Down On The Farm

I started "Down On The Farm" today.  I've had this book for a while.   DH's nephew (who he shares a birthday with) and his wife are expecting a baby boy the end of October.  This is such a cute pattern.  I'm doing fusible.  Some of the pieces are pretty small--it might be interesting to stitch around them. 

I got three of them fused this afternoon.   It takes me a while to pick fabric and build them.  I'm finding out how unorganized my fat quarters are.  I have them all in one cupboard and that doesn't work very well.  As usual I have quite a mess on the bed.  I plan to fuse all the blocks first, then I'll do the stitching all at once. 

 Look at that row of flying geese!  That might take me a while.   I've been known to avoid "geese".   I'm hoping to make this quilt without buying any material.  I'm really tempted to buy John Deere flannel for the back.   Wouldn't that be cute?

I completed block #2 of Raggedy & friends yesterday.  I almost have the stitching done for #3.

The ever favorite chair on the deck was full yesterday afternoon. 

I'm feeling better today at last.   I've never had a stomach upset for that long before. I'm the kind of person who can eat anything most of the time.   On Thursday I totally lost my voice too.  Now I'm dealing with a dry cough.  Enough whining.  lol  

The weather has been beautiful here.  No fall colors yet, because we haven't had the first frost yet.  I need to pick my acorn squash and pumpkins--maybe tomorrow.  Have a good week................ 

Another Chance to Win a GO

Here's another chance for us to win a GO.  Hurry right over to Millies!!

Another Chance to win a GO

We have chance to win a GO from Jane.  I'm still trying to win a GO--how about you?

Hops

I'm not sure how I'll get anything done next week, because I'll be hopping along the blog trail. 

You can check out all the detail for this Blog Hop here.  Gudrun is always up to something fun.

As usual Pat Sloan is up to something new.  Have you seen the new rulers that sharpen your rotary cutter's blade while you use it?   I have been thinking I need a new 6 1/2 x 24 inch ruler.  I've had this one for a very long time and I think it might be starting to be inaccurate in the middle.  If I don't win a GO, I could at least buy a new ruler.

She is hosting a blog hop and some lucky someone could win 10 new rulers.  WOW!  I just want 1 new ruler.  Check out this hop here.

It is a rainy morning here.  Rocco, Peanut and I are snuggled up on the couch with the laptop.  I am on day 5 of the BUG.  I didn't go to quilting group last night, because I was vomiting the applesauce I ate.  (sorry-tmi).

Now today I have no voice and the tummy is gurgling yet.   I thought about going to the doctor, but Michelle called last night and told me this stuff is going around Pierre.  I must have picked up the lovely BUG last week when we took Rocco to the vet. 

I just noticed this is post 88 with 88 followers--that's kind of cool.  Have a good day.  

Bowtie Fun

I like reading the blog Stash Manicure.  There are always some good ideas about things to do with your stash- storing or using up.    Last week Karen from Nana Girl Quilts showed how to make these cute little bowtie blocks. .  I've never made a bowtie block, so this morning  I tried a couple.  Of course, the first block  I had to get one square sewn on backwards.  It's just an unwritten rule for me to sew something backwards or upside down.  I also turn the wrong way alot when driving in unknown areas.    I'm a lefty, who was forced to be a righty for a while.  I do alot of things with both hands, but my brain doesn't process left and right quickly or instinctively.  Not sure why.  My girls learned early in life--there is nothing wrong with turning around and going the other direction.  I think that might be a good life lesson too.  Sorry I got off the subject.  lol 

I really think these bowties are cute, quick and easy.  I'm going to start making some with 3" squares from my scraps.  I cut some squares today and some strips too.  I really need to use up some of the odds and ends.  I think this will be fun.  Try one--I think they might be addictive. 

I survived the week-end.  The engagement party was very nice.  It was a little cool for an outdoor party, but the garage was warm. The couple will be getting married in Jamaica on our wedding anniversary October 16th.  It will be a very small wedding.

 I'm not sure I could handle the 4 children that came to visit for very long. We are a pretty quiet household.   The kittens hid out most of the time.  Even tame kittens don't stand still long with high pitched voices and quick movements.  I don't think our patio door will ever be the same.  Lots of in and out--flies in and kids out.   The guests only stayed Friday night. Puss spent the whole time under our bed.  Rocco wanted up in our lap or under the covers on our bed.  Peanut and all the kittens disappeared until their van pulled out on Saturday afternoon.  

