Road Trip into Wildflower Country

It's that time of the year when you get the 'urge' to explore the vast country roads of Texas--road trip time! Time to look for those spring wildflowers. When you first spy a few patches that pop up in your neighborhood, you know it's time to pack up and head out. We are heading into Hill Country--destination Fredericksburg, a once sleepy little German settlement but now a thriving and lively location. Before we hit the road we have breakfast at our favorite haunt-- Bob's Taco Station in Rosenberg. Destination onward--a few sparse viewings along the busy interstate highway but off to the south near Luling, we see fields of blue. Yes, can it be? Must be--bluebonnets. We'll stop for those on our return journey. Our schedule for the evening includes dinner (in German Beer Garden) and theater. Not just an ordinary theater, but music theater at RockBox Theater a fun filled, toe tapping, hand clapping good time! The following morning we enjoy an interesting breakfast at The Rathskeller Basement Restaurant . This is gourmet food in an unusual setting, the basement of the once local hospital. Food like whole wheat pecan pancakes, topped with bananas or German Crepes or Hill Country Hash featuring duck breast--all mouth watering good!
A walk through some of the art galleries that line Main Street gave us a first hand opportunity to speak with some of the artists. We stopped in Artisans at Rocky Hill Gallery which features work from Texas artists, many local. We had a chance to visit with Rex White, a fine woodworker who has won numerous awards for his workmanship. There were few textile artists but one that really caught the eye was the work of Mandi Ballard. Take a look at the website to see all the artists featured in this gallery. A short walk off Main street to San Antonio street you can see the spiraling tower of St. Mary's Catholic Church, one of the -- Painted Churches of Texas . Keeping our fingers crossed that the doors were unlocked, we ventured up the stairs. Yes! we quietly walked inside to a breathe taking view! all the archways are painted in splendor colors and designs.
It looks to be stain glass but at a touch you can feel the paint on the window. The sound from the pulpit will carry throughout without an aid of modern equipment. When we walked inside we heard voices that were coming from two women seated in the front pew. They were speaking softly but we could understand their conversation.
The cross was decorated for Good Friday with red cloth. To be there Sunday for Easter service would be quite wonderful and to see the color change on the cross to say --He is Risen!
On the outside of the window--no colored glass. Amazing! Our journey continues to the out skirts of Fredericksburg as we drive along Hwy 290 E and the wine country! Coming next post!

Early or Late?

Here is the latest addition to the growing collection. This was BOM from Debbie Mumm website. This was featured in 2008.
Quilted by Sandy--she likes to 'play' with her long arm!


center block
Either early or late for the holidays, doesn't really matter. It's a lovely quilted piece of art from talented hands (mine included!)

Time With Friends

It was Tuesday and time to spend with expat friends. We were small in number but mighty in conversation. We welcomed Cathy, our wayward friend who moved to California. It was spring break for her son and a visit to grandparents was on the agenda. We also welcomed back Brenda, who showed off her camping quilt for her grandson. She used this theme fabric to make a nice roll-up sleeping quilt. She added ties on one side to contain the quilt once it is rolled up.

Judy was stitching the binding on quilt for Binky Patrol
Sweet quilting design.
Sandy was deciding on how to connect her star blocks for holiday table topper.

A Day to Dye!

