Patchwork and Pug

August means produce from the farmers. We usually buy from one of our local farmer’s markets, but last weekend we headed up to the Nashville Farmer’s Market. The choices and quantities are on a bigger scale, and the colors and smells and the bustling crowd are worth the drive. We were there early enough that the day’s heat didn’t smother us. We stopped at a couple of our favorites, and of course, I brought home a new stash of fabric from Stitcher’s Garden. Got to have something to show for the trip! I have more stash than time, but ooooh, I love having it. Most of what I bought was reproduction 1800’s fabric.

I have finished several projects lately. This one is on its way to North Carolina for my great-nephew. He was born at just over three pounds, but he’s been home for a couple of weeks and topped five pound this week. It is so hard for me to get something in the mail. Don’t know why. It is one of the very few things that I procrastinate at doing, so the quilt sat washed, folded, and packaged on the dining room table until Saturday. I hope they like it. The picture here looks blurry, but the yellow and black are really crisp and fresh looking. The backing is black and white letter fabric. Perfect for a baby boy, I think.

This one was a fun project. The Gee’s Bend Quilters from Alabama made — still do make — quilts from fabric at hand, and they make them without bought patterns. Their story is fascinating to me. Allen and I saw a showing of their work last summer at the Denver Art Museum. This quilt is from a kit (and it’s the only kit I’ve ever made) from Windham fabrics. I made the top last winter, but I didn’t have the backing. I really wanted the hand dyed fabric that would match, so I waited. When it came  a couple of weeks ago, it was the first quilt I quilted on my new Aurora 440. I used the walking foot, so nothing new there, but I also used the Plexiglas table that extends the surface of the sewing area since my machine sits on a table rather than inside a cabinet. I got it in Knoxville a couple of weeks ago when we went to Gina’s Bernina for my first class on the new machine. I learned a few tidbits and we had such a great day. We’re going back in October for more classes and more knife shopping for Allen. Talk about a humongous store. Even Allen was overwhelmed.

I finished this little guy too. He is a wool felt pincushion about 4″ x 6″ that I started a few weeks ago when I hosted a Craft Night for Shannon, a couple of her work colleagues and my blog buddy Anne who lives here in the Huntsville area. We had such fun that night! Everyone went home with a project ready to finish. I hope we get together again soon.

And Ozzie?

On a quilt… or

or between my feet. Actually, he loves, loves, loves his buddy Allen.

With all the finishing, what’s new? Hmmmmm. A couple of big things. One big one is a new school year. I’m back at school (and since Allen braves the heat and humidity to walk him), Ozzie spends lots of time with Allen. Back to work and keeping up with my school web site. Well, we have to pay for the hobbies, the vacations, the pug, spoiling the grandchildren somehow, right?

Not everything is about Oz.

My daughter’s job as Art Director at Sew Beautiful Magazine has practically made me famous. Well, maybe not really famous, but I have had some fun because of it. Last summer, Shannon had me make a quilted pillow for the fall issue.  She made the lace pumpkin, and I did the batik one. I was pretty excited to see it in the magazine, Then,  this winter they did a blue issue, and she wanted me to make some blue sewing room items. I made two needlebooks (one with her embroidery design), a log cabin pincushion, a round pincushion, and a custom ironing board cover.  I helped to write the article and had my own byline, and she even had the blue items at the Sew Beautiful table at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion last week.

Today, we did something to help out their sister publication, Just Cross Stitch.  The photographer, Jennifer Tarkington, came to my house and did a photo-shoot of about five pieces for an upcoming magazine. Each one used one of my quilts in the background, and Shannon pulled some of my things from around the house to stage each little vignette. Fun for me, fun for Shannon, and wait…I didn’t think everything was about Ozzie…

But I was wrong. He was right in the middle of every shot.

Helping every minute.

After a morning of mischief…

Ozzie’s ready for a quiet afternoon. Maybe I can sew.

Yes, it is really July. Proof? Peaches and Cream corn on the cob and

Chilton County peaches.  We had fun Saturday heading off to the Farmer’s Market. Tonight’s dinner was really wonderful: pineapple and bourbon marinated salmon and sauteed black-eyed peas with Vidalia onions and sweet red bell pepper.