 I either got the stomach flu or food poisoning and was up all night Saturday.  I slept most of Sunday sleeping..  I just can't get my stomach right, so I kept my dentist appointment today in town so I could stock up on Gatorade.  Gatorade seems to help get me back on track after a bout with stomach upset.   I found out the small filling I broke will need to be replaced with a crown.  :(   I'll be going back to the dentist on Thursday morning. 

I felt a little better this afternoon, so I started pulling fabric for the farm baby quilt.  I'm still looking for the border material I planned to use.  Tomorrow I'll look again.  I need to do some more fabric organizing--maybe this winter. 

The last two days have been beautiful out.  I really need to pick and pickle the beets in the garden.  I'm surprised we haven't had a freeze yet.  It's been nice to continue to eat fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.  (although I haven't been eating them the last few days).  DH is still working at the cousins and I'm frustrated with my lack of ambition to sew while he's gone.  If my stomach feels better tomorrow, I'll get to it.

Just a quick cat picture for you--Soot and Smudge relaxing on the deck.    I hope I've gotten all my illnesses out of the way for the rest of the year.   Hugs..................

It's a Finish!

It's finished!  I promise you won't have to see it again.  lol  As Terry would say "it's not perfect, but it's done".  Of course I had to free motion some of the backing to the back of the quilt, so I had to rip--that's pretty normal for me.  :)  Thank you to Red Pepper Quilts for helping me remember how to splice the binding together.  I also used Pat Sloan's method for machine binding.  I usually do mine by hand, but I know this will be used alot and washed many times, so I wanted something sturdy.  I think I will use it again on those quilts that are for everyday use.  I'm terrible about labeling my quilts, but I did do this one with the baby's name, birthdate, and weight.  I had a tussle with my printer.  It didn't want to use the fabric sheet, but I finally convinced it.  Michelle will be home for the engagement party this week-end and she will take the quilt to the new baby.    On to the next project!

It rained 3.55 in the last couple days.  This is the wettest year we have ever had.  DH hasn't been able to cut silage, so he went with me yesterday to take Rocco to the veterinary.  This is the 3rd vet.  He took Rocco's stitches out and said to give it time.  His eye is looking better.  Hopefully with more time and healing there will be a positive outcome.  The doctor thought there was some response to light.  Nerves take the longest time to heal.

Rocco has been a good patient.

I am in "fast" mode today.  The Wilson family will be here tonight for supper and the week-end.  I know the 3 kids will have fun with the kittens.  They also like to ride the 4-wheeler.   We don't have a 4 wheeler anymore, so I'm sure there will be some Rhino rides in the  UTV.  I'm decluttering, cleaning and changing bedding. 

Thank you everyone for the nice comments and encouragement in the making of Safari Star.  It was also good free motion practice.  I better get off the computer and on the vacuum.  Have a great week-end!

Quilting Safari Star

DH is cutting silage at the cousins, so he will be gone during the day this week.  This means a whole day of uninterrupted time and no stopping for cooking lunch.   I have so much to do, but my number one project is to get Safari Star quilted and finished, so Michelle can give it to her friend. 

 The biggest clear space in my house is the kitchen/dining table.  I have an audio book,
 "The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine, safety pins, Kwik Klip and Diet Mountain Dew--I'm ready to start the sandwich process. 

Ok, now what?

It was nice to have the table to hold the quilt.  It worked really well.  This is a nice size to deal with--not much pushing and pulling.  I stitched in the ditch first and then stitched across the squares.

On each fussy cut animal block I did free motion.  You will have to enlarge the photo to see.  It really made the animals pop out and emphasized the leafy jungle background.  I used gray thread and I like how they turned out.

I did a little curvy line in the small border.  I'm really proud of my corners--please enlarge and check that out.  :) 

I had to stop and waterproof the deck about 3:00 pm.  It was time for a quilting break anyway.  I wanted to get the deck done for winter season and it's suppose to rain on Wednesday.  The waterproofer is suppose to dry for 2 days.   I was worried about keeping the kittens off while I was working, but the smell repelled them and they went and took their naps.  Rocco and I took a walk down the road and picked up the mail.  The temperatures have been so nice that he and I have walked the last 2 days.  I also made Beef Stew for supper, so it could be eaten anytime.  It's hard to tell when DH would be home. 

