Red and White

When you want to add some pizazz to your decor, why not add some red. Actually, orange will do the same, but just a little of orange goes a long way. Well, there isn't much red around our house. There is always some orange though--be it either fruit or a small pillow or just an accent thrown on the sofa.
Last month this 'mystery' quilt pattern appeared on Lyn Brown'sblog. It looked interesting but after starting in on the second clue, we could tell there was going to be lots of sewing to get this thing finished.
Red and white was the choice of fabrics. Of course, as the cutting began, the red fabric on hand wasn't enough to satisfy the requirements. Why go to the fabric store without taking a sample of the fabric you want to match? Oh, yes, the eye will know how to match.....oh, yeah, right! Here is what came home. Does it look like a match? Just a little off but maybe no one will notice and don't all reds go together in a quilt? At least, someone said that once upon a time.
After lots of cutting and lots of chain stitching--sure saves thread and all those long strings at each starting point.
Okay, we are on clue four and it looks as though we need to make 12 blocks.
Still stitching.........
Now, we have 12 blocks. Wonder what the setting will be and will more red be needed? If so, the next visit to the fabric store, we'll take a sample to match.

We have to wait till August 31 for that final clue--don't you hate waiting?

Treadling Softly

In the late afternoon it is great to sit, relax and softly treadle Ashford Joy wheel. It's a wheel that was pre-treadled before it came to this household. That makes it better--quite broken in by other caring feet and hands. She is a pleasure under the feet and spins wonderful yarns.
Wool from the dumpster diving fun at Brown Sheep Company back in ought O 100.
A mixture of wool, mohair and some silk.
The bobbin contains Como wool brought at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. After spinning for some time, the hands were tried of wool so silk roving was spun onto the bobbin. Well, needless to say silk spins forever....................................................................
Lovely gray wool from friend's sheep.
Now, to the plying. Since the Como was spun first and silk afterwards on the same bobbin, it was easy peazy to wind off and ply from inside and outside of the bobbin. Gee, that was a great thought, but just coincidental. Now, we have a wonderful sheeny yarn--to dye or not to dye?
Okay, the feet are idle for now, but itching to return to the wheel for more adventure spinning. Yes, projects are whirling around in the brain too.

Pedal to the Metal!

Nope, we're not talking about the gas pedal, but the sewing machine pedal and spinning wheel treadle. So many projects and so little summer left to complete them. What happen to the resolution that a new project wouldn't be begun until at least two UFO's were finished? It went out the window! Who can resist something different, unique and unusual? New fabrics, new patterns, new techniques....all there for the taking. A chance to fill the brain with more energy! Besides who made that resolution anyway?
Well, these two barn blocks were completed so can't these count towards UFO's? More paper piecing, which are fun to make.
This is the first time hexagons were ever made--not so sure it was as much fun as paper piecing.
Oh, look--this project has been wrapped up!! so, that definitely counts towards finishing UFO's!!
These 12 blocks are from the jelly roll sampler project.
Now, here are three new UFO's to add to the growing list. This one is called All Points North and South.
This project took more time than was first expected--lots of small 3.5" blocks--over 200+ of them. Since this is a mystery........hope, it's all worth it in the long run.
And this final project--made from batiks--first month, make 4 blocks of the same block. This should be interesting.

Under the Belt or Accomplished!

The teens have departed! They have winged their way back to their family bonds to open arms and welcome hugs. We were happy to have them with us and happy for them to depart. Isn't that the way with all company, no matter how much you love them? The house feels empty and quiet but we'll settle into our 'regular' routine soon enough. There were a few moments when some sewing could take place--the time they went to the movie or they were playing a video game. So, accomplished! all 12 of the Jelly Roll sampler blocks. This pile of jelly roll fabrics is all that is left after finishing. The last two blocks were really just a combination of whatever!
Interesting to work on these blocks and try to stay within the confines of just using the fabrics in the jelly roll.
What a hodge podge, huh? Next, we'll put them together with sashing--hope to accomplish that this next week.
In the evening there was some handwork done to finish up this snowman hanging which was purchased last summer. Just a small project that took some time to piece--little squares.
Pearl beads are sewn on each snowflake
The quilting isn't the greatest, just good practice.

