Wyoming Breezes

Sea, Surf, and Sand started April 2012 Sea, Surf, and Sand is another Western Region Oddball Baby Blanket. Knit on size 8 needles. I used the Single Chevron stitch for my section. Update: August 18, 2012

Plattsmouth, NE May 2012 I love old buildings, and it was fun to see so many of them in Plattsmouth, NE. This old garage was definitely cute, but check out the sign. . . Humor is an excellent marketing tool! It sure caught my eye.

Emerald Isle started April 2012 Emerald Isle , a Western Region Oddball Baby Blanket is being knit on size 7 needles. The green that I originally picked clashed too much with the teal section, so I used a Simply Soft (Soft Sage) instead. My section was knit with Checks and Ridges stitch. Update: July 19, 2012

found on the Country Sampler blog Marilyn and I visited a LOT of quilt shops (over 20 at last count) on our trip, and I purchased fabric in nearly every one of them.  I got backing fabric at the Crafty Corner Quilt and Sewing Shoppe in Worthington, MN - over 40 yards alone in that one shop. All of the fabric (some Kansas Troubles and Thimbleberries) was from the Clearance Room, and I paid an unheard of $3.50 a yard. It's hard to pass a deal like that!

Hello everyone, I am honored to be a guest blogger on Nancy's Foreign Friday blog! My husband Doug and I recently visited Japan, the land of my ancestors. Many of Nancy's photos that we have all enjoyed are still typical of Japanese culture and scenery. Of course, things have changed since 1980 when she was there, but one of the traditions that has not changed is the beauty of the kimono. Most people wear "modern" clothing; however, various kinds of kimono are still worn by men and women to formal occasions, such as weddings, graduation, New Year’s Eve, tea ceremonies, and visiting. Usually when a girl wears a kimono, her mother or grandmother help her dress and learn the proper procedure. However, this tradition is not as strong as before, so some women attend kimono-dressing classes instead of learning from a family member. Doug and I began our trip to Japan with a visit to a former student of Central Wyoming College. Her name is Tamami. Since she did no...

I was surprised to see roses in full bloom last week. Everywhere we went in the Denver area, the summer flowers were displaying their finest blooms.

Oddball Oddball started February 2012 This Western Region Oddball Baby Blanket lives up to its name ( Oddball Oddball ), and I like it. Each knitter has added two stripes of color, totaling four inches. The blanket is knit entirely in garter stitch. Knit on size 8 needles - 120 stitches wide. Update : July 2, 2012

Wind Generators Shirley Basin Wyoming Highway 487 May 2012 I was not expecting to see these giant wind generators when I topped the hill on the Shirley Basin Road because the last time I travelled this road, they were not there. The structures were so large and so close to the road that they created an eerie scene, and honestly, it made me sad to see them looming over the landscape. Click on the photo to get a better idea of their size and gain some perspective. Note the dark vehicle in the left-hand lane of the highway and the white vehicle in the field near the center of the photo. The wind generators are enormous. Even though Wyoming's strong winds can generate a lot of power, every year more of these huge columns line the ridges and stretch across valleys, and they can be seen for miles. While the generators might be necessary, in my opinion, they are unsightly and destroy Wyoming's natural beauty. Yes, we may be gaining "green energy," but we are losi...

Last Wednesday, I stopped at Loopy Ewe , an awesome yarn shop that recently relocated from St. Louis, MO to Fort Collins, CO. I've ordered items online from Loopy Ewe for several years, but it was a treat to see the inventory in person. I could have easily spent the full morning wandering up and down the aisles admiring and squeezing the yarn. An entire wall is dedicated to Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 Superwash  in a beautiful array of luscious colors.  This cozy corner housed only sock yarn; however, more sock yarn was located in the store's center aisles. Loopy Ewe does not have a lot of finished garment displays  and resembles a warehouse. The staff is friendly and helpful: they allow the shopper to browse,  but are quick to assist if necessary. The shop has an open knit night, so if you are in the Fort Collins area, check it out.  These bags were filled with 24 mini skeins Lorna's Laces sock yarn. I was t...

Nagasaki, Japan April 1980 I love the splashes of color in this photo.

Nancy S., Lori H., and Henrietta Gavins Point Dam Yankton, SD May 2012 Lori ( Dakota Quilter ) and I have been online friends for a couple of years, and recently, Marilyn and I had the opportunity to meet and visit with Lori and her long-time friend Henrietta. Although I didn't know it at the time, Julia who I met by chance in Lincoln, NE is also a friend of Lori's. Oh yes, it is a small world. Lori volunteers at the  Gavins Point Dam , and we were privileged to have a private tour with Lori as our guide. Some of the original tools were on display. Lori said it is a tradition to have a yellow bicycle in a dam. Lori explains the generators to Marilyn and Henrietta.  Original control panels for the generators. Lori also recommended some quilt shops in Sioux City, IA and Mankato, MN. The shops were wonderful. Thanks, Lori.