Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Sneak Peek

So many baby boys are being born, so little time to quilt for them all. . .

Here is a sneak peek at the start of my next quilt for a precious baby boy due in September.


My inspiration came from A Little Bit Biased.  I just love her scrappy quilts.  This particular quilt is called Scrap Jar Stars.  I am once again using scraps from several of my bins of fabric.  My oldest daughter, Anne is so proud when I use my scraps instead of buying new fabric.  But really, what quilter can resist buying new fabric. 

Happy Sewing!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Garden: July

 
Barn #9 completed. . . Only three more blocks to go.  Be sure to check out Lori's other Quilty Barn blocks.
 
It has been about a month since I updated pictures of the garden.  It has been so unusually dry here.  WATER, WATER and more WATER is what the garden is calling for.   We have harvested so many wonderful vegetables like arugula, romaine lettuce, cilantro, snap peas, bush beans and cherry tomatoes.  This year my goal is to keep track of all that we harvest to see if it's saving us money on our grocery bill.  Even if it were not, I would still do all of this just because it fits into my goal to be more self-sustaining and to provide the family with the most nutritious food possible.
 
We are anxiously awaiting more of the late summer vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, onions, carrots, and squash.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I have been diligently saving our plants from the cucumber beetle and cabbage moth.  It's been a lot of smooshing and sprinkles of wood ash around the base of the plants.  My companion planting plans has not worked out as well as I hoped, but the marigolds look amazing.  Our greenhouse has earned it's keep as many of my plants are bearing fruit already. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Look who I found wandering into the garden today while I was trying to take pictures.  He's my strawberry eating boy - one of the many reasons we have only harvested one small quart bag of strawberries to save for the winter.

 


 
 
  
And his partner in crime - she loves snap peas and carrots  - so watch out for her in your garden.  Some of our boxes look rather empty, but that is because I've already replanted arugula, carrots, lettuce.  I started seeds this weekend  - more broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage for fall plantings. Our raspberries are done - I laugh thinking about the 20 or so berries that we harvested for our second year.  I suppose that is not too bad for only two really good canes.  We added 6 more this year.  Next year, I'm going to add another bed.  The General Manager has his heart set on raspberry jam so I need more raspberry canes and better eyes to catch those sneaky fingers stealing my berries.

 
 
Happy Gardening!  This blog post is linked up to New Life On A Homestead's Barn Hop.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Tractor Boy's Quilt

 
Days here on the homestead are busy, but I managed to get Tractor Boy's quilt pieced together over the weekend.  The quilt began out of a need for him to have his own quilt on his bed, rather than a used hand-me-down.  While hand-me-downs are clothed in love, I wanted him to have his own memory that momma made for him.
 
 
Where to begin when looking through the myriad of fabrics online?  He loves all things trucks, cars, tractors and being four, I wanted something that he wouldn't outgrow too quickly. So, when I found this fabric I knew it was perfect for him.  It is by Moda, and it's called Ten Little Things.   The owl print was my personal favorite.  Especially after we made these owls from Gingercake and George began to take his new owl pillow "Tiggie" everywhere.
 
Image of Lola The Owl Pillow PDF Pattern and bonus Lola Owl Bag Pattern
 
Now it's time to find the fabric to back and bind the quilt with.  I am thinking a navy blue backing and lime green binding fabric.  What do you think?  . . . . then off to the quilter it goes.  He's going to be so excited to have it on his bed soon.
 
 
I shared my 12 Days of Christmas quilt awhile back, my first blog giveaway winnings!  It's back from the quilter, binding on and awaiting it's entry into our county fair in August. 

 
I think the quilting turned out fabulous!  Thanks to Kathy at Stitch by Stitch.  I have to admit it was little unnerving sending my work to a complete stranger in Montana, but she is a sweet woman and so very easy to work with.   Plus, just take a moment to look at her quilts and I guarantee you'll be hooked.   I would not hesitate using her again.

 

 
Happy Quilting!