Wyoming Breezes

. . . four quilt kits in baskets. In an effort to bring the scrap bins under control. I’ve been preparing kits for Quilts of Valor. Now, when the urge to sew hits me, I can sit down and get busy. The larger pieces are scraps from backings of previous QOV. 

Stepping Stones 63 x 80 inches Quilt of Valor #243 Stepping Stones  put a dent in my 2.5 inch scrap bin, scraps from many previous Quilts of Valor. This quilt was finished in May and sent to a volunteer longarmer in Texas to be quilted. I received it back from the longarmer last week, and it will soon be on its way to a QOV leader for distribution.  I used Melissa Corry's free pattern, Stepping Stones , that is on her website Happy Quilting . 

Today may be the first day of Summer, but some of the denizens of Laramie (like this tree at a local business) aren’t quite sure. It’s been downright chilly here the last two days (highs reaching the low 60s and low 40s in the morning). Strong southeast winds seem to be blowing off of an iceberg. I’m back to wearing wool socks, long sleeves, and a jacket.  Supposedly, temperatures will be in the mid-70s today and 80s over the weekend, but I’m not going to bet on it. Like the tree, I’m going to hedge my bets and be prepared for anything! 

Sherry's Gift 60 x 70 inches Quilt of Valor #242 The blocks for this Quilt of Valor were made by Sherry G from NY state. I worked on this quilt sporadically from January to March. It's the second QOV I made using Sherry's blocks: the first one was Step Up .  Unfortunately, Step Up  was lost by the USPS on its way back from the longarmer. Criss Cross Stars was also lost in that shipment. 

I've been absent from this space for nearly six months, so I'll give a brief rundown on what's been happening. Despite back pain, I've tried to stay socially active by going to the senior center to play games and cards for an hour or two most days. I've tried to keep up with your blogs and comment when I could. Thank you to all who sent emails to check on me. I appreciate your friendship.  January - Severe lower back pain made doing anything of substance difficult as the month plodded along. A lumbar ablation was scheduled for February 7, 2024, and I could do nothing more than pop Tylenol and gut it out.  February - As the ablation date grew near, a small window opened up in the weather and road conditions. I drove to Fort Collins, and Brenda drove up from Denver to be my designated driver after the procedure. Six puncture holes in my back were the only evidence that anything had been done while I was unconscious. Ice, rest, and patience were necessary for the nex...

Toolbox Cowl December 2023 It seems that in my absence I’ve reconnected with my knitting mojo. Several months ago, I found and purchased two bags of wool yarn at the thrift shop. One was $3; the other, $4, a reasonable price for mystery yarn.  Since the colors coordinated fairly well, I cast on a Tool Box Cowl (pattern by adventure DuJour Designs). It’s an easy knit that uses the Diamond Tweed Stitch to blend the colors. close up of Diamond Tweed Stitch I’m still dealing with back pain and a frustrating obstacle involving my pacemaker. I’m seeing a new doctor next week and pray that he will be able to proceed with the nerve ablation. Until then, I’ll continue to take each day and each stitch at a time.

six veterans were awarded a Quilt of Valor at the Eppson Center on November 10, 2023 Laramie, Wyoming Friday a large crowd (over 100 friends and family members) gathered at the Eppson Center to witness six veterans being honored at a Quilt of Valor ceremony. Hopefully, this event will be held each year so more veterans can be awarded with a QOV.  Breezy was  awarded  to Linda A.  Patriotic Star wrapped around a veteran

14th and Sheridan Laramie, WY

14th and Sheridan Laramie, WY I’ve seen more Halloween yard decorations this year than in previous years. This witch was lit at night, too, and was a fun display. clever idea for a healthy, Halloween treat

Quarter Log Cabin blocks made by Sherry G. in NY Thanks to Sherry's generous donation of premade quilt blocks for Quilts of Valor, I'm gradually getting back into my sewing room. Last week, I squared the remaining blocks Sherry sent in her first shipment. I have a layout percolating in my mind for these patriotic blocks. Hopefully, I'll have time this week to actually sew the blocks into rows. 

