Signs of The End of Summer (Seaside, OR)

In Just One Day

I finally understand how my parents felt about December 7, 1941.  40 years later, they often talked about how they felt, the uncertainty of what would become of America, and for the first time, someone dared to attack us on our own homeland.  They never forgot that feeling of vulnerability with a strength of every US citizen putting aside their differences and coming together to keep our country safe.

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I can tell you exactly what I was doing and thinking the moment of impact of the second plane.  Never forget?  It feels like it happened yesterday.  I don't think the day will ever come that I will forget the loss, the heroes, the devastation, and not get emotional.  9/11 changed our lives forever.  Remember?  I am reminded everyday that tomorrow can never be taken for granted.

Taking a Walk

Here's what I was trying to post the last two times.  Just some photos from our walks at the campground in Pacific City.  We finally got out of the "no signal black-hole" on Monday.  We are back in Seaside for the next two weeks.  So nice to be connected once again to the world.

When we saw this sign, we thought it was the end of summer.  For most of the week, the campground was quiet....then Friday came with all the people.  They were back.  Why waste a perfectly good weekend sitting at home when they can be camping near the beach?

The rabbits and the cats were enjoying the peace and quiet during the week.  The rabbits came out to greet us during our walks.  Of course, having some carrots didn't hurt.

We see food dishes set out by the workers and some of the regular campers.  Plus, the campground store sells rabbit feed, so they are very use to being hand fed.  Not spoiled at all.

You would think the rabbits would have a weight problem with all the food we see, but they always seem delighted to have another carrot.

During the quiet time, we started to see and hear more birds.  I should start carrying my big lens to get some photos, but I have been lazy.  We watched eight robins take a bath in a mud puddle.  

We have heard from other campers that the black bears have been busy at night as well.  Even with the abundance of berries to eat, they still find the garbage interesting.

This is the only wooded path inside the campground.  We walk it everyday for the steps and for the wood's view with a stream.

On The Cutting Board

With no internet connection, I had plenty of time to get some sewing done.

I finished five UFO mug rugs so far.  The pigs were designed by Fayette Terlouw and I made them into mug rugs with 'Hogs and Kisses' on the back.

I finished the four below during last weekend.  The witches and cat are designed by Nancy Halvorsen.  I wanted to make the pumpkin black cat more interesting by adding a spider web.  The Mummy mug rugs are my design using ripped up natural muslin for the bandages.  What do you think of my Mummy mug rugs?

I can't believe I finished nine mug rugs within two weeks.  They were already fused together so that saved some time.

Time to take some photos for my Etsy shop so I can get them posted.

Happy Quilting!

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!

It Ain't Hog Heaven (Patagonia, AZ)

That's for sure!  LOL!  Dan and I ran into a group of Javalina during one of our walks.  For the first time, we had one javalina confront us.  

He or she trotted down the trail pass the others while snorting at us.  We believe the javalina was not sure what it was confronting since their eyesight is not the best, but they can smell us.  I almost pulled out the air horn I have been carrying in case of a confrontation with our mountain lion.

We were at the end of the trail's loop and did not want to backtrack to a crossing trail.  So, we stood very calmly and watched the snorting javalina.  Luckily, the javalina was a little confused.  He stopped on the trail, snorted a couple of more times, turned around and trotted back down the path.....

meanwhile, the other one on the trail just sort of ignored us so I got some good profile photos while he watched the other one going up and down the trail.

I like watching their noses - down....

and up!

On The Cutting Board

You are probably beginning to think I have gone over the deep end with starting so many different projects.  There is a method to my madness.  It is hard to start a new project without making huge messes and spending a lot of time digging through my supplies.  But....once a project is put together and stored in a baggy, I can pull it out wherever and whenever I want without stress of looking for certain supplies during our travels.  I might be overdoing the preparations of too many projects, but I have so many ideas that I want to get them packaged into kits before I forget!

New Mug Rugs Hog and Lamb

The Pig and Lamb are clipart designed by Fayette Terlouw from "Born in a Barn" collection.  I think the design will make for some cute mug rugs.

Just Chillin'

 I just love this penguin designed by Laurie Furnell. This is from her clipart collect called "Penguin's Pastime". I blew up the penguin to make it into a mug rug.  I'm trying to decide if I want to make the smaller Just Chillin' into a mug rug or a small wall hanging.

So, I have put together quite a few small projects for some handwork that will keep me out of trouble during our travels this year.
Happy Quilting!

Bluebird on My Shoulder (Patagonia, AZ)

We did not get the snow that was in the forecast for last weekend.  Instead we got some much needed rain and yet, it was still too cold to go for walks.  I kept myself busy with projects instead of walking.

Monday turned into a gorgeous day plus the Preserve was closed so Dan and I went for a walk.  When we left, the House Finches were busy eating up all the birdseed...

 The Western Bluebirds showed up for a little while near the office...

 A good sign that the winter birds are finally returning.

Oh, and our new neighbor was resting near a game trail near the Preserve's Railroad trail.  How Dan spotted him..I have no idea.  I often look along this trail for deer, but I did not see the mountain lion.  We are suppose to haze him, but he probably did not realize that ol' eagle-eye Dan had spotted him.  We took some photos and decided to leave the sleepy cat alone since he looked like he just wanted to take a catnap.

One visitor told me that it wasn't unusual for a mountain lion to be sitting near trails and watching unsuspecting humans.  They blend in so well with the background.  Now, I give myself whiplash on my walks while looking for the lion and I still did not see him.

 I need to work on my "eagle-eye"!  I spy a big kitty!

On the Cutting Board
I have been spending quite a bit of time in the evening working on my granddaughter's quilt.  I would really like to finish it soon.  I have been hand-quilting this one for too many years.  It's time to get it done!

And in between hand-quilting, I got the machine-quilting done on this quilt.  I still need to make the binding.  I might use some pastel scraps for a multi-colored binding.

I'm also experimenting with designing some new mug rugs using different royal free cliparts.  I'm getting a lot of ideas on paper, but nothing in fabric.  I finally took the leap and here's my first try - a sneak peek of Ms. Belle Cow...

Clipart designed by Fayette Terlouw

She's almost done, so I should have a photo of a finished project for the next posting.

Happy Quilting!