Sashing Pinwheels

When I made my last pinwheel block, I forgot that I used the "white grunge" for the background fabric in every block.  Yesterday I put up all the blocks on my design wall and it just didn't look right to me.  I made another block with the white background.  Now I have a lovely orphan block--I'm thinking--pillow.  :)  I spent some time rearranging blocks until I decided this was "it".

I cut sashings strips and got the first two rows done.  I'm trying to decide if I want to make 25 little pinwheels for the cornerstones.  I've looked at some of the lovely quilts in the flickr group that did that and I really liked the way they looked.  I could also  use different color squares for the cornerstones too.  OR I could sash and be done.  I'm just pleased to have gotten this far.  I wish I could create as quickly as I can think up ways to do things.  I read on someone's blog the other day (I forget whose---sorry) to enjoy the process and not just try to get that  "#$%^& quilt done".   It would be nice to have a "finish", but I am a pokey quilter.   I'm glad to get the reassurance "it's good to be that way" from another quilter.

I think this little bunny is the cutest thing.  He is the last block in Paula's Seasons Sew Along.  Now I can trim and sew this together too.  I entered a giveaway for Paula's two newest patterns.  I won!  How cool is that.  I think they are really cute patterns for children's quilts.

DH has been enjoying the sweet smell of freshly cut alfalfa.  He is hoping the rain will hold off until it dries alittle and then he can bale it into large round bales to feed the cattle this winter.  We made a trip to town today with 3 old cows and the bull that didn't pass the vet's testing.  With luck the check will pay for the 3 new bulls we bought. 

I stocked up on groceries and DH bought some fishing tackle.   We may sneak away to fish a day this week-end.   Hugs.......................

Sewing and remembering

I finished Block 9 of the Jelly Roll Sampler quilt along.  This seems to be the only one I'm keeping up with.  I don't have very many pieces of my jelly roll left and I'm wondering what the last 3 blocks will need.  It will be fun to see what the designers come up with.  This has been a fun quilt along with all the different designers and their blogs to visit. 

 I'm going to get out my pinwheel blocks and look at them.  They need to be pressed and trimmed.  I need to decide what color sashing to use.

I am remembering my big brother, Bill today.  It's his birthday.   He would have been 65.  He passed away in February 2009.   He had many lung and breathing problems over the years due to genes, Vietnam and his line of work (mechanic).   In August of 2007 Bill had a double lung transplant.  Things went pretty well for him for about 1 year and then downhill from there.  I'll call his wife, Jeanne tonight.  I know his family are all thinking of him today.  He was a wonderful brother, husband, father, step-father, grandfather and uncle to many.  Love and miss you, Bill.

Today DH is cutting alfalfa for baling.  I made him lunch, so he could spend the whole day in the tractor.  Rocco and I made the rounds of checking on everyone this morning.  It's hard to believe it's going to be the  4th of July on Sunday.  It looks like our corn will be "knee high by the 4th of July".  This last week has been hot and humid and the corn has just shot up.

I'm headed back to the sewing room.  Let's see what I can get done.  Hugs..................

Full Moon

I couldn't resist a shot of the full moon rising.  It always seems so strange to see the moon during the day.

No sewing this week, since the pinwheel block.  I've been in kind of a funk--maybe it's the full moon's fault.  I'm looking forward to a better sewing week.  I just need to get my groove back.

We made a road trip and bought 2 new bulls to breed the heifers.  Hopefully these guys will put an end to the c-section problem next year.  

The vet came and did the annual check-up on the rest of the bulls.  They got shots and pour on.  The bulls were put out yesterday, so calving will begin again next April.  We have 3 pastures of cattle now to rotate grazing and check fences on. 

The cattle rubbers needed a little maintainence.  The cattle can rub on this to keep their flies away.  The flies and mosquitoes are really bad this year, so we keep a rubber in each pasture.

Rocco enjoyed some time checking out the gopher holes.  He needed a drink of water, which we always carry with us for him.  It was a hot morning for a little black dog.

DH and Rocco checking fences.

We are headed home from the pasture.  This week we will start mowing, raking and baling.  I hope I have some sewing to post next time.  Hugs.............

Thank yous!

