Chokecherries

Maybe the chokecherries like the heat, because we have a Bumper Crop! John and Kate took advantage of the cooler weather today and picked 30 # in just an hour or so. John takes his shears and cuts the branches off first and then picks the berries off. Prune and harvest at the same time.

Kate and I are planning little quilts for the IQA Silent Auction fundraiser at International Quilt Festival in Houston; we starting picking out fabrics today. John already has his partially pieced and on the design wall. Overachiever.

Too Hot to Blog?

John, Kate and Kevin have all been out of town and I spent a friendly but warm weekend "dog sitting" for Maggie and Moon. I meant to take a picture of these handsome and mostly well behaved dogs, but time just slipped away.

The only trouble the dogs had was with our neighbors across the road who have a calf roping arena. All those horse trailers and pickups and horses just asked to be barked at. And it's not like those horses weren't making noise too!

Stay cool!

Archeological Upholstery

John is teaching in Flagstaff, Arizona. He hasn't complained about the heat yet, but I'll bet it's warm enough.

Kate is just finishing up an unusual little Dresden Plate project; she is so (sew) fast!

My project is to reupholster a love seat; replacing fabric from the 70s with a western looking fake fur. It's not going so well today; I discovered I didn't get enough fabric. That's never happened to you, right? Maybe the decorating gods are trying to tell me something!

On The Road

Here is what the Chevy van looks like when we have packed it for 9 classes and a lecture. There are four suitcases of quilts, one suitcase of clothes, oh, and those Hawaiian shirts! A sewing machine, adjustable chair, all kinds of sewing accessories and 20 boxes of templates and pre-cut quilt kits.

John also put up a flannel backed table cloth to keep the air conditioned air up front - he can use it for a design wall when he gets to Flagstaff.

First, the Wyoming State Guild conference in Sheridan and then Quilt Camp in the Pines in Flagstaff, Arizona. Drive safe!

Fleece Dogs

Are these cute! John's sister Peggy always has a bunch of wonderful creative projects and here are her little needle felted dogs. The book is called "Fleece Dogs" by Nagakubo.

Peggy, her daughter Perrin and friends are the "Feed Dogs" and they make quilts, witty accessories and unique children and baby clothes to sell at craft fairs near Billings. Their next show is "Summer Fair" in Billings followed by the "Sweet Pea Festival" in Bozeman. Look up their booth if you are in the area.

Last I heard, the little dogs were staying home, though, not for sale.

Back to Work

Hope you Fourth of July fans had a great parade to see, a great picnic and visit and lots of beautiful fireworks. We took in the parade in Red Lodge. It is hard to pick a favorite, but I always admire the Rodeo Princess candidates and the Little Rodeo Princess candidates. Accomplished young women. I don't know how the horses feel about all the glitter in their manes, though.

John got another pre-cut kit sample done. This is the Snail's Trail, of course and it will be available soon.

I feel just about like a snail today or maybe a fried egg.

Official Summer Days

Okay, it's hot! We spent the weekend at Red Lodge; it is cooler up there than here in the valley. But we came back in today to do a few of those things that worry you when you are out of town.

John has found a gas powered post hole digger out in the sheds somewhere and is digging fence post holes. A gas powered post hole digger also known as a "worry your wife because you are working alone with a scary, noisy tool" machine.

No pictures today, but John got the sample for our newest pre-cut kit pieced; we will take pictures of it and it will be in the catalog soon; 12" Snails Trail.

Stay cool!