A New Start

I love new starts! That's why I have so many projects going at one time!

I started this lap size quilt with a kit I purchased from Craftsy. I don't usually buy kits but the price was great and I have been eyeing this pattern for a long time!

I have all of the blocks cut out and have pieced 7 of the 42 already. 

Third Finish of 2017

WOW! We have been hit with winter! I miss my time outdoors, but I have been making good use of my indoor time sewing!

I started this quilt to demo a block pattern called Little Apples for my quilt club, Sapphire Quilt Club, in Stevensville, MT. I had to open a layer cake that I have had for a long time, and if you know me well, you know that was a had thing to do! LOL

I really liked this block and wanted a bigger sized quilt, so of course, I ordered some more fabric that  I was lucky to find on Etsy!

It looks a bit washed out in this picture, but our lighting wasn't very good! 

Second Quilt Finish of 2017

It has been below zero for the last week and all I have been able to do is quilt! That is the only thing this cold weather has been good for!

As 2016 wound to a close, I made a list of quilts to make or finish in 2017. I finished number 2 yesterday and it is off to the long arm quilter!

I saw this pattern in a 2006 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting and loved it as it showcases greens, pinks, and browns. These are all colors I really like and especially like how they play together! I collected scraps and bought a few more colors. 

I started the quilt blocks, and then we made the foolish decision of upgrading to a king sized bed. So, I made more blocks! I made 196 blocks! Then they sat for a while longer! 

I decided to finish this quilt in January and set a reasonable goal of 1 row per day, as there are 14 rows. Then it got cold! And the quilt got finished, just like that! 

I'm moving on to the next quilt on the list! If this weather stays cold, I may have to add tot he list! 

First Quilt Finish of 2017

I made a list of quilts that need to be finished in the upcoming year!
This quilt was at the top of the list and I finished it on January 1st.
It is off to the quilter!

It was such a fun quilt to make. It was a block of the week called Be My Neighbor sponsored by Moda. I downloaded the block patterns from the Quilted Moose.

Happy New Year 2017

I have been neglecting my blog this past year, and hope that I can stay more consistent posting this year! Yes, that is one of my resolutions!

I need to do things this year to stay positive with all of the negativity in the world!

So, I plan to:
*quilt
*play with my dogs
*hike
*read
*cook
*explore
*finish the AT!
*blog

Spring!

Wow! I have taken a long blogging hiatus! My background still shows Christmas!

I have been quilting! An agility friend and I have completed two tops. One will be the Montana raffle quilt for NADAC Dog Agility Championships. Since purple is the color of qualifying ribbons, we knew the quilt had to have a purple theme. We did stars since it is for national championships.

Another agility friend used her embroidery machine and did the center of the main star block for us. This bock is 24 inches square!

If one dog agility quilt was fun, we should do another! And that is what we did! Our club's community service project is Pets for Patriots. We did this quilt top! It is at the quilter as I type! Can't wait to get it finished so we can start selling raffle tickets! 

Craft Fairs

I've been sewing and trying new patterns. Right now, I'm getting ready for two Craft Fairs! I hope to post pictures soon!

My friend, Robin Hamilton and I will be at the Florence School Holiday Fair December 5 from 9:00 - 3:00.
We will be at the Chief Charlo School Craft Fair December 12 from 10:00-4:00.
I hope to see you there!

Farmer's Wife Quilt Blocks and Some Bags

After not working on my Farmer's Wife Quilt for a year, I've started again! This quilt has 110 blocks. I've finished 48 of them now! Here are my latest 4 blocks with more to come soon!

And of course, bags! I made these zipper pouches from a cute kit I got recently!

Sewing

I have been sewing in between training and playing agility with my dog! Here's my girl showing her stuff! That's a high jump! The bar is set at 12"!!!

I have finished some more bags, are you surprised? Didn't I deem 2015 the Year of the Bag?

Here are some fun Sew Toether bags.

Here's a purse, yes another variation of a bag. This one is a fun pattern by Noodlehead. Notice the inset zipper! Impressive, but not hard to do!

And, I should have a king size quilt ready to show soon! Only a half mile of binding left to do!

Got Dog Agility Trial July 3-5, 15

Bailey and I decided to go to the 4th of July Trial at the last minute. It was held in an insulated Arena that was very pleasantly cool! We had a great time and saw many friends!

