Wyoming Breezes

Steamboat and rider made from old license plates Albany County Office Building Laramie, WY May 2019 The bucking horse (Steamboat) and rider have been on the Wyoming license plate since 1936. Information and history of the design can be found on the Wyoming Secretary of State website . Information about the rider and the horse can be found here . The Wyoming license plate is one of the most collectible plates because of the iconic image of Steamboat and his rider.

one by one scraps become blocks May 2020 Weekly FaceTime calls have resulted in scrap busting, and the results is adding up. I've been making four-patch blocks, and eventually turning those units into eight-patch blocks, and then finally into sixteen-patch blocks. The sixteen-patch units will be used to make another Quilt of Valor.

close-up of twining May 2020 Last week, I had some quality time with the twining frame and surprised myself with how much I got accomplished. twining on the patio Since twining is messy (strings and lint), I set up camp on the patio. A couple of neighbors dropped by to check out the process and to chat a bit. eight inches completed at the top and at the bottom of the rug frame May 2020 By Saturday afternoon, I had nearly half of the rug completed. I work from both ends for several reasons: it helps control the tension, it is motivating, it is easier to finish the rug away from the end of the frame. I do not attempt to match the top and the bottom. When I start twining, I pull colors and separate the strips into two grocery bags (one for the top and one for the bottom). The bags contain the same colors and quantity of strips per color; however, when I'm twining, I pull the strips out randomly.

Scrap Dance Twist 61 x 73 inches QOV #180 I like this pattern and plan to make a more patriotic version. It was a fun mystery quilt along.

bar stools Laramie, WY consignment shop May 2019

knitting in the sunshine

starting a large twined rug May 2020 I worked on the twined rug a bit last week and have enough rows at both the top and bottom to hold the warp on the frame.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate enough this week so I can work on this project on the patio. Twining is messy because of all the strings and lint that comes off of the fabric. It't just easier to do it outside. Over the years, I've taught several community classes on twining and have made over 30 rugs. Mom, who made rugs for the farm house, taught me how to twine when I was in 4-H. The photo below was used in an earlier post that can be found here . Mom working on a twined rug possible late 50s or early 60s

all blocks completed for Scrap Dance - Twist May 2020 The final clue for Scrap Dance Twist was revealed on Friday. I didn't care for the block design (shown below) that used the HSTs and solid blocks, prepared in earlier clues. original block design Using the same components, I decided to make Friendship Star blocks because I liked the way the stars played with the alternate blocks. One of the nice things about quilting is that you can make a design uniquely yours just by swapping block designs. The blocks need to be sewn into rows and a border will be needed to bring the quilt top up to the required size. I haven't searched in my stash for a border fabric, but I'm sure I will find something that will work.

I do love to knit with self-striping yarn!

women's size 10 I'm not one to purchase bright-colored yarn, so I think this skein was given to me. I do love how cheerful these socks are, and I know I'll enjoy wearing them. The socks were knit with Opal sock yarn, and the color way is Sweetie Rainforest.

small rug frame with UFO rug May 2020 Friday I worked in the garage labeling the plastic totes on the shelves. I've been meaning to do it for over a year but kept procrastinating. I discovered the small rug frame in one of the bins, and decided to finish the long neglected UFO. finished placemat and/or rug May 2020 Finishing the mat did not take very long - probably two or three hours. It's the perfect size for leaving my shoes when I come in from outside. I rarely wear shoes in the house. The larger rug frame was also unearthed in the garage. I grabbed a ball of prepared denim and loaded the warp on the frame. I haven't twined for nearly five years and look forward to sitting outside on the patio to twine. Previous twining posts can be found here .

antelope on the prairie wearing a mask May 2020 The new mural in town reflects the COVID-19 pandemic with wildlife wearing masks to maintain social distancing.  The Boomerang, the local newspaper, reported that this mural was painted on a Free Wall meaning it was not commissioned and can be changed or added to at any time. Over the course of a week, more animals were added. jackrabbit wearing a facial mask May 2020 By the time, I went out to photograph the mural, it contained four animals, each wearing a mask. masked bee or a monster hornet May 2020 Did you notice the small animal at the bottom? May 2020 (click image to enlarge) I don't know if more animals will be added to this mural or if the wall will be covered with something entirely different the next time I see it.

April 29, 2020 Laramie, WY

three pair of hand-knit socks May 2020 I was thrilled to finish three pair of socks in the last week and a half.  size 10 socks This pair was started in early April   not much was needed to finish them size 10 socks I was disappointed with the pooling on this pair.  In the end, they were almost exact opposites - Yin and Yang. Heart and Sole Yarn - Jelly Bean color way size 10 socks Knit with Lion Brand - Magic Stripes (Sea Blue) Not enough yardage for socks to be all the same color, so contrasting heels and toes were added with scrap yarn.  Magic Stripes yarn has been discontinued

one block of Scrap Dance Twist May 2020 Clue six for the  Scrap Dance Twist  QAL was released on Friday, and I worked on the clue during a Face Time call on Sunday afternoon. The clue resulted in ten completed blocks. ten completed blocks