Your July Dirty Dozen is Number 8. I had to look at my #8 to see what I’d be working on this month and it’s not my favorite but rules are rules.
I have all of these triangle squares just waiting to be made into blocks! I made this original quilt called Barn Dance and I’m not sure if it got sold on our sale or if I still have it somewhere but it looks like I’ve got enough blocks to make a duplicate.
What’s YOUR number 8? Something you can’t wait to work on or like my number 8, it’s going to be a chore? Connie is at the lake so I’ll put a picture of hers on the blog later.
It’s also Book Club Day! Did anyone notice I forgot to call for books in June? What was happening that I forgot, I wonder. My favorite read was John Grisham’s The Reckoning. I’m reading another Kristen Hannah book now and I’m struggling with it.
And I lost Buckwheat last week – he and Alfalfa are together again. He began to lose weight and strength and I had him put down after he toppled off the sunning platform and couldn’t get up. I helped him up, he collapsed again so I went to the house to call the vet. By the time I got back to the barn, he had walked into the roofed area but I knew he had no strength to go on. Here he is with Alfalfa when they were babies . He turned 17 last March.
That’s all, Folks! I gotta get to work on Number 8!
I made the Barn Dance quilt years ago and it’s still on my couch….it’s one of my very favorites ever!! Used up a lot of my favorite Repro fabric scraps in it. Can’t wait to see yours.
I’m sorry about Buckwheat….is that about a normal life span? He missed his buddy, I’m sure.
Casey – 17-1/2 is very, very old! The vet couldn’t believe it! Most people don’t keep their farm pets until old age so it’s hard to say how old some of them may have gotten to be.
At least they are together again. It is so hard to lose a pet. Will be sawiting to see your “chore No. 8” done – I am sure it will be beautiful.
I love your #8! I won’t know until Thursday when I get home from pet sitting. So sorry for your loss. He had a wonderful life though. Lucky goat. It’s beautiful here today. A real beach day finally. Can’t wait to hear what others will be foing for their #8 finish. Jan in MA
I love that Barn Dance pattern and I love plaids. Should be a winner.
I ran to find my #8. Long ago I had purchased some nicely embroidered bird blocks at a yard sale. I sashed the blocks with reproduction fabrics and that is as far as I got. It is 2 across and 3 down and will be a wall hanging. I have always liked it. I don’t know why I put it away unfinished. I think I will be doing lots of machine quilting this year. That seems to be when I stop.
Buckwheat was a beauty. I am so sorry for your loss, Mary. He will be happy to see his brother.
Love the Barn Dance pattern . For our 25th anniversary, my 3 sisters made it in flannels using a much bigger block n big stitched it. It’s been on my bed fot 24 years! Love it!
I just finished Split Second by David Baldacchi
Listen to audiobook through Overdrive while sewing!
Oh…do you want to see our unfinished #8’s or just when it is finished.
Sad day……. RIP, Alfalfa…
My #8 is a red winged blackbird small quilt…rearranging the sewing room first.
So sorry to hear about Buckwheat. I remember him well. He is running in the undenied pasture just over the Rainbow Bridge.
So terribly for your loss.
I sew at the senior center on Mondays so I will be taking my #8 with me today. It’s a Quilts for Kids quilt where the blocks are cut out but not sewn at all. It took a lot of fussy cutting which wore me out (sick of looking at Buzz Lightyear’s face) to the point that it became a UFO – ha!
I just finished A Promise to Remember by Kathryn Cushman. I think it was a free Kindle book. It was a quick read and spiritual in nature.
Mary,
What a handsome fellow Buckwheat was! Always sad when an aged pet needs to be put down. My sincere sympathy.
Looking forward to #8…have a few houseguests arriving from CA tomorrow, but they plan some overnight side trips…Yellowstone for one.
Seeing Barndance reminds me of one I still need to just sew together that isn’t on my Dusty Dozen List!
Mary so sorry about your loss. Buckwheat was such a cutie as a youngster and so proud looking as an adult. My condolences to you. I just numbered my 12 UFO’s so I’m going to see what #8 is. It’s a mystery quilt from Mn quilters and it’s almost finished so maybe I’ll jump on it and find another ufo to gill in for this month.
My #8 is Riverwalk. It needs machine quilting so I’m glad I finished cleaning up my machine area and will have room to spread out.
Just finished The Heist by Daniel Silva. There are about 14 (maybe 18) books in his espionage series … all hard to put down. For those who haven’t read it YET, I highly recommend Where the Crawdads Sing.
