Wyoming Breezes

United We Stand 57 x 72 inches Quilt of Valor Another quilt made with a panel and some "cheater" fabric for the outer border. United We Stand is the first QOV for 2017 and quilt #108 . Update: SSGT R. Allen Lewiston, ID   United We Stand  was awarded on April 3, 2017 in Lewiston, ID to a former Marine Ryan Allen. The award was made at the ID Fish and Game Department in Lewiston. SSGT Allen served in the Marines for 9 years. His service included a deployment to Iraq in 2009. SSGT Allen was born in S Idaho and moved to N Idaho when he was discharged from the military.

Walking trail near Lake Towada, Japan Autumn 1979

Pronghorn (antelope) mural Lander Pubic Library December 2016 The murals on the library ceiling depict scenes from the local area. A very common wild animal on the Wyoming prairie is the antelope. In an earlier post, I shared warning signs spotted on Wyoming roads .

my sewing room January 2017 My sewing space, a 9 x 12 foot room, was once a guest bedroom, but it was rarely used. Once the trundle bed was removed, I gradually found a layout that worked in the small room, and I began sewing even more. On the north wall is the pressing station that is actually two portable bookshelves and a large pressing board on the top. ( photo in this earlier post )  I was working on a Quilt of Valor backing when the photo above was taken. To the right of the pressing board is my cutting station, a folding table on bed-risers to bring it to a comfortable height for me. I store finished quilts and yarn under the table: rulers and essentials are the table's far right as well as a wall full of reminders and notes. south wall The south wall has a portable shelving unit (four shelves) where I store my fabric stash. The old cotton shower curtain keeps direct sunlight off of the fabric. My machine cabinet was a yard sale purchase: the machine bed has a ...

blocking the Noro Hitchhiker December 2016 The Noro Hitchhiker came off the needles in late November, but sadly it was not blocked until December 30 when I pulled out the blocking mats for Picot Dot #2. While the Hitchhiker pattern doesn't really require blocking, I like making the "teeth" more uniform, and blocking does that. I don't measure the teeth, but rather use the yard stick to make sure the angled edge is straight. Blocking also adds a bit of length to the shawl/scarf. blocked and ready for gifting Do you regularly block your knitting?

Picot Dot wrap #2 December 2016 The last week of 2016 was spent in feverish knitting to complete this shawl. I usually challenge myself to finish an on-going project before the end of the year. You may remember that I purchased a Picot Dot Wrap kit in Denver. What I didn't know at the time was that the kit included enough yarn to make two shawls. I was skeptical, but weighed the yarn before starting and realized it might be possible. In the end, I had to supplement the black with a bit of black sock yarn, and the bind-off edge needed the scraps from the Project Peace Cowl . attached i-cord edging Knowing I would be short of yarn, I reduced the final border section and bound off with an attached i-cord. The last band of black was knit with the scrap black sock yarn and part of the i-cord was done with the Project Peace Cowl scraps. picot edge on the original shawl The two shawls are similar yet very different.  . . Picot Dot Wraps #1 and #2 The kit direction...

Misawa in Winter Misawa AFB Misawa, Japan 1981

non-slip sewing machine foot pedal pad December 2016 Anyone who sews regularly knows the frustration of having the foot pedal creeping further and further away. I found a quick and easy solution - a non-slip Foot Pedal Pad. The non-slip fabric is actually shelf liner from the Dollar Store - a clever and inexpensive material for this project. I made two of these: one for the sewing group gift exchange and one for myself.

Circle K Extension Club late 1950s or early 1960s Mom was a member of the Circle K Extension Club for many years. The group met monthly in the members' homes: the photo was taken at our house (my mom is seated with her arms crossed). The group had a program booklet that had a reusable cover - purple with a large, gold circle with a large "K" in the middle that intersected with the circle. The pages (one for each month) were secured with a leather lace, tied with a knot. The program booklet listed the monthly hostesses, the monthly program and presenters; additional pages listed the officers and contact information (phone numbers) for the members. It was a social group, but they also had various lessons and programs at their meetings, and once a year, they prepared a display booth for the County Extension Day. The booths were judged, and the groups were awarded certificates accordingly. The event was usually held in a school gymnasium, and in addition to the booth ...

I don't like to make resolutions, but I do like to think about general goals (dreams) for the new year. I tweaked a form I found online and added my "wishes" and "dreams" for 2017 in the designated stars. I'll check my progress in May or June. The blank form is provided below if you want to join me - nothing too technical - let's just have fun. Print the form, write your ideas, take a photo and share on your blog. If you have the capability to edit on your computer, then go for it! Dee, mentioned on her blog that PicMonkey is a good resource for adding your goals to the template - might be worth trying. (click to enlarge to print)

Rockets' Red Glare 57 x 74 Quilt of Valor I have two more patriotic panels and hope to make them into quilts within the next two weeks. Rockets' Red Glare is QOV #107

Peace on Earth Good Will to Men "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men And I thought how, as the day had come The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men Till ringing, singing on its way The world revolved from night to day A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men In despair I bowed my head "There is no peace on earth," I said "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men" I heard the bells on Christmas day Then pealed the bells more loud and deep "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men" ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~  1863                     ...

In two earlier posts, I've shared whimsical and traditional nativity displays from the Nativity Walk held at the Riverton LDS church. Many of the nativities on display were from other countries or cultures, no doubt obtained while on missions, and it's appropriate to share them in this Foreign Friday post. Christianity covers the globe and so does God's love for His people.  Merry Christmas

Last week, I shared some whimsical nativities that were on display at the Nativity Walk in my community. Today, I'm sharing some more traditional scenes. I loved seeing many depictions of this familiar and blessed family all in one place and knowing that during the three-day event the Lord opened hearts and planted the seed of faith.