Homespun Houses

I've jumped in and joined a quilt along making Homespun Houses.   I'm behind when I start so I will have to make a couple houses the next couple months.   They are pretty simple and fun to sew together,  just wish I sewed my windows on straight.   Argh..... drives me crazy!   Applique will never be easy for me.      There are 10 in the quilt along, their links are listed below:

 Anne,  Sandy F, Anna = www.cottonsnwoolens.blogspot.com
> > 
> > Mary = http://www.quilthollow.com/
> > 
> > Paulette = http://sweetp-paulette.blogspot.com/
> > 
> > Sandy R  = http://sandysshowtellquilts.blogspot.com/
> > 
> > Kim  = http://kimsbigquiltingadventure.blogspot.com/
> > 
> > Patti  = http://ponderingquilting.blogspot.com/
> > 
> > Jocelyn  = http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com/

This has been a sad week for us.  My mother in law passed away Monday and 

Joe is working out of town until Thursday.  It makes it harder because he  

is out of cell phone range and no internet.  We do get used to being

connected don't we.  We spent last Saturday night with her and we are so

thankful we did.   

I am going to hop over and check out everyone's blocks, have a great week.

Hugs,

Carrie 

Seattle Graduation, Sharing Old n' First Quilt

Last weekend DH and I took a quick trip to Seattle to celebrate our niece's graduation from Seattle University School of Nursing. She is the one with the drink in her hand, didn't notice that when I took the picture. Pictured with her are classmates that are graduating with her. A very nice group of "young" people. Visiting with them I found myself asking questions about their views on our aging society, lol...... us boomers need to be thinking about these people who will be our caregivers........ I was very impressed with their openness and intelligence. They were all full energy and excitement for their new careers. They also had a sincere sense of compassion, I really liked that. Then I asked who was making those yummy bloody mary's, cause I would really love on too!! LOl........ after all it was a party and it was a long drive, I needed to relax!

Sarah in her little hat that she would wear during the cap and gown ceremony. We all wanted to know if the guys were going to wear the same one!!.. lOl.....no mercy!
After the party my sister and I went out for a little shopping time together to my favorite place , Country Village. It is a very quaint set of shops in Bothell. They have beautiful flowers on the grounds and even some feathered friends. This pink peony was just beautiful.

This wonderful dogwood tree is at my sister's home, they are just beautiful this year.I participated in a Primitive Porch Swap and I made a very fun flag for my partner. It is a Country Threads pattern. I have been wanting to make this up for some time and the swap just seemed the perfect opportunity. I did some machine quilting on it and I just need to do a lot more or give it up. It has been awhile and I was so tense, I really had to dig to find my quilting gloves and when I did it was so much better. They really do help.

I found the birdhouse at a vendor mall in Sisters and thought it was perfect. It was made of old wood. The book is blank pages for drawing or making notes. I like doodle pads and journaling. Not pictured are the flags I purchased at the last minute and then proceded to close up the box, I had set the camera on top of the box when I loaded the car and didn't notice it slipped inside. LOL......

I had to put the quilt in my little garden area for a memory shot.

So now I am quilting up another small project which I will show soon.

The next quilt is one I purchased on a trip a couple years ago to Seattle. We were with my Sister and her husband, there is a wonderful shop at Pike's Market and we both found an antique quilt.

I love tree quilts and late 1800's this quilt fit both. I feel in love, it has some wonderful fabrics and it really sparkles. I took it off the quilt ladder this week and gave it a tumble in a warm dryer and its resting on the spare bedroom for awhile.

A close up showing some of the fabrics.
This wallhanging is the project I made when I learned to quilt. It is hand pieced and quilted.

The instructor picked the four blocks specifically for the techniques. We started by picking a border piece and fabrics that coordinated with it. I learned so much in that first class and still use some of the tips for machine piecing. That first border took some time, there were alot of set in pieces in it. I think it was a good thing to learn early on, it wasn't difficult I just needed to be precise.

I wished I had picked the red and green border and had a christmas quilt, but it is fun to go back and look at your first projects.

Many of my first projects were given as gifts, and I wish I kept better photo records of them. I do try to sign and make labels for them now, I didn't do that earlier. I really love the new digital cameras, not having to wait for film to be developed is wonderful.

I am painting my adirondak chairs this weekend, they have really needed it. I may be working in the garage since the weather is questionable for tomorrow. Hope your having a wonderful weekend!

Prim Blessings,

Carrie

Memorial Day with Mom

We had a beautiful weekend in Central Oregon. The weather was warm but not hot and mild breezes, just perfect!! We even had our first pop-up thunder & lightening storm. Which thankfully fizzled out before it caused any threats. But it does remind me that with the warmer weather we have the upcoming threats of fires.
Joe is working out of town for a couple weeks, he came home saturday and brought his mother too!! It is always fun when Boots comes for a visit. She is happy to stay home so you have to do some fancy steps and talkin, if that doesn't work you just have to pick her up and bring her along anyway!! LOL..... She lives with Joe's brother and their family needed some time together to go on a camping trip fishing. It gave my BIL and his family a much needed break...... its a priviledge to be able to care for your parents and it puts a demand on you too.

I took a couple pictures of Joe and his mom together before they left on Monday. I really like this one, even though her eyes are closed from the sun. I just thought it captured a tenderness, and that is how Joe feels about his mom. We got on the web-cam with my son in Omaha and the triplets. You know I love it, but it was fun having Boots get to see the boys.
I worked in the yard after they left early Monday, they had to drive over the passes and it is crazy on a holiday weekend. Every campground in the state of Oregon was full this weekend. Which means the roads would be extremely busy with trailers, boats and every other type of recreational vehicle.

I got busy on some much needed grass pulling and garden bed clean-up. My back is particulary sore this morning so I guess I accomplished something. I got some annuals planted in pots and beds too. Hopefully they will not get frosted like my tomatoes did.

Today I am going to finish up my Primitive Porch Swap and get it in the mail later in the week. I hate mailing it so close to the deadline but my partner is out of town and I don't want it to arrive while she is gone.
And since she is out of town and maybe, hopefully wont see I will give a peek to the flag I am making for her. I need to make a decision about the batting, I want it to not be to stiff or bulky but still look quilt like.

As I said my DH is working out of town for the week so I have alot of time to sew and garden. I have more things I want to do than time will allow. I will give it a good shot anyway!!

I am going to have lunch with a couple friends at a wonderful place, if the weather stays nice maybe I can get a picture.

I am looking forward to seeing what Karen has been working on for Farmhouse Woolens. In all her spare time, from moving into her new home and the challenges that come with that, she will be updating her business website.

I am finishing up the stitching on my last two blocks from Wool Garden, they are so beautiful. I love they way the quilt is coming together.

Spring blessings,

Carrie