Off to stitching today and then find Riverwalk, wherever I stashed it!
Sorry about Buckwheat, May he RIP.
So sorry to hear about Buckwheat. You must have had a hard week.
Your #8 looks like it’ll be a beauty!
My #8 is basting and machine quilting a charity quilt
My walking foot isn’t doing so well, so it’s kinda of
a yuck : (
Best book I listen to was “A light between two Oceans”
M.L. Stedman
soooooooooooo good : )
Books I highly recommend:
Educated by Tara Westover, a memoir. Born into a survivalist’ family, no birth certificate, NEVER attended school, yet earned a PhD. from Cambridge.
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Story of having a transgender child. Mind opening.
I recently read “Educated” myself. Here is is living a better life without anger. Her talent and optimism prevailed. Obviously, a lot of intelligence there: both emotional and reading comprehension.. Literacy can save us all.
Ha! My #8 was at the bottom of the stack. But guess what. It’s my Bullseye we started just awhile ago. So happy.
From Earlene in Arizona
Anybody want to trade for my #8? It’s posting the ledger for taxes!!! Yes, I still do them with pen and paper. I’d rather be sewing.
All of your animals have a great life, I’m sure that’s why they live so long. They don’t want to leave you either. Your right, some day you will all be together again. Take care.
I made Barn Dance years ago – since I’m not really a blue person, I used blacks, dark browns and purples and loved the result! Can’t remember what my #8 is – hoping for something easy 🙂 Will see tonight. So sorry about Buckwheat, Mary. He had a grand life with you – and now he and Alfalfa are bouncing around together having a good old time!
I enjoyed The Reckoning and wanted more of it!
Sorry about Buckwheat he is so cute!
Am sure there is a plan for you to have another cute goat!
So sorry about your losing Buckwheat! He was so special to you! Always hard to lose them!!
I am excited about my #8. I had the blocks all made just have to put it all together.
So sorry to read about Buckwheat’s passing; yes, he is young and free and enjoying frolicking with his buddy once again! My number eight is a top that needs quilting, I am excited, it’s not a chore; your Barn Dance will be wonderful, I have no doubt.
I was eagerly awaiting the number…#8 was not my favorite (a plaid flannel diamond block from 19 years ago) but the blocks were all done and I just have to sew rows together and get it quilted. I started it in Arizona where we live in the winter and thought I had it all bundled together when I brought it back in May, but when I laid it out today to work on it I found I had left the completed blocks in Arizona and just had 9 out of the 18 rows with me. Luckily I have picked out 24 UFOs and doubled up on each number so I can finish the alternate #8, one that I started last summer and got 6 out of 36 blocks finished before I got tired of it. Do you want pictures Mary, and if so, where should we send them?
I’m so excited to work on #8. It’s a tee shirt quilt I started 2 years ago.
I worked on my Bullseye this weekend, made a good dent.
Very sad to hear about Buckwheat, cute pictures.
Have a great day Mary, thanks for the inspiration!
Sorry to hear of your loss. Our four legged friends are family and the loss is hard.
I will be working on Alex’s quilt. The THIRD Good Fortune from Bonnie Hunter. Everybody is turning 13 in my extended family this year.
I’m sorry about Buckwheat. They’re over the Rainbow bridge and together again. Your #8 is cool! I’m doing a denim and cheddar tablerunner. I’m reading the Poldark series.
-Jean ❤
Mary, Buckwheat is now with his playmate, frolicking together. But I know that you are sad, our pets sometimes give us more love than humans do. I am sending you a hug and hope that your memories will help you cope with your loss.
That will be a very pretty quilt. The last two days I have found a lot of adds and I closed them all, probably twenty.
So very sorry to hear about Buckwheat. My heart aches for you. Take care and I can’t wait to see your finished #8.
Mary, Buckwheat is now with his playmate frolicking on green pastures, but I know your heart is sad. Our animals understand us and love us better than humans, I hope your memories will help you cope with your loss. I have found and closed about twenty adds in the last two days. Your quilt is going to be very pretty. Felicia
Sent from my iPad
Mary, I am so sorry about Buckwheat… What a sweet goat! You know the only time I am near a goat is at the LA Fair!!! But now, I want one because of your posts!!! Will have family leaving their dogs for July 4th weekend, so life will be busy because each one needs lots of snuggle time. Not joining in UFO challenge, as I participated in UFO finishes through my guild. Only have one small civil war quilt to finish made with leftover fabrics from big quilt. Love your blog, wish I could have you come and sew awhile!!! Carolyn
A Dangerous Act of Kindness – L Fergusson
Vintage – Susan Gloss
Band of Sisters – Gohlke
The Secrets She Kept – Gohlke
So sorry to hear about Buckwheat. It is always sad to have to put down a pet and it isn’t any easier when they are young or old.