Definitely---Keeping Busy

The grandteens have been keeping us on our toes, to say the least! One forgets how much teens eat and how often! How active they are during the day and night....don't they ever sleep!
If you read the previous post on summertime, there was a statement about proven zucchini recipes. Well, it might have been proven in another life, but this time the chocolate cake recipe took a real turn for the worse. For some reason, the cake overflowed the pan. Was it the butter we used instead of the margarine? Was it beaten too long or too often? How could this fail when we've baked it many times before? But, once we finally loosen it from the pan edges and turned it out, the results were awesome! and the taste--delicious! so, guess it wasn't quite the disaster it looked.
Another day of activities for the teens--off to the Speed Raceway indoor track to let them try their hands at go kart driving--Speed Raceway. When did they get so shy about having their photos taken? Pull out the camera and they immediately turn the other way, except this time......Ready for instructions.
All suited up and ready for the trip around the track. It was two fer Tuesday so they each will race 12 laps around twice.
On your mark.......GO!
And they're off. These little electric karts will wind up to 50 mph, but they have to be careful going around the sharp curves. And then the times are posted on the big screen. It was a rush, was their quote!
The following day, they were challenged even more as they tried skydiving! Indoor--skydiving, that is. Sky Venture is a practicing venue for professional skydivers, military and those waiting a touch of skydiving without the fear of jumping from a plane.
Let's suit up for the big adventure.
All ready to head into the wind tunnel.
Another rush for them and us as we watched them soar into the heights after a few minutes of instruction.

The Teens Have Arrived!!

Two of the grandteens have arrived to visit for the week so let the activities begin! It is our opportunity to find interesting 'teen' events to occupy their every waking moment. No way do we want to hear that's 'boring'! Neither are big athletes so hiking or biking is out--as if we would do that anyway. The first night they arrived we took them to an outdoor music concert--they wanted food and a pizza parlor they did find within walking distance of the grandstand. Lucky for them, they were waiting for pizza when the rains came and went.
The first day of the week we headed to downtown Denver where we had reservations for the Denver Mint, which were made two months in advance. The Mint is the second most popular tour in the city. The first being Cherry Creek Mall--go figure!We had lunch beforehand at Hard Rock Cafe in Pavilions. Across the street was Hot Topic, where every teen wants to visit, and the store that brings out the 'interesting' people--those with tats, piercings and weird colored hair. They heard that Drowning Pool band would be appearing later in the afternoon but they weren't quite sure they wanted to hang around for that appearance until they found out that one of the songs on the album was one of their favorite--a mind changer. With time on our hands, we enjoyed the sights and sounds of 16th Street Mall and a stop in Pinkberry for cool refreshment.
Didn't take long to devour this delicious frozen treat--something different about this yogurt that makes it truly appealing to tastebuds.
Back to Hot Topic where the line began forming to meet the band.and 45 minutes later they had their chance to enter the store for those photos, autographs and oh, yeah--album buying. The first thing they did when we hit the car--pop in the album so we could enjoy head banging music on the way home during rush hour traffic. Us 'old folks' would call this a successful day! and hopefully, the teens think so as well.

Summer Time!

"Summer Time and the living is easy"--we are singing this song as we maneuver along our August journey. A friend gives us lovely zucchini during the summer growing season. We try to find unique and interesting recipes for these plentiful zucchini. Some recipes are delicious and 'keepers' but others are a waste of time and effort. We are putting our daily serving of veggies into our diet though. This past week we made Zapple pie--yummy! Next on our list for preparation is chocolate zucchini cake--another proven recipe. Of course, these are desserts and we try to balance out the zucchini use without the aid of sweeteners. We really enjoy the hot pepper cheese squash casserole! Thanks friend!
Earlier this week we came home from errands to be greeted by loud sawing noise and large bucket truck in our back area. We couldn't believe our eyes and ears--they were cutting down that nasty, huge, ugly tree, which is in the greenbelt area. Over the years, this tree has not been trimmed and ice storms has broken several main branches. The tree had just grown helter skelter--worse of all--it was blocking our full view of the front range. The tree is officially at the back of our neighbor's. We shouldn't rejoice when a piece of nature is gone but............
Going........
Going......
Almost gone.......
Gone! The view was one reason we bought at this location. We love trees, but they need to be maintained and trimmed--we want trees not bushes.