Meredith asked if I could make some potholders for her daughter (she stole one that I had given Meredith and said she used it every day - and it was Christmas fabric - not that it isn't almost Christmas, but still....) so I went through some of my fabric and whipped up a few.....

 

I finished the next-to-last blocks for the Block a Month quilt - Society Sparkler.  I get the pattern for the last 2 blocks next month, and I can put it all together.  I did have a little help getting photos of them.

When Cindy C was here, we played around with different colors for the sashing, and decided that a color similar to this green will work.  We played with a whole lot of fabric in my stash to come up with this one - maybe yellow?  A different purple?  I originally had a bright green, but it just didn't look right with the finished blocks.  

 

I have the center done on my Goose on the Loose quilt - and the border fabric was ordered....and I just saw that the order was cancelled (no notice to me, I just checked the site for an update - annoying!)  I guess that means I go fabric shopping (again!), I'd like to get it finished before fall is over!

 

I finished the latest chicken quilt - not without a little frustration.  I was sewing the binding on and ran out of bobbin thread with an inch to go.  Really???  It's not a big deal to wind a bobbin and get the machine set up again, but with just an inch left??  Very annoying!

AJ was busy so I had to hang it on the pool fence for pictures.  Not as good as having a human quilt display, but it worked.  I am very happy with this - I think it came out great. and I love the fabrics, including that backing.  I quilted it differently - a spiral meander - meaning each spiral was a different size, not a computerize/planned pattern.  I think it turned out great!

I asked the dogs if they wanted to go for a walk (and the answer was "yes!" of course). I had left Ripley's lead in the back of the Volvo, and when I opened the door to get it, I had a car full of dogs.  I don't think they quite got the idea of a "walk"...

 

We've had some beautiful sunrises the last few days - rain is expected tomorrow!

 

Sorry, I dropped off for a bit - not even a really good reason except either nothing was happening, or too much was happening.  I had a work conference in Roseburg this week, and Cindy C was down to watch Alli while I was gone, so had some prep time, and a lot of visiting time.    I drove up to the meeting, and on the way back had a nice view of Mt. Shasta.

Well, we tried a "thing" for Luna - an inflatable collar instead of the cone of shame.  It was a fail, but she looked good!  Her hot spot turned out to be an infected anal gland, so she was on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.  She did get a clean bill of health from the vet yesterday, with a follow-up checkup in a month, so she's free from the cone for now.  

The latest progress on Goose on the Loose quilt.  I have 4 of the 6 color blocks done, and the other 2 are cut, pinned, and ready to sew.  I still need to find a fabric for the border, but I'll wait until I have the full  body done so I can take it in and compare colors.  I really like this pattern, and I want to get it done while it's still fall!  I cut out the last two colors last night, and my ankle wasn't happy with me.  It will be okay with me sitting and sewing, right???  

I was hoping my ankle wasn't "really" hurt when I fell on Monday, but...it's still pretty swollen. Luckily, it isn't really painful, I just have to be careful when I step up or down on something.  Since I'm not the most graceful person around, I do find myself forgetting to be careful, and am very rudely reminded when I step wrong...

 

I took advantage of Indigenous People's Day yesterday - Alli's day program was open and the bank was closed, so Chris an I took Ripley up to Castle Lake for a short hike.  We were hoping for some fall colors, but the leaves are just starting to change - even in the higher elevations,   It was a beautiful day - the lake was so still that the reflections were amazing!  I did take a tumble on the trail, so am hobbling a bit today.  I twisted by right ankle in my fall, and am finding a few more areas today that I hit - like where my car keys were in my back pocket...ouch!

 

We had a jewelry/craft day yesterday here at the house.  Polly showed us how to make wire wrap rings, I made a pair of "cold forged" earrings, and a fleece pumpkin.  

Leona brought skull beads, so Polly made us all skull rings.

The fleece I picked up was  a set designed to make a blanket , so included two colors of fleece. 

I could only once one color though - Jessie took a nap on my orange fleece...

On my walk with AJ and the dogs the other day, I found a blue jay feather on the ground - the lighting was just really cool!

 

I caught Ripley moving my rocks around in the back yard - her own feng shui. I took it through the screen, so it isn't the best quality, but I knew if I moved, she'd stop.  (Which wouldn't be a bad thing - leave the rocks alone!!!)

 

Poor Luna is wearing the "cone of shame".  She has a hot spot on her backside, and a vet appointment on Saturday. In the meantime, she's in a collar.  She isn't happy, and James is concerned.

 

I was quilting the chicken quilt, turned my back for just a second to adjust something on the quilt, and James jumped up to take a nap.....right where the machine moves.  She was not happy when I made her move, but she would have been even more unhappy if I ran the sewing machine carriage into her.

 

My newest project on the design board - the Goose on the Loose quilt.  I'm making it is autumn colors, and have one set of block done already.  

 

A first for me - my store-bought tomatoes started sprouting inside the tomato.  At first glance, I was very, very scared....what is on my tomatoes!!!  A better look showed they were sprouts (not bugs as I first through, thank goodness!)  I had to look it up - it's called "vivipary" and if it wasn't headed into winter, I could grow new tomatoes.  

 

I caught James just as she was heading for the tape!  She keeps "un-taping" my quilt for me - not a big help!  I now have the new chicken quilt on the cutie frame, ready for quilting, even with her help!

 

Camouflaged frog....due to the unseasonably warm temps this year, we still have tons of frogs.  This guy was hiding in plain site....

 

The "Mystery quilt" was gifted to Robin last week, and she sent a picture of it being used.  Love it!

 

Another set of blocks done for the Sparkler Society (aka block-a-month club) are done.  Two more months left in the project, and I can hopefully get the quilt put together/finished by Christmas.  I had forgotten I had this to do, and almost fell a month behind - not a good thing.  The more complex blocks like this one take a bit of time to do.