All I have left on the quilt is the bigger outside borders to do today.  I was even dreaming about them last night.  I think I'm just going to stipple around the animals and not do so much close free motion.  I want the quilt to be soft for the baby and not so stiffly quilted.  I have read that the quilting needs to be uniform.  This quilt isn't uniformly quilted.  What do you think?  Is that going to be ok?  Usually I just straight line quilt, so I've never had to worry about uniformity of quilting. 

Peanut spent alot of time in the house yesterday.  She wanted to be close to me, so she slept on the kitchen floor.  The kittens are 10 weeks old and maybe she is starting the weaning process.  She eats constantly poor thing.  The kittens are eating kitten chow, but they still want their mama too.  

I better get to quilting, so I can do the binding next.  I am hand stitching my Raggedy blocks at night.  Jen and I are addicted to Scrabble on Facebook.  We play a game every night.  It helps me feel connected to her too.  We share that time together every day.

We have company coming this week-end, so the rest of the week will be cleaning and putting away the quilting stuff.  Have a good day!!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I've been FMQ on my practice pad.  We are doing "wiggles".  I think this is going to take some practice.  When I started out today I could tell right away something didn't feel right.  I forgot to put on the Supreme Slider.  It sure makes a difference on the smoothness of my curves.  I need to practice stopping and starting and staying in my U shaped area between my hands.  I'm going along so well and then the next thing I know I'm going too fast and my hands are in the wrong place and my arms are stretched out--causing not as much control, so not as smooth curves and even shapes.  As they say:  practice, practice, and practice some more.  If I'm not willing to put in the time, I'm never going to be happy with the results.

I got my practice quilt pieced today.  I used some of my "vintage" fabric. 

My 1.5 inch strips are 2.5, because they were already cut and left over from a long time ago.  They are little monkeys.  I thought I might need some smiling faces looking at me while I FMQ.  How can you resist a smile like that?  I didn't want to cut an inch off them, so I'll just have wider strips to quilt.

I used just plain yellow on the back.  It is the same fabric as the 3 inch strips on the front.  I used an 80/20 Hobbs batting.  I use spray adhesive on my quilts with good results.  I don't use alot.  I use enough to anchor it and then pin.  My knees don't kneel at all anymore, so I usually use the bed for the anchoring process.  I then take the quilt to the dining room table and pin it.  I use my cutting mat to protect my table. 

 The biggest quilt I've ever made was 60" x 60".  It is still waiting to be quilted.  It is a Kim Diehl appliqued quilt and took me a long time to do.  I hope I can figure out how to quilt it someday and do a good job.   I think my pinwheel and jelly roll quilts will be larger than that by the time I do borders on them.  I'm slowly stretching my boundaries. 

When I was working I felt like I wanted to make mostly smaller things, so at least I could finish something.  I think baby quilts are my favorite to make.

It rained 1.3 Thursday night, so yesterday we made a trip to Pierre for farm supplies and groceries.  We ate lunch with Michelle, so she could see Rocco and vice versa.  We took lunch to her apartment.  She had to work 2-10, so it was a quick stop to see her.   The Walmart in Pierre is one of the few in South Dakota that still sells fabric.  I picked out some flannel for baby blankets.

                          

I thought these were so pretty--soft colors.  One nephew is having a boy in November and a nephew on my side is having a girl in December.  I'm not sure what I'm doing with them yet.  I had planned to make receiving blankets, but when I saw the 9 patches or 4 patches I thought this might be good practice fabric for FMQ.  

I better get off the computer and get back to my quilting.  Have a great week-end.  Hugs.............

Free Motion Quilting

I finally got some time yesterday to start my free motion quilt along.  It's really hard for me to pick out fabric to practice on, but I finally decided on a piece I thought I could spare from my stash.  I decided these will be cat quilts, so it isn't really wasting my precious fabric.  I'm also choosing fabric I bought that probably isn't the best quality.  

I did some lines, zig zags and loops.  My tension was fine.  I really just need to practice, practice and practice.

