I promised a give away and here it is. I didn’t think I would be ready to do this until later but it didn’t take long at all. I went through my sewing room back in August when I remodeled and found so many duplicate items, books not being used ect. I have a basket full of things. For this give away there is a Christmas Book of patterns, a package of Thangles (possible some where used but it looks full to me) a necklace pendant that you can bring on the plane with you when flying to cut threads – would you believe I have 3 of them – one I bought – others were given to me and last but not least a 6 1/2 inch square ruler. I will include a couple fat quarters or pieces of fabric that I do not want any more – taste change you know — what I do not like someone else might. Fabric will be a surprise as I haven’t picked it out yet.
the give away items
The rules:
1 – leave me a comment and make sure I have your e mail address to let you know if you have won – that gives you one chance.
2- post on your blog about it also and it will give you two chances.
Drawing will be one week from today – October 7th.
No photos today — I flew back home this morning and have been awake since 4:15 AM! Of course I couldn’t sleep well, I almost always can’t sleep well if I know I have to get up super early. I will go to bed early tonight and be refreshed tomorrow 
A very funny (to me anyhow) incident happened at the Madison WI airport this morning. The lady in line in front of me needed help checking in so the Delta worker behind the counter come over to the passenger side to assist her in checking in on the computer for her boarding pass. Something had caught my eye just as it caught the Delta ladies eye and she let out a shriek. And took off – a mouse came close to running over her foot!! I could not believe her reaction though – she kept on shrieking and ran about 20 to 30 feet — down the work area. You know how they are set up – Delta, Northwest, ect., she went two spaces down shrieking the whole way. Two security guards headed over into the direction and the lady in front of me and I just stood there looking at her and then at the mouse who was making his way down the line in the opposite direction. I have to admit I was just about laughing at her. It seemed like something out of a cartoon. If she had something to climb up she would have been on top of a table.
One of the security guards did laugh and said something like “well it’s getting cold outside so they are coming in.” I do think they need to get rid of their mice! Health standards and all you know Anyhow she finally came back and took care of the lady in front of me and then it was my turn and she dealt with most just fine but she just about forgot to ask to see my I.D. talk about security concerns — I understand being afraid of mice – but what training did she have for an emergency I wonder? How would she have handled something more serious than a mouse?
Now that I am home I will get my thoughts together on the give away that I plan on doing and will announce it this weekend I hope. I think I will be caught up with everything by then.
I know some of you look at Barb’s blog – Bejeweled Quilts by Barb. Earlier today a Tsunami hit American Samoa and that is where she lives. Has anyone heard from her? I do wonder how she and her family are. The news said that there was a lot of damage.
Continue reading about Back Home & will have a give away soon
Too many photos today I have been busy the last 3 days working on “So Charming” and pleased to say I am done with the top!! I started it on August 30th I think and finished it September 26th – less than a month to hand piece while on vacation in between hikes and sight seeing and now this past week in between taking care of the grandchildren and doing things with them.
I ran back over to the quilt shop today with the grandchildren after karate practice and McDonald's. I realized I had forgotten to get the backing for the quilt. I found this white with black polka dots that I thought would go with it well. I must say the kids enjoyed the shop really well and were very well behaved. They have always showed such an interest in quilting that they were asking questions and wanting to feel some of the fabric (they had clean hands). They loved the feel of the flannel. They were even looking at patterns and pointing out different ones that they though maybe I should make for them! Kids - they think I can whip these out quickly - Utah even told me I shouldn't be working on so many at one time and then I could finish faster - wise kid. They really don't need more quilts right now - they both have 4 already.
the kids.
karate sparring practice where for a little while they were sparring partners. Ciera really enjoyed that as shortly before her partner was quite a bit larger than her and she looked uncomfortable. Sparring with Utah put a smile on her face.
More sparring and I won't make you endure any more "grandma's pride and joy" photos I think I took about 20 of them at practice and at least as many again last night.
Mesa Verde, Colorado - Knife's Edge Hiking Trail -- where the rattlesnake was!
Scenery from that hiking trail. You can see that in places it brought us close to the edge of the mountain side.