I was on a lucky streak there for a while.  I had happy mail again today.  Two presents--just so pretty.  I was pretty excited too.  I don't get gift wrapped things very often.  :)

The pretty package with the yellow ribbon is from Razzy.  She had a give away for her birthday.

I received two lovely stitching patterns.  I think this little cushion will make a nice "little something something"gift for a friend's birthday.  It's so cute.  The Rosalie Quinlan design was a nice little bonus pattern.

Razzy made one of those zipper bags I've been wanting to try.   I love butterflies and this fq is lovely.  This flower pin is soooo coool.  I'll wear it on my jacket this fall. 

I love this little crocheted flower. I'm going to have to make something to stitch it to.  Isn't it the cutest thing?                            

Thanks so much, Razzy. I love "your" birthday presents! You are such a sweet and generous lady.  This is the second time Razzy has sent me something, so her next giveaway I promise I won't enter.  lol

 

My other win in the pink package with turquoise ribbon is from Stephanie, Little Lady Patchwork.  Stephanie had a wonderful post Market giveaway.   I won 5 Fat quarters from Anne Sutton's new fabric line: Lily & Will in the sage green color way.

Plus this really wonderful FQ:

I love Anne Sutton's quilt designs.  I am doing her Snowbound BOM.  I'm going to have to ponder what to do with these lovelies--maybe some of those zipper bags I've been wanting to try. Or I need a table runner for my library table.    Thanks so much, Stephanie.  I was a new follower, but I'm a regular now.

Yesterday afternoon DD #1 showed up unexpectedly.  She had the day off and came home to visit us.  It was a nice surprise and we went over to the neighbors to say "hi" to her Dad too.  There were severe thunderstorms last night.  Lots of lightning and thunder!  The wind blew like crazy.  We got .62 of rain.

Once again there was damage in other places due to the wind. 

This morning was spent cleaning and doing laundry--does that ever get all done?   I spent most of this afternoon catching up on bills, farm bookkeeping and filing.  :(   Rocco and I took a quick trip to the little Post Office 15 miles away, so we could send some money to the bank.  We picked up the mail on the way back and that's when the day got better! 

Hope your day was productive! 

Vacation

I "feel" like I'm on vacation.  DH is helping at the neighbors for a couple days and I am just enjoying it so much.  :)  I'm feeling a little guilty, but it's so nice to have the whole day to just putter about doing whatever I feel like.   Rocco and I slept in this morning.  I know it's a waste of a beautiful cool morning, but it's been so long since I slept til 9:00 am.  Rocco enjoyed it too.   I spent a half hour on the deck drinking coffee and telling God what a beautiful day He had made.  Blackie and I watched her babies.  The kittens were in high spirits as they ran, chased and fought with each other.

Rocco wanted to join in the fun, too.  The kittens aren't sure what to think of him yet.  He loves it when they jump at him.  He takes off running in circles around the yard and wants them to chase him.

The black one is such a scamp.  He was sneaking up on me too.  He's all black, but has about 6 white hairs in the middle of his head between his ears.

The striped one has such pretty markings.  The "bride" is hoping to take him home with her.

I did catch up on laundry yesterday and do some sewing.  This is the last of the Blush pinwheels, so now I can start sashing.  I've been looking at the quilts in the flickr group for finishing ideas.  There are lots of pretty quilts.

I finished the stitching on the Gifts of Grace block "Patience".  I've really been enjoying these blocks.

Oh, dear I have so much that I should be doing, but oh what fun to just goof off.   Enjoy your day--I'm going to.

Hugs..........................

Summer Is Here

The reunion was a success with 27 out of 47 attending.   We had a wonderful evening visiting and catching up with each other.  It was potluck, so the food was excellent too.  Classmates traveled from Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Montana and Oklahoma.  There were 16 from SD.   It was fun catching up with the locals too as we don't see each other often either.  

I had fun mail today.  I won a giveaway a while back and received it today.  Simona aka Rockgranny from Krpe&zakrpe  sent me 7 beautiful fat quarters that I won in her giveaway.  She also included a lovely doily.  It has butterflies on it--my favorite.  It is so pretty.  Thank you, Simona so very much.

I have really enjoyed getting to know bloggers from other countries.    As quilters we have so much in common no matter where we live.  I appreciate the extra expense that Simona paid to send me my prize.  It was very nice of her to include me in her giveaway.

