National Parks revisited, etc.

I was thrilled to finish up the National Parks quilt for Youngest Son last week. This will go under the tree for him, since he will be spending Christmas with us. It was a little large for hubby to stretch it out all by himself, but you get the idea. I took the shot off-center because I wanted a bit of the mountain backdrop to be visible, to emphasize the nature theme. 

I did the flange binding, or it wouldn't have been under the tree until next year. And as usual, my quilter did an excellent job. Maybe enlarging the photo above will give you an idea of her quilting in the panels, but I highlighted the panel of Yellowstone Park below. This park is about 3 hours away from us. Aside from being the first National Park, it was the first National Park we went to on a family vacation, and the one we have returned to the most often.

Lori at Humble Quilts blog had a doll quilt SAL that started the last week of September--while I was in Norway. When I got home it took me a little while to get back into my routine, which included reading blogs. So I didn't learn about the SAL until she was having her linky party for the finished quilts.  I usually try to do Lori's doll quilt SALs, and since I happened to have some time that day, I decided to give it a try.

This didn't make it into the linky party, but I can share it here. A few things to tell you about this little flimsy (not a finished product yet).  In order to speed the process, I told myself that I could only use what was in my scrap baskets. I was surprised to find that tan check, but it took the place of the stripes. Also, I had enough of the green used in most of the blocks to do all of the blocks, but I wanted it to look more "make do". So I found another green to use in a couple of the blocks, and I made sure the stripes in that green did NOT end up all going in the same direction. And lest you think I have really big pieces of fabrics in my scrap basket--I cut my blocks half the size of the instructions. so this finishes at just over 13 inches, instead of the 25" the pattern indicated. That's how I roll. ;)

Also back in September, Grace (at citymouse quilter blog) offered a stack of basket blocks for the cost of postage. We quibbled a bit about them being worth more, but I ended up getting 26 hand appliqued 6" basket blocks for the $10 postage cost. I feel like a thief, but I love these blocks.

You can see that I was auditioning setting square fabric and setting triangle fabric. You can get a better look below. These are the ones I think I will use. They are each from a "Collection for a Cause" line of fabrics.

Thank you, Grace. I am so happy to own these appliqued baskets, that I would never have made if I lived to be a hundred (because I don't applique). I think they will make a lovely wall hanging. And it will be very special because you made the baskets!

Just a closing note about an experience hubby and I had Friday night. I don't know how many of you have ever heard of the Giving Machines. They have been around for a few years, but we finally got them this year in the nearby town.

It is a unique vending machine that represents needs of local and worldwide charities. They are up for a limited time during the Christmas season. You can choose from many options as to where your donation will be used, and 100% of your donation goes to the charity. We read through all the options and hubby and I each chose something different. 

I took the picture above after the crowd had thinned out a bit, and the sun was setting (which means it was getting cold--I don't know about the kid in the t-shirt and shorts).

There are 100 Giving Machine locations in North America, and 18 more in places around the world. You can find a map at this link that can give you exact locations, and more information about the program.  

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you are able to find quiet time to ponder on the Savior, who is the Light of the World.

Until next time,

Be creative, and be kind--and Merry Christmas!

Janet O.

Just thought I would share this photo of the live nativity at our neighbor's barn--complete with a camel for the wise men.

Retreat and Other Adventures

It felt so good to attend a retreat again, and it felt great to make progress on a few projects.

First up, I completed the center blocks for our Mini Club with Lynn. Each block will finish at 4".

This will be finished off with three rounds of borders, one of which is pieced. I probably won't get back to those steps until next year. There are priorities for Christmas gifts that need my attention now.

I also finished the blocks for the Barbara Brackman "Hands All Around" BOM that I joined during 2021. It was a set of 12 patterns, and I made two blocks from each pattern, using the same fabrics for both blocks, but switching the fabric placement on the second one.

I had been saving brown and pink Civil War fabrics for years, and decided this was the time to use them. I kept up while making the first 9 sets of blocks--I only had the last 3 patterns (6 blocks) to finish at retreat. The border stripes on either side of the blocks had been acquired along the way, and I hope to incorporate one or both of them into the layout. It has been such a long time since I actually completed a BOM. This felt good--even though it isn't truly finished.

