Wyoming Breezes

Staircase at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Cheyenne, WY

Base Housing 60 x 84 inches Quilt of Valor #252 This quilt used a lot of scraps from my 2.5 inch bin. The rectangular shapes remind me of the barracks and BOQs on Edgren AFB, so I named this one Base Housing.  Pattern used: Rectangle Dancing with Stars by Lisa Sutherland

Recently, I’ve been surrounded by a lot of activity. First the roof was replaced on all the buildings in the complex, and this week, the trim and soffits were painted on all the buildings. One thing that attracted me to this complex was the condition of the buildings and grounds. The management team has been stellar!  In the lower right, you can see my tiny garden plot. Compared to Valerie’s garden  mine is pretty pathetic, but I like the color that it provides to my entryway.  Classes at the University of Wyoming start next week, so students are moving back into town. Last Saturday was “move in” day at the dorms, and this week students are moving into off campus apartments. I live on a corner, so I’ve noticed a considerable increase in both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Soon, everyone will fall into a routine, and it will be less chaotic.

Sawtooth Stars 60 x 70 inches Quilt of Valor #251 Sawtooth Stars was made using a free online pattern found at SewCanShe. To meet the Quilt of Valor size requirements, I added the navy outside border. 

Celebrate! 56 x 73 inches Quilt of Valor #250 Celebrate!  was made using the Villa Rosa Design pattern called Fernanda.  I purchased a couple of these Lady Liberty panels (printed by Timeless Treasures) along with several other designs in December. This QOV panel jumped ahead of the remaining prepped quilt kit because it was an appropriate panel to celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth Quilt of Valor I've made in the last fourteen years.

QOV kits update Three down  &  one to go Ironically, the first one cut will be the last one finished.  Star Roundup is quilted, labeled, bound and on its way to Idaho to be awarded to a veteran.

American Icons 60 x 73 inches Quilt of Valor #249 American Icons  was made using the Town Square pattern by Fabric Cafe. All the fabrics (except the white) were backing scraps from previous QOV. close-up of the focus fabric that  features American icons The red fabric was very difficult to photograph to capture the true color, but the red in this close-up is nearly spot on.

Independence Day 59 x 73 inches Quilt of Valor #248 This quilt was finished on the Fourth of July, using the Town Square pattern by Donna Robertson (Fabric Cafe). I like this pattern as it allows the focus fabric to become the star. The flags and red fabrics are backing scraps from previous QOV.

You may remember I mentioned last year the USPS lost a package containing two Quilts of Valor being returned by a volunteer longarmer from Wisconsin.  I had given up hope of ever seeing the quilts again because our efforts to find the package were unsuccessful.  Then . . . Last week, nine months after the package was lost, I got the following email * * * * * Hi Nancy, I have some good news and quite a story behind it.  The two lost QOV quilts from last October have been found and are back in my possession!!   Here's the story...I received a call a few days ago from a lady in southern Minnesota. Seems your QOV quilts found their way to the donation bin for their church.  She said they get a lot of donations and are never exactly sure where something comes from. But the ladies noticed a beautiful unfinished quilt and thought it was just someone cleaning out "Grandma's things."  One of the ladies even took it home and finished the quilt while they were tr...

Star Roundup 56 x 72 inches Quilt of Valor #247 The first of the four QOV kits I prepared earlier is now a flimsy and is already at the longarmer. It uses a variety of blue scraps from previous QOV.  Pattern used: Ring Bearer by Edyta Sitar and Laundry Basket Quilts. 

South wall of the bus garage Eppson Center for Seniors Laramie, Wyoming Local artist, Dan Toro created this commissioned mural for the Eppson Center. He uses spray paint to create his murals, many of which are located throughout Laramie.  Eventually this area will have grass and picnic tables. 

Flags on the Square 58 x 72 inches Quilt of Valor #246 Flags on the Square was made using the Town Square pattern by Fabric Cafe. All the fabric (except the blue) is backing scraps from previous Quilts of Valor. The pattern uses 3 yards of fabric (approx. one yard of each fabric) and is a good one to feature focus fabrics. 

Stacks of cut scraps Last Friday and Saturday, I cut and cut and cut all the fabric pieces smaller than a Fat Quarter into sizes I frequently use - 6.5, 5, 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5 inches. The stacks grew as I worked on neutrals, reds, and finally blues.  I have plans for some of these scraps, but others will marinate for a bit until I decide how to use them. I REALLY need to do this after every project, but it’s more convenient to just fold and put the fabrics in baskets and out of sight. 

Grand Prize 57 x 75 inches Quilt of Valor # 245 All of the colored fabrics surrounding the printed pane are scraps from previous Quilts of Valor.  This is the first time I've used the Villa Rosa Design pattern, Grand Prize . It was easy to assemble and makes an attractive quilt. I'll be using this pattern again for a different panel. 

Fireworks 63 x 75 inches Quilt of Valor #244 This quilt was made using a Villa Rosa Design called " Staccato " by Molly Cook. Like the Stepping Stones pattern, Staccato used several scraps from previous quilts and backings.  I thought it looked like strings of fireworks; thus, the name.

. . . 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...