I did not join the projects, but after almost a year, I am finally able to get back to my machine.
On vacation, I started reading Love and Valor (Civil War letters between an husband and wife). I purchased the Quilts of Love and Valor by Becky Wright from Martingale and her quilts are based on Love and Valor. I ordered it used since it was published in 1970. I am really enjoying it.
Mary, so sorry to hear about Buckwheat. I remember him and Alfalfa from wayback in the Goat Gazette.
This is funny. My # 8 is appropriately a Gramma Fannie’s “I Love America” wall hanging. I will probably finish it for an Honor Flight quilt. I love it. Sorry yours isn’t a favorite, but I really like your pattern and quilt.
I am glad we have a month because I have more than 12 on my list so I think I will finish another Red, white, blue one for Honor Flight or QOV.
My #8 is an embroidered quilt called “Hazelnut Hall”. It was a block of the month 15 years ago and I quit when the grandson I was making it for grew too big for this small quilt. I have 5 1/2 blocks done out of 11. Wish me luck.
I am so sorry you lost Buckwheat! No matter how many times it happens it always hurts. The photo of Buckwheat and Alfalfa is adorable! I would love a goat but have to be satisfied with my two dogs who are very much loved. My #8 will be the Country Threads goat pattern to finish (forgive me the correct name slipped my mind). More rain here in Wisconsin again!!!! We need a break. ⛈🌧🌧🌧
Sorry about Buckwheat. We just brought our Pete (Rouen duck) aged 11 to the vet this week. He joins his beloved Petunia. So sad when they go but remember the good life they had.
Don’t know why I am not doing the dirty dozen (maybe because it is not the Dirty Zillion) but I am trying to focus and finish up old projects which is something I seem to do every summer Working now on a Halloween Bed Topper that I started i think in 2017. Pretty sure it is based on a quilt I saw on your blog. If I figure out how to upload pics I will send you a snap.
Anniewiththeducks – does bringing him to the vet mean you put him down?
What a wonderful life Buckwheat had at the farm! Sorry for your loss. My #8 is a sampler quilt from back in the dark ages. I don’t have much to finish on it; I now can do it. Also copied the finishing directions for Kathleen Tracy’s quilt along since January. I’m enjoying the Jodie Prescott series by Jane K. Cleland. Mysteries with antiques and appraisals. I have been clicking quite a few ads.
Mary, I’m so sorry for your loss of Buckwheat. Goats are so cute and love to play. They are also so sweet. Hopefully you will get another sweet one soon.
I didn’t do the challenge either. My hubby started building me a she shed for a longarm he bought me. Then got sick and couldn’t finish it. My son , daughter in law and her brother took over and finished it. Now I’m trying to get everything moved in and set up. I bought some shelf’s from Payless shoes going out of business sale but they didn’t give you the part that you mount the brackets on to hang the shelf’s on. I’ve gone to all the big box store to find something but as I don’t know what they look like and they don’t either. I haven’t found anything yet. Now I’m out of $60. I’ll have to find something else to do. I have 8 totes of fabric to fold and put in a cabinet I have.
I’m busy the next 3 days cleaning the outside area for a picnic for the family and cooking. Both granddaughters are coming tonight to help. Lots of cooking to do. I’m glad I have a extra frig. To put stuff in.
I wish I had time to do a little reading but summer is so busy, I’m to tired to stay awake to read.
Have a wonderful day, Happy JULY 4 th to you and family.
Oh, I must say your #8 is beautiful. Will be a wonderful quilt.
I won’t know my number eight until I get home Sunday! Makes me curious!! The best book I’ve been reading is the Bregdan chronicles by Ginny dye. I think I’m on number 12 of the series…never gets dull.
Oh, Mary, I’m so sorry you’ve lost Buckwheat. There’s just been far too much loss this year. I hope he and Alfalfa will have an awesome reunion and they will both say hi to Pete!!
My number 8 is my grain bag project, and I’m excited to get motivated to finish them up! I have 7 of them boxed in with the tops turned down (folded and binder clipped), so I will have to get busy making handles and then reserve some time at The Sewing Circle to use their industrial machine to finish them off. I love your #8!! It will be so pretty with the homespun plaids!