Any day that you can dye is a perfect day! It just takes a little time, some supplies and away you go--first, gather your supplies. You'll need an outside source for heat and space:
This is my standard go to stove when at home. There are also two propane stoves that are used when there is a workshop. As you can see, this stove has been Used!
Gather up plastic gloves, dye product, mask, setting agent, old spoon enamel pot; measuring equipment (all designated for dyeing)
We are dyeing wool/silk yarn so using acid dyes from Pro Chem . Every dyer has their favorite brand of dyes. Even though every dye product has been used in the past, this is the one that is returned to time and again.
And of course, you will need yarn, making sure that you have tied off the yarn in several places with a figure 8 tie to keep yarns together in the dyepot.
Into the dyepot--water, dye (be sure to put on your gloves and facial mask first), vinegar (our setting agent for this brand of acid dyes), set on heat source and let simmer (not boiling) for 30 minutes or longer. The ideal dyepot uses up all the dye in the water and attaches to the fiber. Remove yarn from pot and let dry, then rinse when at room temperature. This yarn was wool/silk blend from Wool2Dye4 . Sometimes silk will take the dye differently than wool.
On hand was another skein of yarn but the color of this yarn just didn't do it anymore. What can be done? Over dye, of course. But, first it was necessary to wind from one skein to another which gives the opportunity to use the swift and weasel (yes, this piece of equipment gave us the song "pop goes the weasel"). Aside here, the weasel makes a popping sound every 100 turns as it is a yard around the weasel and 100 turns lets you know--100 yards.
Knowing that there is only a couple of dyes that will overdye this strong color, we used turquoise, which will give a nice green blue color--alot better on the eyes! Dry, rinse and ready to be used in the next project.

Back on Track--hopefully!!

Okay, crochet is not my usual technique so when this group, English Country Garden came online in Ravelry , there was a reason to give it a try and improve the crochet skills. As you will note from previous post, the first attempt was sad--very sad! This was not defeat though! Trying again, here are the results.

Looking good! The plan is to use hand spun silk--these are at least 4 ply. Bring on another garden motif--these hands are primed!

Do You Paper Piece?

Do you paper piece? Otherwise known as foundation piecing. This is a simple effective way to piece together a unique pattern without all the templates. Years ago, it was more of the rage to paper piece. Now, we are seeing more and more patterns will a little PP involved. If you receive Jinny Beyer's email newsletter, then you will be receiving this free PP pattern once a month along with her newsletter. The pattern will be available for one month only. There is also a kit with fabric bundles available. Of course, there is also the option to hand or machine piece the pattern, by making a template and adding the quarter inch seam allowance.
The website offers other free patterns along with a weekly block pattern. Check it out and sign up for the free newsletter and Jinny's Garden BOM pattern.

Sunday Drive on a Tuesday

Do you ever or did you ever take a Sunday drive? One of those Sundays when there just wasn't anything to do around the house and the beautiful spring weather beckoned you to come outdoors? Or maybe, there was just too much that needed to be done around the house and you wanted to play 'hooky'? We had one of those days today--but, it was Tuesday instead of a Sunday. Tuesday is also the day for ex-patcher quilters meeting and this Tuesday found us taking a Sunday drive into the piney woods to our hostess, Linda's house. The weather was perfect! Yes, perfect! The drive was also perfect for me because Annette was the chauffeur. My eyes could wander along the landscape and point out various spring features to her. 'Oh, there are red buds blooming.' Or, 'oh, my gosh, there are dogwoods bursting forth with their lovely flowers'. And along the roadside was red clover adding color to the otherwise dull asphalt. Sorry, Annette you can't look as you watch for unruly traffic. Next week you can bask in the spring eye candy. We stopped at one house that advertised "eggs for sale"--bad timing on our part. Just the day before she had sold 10 dozen to one lady. Always, a day late and a dollar short!

Linda had decorated her main sitting area with a grandmother's love quilt--. Linda estimates the quilt was made in late 1940's or early 1950's.
fabrics cut from daughters dress of old; sewn on a treadle machine
and handstitched with loving care to bring warmth and fond memories to all that sleep under.
Both Linda and Karen are working on this project; using brillant batiks. Maybe by next week they will have a completed top.
Annette brings along her sewing machine and quietly stitches away. She is working on this pattern--Hunter's Star.
She chain stitches and takes her units to the ironing board where she lines them up. She sets the stitching before pressing open.
And this jewel of a wall hanging is situated in the back corner of Linda's sewing room. Yes, it was a good Tuesday to take a Sunday drive.