I've had some very enthusiastic walkers this past week, and have we ever had the weather to encourage us to get out and enjoy it!
It also gave folks the opportunity to see some of the Helene aftermath - and yes, there are still things blocking roads - still bridges washed out, still mess that remains 3 weeks past the event.
This is near my favorite barn on Bear Branch road.
There is still a huge tree across the road -
But evidently folks aren't "THAT" worried about it? We saw a little car just pull up to the downed tree, and go under!
I will admit the sight of this tree gave me a bit of trauma response. I wasn't sure I wanted to go under it. But there was no way around it. So we ducked quickly under.
I mean, it's been there stable for 3 weeks and though it is ribboned for removal - it looks like it's not high on anyone's list of "Must Do Now."
And this is how life is here.
Leaf strewn dir road - and if you look closely - some cows.
Yea, I see you, too!
Further on down - in the pen, eating pumpkins.
Photo interrupted by sunbows!
That is one big bull!
Old cabin - now out from the cover of leaves.
Fall color and downed trees.
It only took us away from sewing for about an hour. My thought is - you can sew after dark, so take advantage of the sunshine and get some steps in. It's good for your body, mind and soul.
Blind Man's Fancy blocks up on the wall!
And some more on this wall!
This quilt has become a group challenge - and it is wonderful to see the colorful fabric combinations and watch blocks coming together. Not for the faint of heart!
Pattern from this book - History Repeated.
Yesterday was a packed day for me.
Haircut at 9:30am. Dentist in Jefferson at 1:30pm. so I left about 12:45pm for that appointment.
In the in between time I managed to do this:
I got County Clare loaded into the machine and will be ready to start on it today in between loads of laundry.
It's time for the Brown Bird Bee gals to head home - I'll post their "over the porch rail" photos tomorrow.
After the dentist I stopped at the cutest little sewing machine shop in West Jefferson:
I am thrilled with the response and can't wait to see what you make!
Entries are coming in on the gift-away post. Did you get yours in?
Ashe Sewing Center
Open by appointment only!
As it turns out, I didn't have an appointment. I didn't know I needed one. I stopped by on a whim as the Janome 11000 I have hasn't sewn for a while due to a bobbin issue and I really needed to get it seen to.
It turns out that Lester was able to work on it while I waited - not only that, but he is going to help me get the software updated and give me some basics on using the machine to embroider things like labels. Supposedly I can even scan in my own signature so it "looks" like my handwriting.
There are other things I want to do with crazy quilting, and I've never used this machine to its full potential.
Truth is, he laughed when I said I was only using it to straight stitch paper piecing.
Okay - so I'm a simple piecer and didn't think I needed a machine with this many bells and whistles, but let's find out what the bells and whistles do before I make up my mind on it.
At any rate - it had me getting back to the retreat at nearly 5pm - what a full day!
Anyone have a Janome 11000 and use it for embroidery? I'm scared of this thing. Seriously.
This morning off the front porch -
Our color has finally arrived - for what little is left of the leaves.
I love the beauty of fall - it just passes far to quickly for my liking.
Maybe a walk this afternoon? We'll see.
What do you have planned for this Tuesday?
I want to thank everyone for the response to yesterday's Ladder Star Gift-Away!
I'll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a Ladder Star PDF pattern from me, and a Crème de la crème neutrals roll from Cotton to Quilts.
These beautiful ivory shades will blend wonderfully with your plaids and scrap fabrics to make Ladder Star your own.
And check out the other fabric rolls they have in stock as well - there are 20 fabrics in each roll, each piece measures approximately 8 1/2'' X 22''. Great for building variety.
Introductory Pricing: I have placed Ladder Star at 25% off. No coupon code needed. Price is good through 10/31/24.
Stars and Scraps were meant for each other! Create this stunning star quilt in scrappy plaids from recycled shirts or with your own stash yardage. Piecing options, full color photos and graphics and many tips for easy piecing pleasure included.
Quilt Size: 84’’ X 84’’
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Just some random thoughts as I watch the sunrise over the ridge and begin to contemplate all that needs doing today.
What? You don't get random weird thoughts like this, too?
What? You don't get random weird thoughts like this, too?
My apologies to those who regularly use Worcestershire sauce - when married to a picky guy, it's not on the list of flavors he likes so a bottle last an eternity in my fridge.
Why am I even having to explain this? I thought it was funny.
Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!
