Wyoming Breezes

Spring Violet Vest started January 16, 2013 I first saw the pattern for the Spring Violet Vest in the vendor's area at the Reno show . I don't know how many times I went back to the booth, drawn by the samples on display. The booth had many varieties of the vest on display and kits available, but the pattern was not sold individually. When I returned home, I contacted the company to see if the pattern was available and again was told it was not sold separately, only as a kit. My friend Cheryl must have grown weary of me talking about the vest. Before Christmas she presented me with a wrapped box and said, "This is NOT a Christmas present." I was shocked and pleased when I opened the box to find the vest kit. The vest is knit on size 6 needles, using three different weights and types of yarn: a superwash wool, a soft twist rayon, and a rayon loop. Specifics about the vest can be found on my Ravelry project page . The photo on the kit, and on the pattern...

This week, the graduate composites for the 1950s are featured. Last week, the 1940 composites were posted. According to Irene Jones' book, Pavillion City, very few changes were made in the school buildings during this decade. 1950 the second addition was added to the Ag Shop. The seventeen graduates formed the largest classes in the history of the school to this year. (pages 62 - 63) 1955 a class room addition was added to the high school. (page 65) Click images to enlarge. Please email any name or spelling corrections or leave a comment. Class of 1950 Pavillion High School Pavillion, WY Top : Paul Herder, Kathryn Gordon, Kenneth Stultz, Mildred Schneider, Morris Hill, Barbara Richardson. Center : Arlan Kintzler, Robert Jacox,  Lila Hollenbeck, Bill Cox, Reta Wall, Dessie Honeycutt. Bottom : Ralph Starks, Mrs. Merrial K. Clark (class sponsor) Harley K. Kittle (Supt.), Wanda Olson. Class of 1951 Pavillion High School Pavillion, WY Top : Marilyn...

The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope.  ~ Frank Lloyd Wright ~

Fourteen Pillowcases pressed and ready to become QOV presentation cases Marilyn called a couple of weeks ago and asked if I wanted to sew and Skype. Since I had these cases ready, I joined her. We gabbed and sewed for nearly two hours via Skype. The cases were made from odd bits of fabric and leftover binding (for the trim).

Hiroshima diorama illustrating the extent of damage from the atomic bomb, dropped August 6, 1945 (red ball at top of photo depicts the atomic bomb) Hiroshima Museum Hiroshima, Japan April 1980 Hiroshima following the denotation of the atomic bomb August 6, 1945 (photo taken from a museum display - April 1980) Hiroshima following the denotation of the atomic bomb August 6, 1945 (photo taken from a museum display - April 1980) According to Wikipedia , within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects of the bombs killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki, with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring on the first day. Those who survived the blast(s) suffered  radiation illness , cancer, and disfigurement the remainder of their lives. Survivors' stories can be found here . Like all wars, World War II changed the world in many ways, and individuals from all the countries involved suffered greatly, dire...

Beach Buddies Kona Coast Kona, Hawaii June 1976 These children were so happy and carefree the day I saw them on the beach. I wonder if they are still friends some 37 years later. Are any of your childhood friends still a part of your life?

I had fun knitting these worsted weight socks: they were quick knits on large needles and will make great house socks. The fun didn't stop when they were off the needles. I couldn't resist having a photo shoot with them, too. Knitting details are on this previous post, entitled February Socks .

I've written about the consolidation of the Pavillion and Morton school districts in a previous post . Even though the issue was an old one (talks started in 1938) it never got past the talking stage - a strong rivalry existed between the schools - until it came to fruition in 1969. The last class to graduate from Pavillion High School was 1969 (my class), and the Wind River School District was created. In the mid 70s, I was approached by the Karen Gabrielsen who had organized the Pavillion Alumni Association. She said the large composite photos of the Pavillion graduates were being taken down by the consolidated Wind River school and possibly being discarded, so I agreed to photograph the images for the Alumni Association. We hurriedly propped the large composites outside against the side of the building, and I began snapping. In my haste, I did not notice that on some of my photos, the graduates names are not clearly visible. Thankfully, the composites were never discarded, a...

Old MacDonald's Farm Western Region Oddball Baby Blanket started February 2013 I had the privilege of starting an Oddball baby blanket for the group and decided to begin a "boy-friendly" blanket since the group tends to knit more blankets for girls. Stitch count: 106 sts Needles: size 9 Stitch pattern: Garter stitch on the ends and Box stitch in the center. Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (Cedar and Bone)          Red Heart (Mexicali) Update : June 8, 2013 June 15, 2013 June 15, 2013

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (A-bomb Dome) Hiroshima, Japan April 1980 One of the most emotional tours I took while in Japan was in Hiroshima, the site where the first atomic bomb was dropped; thus, ending World War II. Photos from those tours will be posted in the weeks ahead. According to Wikipedia :     At 8:15 on August 6, 1945, Little Boy — the first atomic bomb to be used in war — detonated almost directly above the dome (shown the the photo above) . The building's vertical columns were able to resist the nearly vertical downward force of the blast, and parts of the concrete and brick outer walls remained intact. The center of the blast was displaced 490 feet (150 m) horizontally and 1,968 feet (600 m) vertically from the dome, having slightly missed the original target, the distinctive "T"-shaped Aioi Bridge. Everyone inside the building was killed instantly.

Guardians of Freedom Quilt of Valor 57 x 65 Defenders of Freedom Quilt of Valor 57 x 65 During the Superbowl, I worked on these two Quilts of Valor: the eagle panels were purchased at Country Traditions in Fremont, NE. The shop has a great selection of fabrics and a very friendly staff: Marilyn and I had a lot of fun shopping there. These two quilts were sent yesterday to Donna S. in Longmont, CO to be quilted. After I attach the label and the binding, they will be sent to Alycia C. for distribution. I made a quilt from this panel last year, too. It was called Eagle's Flight. Update : May 15, 2013 Alycia, Colorado's QOV coordinator, showed these two quilts in today's  blog post .

February Socks started January 31, 2013 finished February 8, 2013 Plymouth Encore Worsted Weight - Colorspun (Raspberry) 200 yards Plymouth Encore Worsted Weight - (#241) 200 yards Needles - Knit Picks 16" circulars (2) size 6 Pattern - adapted from Warm Worsted Weight Socks 44 stitchesWomen's size 10, short cuff and leg (5.5 inches from cuff to beginning of heel flap) Remaining yarn for another pair with reversed color placement.

Miss Piggy pieced and quilted by Vicky Lechner displayed at Wyoming Star Quilt Guild Show February 2013 The first weekend of February, the Wyoming Star Quilt Guild held their winter show in Riverton. It was fun to see all the quilts (many more than years past) on display. I got so absorbed in the displays that I didn't take too many photos, but posted here are the ones that I did photograph. Birds in Flight  pieced by Nancy Wright Birds in Flight - block detail It was the embroidered birds that caught my eye. Notice that none of the birds are embroidered on solid fabric - a fun twist on a traditional redwork quilt. This block intrigued me. Does anyone know its name? A great sampler quilt and a stunner. I love the border. Evidently I was star-struck because I didn't get the quilter's information.  Study the borders on this quilt and notice the top and bottom (shown on the left and right in the photo) are totally different. Again, I missed catch...