I needed some more Blush fabric to sash my pinwheel blocks.  I looked online at http://www.quiltshops.com/ and did a search for Moda Blush Sale.  I like to support my local shops, but sometime they don't carry everything I like or need.  This site narrows the search quickly and easily for the fabric I'm looking for and on sale too.

I'd never ordered from www.quilt-this.com before, but they had the Blush fabric I wanted and it was on sale for $6.54 a yard.  :)  I ordered on Wednesday 6/16 and received it today 6/21.   They are from Orange City, FL.  They included a nice note on a pretty postcard and some 2  very pretty bookmarks with my order.  I was very good and only ordered the Blush material I needed.  They have great prices on fabric and pre-cuts.  Their charms pack prices were the lowest I've seen.  Just thought I'd share my experience with them.  It was a good one.

Thank you for all the nice comments on my Father's Day post.  I grew up in a time that fathers didn't show much affection to their children.  I'm very thankful that my Dad lived long enough for me to mature enough to tell him I loved him.  There was a period of years that he didn't speak to DH and I.   I am thankful that toward the last of his life he could tell me he was proud of me and loved me too.   Family relationships can cause us alot of angst and pain.   Communication is sometimes hardest with those we love the most.  I always try to remember the good times and look for the best in everyone. Sometimes all you can do is pray for the person and yourself.  

DH is working at the neighbors this afternoon.  I better start making the best use of my "free time".  

Hugs to you all..............................

Happy Father's Day

"It doesn't matter who my father was;

it matters who I remember he was."

~~By Anne Sexton (1928-1974) U.S. poet.~~

Happy Father's Day to my Dad

My Dad was a rancher and a farmer.  He married a widow with 2 young children at the age of 39.   I never knew those children weren't my "real" sister and brother  until much later in life, when one of our "favorite aunts" informed me.  They were and always will be my older sister and brother.  Just as my younger sister and brother are.  Real, half, whatever--some people just don't get it.  My Dad did.  He was a very strict man with a very soft heart that grew softer with time.  He always had a special way with animals and children.  He worked hard and he expected his children to all work hard too.  He tolerated no "funny business". 

 

We had fun time too.  Once in a while he would come in and tell Mom to pack a lunch. We would go dig worms. The ones by the cattle shed were the biggest. We were like little birds grabbing the plumpest ones. The bamboo poles went in the trunk and off we would go. Bullheads, sunfish and perch were the main fish we caught in a small pond or lake nearby. I remember how proud I was when I could bait my own hook like my Dad had taught me. The sandwiches Mom made tasted the best sitting there by the water. We didn't get to go often, but when we did--it was wonderful.

I love you Dad and I miss you!  Hugs to Heaven from your little girl.

Class of '70

My class of 1970 is having a 40 year reunion Saturday night.  Talk about time flying by--40 years--impossible!  Senior pictures were alot easier to take back then.  You wore a sweater and got your hair done at the beauty shop.  The photographer came for the day and the seniors all had their pictures taken that day.  You were allowed 3 poses.  I wore a sweater I had received at Christmas and saved for this day 4 months later.  It was the 3rd time I had ever been to a beauty shop.  I'm surprised my hair survived all the hair cuts and home perms my mother (sweet woman) performed on me.  My parents bought 1- 8 x 10 and 12 wallets.  I sent the wallets into a magazine ad and had copies made of the wallets to give to my friends.

This is all alittle different from my daughters' experiences.  They spent 1/2 a day at the photographer and changed clothes multiple times.  Photos were shot with multiple backgrounds inside and outside.  There were probably a hundred proofs to pick from.  I spent way too much money and ordered alot of pictures.  I have beautiful photos of them and I'm so glad we did it. 

I'm looking forward to the reunion.  Two of my classmates live in Texas now and I haven't seen them for years.  They got together and are driving up.  What a wonderful trip for them--extra reunion time on the way.  It is so nice that they are making the extra effort to get here.  It should be a fun evening.

What am I doing up at 4:30 am?  Migraine.  Just waiting for the "pill" to kick in, so I can sleep again.  It is an excellent time to post without an interruption from DH.    lol   Hugs.............................

Time Flies

They say time flies when you are having fun.  It flies when you aren't too.  My time just seems to fly by. 

