Wyoming Breezes

Every quilter has piles of scraps; however, I tend to have more than most. Fabric for the challenge quilts my sisters and I make after our quilt trips must be purchased on the trip. (It is our own crazy requirement.) I always seem to purchase too much fabric. I rationalize this way: since I am a reluctant quilter, I am afraid that by the time I work on the quilt that the fabric I selected will no longer be available. I can usually make two quilts from the fabric that I purchase. Scrap quilts have always appealed to me, and nearly all of my quilts are scrappy. They reinforce the concept making something from nothing and of "making do." Scraps from Duluth Stars were used to make Scrappy Spools, although, I do admit to "borrowing" some fabric from Marilyn's stash to make this a larger quilt. The quilt measures 74 X 99 inches and was machine-quilted by Candy Carpenter, The Comfort Zone , in Riverton, WY. I found the idea for this quilt here .

Duluth Stars was started in June 2005 and finished in June 2008, which is not bad for a reluctant quilter. My two sisters (Marilyn and Evelyn) love to quilt, but I only dabble in the craft; however, I like to accompany my sisters on trips to quilt shows. In 2005, we took a road trip to Duluth, MN to attend the Stars in the Harbor show. On the way to Duluth, we decided to make a challenge quilt and picked the Wyoming Valley block. We determined that each of our quilts had to use this block as well as a variation of the block. The Wyoming Valley block is the large block on the bottom, and the variation, using brown fabrics is in the top left. All of the quilts I have made are more conventional with rows of blocks all the same size, so I decided to shake things up by using a variety of block sizes and patterns. The blocks were easy to make, but sewing them together to form a quilt was more difficult than I anticipated. Marilyn offered to help me piece the quilt top together, and it w...

Take one ballroom, add over 1,000 people, a fabulous hotel and staff, and some informative sessions, and you have a weekend of fun and education. I was fortunate to be awarded a scholarship to attend the 8th International Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Association Conference. The conferences are held every two years and include not only PH patients but also physicians and representatives from numerous pharmaceutical companies. Scientific sessions (for medical personnel) were held on Thursday. Patient-led sessions on Friday covered numerous topics for the PH patient. On Saturday and Sunday, physicians and nurses hosted sessions for patients and their care-givers. I took copious notes so I can use the information in the newsletter that I prepare for the Wyoming Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group. Posters that explained current research projects were on display and many of the researchers were available to answer questions. Much of the information was beyond my understanding, but the...

Its roof has lost a lot of its original luster, the antlers have been broken off of the stag mounted at its peak, and the characters on the revolving bar have been glued back into place several times. Despite its condition, I consider this barometer one of my most valuable possessions. It may be very old and looks somewhat ratty, but it still predicts the weather without fail. During my childhood, the farmhouse porch was the home for this simple hut-shaped barometer, and everyone in the family knew what my mother meant when she stated, "The old witch is out today, so be careful" or "It is going to be nice today, the kids are out playing." This spring, the casual observer might think the barometer is broken because the witch has been out nearly every day since the first of June. She remains out today: it is cold and windy even though the sun is shining. According to the newspaper, today's predicted temperatures were a high of 49 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of...

Earlier this week, I finished one of the Mineshaft socks mentioned in the June Pillow Talk , so half of my goal has been met. I put the Mineshaft socks on hold when I began knitting the Ships Project Slipper Sox . Now that I have finished three pair of the Slipper Sox, I can focus on the final Mineshaft and should easily have a complete pair by the end of June. Update: June 26, 2008 The socks are finished and off the needles with time to spare.

Perhaps your grandmother did some knitting for the Red Cross. Perhaps, your great-aunt knit for the troops while she worried about the safety of her nephew or even a beau. Now you, too, can help bring a lonely young man or woman some "comfort from home." This is a challenge for all those who read this blog. Will you please consider making at least one pair of these slipper sox for the troops? The pattern, a simple sock with a short cuff, can be found here . If that pattern does not appeal to you, then one of these might. Please note that you can knit, crochet, or sew the slippers. The coordinators have complied a list of approved yarn and fabric colors as well, and you will also find size requirements on the same page if you scroll down. ( Note : the red bows are scrap yarn tying the two slipper sox together; they are not decoration.) Want to see the impact these items have on the troops? Read these letters and look at these photos . This month, the Ships Project is sendi...

Even though summer is officially over a month away, I have always equated June with the beginning of summer. For 33 years, June signified the end of school and two and a half months of freedom from grading essays, planning lessons, and dealing with teenage attitudes. Last weekend, I bought a watermelon because it sounded so good, and I was bitterly disappointed because it had no taste at all. I guess even watermelons know that it is not yet summer. I have several knitting projects planned for June. The Oddball Knitting group has decided to take some time off this summer, so we are not starting any new blankets. The ones rotating now will be the last until August. I still have two blankets scheduled to arrive in June: Pastel Rainbow and Neon Rainbow. I am trying to destash, so I am also working on another Oddball Baby Blanket on my own, using some Caron Dazzleaire in Baby Yellow/Green. I currently have about two inches done. I am trying to bring some organization to my life and to my gu...