Making Fabric From Fabric

 The fabric above is made from the pieces cut out from the fabric below. Now, I'm in the process of embellishing this one.

 This piece was made by drawing a design, then layering four layers of different fabrics.  Then, using a seam ripper, taking out each succeeding layer, leaving around 1/4" border of each of the fabrics that are in the stack.  This technique was taught in a Craftsy class, and I made this just to see if I liked the technique.  Actually quite liberating to make something without measuring or worrying about mistakes.

First Block of My Piecemaker's Calendar Quilt

This block is for January - The tree is a Hawthorne tree - doesn't grow in Idaho, but isn't it pretty?  Don't know which was my favorite part - embroidering the scene or doing the crazy quilt corners.  More to come - February is on it's way.  Don't think I'll finish this in one year in between all of my other projects.  This is something to sit and play with when we watch TV in the evenings, or whatever. Please click on this block to enlarge it.

Cover for Tablet

I had fun accepting the challenge of making a cover for my friend's Samsung Galaxy - just a little different size from my i-Pad.  Everything fits, so goody-goody.  The only negative is that she will have to remove the tablet from the holder to take a picture.  She was pleased, anyway.

Neighbors to the Rescue

 Two weeks ago on a Monday evening, we had a microburst wind that went through Preston, and particularly our neighborhood with a vengeance.  The worst thing that happened to us is that a 22-year old evergreen tree that was sheltered in a corner between the avenue of evergreens and our garden shed was blown over the shed.  Examination of the roots showed that the roots against the larger trees were shallow, while the roots to this side got more water.  Over these two weeks, friends came and looked, talked about chain saws, and how to proceed, etc.  One friend came and took away the top of the tree that had broken off when the tree toppled.  However, this evening, our next door neighbor came with three friends and the "bucket", and these men proceeded to cut the tree up into much smaller pieces, and so the tree really came down.  We are so thankful for good neighbors, and people willing to help.  You can see the procedure below.

 The bucket goes up.

 High in the bucket, start the chain saw.

 Progress being made.

 The tree is gone, sawing up the trunk and pulling out the stump with the roots.

Video - Sorry the noise of the chain saw doesn't come through.  However, you get an idea of the action.
Now, we have a huge pile of evergreen boughs, but help has been offered in getting rid of those, too.  We are so very grateful!

The Joke is on Me?

And a good time was had by all.  Ken took these pictures before Ron and I headed out to church.  I can't remember what the joke was, but it must have been good.

Daughter's Turn

My daughters are certainly "aging" gracefully.  Except that she has become blonde, Dorothy looks the very same as she did when she was 18.  How can that be?  Loved having her here - also love this sequence of pictures taken with my birthday present - a new iPad.

Kitchen Talk

Hanging out in the kitchen is a favorite place for talking.  Notice the remnants of the carrot cake (birthday) behind Ken and Ron.

Birthday Present Presenters

On my birthday, we were sitting in the living room talking with Dorothy and Ken, and this parade came up the sidewalk, carrying a peace lily for my birthday.  Sorry to say, I wasn't quick enough on the trigger to get a picture of these three, so they came back and posed for pictures.  Our neighbor's children have been a joy to us - they are so unaffected, unspoiled, and fun to have around.  The light was so poor where the pictures were taken, that I converted them to black and white.  Be sure to enlarge the bottom picture.  It was poorly posed, so our friend with the Halloween smile is trying to peer between the leaves of the plant.  What a nice memory!

Interruption of Birthday Pictures to Show Some Storm Damage

 We had the wildest storm last night - The wind was blowing so hard that it seemed like a hurricane.  The lawn was filled with leaves, and the clump of leaves I photographed above was interesting, because we have no trees anywhere around us with this kind of leaf.

 An evergreen tree that was growing north of the garden shed at the back of our lot had roots that were too shallow, and the tree was uprooted and settled over the shed.  No damage done - just a lot of work to remove the tree.

 This big branch blew off of one of the evergreens at the back of our lot.

You can see the roots - no way to lower this tree back into its hole.  We didn't get as much damage as a lot of people.  The wind was actually like a huge microburst - very quiet, and then everything came.  Dust was thick in the air over against the Bear River range - we just had a lot of debris blowing around.  One of the plastic chairs on the front porch found itself quite a ways away in a flower bed.  What a strange wind.  Wouldn't like to have to be out in it.

Going Back in May to Post Pictures of First May Visitors

 We wore Benjamin out completely!  Time for a nap with his many little vehicles.

 Ryle kept very busy.  She decided to decorate some of the Dixie cups from the bathroom.  She informed me that she left some.  She is such a charmer, she should succeed in life.  One funny story that Sonja told is that her mother (Brittany) has taught her not to ask for things.  Sonja had some cookies in the car, and finally, Rylee asked her if she didn't think they would get too old and spoil.  Smart kids figure out things, anyway.

 Sonja still has her smile - Very happy about son Seth graduating from the U. of Wyoming with such honors.  We love her great patience.

 And then, there's artistic Bethany.  Ron took the girls to Big J's for ice cream, and they were relieved to find that Bubble Gum ice cream was still on the menu.

And getting Brittany to smile without clowning is a trick.  Love this family.  Glad to see the girls doing so well.  Just missed Arrilla in the group.  Too bad she had to work, but that is the practical side of life.  So glad we're in the path of traveling family.