Late October back yard

with hummer

pineapple sage

Progress on John's quilt

I have the top sewn into four sections, each of which I will quilt separately.  Each piece is 27 inches by 36 inches and that is a good size for machine quilting without too much bulk.  The fabrics are beautiful....

Yesterday's walk

Our weather has been really lovely.  The light in fall is just THE BEST.

The Sewing Machine

I am selecting the thread and batting for John's quilt and I am also practicing my machine quilting.  I don't do it that often any more and I have forgotten much.  I had problems with skipped stitches and breaking thread.  I tried various needles and threads and adjusted my tension.  I also did some research on the internet and ran across this interesting video about the sewing machine.

Porch work

We are having some beautiful weather (more Indian summer) and we are getting a lot of gardening done and a lot of walking.  And John has been doing a little work on the porch columns...

This is AFTER the worst work (scraping, sanding) has been done...

House in Portland

Wouldn't you like to hang out on that porch?

It's my birthday!

Birthday flowers from my garden

The first eleven quilt blocks for John's quilt

Cats in two sizes

Lap quilt for John fabric selection

I don't like to make things unless I enjoy the process itself and I am enjoying making these blocks.  I like picking out the colors best.  The cutting and assembly aren't as much fun, but they are pretty simple for this quilt.

Work table with SUN!!! and coffee

Cutting the fabrics

fabrics to choose from

fabric combination being auditioned

Same background, different fabric for strips

fabric combinations I am using...cat food boxes are perfect for holding pieces

a combination I really like

Lap quilt for John

I've started a new quilt for John to use as a lap quilt.  I am using another simple Blues Underground pattern called Modern Thinking.  I really like the design and I like making the blocks.  The blocks are easy to put together and it is easy to get them right, meaning I don't have to pay close attention that I have the right piece.  If you are looking for a first quilt to make, I recommend this one.

The first photo is from a quilt (using the Modern Thinking pattern) that sold on Etsy (it's a local Portland woman who is the vendor).  I think she did a great job.  It makes me think of Josef Albers work on colors next to each other.  It looks great at a distance.  However, in the closeup photo I don't like the fabrics so well.  That's the trick... fabric that looks good close up AND far away.

Modern Thinking Quilt for sale on Etsy

The second photo is a mock up of the colors I have in mind.  I am in a pink and green mood.  I made the mock up by cropping blocks from the photo above and pasting them together.   I've already made several blocks, though some of the blocks have strayed from this color scheme.

My mock up

Stranded on the Pacific Crest Trail

Last spring when John and I were hiking on Eagle Creek, we met a young woman who was training to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.  I followed her trail journal.  Then I read in the news that she had been rescued in Southwest Washington after being stranded in the snow for a week.

Her journal account of her experience in the snow is here.

Some Favorite Salvias

Hummingbirds love salvias and so do I!  I grew a number of them this year and these are my favorites.
The photos were all taken yesterday.  Some salvias don't even begin to bloom until about this time.

Salvia Summer Jewel Red

Summer Jewel Red

Salvia Cruz has wonderful foliage and now it has started producing these beautiful fuzzy purple spikes.  I have it in way too small a pot.

 Salvia Cruz

Wendy's Wish has been a great bloomer all season.  I have it in a pretty big pot and it could use an even bigger one.

Salvia Wendy's Wish

Indian Summer

  " In the Pacific Northwest, the term can be used to describe a period of warm, dry weather after the first fall rains have occurred."  

We had a bit of Indian Summer this weekend...it was beautiful.  Perfect for porch sitting and walking and gardening; we did all three.

My dyed fabrics

I have a number of fabrics I dyed but have not used ... I seem to be hoarding them.   I play around with them but never actually MAKE anything.  Soon, I hope

Amazon Chaotic Storage

Amazon has 80 massive warehouses it ships products from.  And it uses a chaotic storage system, which means things are stored where ever there is room.  Pictures and more information here.

Update on John's scrap wood

Well, he did fill his scrap wood storage. But.... there is a lot that didn't fit and no evidence it is going away yet.

scrap wood storage

And all the rest of the scrap wood all over.

                     

Elf Land Discovered

We walk to run most of our errands.  Yesterday we walked to the bagel place to get a dozen bagels.  The walk takes us through our own neighborhood and then through Hollywood.  It's fun to see the houses and gardens and sometimes we find something extra special.

Someone built a fairyland in their front yard.  Actually they call it an elf land.  More photos here.

Northern Lights in my neighborhood

Tuesday night, while I was asleep, the Northern Lights made a big show in the Columbia Gorge.  These photos were taken just 30 miles from us.

News on KATU

I am so disappointed that I missed it.  I love the Northern Lights.

Storage for scrap wood

John is making a storage unit for his scrap wood.  He has a LOT of scrap wood.  So much that he can't find what he is looking for.  More than he needs, for sure.  He says this will store it so it is easier to find and he will get rid of what doesn't fit in there.  So he says, anyway....