A Delightful Woman

Kind, wise, funny, a magical gardener and great cook. And many other things to all of us - John's Mom died early this morning. We will absolutely miss her.

Back to Work

How was your Fourth of July? We enjoyed the parade in Red Lodge and had a modest houseful for barbecue. Everything went well - the homemade ice cream was definitely soft serve but tasty. Better the next day! We enjoyed all our company but especially the grand nieces, 3 and 5.

Kate and I are helping John get packed for his workshops in Flagstaff Arizona. The following weekend is a state convention in Chadron, Nebraska so he will be on the road and on the road and on the road. I will post pictures of some of the kits he is taking later - there are some nice ones.

You might be interested in what T Boone Pickens is saying about wind power, about foreign oil, about natural gas and about the presidential campaign. For myself, I do think it is really unfortunate to depend on the countries who hate us for such an important commodity. You can check him out at this link.

Stay cool!

Brooke

Happy Fourth of July Anyway

It still surprises me when, from time to time, someone in our big quilt world decides to take advantage of another quilter just to make a buck, to promote a product, to sell a magazine. This little graphic goes along with what our mothers always told us "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Anyway, have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July. We are having a BIG barbecue and, I think, lots of barbecue eaters and maybe some fishermen. And John promised to take me to the parade - watch out for the firetrucks and those water cannons!

Brooke

Rock Creek

I am back from vending at the Martha Pullen Market in Arlington, Texas. While not a "quilt" show, there were lots of things for quilters to see and do and buy! The heirloom christening gowns were a sight to behold and to admire. You should go to one of the Martha Pullen events when there is one in your area - wow!

John is resting for a few days in Dallas before flying out to teach at the Vermont Quilt Festival this weekend. Repacking the three suitcases of quilts we had with us in Arlington was one of his projects. Vermont is one of his favorite teaching venues.

Kate and Kevin took this picture of beautiful Rock Creek in high water. Rock Creek is swift enough that you need to be careful of it even when it is low - your feet can go right out from under you. No fishing when it is this high but the water rushing by is great for a sound night's sleep.

Brooke

More Wildflowers

We have had an unusually wet spring and cool days and nights which is saving the snow pack in the mountains. There is a nice patch of Lupine right outside our kitchen door which we really enjoy. I wish it would spread. The Beargrass is in bloom right now too, so delicate.

While we are enjoying the wildflowers and native grasses, our neighbor has paid someone to dig the rocks out of his "lawn" so he can mow it more easily. Everybody is different.

Is this what you Texas quilters call "Bluebonnet"?

Brooke

WOW

Do you like this one? John and Kate are busy getting ready for the Martha Pullen Market in Arlington, Texas (June 19 - 21) and for the Vermont Quilt Festival which is the next weekend.


Martha Pullen Sewing Market
Vermont Quilt Festival


This bright spiral is one of the class projects for Vermont, a pre-cut kit so students don't have to spend all morning cutting - just go right to sewing. John's is almost pieced and I'm not sure what he is going to work on next.

Brooke

Working Weekend

John tried to plant his corn here in Billings, but the ground is still too wet. Too bad, now it is sunny and good weather for corn growing. He will be able to plant sometime this week, I'm sure.

We drove up to Red Lodge with our usual car full of projects. (Including laundry, but that's not very interesting.) We have a new track lighting system in the loft where we sew and, boy, that's nice. John pieced the newest colorway of the 6" Wheel of Mystery; it is from fabric Kate just bought at Market. The colorway is pastel. These are kits for John's Wheel of Mystery class at the Vermont Quilt Festival in July, so if you are signed up for the class, here is your project, hot off the press! We will have these available on the website and at shows, so everyone can have one if they like it.

I quilted on a black and bright 10" Wheel of Mystery top that has been traveling to classes and shows almost too long and was starting to fray along the edges. It is a pretty quilt and I got about 1/2 done before it was time to pack up and head back to Billings. What a monster thunderstorm we saw on the way back - impressive.

Well, back to Monday's sorting out and filing and searching and all that. Three boxes of new fabrics came today, so that is fun!

Brooke