other day. So...my sewing machine gets a rest! Now, as I am getting much better, I can share some of my "sitting on the patio photos"! I actually had my camera at the proper time to capture this Swallow Tail "flutterby". "She" (I assume as she was so co-operative ;0) poised and languished at each flower. The "planter" is a old ore bucket salvaged many years ago by my DH from a local mercury mine. (Which was closed about 50 years ago in our area.) It has been a wonderful yard accent and brings many comments from the "old timers" as well as the "young timers"! Our little "terrier" is 4 yrs. now and she got brave finally to climb this 100 yr old walnut tree in our yard, only because a tree squirrel was driving her nuts w/its chatter. The Peony bush is just so pretty, but, what I want to really show is the old water faucet behind it, non operational. But....the hole you see is the "doorway" for a nesting pair of "titmouse" birds. They are adorable and have been using this for the last 3 years. It is just so sweet to see them zip in and out from the time the eggs are laid until they are feeding insects to their babies. Alas, they are camera shy. When it rains DH lays a piece of tin on the shelf above to protect them. I hope you enjoy my "nature show"!!!! I can't wait until I can take this ace bandage off and put the pedal down! (Please click on the photos to enlarge them, it is so worth it!)

Getting Ready for Christmas !

As you can see this is the porch window display I present every year. I made these hangings many years ago when I was starting to learn to make quilts.

The wreath making is so fun. As long as the sun shines! My DD Penny made the "Rosie Reindeer" about 14 years ago. I have been asked many times for the pattern! The toddlers want to "kiss" her! The decorating starts the day after Tday. As we open the tree farm that afternoon.
(Nothing like starting early I always say!)

Fall Into Christmas

Our Japanese Maple tree is the epitome of fall colors. The photos are real, no "touch ups", I must look at it a "zillion" times during the day because I know in a short time it will disappear and I will have to wait a whole year for it to reappear!! As the sun shines on this tree at a certain time in the morning, the colors "float" thru the window and saturate the room!This week and the following weeks will be our busiest of the year as we prepare to open our Christmas tree farm! Everything comes at once as the fall colors fade into Christmas greens! I can't wait for the "folks" to drive in to cut their "perfect" tree. Their children are so excited! Everyone is so happy to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I am starting to decorate already w/my Christmas quilt and wall hangings in the windows (yes, they are protected from the sun!) Some of our tree buyers are also quilters and wannabe quilters who enjoy the(eye candy) display

Sun Bonnet Sue and the Last Rose of Summer!

I just realized that the story that went along w/these photo were "dumped"! Geez whiz. Well, I will try and tell the story again. I was wandering around in the garden soaking up the colors of the birches,walnut and sycamore trees and trying to decide what was I going to use as a "prop" for the up coming "Crayon Quilt Workshop" at the llqg . God listens in the garden, at least in our garden! I later visited a quilty friend and she said she was using a transfer Sue as a project for dishtowels.....duh.....I had some also.. where were they? When I returned home I opened a "stash" cupboard" and my hand went right to the "to do" box! There was Sue and Mother! I practiced on a "chicken" tracing and coloring at the workshop. (Nope....you can't see it yet!) I have not colored for years. Staying in the lines is a real challenge! A few days later a couple of friends came over for a "sew day" and we each worked on different projects. So...this is what I have done so far. I hope to make a lapper. Stay tuned!

Quilt Guild Happenings

I am really getting excited already for the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guilds (llqg.org) 2007 Falling Leaves Quilt Show. It is always the first weekend in October! We had a quilt show committee meeting today and we are committed to having as wonderful a show has we had this year! The entry's were up over 200 and the attendance this year far surpassed the 2005 show. I am secretary of the guild and have learned so much from my "sister guild quilters" !

This seemed like fun to read on others blogs and so I wanted to share my "done that,been there" also! I am only going to post 10 this time. (Learned that from another quilter blog)

1. Taken a quilting class.
2.Paper Pieced!
3. Hand quilted!
4.Gone on quilt retreat!
5.Made a baby quilt!
6.Made a wall hanging!
7.Made fabric postcards!
8.Mailed out the postcards!
9.Made a lap quilt.
10.Made a full size quilt.

Here's Rosy!