I have bought many bottles of Worcester shire sauce over the years. It's a staple for me along with steak sauce, ketchup, teriyaki sauce, and whole grain mustard!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny and very true. Glad you are able to get out and enjoy some of that beautiful color before it is gone. We have one Aspen that refuses to give up it's leaves an it sparkles in the sun. Have a happy day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! I, too, have a VERY fancy sewing machine that I haven't used fully in decades - a Bernina Artista 200, that does embroidery stitches, smocking, etc. I've forgotten how to use those functions & honestly don't think I'd use the 'fancy' parts too much nowadays, anyway. The machine is having a thorough cleaning/maintenance and then I'll start looking into using it a little again. The re-sale value is almost nothing, so I may as well keep it as a backup! I use my Featherweight just for piecing blocks. I have a Janome straight stitch that sews FAST for simple quilting projects. Finally bought a Babylock Jazz II for the throat size (12") and the fact that there are 28 decorative stitches. I now can quilt the oversized twin & full and king size quilts. I kept hurting my neck & back trying to get the bigger quilts done on the Janome & Featherweight. I've never sent out my quilts for quilting - always done my own, even though it's pretty simple quilting. Too frugal for that - its money I can spend on fabric from thrift stores, scrap bags from quilt shows and yard sales! Deb / CA
ReplyDeleteThat Janome reminds me of my Pfaff Quilt Expression, don't need all those stitches or programming. Which is why I'm selling it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a productive day yesterday. With good results.
I think we generally share the same weather. The trees are gorgeous here. Good year for color.
We're in somewhat of a drought though.
Have a Sparkling day
I use Worcestershire sauce to season my steak with garlic salt and lemon pepper. So I go through a bottle about once every three months.
ReplyDeleteI buy one when I move. Figure start with a fresh bottle!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Bonnie! I look forward to you blog every morning. I love your tips, patterns and sense of humor. Thank you for letting us into your life and encouraging us all to take time to sew! And enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the cows in the field hiding behind the trees. I grew up on a farm, and they will even try to hide behind a fence post! I also have a Janine with lots of bells and whistles on it, and I am also afraid of it. I have used some of the easier fancy stitches to quilt with, but that is all. Just straight lines Just quilt in the ditch stuff. I bought it on your (Houston International Quilt Fest) Honduras/Belize/Yucatan quilt cruise. I'm also afraid of mine, but still plodding along. Thank you for all you do for us.
ReplyDeleteI used the Janome 11000 for years. Now use the next version 15000. It is a great machine that does great embroidery. A work horse that will sew several layers of heavy denim without missing a stitch.
ReplyDeleteI can’t seem to get my name to appear. I’m Leslie Lewis newly from Alabama.
Well I laughed about the bottle, even though we use it! Yesterday I admitted to myself that I didn't have the ambition to quilt my fall sunflower quilt so it goes in the "to be quilted" pile. I always have to fight with my Janome 7700 so I'm not inspired to do that now. On to Christmas top/back finishes!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Too funny! We go thru a large bottle of Worcestershire about every 6 months. We use it in my husband's steak marinade recipe and as a seasoning when grilling burgers or chicken - it's amazing!! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Janome, but I did get a simple embroidery machine after years of a friend telling me to. It has been a whole bunch of fun! It just opened up a new world of creativity for me. Hope you have fun! (PS it is a bit intimidating at first, like anything new.)
ReplyDeleteActually, yes I have!!
ReplyDeleteI love the pic of the fall foliage! And I laughed aloud at today’s quotation!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH!! the pattern from the Buffalo NY history museum is my home town!! will I be crazy enough to do it?!?!
ReplyDeleteLOL - yeah, the Worcestershire bit WAS funny. :) We have a couple of favorite recipes that use a bunch of it - Chex Mix, for one! - so I buy the oversized two-packs at Costco. To each their own, yeah?
ReplyDeleteThose Blind Man's Fancy quilts in progress are incredible!
I still have spices from 50 years ago that my mom bought when she was a Chef at Elmer's Restaurant in my hometown. Do we need a giant can of ground Cloves or Sage, really? I get the hesitation of using all the bells and whistles on a New Machine. Jump in! You'll have a new hobby.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was funny, too. 😁
ReplyDeleteI thought it was funny, Bonnie! And I'm on my second bottle only because the first glued itself shut after several years when I didn't use it 🤣 I'm sensitive to many spices and mainly use a dash in cheese balls and other places less sensitive people use cayenne and other peppers, it doesn't seem to bother me like they do. Lynne
ReplyDeleteWell, so I needed to check my bottle of Worcestershire sauce. It's Best by date is 2/22/2022. I know I've not used it in the last 2 1/2 yrs. Can't remember when it was last used but I think I put it in a pot of soup. It's not my favorite flavor either. And did you know it has anchovies in it. Ick - who'd of thought.
