A Perfect Day

Today was the 15th Annual Quilt Festival at Pomeroy Living History Farm. This years theme is 100 Years of Pomeroy Quilts. Of all the quilts shows I have been to, this one is my favorite.

I love all the old stuff around the farm. I love the old quilts. I love the old UFOs! Isn't it wonderful that our foremothers left them for us to enjoy. I wonder if the future generation will appreciate my UFOs.



I really wish I would have taken more pictures. I get so wrapped up in the looking and visiting that I forget to use the camera. It's not like I was carrying around a baby or anything! (Daughter Crystal and 9 month old Grandson Leland)




This was a perfect day. Good idea Crystal. More pictures later. I love The Pomeroy Farm.

Quiltathon Final Report

This has been a fun 2 days. I didn't get as much done as I had planned but I got more done than if I hadn't Quiltathon-ed. I worked on Meadow Breeze for quite a while this afternoon. I finished the applique on part 4. I got some half square triangles made and part of them squared up.

I started early this morning so I quit mid afternoon. I didn't take enough breaks today and my neck and shoulders are aching. I wish I had a live in masseuse. At least dinner was easy. Leftovers and salad. Pineapple upside down cake for desert. Think I'll go to bed early.

Thanks Judy L for hosting the Quiltathon. I can't wait until the next one. Thanks Diane for being my partner in crime.

Quiltathon Day 2-Morning Break

The best thing about dedicated Quiltathon days is that I can plan my projects and focus on what I plan. I didn't go back into the sewing room last night but I got a super early start this morning and finished the Scrappy Bento Box top. It is now on the to be quilted pile with the scrappy binding. WooHoo for a finish!!!

Next on my project list is the Pat Sloan Meadow Breeze BOM. I'm still working on part 4, with part 6 being published. I'm hoping to be caught up before she posts part 7.

I just noticed that my stripes on the green fabric aren't going in the same direction. I plan to make up the rest of the blocks-you know on my quest to be an overachiever-so I can get them in the right place. I hope I can just move this set to a different spot without it looking funny. I'll have to wait and see.


I think I may have over estimated what I can get done in 2 days. I don't think I'll be working on any paper pieced stars today. With not too much planned for the weekend, I may just keep on Quiltathoning.

Time to get back to it.

Quiltathon-End Of Day One

There isn't a whole lot more to report since my lunch break. I did get the inner border and the piano key border sewn on. I have the outer borders almost ready to sew on.

I started tinkering around in the kitchen during one of my afternoon breaks. I changed my plans for dinner and decided I wanted to make Shepard's Pie instead of meatloaf. I turned out really good. I'll probably spend the rest of the evening working on a crochet project. Or just watching some mindless tv.

I'm excited to get started early in the morning. Nite All.

Quilathon-Lunch Break Progress

Wow, I'm farther along than I thought I would be. The body is all sewn, the piano key border that I thought was finished needs a couple more keys on the top and bottom strips. I always forget to add the side numbers when I'm counting. At least that's an easy fix.

During one break, I did a short walk through the garden before turning on the sprinkler. I picked 4 tomatoes! We've had a few cherry tomatoes but these are the first big ones. So I had a tomato for breakfast. And it was delicious!!!

After 99 minutes (that's as high as I can set my timer), I went back out and turned off the water. Gathered a few eggs, gave the chickens and dogs fresh water and went back in and put the pedal to the metal. This is where I left off. I decided it's lunch time and the dogs want back inside to nap!

I have a movie that I want to watch so I think I'll fill my water glass, turn on the tv and see how far I get with this. I see a finished top this afternoon.

Quiltathon Plans

Thursday and Friday Judy L at Patchwork Times is hosting a Quiltathon. I plan to be quiltathoning.

I got a tiny bit of a start today. I made the final Moose on the Porch block. Then I had to try Pat's (from A Little of This and a Little of Pat) spool block. She made a great video for Accuquilt showing how to cut the shapes for this block. I don't have a GO! Cutter yet so I made mine the old fashioned way. I used 2 1/2" strips from my bin and then cut half square triangles with my Easy Angle ruler. I followed Pat's easy sewing instructions. I know I'll be making more of these.

