Finished!

 I'm not sure I've ever been so proud to finish something.  My quilt, while far from perfect, is finished!

I was worried about the binding, but that turned out not to be such a terrible part of the process.  

I need to wash it, but I'm a little nervous that it will just fall apart.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

Burger Tour

In October, we went on our annual camping trip, also known as the Arkansas Burger Tour (at least to us).  We packed our masks, among many other things, and set out for a socially distant weekend.  

Fortunately, the weather was just about perfect.  After setting up camp, we headed to burger destination #1 - Oark Cafe and General Store.  

They were operating with a limited menu and outdoor seating only, which was just fine with us.  They didn't have David's favorite pie - peanut butter, so we tried Possum Pie instead.  Happily, it has nothing much to do with possum and is a chocolate cream pie.

The next day, we spent some time enjoying the scenery and working up an appetite for burger destination #2 - Catalpa Cafe.  Last year was our first experience at Catalpa Cafe and went on the recommendation of some people in town.  They were absolutely right in recommending it!   

It's a one man show, and although just up the road from Oark, far less populated.  

The Juicy Lucy, with cheese in the middle and topped with grilled onion and mushrooms, is one of my all time favorites.  He was also operating with a limited menu and outdoor seating only.  It was another beautiful day to eat outside.  We have plans next year to eat at least two meals at Catalpa, because there's more we want to try.

On day 3, we went with some friends to a house owned by an 85 year old man who has it fixed up with period pieces.  Sometimes he is there, as he was that day, sometimes not, but he always welcomes people to come in and have a look.  He was a pleasure to visit with, making this stop one of the highlights of our trip.

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That evening, there is a (lengthy) prize drawing for items donated by many vendors.  After about 2 hours, we were close to packing up our chairs and heading back to camp.  Good thing we didn't though, as the next to last number called was David's!  He won a very cool refrigerator (cool - teehee!) that can be used in the truck or a camper in place of a cooler.  We're really glad we stayed!  Looking forward already to next year!

Quilting 100

 A few posts ago, I mentioned signing up for a quilt class.  The class is Quilting 100, for beginners.  The focus was just on cutting and piecing.

For practice, I made a few blocks from the book.

When my new desk arrived, it was even more fun as I had an extra 2 square feet to work, and a drawer for storage.

The first night of class, we cut all the squares that would be needed for the quilt and began piecing them together.  Our homework was 20 squares like the one below.  It sounded like a lot, but it went quickly!

By the end of the second (and final) night of class, I came home with this.  It was by far the largest thing I've ever sewn.

The class was only for the quilt top, but I got further instructions before leaving.

Soon, it had two borders and was ready for basting.  I made my quilt sandwich and pin basted it together.  

After watching a Youtube video on machine quilting with a regular sewing machine and reading a few tutorials, I was ready to give it a try.  My lines aren't the straightest, but they're improving and it's starting to look and feel like a real quilt!  In retrospect, I think I would have tried something smaller in size for my first one.  I chose Christmas colors because I really thought it was going to be wall hanging size, but I don't think it's so Christmas-y that it can't stay out year round.  I'm determined that it will be finished by Christmas, so stay tuned!

Our Swimmers

Dogs are blissfully unaware of elections, Covid, wild fires, and hurricanes.  They're excellent reminders of how to live in the moment.

They also know nothing of furniture protection.  This loveseat in our bedroom has been a favorite nighttime spot for Riley, then Annie, and now Fletcher as well.  We had it reupholstered between Riley and Annie, and I have not one but TWO covers to try to minimize the dog hair and smell.  Fletcher managed to get himself behind the back cushions, and seemed quite comfortable there.  Annie has done it as well - she reminds me of the princess and the pea!

Our two dogs have taken every opportunity to swim, which means almost every weekend.  Even now that the water is cooler, they show no signs of stopping.

Fletcher's favorite game continues to be "steal the toy from Annie".  We don't let him do it every time, but she doesn't seem overly concerned.

Todd's dog Max joins the fun sometimes.  If we swim from shore, Max might venture toward a toy.  If we're on the dock, she seems content just to hang out.  Emma occasionally joins in the fun, even though it wears her out for a few days after.

Even though the Springers seem to have an endless supply of energy, eventually they do tire out.  Their favorite spot is near their people, even if that means laying in the kitchen floor while supper gets made.  They're a handful, go through food quickly, leave dog hair everywhere, and I can't imagine life without them.
 

Pumpkin Season

Outside, there's a contentious election season going on.  Covid numbers are scary.  A friend and former coworker who is my age has been hospitalized with Covid.  Just turning on the news can cause despair and anxiety.  

I've seen several friends on FB talking about how making something or doing something creative helps them feel more positive.  A newly created fall wreath for a front door, a piece of furniture given new life with paint, or a beautiful loaf of jalapeno bread.

While I wasn't paying attention, fall arrived.  Even though it feels like March 202nd or something like that, spring came and went, as did summer.  Now the nights are cooler and the leaves are changing color.  I've put away the summer red, white, and blue decorations and brought out fall.  

There isn't much new in the mix, and I even pared down some and sold a few things to a nice woman with a booth at a flea market that I frequent.  So what I have now is the stuff I really like.  There is one new thing - my second hooked wool wall hanging.  It doesn't look exactly like the example picture, but I enjoyed making it and like the way it turned out.

It hangs in the kitchen over a crock bench that I had made last fall.  I like the simplicity of the crocks and dried gourds.  The jug on the left was a gift from my Grandad Corwine, and the one on the right was from my Grandmother.  The rolling pins at the bottom of the picture were also Grandmother's, and the two in the middle of the picture belonged to my friend Myra.  Some of the gourds were purchased at the Ozark Craft Festival, which used to be an annual tradition for my mom and I.

Last week, I went into a quilting store, just to look and maybe ask about a class.  By the time I left, I was signed up for a beginner quilting class, and was armed with a new book, the fabric I would need for the project we'll make in class, and additional fabric to make masks.  The class isn't until November, but I'm looking forward to trying my hand at quilting.

Sew Much Fun

I am finding that making something in the evenings after work is a great change of pace and focus, so I've been working on the guest/craft room.  The sweet little dresser has found a new home, freeing up more floor space.

Last week was the first week of school in a new year during a pandemic, so I found myself making several things to change pace. ;)

A new ironing board cover - if the iron is going to stay out, it may as well match the room.  I think the old cover is probably 20+ years old.

A found instructions for this little bag with pockets online and wanted to try it out.  The vintage looking Little Bo Peep fabric was found at a local fabric store when I was looking for something else, and the yellow gingham is actually vintage. 

Fabric left from the ironing board cover and mask making inspired the gingham bag.

 And this last one is for someone special.  I've made mistakes on all three, but I'm improving! :)  I have received a new-to-me sewing machine and we're enjoying getting to know each other!  I've nicknamed her Bernie, and she's just as quiet and smooth as can be.  We're looking to many adventures together!

Baby Dog

 We picked Fletcher up from his first home a year ago.  After traveling 5 hours to get him and 5 hours home the Saturday after school started, I was beat.  Sweet Fletcher was a snuggler from the beginning.  All the way home he was happy to be on my lap or in the seat with his head on my leg.

I thought it would be fun to recreate the picture David took on Fletcher's first night with us.

It was much more difficult and comical than the first picture!

He may be bigger (much bigger!) than he was a year ago, but he has not lost his love of snuggling.