Warm/Cool QA

I finally chose my fabric for the warm/cool quilt along hosted by Jeni at In Color Order. 

I like the idea of separating your warm and cool colors to make a value quilt; and Jeni has a great refresher course on her blog about doing this.  She even adds in fabric that will not work in either category and explains why.

The fabric I chose was just something I had in my stash.  I had purchased the different fabrics years ago for a specific quilt, but as time went on, I found that I no longer was interested in making that quilt.  So, there all this fabric sat, waiting to be used and admired. 

I took several pieces out of the original stash as I didn't think they would have fitted very well in the project.

For example, at first look, I would more than likely throw this in my warm group.  But after much thinking on the matter, I decided to take them out all together.  I felt that adding these in would just throw off my balance.

On another note: I ordered my fabric for the Kaleidoscope quilt along.  YAY!!  Already I am anxiously waiting for it to arrive in my mailbox!  I love getting fun mail!!

New Arrivals

Over the last few days, the ranch has been excitedly welcoming a few new Spring arrivals.  First, this guy was born...

Next, this little one joined the world...

Then...Hey how did she get in here?

My silly girl.

Curtains

I don't know what it is about sewing curtains.  Perhaps they're just not my thing.  I procrastinate whenever I need to make some, finding any other project to do; any excuse to push the curtain making back.

For example, these curtains - I actually debated whether or not to even post a picture of them - they're a bit of an embarrassment.  I promised myself that I would not tackle any of my other projects until I have finished this one.  These are for the ranch manager's camper trailer and he asked me to make them while I was pregnant with my daughter who is now 9 months old.  Oops.   

His live in quarters of his horse trailer had the same fabric in it and he wanted his camper trailer's window coverings to match.  So I hunted down the southwestern fabric (we are in New Mexico after all) on e-bay. 

I don't even like how they are turning out.  I've already torn this curtain apart four times and started over.  There's just something not meshing here.  Maybe it's just me, I honestly have no idea.

But I am determined to get them done (I only have a double curtain left to make.)  I've been putting them off long enough.  And the sooner I get them done, the sooner I can start again on all my fun and exciting projects. 

Maybe I just need something to pump me up.  Like, right before a marathon you can feel the excitement of the race at the start line; people hopping up and down, warming up; I-pods and MP3 players ready to blare play lists to keep the runners going for those long grueling miles.  Maybe something like that - but for curtain making.   

Blog Makeover

Some of you may have noticed a few changes here on my blog.  I started this - wow - almost three years ago with the idea of just talking about the craziness that comes with being a new mom and living the life of a cattle rancher.  But as time has gone by and I look back on my writings,  I have decided to give my little blog a makeover.

First the title.  Previously known as "A Mom and Rancher" I have decided to change it to "Little Meanderings" as that is really what this has turned into.  Just ramblings of my thoughts and what I'm doing.

Secondly, I'm sort of veering off into a different direction.  I will be writing a lot more about my sewing projects, design ideas, heck maybe even try my hands at a tutorial.  I toyed with the idea of starting a whole new blog about this, but in the end decided that one blog was enough to keep up with at the moment.  Maybe, someday I may start a new one just for projects.  But for right now, it's all-in-one.  Besides, the more time I spend on updating several blogs is time taken away from my kiddos and sewing!

Market Bag

Farmer's Market season is here!  YAY!! In celebration, I made this market bag adorned with all sorts of yummy veggies.

The fabric collection is Homegrown and I got it, as well as the pattern at Connecting Threads.

I have to admit that this was my first attempt at making any kind of tote/bag so bits of it were a learning process.  Especially since I tend to start following a pattern and then slowly veer off to do things my own way.  Quilting and sewing is all about breaking the rules right?

Each of the eggplant plaid and celery lettuce plaid (don't you love that the colors are named by food?) are pockets (4 total) to keep all your smaller finds, phone, etc in. 

Anyway, how cute would one be walking the market booths adorning this bag full of all their Farmer Market goodies?

Kaleidoscope QA

You would think that with the amount of projects I need to work on that I wouldn't be silly enough to add yet another one.  What can I say?  I'm an addict.

So what is this new project you may ask?  It's a quilt along {eek! silent excited scream to self}  I have always wanted to participate in a quilt along and now I am!!

The Kaleidoscope quilt along is being hosted by Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy.  I'm really looking forward to this (can you tell?) as it is something that is usually out of my novice comfort zone.  But as one who is not afraid of a challenge - I figured it would be perfect. 

So, right now it's all about the fabric.  I've been perusing fabrics to figure out what I want to use for this awesome quilt.  As soon as I get it all together I will post them.

I can hardly contain myself!!

Poor Darlings

My dear little Aslyn had a fever of 100.3 last Sunday; so while JP, Alexander, and Logan took our planned trip to Bandelier to hike; I stayed home with my sweet girl.

At her 9 month checkup I mentioned her fever but the doc said she seemed fine (no ear infections, lungs sounded good, etc.)

Yesterday I stayed home from work.  At 2:00 am Aslyn was crying; when I went to check on her, she was laying in pile of throw up.  So I stripped her bed, remade it, got her cleaned up, and rocked her back to sleep.  She got sick again later in the morning, which made me decide to just stay home.

And then last night Logan, who is usually up and everywhere, just wanted to lay in bed and watch a movie.  This is a bit odd for him, so I felt his head and he was quite warm.

Little kids being sick is the worst; I always feel kind of helpless.

On the plus side, I got a little sewing done.  I'll post pictures of it later, as I am still putting it together.