The Geese Are Flying!

 Yes, it's Spring time--The geese begin their migration from their warm winter settings back to their home land--The geese are flying!  You can hear them as they 'honk' their way north--it's a marvelous sight and sound.  

Not only are the 'geese' flying in the sky--they are flying in my studio!  Seems like every pattern I'm working on now has flying geese involved--

This is flying geese big time!  Monthly QAL hosted by A Quilting Life--this is the block

for April.  Each month you can learn a new technique as you advance through the year.

More flying geese for this month's addition to

Charity QAL hosted by Fat Quarters, Serendipity--each month

a different row--looks like I'll need to do TWO rows of flying geese for this one!

Another row of the month quilt along is also using flying geese--

we're on row 3 now, which includes log cabins

Tuning My heart 2021 BOM

These flying geese are for Grand Country Quilters--

I'm getting good at doing flying geese!  There are several methods to create these

noiseless patterns--

No waste

Flying geese three ways

1. Traditional Technique: for quilters who like to use it 

up and make it do.

2. Flip, Flip, Finish: for quilters who enjoy a good ol’ chain-piecing veg-out.
3. Fast and Furious: for quilters who like to finish fast—times four.
4. Paper-Pieced Geese: for quilters who wish to piece with the utmost precision.

Connecting Threads has an unique way to construct--

No matter which way you build your flying geese--it's a learning experience!

Free! Free! Free!

 I love free stuff--don't you?!! 

This Ezine Quilt magazine is FREE! Has been for every issue--

guess what?  Now, MMM Quilts is hosting a QAL with her

pattern that is featured on the front cover of the latest issue.

check out her blog post about the event, select your fabrics, download the pattern

so you'll be ready to begin this next week on this interesting pattern

Here is another opportunity to sew up a spring quilt--Corey of Coriander Quilts

will be hosting this Spring Brook Blossoms adventure.  The pattern will be

released April 19--a 6 month QAL with each block being released on third

Monday of the month--you'll make two blocks each month--I'm ready!

Doesn't this look delightful?!

Memories Rolling Down the Road

 The other day as we were touring around our lovely Hill Country area, we spotted something that took us back to many memories--and of course, our first thought when we saw this vehicle was the song that went with it: 

We were singing the tune as we pulled into the parking lot to see the Weiner mobile up close and personal.  We were just in time before the "Hotdoggers' were departing for their next location! 

We got our whistle!! Yay!!  that whistle is mark of era gone by but returning. 

Here are some fun facts about the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile:

• There are six mobiles with two Hotdoggers that drive around the area
• Hotdoggers are usual college seniors who commit a year to be spokesperson
• Each year, out of the 7000 applicants only 12 are chosen
• The Mobile began in 1936 by George Molchan
• The vehicle is 27 feet in length and can go 110 mph
• you can spend the night in the mobile
• 
  

We had so much fun! with our whistles and singing the jingle!  Made us feel like kids again!

Fluffle?

 Since tomorrow is Christian holiday and religious celebration, why not talk about the meanings of rabbits, chicks, eggs, etc.

Did you know that a group of rabbits is called a Fluffle?  I didn't know that term either--just thought it was a flock of rabbits or a herd?  All I know about rabbits is they produce quite frequently--then you would have a Fluffle!  and that's how they became associated with Easter--  

I had Angora rabbits for years and never knew this fact--of course, I didn't have a huge amount of rabbits.  Grandkids had their rabbits as pets.  A spinner friend had several rabbits that habited her house--yes, you can teach rabbits to be potty trained. 

You may ask—what’s the difference between a rabbit and a hare?  That’s another story for another blog! 

And why dye Easter eggs?  

Easter Eggs

Easter is a religious holiday, but some of its customs, such as Easter eggs, are likely linked to pagan traditions. The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.

Easter egg hunts and egg rolling are two popular egg-related traditions. In the U.S., the White House Easter Egg Roll, a race in which children push decorated, hard-boiled eggs across the White House lawn, is an annual event held the Monday after Easter. The first official White House egg roll occurred in 1878, when Rutherford B. Hayes was president. The event has no religious significance, although some people have considered egg rolling symbolic of the stone blocking Jesus’ tomb being rolled away, leading to his resurrection.

Will you dye eggs? Have an egg hunt? Eat Easter candy? Have that Lamb roast? display your Easter lily?  When you do, just remember when and why these traditions are celebrated? 

Whatever fun you have with your family and friends this Easter--just remember the real reason..................................

