Wyoming Breezes

I’m running and sneezing a lot these days! 

barn swallow nests September 2021 My Mom called Barn Swallows, Mud Daubers, because of their unique nest construction. I spotted a whole community of nests on the historic stone building near the Blue Grass Irrigation Tunnel .

rail fence blocks September 2021 I’m focused on finishing kits I started at retreat. The rail fence blocks were finished at Dwight’s house, and during last week’s FaceTime call I sewed the individual blocks into four-patches. During this Sunday’s call, I sewed the blocks into rows and rows into a partial flimsy. I have a row of stars and a simple strip of color to add before this kit can be declared a completed QOV. 

small indication of Fall September 2021 Subtle signs of Fall are visible all over town. Trees are gradually starting to show color, but trees in the mountains are passed peak color. Temperatures have been glorious - cool nights and mid to high 70s during the day. Of course, those trends can disappear quickly. I certainly hope Fall will last much longer than it did last year.  I rarely decorate for the seasons other than the wreath on my front door, the outdoor “barn quilt,” and a decorative house flag. Do you decorate your home’s entry way for the seasons? 

Glory & Honor 66 x 78 inches Quilt of Valor #211 Glory & Honor  was the second Quilt of Valor that I worked on at last week's retreat. I added the border once I got home because the floor (design area) was not large enough for the quilt. It's probably a good thing because I didn't have enough of the fabric I originally chose for the outer border. Pattern: Stars of Valor by Sandi Irish

stonework chimney circa mid-1880s September 2021 Last weekend, my nephew took us on a tour of the ranch.  The first stop was at a newly finished irrigation diversion, and across the reservoir was a small rock building built as a kitchen to feed the Chinese workers (over 1,000) who dug the Blue Grass irrigation tunnel (flume) through solid rock  in 1883. The flume is still used today and is over 2,380 feet long.  The little building above was built from the rubble removed from the tunnel shaft. Other buildings were built along the small railroad line used to haul the rubble.  water entering the rock tunnel the small rock cottage can be seen on the left - just the roof and chimney are visible September 2021 irrigation water leaving the tunnel and heading down stream Because this water is for irrigation only, the water is turned off in the Fall and on in the Spring. Dwight told us when the tunnel is opened in the Spring, it takes over twelve hours for the water to appea...

Stars & Stripes 60 x 72 inches Quilt of Valor #210 Stars & Stripes was finished during last week's quilting retreat. I prepared four QOV kits for the retreat, and this was the first one that I completed. The panel was given to me by Sue and Bert O.  The pattern Pillars of Strength was designed by Elaine Theriault for Northcott. Click on the link for a free pdf of the pattern.

rugged mountains surrounded the house and outbuildings  September 2021 I spent last week at my nephew’s house with my sister and brother-in-law. Marilyn and I packed sewing machines, fabric and all the essentials for a quilting retreat, and her husband was our cook. My nephew is a ranch manager, and he graciously let us invade and set up shop in his home.  The ranch is somewhat isolated, and the landscape is rugged: the mountains are practically solid rock. Dwight’s horse and border collie are essential in helping him gather and monitor cattle scattered hither and yon on the ranch.  The ranch also has a small flock of hair sheep that do not require shearing, as they shed their wooly covering. I was not aware such breeds existed and discovered they are raised for meat and for their hides.  I snapped a photo through the window as the sheep munched on the grass and weeds behind the house. You can see some still have remnants of their “wool” attached to their backs...

tap shoes - circa 1974 September 2021 Sometimes it's difficult to let go of the past. For me, it was a pair of scuffed tap shoes.  When I was teaching in Wheatland in the 1970s, I enrolled in a beginning tap class for fun. The class had about ten students - all adults. None of us had ever tapped, and we had a great time learning the various steps. It was difficult to find a place to hold the class because the custodians were not too keen on having their waxed floors scratched by tap shoes. We never performed for an audience, but each week we danced during the hour long class.  I never mastered the art of tap, but I now appreciate those who have. I still remember a few of the steps, but I'm not as light on my feet as I once was, and my knees would not be happy with me if I even tried to tap.  Recently I went through my closet to clear out items simply taking up space, and I unearthed the bag containing the scuffed, patent leather tap shoes from my "youth." It was time ...

May 2020 ~ September 2021 It took nearly over two hours to twine the last two inches of the rug because of the cramped quarters. (Normally, I can twine four/five inches in a hour) As the working space got smaller and smaller progress slowed to a crawl. I work until I can’t get my fingers around the warp fabric and then I use two Aunt Philly’s needles - one for each weft fabric. I work until the warp is covered and then I add one more row for good measure.  The rug is finished and off of the frame - 16 months after it was started . 

corner of Bath and Nighthawk Laramie, WY September 2021 My neighbor Bunny gave me a tip about this pickup. She thought it would be something I would like to put on the blog, and it was. The first time I drove by the pickup, I did not get the full impact of this unusual yard decoration.  It wasn't until Bunny asked what I thought of the fountain -- uh, the fountain? I went back and looked closer . . . unique fountain September 2021 Isn't it a great fountain?!

unique mailbox Laramie, WY September 2021 Have you seen any unique mailboxes in your community?

Land of the Free 57 x 75 inches Quilt of Valor #209 Land of the Free used a panel donated by Sue and Bert O. The quilt pattern is Bevels by Mountainpeek Creations. I added the outer beige frame to increase the quilt width enough to meet QOV size requirements. 

twining on the patio during a Sunday FaceTime call September 2021 Sunday, I worked on the rug I started a couple of years ago. I’ve moved the frame in and out of the closet for months to get fabric from the stash. Since I didn’t have a quilt project started, I decided to twine during the weekly FaceTime call with my sister and niece.  The weather has been gorgeous this week and the slight breeze has cleared the air of smoke. It was quite pleasant to be outside. I managed to add three inches of weft to the rug, and about 2.5 inches need to be added before the rug can be removed from the frame.  I prefer to twine outside because it can be messy with lint and strings coming off of the weft fabric strips. 

America the Beautiful  58 x 75 inches Quilt of Valor #208 America the Beautiful was made with the Sidelights pattern (Mountainpeek Creations) and a few adaptations to accommodate the orphan hourglass blocks. The panel was donated by Sue and Bert O. 

squishy surprise package August 2021 Imagine my surprise when I found an unexpected package in my mailbox that was practically bursting at the seams. I was even more surprised when I carefully opened the package a treasure trove of luscious yarn from Kathryn E. in Lander Look at all this wonderful yarn! Kathryn is downsizing and sent me a beautiful array of fiber goodies - some scraps and some full skeins. If this doesn’t jump start my knitting mojo, I don’t know what will.  Thank you, Kathryn! 

interactive art by Thomas Dambo Rendezvous Park Wilson, Wyoming 2021 I have not see this amazing work of art and “borrowed” the photos from social media. The sculpture was made from recycled pallets, and driftwood.  The artist is from Copenhagen and has created wooden trolls around the world. This sculpture is his 80th troll creation and is named, Mama Mimi. Her face and feet were constructed in Dambo's Denmark studio and her hair is made entirely of driftwood roots Dambo and his crew found washed up on the banks of the Snake River. Instantly charmed by the gnarled wood, Dambo said it gives Mimi a bit of an ’80s vibe.   ~ jhnewsguide.com artist, Thomas Dambo and Mama Mimi The sculpture serves as a bridge to a small island and will captive visitors to the park for several years.  A trip to northwestern Wyoming should definitely include a stop at Rendezvous Park to see Mama Mimi in person. Sara sent me a link to the other Trolls that Thomas Dambo has created around th...