Quilt Repair

One of my current quilting projects is repairing this family heirloom quilt. We call it the lead apron quilt as it's quite heavy for its size. Nine pounds to be exact. It is made from old coats and other heavy materials like corduroy. I think there's a blanket inside it as well. Traditionally, this kind of quilt was added to in layers. I'm going to do my best to maintain it's look and integrity. My plan is to do the repairs and add a new backing without taking it apart.

Top priority is replacing all of the pink-ish blocks on the left side of this photo. I'm not sure what material it is but it did not hold up well at all. 

This is a close up of one of the pink blocks.

I am appliqueing new blocks on top of the worn out ones.

I had originally planned on an old pair of blue, light denim coveralls as patching material.

I have it all cut up and will still use some of it.

Just before I started I found a pair of tan denim shorts that were slated to go to the thrift store. 

I cut those up too for use in patching.

I think the color and feel goes better with the quilt.

Some of the material is a little tough to get through. I've resorted to two thimbles.

The leather thimble pad on my thumb is great for grabbing the needle!

The backside of the quilt is in surprisingly good shape.

(I may straighten out the bottom edge...the crookedness is driving me nuts!)

I'm going to cover the holes with applique patches on this side too.

However, when I'm done it will get covered with a flannel sheet.

Then I'll fold the backing to the top and use it for self-binding.

It's not my favorite way to bind but that's how it was originally made.

It was also tied with yarn. I plan to re-do that as well.

It might take some shopping to find the right colors though.

Snow, Snow, Snow, More Snow

These photos are actually from two weeks ago.

This snow is still here...

I don't know the last time we had snow on the ground for more than a week.

Not only is this snow still here but it's been added to several times.

Here an inch, there an inch, everywhere an inch, inch.

As of this writing, we're under yet another storm warning.

I'll try to contain my excitement.

The snow in our lane was finally packed down enough for Nolan's little car to get out...just in time to get snowed in again.

Spring will get here someday.

The plow hadn't even gone by yet.

It doesn't matter what the weather does.

A farmer still needs to feed and water his livestock.

Praying mantis egg sack.

 

The colder it gets the more Pepper likes it.

Ducks can be a little clumsy...

Woo hoo!

The guinea and chickens were not so thrilled.

Can't say I blame them!

So thankful for heated water buckets!

Still had to get out and go to work the next day.

What is normally a 40 minute drive took an hour.

I'm sure after today's storm it will take at least an hour to get to work tomorrow too.

One day closer to spring...

Commute

 In my almost two years of commuting to work I have seen lots of interesting things on the trek. All sorts of wildlife: deer, possums, raccoons, turkeys, pheasants, quail, bald eagles, hawks, mice, foxes, sand hill cranes, and coyotes. Once I saw five different critters in one morning...and thankfully no skunks! I have seen one live skunk. I was very grateful he crossed the road after I passed! If I have any "traffic" issues it's usually due to farm equipment. I've slowed down or even stopped for the occasional runaway livestock. Usually wayward beasts are cows, but sheep, goats, and ducks have been on the loose too. That's country life and I wouldn't trade it!

I almost never take my good camera with me to work so my commute photos are with the phone.

Not the best quality.

I have also watched some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

My phone camera does not even remotely capture the grandeur.

I watched the Outlander change to 200,000 miles.

This is the view when you as you turn out of the drive from where I work.

Apparently they were giving a tour of the wind farm.

This is the intersection a half mile north of where I work.

A new wind farm was installed this fall.

I tried to take some progression photos.

It's hard to see how many turbines are in this new wind farm.

Too many in my opinion. They mar the whole horizon...

One of my "traffic jams".

This farmer was trying to navigate his auger around the corner and under the utility lines.

He ended up partially in the field to make it.

(Note that this is the same intersection as above but before the turbines went up.)

The morning sun was a brilliant ball floating on the horizon.

...but not well captured by the phone.

Wild turkey family.

They were in the same area for about a week.

Another "traffic jam".

This harvester was hooking up the corn picker head.

I gladly waited. They feed our country!

Domestic turkeys. They belong to the farm on the right. They have lots of animals. I usually slow down when I go past their farm...I never know what might be wandering in the road. This past spring some baby lambs were out.

Just a few photos from my commute. I actually like the 40 minute drive.