BY

 HISTORY.COM EDITORS

Searching for An Avocado

 The other day I was in mood to bake--nothing fancy or elaborate; something simple and ready to eat within a few minutes--and let's make it chocolatey and chomped full of nuts!  I found my favorite Keto recipe--all the ingredients on hand--just needed to find that one avocado.  In order to find that necessary ingredient, I must clean out the freezer--

I freeze my avocadoes when they get ripe and there is no immediate use  for them--freezing keeps them fresh, green and handy when you need to satisfy an urgent quest.  One problem --the freezer is packed!! with all sorts of other sundry items.

Hubby says 'why don't you label what's in the package?'  I say--"Oh, I'll remember!"  Yeah right like I will!!  I think it's more fun when you have to guess! And it can be a surprise what you pull out to prepare for dinner.  

I remember many years ago, one grocery store had a sale on unlabeled can goods--think they were like 10 cents a can--I bought up plenty and each night, it was a 

surprise and fun to see what we were having--one night we had green beans and peaches!  that was a delightful meal--kids loved it!  Oh, you could shake the can to see if it moved or was solid--guessing--hmm, refried beans? 

Each item in my freezer is a surprise when I pull it from it's frozen haven--oh, somethings, I can see what it is but when it's in a container--not so easy unless you pop off the top--and then you still can make out what it's suppose to be.

I digress--I found the one avocado I needed for my recipe--and carefully placed everything back in a freezer space--going on to happily mixed up the batter for those delicious avocado chocolate cookies-- they smell so yummy when baking--

You are probably wondering where is the recipe--I'm gladly sharing here: 

Chocolate Avocado Cookies

It only takes one avocado--frozen or not for some delicious low carb goodness.  We serve one of these cookies topped with fresh sliced fruit and no sugar added whip cream--delicious!

 

Thinking BABY!!

 I'm thinking BABY! oh not me--but GREAT grandbaby!  It feels like that should make me OLD! that we are having a great grandbaby in our family--our grandson and his wife are expecting--so every time we see each other there are photos of the 'baby to be'!  They are so proud of their little 'bean' in the belly--but quite frankly, I need to stare a long time to make out anything--I'm sure over time as the little dude (and yes, it's a boy!) grows, the sonogram will appear to be more apparent to me!

So, I'm thinking baby things--I already have a quilt for the little tyke--his Name will be Waylon Michael--I hope he'll like being a cowboy--anyway.  I made the quilt many moons ago and decided it would be for the first grand child--but I just couldn't let go of my precious work--now, it's time to let it gooooooooooooooo-oh so hard!!

The other day this sweet little grand-daughter asked me if I had ever heard of cloth diapers!!  Oh, Lordy--that's all we ever used--those cloth diapers were so absorptive--you could use them for burp cloths, drying heads and tears, and of course, keeping those tiny hinny's dry and clean!  She said she couldn't fathom cleaning poop from a cloth diaper--I didn't tell her--I didn't relish it either but it was what it was and you get used it.  there will come a day when she'll be cleaning a lot more unsavory stuff from her young one!  Stay tuned for that adventure!!

What else will a baby need that a Great grandmother could give--besides lots of love and kisses?

Here's a handy burp cloth--just 'cause she won't have cloth diaper handy!

25 things for baby-- I skipped over all the cute girlie stuff--

oh so many things they'll need for that bundle of joy. 

 

Can I find a cowboy hat and boots?

No Wool = No Sails = No Vikings

 Bet, you have never given one thought to how the Vikings sailed from one place to another or the fact that each boat powered by wind needed sails to maneuver!  It is fascinating to me that without sheep which give us wool, boats would have been dead in the water--oh, you could use man power but there is only so much man power rowing in those ancient days that could achieve the mileage you needed!

When I did demos of wool spinning, I emphasized that in order for one spinner to create enough spun yarn for any type of household item, it would take constant spinning day and night--now, what would it take for spinners to create enough wool to weave a sail!! it's un-fathomable in my mind!  

And on top of that thought, the spinning wheel we know today didn't come into being till 1500--check s history on the wheel invention..

spinning/weaving of Viking Sheep--Utsetøya sheep--

another interesting article of this breed of sheep.

and another article that is fascinating!!!

Okay, you're probably wondering why this came up--Recently, I saw an article, from February, 2016 about Vikings, their sheep, and the wool they used to power their  vessels--

I feel today that I am just plain privileged!! I don't need to spin the fiber to weave our sheets, towels, clothing, etc. 

  

Every Day!

