Inspiration

Nothing like a change of location to catch one's attention and inspiration!

 I don't think my husband could handle a backyard overgrown with violets, dandelions, rabbits and more.

 Then again, the color is spectacular!

 And evensong is beautiful.

We're to head home tomorrow, but now the airline warns of "inclement weather."  What does it mean?  I have no idea.  oh.  Where are we?  Here's a helpful hint...

More Goodies

I did a bit more stitching yesterday, and put together two more little quilted cards.

 I had a lot of fun going through my scrap box, pulling out the shell button and the trim strip from Oceanside Sunset.  The first is a birthday card, the second a "thinking of you" card.

 Last week I finished up my donation quilt for the SAQA online auction.  I didn't think I was finished, until I'd looked at it every day for a week.  I can't think of a thing to add that would make it better.  Anything else would just be too much.

  "Big Fish"

Suzanne Kistler 2016

12"x12"

Soon I will be in the midst of a week of sewing/quilting.  I can hardly wait.  But first things first, and right now it's family.  ooh!  And speaking of which, the youngest got engaged over the weekend, so we've got a wedding in our future.  Life is good.

As Promised...

Fiber!

 I finished my first two quiltlets of the year.  I am SO behind!  But I've begun the game of catch-up.

Two quiltlets in two days?  Not bad.  Not bad at all.  Goals are good!  Or, as a friend suggested this morning, GAG!  (Goals Are Good)  oh my!  :)

Still So Busy!

As I'm wrapping up the quilt show, I still have several days' work ahead of me.  But since we're post-show, I've taken a few days off as well.  Last week, guild met.  One of the quilts from show and tell caught my eye.  I really want to see if I can draft this one, because I can envision it in a way that would be REALLY pleasing.

 This was a 40's quilt top, but with updated fabrics?  It could be really fun!  :)

I need some handwork, as I've got a plane flight coming up in my future.  I don't want to sit idle, especially if we get stuck in the airport yet again.  I need some handwork.  I don't have all that long to get it together.

On Saturday, we headed up to Jamestown, to my husband's family's cattle ranch.  We were trading cars with my daughter - long story - and the branding was just the event during which to do it.  I thought we'd be there for an hour or so, instead we stayed for four hours.  I got about two hours too much sun, but now I look "healthy" rather than "ashen."  :)

 The name of the ranch is K Arrow, and one of the barns is over 100 years old.  My husband just told me that it was a stage coach stop, and has been in operation since it was built for such a purpose.  Apparently the original house on the property functioned as a "hotel" for passengers to rest up while they were changing out the horses.

 It was branding day, and there were around 120 calves waiting for attention.

 Some of them spent a lot of time bawling before hand.  They wanted their mommies.

The time in the branding pen was short and sweet.  It sounds like it's harsh treatment, but the calves truly do not even seem to notice what's been done to them.

 This is the reunion pen, with the mamas and their babies finding each other without much difficulty.

 And here is little PennyPie, who was also there.  Can you tell she's a city girl?  I hear she dressed herself.  Good thing she spent most of the time indoors, and wearing sunscreen.  I wouldn't want her to be a crispy critter like her grandma.

And that's about it for now.  The iris blooms are winding down, and the creeping temperatures are killing the color in the yard.  oh well.  We've had the most glorious Spring within memory, and I took LOTS of pictures. 

Next on tap?  To actually sew something to blog about.  Goals are good!

Take Time

The roses are beautiful this year, too.  Everything in the garden is beautiful.  I'm still buried under quilt show paperwork.  Hopefully, I'll be able to come up for air sometime soon.  Goals are good!  :)

WOW

I hadn't realized I hadn't posted in weeks.  Sorry about that.  I've been busy.  Best of the Valley Quilt Show 2016 has come and gone, and I'm now in the week of wrap up.  It is possible that I will get back to regular posting in the near future.  Goals are good!

Penny and her Mama came to the quilt show.  Here is Penny with Grandpa.  They had a nice visit, albeit a short one.

I entered six quilts, and came away with three ribbons:  2HM and a blue.  Blackeyed Beauty did well, and was happy to preside over the MiniQuilts, Illustrated category.

And now I am home again, catching the last of the blooming iris.  They seem to peak when I'm at the show, but there are enough of them this year, that I'm getting my fill.

 I felt like Georgia O'Keefe, as I zoomed in for a close-up.

Next week, I'm aiming for needle and thread.  Goals are good!  :)