My big plan for Thursday is to work on the Bento Box blocks and the Pat Sloan BOM. Friday I plan to finish up the black and bright stars. I really think I can accomplish all this in 2 days. If I have time left, I will work on the sashing for the Moose on the Porch blocks.

Wish me luck. Will you be joining in on the fun???

Design Wall Monday

In the elusive quest to be organized, I came upon a zip bag full of these block parts. I remember when I started them, maybe 2 years ago. The 2 1/2" strips are bundled into pairs, my hand written instructions are there but no date on the page.....I should start dating things just for historical value (snicker!).

I sat down last night and sewed the parts into blocks. In a few minutes, I had these blocks sewn. I think I'll set these 8" blocks 8 X 10. I have plenty more ready to sew together.

There is a really good post over at Stash Manicure called The Story of MIAGIA that has really inspired me to get busy with what I have and to use what I have for others.

This will be a good in between project--I have my paper pieced stars ready to finish and I have a couple quilts to get quilted this week. But today is a full day with a very busy 5 year old (shame on me, he's 6!). I can't wait to see what adventures will happen today.

For more inspiration, go to Judy L's and check out other design walls. I do love Monday mornings in Blogland.

Stash Report 8.1.10

I had a very busy quilting week but nothing to report for stash usage. The fabric I used for my BOM block kits will be reported when the top is finished. The quilts that were finished were already reported.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 164 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 133 yards
Net Used for 2010: 31

Visit Judy L's and see how everyone is doing with their stash.

Saturday Date

This morning we left the house around 8 to go to The Great Oregon Steam Up. Every year Ernie leaves there thinking he needs another tractor. Every year I tell him to come home and shine his. We walked around, looked at all the tractors -- yes, each and everyone. (Not really but it seemed like it!)
I spotted this gal sewing up a storm on a hand crank machine.. She was fun to talk to. She had helped demo last year and then started searching for her own hand crank. She found one she could afford and is happy as can be.


This old machine was hooked up to a small steam engine but the guy wasn't around to demo it.

We watched as the guy started this old beast and took it for a spin.
The vendor area continues to amaze me. I can't believe the stuff these guys haul in to sale. I know some of this stuff I've seen for the last 6 years. I did find a cool old square jar that I bought for $2. I also found a 2 gallon jar with the butter churn. She wanted $130! I would have considered it if she had cleaned the inch of dirt off of it.

Thanks to Crystal, we didn't have to hurry home to take care of the dogs and chickens. We stopped at a produce market and bought a bunch of stuff, including some cherries that I will soon can. Then we went to my dad's for a nice long visit and toured a couple of his barns, my dad has a lot of good stuff.

It was a nice way to spend the day. Thanks Ernie, let's do it again next year.

Fun and Finished!

I am so happy to have this crumb quilt finished! I'm happy it didn't turn into a UFO, I'm happy to have fewer crumbs, I'm happy to say I can now do free motion baptist fans (one of my goals for this year)!!! I had so much fun. No stress at all (after a while). I used a very bright lemon yellow thread and the batting was pieced from several other quilts. Totally stash. And Done!

2 finishes in one week. Something has taken over my brain! I guess I better go in and get another quilt ready before the mood leaves me!

Queen of Procrastination

I am the Queen of Procrastination! Why is it so easy to put things off? I dislike that trait of mine and from the look on Louie's face, he's a bit upset too. Not because I'm a slacker but because he was sleeping and I threw the quilt over the top of him to get a finished photo. (He's still stinkin' cute!)

Later (yes, later!) I will put this in for a quick wash and dry and send it off to it's new home with Dear Son Doug. But first, it's Wednesday, time to spend time with my Binding Friends.

Motivated!

After yesterday's post, I was all excited to get my remaining blocks made. I sat down in the afternoon and sewed up block 22. Now I will patiently wait for blocks 23 and 24, but while I wait........I'll sew.