 

 I really enjoy throwing the thread around the needle—it’s fun and relaxing.  No worries about the pattern—just follow along with each easy to read row. This lacy pattern is knit along—just four rows a day—weekends for catch up

So far I’m keeping up during the week—weekends are for other adventures!  

Every day is how I live!  Every day we face different challenges, but tackling one challenge at a time lessens the burden just as I knit one row at a time—no need to look ahead!  The present is now and at my fingertips!   So, knit (live) one day at a time!

"Orphans" Find a Home...................

Two or so years ago, a friend was saying she had all these orphan blocks and didn't know

what to do with them--I said I'll take them--

I love playing with orphans and setting them in a top--

fast forward to this year--those orphans were still orphans but at least there

was a semi plan to join them into a

family.

Arrange, rearrange--take down, put up and then put away for awhile longer

as other projects came along.

Here we go!  A family of orphans—think I might add a border to give this top some zip! 

In the waiting area are other orphans—These orphans are looking nice in this family—just add 

A few more small pieces and they can be united as a quilt top

If you have blocks just lingering, why not gather them into a top—so much fun playing! 

 

Down The Rabbit Hole.................................

 If you look to the side margins of this blog you will find the link to the Color Block challenge--I didn't participate in January and February challenges--then all the quilt tops popped up on my feed--wow!  It was time to think about tackling March--this challenge uses stash fabrics and Boy! I have plenty-- I  had a small box of 2.5" squares but these tops take more than I had--what to do?

Pull out the stash bin and begin to sort--and there I go!

down the rabbit hole!  You begin sorting--large pieces, pieces that could be

cut to 2.5" or 2" or 1.5" and then there are the strings.

Piles and piles and time runs together--

These could be cut into other sizes--3", 5" squares and we're off 

Each day I sort and sort--but I must stop to stitch at least one or two

of those blocks for March--I'm going for random scrappy look--

some are doing straight colors for each month--that's too much planning--

not for me.

And those strings?  Yep, easy to sew on scrap paper--these I could

plan by color.  Now, just need to find lots of scrap paper--

After I had spent a week or it seemed like a week sorting my fabric scraps,

I came across this article!  "Sorting, Saving and Using Fabric Scraps"--

really!! why haven't I been doing this for the past zillion years--

I'll tell you why--I'm a lazy quilter--just cut and throw the reminders in the bin!

Not any more! I will sort by size when I cut---

Sure!! I will.................................

Years (?) In The Making

 It has taken me many months of stitching--don't know how many, didn't keep track--

But, FINALLY!  This quilt top is finished!

I really enjoy doing hand embroidery , deciding on which threads to

use, color choices are totally yours when you stitch.

Just keeping track of the location of the blocks is another thing!

I would work on one block off and on--then lay it down

not to be found for awhile.  Then I loose the hoop--I ordered another

set and now place them in plain sight!

it has been a misadventure for sure--

Not a very good photo--soon to decide on quilting pattern and 

backing and we can truly say 'finished'!! 

Let's Knit Along

Knitlet is hosting a 19 week Knit Along--It began last week, 

we're not too far behind.  Each week you receive a small portion of the

pattern--I'm doing several knit alongs--of course, I'm behind in 

two of them--hoping to keep up with this.

in addition to the KAL, each week you'll receive free pattern

sections to branch out on your own designs.

and since it's a newsletter, you can keep up to date on the latest

trends in the knitting world!

Interweave offers this free knit along--

The asymmetrical triangle shawl is worked primarily in rows of garter stripes,

with a few mosaic colorwork motifs.  A great project for newer knitters for intro

intro to colorwork.  A relaxing knit for the more experienced knitters. Sign up

by March 31 for this FREE knit along!

 

WIPs--Works in Progress

Another month has rolled around and time to work up another block--

These are from February though--I'm just slow posting--well, we

did have a period of time with no power, no internet or cable--

that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!

This is from Civil War "Hands All Around"  Love reading the 

history behind these blocks each month

This one had lots of moving parts to assemble--

concentration and lots of half square triangles--

A Quilting Life host a monthly block of the month--

Can we say "wacky" ?  Yes, this is one of the mistake blocks I

constructed from Pat Sloan's HOME Quilt along!  

Where was my mind when I assembled?  Not even interesting!

Now!  This is the way the block should be!  But, 

Don’t look too closely—I see a mistake! 

 

TBT...................

 Yes, it's throw back Thursday!  What memories do you have that you can throw your thoughts back to?

