Snowman Invasion (Conroe, TX)

We have been busy running errands, walking, and making this year's travel plans, but not a whole lot going on to post about lately.  We moved to the Conroe/Willis campground on Conroe Lake about two weeks ago.  It is only a short walk to the lake from our site.  We opted for a site with a field behind us for the cats.  Being springtime, the cats are not getting out as much as they would like due to rain and mud.  

Lake Conroe from the campground's beach area

Here are a few more photos of birds I took while we were staying in Columbus.  The pecan trees were too tall for me to get as many shots that I would like of the different birds.  We saw a few woodpeckers and some birds we could not identify. The Meadowlarks ran around the motorhome searching for food which caused our cats to go spastic. 

 I saw a few bluebirds and large flocks of Cardinals - sorry no photos of them....

 And of course, plenty of sparrows.

On The Cutting Board

A repeat customer said she was interested in buying 10 snowmen towards the end of summer.  I got excited at the challenge to come up with 10 original looking snowmen.  I pulled out all kinds of scraps, dug through my tubs for different textures...and somehow most of them ended up with blue scarfs.  Now, how did I do that? Hmmm?

Looks like a friendly invasion of snowmen!
"We want your hot cups of coffee, tea, and chocolate!"

Oh, and you are not miscounting.  I made 12 instead of 10 so I could add the extras to my shop.  I might add a couple of more so I can have a better variety of scarf colors.  At least, one with a red scarf and another green scarf.

I have also been working on some more Happy Campers.  In the past, customers have asked for a class-c shape, so I thought I might add one or two to the shop along with a motorhome shape.  It'll depend on how well they sell if I will make more for the shop. 

When I am not in the mood to work on the mug rugs, I have been hand-quilting this wall hanging.  I'm trying to keep my multi-tasking/short-attention span under control by allowing myself to only work on only a few projects per week until they are done and not start new ones.

It hasn't been easy since I have so many ideas bouncing around.  I started writing them down since I am afraid I will forget before I have a chance to start the new project.  Now, if I can just remember where I put the list...I know it is here somewhere....

Happy Quilting!

On The Colorado River (Columbus, TX)

We left Rockport last week and settled into our new campground near Columbus, TX.  

We were sad to leave the coastal area until we arrived and saw the view from our site in among tall pecan trees on the Colorado River.  Every once in awhile, cattle show up on the other side and there are plenty of birds to view....hopefully, I will get a few in some photos too.

View from our new site

This morning, I woke up to what felt like a 20 lb furball with an icy cold nose on my chest relentlessly nudging my chin and hand.  What?  I didn't give you enough attention yesterday?  It might be dark outside, but Max was ready for today to begin.  The cats haven't been outside for two days because of the cold front that came through Texas and they are getting very restless.  They certainly love their new location with lots of grass to chew, tall trees to sniff around and plenty of wildlife to watch.  We will probably take them out today.

Colorado River

Since I haven't taken many photos of our new location, here are a few more from Rockport of the birds having a lazy afternoon...

well, most of them were relaxing.... 

i'm not squawking!!! you are!

Just before we left Rockport, we saw a big White Pelican near the shore.  We are familiar with the small Brown Pelicans, but wow! the White Pelicans are huge!  Okay, granted, I have seen many big birds like the Herons, Egrets, and Cranes, but to see a male White Pelican up close and near people for a comparison was quite a surprise.     

 I had to look up their facts and found out that the male can weigh up to 30 lbs and can be as tall as 70 inches which means he is taller than me.  His wing span can be up to 120 inches....or for me..being a fabric fan ~ over 3 yards!

Too bad the Great Blue Heron wasn't closer

I never got around to posting photos on my blog of the Whooping Cranes that we saw in a farmer's field, so here's a couple of them...

On The Cutting Board

I have been having a blast working on my scrappy quilts.  I have been adding applique to each top.  Special quilts to keep the owners warm and hopefully, make them smile.

For the Christmas Winter theme top, I added a snowman and a pair of mittens.  I got the cute designs from Colleen Parry's Christmas Goodies clipart.

I picked bright colors for a cheerful snowman.

 I had fun embroidering his scarf and face.

Once I finished the snowman, I started working on a teddy bear theme top.  I found this teddy bear online.  Isn't he adorable? 

I anchored all the balloon strings with closely stitched couching.  There's no way a little finger is going to get under the balloon strings or pick one out.

 I used the crayon technique to add a little dimension to teddy's face and belly.  I'm using the freezer paper method for applique.  So, after ironing the freezer paper to the backside of the fabric, I colored in the spots with a regular Crayola crayon.  I melted the crayon into the fabric by putting a piece of muslin over the area and set a hot iron on top until I smelled the melting wax from the crayon.  According to the online instructions, the crayon will not wash out.

Well, I have one more finished top - the transportation theme to applique.  I have already decided to add a train with a few colorful cars.  I have more cut-up quilt kits to sew as well.  I should also start working on some more Happy Campers soon.  Spring is around the corner and many people are starting to plan their warm weather camping trips, so I better get busy and restock!

Happy Quilting!

Living In A Fog (FLorence, OR)

We visited the Heceta Head Lighthouse (Ha-SEE-Ta) a couple of days ago.  The fog bank was sitting low and giving the area an eerie Gothic look with sunshine.  I went nuts with the camera.  I'll try not to overdue the photos.  I get the feeling this place sees more fog than sunshine.

From the parking lot and beach area, we got a great view of one of the original houses.  The house is now a B&B and the head lighthouse keeper's home.  

There were more black birds than seagulls all over the beach area adding to the atmosphere.

