Scrappy Baby Hats

four scrappy baby hats
July 2017

Sock yarn scraps were turned into baby hats while watching movies on Netflix. Pattern information can be found here.

Amerie

Amerie
July 2017

I'm slowly picking up the project kits that I prepared earlier. Once I memorized the two-row pattern, I began to make more progress.  (The white yarn is the provisional cast-on edge. )

Pattern: Amerie by Lucy Hague (Ravelry link - free pattern)

Needles: US size 9
               (I started with one circular but soon transferred the project
                 to two straights for easier handling)

Yarn: YAK (Lang Yarns) 50% yak and 50% virgin wool
          50 grams (color #772.0074)

Weekend Snaps

Aww, what a flirt!

he even waved to us as we stood watching

Humpty Dumpty
July 2017

Humpty Dumpty visited the Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally again. He draws a crowd of admirers of all ages.

His previous visits can be seen here and here

the crowd enjoyed milling around the launch field on a near-perfect
morning for flying a hot-air balloon. 

Painting & Detailing

Brenda brought her box of paints and supplies to help me paint the final "house quilt" blocks. On Friday afternoon, we applied the primer coat and that evening, we selected block patterns from Google images and drafted the designs on the primed blocks.

Saturday, after the Fiber Guild meeting, we settled in to paint the Spring, Autumn, and Winter quilt blocks.

Brenda begins by painting the individual tulips
July 2017

Brenda worked on the Spring block, and I worked on the Winter and Autumn blocks, painting the large design areas. Brenda later added stitching and fabric details to the blocks.

Spring and Winter blocks ready for finer details

Brenda asked me what kind(s) of details I wanted added to the individual blocks. I thought the Winter block needed to resemble plaid fabric.

Brenda begins to add lines to resemble plaid
to the Winter Bear Paw design 

Before she left on Sunday morning, Brenda added a clear protective coating to the three finished blocks.

Brenda adds a clear protective covering to the house "quilt blocks"

Spring Flower Basket
House Quilt Block - 16" square
July 2017

Autumn Maple Leaf
House Quilt Block - 16" square
July 2017

Winter Bear Paw
House Quilt Block - 16" square
July 2017

I love the blocks, and I'm thrilled that Brenda brought her paints and supplies because I doubt I would have finished them this quickly.

Whooo Was at the Balloon Rally?

July 2017

My niece made a trip from Denver on Thursday: she came to see the annual balloon rally in Riverton. This is the 37th year that the Riverton Rendezvous Rally has been held, and it didn't disappoint.

peeking over the Wyoming balloon "Steamboat"

The weather was gorgeous on Saturday morning - perfect for seeing the balloons up close and to see them fly, and fly, and fly. I've been to the rally numerous times, and this is the first time, that the weather (wind currents) allowed the balloons to circle the field and sometimes land and change riders. All of the balloons hovered in the area for over an hour.

Brenda (my niece)

It was Brenda's first time at the rally, but I have a feeling she'll be back.

owl balloon
July 2017
Riverton, WY

I think this was the first appearance for the owl balloon. We didn't get to see it inflated because it was hiding behind some other balloons.

owl balloon in flight

 However, we were near when the owl took flight and joined balloons in the air.

owl balloon
Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally
July 2017

Yes, I went to the balloon rally and walked among the
gentle giants. My physical therapist gave me the okay
to be more mobile and to use a cane. I had a good time, but
my ankles and legs were quite swollen Saturday night due to
the additional activity.

More balloon photos will be posted this week.

QOV Mystery - A6

July 2017

 Alycia C. (aka as Quiltygirl) is hosting a Quilt of Valor mystery - A6.

She posted the fabric requirements last week, so I "shopped by stash" for appropriate fabrics. I rarely make QOV from yardage, so finding the quantity required for this mystery was a challenge. I had some other color choices, but sadly, I did not have enough of the fabric.

fabric selection for the A6 Quilt of Valor mystery
July 2017

I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up with the weekly clues, but I'm going to attempt it.

Comforts of Home

Family room
Ivinson Hospital Guest House
Laramie, WY

My surgery was in Laramie, WY (a four-hour drive from my home). Marilyn and Brenda met me in Laramie the day before my surgery. I had made arrangements for the three of us to stay at the hospital Guest House. It was an amazing facility, built with private funds.

The single-story 4000 square foot facility, a home away from home, has six guest rooms.

guests had use of the full kitchen 

a large dining area next to a patio

computer and printer and free WiFi

rooms with king-size beds and bath

rooms were well lit and cheery

Not only was the Guest House attractive, clean and modern, but it was extremely affordable - $40.00 a night.

More information about the Guest House can be found on the hospital website.