Clear Vista Views (Cottonwood, AZ)

We needed to get out after the cold front that came through this area, so we drove north of Sedona, AZ to Oak Creek Vista on 89A.  I think the best views are in or near Sedona, but I did enjoy the drive all the way up and back again.

At Oak Creek Vista, we checked out the vendors tables filled with Native American artwork exchanging talk about the best weather we have had all week.

Quite a panoramic view from the Vista.  I had more photos, but this is my favorite...

There were apple trees blossoming near the highway inside a state park.  Really amazing to see them in a canyon area surrounded by red rocks.

The last two photos are just north of Sedona.  I found the trees as interesting as the landscape.  I'm not sure if they are alive anymore, but they were very gnarly and droopy.

The red rock is so amazing here especially against a blue sky..eh, maybe next time there will be less clouds.

On The Cutting Board
I'm trying to get my finished projects loaded onto Etsy.  With some luck, I should have them all loaded, but not posted/listed before we leave here.  I plan to release them one at a time.

This lamb is from the "Born In A Barn" series by Fayette Terlouw.  I made two of the lambs.  Next time, I plan to make the lamb more round and less curvy.  It'll also make it a little bigger.  This is my smallest mug rug right now.  I also wanted to do something a little different on the backside, sooo.....

......I added a tail and "Especially for EWE".

I also finished "Just Chillin'" Penguin.  Isn't he cute?  The penguin is designed by Laurie Furnell.  I hope to incorporate a few more of her penguins into some more quilted ideas.  

A wall hanging..or appliqued to a quilt...  Oh, I'm sure I will think of something.

Happy Quilting!

Onward North! (Cottonwood, AZ)

We moved to Cottonwood on Monday.  This area is more high desert and I'm not seeing as many blooming flowers.  I'm sure they are on their way.  Before we left Usery Park, I took some more photos that I wanted to share with everyone.

Dusty

 Dusty doesn't look to happy.  He must have heard we were moving....or maybe he was just annoyed with me taking his picture....again.

Cactus Wren

This Cactus Wren was singing and posing for me.  He did not mind me taking the pictures.  Gee, Dusty can learn a few things from this guy.

Gambel Quail

 It must be mating season, because the male Quails have also been making a lot of noise lately.  This one stopped to see what I was doing before continuing his serenade for the ladies.

 And before I finish...here's a few more desert wildflower shots.

We went to lunch with three other Bluebird-owners/couples in Jerome, AZ.  A fantastic mining town high in the mountains.  

Road leading out of Jerome, AZ

I posted our Jerome adventure on our 2TooManyCats so I can spend some time talking about my latest projects.

On The Cutting Board

I pulled out the Welcome Kitty wallhanging and made a hanger for it from the leftover fabric.  I tore up some strips, braided them together.  I wanted to add things to the braid that cats love to play with so I added some embroidery floss and buttons in similar colors along with some fish beads.  I would love to find some beads shaped like mice!  Oh, and I do have some feathers, but I decided that might be a bit too much.

I will be posting "Welcome Kitty!" on Etsy soon.

Welcome Kitty!

In the meantime, I have been working on getting some mug rugs done.  I have a pile waiting to be finished, but I keep making new ones.  I have a "Born in the Barn" series designed by Fayette Terlouw with a cow, a lamb, and now a pig...oink!

I'll show you more once I have them finished.  This time I'm adding a little something to the backside as well.

Happy Quilting!