Wyoming Breezes

star blocks in various stages July 2022 The last two afternoons, I've been working on the project I adopted from JulieK. When I work on blocks, I usually break things down into sections that I can chain-piece and prep for the next step.  Since Julie had everything cut out, it was easy to sit down at the machine and sew all of the flying geese units and press them. The next time I came back to the machine, I added the corner pieces to some of the flying geese, and sewed the side flying geese units to the center square.  twenty completed star blocks I finished the last star block at 5PM yesterday and placed them on the carpet for a photo right next to the small "rainbow" created by a prism in my living room window. Prisms intrigue me, and I have them hung in several windows to catch the afternoon sun. I've decided to pair these light blue stars with some stars made with a dark blue fabric from my stash. I hope to get the fabric selected and the parts cut out by the week

adopting Julie's orphan project July 2022 Julie ( JulieKQuilts ) offered a few orphan projects to her blog readers, and I opted to adopt a set of blue stars that needed to a be completed. Julie did a lion's share of the work on this project by cutting all the pieces. They were even divided into individual groups.  In addition to the stars, Julie sent a bundle of star-studded fabric.  I'll add some additional blocks (possibly red stars) to Julie's twenty, blue stars (eight inches finished) to make a Quilt of Valor. Thanks, Julie for sharing these orphan star project with me. 

ice scrapers found in my car July 2022 Look what I found when I cleaned out my car before it was detailed! It looks like I expected a major blizzard.  One ice scraper is good and two better, but five is just crazy!   I kept the long handled brush scraper and the two longer handled ones on the side. The smaller ones went in the donation box  I also found multiple Wyoming road maps. It looks like I need to clean out the car more often.  How often do you clean the interior of your vehicle? 

getting the car detailed on a warm summer morning July 2022 My 18 year old car had a much needed Spa Day last week. I splurged and had the exterior and interior detailed. While there are car dealerships and private businesses that offer detailing, I opted for a mobile service - one that came to me. I didn’t have to make special arrangements to get my car to a shop.  mobile detail service  Laramie, WY The young man who owns the business is a veteran and “Baldy’s” is the name of his company. He volunteers a lot in the community, and I’m glad I was able to support his business.  If you are in the Laramie area or know someone who needs a vehicle detailed or any power washing, I recommend Nathan and his company. 

seaming shoulders on BSJ July 2022 Nothing motivates more than a publicly declared goal.  These two projects (Baby Surprise Jackets) we’re neglected in a bin for years, needing only minor effort to bring them to completion.  It took less than 15 minutes to seam the shoulders together on the brown sweater. That finished, I was able to pick up stitches at the neckline for the small collar. Knitting the collar and weaving in the ends was completed in short order. adding collar to BSJ All that remained to be done for both Baby Surprise Jackets was selecting and sewing on buttons.  Baby Surprise Jackets - complete with buttons July 2022 The sweaters are finally finished and off the “To Finish” list. Obviously, I prefer knitting projects like the BSJ rather than completing the “finishing” tasks. 

July 2022 Because I worked on the Noro scarf during the last two FaceTime calls, it inched closer and closer to completion. The last few inches were finished on Sunday evening, and the stitches were bound off Monday morning. Yesterday, I stopped at a neighborhood park and snapped a few photos.  Noro Scarf #2 is finished and ready for the gift bin. I’m happy that the knitting queue is moving.  Baby Surprise Jackets are next in line: a progress report will be released soon. 

July 2022 Five projects are currently in my knitting queue: the Noro scarf, a pair of scrap yarn socks, the Redcliffe City socks, and two Baby Surprise Jackets (BSJ). The scarf should be finished tomorrow, the scrap socks (one finished and the mate at the heel flap), and the first Redcliffe sock is at the heel flap.  While cleaning the sewing room, I found a BSJ that needs shoulder seams and a collar added. The jacket came off the needles in 2020 . I also need to sew buttons on this BSJ as well as a purple one that was finished in 2018 .  I don’t know why I didn’t finish these BSJ years ago!  Currently, I seem to be in a mindset to get clear out lingering/stalled knitting projects, and they are out of bins and in a queue. 

July 2022 A quick glance in the cotton yarn bin revealed some small scrap balls of various colors, and soon after, I cast on some franken-dishcloths. I don’t mind using the cloths made with bits and pieces of various colors, and I welcomed the mindless knitting, Soon, nine dishcloths were finished.  I grabbed two variegated balls of cotton yarn and knit two, hanging kitchen towels, using the Leftover Dishtowel pattern by Stephanie Haberman. (Ravelry link) Gradually, I’m making progress in my goal of reducing my yarn stash.

Donations from Karen M. in IL June 2022 Karen M. is my official Quilt of Valor angel: she has sent me several donations of fabric , orphan blocks , inspiration, and  patterns . Last week, I received another package from her. This package contained a pretty patriotic panel with eight blocks, some yardage, and two patterns.  patterns from Karen M. in IL The Lone Star packet contains the interfacing foundation to create a Lone Star block with ease. The beautiful star that Karen sent to me last year was made much the same way.  Karen, thank you for your continued support to Quilt of Valor: you really are my Quilt of Valor Angel!

fabric donation from Judy J. in Texas June 2022 Recently I received a package from Judy J., a quilter in Texas who is downsizing. She asked if I would accept some of her patriotic fabric to make Quilts of Valor.  When I opened the package, I was humbled by Judy's generosity. The package included yardage large enough to back several Quilts of Valor. Thank you, Judy for donating all this wonderful fabric.  Quilt of Valor  made by Judy J. in Texas June 2022 In addition to the yardage, Judy included a completely finished quilt in the package. All I have to do is add a label that identifies Judy as the maker of this beautiful quilt.  Judy's gift will touch the lives of many veterans. 

Loyal Companion 60 x 70 inches Quilt of Valor #221 The eyes of this black lab are so expressive: I can visualize him longing and waiting for his favorite human to return.  This panel and several others were given to me by Sue and Bert O. to make Quilts of Valor. The panel is huge, so I decided to simply frame it. 

"God Bless The U.S.A." (originally by Lee Greenwood) If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life And I had to start again With just my children and my wife I thank my lucky stars To be living here today 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom And they can't take that away And I'm proud to be an American Where at least I know I'm free And I won't forget the men who died Who gave that right to me And I'd gladly stand up next to you And defend Her still today 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A. From the lakes of Minnesota To the hills of Tennessee Across the plains of Texas From sea to shining sea From Detroit down to Houston And New York to L.A. Where's pride in every American heart And it's time we stand and say That I'm proud to be an American Where at least I know I'm free And I won't forget the men who died Who gave that right to me And I'd gladly stand up next to you An