Holiday with family

Pictures are worth a thousand words, right?  We were able to be with Jim's family on Christmas Eve and my family on Christmas day.  What more could we ask for?

My parents down in Rochester, along with cousins and spouses.

And a wonderful visit from Santa in Hastings on Christmas Eve with all the Andrews' clan.

Christmas morning in Woodland with family.

New Granddog

I miss Max terribly.  He was a wonderful dog, but had too much energy.  He needed a home where he could roam and be happy.  I hope he is enjoying his new home.  

But then there is Beans.  Miss Jelly Beans.  What a crazy little terrier she is.  John and Carrie got her in December.  She has been a happy addition to the family.  The cats may not like her, but Jim does, and that's what counts!

Sitting Turkeys and Turkey droppings?

Step Five is finally done.  With the holidays, it was difficult to find time to finish this small task.  But the 64 blocks are complete AND the turkey droppings are also sewn.   Bonnie said we weren't making any more flying geese, so called these blocks Sitting Turkeys.  I think they look more like houses. But the resulting little triangles I have named Turkey droppings.  Fitting name. 

My blocks were going great until I counted and was one short.  Oops!  Two sewn together.  

Normally the first portion would be done at this point.  But I wasn't going to waste those triangles.  So they were stitched a second time before cutting them loose!

Perfect!  Now I have half square triangles that can be used in another project.  They are so cute!

This may look like a tornado hit, but there was a plan in place.  Time to stitch the second triangle in place.  

And the second set of baby half square triangles or turkey droppings.  Don't you love that name!

How will these blocks fit in with the rest of the steps?  Bonnie has kept us guessing.  Time to play with them and see how many different ways they go together.  I will try to take photos of the possible placements later tonight, so stay tuned!

Flying Geese!!!!!

Step Four of Easy Street involved sewing MORE flying geese.  Oh what fun!  But these geese are a different color.  Back to my list and checking it twice, so I don't sew with the wrong fabrics.  Had my fabrics cut out just in time to sew the blocks during Bonnie's Quiltcam.

I decided to adjust my sewing a bit so I knew the wings would be enough.  By having the edges of the red wings off a bit, their portion of the seam allowance less than 1/4", I knew I would be safe with these geese.  I stitched using the yellow as the guide.   What resulted were geese with wings a bit too large, but since I always square up my blocks, that was fine with me.

What wonderful red and yellow blocks.  I thought I was done with Step Four, until I remembered.  These geese need to partner up with the other geese made in Step Two.

So back to the machine I went, and joined the geese.  Now they were happily done. 

The final icing on the cake was to cut up my navy stash into squares.  Glad to finally be cutting into it.  Can't wait to see what the setting will be!

Winter Wonderland

Winter finally arrived in Minnesota today.  We received at least a foot of snow.  Beautiful outside.  Perfect day to stay inside, decorate the Christmas tree, and set up my quilt shop snow houses. 

A day of Easy Street

Friday morning, Step Three of Easy Street was waiting for me when I checked in at 6:30am.  So I quickly printed the directions.  Only issue was that I am using different colors than Bonnie's example.  Where was my fabric requirement page that had my colors listed???  Did I leave it at quilt camp last weekend?  After a quick search, the pages were found.  

I am a substitute teacher, and was working in the high school art department on Friday.  Two of the classes were working independently, and I knew from past experience that I should bring something to do.  Art class?  Of course it was the perfect time to cut out my fabrics.  

This Friday night was also sewing night at the LQS.  We get together from 6pm until midnight once a month.  Sew, chat, and snack.  Always a great time.  I was able to finish the blocks for Step Three.  This went WAY too fast.  Did I do something wrong?  Nope.  Ready for next Friday's next step. 

Easy Street Step Two

Bonnie posts instructions for her mystery quilt every Friday morning.  Luckily they were available online in time for me to print off Step Two prior to heading north for a quilt retreat.  All flying geese are done and ready for Step Three!  Check out Quiltville.com. 

Easy Street Step One

Anyone else doing Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery quilt, Easy Street?  Check it out at Quiltville.com.  It will be exciting to see how everyone adds their own personal twist to the mystery.  Here is my step one.

Shipshewana

Every year, we yearn to hear the sound of the horses as they travel down the local roads.  And every year we find something unique.  We have always seen laundry hung, even in the bitter cold, but this was an amazing line.  

At night, we are usually on the road to one of the local restaurants to enjoy another chicken dinner.  This particular night the sky was a red glow.  Perfect sunset after a busy day of sewing.

Our sewing room was always a buzz with creativity.  This fall the room was full of both old and new friends.  It was wonderful to reconnect and see everyone in person again. 

Luckily the weather cooperated when we ventured outside.  Happy to have a car and just watch the buggies and bicycles as we drove by them.

Show and tell on Friday night brought out several Dear Jane quilts including Claire's and Pat's.  Such creative quilters!

Shopping was not at the top of my list this year.  I am to the point where little fabric should be purchased unless there is a specific project. Tracy and I had planned to keep that promise.  After I found a few pieces for a gift quilt, she took the plunge and found fabrics for Bonnie's latest mystery, Easy Street.  Neither one of us had enough will power to go home without a little bit of Shipshewana.

With less time spent shopping I made progress on my daughter's quilt, along with taking on Rosemary's jelly roll challenge.  It was a wonderful retreat, and I look forward to next Spring.