The Farm in Autumn and the Waunakee Quilt Show

October 2nd, 2011

This time of year we spend as much time outside as possible, taking many evening walks around the farm to see the colors. 

Here is a view of our farm looking from west to east.  Our property stretches from the top of the surrounding ridges down into the valley.  Our house sits in the middle almost 150 feet below the ridges.

October 5th, 2011

The field have been fallow for many years.  Occasionally cattle, sheep and horses have grazed here.  A small portion of our land is still mowed as organic hay for the dairy farm next door.

The meadows have gone back to their natural state creating a habitat for many species of birds and butterflies.  Summer here is a sight to see with hundreds of dragonflies each August and thousands of fireflies each June.

The golden rod and asters are all that are left of our summer flowers.  

October 12th, 2011

A couple hard frosts and a good strong wind reveals the bones of the land.  I love every season on this land but Autumn has to be my favorite.

Yesterday I drove to Madison with my husband and was amazed at all the color just 30 miles to our south along the Wisconsin River.  The oaks and quaking aspen are at peak.  If time allows I hope to capture some photos in route to the quilt show in Waunakee Wisconsin. 

 I will be vending at this show on Friday and Saturday October 28th and 29th.  This show features 150 quilts and is only 2 blocks southwest of Millhouse Quilts . 

Hope to see you there!

St. John's 11th Annual Quilt Show [ October 28 - 29 ]

St. John’s School Gymnasium
114 East Third Street
Waunakee, WI
Friday and Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Admission $3

The Devil's Puzzle Book Giveaway

"The Devil's Puzzle"

By Clare O'Donohue

Book#  4 in the Someday Quilts Series

I've spent the weekend curled up with this book.  I received a couple copies of "The Devil's Puzzle" from Clare O'Donohue's publisher Plume Books.  Some of the members in my quilt guild have read and enjoyed her earlier books so I looked forward to a little down time and a good book.  This book does not disappoint.  I'm half way through and look forward to finishing in the next few days.  The book is rated between four and five stars on many of the book store websites.  If you would like to find out a little more about this series visit Clare O'Donohue's webite. 

Please leave a comment on this post if you would like a chance to win a copy of "The Devil's Puzzle".  I will draw for a winner on Thursday October 20th at 6:00 pm.  Be sure to leave a second comment if you blog, Twitter or Facebook with a link to this giveaway. 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Chris

Update:  The Winner is Sandie who is Crazy'boutquilts.  Congratulations Sandie!  Thanks to everyone that entered!  

Fashion Friday

You've come a long way baby!  

Simplicity 1973

When I was taking this photo I was reminded that not more than 10 years earlier most public schools did not permit women to wear pants to class.  Thanks goodness times change.  You wouldn't catch me in a pair of pantyhose these days!!

Check back Saturday Night.  I will be hosting a book giveaway.

Fashion Friday and a Quilt Show

Holy Cats Batman!

I still have this pattern if anyone is interested in making this vest.

I am vending at the Lighthouse Legacies quilt show in Racine, WI IL this weekend. This is a 

great show. If you are in the area stop by and say hello.

Show hours are 10:00 to 5:00 Saturday and 10:00 to 3:00 Sunday

http://www.lighthousequiltersguild.org/showinfo.php

Wendy Butler Berns Classes on Craftsy

Recently I had a chance to listen to a lecture given by Wendy Butler Berns on decorative threads.  I always enjoy her lectures and have long wanted to take a class from her.  I asked her if she was teaching in the area any time soon but she was not.  

This weekend I had a very pleasant surprise.  Wendy contacted me with a link to two classes she is teaching on the Craftsy website, "Pictorial Art Quilts" and "Machine Quilting".  I spent the last couple of evenings watching and participating in her Pictorial Art Quilting Techniques class. In this class you will learn how to select fabrics for your project based on value and style of fabric. Wendy discusses how she creates her patterns, what construction techniques she uses to create her art quilts, threads, needles and machine quilting options. By the end of the class you will have a completed art quilt.  

 I have taken a few classes on the internet but have never had an experience like this before.  The class is given in a video format which makes it feel like you are sitting in a class with Wendy. The class is broken into segment, making it easy to view the class at your leisure.   Once you have purchased a class on Craftsy you have access to the class indefinitely. You can add notes to your computer that are saved along with the class for future reference. This website is extremely user friendly.

The Craftsy website is perfect for someone like me who lives in the middle of nowhere. The class cost about what I would have spent on gas if I had to attend the course and I was able to take the class in the same amount of time it would take me to drive to a class and back. I look forward to seeing the Craftsy course selections grow.  

Follow this link and you can enroll in this class for half price.

Click here to view a vidcast interview where Wendy talks about her "Out On a Limb" Exhibition with Bonnie McCaffrey  

P.S.  Wendy mentioned she has a third class called "Art Quilting 101" that will be added to the Crafty site in November.

Giveaway Winners

My laundry basket is full of fabrics ready to go to Racine this weekend.  The Lighthouse Quilt Guild is hosting a quilt show on Saturday and Sunday.  I have heard wonderful things about this show.  If you are in the area be sure to stop by and say hello.  

Winners of the last giveaway were Stacey from Vermont and Tricia from Illinois. Congratulations ladies.  Your packages are on the way.  I hope you love the fabrics.

Thank you to everyone that entered!  Stop back soon.  Next week I will be giving away a book called "Devil's Puzzle" written by Clare O'Donohue