The trail goes behind that mountain peak - the rocky part at the top is the Knife's Edge - The trail goes to the rocky area on the back side from what is shown - that is where the rattlesnake was close to.
Continue reading about Quilt Top, Vacation Photo’s & Grandkids
While the kids have been in school I have been busy piecing the quilt top “So Charming”. Only problem is now that I have it pieced – except for the black polka dotted border I see that I have two red dotted squares fairly close to each other. I’m wondering if I will pick that out and maybe just turn that section of three rows around (bottom row to the 4th row if you know what I mean). Why is it you can stand back and look at something numerous times and not catch that – maybe because I laid it out on the bed in the camper and not on a design wall?
See what I mean - the red polka dotted squares in Row 4 and then again at the beginning of Row 5. So what do you all think take the row off at 4 and 5 - turn the bottom 3 rows around and then sew it back to row 4? Or leave it?
It has been rain here off and on all day. I’m so glad I got a walk in around the neighborhood this morning around 10 as it started to rain shortly after I got back. I only did 30 minutes before a light mist started so I headed back – I did get in a good 40 minutes or so.
We are making cookies tonight – peanut butter chocolate chip.
I made it today over to Millhouse Quilts today in Waunakee. It is always so much fun wandering through that shop and I never leave empty handed. I was very good though — I did not get even one pattern or book — I am really trying hard not to get any more of them for awhile as I have plenty — really. Also as the grand-kids were in school today I was able to get some accomplished on the “So Charming” quilt that I started to hand piece on vacation. I thought this jelly roll of Moda fabric so nice. I don’t have it right here beside me right now – it is already in the suitcase for the flight home but I think it was the Chocolate line, but I could be mistaken.
Two different colors for the leaves on the "Little Brown Bird" quilt that I haven't even started yet but plan to soon. I now have all the fabric that I need -- I think! I did get a couple more items but they are for my Dear Jane Secret Pal - I am in a monthly exchange group -- we do not know who our secret pal is but we send them a surprise package every month. I found my secret pal her Christmas gift that I will put aside for a little while. I can't show them here just in case she looks at this blog - I hope she hasn't figured out who her pal is.
Four rows of "So Charming" put together. I do have the other 3 rows of blocks sewed, but I need to put the white sashing on and sew them on.
the grandchildren accompanying me on a walk this early evening (they were wearing the helmets but took them off for the photo)
another
Ciera
Utah
big brother annoying little sister
I have been enjoying my time here with the kids. We had a good day today and have two more days before their mom and dad get home.
What was supposed to be a short flight was delayed somewhat! I was suppose to leave at 7 PM from Memphis and didn’t leave until after 9. They kept delaying it by a half an hour then finally announced that we were going to the other end of the airport to board a different plane – the one I was supposed to be on had a nose gear problem – sure glad they knew about it before we left the only nice thing about it was I got to talking with another woman waiting for the same plane and after talking for a half hour realized we would be seated next to each other. That was nice as we continue talking all the way to the other plane on the other end of the airport and chatted all the way to Madison – it was a nice way to pass the time.
Have spent the day familiarizing myself with the layout of the town and where I need to be and when for the grand-kids activities. I’m not sure if I will go to Millhouse Quilts tomorrow or Friday – but I will go for sure!
Mike has gotten more photos ready so I will post some photos from the Cliff Dwellings of Mesa Verde.
cliff dwellings and the round area is what is called a "Kiva" - these no longer have roofs on them of course as they collasped many, many years ago. Kiva's are different sizes but these at Mesa Verde all seem to be about the same size. We have seen some larger in other places.
another view of a Kiva
Me inside of a Kiva - you climb down the ladder - this Kiva is so that you can see what it would have been like with the roof enclosed and it has the same style roof on it that it would have had many years ago.
a lizard of that area of southwest Colorado
a cliff dwelling - I think this one is Spruce Tree House
part of another dwelling
Continue reading about Flight delays but arrived — and more photos
No photos today. Mike is still working on the cliff dwelling photos from Mesa Verde and my camera is packed so I can’t take any photos of my applique blocks that I prepped to take with me today.