But it felt more like Christmas today.

Nope, not because of my carved quilt Santa in my sewing room closet….

And surely not the weather — Ozzie is hot from his walk.

It’s because my new Bernina Aurora 440QE was delivered! I set it up and sewed some patches I had already cut and ready, and then I worked my way through all of the embroidery stitches on a sample patch. I didn’t get the big embroidery module. Don’t think that’s really what I’d get my money’s worth from, but I can buy it and add it if I change my mind. I was so impressed that Gina’s called yesterday with the shipping costs, and it arrived today. I am itching to try the stitch regulator, but I decided to go with some basics today and get the feel of the new machine first. Tomorrow, new adventures!

I’m working on a pyramid quilt out of batiks. Fun and easy, and I think it will be perfect for quilting with the BSR.

This weekend I finished my applique project from the Denver trip. Ozzie likes it.

And I made this fun Civil War Buckshot Pincushion from a Marcus Brothers pattern. I guess they were originally filled with buckshot. I opted for crushed walnuts with a yo-yo and a button from my mom’s buttons to top it off.  My new machine opens up all sorts of new possibilities. Merry Christmas (in July) to me!

We had such fun with the boys! Our plan was pretty simple: Divide and conquer. We planned activities together with all of us for some of the time, but then we built in time where the boys would be separated so that we could really enjoy each of the individually. One of my favorite afternoons was when Taplin was sleeping, and Bridger was playing on the floor of my sewing room. I told him how when I was little I would stay at my grandparents’ house for a week or so, and I got to play with my grandma’s buttons. Bridger spied mine on a shelf and asked if he could play with them. He was occupied for a long time with one simple jar of black and whites.

When they were together, they were a handful. My hat is off to you, Meghan. They have tons of energy. All of the activities we had planned to wear them out worked. But they wore us out too! I think they had fun, but I guess nothing is as good as going home with Mommy and Daddy.

They headed home after a Sunday brunch — French toast casserole with praline topping, blueberries and strawberries, and sausage.

Sunday afternoon, I was working on a yellow and black nine patch quilt top (more on this in another blog, but it will become a baby quilt for our nephew’s little boy!) when I took a break to check my email. An invitation — an opportunity! My blog friend Anne from Film and Thread wanted to know if I would go with her to the AQS Knoxville Quilt Show. What the heck, why not? Well, sure, I’d never actually met her, but I felt pretty comfortable having exchanged emails and blog comments for some time. The plan was made. I drove out to her house Wednesday morning, and off we headed to Knoxville. The three and a half hour trip was quick because we had lots to talk about.

Anne really was tempted by this frame system which would turn her domestic sewing machine into a quilting machine. The plan was to go to all of the venders and then check out the quilts (400 or so of them, I think). Wow. We walked and looked and talked and oohed and aaah-ed. Her mom came from Asheville, NC for the afternoon too. What a delightful person! Of course, Anne restrained herself. Me???? No. I bought a new Bernina, an Aurora 440QE. To be fair, I have been thinking about this machine for some time now, and I did call and talk to Allen several times about the price and such, and he agreed that the price was right. However, how unlike me to drive two hundred miles from home with someone I’d never met AND buy a new machine. However, no buyer’s remorse yet. I haven’t heard that they’ve shipped it yet (saving tax $), but I’m waiting!

While I wait, I will sew on my “old” machine (Shannon’s “new” machine). I tried out a Schnibbles pattern. Lots of fun, not too big, pretty quick, not perfect. When the new machine arrives and I figure out the BSR (Bernina stitch regulator), I will have a couple of tops ready to quilt!  AND — did I mention I met Alex Anderson from The Quilt Show?? Such a warm, gracious person!

Happy Fourth of July! I finished the red, white, and blue quilt just in time. I hope it fits the kitchen table, but I haven’t tried yet.

Right now, I have little boy breakfast on the table. Blueberries for Taplin.

