Wyoming Breezes

Every quilter has piles of scraps; however, I tend to have more than most. Fabric for the challenge quilts my sisters and I make after our quilt trips must be purchased on the trip. (It is our own crazy requirement.) I always seem to purchase too much fabric. I rationalize this way: since I am a reluctant quilter, I am afraid that by the time I work on the quilt that the fabric I selected will no longer be available. I can usually make two quilts from the fabric that I purchase. Scrap quilts have always appealed to me, and nearly all of my quilts are scrappy. They reinforce the concept making something from nothing and of "making do." Scraps from Duluth Stars were used to make Scrappy Spools, although, I do admit to "borrowing" some fabric from Marilyn's stash to make this a larger quilt. The quilt measures 74 X 99 inches and was machine-quilted by Candy Carpenter, The Comfort Zone , in Riverton, WY. I found the idea for this quilt here .

Duluth Stars was started in June 2005 and finished in June 2008, which is not bad for a reluctant quilter. My two sisters (Marilyn and Evelyn) love to quilt, but I only dabble in the craft; however, I like to accompany my sisters on trips to quilt shows. In 2005, we took a road trip to Duluth, MN to attend the Stars in the Harbor show. On the way to Duluth, we decided to make a challenge quilt and picked the Wyoming Valley block. We determined that each of our quilts had to use this block as well as a variation of the block. The Wyoming Valley block is the large block on the bottom, and the variation, using brown fabrics is in the top left. All of the quilts I have made are more conventional with rows of blocks all the same size, so I decided to shake things up by using a variety of block sizes and patterns. The blocks were easy to make, but sewing them together to form a quilt was more difficult than I anticipated. Marilyn offered to help me piece the quilt top together, and it w...

Take one ballroom, add over 1,000 people, a fabulous hotel and staff, and some informative sessions, and you have a weekend of fun and education. I was fortunate to be awarded a scholarship to attend the 8th International Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Association Conference. The conferences are held every two years and include not only PH patients but also physicians and representatives from numerous pharmaceutical companies. Scientific sessions (for medical personnel) were held on Thursday. Patient-led sessions on Friday covered numerous topics for the PH patient. On Saturday and Sunday, physicians and nurses hosted sessions for patients and their care-givers. I took copious notes so I can use the information in the newsletter that I prepare for the Wyoming Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group. Posters that explained current research projects were on display and many of the researchers were available to answer questions. Much of the information was beyond my understanding, but the...

Its roof has lost a lot of its original luster, the antlers have been broken off of the stag mounted at its peak, and the characters on the revolving bar have been glued back into place several times. Despite its condition, I consider this barometer one of my most valuable possessions. It may be very old and looks somewhat ratty, but it still predicts the weather without fail. During my childhood, the farmhouse porch was the home for this simple hut-shaped barometer, and everyone in the family knew what my mother meant when she stated, "The old witch is out today, so be careful" or "It is going to be nice today, the kids are out playing." This spring, the casual observer might think the barometer is broken because the witch has been out nearly every day since the first of June. She remains out today: it is cold and windy even though the sun is shining. According to the newspaper, today's predicted temperatures were a high of 49 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of...

Earlier this week, I finished one of the Mineshaft socks mentioned in the June Pillow Talk , so half of my goal has been met. I put the Mineshaft socks on hold when I began knitting the Ships Project Slipper Sox . Now that I have finished three pair of the Slipper Sox, I can focus on the final Mineshaft and should easily have a complete pair by the end of June. Update: June 26, 2008 The socks are finished and off the needles with time to spare.

Perhaps your grandmother did some knitting for the Red Cross. Perhaps, your great-aunt knit for the troops while she worried about the safety of her nephew or even a beau. Now you, too, can help bring a lonely young man or woman some "comfort from home." This is a challenge for all those who read this blog. Will you please consider making at least one pair of these slipper sox for the troops? The pattern, a simple sock with a short cuff, can be found here . If that pattern does not appeal to you, then one of these might. Please note that you can knit, crochet, or sew the slippers. The coordinators have complied a list of approved yarn and fabric colors as well, and you will also find size requirements on the same page if you scroll down. ( Note : the red bows are scrap yarn tying the two slipper sox together; they are not decoration.) Want to see the impact these items have on the troops? Read these letters and look at these photos . This month, the Ships Project is sendi...

Even though summer is officially over a month away, I have always equated June with the beginning of summer. For 33 years, June signified the end of school and two and a half months of freedom from grading essays, planning lessons, and dealing with teenage attitudes. Last weekend, I bought a watermelon because it sounded so good, and I was bitterly disappointed because it had no taste at all. I guess even watermelons know that it is not yet summer. I have several knitting projects planned for June. The Oddball Knitting group has decided to take some time off this summer, so we are not starting any new blankets. The ones rotating now will be the last until August. I still have two blankets scheduled to arrive in June: Pastel Rainbow and Neon Rainbow. I am trying to destash, so I am also working on another Oddball Baby Blanket on my own, using some Caron Dazzleaire in Baby Yellow/Green. I currently have about two inches done. I am trying to bring some organization to my life and to my gu...

On the first day of May I set a goal to use my wool scraps to make hats for the babies at the Rankin Birthing Centre in Canada. This week, in addition to the hats I sent earlier , I mailed five wool hats to BJ and an acrylic hat with matching socks. This is an on-going project, so I pledge to make socks for my next donation.

