Happy Halloween and Day of the Dead

Since we have been gone camping for several weeks (pictures to come later) I have not been home to properly prepare for Halloween or Day of the Dead. I did get out a few of our Mexican decorations.

 

 

Picture of Oliver is from Mandy's website. Last year when Mandy and I took him to the pumpkin patch he was only a month old! (See profile picture) How fast they grow.

 



Finally Something Finished!

I was at a meeting Wednesday evening with other quilters and came home feeling quite down and stressed about all my unfinished projects. In 2003 or 4 a group of us started an exchange project. One person was working on hers and it reminded me that I owe her a piece. I came home and took that out and also went looking for my own piece. My top has been done since 2005 or 6 but not quilted. I decided that what I really need right now is to finish something. I need that sense of accomplishment. The only way to finish something fast is to do it by machine so I decided to finish my fractal ( the projects I had pulled out after the meeting to look at).

My finished piece.

I was surprised at how long it took me to machine quilt it even though it is small (31.5" x 22.5"). All it lacks now is a label. I know it is based on a card but I cannot remember the artist. Can you see the 4 parts? Each of us chose a picture and divided it into 4 parts. Each person got a part to work on and give back to the owner. All of the pieces were done in wool. It is interesting to see how well the pieces blend together.

The Black Hills, SD & some New Projects

Just got back from a trip to Black Hills, SD to visit Toralf's brother and sister in law. Falls leaves were really pretty. I hadn't expected that. Third picture is from the Little Big Horn National Monument.

The trip was a good excuse to cut out a couple new paper pieced projects. I have been wanting to do this for some time. This is what I started.

 

This is the jewel shape with 1"and 2"hexagons. Jewels could also be put together with 2"diamonds. It is a different look and kind of fun. I have a jelly roll of batik for the stars. I'm using a group of tie dyes for the hexagons.

 

This one is ties. Yes I'm finally using them! Design will be tumbling blocks. I need to rethink what I am doing a little bit. I thought I could use the lining on the ends of the ties for the solid top but I don't like the quality fabric so need to find more solid ties and or use the wider solid parts. I have been glue basting the diamonds as I cut them and this stabilizes the slippery fabric. It is working well.

 

Catchup

It has been a busy summer! The end of June I took the train from Whitefish, Montana to Lacrosse, Wisconsin. It was a grand adventure. Biggest drawback was travel time on each end to get to and from train depots, tricky with train delays. I avoided an 18 hour delay by one day.

Spent 2 weeks with good friends from way back.



 

And as always enjoyed the Mississippi.

 





 

Home just a few days and then we headed to California for Oliver's second surgery. He was a trooper and everything came out fine. The palate is now closed so that should facilitate his eating and learning to talk. If all goes well it will be the last surgery until he is 9 or 10 when they will graft a bone in the cleft.

 

 

Hard to believe our little guy turns one tomorrow! He has had quite a year. Right now he is on the verge of walking and eating independently and loves cell phones. Here he is helping Dad and Grandpa in the garage.

 

 

And I would be remiss if I didn't wish all my friends in Mexico Feliz Día de Independencia (Happy Independence Day).

 







For the Birds!

We spent the first couple weeks of July camping at Bryce and Capitol Reef National Parks.This trip really was for the birds. They loved our bikes.





We were amazed by the bluebirds hovering around our campsite at Bryce. They didn't seem shy around people at all.

 These two little guys (robins) spent a day with us at Capitol Reef. The parents hovered close by and even came to the bike to feed them.

No trip to Utah would be complete without a few ravens. The sky is so hazy because there was a fire about 50 miles from here. There were fire restrictions at Bryce. No campfires this trip.

 

We did see other animals. Love this guy trotting down the path. Guess he doesn't know his signs!

Toralf and I joked about this picture taken right after a storm at Capitol Reef --

"The Money Shot"

 -oOo-

Toralf y yo acampamos en los parques nacionales de Bryce y Capitol Reef en Utah el inicio de julio. Fue un viaje de muchas pajaros. En Bryce éste "bluebird" nos visitó . El le gustaba mi bici. No parecía tímido. En Capitol Reef eran "baby robins" que nos visitaban. Los padres quedaban muy cerca y los alimitaban a los bebes a la bicicleta.

Una viaje a Utah no está completa a menos que vemos ravens. El cielo está lleno de humo porque hubiera un fuego 50 miles de allá. No podemos tener fuegos en nuestro campamiento.

Vemos otras animales tambien como éste venado. El aparentamente no puede entender la señal.

Toralf y yo bromeamos sobre éste foto -- el foto de moneda. Lo tocó despues de un tormenta y el cielo fue muy hermoso.



Los Tenagos

Los Tenagos

Missoula Quilt Show 2012 was a wonderful success. This is my ribbon winner - third place in the class/exchange division. It is based on a class I taught for the Mexico City Quilt Guild. Everyone donated their class blocks for a raffle quilt that I won. It is a remembrance of Mexico that I really treasure, for the reminder of all my friends in Mexico (even those who hate jaguars!) and a special day we spent together. This ribbon is for all of you!

-oOo-

Missoula Quilt Show 2012 fue un gran éxito. Este colcha ganó el tercer premio en la división

de clases y intercambios. Se basa una clase enseñé en México. Todas las estudiantes donaban su cuadritos de la clase para una rifa y la gané. Es un recuerdo de México que aprecio mucho, un recuerdo de amigas muy especiales incluso esas quien odia jaguares.

Ese cinta es para todas de ustedes!

Oliver

I'd be remiss in my Grandma duties if I didn't post a picture now and again. Wouldn't I? He's thinking about sleeping though the night or at least Mom and Dad are dreaming of the day. He does sleep in his big crib now and he has started solid foods. Who can account for taste -- he likes baby food peas!