I was out to the barn this morning to have Patch checked out by the chiropractor. I’m thrilled that she says he’s 80% better and ready to be ridden at the walk again as an addition to the ground work we’ve been doing with him!! His only soreness was his withers on the right side and we checked the fit of the saddle and immediately saw the problem. Thankfully, I just need to get him a new pad that will raise the pommel further up off of his withers (was not excited about the possibility of needing a new saddle!!). I’m hopeful Jenica will spend some healing time riding him when she gets home from LA.
I just finished “Trouble the Water” by Dr. Rebecca Bruff,about
a slave named Robert Small, setting is in SC, who found his way to freedom around the beginning Civil War. Interesting story. Mary, sorry about Buckwheat.
I like the colors you chose for your No 8.
So sorry about Buckwheat, Mary. I hate that our animal friends leave us so soon.
My #8 is pretty easy and partially done! Woohoo! Started many many years ago but I still like it!
So sorry for your loss. We become so attached to our animals and very sad to lose them. yippee on #8 mine is the CT Uncle Sam kit I bought many moons ago. Perfect for the month of July.as for a book to read I am reading The Invention of Wings Sue Kidd really enjoy it.Happy Fourth of July
I don’t have a list of UFOs but I do have 3 started that I know of – a canning jars one of fruits and veggies I started at Shipshewana Quilt Retreat (Gay Bomer – Sentimental Stitches), a red, white and blue one I plan to gift to a veteran/retired sheriff co-worker also started in Shipshe, and Grandmother’s Kitchen (sewalong that got stalled when I had to make a chemo quilt for my cousin with stage 4 colon cancer – she made it, has had three surgeries since, but doing well) and had to set all 3 aside to make a pillowcase for my grandson’s birthday. Then I had 4 squares left over (it was a panel with cars, trucks, bikes etc.) so am making a throw pillow, too. So then I have to make a throw pillow for his sister, to gift her with her pillowcase, which I made in Manitoba when my husband was bear hunting. All of this in between trying to organize my sewing stuff so I can get at my cutting and ironing tables which were piled high during our basement waterproofing project in April . . . while I’m doing that I keep finding other projects planned or started . . . it’s okay, I’m just happy to have a little time to sew. It’s my therapy.
So sorry to hear about Buckwheat – those goats sure were cute!
So very sorry about Buckwheat…it is hard, they are a part of our family.
My # 8 is easy but a chore I donot like…had 3 finished quilts stacked together..two have binding sewn on just needed the hand stitching done.. the 3rd quilt needs binding sewn on and hand stitched down. I WILL get this done over the next 30 days!!!!!’ If at no other time, I will stitch watching the evening news.
Oh , Ms Maci doing much better, still won’t let me out of her sight.
Nikki M – so glad to hear Ms. Maci is back home! I was too afraid to ask.
So sorry about buckwheat. He and Alfalfa can play together again in rainbow heaven now.
Have started #8 of my “Dirty Dozen” ! So happy that it is my bullseye blocks. Looking at this project with fresh eyes is very motivating. Thanks to you and Connie!
So sorry to hear about Buckwheat, he sure had a wonderful life on your farm.
Barn Dance is one of the first quilts I made back in the 90s… A friend and drove to your shop from eastern Wisconsin and that was one of the first patterns I bought… I started collecting my plaids and ended up with about 30 yards… I made the quilt for my husband who used it for many years… had lots of plaids for many other Country Threads patterns after that too… great memories…
My #8 is a disappearing nine patch that I cut out last year. Lucky for me that I’m going on a quilt retreat next week. So we know what I’ll be working on!
Once again we mourn the death of one of our pets. Sorry for the lose of your Buckwheat. Never is easy.
I have a book title: LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng
a friend from FL , who reads a lot, recommended it and the clerk at Barns & Noble said it was great, so between #8 and finishing the other read I have, I hope to find out if they are correct.
Happy Independence Day to all of you quilters, readers and Mary’s Blog followers
Buckwheat was a handsome goat. I am so sorry for your loss.
I remember the goat pics from years ago they were so cute.
