Quilting

Every month in Thimbleberries quilt clubs, we get a bonus pattern as a challenge. Since I am not doing the club quilt exactly as I did last year, I have decided to try some of the additional projects. The heart in the center is part of the regular quilt, but I will not be including it in my quilt. The outside border of hearts was the challenge and the interior could be any sort of project, an embroidery pattern for example. I cannot tell you how many times I ripped out stitches. This should have been relatively simple. I was not happy with how the heart scallops aligned with the pattern until I decided to actually quilt the piece first and then add the scallops. Then as I quilted, the tension got all messed up and I ripped out so much before I got it right!!!

I spent today painting the basement bathroom and getting ready for new windows to be installed tomorrow, but it is supposed to storm, so don't know if that will happen. How about the Olympics? We have been watching while we work...yes every TV set is on. That is also why I haven't been here for a day or two also. In addition, the Westminster Dog show has been on. I never miss that!!! Hooray for the little Scottie!

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." ~ Anonymous

Furbaby

We have had a house guest for a few days. Meet Roger. In June we adopted Spencer, a rescue dog and he needed a "buddy". When we saw this picture from the "Healing Journey Rescue", we wanted to see if he would make a companion for Spencer and see if our home would suit Roger. We all have fallen in love with him and feel that he has been very happy here so we will try to proceed with the adoption. There are so many animals needing homes now.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was more than ready to start planting. Last summer, my wonderful neighbor gave me these packets of seeds to plant. First of all the packets are beautiful. So I very carefully opened the first package which was the Columbine. I planted those seeds along with some of the other seeds I have been hoarding and gathering in small containers, hoping to successfully get them up and into the ground at the appropriate time. However, the wild flower seeds and the Wyoming Paintbrush, which is our state flower are sowed directly into the soil in the spring.
Two years ago I attended our garden club meeting at which one of the foremost wildflower experts was invited to speak. One of the things I learned about the paintbrush is that it is a sort of plant that needs a host plant in order to thrive. In other words, here in Wyoming, it needs to be growing next to a sagebrush for example or other native plant. So, that is where it will be planted and it just so happens that I have this sagebrush growing in my backyard!!!

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius

Plant markers

As you can see above, in various stages of completion are the old CD's. I drew lines on which to cut the edges, heated them, cut with heavy shears, painted front and back with gesso (it adheres to anything and gives "tooth" to an object which is to be painted), and proceeded with my plant markers.
This is one I did tonight and it needs to be sprayed with an acrylic. They make your garden so unique and are reminders of what one has planted. Sal and I went flea marketing Saturday and I found another larger lid and scrounged in my stash and found the large spoon which I am sure will be perfect in my wind chime. I have to find some old dinnerware now and what we found this weekend was pretty pricey. I can't wait to start on this and am sure I will get the pieces I need.
My quilt is finished! With over 350 inches of binding to sew down by hand, it took me 7 days to finish, sewing whenever I sat down. My neck was hurting when I finished, just from bending it to see to take the tiny stitches necessary to do the job correctly. It is however, very fine!!!

"It is not who is right, but what is right that is of importance." ~ Thomas Huxley