The last real progress made was on the "National Parks" quilt I have promised my youngest son. I had cut out a slew of flying geese with my AccuQuilt cutter, and spent time sewing up a bunch of them in order to make progress on this. This is one of those "make-it-up-as-you-go-along" quilts. It won't win any beauty pageants, but it will make a nice throw for my very tall youngest son who LOVES spending time in the parks.

The center strips of FG are the only ones sewn into strips. I need to get going on the others, after I figure out exactly how many I will need down each side. I think the brown in the upper right corner will form the final border around the quilt. It is the same brown bordering the center map.

Do you visit, or have you visited many National Parks? There are a lot of them in the west and we visited several on family vacations over the years. Most recently hubby and I saw Acadia in Maine last year, and the year before that we visited Glacier Bay in Alaska, but all of the other ones we have seen are in the western states. I'd like to branch out a bit.

I also worked a "little bit" on my Every Little Bit quilt by Pam Buda, but I didn't get much done, so I will share that another time when I've made visible progress.

Our retreat venue was the same as it has been for the last few years before COVID shut us down, the beautiful Academy Conference Center in Brigham City, Utah. The above photo was taken at a time when most everyone was attending one of the optional classes.

The retreat is sponsored by the shop over the mountain, Village Dry Goods.

This is owner Fran on the left, her girl Friday (Liz) on the right--and me squished in the middle. You couldn't ask for better people. And if you want to get to know them, go to the Village Dry Goods Facebook page on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 MST for Village Vibes, where these two fun ladies teach, chat, inform, and bring in guests. If you miss it live, you can catch it on their YouTube channel.

I shared my table at the retreat with two good friends from my guild, Ruth, and Andrea.

We had a grand time together. This was the first time either of them have attended the retreat, and I hope they will come back. I did miss Kim, my usual retreat buddy, but she was unable to attend this year.

That is the end of the quilty content. Just wanted to share a handful of favorite shots from our trip to Amsterdam and Norway in September. Loved seeing another part of the world. In Amsterdam we did a canal cruise (of course), and I got a kick out of the Dancing Houses. Can you see how off kilter they are?

I also thoroughly enjoyed the Van Gogh Museum, and seeing some of his amazing works in person. There were a few pieces by Claude Monet,  Paul Gauguin, and several other artists, but it was mostly Van Gogh. Can't put my finger on why, exactly, but his Almond Blossom painting has long been a favorite of mine, and I was excited to find it there.

He explored such a wide range of styles in his art, and this is just a smidgen of it. Definitely the highlight for me in Amsterdam.

In Norway, this was probably the highlight.

Kayaking in a couple of Fjords was amazing. The first time was sunny and calm and magical. This was a 5 mile trip--loved every minute of it.

Hubby accompanied me on this excursion, but two days later I went again without him. It was a completely different experience, but still made for incredible memories.

It poured on us the whole time, but we were a hardy crew, and the scenery was amazing! This journey was just over 4 miles, and other than my hands being extremely cold, I enjoyed it, too.

On other days we wandered through quaint villages, and strolled along city streets, even hiked up over 400 stairs to get to an observatory for a sunset view of Alesund. Well worth it.

Hubby always promised me we would travel after he retired, and I am holding him to it. We have our trip for next year booked, and think we may have picked out our destination for the following year.  I don't take for granted the privilege it is to get to experience these places. My parents were simple, humble people, but my father traveled the world for his work the last 10 years of his employment. Mom didn't love traveling, but accompanied him a few places--Hawaii, Israel, New Zealand. In their waning years they both told me that travel broadens your perspective, and gives you a greater appreciation for the fact that we are all God's children, and that He created a beautiful world for us. They encouraged me to travel if I got the opportunity. So I am trying to help keep hubby an honest man, honor my parents' counsel, and fulfill some dreams I've had for over half a century. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

But it is always good to be home, and our sunsets are pretty incredible, too.

I just remembered some other quilty content I forgot to include, so I may actually get another post up this month...but don't hold your breath. :)

Until next time,

Be creative and be kind.

Janet O.