The other day I received a unexpected package in my mailbox.  I looked it over--"now, why would she send me this package?" I thought!  The secret was revealed when I opened up the flap--

Well, what to my wandering eyes did appear--this table mat--and I had the perfect spot for it in the front hallway on top of my Singer treadle sewing machine.  The top had been bare since January one when I took down the Christmas decorations--all that was there--our mask from Venezuelan artist.

Her letter stated, " I was thinking about one of our old friends (who has since gone to the happy weaving grounds in the sky" when I was going through all my handspun.  I thought of those good times spinning and dyeing with her and you along with the other members of our guild"  She continued,

"I'm sure she used natural dyes on these handspun yarns--maybe, goldenrod, or onion skins or maybe

cochineal.  Who knows?"

Well, I'm sure that our dear friend used natural dyes and I will cherish this TB gift.  It might have passed through two sets of hands to arrive to me and a spec of 20 + years but the memories of those 'olden' days resurface when I walk past the table mat to remember those days with friends.

Then, my mind wandered to my forgotten treasures lurking in the cedar chest--

I pulled out two of my first handspun projects--oh joy!  I've learned so much in the past

40 years!  Such bulky yarns, yet the brilliant natural dyes still remain!  

We did have such fun dyeing our handspun yarn--memories are good!  

Thawing Out!!!

It certainly been an interesting 2021 so far!  We thought life would be on track for

great things after 2020 shut in times.

No, 2021 brought us other complications to overcome--

RECORD cold temperatures, iced in, no power for days on end,

broken water pipes--NO water!

Which of these can you live without for days?

If you live in the Gulf Coast states, you know the hurricanes

can give you no water, no power and lots of Heat!

But, winter time--

No power is the pits!

We'd bundle up, sit in front of fireplace (if we are that privileged!)

layer, layer, layer!

For few days, I'd use my regular everyday socks--you know those

stretchy things

Then one bright morning, my mind thawed................

dumb dumb--why aren't you wearing a pair of your handspun,

handknit socks??

Duh!!

I pulled out the sock drawer and there they were!

Sooooo many--just waiting to be worn--to warm your feet

which in turn warms your body!

OH JOY!

pick one, any pair!

There are over 25 pair of socks in the drawer--each one a

different knit pattern

Oooh, I found my favorite ones!  The handspun angora ones--

that fiber came from my own rabbits--I would wear these socks

to demo spinning at the livestock show and let the kids touch my feet to 

feel what my bunny felt like-

I'm a happy camper now!  Feet warm!

Wished I thought of those socks last week!

 

Dots and Dashes

 Yes, you say "Dots and Dashes" are Morse code.  But we can take those dots and dashes and entered them into art form--like knitting and weaving. 

Like this lovely knitted cowl by Melody Johnson--she has learned how to 

translate those little dashes and dots into interesting garments.

Here are dots and dashes in weaving from friend Charlene--

what a great pattern!  

Pinterest has some from inkle loom weavers.

Even in Quilt patterns--

look around you!  where do you see dots and dashes?

Check out famous painters who have used dots and dashes as their brush strokes?

 

Mindless...............

 There are times when I don’t want to think about counting stitches as I knit.  I don’t want to read a complicated chart.  I want let my brain to rest as my hands do their “Thing”

This is such a pattern that my fingers can handle—mindless knitting! The pattern is Bias Scarf from Hands Occupied—You can also knit in garter stitch and it’s a good way to use stash yarns. 

Another mindless knitting project--I'm using up stash yarn--fun knit and easy

to knit, watch TV or listen to a book without thinking about the stitches--

except when it comes to stitching the heart.  I added hearts randomly around.

Here is a mindless quilting project from 

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

I think this would use up some scraps from the bin!!

Hope this will help you to be Mindless every once and awhile!

WIPs

                                                                                     My blocks are growing!  I'm having a hard time keeping up with what goes where with what!  But, it's all good!  I'll sort it out in the long run.

Every Wednesday Pat Sloan post a pattern for her Quilt Along called

HOME--This is from the first two weeks--I made the house block and 

then the next week decided to go all red, white and blue--I MAY

remake the house block some time in the future but right now, it's an okay

block.

Two more blocks from HOME—I look forward to Wednesday when patterns are released! 

What a mess!  The other half of this partnership said his winter socks

were 'holey'--He thought (wrongly) that I had knit those socks--NOT!

Anyway, I found some handspun wool balls in the stash and begin

his socks--I'm working on two at the same time--maybe,

the pair will be completed by next winter so he can wear them.