Nuts to You

So far the water is holding out.  I'm not sure if you can tell, but it's very sandy.  We now have streaks of sand, running through the orchard.  We're about 20' from the bottom of our well.  Good thing we're to turn off the water in three days.  Then, it's time to prep, because it's almost harvest time.

 This year's crop is bountiful, plentiful, loaded with nuts, nuts, and more nuts.

 Look at all of those nuts!

The downside of a large crop (our first) is the constantly breaking branches.  Or maybe I should say limbs.  Huge, big, decades old limbs, that are LOADED with food, all are creaking and cracking with the weight.

Today we were told that most of our phone line issues are related to those nut-loaded limbs.  The power company comes out every year, to trim the branches away from the power line.  But the phone line?  It's hanging about 4' lower, and now has sagging limbs pulling it down.  We have a few options.  We can cut the limbs (which we'll probably have to do anyway), but if we do that, we'll lose that many more nuts.  Or we can ask/beg/grovel and try to get them to restring the line.  Or, we can see if we can get them to bury the line.  The repairman told me if we choose option 3, we'll have to pay for it.  yikes.

Just thought you might like some behind the scenes.  While folks wait for this year's crop to hit the store shelves, we're dealing with low water levels, breaking limbs, and even interference on the phone line.  I've said it before, and I'm guessing I'll say it again.  This farming stuff is not for the faint of heart.

Shh! It's a Secret!

I feel like this poor blog has been neglected, but really?  It hasn't been any more neglected than my quilting in general.  Finding time to stitch?  It's just not happening.  I used to MAKE time to stitch, but even this unseasonably cool summer (less that 100, for longer than normal) has not been enough to prompt me to regularly pick up needle and thread.  Thank goodness a friend has forwarded information about this challenge more than once.  Though now that I look at the website, I wonder once again, if I bought the right fabric.   This calls it "American Made," but I'm pretty sure that the bolt end read "Made in USA."  Is it the same stuff?  oh dear.

See, I bought fabric for the challenge several months ago, but never got around to cutting it up.  I needed more colors, so I went shopping.  When I chatted with the clerk, she said, "I don't think we had any of those fabrics cut into fat quarters.  You might have purchased RJR!"  I ran home, got the fat quarters and brought them back to the shop.

 They may be beautiful, but they are also RJR.  oh, dear.  Time for more shopping.  I picked out more than a dozen Made in USA fabrics, and bought a half yard of each.  Then I shlepped them home, tossed them in the washer (yes, they bleed.  Use color-catchers!) and hung them on the line.  Here they are, dried, and waiting for the iron.

I started the little quilt on Thursday morning, and finished the quilting last night.  Today I hope to attach the facing and finish it.  Goals are good.

And that's what I've been up to lately.  I think the quilt will measure around 14" square, so when I say, "I haven't done much," really...I haven't done much.

Maybe I can get something done that I'm actually able to show you.  Goals are good, and all that.  Summer's wasting, and I'm still looking for my motivation.  crazy, that.

Happy Quilting!

Accepted!

My quilt was accepted into the SAQA "Oasis" exhibit in Palm Springs.  If you are attending, you can look for my little sail boat, sailing in the deep blue sea.  :)

My miniature has been shipped to Houston.  The show isn't until late October, but the judging will be done by mid-Sept.  They have quite the time line.

Other than that, I haven't done much that is quilt-related this week.  oh wait.  Yes I did.  I went to a couple of estate sales, and picked up more treasure.  I love this little marble table.  It's the perfect size for an afternoon of lounging by the pool with a book and something cool to drink.  The top is marble, the base is heavy metal.  (Not the radioactive kind.)

 This little rabbit is also metal.  He was so cute, I had to bring him home.

 I found two of these calla lily stepping stones.  They add sparkle to my shade garden.

 I couldn't resist this chair, with the carved roses in the back.  I don't know what I'll do with it, other than stroke the carvings.  yeah, I'm kind of odd like that.

This was my favorite purchase yesterday - if I had a favorite.  I bought too many things, and I've put almost all of them to use already.  It's a giant clamshell.

 I scrubbed it after taking the picture.  I thought you might get an idea of its size, with the pint glass and the 4" tiles.

 Today I bought this utensil sorter for $1.  I wasn't sure what to do with it, until I remembered my box of Masterpiece thread.

 It's not very easy to pick a color when they're stored in the box.  In fact, I never use this thread, because I never remember that I have it available.

 The utensil holder is the perfect size.  Look at that!  It even holds the rest of my Masterpiece thread, that didn't fit in the box.  I'm guessing that I will use it a lot more, now that I can actually see it!  Best dollar I spent today!  :)

And I guess that's about it.  I stitched out a label, and have a dozen more that need to be stitched.  Oh!  And I promised a picture of that old quilt top that is now bound.  I'll have to take that picture tomorrow, and then post it.  Something to look forward to.  Goals are good.  :)

Finished!

whew!  Nothing like a deadline to get one motivated, eh?  It usually works for me, and this one was no exception.  The quilt isn't all that I imagined, but just maybe, it's enough.  Two weeks ago I thought it might have beading and embellishment.  Today?  It's fabric only, and that's final.  for now.

 I didn't hear anything about not allowing images ahead of time.  But once again Blogger strikes.  If you'd like to see the entire quilt, tilt your head 90 degrees.  :(

We were to include an Artist's Statement regarding this "oasis."  Mine read as follows:

My favorite escape is a view of the ocean.  When I consider its vast expanse, my problems sail away as though they are nothing.  God is bigger than my worries, and contemplating the details of His creation does much to soothe my soul.

The entry is now in the hands (computer) of the jury, and I patiently await their decision.  Whatever the jury says, I know that I'm pretty happy with this little piece.  "By the Sea" measures 17.75" x 39.25"  Not quite the 18 x 40" required size, but close enough.

And with that, it's on to the next thing.  Carry on!