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!

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!