I spent some time going through my books and pulling out the machine quilting ones.  I really like this  book the best of them all.

I did find the Kathy Sandbach book I have too.   And of course, I found some other ones too.  I'm great at buying and reading books.  I think it's one way of procrastinating--I'm good at that too.   This free motion along is going to help.  I had fun yesterday and that's what I need to do--stop putting it off and jump into it and "have fun" with it.

I used the Supreme Slider yesterday.  I bought this from Leah Day when she had it on sale.  ( I love her blog.)  I really liked how it worked.  I have done free motion on  my smaller quilts, placemats and table runners.  I think this is really going to help.  The practice piece really slide through so easily.  I don't think my arms will get so tired on a bigger quilt.

It is a sheet of plastic that lays on your machine bed.  It sticks on there.  It's very slippery and the material doesn't drag at all as you move it across.  I really love my stitch regulator on my Bernina.   

I'm looking forward to doing the work to finally start being a free motion quilter. I have a pinwheel quilt and a jelly roll quilt that will need to be quilted. I'm actually getting excited about that instead of nervous. 

It was a rainy day today.  It only rained .40, but took all day to do it.  DH was in the house, so I didn't get any sewing done.  It was a lazy rainy day. He doesn't get those very often, so we took advantage of it.  There were things that could have been done, but sometime you need a mental health day.   I baked some zucchini bread.  We spent some time on the internet looking at companies that build buildings.   DH is dreaming of a new shop.  He wanted to check out some different sites and plans. 

It's raining out again.   The sunflowers have needed rain--I hope it's not too late to make a difference.   It has been cold at night, but not freezing yet.  I hope it holds off for a while, so I can keep picking tomatoes and cucumbers.  They are such a treat. 

 It's getting late and I'm off to bed..............................

My favorite kind of roll

I received my favorite kind of roll in the mail yesterday--A Jelly Roll.  I won a Hello Betty by Chloe's Closet jelly roll from Scott at Blue Nickel Studios.  Scott designed Block # 12  for the Jelly Roll Quilt Along put together by Konda of Moose on the Porch Quilts.  I really enjoyed this quilt along.  I have all 12 blocks completed.  It's the sashing and sandwiching that is next on the menu--but now I'm trying to get baby quilts completed for new babies.  Thanks so much Scott for the jelly roll.  It will be put to good use.  If you have time, check out Scott's website.  There are lots of things to look at over there.

The silage cutting is complete at our place.  I wish I could have gotten more photos of the tractor packing the pile and the pile before we covered it up, but it just didn't work out to do that.  This is a picture of the big pile after we covered it with a 75' x 150' plastic tarp to protect it from the weather.  The large bales are holding the plastic down so this tarp that costs $515.00 won't blow away in the SD wind. 

We are glad to have this part of harvest completed.  This will provide lots of good nutrition for the cattle this winter.  DH will need to help the cousins with their chopping, but they are wetter down at their place, so it will probably be next week before they start there. 

I thought you needed some kitten pictures today.  They are growing like babies do--quickly.  Peanut has not weaned them yet and she is on constant guard to make sure all is going well for them.   They and the bigger kittens seem to be making friends, so everyone can eat together at the communal dining area.

I took Rocco to the vet yesterday and had the two stitches in the corner of his eye removed.  His eye is very blood shot and not focusing correctly.  Dr. Dave said to give it time and continue with the medications.  DH

continues to have a hard time with the whole experience.  I'm about ready to take him in to Dr. Dave and have him put to sleep.  (please pardon my sic humor, but I've about had it with him).  I had forgotten how DH was when the kids were sick or hurt--he just doesn't do very well in those situations.  I continue to pray and believe for the best outcome.  It does no good reminding him that it could have been so much worse.  I guess opposites do attract---glass half full people and glass almost empty people.  We will all survive with time.  Thanks for letting me vent!

Have you been freehand maching quilting?  I plan to get started with practicing this afternoon.  I've really enjoyed all of Christina's posts.  I was so surprised to read about Kathy Sandbach's diagnosis of dementia, so sad.  I happen to have her book and plan to pull it out and review it. 

I'll show you my progress later.........................

Awesome Giveaway

Check out the huge giveaway at the Quilted Fish!!  Quick and easy to enter.  I can't buy more fabric, but I maybe I will win some.  I sure need another kit.  Don't you............