We learned a lot of new things and were able to improve in many areas. Bailey ran fast and was an awesome dog. It is my wish to become a better handler for her as all our mistakes were mine.

She earned lots of Q's which are qualifying runs that earn points toward her titles.

We completed 2 of 3 Chances runs for 20 points.

We finished all of our Jumper runs in 1st place with Q's in each run. This earned 30 points and her Outstanding Intro Jumpers title.

She Q'ed 4 runs of Regular and earned 1st place in each for 40 points. That helped earn her Outstanding Intro Regular title.

We ran twice in Touch and Go. We Q'ed both runs in 1st place for 20 points. That earned she Outstanding Intro Touch and Go title.

We weren't as successful in tunnelers. We run Novice level and the courses were very challenging. I learned a lot about my command timing and Bailey had a great time running! 

We won High in Trial (HIT) for Intro level dogs. I am so proud of my girl. She continues to amaze me everyday with her drive, intelligence and love! 

Canine Core Conditioning Seminar

Bailey and I attended a Canine Core Conditioning Seminar on Friday and Saturday led by Jennifer Hill of Pawsitive Performance in Helena, MT. She is a licensed PT who chooses to work with canine patients. It was an amazing learning experience for both of us. Bailey enjoyed the challenges and the treats that followed!

Here she is trying the donut. This piece of equipment is an unstable surface that really requires her to engage her core and balance. It gives her an awesome conditioning opportunity that will serve her well in agility.

Doing sit/stnads

Doing Down/Stnads

Enjoying a reward

Working it!

Our New Dog

We rescued a young chocolate pittie from the Gooding, Idaho pound on his last day at 3:00 PM. We named him Brodie. By the lips you can tell he is at least part bulldog!

He is a big goof ball and is fitting in well with our girls. 

All of our dogs have fleece blankets for training and cuddling, so yesterday I made Brodie's blanket. 

I think he likes it! 

Another Bag

Seriously, yes! I made another bag! My Utah quilting friends, The Blockheads, draw names for birthdays. I got Sheila's name this year! Sheila loves bright and cheery colors!

For her birthday I made her this bag!

I got a card from her in the mail yesterday and she loved it! So glad! 

Another Bag

Yes, I truly am a bag lady! I finished another bag last night. This pattern came for the February  Sweetwater Label Crew project.  It was an easy bag and one I think would fit an e-reader or tablet.

Call Me a Bag Lady

I have been sewing bags lately! This market tote I have made before. I found this Rescue/Adopt fabric in Helena this last week. It said bag to me!

 I made this bag for our latest volunteer project. We have joined Kindred Hearts, an organization of volunteers who transport animals from high kill shelters to rescues and /or there forever homes.

My friend, Robin, came today to sew. We tackled the Sew Together bag.

It was great having two of us to interpret the directions, which could use more pictures. I did find several tutorials online that were very helpful. 

2015: A New Year

I love starting fresh each year! I have been sewing and playing agility with my dog.

We attended a trial this last weekend and had a great time. We learned new things, connected with dog friends and made some new ones!

In the sewing room there is a new quilt in progress on the wall.

I have a layer of quilts on the wall calling to be finished! That's what 2015 is going to be about! FINISHING!

Watch Out Cats!

You know how when you read peoples' quilting blogs they always show their cats trying out the quilts after they have been finished?

You all know I don't have a cat, just dogs?

Well, watch out cats because my dog Sara has decided it's her job to try out my quilts even when they aren't finished!

This is a quilt I have been working on using fabric, Square in a Square ruler and reference book I got at the Houston Quilt Festival. I am almost finished and I can say I swear by it already! 

The International Quilt Festival-Houston

My friend, Robin and I flew to Houston and met another friend, Lucy, and her sister, Joann. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Houston which was an awesome place.

We enjoyed the quilts, and lots of vendors as well as shared ideas and dreams of sewing new quilts.
Our favorite purchases were Square in a Square Rulers and the accompanying "bibles". I have been watching the DVD and have been working on Option 1 blocks! Stay tuned for my final review and quilt reveal!

I really was impressed with the red and white quilts displayed. Here's a miniature I fell for!

These quilts were some of my many favorites!