My #8 is an antique basket top that has to be quilted. I put it on the machine this evening and got it started. It is hand stitched and sure it was cut with scissors. As I am quilting it I am having to pull with my finger nails on some of the blocks to keep them from puckering. I am sure some of you quilters know what i mean. Also having to “pleat” in a few places. It will be a slow process (exactly why it has not been done) but I will enjoy it and enjoy finding just the right binding. It has real 30’s fabrics and I have seen a feed sack, etc. Several of the 3 1/3 inch squares have 3 pieces of fabric in order to become a 3 1/2″ square. As I quilt I was wondering who she was that made it and wondered about her life. Can’t wait to see what else I see in it tomorrow. I will have to share a pic with you when finished. I think this will be a fun 12 months. Paula in KY
Paula Philpot – we all wonder about those same things when working or even just looking at an old quilt. If only they could talk, right?
so sorry about Buckwheat it’s hard to lose furbabies.
I really feel heartbroken for you losing another pet, Mary. I know how I feel and know you go thru the same. So hard to part with them. We give them the care and love they deserve and they give us back so much more.
My # 8 is a Halloween wall quilt but I need to finish something on my design wall before I can take it down and use ithe wall for my #8. I just today finally sewed after my sad couple of weeks and right away needed the seam ripper so think I will read tonight instead.
Like Mary Jane said, Happy Independence Day to the other blog readers too.
Kathy in western NY – you have had a tough go – you’re allowed to read instead of rip!
So sorry to hear of Buckwheat’s passing. The longer they’re with us, the harder saying goodbye. Don’t have enough UFO’s to number but…. am finishing a red,white and blue quilt that I started 6 years ago. I was recovering from a stroke and was learning how to sew ( and eat, drive, walk and talk) again. Found a Pat Sloan challenge that had me making 25 different blocks (12.5 inches). The blocks are finished so I am putting them together with sashing, cornerstones and an outer border. Far from perfect, but it will be finished!
I agree with Elizabeth Hinze: A Light Between The Oceans by M.L. Stedman is a fabulous read. You might want to keep a few Kleenex nearby.
My #8 is Jars Aplenty wall hanging, not my favorite, I think because it is a kit & not the fabrics I would have picked out, but It is all cut out & I hopefully get it finished.
Sorry about Buckwheat!
I’m sorry about Buckwheat, what a beautiful goat he was!
My number 8 is to finish a baby quilt. It is a panel which I added borders to and then will hand quilt on my quilt frame. I made one like it in February this year to donate for my sisters cancer benefit. It was quite cute. After the benefit, I found out my brother had put all his tickets in the box for that quilt but didn’t win it. He is a wonderful person and does so many things to help his family and neighbors in his rural community. I decided to make another one for him this time. He has two sons newly married so maybe he’ll be having a grand baby in the next few years whom he can give the quilt to. So, my first project will be for someone special and I’ll feel so great when I give it to him. Thanks for the inspiration to get some projects going, Mary!
Sorry about Buckwheat. Pets are a big part of our lives and missed greatly. My #8 is to quilt my bullseye quilt. My granddaughter has laid clam on it. we will see how it goes.
You don’t own me by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. Great read!
The last Tudor by Phillipa Gregory. A historical book.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I just started it, but I heard that is great.
I am cheating a bit for the next two months. We will be traveling a bit and won’t have easy access to my sewing machine. SO……. I have made up some carry with me projects. In tote bags. One holds a lot of cotton yarn to crochet potholders and dish cloths. The other bad holds clothesline and fabric scraps to make coils for making baskets. A great way to use up scraps and make something useful. IF you look on Pinterest under “clothesline baskets” you will see what I mean.
And for reading I am reading a book called “Wait Till Next Year” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It is a memoir written about growing up on Long Island after WWII and learning to love Baseball from her Father. She is about my age so a lot of what she says rings true for me. (except I grew up in Michigan and California) AND my father also taught me to love baseball.
Sorry about losing your Buckwheat. It’s so hard to let go of our well loved pets. My #8 is the month of August of Kim Schaefer’s “Calendar Quilts” I ordered last year (maybe 2 yrs ago). My goal is to get all 12 finished in the Dirty Dozen challenge! Thanks for the motivation to finish these projects.
I’m sad to hear about Buckwheat, although I’m sure Alfalfa was overjoyed to be reunited with his brother. We have two goats, Oscar and Langley, who are absolutely devoted to each other. I don’t even want to think about what it will be like when we are down to just one of them. Same with our miniature horses. That kind of devotion is so tender to see, but it has heartbreak written into it down the road. At least now those boys aren’t lonely. I’m sorry that you’re the one who is lonely for them now–that’s where it tends to fall, eh? Give Hazel an extra big hug, bless her heart.