I mentioned last month that I donated a couple of quilt tops to Judi over at the Green Fairy – she and her husband were going to visit an orphanage in Romania and she was bringing quilts to all of the children. She has posted a video and a story of all that they did and saw while there if you want to click on it and see. It is very moving seeing all of the children get their quilts. Judi is having a GIVE AWAY so make sure you check out the link to her page.
I have barely been home and here I am leaving again. We got home Friday and I have everything caught up (I think). The laundry is done, the house is cleaned, the motorhome emptied (not cleaned yet) and a little bit of food in the refrigerator. I haven’t even had time to get back into my normal routine and here I am leaving.
It rained half the night pretty hard at times – I hope the worst is gone and that it will not be raining when the plane takes off. I am not an experienced flying traveler and haven’t been on a plane in 7 years. But it means seeing my younger daughter and the grandchildren! so off I go. I will be in charge of the kids Thursday through Sunday afternoon while their parents – my daughter and son-in-law have fun in New York City. My son-in-law is leaving today on a business trip to NYC and daughter is joining him on Thursday.
I will fly back home on Tuesday next week and then I will get back into my routine. Hopefully the weather will be nicer by then and all this rain will be out of our area. At least we have not had as much rain nor the flooding as some of the southern states have had.
I will be organizing a give away when I get home. When I got my sewing room all cleaned up last month I filled up a basket full of items I do not use – duplicates, ect. I will be pulling several things from the basket to give away. Keep an eye out for this the first week of October.
I am bringing my computer with me and will try to do several blog post while I am gone (if my computer works – sometimes it gives me fits!)
On this trip we once again planned to stay for 4 or 5 days near the little mountain town of Ouray Colorado. It is a place we have been to 2 times before and have always enjoyed the small mountain town that is so high up in the mountains. The town is literally surrounded by mountains.
Here is a photo of the town of Ouray surrounded by the San Juan Mountains. This is not one of our photos but one that I found in the land of internet The photo Mike took didn't turn out very good but I wanted you all to see what this town looks like from the overlook that is above the town. The overlook is on the Million Dollar Highway that leads from Ouray going south to Silverton another high mountain town. Just about the whole town is in this photo!
Store fronts with mountains behind
Artsian Bakery - we stopped here one day for a very nice middle of the morning snack - cinnamon coffee cake and coffee.
more of the town
The neat sculpture of an elk in the town
jeep trail heading out of town. There are a lot of jeep trails in this area. I will go just so far on these roads as Mike has scared the living daylights out of me on these two times in the past - this time I refused to go deep into these trails as you are practically driving over boulders - once the dirt starts getting too rough that is it for me.
More of the "road" -- 3rd time I have been out here on this one and each time it looks "worse" than before !!
The river by our picnic stop
The aspen forest at our picnic stop
Our picnic - we bring a folding table with us and our canvas chairs. Lunch is sandwiches and chips and bottled water. Would have been great but instead of warming up it got colder and was a balmy 55 or so and before we had time to eat slowly it was beginning to rain and we rushed and had to get everything back in the car. I told Mike we need to bring hot coffee with us next time to warm up! By the way that Red insulated bag has seen us through many years! We bought it about 16 years ago when we flew to Vancouver Canada for a vacation. We were going to be driving around and didn't have anything to keep things cold and found this insulated bag. It got lost in the closet for a period of time and recently found it's way back to us - amazing how things can be lost and found It sure comes in handy. I normally keep a couple bottles of water frozen in the motorhome refrigerator/freezer and those with a packet of ice keeps things pretty good.
As you can see in the photos it was pretty cloudy – it was that way for just about the entire time we visited Ouray this time. Mountain showers almost every day off and on throughout the visit. It isn’t always like that we have seen sunny days before – but not this time.
Continue reading about Ouray, Colorado – in the San Juan Mountains
Trying to play catch up is tiring! The laundry is caught up and the camper is unpacked! We even made it to the grocery store to pick up a few items. The grass still needs to be cut, but it can wait another day. I finished one block of quilting on the Dear Jane “Insanity” quilt this afternoon. I’m not sure where I finished off with the photos of the quilt but it will wait until next week when I get back from Wisconsin. I already have a list of chores to do on Monday before I leave on Tuesday.