I can't believe it's Thursday already.  I don't even remember what happened on Monday.  It rained.   I do know I made time to sew a pinwheel block in the afternoon.  I have one more of these to make for the total 16 blocks.  I don't think I will make any more blocks.  I'm going to put a border on it tho.

Tuesday morning we moved some cattle to a different pasture.  We try to be good stewards of our land and not let it get grazed down too short.  We drove 75 miles to restock fencing supplies and finally buy some vegetable plants for the garden.  It's getting kind of late to plant and finding nice plants was a challenge.  One fun thing:  we took Michelle to lunch before her 2-10 shift at the living center.  We hurried home to get some older cows in that lost calves or didn't have calves for the sale on Wednesday.  

Miss Puss is an inside cat only.  She loves to watch the birds out the window.  She talks to them too.  I may have to leave the plant stake there by the window, so her friends can continue to visit with her.

 Wednesday was a trip to the sale barn 35 miles away with the 4 cows.  They were hard to load in the trailer.  I was so thankful neither one of us got hurt--it was good riddance to that cow.  We took time to restock groceries and pick up some flowers to plant.  DH went in with me to the small variety store.  He bought us a new grill and a fishing rod.  We used the grill last night.  I'll be sure to let you know as soon as he uses that new rod/reel.  Maybe he really is thinking about a day off.  It was finally dry enough to plant some more sunflowers late in the afternoon.  I did some laundry and cleaning.

A new family of kittens have been moved to under the deck.   Their mom is a wild thing, so I'm not sure why she brought them up.  I would guess food might be the reason or something threatened them where they were.

I love watching the finches in the early morning.  They are such a busy crew.  It rained .10 early this morning.  I'm not sure if the sunflowers will get finished up today or not.  It is a fixing day.  I helped DH pull the truck up to the shop this morning.  The compressor for the AC on the tractor needs to be replaced.  I'm not sure what he plans to do today, but I hope I'm not involved.   :)

Good Rainy Weekend

It was a cool rainy week-end.  It's not often that we wear jackets to work cattle in June.  Usually by now the days are in the 80's and it's dry and dusty.  We worked the cattle starting early on Saturday morning.  This was the day all our helpers could come and rain was in the forecast for the next 3 days.  We have the pairs split into two bunches.  We brought the first bunch in and worked them and moved them back to their pasture.  The crew stopped  to eat a roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy dinner (lunch to some of you).  After dinner we got the next bunch in and finished up about 4:30 pm.  It was cool out, but hard work in the extra wet and mud.

The llamas went first.  They got poured for flies and mosquitoes.  We put them in the pasture with the cows that are still expecting a calf and the ones that lost their baby or aren't having a calf this year.

The crew sorted the calves from the cows. The calves go through a small chute and the cows will go through the big chute. Michelle was home to help.  She needed to borrow her dad's slicker pants.  The orange plastic panel is so the calves can't see out and will go down the small passage way to the chute.

Michelle and nephew, the groom have to persuade the calves to take their turn.  It involves some pushing and wrestling and getting kicked.

DH, BIL and nephew catch the calf in the chute and give it shots and pour it.

Calves are done, now for the cows.  As you can see all the work DH did last week on the pens didn't do much good after the 1.5 inches of rain we got on Friday night.  It did stop raining about 8:00 am Saturday morning, so the crew didn't have to work in the rain, just the mud.

The cows take their turn.  Only the first cow is caught in the chute and they can do 8 to 10 at a time.
Then we let the cows and calves mix again and move them back to pasture.  It's nice to have this big job done.  Everything went pretty well and no one or animal got injured.  I always pray for safety for them all.  And yes I took my turn after dinner helping too. 

It was nice to relax on Sunday.  Michelle stayed for dinner and we took naps afterward.  It rained again.

I got my Jelly Roll Sampler block stitched up, so I don't get behind.  I'm still loving the "Blush" fabric.
I've been printing off the directions for all my BOM's.  I'm missing those long winter evenings that I could do all that hand work.  I spend more time mowing now.

I found out today that my mini swap quilt will be late.  My partner has been ill.  I hope she will take her time getting better and not worry about finishing the quilt up.  I'll still be here when she's done.  I haven't received any of my prizes in the mail yet.  I can still anticipate on the drive to the mailbox for a surprise.  

Hugs to you all.........