Fall is Here

Silage cutting always signals the start of fall here.  As you can see the hot dry conditions have taken a toll on the corn in some fields.  This is silage corn that was planted to have more stalks and leaves and not so much ears of corn.

In low places where the moisture stayed the corn is still green.  The tractor pulls the cutter, which chops the corn up into small pieces and shoots it back into the dump wagon.  The green and brown will mix together in the wagon.

When the wagon is full it is dumped into a dump truck.  The truck hauls the silage to the piling area that is located in the feed yard.

The truck dumps the chopped up corn and corn stalks at the end of the pile.  The tractor with the dozer will create a silage pile.    This is just the beginning stages of a huge pile to come.

DH drives the tractor with the dozer.  He pushes and packs the corn into a large pile that will be covered with plastic paper to preserve the feed until needed this winter.

DH and his cousins, Steve and David will work together at our place this week and then move everything 30 miles south to their place next week to cut their corn.  There have been alot of breakdowns this week with the cutter.  Hopefully they will be done today and I will show you the big pile that resulted.

We also raise a different type of corn that will grow more ears and will be combined by a combine for actual corn kernels.  This corn we will sell to the ethanol plant for making fuel. 

Michelle came home this morning.  Rocco was very pleased to see her.  He is more himself everyday.  Thanks so much for all your kind words and thoughts.  Peanut and her family have moved outside to the garden shed.  The kittens are having a great time playing lion in the grass and climbing trees. 

When DH gets moved down to the cousins for silaging, I hope to get back to the sewing machine.  I'll continue my work on Safari Star as the baby boy has been born and all is well.  I had flannel picked out for the backing, but found something I really liked in FL.  (the only fabric I bought on my trip, promise.)

I really couldn't resist this lovely "Jungle Babies" flannel.   I want to get this quilt done, so I can start the "farm baby quilt" for the baby boy due the end of October.  Have a good week-end.  Hugs...........................

Where does the time go?

What a crazy couple weeks!  Of course, being gone and coming home and getting sick have made things all pile up.  I am knee deep in cucumbers and tomatoes, which is a good thing.  You can see by the header the hot temperatures and high winds have dried the corn out badly.   I was all set for a grateful post about good health on Monday and it's Friday already.  Wow!   So................................

I have been fortunate since retirement to not be exposed to the daily germs of working with the public.  Although I've never been a sickly person, I think I caught my fair share of the common bugs each year.  I haven't been sick for quite sometime.  I'm not sure what I picked up between FL and SD, but it layed me pretty low for longer than usual.  I spent a few days acting like it was nothing and trying to get things done.  Finally I slept most of Saturday and Sunday and was a new person by Tuesday.  I think I need to have this happen to remind me how blessed I am with good health.   I also need to renew my prayers for those that struggle daily to live their lives while living with illness or fighting illness.

Rocco is feeling better today.  I won't go into great detail, but it was a traumatic day for all of us on Wednesday.  As I said before it could have been much worse.  Time will tell how things turn out, but I know Rocco can live a wonderful life with one eye too.  He is doing well with his medications and resting alot.  He is of course pretty timid right now.  Michelle doesn't have to work this week-end, so she's coming home for the long week-end.   That will make Rocco feel better and all of us too.

Have you been over to Kaaren's for the First Friday Freebie this morning?  She has given us a wonderful pattern for a fall wall hanging.  It is so cute!  Fall is on it's way.  It was 44 degrees here this morning.  Just a taste of what's to come.  After the hot, dry, windy days of last week it felt rather good, but I'm not looking forward to a steady diet of it.

Just a quick post right now................I hope to have more time later to catch up with you all.  Thanks for all your prayers and support for Rocco and us!!  It has helped so much.  Hugs   Janet

Say a Prayer

Please say a little prayer for Rocco. I know alot of you are animal lovers who are my blog friends.  Yesterday Rocco had a bad encounter with DH's cousin's dog.  Rocco's little eye is in bad shape.  We learned alot about veterinarians and small animals yesterday too.  We are asking for prayers for Rocco's eye and eye sight.  I am so thankful that it wasn't worse.  It could have been much worse.......................

Thanks so much, friends.  Hugs