Lily Butterfly

We have named the new baby, Lily Butterfly.  She floats like a butterfly and her Mom's name is Lillian, so I came up with this name.  DH wanted to name her Butterfly, but he said that was too long of a name for calling her.

She really doesn't need to be called.  As soon as you come close,  she is there to greet us.  She's very curious and loves to put on a show for us.  She runs, jumps, bucks and kicks.  She moves too fast for me to even get a decent picture.  I've tried videoing, but she's too fast for my small camera.

She does stop to take a roll.  Llamas take baths by rolling in the dust.  We are having fun watching her.  I have a ring side seat in the house.  She brings a laugh to us many times a day.

It's been a cold week.  Peanut needed a warm spot after she came in from a morning outside. (sorry for the mess by the window).  I sure hope it warms up before the calves start coming.

I feel like I spent the week on the road.  I went to the dermatologist with DD 1.  She had two more biopsies for melanoma.  One of her last biopsies came back with a moderate/severe rating of turning into melanoma and they did additional tissue removal. We did stop at a couple quilt shops.   On Friday I took DH to the doctor after much persuasion.  He has had "junk" for a couple weeks and was starting to have more difficulty breathing.  They fixed him up with antibiotics and breathing treatments.  Last night it was time for some fun.  I went with my SIL and niece and their husbands to the Show Choir dinner theater that my great nephew was in.  It was totally awesome!  The show featured 60's and 70's music.  There were a lot of talented singers and dancers.   I miss going to high school events sometimes, other times staying home is very nice.

No sewing at all this week.  : (  I did find out DD 1 would like a new tote bag for work.  I also checked out her color and design preferences at the quilt shops.  It's time to make my daughters quilts this year.

It's A Finish!

After a lot of practicing on paper, watching videos, practicing on vinyl and practicing on fabric, I have completed FMQ Gypsy Girl.  She is a finish!!  The size is 65" x 75" - so far  my largest quilt.

The key to good free motion quilt results is matching thread.  lol  I used a light pink from Connecting Threads.  After all the tension problems I had with the Sulky thread, this went perfectly.

I stippled in the main body of the quilt, circles in the small border and feathers in the 4" border.  I did a large loose stipple, because I wanted the quilt to be soft.  The feathers improved the more I did.  Corners were tricky and not perfect, but they will do.

I haven't washed it yet and it needs a label.    I was too excited to wait for washing!!   I had to show you!!  Now the fun of deciding the next project........................

 

A Little Surprise

We had a little surprise arrive this last Wednesday.  It was a busy morning.  DH had regular chores to do and we had 3 semi-trucks coming to haul our calves to the sale barn in Aberdeen.  The trucks had just gotten there and one of the drivers asked what was wrong with one of our llamas.  Sure enough, Lillian was having a baby.  The head and one long leg were out, but the other leg was back.  With a little assistance this little one was helped into the cold world.  It was only 14 degrees out.

 After the trucks left with the calves, DH and I loaded up mom and baby in the horse trailer.  We set up a pen in the heated shop for them.  (That sounds a lot easier than it was!!  Lillian was not very cooperative!!)

Lillian really didn't appreciate the help or the nicer accommodations.  Llamas don't bite, charge or run over you--thank goodness!!  BUT they do spit at you--nice big soggy hunks of yunky smelling partially digested hay.  We got the pair settled and then showered and headed for the sale.

They were just fine when we got home to check on them.  Baby is all legs and long neck.  She is light as a feather.  I'd rather carry her than a baby calf. lol

 

Michelle was home for a visit this week-end.  The baby is so fun.  She is curious and soft as a bunny.  She liked the sound of Michelle's voice. She bounces around and shows off too.  They are now in a suite in the old red barn.  Lillian wants to join the rest of the family.  It is suppose to warm up the end of this next week, so that will help.

 

 

 

I'm still practicing my FMQ.  I'm going to have a lot of "cat mats" when I'm done, because I need alot more practice!!

In Like A Lamb

March came in like a lamb here in South Dakota.  We will be looking for the lion at the end of the month--just in time for calving time.   This little March block was fun to make.  Green isn't one of my favorite colors, so I really had to dig through the stash to come up with some fun green fabrics.  DH is enjoying these cute little hangings.  He usually doesn't pay much attention to what I'm doing, but he seems to be looking forward to each month now.  lol

I've completed all of the quilting on Gypsy, but the last border.  I've been practicing my feathers.  I found  www.forestquilting.com this week.  If you click on the free patterns at the top, there are a bunch of quilting motifs.  I printed out some of the feather ones.   If my sample looks good, I'm going to quilt feathers around the border.

I had guys for dinner today.  It was a simple dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.  We are planning on selling the calves this next week.  Today they are sorting off the bigger calves that are ready to go on to the feedlots.   We will keep feeding the little ones.  We will also keep back the best heifers for the new breeding season.   It is a gorgeous sunny day--seems like Spring is in the air.