This morning I decided to get the rest of my blocks ready to sew. I got out my book and picked 6 more blocks to make for this quilt. I printed off the papers and got all of the blocks cut into kits. My fabric bag is getting pretty slim and I'm curious what EQ7 will give me for stash busting yardage. I just picked 30 different star blocks, colored the sashing and backgrounds black and left the color sections alone. Now I need to add up the numbers.

Until then, I need to put the potato salad together for dinner.........

Design Wall Monday

These are my blocks of the month (minus one) from the small Yahoo group-BOM Quilt Addicts. It is a fairly new small quiet group that started last August. We do 2 blocks a month, this year's theme is stars. One is traditional pieced, one is paper pieced. With just one month to go, I wanted to prove to myself I could finish this quilt. Next year's project is still being planned but I can't wait to find out what it is.

My friend Sonya is one of the founding members. We sew together on Wednesdays at our Binding Friends group. She has been working on her blocks, so after last week, I knew I need to work on mine. Nothing like a little peer pressure. When I got my project bag out, I discovered I was 7 blocks behind. Embarrassed, I put all the blocks up on the wall and got busy. The top 2 rows, left 3 blocks in each row are the ones I did this week. I also fixed the block with the blue corners so now it has black corners.

After doing the top row blocks on Wednesday and Thursday, I spent Friday sewing room time cutting the others blocks into kits. Taylor was here and helped choose colors for the blocks. The little pink star inside the blue star are totally her color choices.

Saturday evening and Sunday I hid in my room and sewed. I hope today I can say I am all caught up with this BOM. Last night, I played with EQ7 and did a layout of 24 12" blocks. I thought I wanted to do 30 blocks and now I'm sure I do. So here's plan.

• Finish block 22
• Make blocks 23 and 24 when they are posted
• Make 6 more star blocks
  
• Make sashing
  

This quilt is going to be (sing it in your best high pitched singing voice) FAB U LOUS!

Grab yourself a snack and something to drink, head over to Judy L's and see what others in Blogland have on their design walls.

Stash Report 7.25.10

I'm happy to report the 9 Patch and Flowers top is done, binding is made, note pinned on, it's ready to quilt. In the stash report, I only included the yard I used for the little inner border and binding. I figure as old as these blocks are, I never really included them in my stash anyhow so I'm not counting them.

I spent the rest of my sewing time trying to catch up on the 7 blocks I was behind on a BOM. I have 3 done and 4 all cut and ready to sew this week. I want to be caught up before the last 2 blocks are posted nest week!

This week's report:
Used this Week: 1 yards
Used Year to Date: 164 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 133 yards
Net Used for 2010: 31

Go to Judy L's and see how she's doing-amazing!-and how others are doing with their stashes.

Block 11

Block 11 is finished for the Moose On the Porch jelly roll quilt along. Instructions were posted Monday and I forgot until I read Diane's blog and she posted hers. Thanks for the nudge.

These blocks really don't take that long to construct unless you are having one of those kinds of days like I had this morning. Almost every seam had to be unsewn and sewn again. Even the picture looks like I should redone it. But I didn't and the block is now put away with the other 10 patiently waiting for block 12.

Now what trouble can I get in to???

Kitchen Gadget Love

If you know me at all, you know I love my Big Red Mixer. One day while reading Chickens In The Road/Farm Bell Recipes, there was this blog post - The Strainer of he Gods. Loving my attachments as much as I love my mixer, I knew one day soon I would need to own the Kitchen Aid strainer/juicer. It attaches to the grinder which I already own and use.

Taylor, my sidekick and I went to the produce market yesterday and bought a flat of raspberries. The strainer/juicer arrived yesterday also. Co-innky-dinky? I don't think so.

We made juice, 2 1/2 quarts of pure red goodness-there are a few seeds but I think that may have been from be being a rookie. Soon we will make raspberry jelly/jam (whatever!) and some raspberry syrup for this cheesecake or ice cream or pancakes...


The raspberry pulp was spread out on a fruit leather sheet for the food dryer. I had apples to dry so this morning I loaded up 5 trays of apple slices, 1 tray of apple peelings and 1 tray of mango slices. If I'm going to plug it in, I like it to be full.

