It's Done!

February Hearts is completed and it's still February.  The snowmen wall hanging is coming down and the hearts will hang for a while.  I really like how the embroidery added to the blocks and border.  I'm still working on getting the blue marker out.  It keeps coming back after it dries..  I'll keep dabbing at it.   lol

This is the back--to show the quilting and hanger.  I really got a nice "do" on the mitered corners this time.    I took my time and marked my corners 3/8" inch back.  It seemed to work better to give myself more space than 1/4 " like I usually do.  I read that somewhere and if I could remember I would totally thank them and give them credit for it.

Just straight line quilting, since the fabric is busy and the embroidery adds extra interest.  I like how it turned out.  I used a piece of left over poly batting, so it's puffier than some of my wall hangings.  I'm still liking it. 

I remembered this little tip from "somewhere" (sorry and thank you).  I used a 3" square folded in half and a permanent marker to make a quick and easy little label.  I never label my wall hangings, but I liked this quick tip.  I will probably label more in the future.  I just put February Hearts, my name and 02/2011 on it.  I had a lot of fun making this and my thanks to Robyn for having this quilt along on her blog.

Even the pets are getting cabin fever!  Doesn't Puss look grumpy.  She very seldom ventures outside, but I think she could use a breath of fresh air.   She is our prima donna.  It was hard for her to give up her only child status.  She was not happy to have a dog in "her house", but then he had a "cat child".  It has been a slow adjustment for her.  Her favorite spot is DH's lap and when Rocco claims it--not a happy cat.  She will lower her standards and claim my lap part of the time.  The rest of the time she leaves the room and goes under our bed.  Lucky for Rocco he prefers my lap most of the time.  Peanut is happy to cuddle in her cat bed on the window seat or on the bed in Jen's old room.  They seem to have their own pecking order and no casualties so far. 

I'm going to do some rearranging, so I can begin the "big quilting project" next.  Wish me luck!  Have a great week.

The Week That Was

Where did a week go?  It has been a snowy, cold miserable week here.  We had a 3 day blizzard over the week-end and got back all our snow that had melted.  It was -16 this morning.  Brrrrrr!

I did finish doing the embroidery on my February Hearts wall hanging.  I started the machine quilting in the ditch, but still need to finish quilting.   I'm excited to get started on quilting the Pinwheel quilt.  I need to move things around so I have plenty of space for it and my machine.   It is my next project--for sure.

I had the dreaded "tax appointment" yesterday in Miller.  The roads were a sheet of ice and the visibility not great.  I've driven in much worse when I was driving to town for work.  I took the 4 wheel drive pick-up and drove slow.  I wouldn't have gone, but it is nearing the farm tax deadline and we needed groceries and cat food.  

I couldn't believe some of the prices at the grocery store--$3.39 for a stalk of celery.  I couldn't bring myself to pay that.  Baby carrots were on sale for $.99 a bag, so I got two of those.   DH requested chicken and dumplings for the menu, so he was lucky chicken was on sale.  lol   We eat alot of beef, so it's nice to have something different on the menu during the week too.  I picked up a ham for Sunday. 

We are going to sort calves on Sunday to sell at the sale barn on Wednesday.  Sunday is predicted to at least be in the 20's and our sorting help could come that day too.  We will sell all the bigger calves and keep back the small ones and some heifers for next year.  I'll be glad when that is all over.  The calf check is our major income of the year and we are hoping that the market is doing well that day.  

DH is out moving snow again in the sorting pens.  At least there wasn't any mud to clean up this week.  : )

Have a great week-end. 

Hand Quilting

We had quilting group on Wednesday evening.  The last two meetings were cancelled due to the weather, so it was really nice to get together again.  A woman from a neighboring town came to give a trunk show and show us how she hand quilts.  I was so mad--I forgot my camera in my hurry to get out the door and into town so I could do all the farm errands.  She has made some lovely quilts and showed some vintage quilts from her mother and MIL. 

Her mother had been in a care facility for a number of years and accumulated a large amount of "dusters" or house coats.  When her mom passed away she made quilts from them for all the family members.  The one I liked the best had blocks made with the fancy collars and pockets.  She had photos of all of the quilts. 

She keeps a binder with all the patterns, pictures and fabric samples of the quilts she has made.  It was fun to look through.

