Blue White Swap Blocks

I sometimes participate in block swaps.  I needed to finish a set while Henrietta was here.  They were to be blue/white and a "star".  Remember I said I was tired and making many mistakes?   First I tried a sample block.  

Next--I tried to repeat it----

Okay--try it with different fabrics.  Hmmmmm---

This effort definitely had problems!!!

Okay--thery were all supposed to look like this----

They're not hard to make--but you do have to follow directions exactly.   They are from a Book called "Stars by Magic".   No set-in seams, and all the blocks come in multiple sizes.   I'm planning to use the same book for the next round but different fabrics/different star.  Wish me luck!!

A Visitor to the VC

I enjoy watching the visitors at the Visitor Center.   Here is a set of grandparents trying on the 1800's period clothes with a grandson---

Dress up is fun at any age!

But some of our visitors do not come in through the door.   We have several of these during the summer---

He's not very good at hiding--a brown bat on a white wall really shows up!   He's small--maybe 3-4 inches long.

There is "bat catching gear" at the VC.  A net on a very long pole, and leather gloves.   Bats are protected species--we catch them and release them outside.  Did you know that bats cannot fly when they are on the ground?  They need to "drop" from a height to fly.  This one was only about knee height on the wall, I just used the gloves to pick him off the wall and hung him on an oak tree outside.   These bats eat insects--so I hope he's busy eating mosquitos at night.   

I'm Back!!

I been having "blogging blues" but I HAVE been sewing!   My long arm is running smoothly--thanks Kevin--and she and I are friends again.  All I can say is DO NOT sew over a industrial strength T-pin!  Pure operator error.  I've quilted two tops and its so much fun. 

Scrappy Bargello (Bonnie Hunter pattern)

American Pie (Miss Rosie pattern)

I pieced the Scrappy Bargello and Henrietta the American Pie.  They're ready for binding.

Last year Henrietta and I started a 4 patch Posey quilt.  If you've ever made one--you know your fabric choice is critical.  (the border is the fabric we used)  Variation in colors.  Large and small patterns.  A consistent background color.  Whew!  I picked the fabric and it was so NOT ME!!  Large pink flowers. Rather tropical looking.  (I can hear Henrietta laughing--she always tells me she is a "delicate tropical blossom")  She worked hard on hers and it is now a top.  A very beautiful top!

Henrietta 4 Patch Posey

I've been working on a set of blue Jacob's ladder blocks.  (no pictures--I forgot my camera at the camper).  I received a bunch in a block lotto (I think--it was a LONG time ago!)  I didn't have enough to make a quilt--so I've been piecing more.   I need 64 to set it 8x8, I have 50+ done.   And I've been working on my Swoon blocks.   Bad mental block when I started these.  I think mostly I was very tired (Henrietta and I keep VERY BUSY while she's here) and I made many mistakes.  #1 mistake--read the pattern and lay your FQ the same way as the picture--it works much better that way!   Maybe my problems were compounded by this--

I spent at least 1/2 hour (this time!) looking for my glasses only to find them hanging on my shirt.  I have several pairs simply because I lose them so much!  And I can't see close up without them.   Its best if I prop them on top my head!  

Henrietta and I spent some time doing this----

Mimosa's on the deck!   Ahhh!  And we drank them from Goodwill treasure glasses.   Henrietta--its not the same drinking them without you!!  (But I'll keep trying!)

I hope you're having nice weather wherever you are.  Later this week I volunteer so I'm heading back to the camper.  

Motivation Friday

Motivation Friday--can you send me some motivation??  

Henrietta and I took a quick trip to Wichita a few weeks ago--and we stopped to see a quilting internet friend--Katie.   That visit was much too short.  

Assistant

Screamer

Baby Q

Katie and her husband were so busy.  Their house is for sale, everything is kept neat for showings.  That's WORK with three small children.  And the next day they were leaving for an out of town visit.   I'm sorry we stopped when it was so hectic--but I wouldn't have missed meeting them!   I laughed at Baby Q--he is so like my grandson--playing pretend with a cell phone!   And I wanted to spend more time playing with the girls.  Next time!!  And look what Katie gave me---

Hand crocheted pot holders in GREEN and an angel pin made with pine cone seeds.  All in the cute bag.  Katie remembered I love green and collect angels.  The pot holders are on my table (I've used them already) and the pin is on my wall with my other angels.  Thank you Katie--they are now part of my treasures!

I've been dabbling in my sewing--but everything goes wrong.  I can't count or keep my pieces in the right places!  I will blame it on the heat and humidity--for a few weeks the weather was unbearable.  But I did take a few shots of my sewing area in the camper---

 

My featherweight on the table in front of the TV.

My cutting mat/ironing mat on the counter with my iron.

There's plenty of room to sew.  A queen size bed to use as a design wall.   Now if I can just find my brain......

I'm Never Going To Be Martha Stewart

This is all my sister's fault!  In December we were baking cookies and she said "how can anyone who sews so much have such worn out potholders??!"  So I cut out some potholders.  Of course I never got them made before Christmas!   I pulled them out and thought it wouldn't take long to whip them together.  Wrong WRONG WRONG!!  BUY THEM!!  Here they are--crooked thumbs, lumpy top stitching, uneven ends.

Ric Next Door

Ric is my next door neighbor while I'm volunteering.  Here are a few pictures of Ric---

Ric Fixing Sign

Ric with "Popemobile"

Ric In Texas

Ric Relaxing Outside

Ric Using Phone While Standing On His Camper

Ric volunteers in Maintenance.  If it requires fixing, building, or painting--Ric does it.  Trees planted.  Grass seed spread.  You will see him driving the electric "popemobile" around the project.  Last night Ric's air conditioner wasn't keeping up, and I snapped a pic of him standing on his roof talking on his phone.   (air conditioner problem resolved!)  I've lucky to have Ric as a neighbor, coming back each year to volunteer is even better when I know Ric will be there.  

Exploring New Tastes

No, I don't mean new tastes in fabric!  Henrietta encourages me to try new-to-me cuisine.  While on the road trip we ate at a Thai Restraurant.  

Henrietta said the food was very authentic.  We ordered Chicken Satay---

I forgot to take the picture until it was almost all eaten.  Peanut sauce and fresh cucumbers in a rice vinegar on the side.  

I ordered chicken, broccoli, and noodles with sweet black bean sauce.  Henrietta had a seafood Thai salad.  

They were both excellent.  We left full and happy!  I've made Green Curry (used the curry paste we bought in Sioux City) and Chicken Satay at home and they've both turned out well.  Ken, well Ken TRIES the food, but the Green Curry was a bit hot.  I ate my serving carefully--with lots of rice, bread and water!  I did better with the Satay.  Henrietta happily munches away--she likes her food spicy.  

A friend said we HAD to stop and get ice cream at Braum's as we went through Salina KS.  We didn't stop there--but look what was two businesses from our motel----

It was raining so we used the drive through--Henrietta had Peach Amaretto and I tried the Chocolate Almond.  YUM!  There are many Braum's located throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

Very hot while on the trip, we're glad the air conditioner worked well in the car!  Its very hot here now (at the Visitor Center and at home)--humid humid HUMID with temps at +100F!  I encourage everyone to stay cool! Sewing in the air conditioning would be nice, or maybe a nap.......!  What is your favorite thing to do when its hot??