Bridger is trying out the new Car Quilt that I finished just this morning. I fell for the fabric panel when I saw it up in Franklin some months ago, but I didn’t get it out to make until Wednesday. Hmmm. The boys got here Wednesday night. I just outlined all of the road and buildings with black thread. Quick and easy, but hopefully, hours of fun.

Yesterday’s fun included making star sugar cookies with Baker Bridger.

We took the cookies to Aunt Shannon’s and Uncle Nathan’s house for a cook out and some pool time for the brothers. Is this not typical?

Ozzie is having a fun Fourth too! Lots of love and plenty to get into.  I wonder what adventures we will have today!

I’ve been upstairs working on this quilt, trying to finish before the grandsons visit and before the Fourth of July. I’m wondering if it is too big for the kitchen table, but in any case, I want to forge ahead and finish it.

Ozzie is helping me quilt my Red, White, and Blue.  He looks sweet, but how am I supposed to move the quilt around with 25 pounds ‘o pug planted permanently?

I have the machine quilting finished and the binding ready for hand sewing. An evening (or two) of hand sewing and watching TV, and it will be on the table.

Wish it was so simple to get the refrigerator fixed. It’s a Kenmore, less than three years old, and the freezer isn’t nearly as cold as it should be. We tried Sears repair, and they gave us a date ten days out. We tried a local repair guy, and he came right away, but he said it is a leak in the coolant, which is indeed covered under warranty. Therefore, only a Sears repairman can fix it. I called again, and this time, he is supposed to come tomorrow. Fingers are crossed.

This is my Colorado travel project. I appliqued all of the pieces and the borders are on. I even have the backing prepared and the batting cut to size.  Having a handwork project when I’m in a hotel for a couple of weeks makes all the difference. This project comes from The Quilt Show but I also saw the book in one of the Denver area shops and bought it.

Next project? Grandsons for ten days.

Ozzie’s home from his two week vacation at summer camp, otherwise known as the kennel. He makes friends with everyone, so I doubt that he missed us much. However, he seemed pretty happy when I picked him up yesterday, and he immediately found his spot at the top of the steps to work on a chew.

Shannon and I flew together June 10 and headed straight to Joan and Frank’s for the afternoon while we waited for Allen’s flight to arrive. Frank has such a great little garden in the back.

The big excitement was when Nathan arrived a few days later and he finally got to meet Shannon’s Grandma and “Grandpa” Frank. (Poor Frank had a skin cancer blue light treatment the day before, so that explains the redness.) We loved visiting with them and seeing Allen’s sister Joni as well.

We took a drive up to Echo Lake below Mount Evans and had lunch in Idaho Springs for our first mountain trip on Friday. I’ve never taken a mountain drive on such a foggy day. The views were not spectacular, but it was still beautiful (creepy too).

The weekend was soggy, and the rain kept us down in town, but rainy weather is perfect for quilt shop hopping. We hit The Great American Quilt Factory, Harriet’s Treadle Arts, Creative Needle, Fabric Expressions, and Holly’s Quilt Cabin, and yes, yes, yes, I bought more than necessary at each one. Sunday we went on a hunt for a store Shannon suggested,  Fancy Tiger. What a neat little place close to downtown Denver. And yes, I spent money there as well.  When Allen had to work Monday, Shannon and I drove to Parker to High Prairie Quilts, and yes, I still added more to my stash. I might have made a second trip to a couple of these. Might have. I brought home very little in my suitcase, so when the UPS man delivers today, it will be like Christmas for me.

At Fancy Tiger

At High Prairie Quilts

Tuesday’s big adventure after driving to the Denver International Airport and picking up Nathan (which I have never driven without Allen – and it is at least 40 miles from our hotel) was a quick trip to Golden to tour the Coors Brewery. With a quick stop at the Golden Quilt Company.  Allen and I went back up to Golden this past weekend to visit the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, and I loved seeing the nineteenth century Mennonite quilts on display. The most amazing one was one hand pieced by an eight-year-old that had 16,000 pieces.

