Wednesday Update and OMG

Summer has LOTS of wildlife posts.  Yesterday was a Hoary Bat, a species we had not seen here before--

They are native to the area, we just hadn't seen any up close and personal like this!  Look carefully and you can see his ears, eyes and nose.  

My OMG for September was 40 more Easy Hourglass blocks.  The pile was pretty big so I recounted what I had.  

68 Easy Hourglass blocks.  So the total count is 140 (I had 72).  There are enough 4 patches for 96 more blocks.  Looks like I'll have enough blocks for TWO quilts.  OMG for September completed!  I'm linking up with Elm Creek Quilts.

Most the time I am pretty careful about which way my seams go.  But sometimes they get twisted--

Sometimes I fix them, sometimes I don't!   

It was a cold and rainy weekend, I made White Chicken Chili--

It was perfect for the rainy weekend.  

No goals this weekend, its a busy week.  Still on the list are the quilt labels for my guild show entries.  

~Lori in Nebraska~

Two Finishes for Motivation Friday

The last week I've been busy binding.  Remember when I swapped strips with Teresa from TX and Lorri2Rs?  We used the pattern Apple Crisp by Evelyn Sloppy.  I made LOTS of blocks--enough for two quilts.  One I set on point--

Its 84x92 and used 15 yards of fabric.  The 2nd quilt I set the blocks straight-

This one is 70x85 and used 14 yards of fabric.  (Thank you Karla for holding these quilts for pictures). The first one I dyed a backing dark lavender, the 2nd one a soft mint green.  Both are entered in my guild's quilt show in October, and the straight set will be donated after the show. It was so much fun to swap strips and I loved every minute of making these quilts.  

Recently Stashbusters were discussing whether or not you make a quilt/pattern twice?  Some people like the challenge of a new pattern every time.  Me--I can repeat and repeat.  Its like seeing old friends!  There's no right or wrong to this--quilters are diverse people--but share the love of quilting.  

~Lori1R in Nebraska~

Weekly Update

Just a quick check in.  Last week I wanted to make more Easy Hourglass blocks--finished 52 of them.  This week I'm working on hand sewing binding down, my guild's quilt show in coming up.  One more to finish this week.

A few pictures--

 

I only have four tomato plants--two of them are producing like crazy! I LOVE tomato sandwiches!

The morning glorys are blooming--these are "Heavenly Blue" variety.  The color is almost a neon blue--the top photo is very true in color.  The flowers are almost the size of my palm.  These are grown in pots and I have them climbing a plastic netting that is 6 foot tall.  They grow to twelve foot easily as I have them planted at home also--climbing the pergola above the deck.  

Zebra mussels are becoming a problem here--

These pictures are of the irrigation system filters--water is pumped from the river to water the grass etc.  This filter was cleaned on Friday, and today is Wednesday.  All these mussels accumulated in FIVE days.  This is an invasive species that has become a nasty problem.  The solution--none yet.  

The Wooly Bear caterpillars are out--

This is the first one I have seen this fall.  

The days are unseasonably warm but winter will get here eventually.  I'm going to enjoy every last day I can!  

~LORI in Nebraska~

Design Wall Monday and Weekly Goals

This week I worked on Easy Hourglass blocks--

There are 20 blocks made so far, and another 40 "foursies" made.  I am pressing and "twirling" the centers of the foursies.  The last 17 blocks for Stoplight are done, bagged, and ready to throw on the design wall.

I tried a new recipe this weekend--

Cajun Chicken Pasta!  It was GREAT! Thank you Cara for the knock off recipe of Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta.

Weekly Goals--

20 more Easy Hourglass blocks

That's my only goal this week.  I'm linking to Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.  

~Lori in Nebraska~ 

Orange You Glad It's Orange Saturday

September is orange and I love orange!  I pulled all the orange charms I had to use in Easy Hourglass blocks--

This is such an easy pattern!   No diagonal seams, but there will be bias edges.  All you need is a gentle hand and lots of starch before you cut/sew!   Please see what everyone is working on at SoScrappy.

Another picture of Praying Mantis--

And a Katydid--

Doesn't he look like a leaf?

Karla coaxed him to sit on her finger--

He then flew into the tree and disappeared!

Beautiful weather right now, warm during the day but cooling off in the evenings. 

~Lori in Nebraska~

Design Wall Monday and Weekly Goals

This weekend I worked on the Stoplight and Rail Fence blocks--

25 more Stoplight blocks brings the total to 90.   The plan is a 13x9 setting--so 117 blocks.  I have enough centers made already.  The rail fence added 10 more blocks--the total is 30.  If I set them on point I need 72.  Once I get enough blocks for a top I put them in a Ziploc storage bag and will assemble them on the design wall.  I can start by sewing them into pairs, but like to do final sewing plan after I see them together.  This summer I've been using my box of 2.5" strips cut from scraps and stash--its been a lifesaver!   I'm linking up with Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.  The 2.5" box still has lots of strips in it, I could easily make another quilt or three!  

Weekly Goals--

17 Stoplight blocks
Rail Fence blocks

That's enough, its going to be a busy week.  Today the weather is beautiful--cool enough the windows are open and there is a slight breeze.  

Thursday was Sue's last day.  She has retired and we miss her.  

Everyone knows Sue HATES "smelly fish lunches" so she was gifted with canned tuna, sardines, and oysters.  I'm going to miss you Sue!! 

~Lori in Nebraska~

More Wildlife

The area around the Visitor Center has lots of wildlife.  Another bat on Friday was caught and released.  Out on the observation bay there was a Praying Mantis--

Its the biggest one I have ever seen, about 5" long.  I used my ring for a size reference.  You can read about them here. 

Its a long weekend and I hope to get some sewing done.   What sort of plans do you have?

~Lori in Nebraska~

OMG for September

Time for a monthly goal.  Stashbusters is starting a September Squares challenge (use your charm squares, layer cakes etc) and I have a basket of 5" charms cut from scraps.  It has a lot of "unloved" fabrics in it and I think the Missouri Star Easy Hourglass will be a good place to use them.  I really liked the one Emily on Stashbusters made--

Thank you for the inspiration Emily!  Not sure how many blocks I need for a quilt, but will try to make 40 blocks for September.  I think this is a doable goal.  I'm linking to Elm Street Quilts OMG.

I love September.  The nights are cool, the days warm but not hot.  Everything is green and the flowers and gardens are producing.

~Lori in Nebraska~