Wyoming Breezes

Open-air restaurant stall China Town Singapore December 1979 The streets of China Town had numerous restaurants where the food was prepared at a small kitchen on the sidewalk. These restaurants usually had small tables to sit and enjoy the food.

Fabric "painting" of Yellowstone Falls  The Never Sweat Needlers frequently display a quilts or wall hangings from a guild challenge. One of the guild classes was creating pictures with fabric. The finished projects were amazing. I'm sharing some of my favorites. Fabric "painting" of Yellowstone Falls  Note how the fabric selection changes the tone of the wall hanging.  The Dubois quilters are creative and talented. I look forward to their show every year. It was hard for me to select just one favorite from these five "paintings." Can you?

An unusual round handkerchief approximately 10 inches in diameter   Frequent readers know that I love searching for vintage linens in antique stores and thrift shops, and two weeks ago, I hit the mother-lode and at a bargain price. Out of curiosity, I stopped at a local thrift shop to browse, and found three plastic bags stuffed with ladies handkerchiefs. Each bag was priced at $2. It didn't take me long to decide to purchase the bags. When I got home, I sorted the handkerchiefs for laundering and checked them for condition. Some still had paper labels attached: "Oriental lace," "made in Switzerland," "made in Ireland." I threw the ripped and the very thin handkerchiefs away and washed the rest. A multitude of screen-printed hankies. Because of the designs and color, I think some were manufactured in the 40s or 50s. While I ironed these lovely pieces of cotton, linen, and lace, I admired either their simplicity or their beauty. I have ...

In August, the Museum of the American West exhibited photographs of Native Americans who worked with matinee idol Tim McCoy in the early Hollywood Westerns. According to the  press release , Colonel Tim McCoy (1891 - 1978), a western film star, circus performer, and producer of the last Wild West Show, recruited many families from the Arapaho and Shoshone tribes in this area to work as movie extras. As a young cowboy, McCoy was befriended by Goes in Lodge, and through his relationship with that Arapaho family, McCoy learned Indian sign language. McCoy was inspired by all things Western, but it was his friendship and his ability to communicate with the Native Americans that got them both to Hollywood in 1922 to work on "The Covered Wagon," and many other films. Tim McCoy was MGM's cowboy star from 1926 thru 1929, which was the end of the silent film era. McCoy starred in 16 movies, most of which included Native Americans in a somewhat historical setting. The l...

Nancy at the Sheridan Creek Trailhead near Dubois, WY September 2012 When my friend, Nancy invited me to go four-wheeling with her on Saturday, I was a little apprehensive. I'd never driven a four-wheeler before and didn't know if I would be able to navigate the trails. She assured me that after a few lessons, I would be fine. Friday afternoon, I arrived at Nancy's house for my private lesson in handling a four-wheeler on a dirt road, down embankments, and up hills. I did pretty well with only one near mishap. After riding for about an hour, Nancy felt I was ready for our adventure on Saturday. I would be driving one of her machines (the red one in the photo above) and she would drive her yellow machine. Nancy also invited two other friends, Cheryl and her husband Glenn, to join us on our trail ride. Saturday morning, we headed to the mountains and Shoshone National Forest west of Dubois, and after consulting the trail map, Nancy and Glenn decided that with my l...

Store in China Town Singapore December 1979 This was a "Mom and Pop" store, packed with anything and everything you might desire. I found Singapore to be a wonderful place to visit and to tour. The people were very friendly and helpful.

Crazy Quilt ca. 1879 - 1890 made by Agnes Bell Cunningham (1843 - 1924) Sue and I visited the Pioneer Museum in Lander recently. The first display inside the museum featured a Crazy Quilt created by Agnes Bell Cunningham. I have never seen such an extensively embellished Crazy Quilt.  Agnes even added embroidery to the edge. The information card inside the case stated that Agnes immigrated from Glasgow, Scotland and eventually settled in Wyoming. She crossed the Great Plains three times in 1879, which could not have been an easy journey. The quilt was large enough for a double bed, but due to poor lighting and a glare on the display case's glass, it was impossible to get a photo of the entire quilt. Agnes Bell Cunningham was certainly skilled with a needle. 

Half Log Cabin blocks Square Dance , except for the outer border, is made from backing scraps of other Quilts of Valor. This quilt is #19 in the 12 in 2012 Quilt of Valor Challenge .  The block is a large (9.5 inch) Half Log Cabin block, made with 3 inch strips. The quilt reminds me of red or blue bandanas; thus, the quilt was named, Square Dance . Kathy of Kathy's Fancy Stitching volunteered to machine quilt it for me. Thanks, Kathy! Square Dance Quilt of Valor 55 x 67 inches Update October 24, 2012:  this quilt was shown on  Alycia's blog  today

Vari-unique started June 2012 This Western Region Oddball Baby Blanket is being knit with variegated yarns. My photograph doesn't begin to capture just how cute it is. The blanket will have one more section added before it is adorned with a border. My section was knit using the Checks and Ridges stitch and an unknown yarn from my stash. Update : December 31, 2012