The raspberry pulp and the apple peelings will be made into powder for tea flavorings. Here is a great video on making your own teas. Dehydrate2Store is an excellent website loaded with information on food drying.

Design Wall Monday

I think I am finally on the home stretch with this quilt. This is the third and final time it will be my Design Wall Monday post. The next time you see it and I don't know when, it will be finished.

I already plan to do some echo quilting in the flower blocks and the 9 patches will get a squiggly X through them. I will write myself a note and pin it to the quilt so I don't forget my plan at quilting time. Do you write yourself notes???

The Pat Sloan BOM has progressed no further. I did buy some more orange thread so that excuse is no longer valid. Today's excuse is going to be cherries. I have to can cherries.

See what others are doing by checking at Judy L's Patchwork Times.

Stash Report 7.18.10

I made it my mission this week to get caught up with a couple projects and move them to the to be quilted pile.
First on the list was the hexagon top. It's on the wall sideways so if you look on the left side which is the bottom of the quilt, you will see where I added more triangles to change what will be trimmed off to make the bottom (and top) edge straight.

Friday night about 9, I took the Pinwheels on Parade blocks out of the box, cut the black sashing pieces and started sewing. By 10:30 I couldn't see to sew on the black anymore so I went to bed. A couple hours more on Saturday afternoon and now I have a finished very bright and black pinwheel top. The binding pieces are cut and ready to sew today so this project can be put on the mountain of to be quilted tops.

What's up next? I have no idea but I do have a few things to pick from.

This weeks report includes the fabric for Pinwheels on Parade.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 6 yards
Used Year to Date: 163 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 133 yards
Net Used for 2010: 30

Go to Judy L's and check her new blog design, stash report and the reports of others.

Clothesline Love

We moved to our happy little farm 35 years ago. (Wow, the time really has flown by.) One of the first things Hubby did for me that summer was to build this clothesline. At the time, there were 2 little ones, one wearing diapers. I loved drying everything outside. It's what we did at home, I carried on the tradition. As a teenager, I pretended not to want to do that chore but I loved the thinking time and the alone time. I loved watching the clothes, sheets and towels blow in the wind. I loved the smell of them! I still do.

Over the years, my precious clothesline has gotten a couple coats of white paint and several new lines. This year, she needed a new look......yellow! I wanted her dressed up in yellow to compliment her pretty blue plastic coated wire (which by the way is the only thing to use on a clothesline in my humble opinion!).

While in the farm store the other day, I asked hubby how many cans of spray paint he thought I would need to paint the clothesline (I bought 2 but only used 1.) and which color, John Deere green and yellow or Old Caterpillar yellow. He just looked at me, he operates Caterpillar equipment everyday and we own an old Caterpillar bulldozer and loader. I think she looks beautiful.

Too bad all the laundry was done yesterday!

No Cherries Today

Last night hubby told me there were cherries at the fruit stand close to where he works. He loves to have canned cherries in his lunch. So that was my plan for today--get some cherries and get them canned.

I did some garden work this morning, cleaned up and headed down to Woodland. I don't go there often, there isn't much there for me. I went to Safeway to get the sale stuff I wanted and then headed over to the fruit stand.

They had cherries. Itty bitty little plastic boxes of cherries! They were cheaper at Safeway!!! So I left them there, pouted as I drove toward home.

Then I saw a yard sale sign! With my luck at yard sales, I stopped anyway. (If there's a bad sale, I can find it.) Would ya look at this, 3 shirts for $2, the poor ole guy couldn't believe I was going to cut them up into quilting pieces cuz those are some nice shirts. :) He was so cute. Then he wanted to know what I was going to do with the wire do-hickey. I told him I was going to put my eggs in it. He laughed.......silly man, I didn't have a cool looking basket for my eggs, now I do. I'm going to drill holes in the small dish and put this Stepable in it.

I wish I had my camera with me. I love old barns and their barn was a beauty. Painted barn red and full of giant round bales of hay. I told him I thought his barn was beautiful and I think it made his day. Now I'm on a mission to find some cherries!