This kid could live on watermelon...

(somehow missed this photo in the last post)

Etsy Link & the Fair

I did mention my etsy site before, and give the address; but now I've added the link over on my sidebar (to the right), for easier viewing.  I tried to make it do a slideshow of all the items available, but was having trouble; any advise on that sort of gadget?  Thanks for motivating me, Twila, and I added some new items today.  Looking forward to catching up on life, etc. so I can make some new things!

The fair is this week, so we've enjoyed some of that too!  Andy went to "Grandma Sue's" for a nap, so I could enjoy it more with the bigger kids.

Of course we had to check out the quilts too.... and all of mine got blue ribbons!  The best of show included the entire clothing & textiles area (and went to someone who'd made an afghan).

Queen size bed quilt.

Baby Quilt.

Wall Hanging.

Quilted Tote.

There were some really pretty ones, I LOVE the frog!  All that tiny paper-piecing.... whoever made that should have gotten best of show, in my opinion!

My favorite pattern, the log cabin block.

Uncle Jared came for a bit, that's always fun and entertaining!

Andy (the tire & wheel boy), really liked these huge ones.

The "waving goodbye" post.

Enjoying a good book together.

And some produce from the garden!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

And off to the fair it goes...

The Circle Quilt for the fair is finally complete!  I'm taking a few other small projects I made this year, but this one is what took the most time and effort.  I had some wonderful helpers taking photos tonight...

It's so big that it's hard to get it all!  

And I actually finished hand-sewing the binding yesterday.... two days before it is due to be turned in...... that is new for me! =)

I put a border around the circles to kindof "stop" the design before the main border.

The border fabric has circles, which I chose because of the circle blocks. 

 I did buy the borders and backing and binding for this one- but all the blocks were from what I had.  Since I'd purchased all the fabrics within the past couple of years, I was able to get the same prints as were in the quilt.

I think this is going into my etsy shop, which is getting aweful empty!  I love how it turned out, but don't really need one this size right now.

But I DO need a name for the quilt.... any suggestions?

Top done, ready for Quilting

Measures 92 x 107.

(and it looks like my camera lens needs cleaned... that big white spot isn't really there)

Sold

Progress

Yesterday and today together, felt very productive.  Spent about 3 or 4 hours pinning and sewing the quarter circle blocks.

Today, arranged the blocks to see what looked best.  It takes a lot more effort to make it look scrappy & no similar fabrics close together!  Not entirely successful, but overall I think it looks acceptable.

I now have 3 of the 5 rows of circles, sewn into blocks and then strips.  Spent about 3 more hours.  With so many daily interruptions, it's hard to know exactly on time.

It definately looks better for real than in the pictures, but I'm not liking it quite as much as I thought I would.  But it's going to be quite big!  One huge benefit to smaller quilts.... is they don't take so long to complete!  I think if I didn't make quilts with a deadline, I'd never finish the big ones.  Do you like big quilts or small ones? I'm thinking I need to make a table-runner! =)

Not sure on a good name for this one...

My progress on the circle quilt today, was to sort the pieces so they work good for the blocks.  Since all the fabrics seem to go together, I decided to just put a pie-shape and L-shape piece that contrast each other. Since I am working with scraps & such- it was very random and I tried to make it so no two blocks would be the same.

Then put them in a pile to mark and pin.

Just showing you the process, for those of you who don't sew; an entire bed quilt is very time consuming.  But the efforts can be enjoyed for many years! =)

Matching kiddos.

They were being quite silly, and we were in a hurry; but I think they turned out fun.

Farming's been good for this guy- He's lost over 40 pounds!  Now if only I could do that.....

Coming up on 8 years next week, hard to believe!  And we're buying a house.... (supposed to close by the end of July), so excited but know that means a lot of work for me!  Tyler's coming up on the busiest time of year... harvest.  Oh well, looking forward to having our own place.  Then I can decorate..... bring on the paint!!  =)

The boys demonstrating how to hold a kitty.

I wish you could see how much Andy adores the kitten, this one's only a toy.  There always seems to be someone carting him around, and he loves all the attention.  I'm starting to like cats, he's such good entertainment for them!

Levi advising that you DON'T pull the tail.

Sure do love these kids!

I've been trying to do short posts so I don't get too behind.  Thanks Shay, I did make them dinner that night- but tomorrow I'm hoping to do at least one more block.  Fair entries must be turned in the 25th, and I'm thinking this will be for that..... so I've gotta get sewin'!

First Circle Block

Today I decided I should make 4 extra circle blocks for a row of circles across the back of the quilt.  When I got them all cut, I realized that if I just cut enough for 2 more blocks, I could use them all on the front and make it a queen size by adding borders!  In any case, I now have 120 of each segment cut..... and I tried sewing four together to make a complete circle.

And it was actually pretty simple to sew!  The directions with the template recommend pinning with the pie-shape piece on top, and flipping to sew.  I found mine turned out better (and were simpler) when I kept the pie-shaped piece on top for both.

Now I only wish I could sew all the blocks together, but I really need to make dinner.  I can't wait to see how it turns out!

And Clover, the kids are VERY impressed with the new books.

Thank you!

Tyler also got them a whole set of children's encyclopedias at the second-hand store, they were very impressed.  After lots of play outside, they like to sit and read a bit.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day; it's actually raining here currently..... a very welcome sight and sound!

Cutting

Today I finally took a time out to sew.  Or should I say "cut".  And cut, and cut, and cut!

There are 96 of each shape, all cut from various aquas & browns in my stash & scraps.  This is my first attempt at circles.... maybe I should have tried one block first?  Oh well, now that they are all cut out, the sewing should be a breeze.  It took about 4 or 5 hours for all of these, but it should make a large-ish quilt or two baby/lap quilts.  

Now my arms are aching, but I feel like I got something major accomplished.  Along with everything else today, I was just longing for some fun sewing time.  It was even worth staying up late.  Anyone tried to sew circles like this and have any advise?

Summer

What have these silly bugs been doing?

Apparently something quite funny....

It's called Flood Irrigation.....

What a mess!

But they all thoroughly enjoy it.

And I'm learning to not mind the resulting mud-mess and extra laundry.

Maybe it's helping them grow also!

It sure does nice things for the flowers.

That don't get to stay on the bush very long.

He loves to smell ANY flower.  And wants you to also.

Fields are starting to turn gold, readying for harvest.

I love this color rose.

I didn't even know what Peonies were till this summer.

We had a lot of Columbine in our yard in Alaska also.

There's even some Fireweed!

Another color of Peonie.

They are just thick!

This one is right in with them, not sure if it's a Peonie also; but the flowers are gorgeous.

Some Lavender.

A cute kitten that is the main hit around here.  If I had any clue how much all of the kids would enjoy the cat, I would have gotten it a long time ago.  They all cart it around almost constantly.

Silly boy.

Next big hit are the bicycles; they race around on them so fast, and I love all the giggling that accompanies them.

We are thoroughly enjoying our summer here, it's quite nice to get one that stays awhile!