Book winner/Prep Day

The winner of the book "Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas is Moneik.  The random number generator picked number 1.  I won't have to send the book very far.  Moneik is from South Dakota too.  I hope she has time to read it.  She is a busy lady.  Enjoy, Moneik!

 

I made up my mind that August is going to be a productive quilting month. I spent every spare moment yesterday prepping BOM blocks. I did most of the cutting and tracing on dining room/kitchen table.  It was the coolest place to do it.  We are having a heat wave here.  The humidity is very high too.  I listened to my audio book, "A Change of Heart" by Jodi Picoult.  I like her books.  This one is alittle different than her others I've read.  Her books make you think about things from different view points.  What could be better than reading and sewing at the same time?

I need to make 2 jelly roll sampler blocks to finish up the 12 blocks for that quilt along.   I am down to mostly bits and pieces and a couple blah strips. 

The only BOM I need to prep yet is the new Raggedy & Friends block.   Kaaren is also having a giveaway for a handpainted sewing box.  What a creative and generous sweetie she is!

I didn't realize when I discovered quilt blogs that I really needed to pick and choose from all the wonderful BOMs on line.  I didn't know there were so many wonderful designers and quilters to make friends with and who share their creative talents with others for free.  When I discovered The Gum Tree Designers blog I didn't realize that they were only the tip of the iceberg.  lol  If only all I had to do was sew!! 

The guys started combining spring wheat late yesterday afternoon.  They are hard at it again today.   We usually haul it to the elevator about 30 miles away, but that elevator is full and not taking anymore right now.  It just takes more time on the phone and miles on the road to find someplace that will.  DH is also filling one bin at home to sell later.  IF there are no breakdowns they should finish up by tonight.  I've already made two parts runs to two different towns this morning and got home in time to make field lunch for 5 guys. 

I'm not even going to post a cat picture today.  We are still fighting it out.  I just haven't had time to come up with a plan yet.  Peanut and the kids have taken over the bedroom for now, but I need to do something soon.  They are getting more active everyday.

I thought I would share with you my beautiful pot of Impatiens that sit on our deck.

Actually this photo was taken earlier in July.  It was even bigger and better than this.   Until............................

Some kittens decided that it was a nice place to play or take a nap.  I'm not sure what they were doing, but they knew they were in trouble because they took off as soon as I stepped out on the deck.  lol   

I better get something done.  I got alot accomplished yesterday, probably because I wasn't on the computer.  Now I can stitch here and there as time permits.  Have a great week!!  Hugs

Book giveaway

I won the book "Whiter Than Snow"  by Sandra Dallas from Sharon's giveaway on her blog.   Thank you Sharon!!  It was a very nice summer read.  It's the kind of book you wish were longer, because you enjoy the characters so much.  If you would like to read the book, please leave a comment.  I will draw a name on Monday, August 2nd and send you the book to read. 

I can't believe how fast last week went! It rained on Friday night, so we spent Saturday and Sunday at the river.  Michelle had the week-end off.  The weather was beautiful too--strange for a week-end.  The fishing was a fizzle, but I read my book and relaxed.

This photo shows the only sewing I did last week.  We sold our pontoon and bought a different boat.  The front canopy on the boat needed to be repaired and reinforced.  I used my older Bernina machine.  It took almost a whole spool of thread by the time I was done. 

DH parked the boat by the deck for easier loading and unloading.  The kittens think we bought them a new jungle gym.

We have been making hay--more big bales for winter feeding.  Today the combiners are coming to try harvesting our oats field.  We hope it is dry enough to get it done as rain is predicted for later in the week.

I picked my first zucchini.  The little bit of garden I got planted is really growing.  Hopefully the season will be long enough to produce ripe tomatoes.  The plants sure look nice right now.

I have been traveling a lot for parts lately.  I really enjoyed the parts run yesterday, because DH didn't need me to come home immediately.  Michelle had the day off.  We met for lunch at a wonderful Mexican restaurant--not a favorite food of DH, so it was a treat.  We then went to the mall for pedicures.  I haven't had one for over a year.  What a luxury!  I had a gift certificate from my little brother and his wife to use.  I love the massage part of the pedi.  The technician even painted little flowers on my big toes.  Now I can wear my sandals with pride.  lol

We shopped for a dress for Michelle.  She has a wedding to attend on Friday night.  We also bought a baby gift together for a shower later in August.  It was so nice to spend time with her.  School will start the end of August, so she will be super busy with work and studies.

Leave a comment to enter the book drawing.  Hugs..............

May Day Give Away

New books!!!  I love looking at quilting books AND I have the books to prove it.  I'm glad to know there are other quilters with the same addictions.   lol  It's really hard to take pictures of shiny covers of "new quilting books".  I apologize for the poor photos. 

Scrap Basket Surprises by Kim Brackett has patterns for 18 quilts from 2 1/2" inch strips.  Lots of really neat patterns.  I wish I had time to take some poor pictures of the inside of the books for you.  Crazy reason:  I ordered the book because Kim is from Gulf Breeze FL and is a member of the Pensacola Quilters Guild.  DD2 lives in Pensacola FL.  Now is that not a reason to order a great book.

I have always liked 2 1/2 " inch strips.  I think that's why I was and am an Eleanor Burns fan.  When they first came out with Jelly Rolls, I just couldn't understand why anyone would buy them.  Now I've discovered why someone would buy them AND have too many of them.  The same with layer cakes and charm squares.  I have figured out how to feed my fabric addictions without taking up as much space in my small bedroom/sewing room.  By buying a jelly roll, layer cake or pack of charms, I can have the whole line of fabric and not have to decide which 2-3 yards to buy of the ones I like.  The storage is much easier too.  SO now I need more new books to help me figure out how to use the pre-cuts.  I am such a mess.  lol   I bought A Baker's Dozen because it has 13 quilts from jelly rolls, layer cakes and more.  Love all the patterns and uses of precuts.     There are also 13 designers.  This book is from the staff at That Patchwork Place.

I also ordered Gathered from the Garden by Cindy Lammon.  I liked the mix of patchwork and applique in this book.  I like quilts with both techniques mixed.  I love appliqued borders framing quilts.  It shows alot of different variations of quilts with the different blocks of the main quilt on the cover. 

GIVE AWAY:  I wanted to do a give away in honor of May Day.  Time has really flown by and Saturday is May 1st already.  I am giving away a copy of A Baker's Dozen for a May Day basket.  When we were children we took treats to school in little baskets made of cupcake  papers and pipe cleaners for our friends.   I went to a one room country school with all 8 grades in one room with one teacher.  Actually for May Day you were suppose to make treat baskets and put them on your friend's front stoop, ring the door bell and run, so they wouldn't know who left the surprise. 

Just leave a comment and I will choose someone to send A Baker's Dozen to.  I will choose on Monday, May 3rd, so it will give more people time to comment.

I want to thank all of my followers and commenters for this last month.  I've enjoyed blogging and making new friends online.  It has also been something to look forward to while we are busy with the calving season.  In about 2 weeks we will be about 90% done and the push will let up.  Then it will be time to "garden".  Yeah! 

The weather report is for rain all week-end, so I'm not sure when I'll be posting again.  The baby calf who was so cold the other morning is doing great.  I helped him figure out how to get milk from his mom yesterday morning.  He took to it like a natural after a half hour of Nursing 101. I'm still working with another baby, who hasn't figured it out yet. 

Tell your friends about the give away!  Talk to you later.  Hugs to all.............