Hawaiian Quilts

I have long had a fascination with Hawaiian quilts. They just call to me. While Daniel and I were in Hawaii celebrating our anniversary I picked up a couple of Hawaiian kits for wall hangings or pillows and some patterns by Kawaiola. Kawaiola and a group of ladies from Hawaii gave lessons in the lobby of the hotel we stayed at. Although I did not take any lessons, I did spend a few hours just stitching with them. They were delighted to have someone younger quilting with them. The project I started while working with them is a Hawaiian Wood Rose.

It's finished size is 24" x 24". The base fabric is a yummy golden brown batik and the design is a solid brown. The top was done completely by hand using the needleturn method of applique. I have not decided yet if I am going to hand quilt it or machine quilt it.

I think it will be beautiful whichever way I decide.

Egg Warmers for Martina

Well, the Egg warmers are done. If I ate eggs in the fashion of the Europeans I would have to make a set of these for myself. These however are now on their way to Druisberg, Germany, to my friend Martina.

Spring Egg Warmer Set

and the Fall/Winter Set:

I have surfed the web and have not found any like them. Wonder if there could be a market for them?

Perseverance

While on our vacation at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch my son, Jordan, made me very, very proud. Most of the horse rides offered at TVR are walking trail rides. In order to participate in the more advanced loping trail rides you have to pass a lope test judged by one of the ranch's wranglers. To practice, they offer lessons.

Jordan, with his heart of gold, took lessons every day (sometimes twice a day) to try and pass the lope test. He did not get discouraged when they did not pass him, he only worked harder.

The greater lesson in this is to not give up, nothing worth accomplishing comes easily. I find it incredible that he should learn such a lesson at the tender age of 14. Many never learn this in their entire life.

Good things come to those who persevere... I will say it again, Jordan I am very proud of you!

The Guest Ranch Above All Others

I know this is last months news, but after two graduations, my husband, son and I travelled to a guest ranch (dude ranch) for a family reunion with my sisters and their families. It was a WONDERFUL trip!

We started going to Tanque Verde Guest Ranch with my father before he died. He loved the place and felt that it was a great way to get our families together with activites for everyone. The food is incredible and of course, there are plenty of horse rides to work it off! Here are some pictures from this trip...

The Buckaroos- Jordan, Andra and Grace

There was a discussion by the adults in the group about, "How to Hang on to Your Horse" and "How to Properly Execute the Rodeo Wave":

One Bad Blogger

Well folks, the truth is I am one bad blogger. I tell myself I will earnestly make a better effort to blog more regularily, but life interferes and viola! I forget.

So, in effort of becoming One Good Blogger, I now have notes posted reminding me to blog on my computer, my vanity mirror, near my coffee pot and next to my bed.

I am lifting my coffee cup to better blogging!

Eggs Anyone?

Eggs to Americans are scrambled, over easy, over medium, over hard or hard boiled. In Europe eggs are generally served soft boiled resting in an egg cup, covered by an egg warmer (a quilted or felt cover that keeps your egg warm. I encountered this the first time I travelled to Europe about 12 years ago. It was wonderful! However, upon returning to the states, it is not something I ever entertained doing.

My Mom in the my recent past directed me to the beautiful, delicate and elaborate needlework designs of Martina Weber, also known as Chatelaine ( http://chatelaine-design.de/ ). I have ordered several of her designs and while I am still drooling over all of them I have not yet started one. One day a ways back in a Chatelaine Yahoo Group, a discussion came up regarding Eierwärmers or Egg Warmers(Cozies) and how expensive they were. Long story made short, I offered to make her some.

This project has resulted in me deciding to make her two sets. One set for fall and winter, another for spring and summer. The needlework is done and I am working on quilting them now. Here is a peek at how they look:

Chickens, Chickens, Chickens

I have been working on machine appliquing a lot of chickens! At first, I thought that they would be sent in for a Swap with Fat Cat Patterns (http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/). But my daughter Erin has a kitchen that has a country feel with old chicken egg crates, milk crates and bottles and apple wallpaper. So some of these lovely chickens are going to be made into a wall hanging! You will have to check back to find out which ones though!