Golden Cottonwood trees 21st and Reynolds Laramie, WY Last Wednesday, I stopped to snap a quick photo of these golden trees. I knew the leaves would probably all be down after the snow storm, and I was correct. Wyoming doesn't have too many trees with russet, orange, or red leaves this time of year, but the golden ones do put on a spectacular show.  Soon, we will be entering days surrounded by brown, gray, and white, but for a short time before Winter settles in, Nature fills our community with gold.

October 12, 2023 photo "borrowed" online from Downtown Laramie Alliance As predicted, Thursday/Friday's storm dropped about three inches of snow on the area, and by Saturday it had all melted because the ground and streets were so warm. Even with that, Interstate 80 was closed for winter conditions Thursday night. It seems like people forget how to drive in snow/ice, and it takes them a while to remember.  It's pretty typical for this area to have a mid-October snow storm and then another around Halloween. I'm thrilled that this storm was here and gone in a couple of days.

Tierra y Libertad (Land and Liberty)  119 S. First Street, Laramie, WY  by Talal Cockar in 2011

Usually the weather service is reliable, so it’s time to pull out the sweaters and wool socks because ready or not winter weather is coming! 

tiny puzzle pieces Last month a friend introduced me to some small and challenging puzzles from Craft Hub. The puzzles are laser cut from wood and the image is painted. She loaned me a couple of her puzzles - a rooster and a turtle, and I was hooked.  The pieces are tiny (dime in the middle for size comparison) and either hook together or snug up against each other. I loved the challenge of working on something so small.  finished puzzle  approximately 5 x 5 inches I ordered several puzzles and sent them to friends whom I thought would enjoy the challenge. The eagle was sent to my niece, and she liked it.  back of the puzzle Brenda even snapped a photo of the back of the puzzle, and you can easily see the fun animal-shaped pieces.  Because the company is based in either China or Singapore, it took nearly a month for my order to reach Wyoming. The company also sells larger puzzles, but I love the small ones.  Have you enjoyed a new challenge recently?

Multi-device Charger Ivinson Hospital  Laramie, WY This charger in the waiting area of the hospital had several different plugs to accommodate a variety of digital devices - Apple and Android. I’ve seen chargers in public areas but they only had USB ports and not the plugs themselves.  Have you seen similar multi-device chargers in your community? 

Step Up 60 x 66 inches Quilt of Valor #241 The blocks for Step Up were made by Sherry G. in NY. She is a generous quilter who makes nearly 400 blocks a month for various veterans' projects. I was fortunate to connect with Sherry, and she sent 84 blocks to make two Quilts of Valor. Thanks to Sherry all I had to do was square the blocks and sew them into a top. Sherry surprised me with another package of blocks (90 in this shipment) last week. I need to find more time to sew to turn Sherry's blocks into more Quilts of Valor. Thank you, Sherry for your generosity! Update : October 2023 - Step Up was lost by the USPS                July 2024 - Step Up was returned by Nerstrand United Methodist Church (MN) after it                                    was donated to their group  Update : July 2025. - Step Up was awarded to a veteran in Idaho    ...

Albany County Public Library July 2023 The large windows of the public library that face Grand Avenue are often painted to reflect the various programs held during the year. I loved the large reading tree that was on display most of the summer. 

Silver Lining Hat made with several scraps of sock yarn Summer 2023 Last night just before sunset, I snapped photos of the Silver Lining (reversible) hat which I knit this summer with several small bits of scrap sock yarn. Most of the knitting was done during Sunday Face Time calls with my nieces and my sister. The hat grew about two inches during each of the weekly video chats.  hat turned inside out The sun sets early this time of year, and the golden light quickly disappears. The hedge outside my front door turns a brilliant red when the conditions are right, and the transformation has begun. Many of the trees and shrubs around town are just beginning to change color. Morning temperatures have been in the mid to upper 30s, and daytime temperatures are now in the mid 70s. I hope this is an extended Fall, but I doubt that it will be. 

Huzzah 61 x 72 inches Quilt of Valor #240 Huzzah is a twin to Stacked Star s , an earlier QOV. This QOV was also started while I was at my sister's house in April. The stars were finished at Marilyn's and all I needed to do was add the borders, but this easy quilt took months for me to complete. It's now at a longarmer and should be ready to present to a veteran in November.