I haven’t written for a few days because honestly there’s not much happening around here. The crops are looking simply wonderful and the corn is now tasseling.
The bean fields stretch out to the horizon with not a weed in sight!
I spend hours in the porch because it’s my favorite place to be. Yesterday was a busy day for me – laundry, scrubbed floors, mowed all lawn, cleaned off roof and spent time working with my plants as well as the usual barn chores and meals. Today I’m laying low.
Connie is enjoying Grace’s extended visit – both of us love this book by Carrie and Joanna.
Grace liked it, too – here is her pillow made from the book. Such nice work – like grandma, like granddaughter!
Good job, Grace!!!
While Grace sewed her pillow, Connie finished her Number 3, a punchneedle.
Here are the Reader quilts:
Dianne lives almost exclusively on my sewing island. She is really showing her age and I’m afraid I’ll lose her unexpectedly. Remember when she broke her leg about 10 years ago?
Here’s my red and white quilt – I will never show you the mistakes and poor piecing but just enjoy it from afar! Haha!
My lefse plant is doing well! Look at the size of the leaves!
As soon as I hit “publish”, I’m walking to the barn with my IPad to take pictures. Happy Summer, Everybody!
Hi Mary, lovely bright quilts! I have a couple of paintings of my old dogs (r.I. p.) I must show you soon, very chilly in new Zealand at present, enjoy your sunshine and take care,best wishes from sandy
Sandy – I always forget you have opposite weather. I’d love to see the dog paintings!!
Love all the pictures of the finishes and the crops. It is wonderful that Connie’s granddaughter likes to sew. Her pillow is fabulous! Sounds like you did too much work in one day! I think your table topper looks very nice. Take care.
The pictures around the farm and house are beautiful. I also love the DD’s. I am starting my July #3 tomorrow. Mary, I met a Jack Russel, Kip, on my walk today. He is 4 years and looks a lot like Hazel. If I see him again, I’ll take his picture. He lives in MA. His “Mom” went to school here and my husband taught her Chemistry.
Diane and Squeak – would love to co pare notes with another JRT owner. I’ve been told that the boys are easier to live with than the girls but I HAD to have a girl so I could name her Hazel for my mom!
Of course you had to have a girl, Hazel! Kip was very enthusistic about the treats I had, but I am quick so no thumb in puppy mouth—lol. He was cute. If I get to see them again, I will ask about comparing notes:).
Diane and Squeak – I’d love to see Kip!
Way to go Grace! I like her pillow. Grandma is bringing her along. My grandma brought me along and now I’ve been quilting for 55 years now.
Really great DD finishes today. So happy to see a younger quilter starting out, but she has a great example in you and Connie. About the table topper you complained about, I made the Halloween quilt from your pattern last year that has all the tiny half square triangles around the edge. The half squares turned out so terrible that I abandoned them and decided to just use plain borders. There must be a trick to getting them right or else I’m just not accurate enough to make them work. Are Thangles the answer? Happy to see the crops doing so well in Iowa. We are in Oregon today where there are fires burning. Small wonder since they haven’t had enough rain and now we have to start south tomorrow through it all. I’m sure we‘ll be safe but bothered by smoke.
Pat Smith – I think Thangles are the answer to accuracy! Drive carefully through the smoke!
You were having problems with your hands?? I think it was dryness. I have a sample tube of Mary Kay night creme that may help, have you tried it? Let me know and I will get it to you if you would like to try it.
Sandy – I will find a tube from a dealer around here so you won’t need to send it. I’ll give it a try!
It was great hearing from you today, Mary. All the pictures were lovely.
Pat Smith, safe travels as you drive out of Oregon.
I love hearing about Connie’s grands and their projects. My Gma always had a basket of work beside her chair. We did not do any projects together, but she definitely started my love of quilting with the quilts she gave me.
Love the lefsa plant. Can it be bought at a nursery?
Grace your pillow is great. Keep up the nice work. Connie and Mary your finishes are nice too.
Everyone did a nice job on their finishes. Thanks for sharing.
NancyTD – When I was at Bachmans Nursery in MPls a couple years ago they had lefse plant for sale for……hold your breath!!!! $49.99! No way! I bought my small plant two years ago at a small nursery for $5.00 so yes, I think you can find it at a nursery – if not, try online.
Hi Mary…Good job Grace! It is so fun to learn from your blog. About the “bride basket”…I will be looking for one when I go to Trades Day at Canton. I really like your red/white table quilt. It brings you joy and others enjoy it on your Happy Porch so that is enough. Thank you for posting pictures from Iowa farm life. The crops look so healthy. Always like to see the varied quilts and so many ideas or information from your readers. A shout-out to Connie too.
Helen Jane – oh, how I envy you going to Canton! I’ve been there only once but enjoyed it – except the puppies being sold from vendor booths! That alone will keep me from attending again.
Oh ugh. Puppies for sale by Vendors? Is Canton in Iowa? I don’t think that is legal in Ohio. Poor babies.
Diane and Squeak – it’s called First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas and it was many years ago so maybe, we can hope, they don’t sell puppies anymore.
Mary, love the farm crops. Now, I will await your barn animal pictures. Love them. I imagine Hazel will sneak into some of the shots! Love the quilts, too. Very interesting designs and I want to make them all.
Connie’s granddaughter is learning the ropes. Great pillow, interesting shape, useful! Thanks for keeping us informed in what is going on during your days. Mary, you work too hard though. Take care and enjoy the rain and then some beautiful days, halfway into summer. Alas.