You can see the photo of my sample quilting.  Some of our group brought quilts and wall hangings to quilt.   I have hand quilted before, but it was 30 years ago.  I hand quilted Michelle's baby blanket I made her.   I think it would be very relaxing to do in the evenings.  I think it takes alot of practice to make small and even stitches, but I even like the look of the larger stitches.  I think the "new" in thing of quilting with large stitches and perle cotton thread looks fun. 

 I've been having trouble with my right shoulder, arm and hand, so I didn't do a lot of stitching.   I've had bursitus in my shoulder before, but it has never hurt down into my arm and hand.   I've put off going to the doctor until my yearly check-up. 

We have had a whole week of warmer weather (above 32)  and high wind. The snow has quickly disappeared. It has even been drying up in the yard. DH is hauling snow from the sorting pens. We plan to sell our calves in the next two weeks.  They are predicting 6 inches of snow this week-end, so maybe we'll be back to square one.  lol  

Have a great week-end.  Hugs!

Happy Valentine's Day

It is a gorgeous sunny day in central South Dakota.  We are getting lots of mud!  It is the price we pay for heat.  Rocco and I are loving it--too nice to be inside.

DH and I have supper plans with friends at a local spot.  We haven't been out on Valentine's Day for years, but the neighbor lady and I are threatening to go without the men.  I'm sure they will come, even if it's only for the food.  I know Valentine's Day is just another commercial holiday (quote by a grumpy DH this morning), but it will be nice to eat someone else's cooking for tonight.

There is pumpkin cranberry nut bread in the oven baking even tho the house did not need warming up.   lol

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! 

Quick Stop

I completed step 2 of the February Hearts Sew Along - now on to step three. 

Birdie block # 2

Peanut having sweet dreams.

Just Playing

I cut into my Sunkissed layer cake.  This is block one of the Birdie stitcheries.  I have block two stitched, but need to put the border on.  I got a little distracted with my heart fabric.  I decided I'm not procrastinating about starting on my Pinwheel quilt, I'm just having too much fun with Valentine patterns.

 I made two more maxi mug mats or mini place mats.   I've just enjoyed playing with fabric while making these.   Have you seen the cute heart wall hanging made by Robyn?  I just couldn't resist a little more heart fabric play.  This is my first block completed.   I'm not sure I'll get it done before Valentine's Day, but I'll be ready for next year.

It was -25 F  last night.  The sun was shining brightly today, but it didn't create much heat.  The weatherman is promising 40 F by Saturday--he better be right.  lol  

More Snap Bags

I finished up making the snap bags I had cut out.  These are the small and large size.  The large size don't stay closed as tightly as the small ones.   I made these for Valentine's gifts.  It's nice to have them done early.

It was a lovely sunny day with a temperature of 35 F. Rocco and I took advantage of it by getting some fresh air. We took a short walk. Rocco was on a scent trail and got hung up in deep snow. Of course, it doesn't take much for it to be "deep" when your legs are this short.  Of course, it's much more fun to go where it's a challenge to walk.

 

Peanut spent most of the day outside. She is crouched here watching Rocco struggle in the snow.  As soon as he got closer she pounced on him.  I wish I could have gotten that picture.  lol

Rocco finally figured out it was a good idea to use the tractor tracks for a path through the snow.

"Bad cow" was enjoying some stolen hay.   Forbidden always tastes sweeter.  : )

Blocks 7, 8 & 9

I got caught up on the Raggedy blocks yesterday.  These are so much fun to do.  There are 3 blocks left to be posted.  I need to stitch around each stitchery block with straight line stitching.  I'm thinking about doing scrappy sashing instead of using the black fabric Kaaren did. 

You'll see another BOM button on my side line.  The Gum Tree Designers have a new one--Things We Love.   The first block is posted and is very cute.  I'm always amazed by the talent and generosity of quilters.  There are so many wonderful free quilt designs to choose from again this year.

The Moda Pillow Talk Blog Hop started today. 

The weather has been cold and snowy many places today.  The mail didn't make it today.  The wind was blowing the snow over the roads.  I was thankful to be in a warm house with no where to go.  I baked date nut bread this morning to take the chill off.  This afternoon I put a roast in the oven.  The sun was also shining today, so that helped too.   It is suppose to be -25 tonight.   I keep telling myself we are on the downhill side of the winter now.

 I'm praying for the people in Australia as they are anticipating the Cyclone that is headed their way.