Red Roses is an Oddball Baby Blanket being knit by different knitters around the country from the same skein of yarn; thus, it is an oddball of an Oddball. Red Roses was started in Pennsylvania then ventured to California. It made its way back over the Rocky Mountains to Wyoming where I added my four inches using a checkerboard stitch. I will mail the blanket to New Mexico on Monday. Update : Red Roses was finished in July 2008

I think that a basket full of yarn is pleasing to the eye: it gives a feeling of comfort and warmth. I have baskets stuffed with yarn everywhere in my house, so why not on my computer? Tonight, I discovered that Knit Picks has some desktop wallpaper, featuring their luscious yarns. Check it out here Vogue Knitting also has knitting-themed wallpaper here Hello Yarn has some gorgeous photos available here So what is stopping you from giving your computer a warm, cozy feeling?

While waiting for the Oddball blankets to arrive in the mail, I started one on my own needles. I named the blanket, Bubble Gum, and used a variety of colors and stitches. I began with the Box Stitch and progressed to a Ladder Rib and Garter Rib. I also used the Woven Stitch , Garter Steps , and Triangle Ribs . Update: June 11, 2008 Jennifer, a member of KnittingHelp.com, added a crochet border to Bubble Gum. Thank you Jennifer, the blanket looks much better with the border.

Without the base, Lander Lil is about 3 foot high. She is located in a green area near the Post Office and is surrounded by benches. Perhaps, the benches are for walkers who want to sit and rest awhile, or perhaps they are for Lil's fans who gather on February 2nd. Lil is a local celebrity because she forecasts the weather although some believe she is an impostor . Several years ago, Lil disappeared and a massive search took place. She was later found at the local dump, having been discarded by the thieves. She was scratched but suffered no permanent damage. Lil is a prairie dog and has the ability to forecast the arrival of spring. She may not be as renown as Phil in Punxsutawney, but Lil makes the news , too. Okay, so it is only one line at the end of the article, but press is press. Right? Unlike Phil who is caged and pampered, Lil is content to stand alone on the hillside in Lander. She gazes intently at the mountains and watches the traffic (Is there really such a thin...

This Oddball Preemie Blanket did not contain much lavender or green when I received it, so I chose a variegated yarn that had small amounts of mint green (to match the initial yarn), pink, lavender, and yellow. I thought using a solid lavender would be too much of a contrast. I hope that future knitters will use some lavender yarn so the blanket lives up to its name. Update: August 2008

Another Oddball Baby blanket arrived in the mail this week - Speed Racer. I am really out of the loop because I had no idea that Speed Racer was a cartoon or that it was a newly released, summer, feature film. It was a grim reminder that I am getting old and that I am hopelessly out of touch. The blanket came on a bamboo, circular needle, which was a new knitting experience for me. I always use metal needles because they are faster, but I was pleasantly surprised at the speed of the bamboo. I also liked their warmth and the soothing clack of the needles as I worked. I may have to purchase some bamboo needles in the future. Update : July 26, 2008 Speed Racer is finished and ready to find a home.

Eagle Bronze foundry is located in Lander, and it produces some wonderful works. I wish that more of their finished products were displayed in the area. The Lander community commissioned a display, called Bronze Roundup, and currently it consists of four pieces: three steers and a cowboy astride a horse. This "roundup" is displayed at the south entry to Lander. All of the bronzes are full-size and are scattered down a hillside. In my opinion, the cowboy appears to be bored or in a contemplative state as the steers ramble down the hillside. I have never seen cowboys at a roundup act as nonchalant as he appears. The steers at a roundup have an agenda of their own that does not match that of the cowboy. Even the horse seems impatient with its rider and is stamping its leg as if to say, "Let's Go." The longhorn steers seem to be headed for greener pastures. The head steer has its head up and is focused on the trail ahead; the ...

Another Oddball Baby Blanket (Rainbow Blocks) arrived in my mailbox this week. The blanket's strips will be knit using Seed Blocks, a pattern designed by the project coordinator. The strips will be red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and purple. Update : July 26, 2008 Rainbow Blocks is finished and ready to find a home

A local community college has numerous pieces of art on campus - some created by professionals and some by students. Sacajawea Harry Jackson Sacajawea is the famed Indian guide that accompanied Lewis and Clark when they explored the West. Sacajawea died on the Wind River Indian Reservation which is also located in my area. Her grave is located near Fort Washakie, but many communities around the United States claim to also be her last resting place. Personally, I believe she returned to her family when the expedition was over and died in the Wind River Range. Note the bundle on her back which is a child on a cradle board. Sacajawea was also featured on the Sacajawea dollar that was first minted in 2000. A Street in Venice John Singer Sargent Several years ago, this painting seemed to have appeared overnight on the west side of the Peck Theater. I first noticed it on a dreary day and was immediately drawn to it. I am still amazed at the impact that it creates every time I se...

Art is plentiful in the communities in my area, but many times I do not notice it. Many times, I wonder how long an item has been hidden in plain sight. On a recent trip to rehab, I took my camera to capture some al fresco art in the surrounding area. The Red Checked Table Cloth by Pierre Bonnard Hudson, WY This mural is on the side of a popular steak house in Hudson. It has always caught my eye, but when I actually stopped to get the photo I saw more interesting details. The mural is not massive, but it is quite large. Running from the Storm by Jerry Antolik I have always loved this mural by a local artist, Jerry Antolik , because its tone changes with the weather. It is appropriately called "Running from the Storm" and is mounted on the side of the Hudson Town Hall and is 8' x 16'. Change the perspective, and the horses seem to change the direction they are running. Smaller wildlife murals, also by Antolik, can be found across the street. En...