Wyoming Breezes

two Blackbird Village panels by Kathy Schmitz - Moda Fabrics These two panels with coordinating fabrics were purchased at a quilt show in Lander, WY about three/four years ago. I placed this project on my UFO Challenge list, and April was the assigned month for working on this project. I initially thought the birds were crows, but they are blackbirds, and the Moda fabric line is called Blackbird Village. My thought was originally to cut the panel blocks apart, and after doing a lot of searching for ideas, I decided to come up with my own plan. rough sketch of my "plan" for the panel The panel blocks would be framed to finish at 12 inches, so I searched for some fun 12 inch block patterns to sew from the coordinating fabrics. some quarter triangle blocks ready to sew together - the black and tan fabrics were not included in the fabric bundle I purchased with the panels quilt in progress Little by little the 12 inch blocks were made and placed on the des...

Spring Thaw socks women's size 10 April 2018 It appears that Spring has finally arrived in the Rocky Mountains. Snow is still possible in the forecast, but the temperatures are nearing the 70s and new growth is appearing. It seems appropriate that pair #5 for the 2018 Box of Socks knit with Cherry Tree Hill - Spring Thaw is off the needles just as spring arrives. Pattern : Plain Jane with a ribbed cuff Stitches : 64 stitches for cuff, 60 stitches after the gusset Needles : US size 2 Yarn :  Cherry Tree Hill - superwash 100% merino wool            (Spring Thaw) Some of my favorite sights/smells of Spring are:     •  birds singing in the tree tops     •  fruit trees covered with delicate blooms     •  tulip and lilac blooms     •  the scent of rain in the air What are some of your Spring favorites?

Mom heads to the vehicle with someone's overshoes date unknown - probably mid-1940s My parents purchased a farm in the Pavillion area in the late 1930s. They developed the farm, and all of the buildings were constructed by my Dad. original farmhouse approximately 1940 The house started as a simple shack and additions were added as needed. The exterior of the house was tar paper until the mid-1960s when pink aluminum siding was installed (see post below). A cement walk and patio was added in the early 1960s. A white pipe clothesline pole is just visible over Mom's right shoulder, and two more poles were further to the right. The clothesline was large enough to hang all the family laundry. In the late 1960s a garage was built to the right of where Mom is located in this photo. Note the Wind River mountains can barely be seen on the horizon. The trees in back of the house grew considerably over the years and blocked some of the view. Behind the row of trees was a...

Star Gazer - sample block April 2018 I usually make a sample quilt block before starting a project, so before cutting fabric for the Star Gazer QOV, I worked with some scraps to purposely create an "orphan block" with another project in mind. The blocks for Star Gazer were large (16" finished) and by adding a border, I'd have a quick doll quilt for the A Doll Like Me project. borders added to the Star Gazer block April 2018 One of the UFO goals for the April UFO Challenge was to use the orphan blocks that have been marinating since 2010. They were transferred into a doll quilt, too. Sand Boxes orphan blocks transformed into a doll quilt April 2018 Sand Boxes (2010) was the first Quilt of Valor that I made, and these four orphan blocks have been shuffled from pile to pile and box to box for over eight years. I'm glad they have found a purpose. Some orphan blocks that Teresa C. sent in November wouldn't quite work for Quilts of Valor, ...

Ladies Lunch (1994) Ken Carlson oil on masonite on display National Wildlife Art Museum Jackson, WY a gift from Mr. & Mr.s John Geraghty I couldn't help but smile at this photo I took of a painting on display in the National Wildlife Art Museum near Jackson, WY in 2012.  This time of year as the tender shoots of new growth appear along the river banks, it's possible to see various wildlife grazing.  The placard by the painting stated, "The title of this piece encourages an anthropomorphic reading, a group of ladies having lunch, but the picture itself resembles a natural scene, a group of cow moose chomping Alaskan vegetation, separated from the males. Though paintings of male animals vastly outnumber paintings of females, contemporary wildlife artists have begun to close the gap by depicting scenes like this." The photo was taken when I joined Nancy, Trish, and Jane in 2012 on a road trip to Jackson. Older posts of that trip can be seen ...

clue #3   Square Dance QAL April 2018 Clue #3 for the Square Dance QAL didn't involve any sewing, as half of the units from clue #2 were subcut using a marked template. I can only guess how this set of pieces and the remaining units from clues 2 and 1 will come together to form blocks.

