Things You See Later or Aren't Digital Camera's Great

Just a quick note--please go to the previous post with the Trip Around the World quilt.  Enlarge it and study the yellow next to the green.  It is an obvious stripe, and most the squares are turned the same way.  MOST!   The couple who made these quilts used whatever fabric they had.  The quilts were meant to be used, and I understand they were prolific in making them. 

Sunday Stash Report

Nothing bought, nothing finished.  


Oh, maybe I better say more than that!  It's been very busy the last two weeks.  Have a minor but painful health issue--costochondritis--which is just inflammation of where the cartilage of your ribs attaches to your breastbone.   Which affects my shoulders, and neck, and down my arm to my hands......well, you get the picture!  

Last weekend there was a 3 day quilt show in Nebraska--spread out over 200 miles.  15 different towns along the Outlaw Trail.  I missed the speakers, but did make 7 of the stops.  It was WONDERFUL!  

First--they were organized.  Every stop had several signs---

 

Made the stops easy to find.  And then there were the quilts--

Embroidery quilt

Two Color Quilt

Two Color Quilt

A Very Scrappy Quilt

Another Very Scrappy Quilt

The two scrappy quilts above were made by a woman and her husband.  He'd had his leg amputated, and after that he did the cutting and she did the sewing.   Yes, on her treadle.  And those quilts had EVERY different type of fabric in them.  At these shows you could get "up close and personal" with the quilts.  Many of them had been taken off their owners beds, washed, and were heading right back on the beds.  This couple were quite prolific at quilt making in the area. 

Hexagon Quilt

Hexagon Quilt

Both the hexagon quilts were made by the same lady.  Hand pieced--the hexagons are about one inch finished.  And hand quilted.  The fabrics were all solids.

Vintage Feedsack Quilt

The owner of this feedsack quilt had no idea what a feedsack quilt was until the show.  The pumpkin color was popular at that time.  

Scrap quilts with Tiny Pieces

Classic Scrap 9 Patch

One of my Favorites--it was GREEN!

Does anyone recognize the pattern used in this green quilt?  I really like it, and would like to make one.

Applique Sampler

150+ year old Red and Green Rose of Sharon

I wish you could see this quilt close up, it has the tiniest, almost invisible stitches.  I was in awe.

Thanks to everyone who made that weekend happen!

Harvest has started here, and I'm still volunteering.  The weather has been unseasonably warm, I turned the air on today.  But very appreciated!  No rain recently and perfect sleeping weather at night. 

    

What????!!

While driving in Minnesota, I saw this barn.  I drove past it.   I had to stop and go back for a picture.  

Yes, the barn is that color.  Not purple, more of a violet red.  It was worth stopping!

 

Monday Goals

Time for some goals.  

1. Start Spiral Strips project
2. Start the ZigZag project
3. Make binding for the pink/yellow quilt

I will be volunteering 4 days this week.  Hopefully I will have a bit of energy in the evenings to sew.  The weather is GLORIOUS today, and I hope it lasts a long time!  Last week at the camper we had over 4.5" of rain.  


Sometimes at the Visitor Center we have school groups on a field trip.  Depending on their age, we have movies and a "scavenger hunt" for them to do.  Last week was a preschool group.  Josh works for the National Park Service and is very good with the kids.  

Preschool groups scavenger hunt is just finding pictures and symbols around the VC.  I laughed as I watched the kids.  Josh was like a "Pied Piper"--the kids would see him and start following him, asking questions.  

These are such GOOD days!! 

Sunday Stash Report--Or Confession is Good for My Soul!

Yes, I bought fabric.  Six yards.  Haven't stopped to figure, but I suspect I'm about even in buying and using.  Remember when I won a packet of Minnesota charm squares from Sue?  While in Minnesota I stopped at the Thimble Box in New Ulm.  They had the coordinating fabric, so I bought enough to make a top.  2 yards of the light snowflake, 2 yards of the solid blue, and 2 yards of the focus fabric.  I haven't picked a pattern yet, but I leaning towards Bonnie Hunter's I Spy A Four Patch.  

I have been finding my mojo.  Yes, it is tied to my scraps.  I have told myself that the box of noodles is "scraps" and I pulled strips from it to start two projects.  One is a "ZigZag" top, similar to a scrappy bargello.  The other one is from the book Jelly Roll Quilts and is called "Spiral Strips".  

I haven't a lot of time to sew, but with these two projects ready to go, I will take them along to the camper with me.  I will be spending as much time at the camper as possible, fall weather is perfect for camping.  Soon it will be winter and I will be turning into a "troglodyte" as my friend Henrietta says.  I do hope I do not "look" like a troglodyte, but that she is comparing me to the history of troglodytes hiding underground.  

I'm not hiding underground, but hate to leave my house in the winter!

Tuesday--what does 1/2 a beef look like??

We usually buy our meat 1/4 or 1/2 at a time.   Many years ago we raised/fattened our own beef and hogs.  In the Midwest where we live, it's common to "go together" with someone and split a beef or hog.   It's not that much meat when it's split between two families.  But what does it LOOK like??

The meat fit into six big boxes, with about 6 packages in small box.  When you have someone else process the meat, you specify what size packages.   We have two 3/4" thick steaks per package.  1.5# burger package.  4# roasts.  These are the sizes that fit our meals the best. 

And since half of it was a Christmas present--

Mason, Nick, and the meat!  We put a bow on the box, and said "Merry Christmas!"  I'm still figuring out the buttons on my camera. 

Nick worked very hard and made all the meat fit into their freezers overnight.    Thank you Nick!!  Today I will take out our half and head home with it.  We divided it as we unpacked it last night doing the "one for you, one for me" method!!  Nick has it layered in the freezer separated by towels.  Works for me Nick!

Monday Goals??

Hmm, I guess I could think of quilty goals.

1. Stop at the Thimble Box in New Ulm today
2. Sew more noodles together

I haven't been to the Thimble Box in years, but I have to drive through New Ulm today so will see if they are open.  I am heading to Danube MN to pick up half a beef.  Remember my friend Sally?  She and I split a beef.  It is all packaged up and froze, ready to go in our freezers.  


I have had much "Mason time", but can't remember to take the camera out.  I did catch him while he was eating.

Eating his favorite food, macaroni and cheese.  And while I was home I got out a pan for Shamus to take a bath. 

He doesn't look very big--but that pan is a 10 inch cake pan.  He is about the size of a pigeon, but very long wings and tail.  All the papers at the bottom of his cage are wet, he was splashing away. 

And for everyone who wrote me offering their scraps--thank you!  Yes, I love picking through scraps!  My friend Henrietta would like me to make a postage stamp quilt.  Uhh--No way!