Shannon’s happy to see Nathan! Now we have to get him up into the mountains. First stop, Lookout Mountain and…

Clear Creek Canyon with icy cold water.

Poor Allen had to work while we drove up to Fort Collins to the New Belgium Brewery. We didn’t have reservations, but we somehow were treated to a private tour. What a great place to work  – they get off for Valentine’s Day and Earth Day (a green company), and their benefits are above and beyond.

I guess the highlight of the trip was an overnight stay in Leadville, which is the country’s highest incorporated city at 10,430 feet. Nathan didn’t sleep well. He said he gasped for air all night. Maybe it was digesting that 20 oz. prime rib from Quincy’s.

The next day, we drove down to Buena Vista. Joan and Frank no longer own their home there, but they still get up to visit family and old friends, and we couldn’t skip a walk along the Arkansas River

and a quick trip to Bongo Billy’s for coffee before we headed over Boreas Pass and down to Breckenridge.

Then back to the heat here in Alabama. Still, it’s good to be home with a pug on my feet. The mail from the last two weeks will probably be delivered today, Allen’s due back on this afternoon’s flight, and the UPS man should be here with my box from all that shopping any time now!

The other day, Shannon posted on her blog about making some pouches for her electronics.  What a good idea! I carry my camera and ipod in my purse pretty often, and while I don’t want to lug around bulky store-bought leather cases, I also don’t want to scratch up what I paid good money for either. My first try for the camera was so-so, the problem being that it was a bit too small for the camera. Solution? Use it to house my Garmin.

We don’t leave it in the car baking in the sun, so what a perfect solution.

Try number two fit the ipod and earphones. Did you know how many quilt related podcasts are out there? I especially get a kick out of Pat Sloan’s radio program. The third try fits the camera.

Third time’s a charm.  The camera fits perfectly. Mission accomplished. All three of then are made out of batik with two layers of batting inside. I popped on the walking foot and quilted them, mostly with 1/4″  spacing between straight lines.

Ozzie is just worn out from the excitement. Not the excitement of simple little sewing projects. I had to take him to the vet to get his bordetella vaccination, or nose spray. He had to suffer the indignity of having his temperature taken AND the humiliation of having his nails clipped. Plus, he had to listen to us discuss his weight. He is 25.1 pounds  and eight months old. He’s still on puppy chow, but that’s about to change. I wouldn’t say he is fat, but he could get that way pretty easily. I sure do like the Banfield “insurance” that we use. Today’s visit? $11.00.

I read one book at a time. I know people who have half a dozen books read half-way, but when I read a book, I read it straight through. When I finish, I feel a bit of a panic until I have another one started. I also do not have a ton of UFOs (unfinished projects) stacked up and forgotten. I have two right now, one that I’m really happy with but I am waiting for the finishing backing fabric from an order I placed online months ago, and the other, a little quilt I started last summer that won’t take long to finish, but I ran out of thread — and it has a Christmas kind of look to it. Not inspiring  except when Christmas looms.

All of  that said, I started two new projects this week even though I have a different project underway. This one is applique. I sewed the first piece on, a long-ish process, and discovered it was upside down. Oh well. Start again.

Then there is this black and yellow project. I saw an idea online – make one nine-patch a day each day this summer, and end up with a good size quilt. I won’t be home every day this summer, and I’m already behind, but I thought I’d use up some old fabric and start a nine patch yellow and black quilt. I made six blocks. Hmmm. We’ll see. Might be fun. Might not look like what I thought it would. These blocks finish 6 inches square. I auditioned some mostly white (and black) fabric for sashing, and I liked that.

Ozzie does not contemplate things in the same way, but he will always take a new chew bone over an old one. He has toys and chews everywhere, but new always wins. And they taste ever so much better when someone holds them for him. Guess what? Nail trim tomorrow. Sorry, Oz.

Summer blues! Such a great breakfast treat.

June bloom from our street. Sweet magnolia!

A

Hourglass block.  All twenty-six are stitched.

Star block. Seven made, eighteen to go.

Ozzie underfoot, helping me sew. At least his little paw isn’t actually ON the foot pedal.

That gets scary.