ReplyDeleteI use "washyursister" sauce regularly, but I know what you mean. I bought a spice years ago, Beau Monde, for a vegetable dip recipe and never used it for anything else.
ReplyDeleteI do love your peeks into the sewing room when the guest arrive, so much fun to see everything! A lovely look at fall we don't get here at coastal NC, thanks for the pictures from your neighborhood. Our guild had a fun morning of learning different ways to quilt your own quilts....good fun with a super group of ladies. Happy Sewing Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteHow many drops does it take to get to the bottom of the Worcestershire bottle. The world may never know. Your fall photo looks like our backyard. Won't be much color left after today as it is very windy and warm.
ReplyDeleteI have that machine and have loved it for many years! I bought it brand new and felt so much guilt over the cost of it that I embroidered even when I wasn't "into" embroidery! LOL But I've pieced quilts, sewn many clothes, and embroidered with it and it's still my workhorse machine. I've moved onto another Janome since that is more for quilting, but will never part with my 11000! On a side note, I have a teenager whose "specialty" is her hot and spicy Chex mix, so we go thru many bottles of Worcestershire! And she let me know not to buy the off brand.... TEENAGERS! Tammi Yarber
ReplyDeleteI love those Blind Man's Fancy blocks.
ReplyDeleteI love these oddball thoughts that just pop into my head. They are funny. At my house the Worstershire sauce only comes out at the holidays when I make a dip
ReplyDeletethat uses it. I'll never live long enough to use it up. Louise
Hi Ginny, Please don't be afraid of your Janome. I have a Janome Memory Craft 8900 that I have used for years, The stitching is amazing and it is a workhorse, It has a crazy number of stitches on it(over 300, I think). Take some time off and have a play day with it. I have a friend that has the same machine and she created a stitch dictionary of all the stitches on the machine. When she wants to see how a particular stitch looks, she has the dictionary to show her. I am not that organized but I do practice with the sttches before I use them on a project. Enjoy your machine. I will be your best friend.
ReplyDeleteThe backwards HSTs on the lower right side of all the Blind Man's Fancy blocks would drive me crazy! Spices are fine long after their "best by" date, just not as potent. If they smell fine and don't have mold growing on them, I'll happily use them. Farm Quilter
ReplyDeleteI love coming home and seeing your pictures from your walks! Looking forward to the over-the-porch photos tomorrow! The quote had me chuckling... I love the stuff, it's AKA "W-sauce" in our house! :) I can't wait to see what you do with County Claire on the long arm! Happy quilting! :)
ReplyDeleteThe book that you featured for the Blind Man's Fancy quilt was connected to my former business, Lone Star House of Quilts, in Arlington TX. We packaged BOM kits for the quilt several years ago. I own some of those packets. I've even been thinking of breaking them up to use the fabric in another way but your quilters may have inspired me to actually make those blocks. Very interesting to me. Alice Cooksey
ReplyDeleteA chef friend used 1/8 tsp Worcestershire sauce in his macaroni and cheese recipe for 50 to 75 servings, I use 1 to 2 drops for a family size recipe, It adds a nice flavor but doesn't stand out as having Worcestershire sauce in it.
ReplyDeleteThat photo from your porch is stunning. What a beautiful view.
ReplyDeleteYou can work your way up with your embroidery stitches. Start with the zigzag or a sampler that shows you what the stitches look like with different lengths and widths (remember to use a foot that has space for the needle to move). Stitch slowly. Shelina
ReplyDeleteMy favorite color is October. I like autumn so much I was married in October. It was peak of color and a beautiful 65 degrees. Our walnut trees have shed their leaves, the maples & oaks have turned and are letting go of their leaves now too. The lilacs are still holding on but one hard frost and they'll be done as well. We've so enjoyed the warm temps as of late. I'll miss fall but will welcome each season as it comes. As always, thank you Bonnie for sharing your world. Blessings on you all.
ReplyDeleteI had a granmother who called it "whats this here " sauce
ReplyDeleteHa ha about the Worcester sauce. I better check the best by date on mine. It may have come from Seattle to Colorado with us 17 years ago. Obviously we don't use it
ReplyDelete