It's too bad a second house that probably housed the assistants was dismantled and the lumber sold.  I would liked to have seen the other one.  This one is a wonderful well-maintained Queen Anne-style home.  I just love this porch.  A great place of a cup of tea...and to have

such a gorgeous view!  So peaceful with just the sound of birds and the ocean crashing against the rocks below.  

You can see the lighthouse between the flag pole and the house.  The keepers have a short walk up a hill to the lighthouse.  Not too bad of a walk as long as you are not carrying a heavy load.

The lighthouse was started in 1892 and was first lit on May 30, 1894.  Restoration was done in 2011.  The lighthouse looks almost brand new.  The lighthouse is still active and its beam shines out to sea for 21 miles.  Making it one of the strongest lights on the Oregon coast.

On The Cutting Board

I finished and mailed my latest custom orders.  I hope my customer is happy with them.

I'm back to working on some unfinished projects for November.  I started the one below during the summer.  Now I'm not happy with the shadow coming through the face.  In the above photo of the Cupid/Angel, you can't see the print beneath her face.  Two layers of fabric really makes a difference.  From now on, I'll be doubling the peach fabric!  She is still cute despite the shadow.  I plan to finish her with some oak leaf quilting and a teal border.

This pattern is a smaller version of the one above for embroidery only.  Both are designed by Nancy Halvorsen.   I decided to add coloring to this one with crayons.  I have been following Mamacjt's blog.  She is the one that got me started on thinking outside the box or crayon box.  The regular Crayola crayons work quite well.

The instructions are easy enough.  After the pattern has been transferred to fabric, iron a sheet of waxed paper to the back to stabilize the fabric while coloring.  I did not do that this time because I had already started stitching when I decided it needed more color.   After the coloring is done, pull off the waxed paper.  Heat iron on cotton setting, cover project with muslin, and press until you smell melting wax.  Ta-da!

Next time, I will use some waxed paper.  I want to see if I can get a deeper darker coloring into the fabric.  First, I need to finish these two...so back to the projects...

Happy Quilting!

Sunshine On My Shoulders (Florence, OR)

We went downtown Florence on two different days.  We walked along the main street and the port.  We stopped often to read each building's sign that gave us a short description of their history.  One building actually slid into the Siuslaw river and was pulled back out by the owner.  The building is still standing and being used today.

We did not see any sea lions, but we did see some birds sitting out while soaking up the sun.  We noticed this Great Blue Heron has been in the same spot both times.  He is sitting on what looks like an old wharf near the town's park.

Go away.  I'm trying to sleep here.

He blends in rather well.  We almost missed him.  While taking its pictures, a motorboat went flying by and this was its reaction to it.

We need a "No Wake Zone!" sign.

In the meantime, the Cormorants were enjoying the sunshine and drying their wings.

That is the old Siuslaw River Bridge that was built by Conde McCullough in 1936.  I am always amazed by all his bridges with the beautiful art deco design and by the fact that they are still being used despite their age.  He built bridges to last more than a lifetime. Of course, the ODOT does a great job of maintaining these beautiful bridges.

oh yea, that feels soooo good

Titanic move over

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for walking and enjoying the sights.

On The Cutting Board

I'm moving right along on my next custom order.  Of course, it helps that the pattern is already to go from Nancy Halvosen's book.  The snowman is pretty simple.

I straightened out his eyes and he looks pretty good that way.  Maybe I should make more with straight eyes instead of following Nancy's pattern.

The Cupid/Angel looks very stylish with her new hairdo and straightened eyes.  I also did a double layer of peach for the face so the rose bud fabric would not show through her face.  Seems to be working quite well.

I used a crayon to give her a little pink to her cheeks.  After coloring with the crayon, I put muslin over it and heated the area with the iron until I smelled wax.  I read it will fuse to the fabric and not wash out.

Well, time to pull out the sewing machine and get them done.

Happy Quilting!

Just Another Day (Patagonia, AZ)

Just another lovely day on the Preserve.  No feelings of doom or the end of the world.  I had forgotten all about it until I opened up Facebook.  Well, I'm not going to sit around and wait for it.  I have things to do, places to go, and birds to see.

This Great Blue Heron has been spending quite a bit of time in the Sonoita Creek lately.  He was so busy catching his lunch that he came within 20 ft of me.  

My legs started to cramp up and I had to move before they fell asleep which would have caused me to fall into the cold water.  That would have been a miserable walk home.

  

I stood up as slow as possible and to my surprise, he just walked down the creek away from me.

 

Says Phoebe was sitting near the center when I came back.  He had nothing to say about today....

but Marvin the Martian did...

On The Cutting Board

I changed my mind on making a scrappy binding.  Most my pastel scraps are smaller than 5 inches.  That would have taken forever to sew together 192 inches of binding.  Not to mention all the seams in the binding would not have looked so good.  I found some long-forgotten peach marbled fabric in one of my containers.  An exact match and more than enough to make the binding.  I'll spend the weekend finishing up this quilt.

 

I finished Ms. Belle Cow.  The coloring in this photo is not the best.  I'll have to take this over again before I add her to my Esty shop.

This is my first mug rug.  Now that I know I can design my own with clipart, I will be making more. 

If you are wondering about her spots, I used the crayon technique.  I outlined her spots with permanent fabric marker.  Colored in the spots with a black crayon.  Covered the area with muslin and placed a hot iron on top to melt the crayon into the fabric.  I had to wash some pencil markings out and the crayon did not bleed or fade.  Pretty cool technique! 

 Oh, I also finished the snowmen's scarfs with fringes.  I'm off to look for a matching border and backing...
Happy Quilting!