Mike has some of his photos finished from when we visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. I had posted some photos from that area but his camera does a much better job so I will share them.
A view looking down at the river - we are so high above the canyon floor.
Part of the canyon where you can not see the river below
One of the overlooks at the park - on this one you can right down to the bottom!
I don't have my wildflower book in the house with me - it is in the camper. I will just say it is a type of daisy
another view of the canyon
part of the road that goes to the bottom of the canyon
I decided to put together an applique project to work on when I’m at the airports and on the plane. I am going to start the first block of the Baltimore Bliss blocks from Fat Cat Patterns. I will glue baste it all in place and clip in advance all of the curves – no scissors will be needed then. I will wear the medallion necklace to snip the threads. I have used it before and it worked out. All I will need to have with me is a couple of applique stick pins (very tiny) stuck in a piece of cloth and an extra needle or two also stuck in the cloth and my thread & applique thimble. I haven’t flown in awhile but last time that was still allowed – anyone know if you can’t do that anymore?
I will bring the “So Charming” quilt pieces with me to finish up (hopefully) at my daughter’s house – putting the rows together I feel will be too much pinning needed ect. at the airports and would need too many pins with me which they probably wouldn’t allow on the plane. Don’t know if I will have enough time to finish it of course but I will have two days that the kids are at school and daughter will be in New York. I will have those two days to myself, I don’t do much shopping anymore other than quilting fabric so a run over to Millhouse Quilts is on the schedule! Other than that though I doubt I will shop much unless my dear daughter wants to when she is home. We will need to do lunch one day!
We arrived home today around 4:30 this afternoon after being on the road for 21 days in a 25 foot RV. It is just big enough that we don’t go insane in it I think this is mainly because we are outside so much, hiking and looking at everything.
I am waiting for Mike to have time to go through all of his photos as we did not have internet for the 4 days that we were in Mesa Verde National Park. He has not had time to go through them as we spent the last 3 days traveling home. We did have internet for 2 nights on the way home but he did not have time to get to those photos. I will post photos of the cliff dwellings when he gets to them ready.
For now though I do have some photos ready from my small camera of scenery on the way to Mesa Verde after we left Ouray, Colorado. I will post more photos tomorrow of our drive through New Mexico on the way home.
First off though as a quilter and I told you all I would be piecing a simple quilt this camping trip I wanted to show you what I accomplished:
I got the 35 blocks finished. Three of the rows are sewed together with the white sashing. As you can see I have 4 rows left to sash and then join all of the rows with the white sashing as well. It is finished off with a border of the black with white dots fabric. I hand pieced this while we were traveling and in the campgrounds. I am taking it with me to continue working on when I go visit my daughter in Wisconsin next week.
This is on the western side of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado on our way to Mesa Verde after we left the high mountain country in Ouray, Colorado.
Pine forests in the same area as the previous photo
Another photo of the same area on our way to Mesa Verde in the southwest corner of the state. In this photo though it takes us from the pine forest to aspen trees and other hardwood trees. I love the reddish color rocks and soil in these areas, it adds such contrast to the photos.
This was our campsite in Mesa Verde National Park. I'm sure Mike has some better photos that show more of the scenery as he can get those panorama shots that my camera won't do. I'll post more when he gets them ready.
Deer at the campsite in the mornings
and more of the deer - they were every where in the campground, morning, noon, and night - they didn't go away they were all over the campground we lost track of how many we saw!
this plant is called Rabbits Brush, you see it everywhere in southwest Colorado and New Mexico as well. It can be a very brilliant yellow to a bit faded. It is similiar to sage brush.
I will try to post more photos tomorrow. I am off on Tuesday to fly to Wisconsin to visit with my daughter for a day before she flies to New York City to join her husband on a business trip. I will take care of the grandchildren for a couple days and then visit more with her and my son-in-law when they get back and then fly home. I will be gone a week but should be able to get on here while I am gone. I will bring my computer and hopefully it will work off of her wireless – but you all know by now that I don’t always have luck with my computer when traveling!!
