Back at it!

Wow, I did not realize it had been so long since my last entry.  I can honestly say I have been so busy that time flew by---I have been busy with harvest.  I am back to working at home, so I will try to keep postings updated better.
Besides working harvest....I have been doing a few smaller things for customers in the evenings:
Judy has done this quilt top with all finished 1/2 square triangles being about 1"....

This is the back of the quilt....
This quilt was done with grey and yellow.....this was a baby gift that I quilted for a customer and it was very unique in colors....LOVED this color choice.

The back of the quilt.

This is a table topper for Christmas...she wanted something done with variegated thread on the top....so I went with a subtle thread with light green/cream/pale pink in the center, but on the border I used a green/red variegated....it turned out really nice.  

Up close with the color of threads....
Well, I guess I have somewhat caught you up on what all has been happening in the area of the world, SOMEWHAT....the next posting will be of the new cupboards being installed in my sewing area.  That has become an undertaking....remodeling, setting up a new area and trying to sew/quilt.....That is a story of all its own!!!!!   Until next time ........

Civil War Collection

 The two quilts you are going to see are from 2 different customers that took the same class.  You are able to see that the same pattern looks totally different; depending upon the color choices.  This is in a Civil War Legacies collection called "Alexander's Bean Pot".  I did not quilt these two quilts with the same motif, but did feel that there are a lot of straight, hard lines and they deserved some curves to balance them. 

Another quilt from the same collection called "Stars to Freedom" was quilted with more quilting on the stars.

The back turned out just as nice as the front.  I enjoyed doing this piece....the customer was easy to work with...she allowed me the freedom to do as I felt.  That is what helps me feel like I am an artist, being free to do as I see. 
Thought these quilts are some really neat patterns and thought I would share the book information with everyone and see what other quilters come up with....I love Civil War Era fabrics and patterns and would love to  see what others are doing.  I haven't had time to piece any for myself, but have really enjoyed quilting for these ladies!!

Big Changes

Most of you know that we bought our home a little over a year ago...well, when we moved in I had decided to make one of the bedrooms a sewing room.  The room was small, but served a purpose and it worked.  I decided that we have too many people coming and going from our home to have my sewing/quilting things spread from one end of the house to the other, so we converted the garage into a wonderful sewing/quilting studio.  I do not have the walls painted, yet and have a little more work to do, but I couldn't wait any longer.  I had to get started on moving things....and LOTS of things I have!!!

The 14' quilting machine is in the middle of the room with embroidery machine, serger and sewing machine set in the "L" shape in the corner....have an organizing drawer unit that I bought from an old Hallmark store....pretty cheap, nice and stacks nicely.  On the opposite side is the cutting table large ironing board and about 20' of design wall....I think it will be nice when I get everything done.  My plan is to have enclosed cupboards on the walls above the "L" area.

My poor room is a MESS.  Now for the re-organizing and finding places for everything out in the new studio.  This is almost overwhelming to look at.  Without the cupboards on the wall in the new area, it is tough to find a spot to put all this....better get moving, so I can get more done today.  Hate to be down very long, I have to keep business going while  in reconstruction.  Once all is done it will be fantastic!

30's revisited

This is a baby quilt that was brought to me to quilt....I fell in love with the pattern, colors and layout...
She did a nice job piecing the top and I enjoyed quilting feathers throughout.

A close-up of one block and the border

The back side..
This was a really fun quilt to work on...
Every time I get a quilt to work on for someone, I like to think about what they imagine, what the new owner will think and what the quilt will be a part of....such a great imagination sometimes.  Love thinking about how quilts comfort, warm and soothe another person or family--the memories it will bring!!!

New Friends

I have told you a little bit about 2 young ladies that we met about 3 months ago.....so I thought I would introduce them to you.  Nina and Petra are 2 young ladies in their early 20's that decided to venture to America for the first time and we are lucky enough to have met them, spent time with them and enjoyed every minute we had with them.  They are full of joy, adventure and courage!!  They came here to see how things were done in the States...we learned so much from them as they did from us too....
They love animals, but really have a soft spot for horses and loved to ride....they ride English and we are Western, but they adapted well to our saddles and gear.

Nina-on the left is riding my spouse's cutting horse and Petra on the right is riding his go to horse.....Larryetta and Tiny.  They are so happy to ride and be around the horses.....
Can't wait for them to come back....I have found that I really miss their laughs, giggles, questions and conversation--not to mention the time they spent helping me feed cattle, paint the horse barn and eating ice cream!!!!

 A picture of the Girl's last ride in Nebraska....

Where does the time go????

Wow, I have realized that there is so little time to get all the things done on a person's "to do" list for one day let alone a lifetime.  Summer has come so fast and about 3 months ago I met two young ladies her visiting from Slovenia....I have grown very fond of these two young ladies and now it is time for them to go back home....I am finding that my heart is feeling sad that they are leaving.  I have enjoyed them so much, learning their culture, language and getting to know them.  They have been spending a lot of time with me feeding cattle, going to town, visiting and painting.  I am feeling very selfish because I don't want them to go home, but they don't have much choice ---- they need to get back to their own family and lives, but I am really going to miss them.  We will keep in touch via Facebook and Blogging.  Technology sure is amazing....I will introduce the girls in a day or two when I get the pictures ready....we are having them over to ride horses on Sunday.....they leave Monday, so I will keep you posted.
Besides that I have been so busy with painting, feeding cows, weeding the garden....I haven't taken time to keep in touch with anyone.  I miss visiting and seeing my friends. 
Until next time.....let God lead your heart!!!

Growing

It has been a little while since you have seen the baby chicks....here they are as "teenagers".  A few more months and they will be laying eggs....They grow so fast.  They are about to be turned out with the big chickens.

They are such fun animals to watch and they grow, produce faster than any other animal also.