(click image to enlarge) Did you know that tomorrow is Local Yarn Shop (LYS) day? Several brick and mortar yarn shops will be celebrating with classes, demonstrations, special sales, and door prizes. A list of participating stores can be found here What do you like about your local yarn shop?

align the shoulder seams on the ruler I recently purchased a couple of simple sundresses for summer. I love the dresses, but I did not like the depth of the neckline opening and decided to add a "modesty panel." I went to the local thrift shop on Thursday and found a camisole that was close to the color that I needed for two dresses and at $1 it was the right price. I carefully removed the straps by removing the stitches securing them to the back edge. front of camisole I didn't want to use the gathered front edge of the camisole, so I used the back instead. The back was in better condition than the front, and it was a straight edge. I could also use the entire back, creating panels for both of my dresses. The dresses are different fabrics, but they share similar color schemes. determining the depth of the modesty panel From the measurements, I determined the panel needed to be 3 inches deep, and I marked the edge with pins. Next, I cut the panel and made...

Judy's Gift 60 x 69 inches Quilt of Valor #141 Judy's Gift was made the layer cake squares remaining from the stack I received from Judy M. in February . To make the quilt large enough, I supplemented some 10 inch squares from my Quilt of Valor scraps. The border fabric was part of Judy's generous fabric donation. Pattern: Easy as Pie Layer Cake Quilt - free pattern on Moda Bake Shop

woman's size 10 sock April 2018 I've finished two socks so far this month, but they are not even close to being a pair. The first sock of the "non-pair" is being knit with Cherry Tree Hill self-striping yarn, called Sweet Summer. I didn't notice until I cast on the second sock that the striping changed on the first sock - the sequence is backwards near the toe. As I knit, I felt the join but didn't pay attention to the sequence. Even though the socks won't match, I rewound the yarn for the second stock to make sure the striping sequence is the same. woman's size 10 April 2018 The second sock is also being knit with a Cherry Tree Hill yarn. This color way is Spring Thaw and has a mix of orange, green, gray, and a tiny bit of black. Both of these skeins do not contain any nylon, so they probably will not wear/wash as well as the other socks I've knit this year. I'm ahead of my goal for knitting a pair of socks a month. When finished,...

Star Gazer 60 x 72 inches Quilt of Valor #140 Star Gazer was made entirely from the fabric that was donated by Judy M. (Lynchburg, VA) in February. Pattern : Stargazer - free pattern on Moda Bake Shop  (I adjusted the pattern to include only 12 blocks) Judy, thank you for making this Quilt of Valor possible.

cast of the Bermuda Triangle play Wheatland High School Wheatland, WY approx. 1977 or 1978 Friday the 13th - a day based on superstition - seems to be an appropriate day to share memories about a play I directed in Wheatland, WY. I can't remember the exact title of the play, but it was a mystery on board a cruise ship as it travelled through the Bermuda Triangle . (Remember when that area was in the news all the time?) This was the first play I directed in the new theatre, and I remember selecting this script because it could be staged without a proscenium curtain, which wouldn't be installed for several months. The lacy screen in the set is actually the plastic rings that holds a six-pack of soda together. The rings were stapled together and spray-painted black. Looking at this cast photo, I can remember many of the students' names and wonder where their lives have taken them and if they remember performing on the Wheatland High School stage. stage setting on...

"spring" barn quilt April 2018 Even though it feels like Spring is taking its sweet time arriving, it's pretty typical for it to arrive in late April or early May in this area. The only new growth appearing in my yard are tulips breaking the ground and slowly growing. It will be a few weeks before they bloom. The trees are starting to show buds and the grass in somewhat green under its brown winter layer. In the spirit of the season, I hung the "Spring" house/barn quilt that Brenda helped me painted last summer.  I love these signs and the bit of color they add to the entry.  Thanks, Brenda!

Nancy & Brenda playing Battleship Denver, CO approx. 1977 Judy (Stitch Along with Me) posted a photo last week of her grandchildren playing Battleship , and the photo triggered some good memories of playing the same game with my niece and nephew over 40 years ago. I found a photo in my computer files - Brenda and me playing Battleship. From the photo you can see that Brenda was a worthy opponent, as it appears she had found two of my ships and I'd found two/three of hers. Based on Judy's photo, it looks like technology has changed the game a bit, but the concept is still the same. Some games I've enjoyed playing over the years include:     Battleship     Aggravation     Sequence     Kismet     Farkle     Mill     Canasta     Dominos, especially Mexican Train What are some of your favorite games?