Fall Quilt

I have a wall in my sitting room that I like to decorate frequently, I change the decorations with the seasons (or whenever I get bored with them). And I just took down the American Flag that has been up since the 4th of July and I have been looking around the house for something sort of fall-ish to replace it with... but, no such luck. So, I decided to make something... a fall-ish looking wall-hanging of some sort.

So, I rummaged through my fabric stash and collected anything that reminded me of fall. I actually had all of these fabrics on hand except for the dark green and an orange fabric that I picked up on a recent trip to Wal-mart.

Since I wanted to make something quick, I went to my easy, no-brainer pattern that I end up doing a lot. I guess I do it a lot because I like it a lot! However, I think it might be time to expand my strip-quilting horizons and try some new patterns... one of these days.

I kinda like that there are no obvious fall references like pumpkins, maple leafs or halloween scenes... it's just a collection fabrics that made me think of fall.

 

I like that it looks like it has some history to it, like if I saw it at a thrift store or a garage sale, I would totally snag it! And I would be really excited to find it! Yeah, I know, I'm cheap, but I'm okay with that. Somehow things have more value to me if they're either cheap, we're a challenge to find or have some sort of interesting story behind them.

 

After I finished the quilt top, I hung it up in the spot that it was intended for. That may have been a mistake. I still need to decide how to quilt it... and the motivation for making that decision has decreased significantly already, since it's already serving it's intended purpose.

 

Hmm... what do you think?
How should I finish it? Should I tie it, have it quilted, or is it time for me to bite the bullet and learn how to machine quilt it myself?

Chances are, it's going to stay just as it is... and I think I'll rummage through my fabric and dream of something else to make. Happy sewing to me! :)

Our little girl turns 11 today and it's the first day of school. So, yesterday she spent the day organizing her school supplies, trying on various outfits and we made caramel brownie cupcakes which she decorated all by herself.

Happy birthday, Elena! We love you bunches!

We are back from our vacation, we had a lovely, wonderful, busy time, we just haven't had a chance to document the rest of the trip in photos here... yet. We're busy transitioning back to school and eager to get back into a routine.

This fall I'm looking forward to the crisp fall weather, eating piping hot chili, spending a lot of time with my sewing machine, ignoring the yard some more, watching some football on the big screen, buying pumpkins to put outside my front door, having bonfires with friends... oh, it sounds so dreamy... and so far away... it was 95 degrees here today! I stayed inside and dreamed of fall.

My daughter has been bouncing off the walls giddy, so excited for school to start!
My son well... he has this to say; "What, school starts tomorrow? Ugh!"
Oh, how I love my two completely different kids! :)

Minnesota - Michigan Trip - Day 4

We're traveling today, heading up to Michigan for my youngest brother's wedding.

Before we went, Deacon got a big welcome to Minnesota hug from my dad.

 

Mom and her grandson Hank.

Deacon and Erik being goofy. It's so nice to see their goofy antics again and it's so nice to see Deacon starting to feel much better again.

 

So happy.

I didn't know they still made Mello Yello. I saw the label and I felt like I was riding on a school bus with my hair in a sideways ponytail. 

And then I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over all of the barns and round bales amongst the soft rolling terrain. Oh, it's so nice to be in the midwest again!

Minnesota Trip - Day 3

A quiet day of visiting in Minnesota...

We spent the morning with my friend Heidi and her adorable family.

Oh, he's just so cute!

The kiddos had such a good time playing!

My friend Heidi and I. I think we met in kindergarten. She's the kind of friend that we can just pick up right where we left off.

We've shared a lot of memories over the years... and I think we just made some more! It's always so much fun to be with Heidi! :)

We made a quick stop at Chet and Dayna's and of course, I needed a little snuggle time with my nephew, Hank.

And then, in the afternoon, we visited with my grandparents.

Before we knew it, Grandma had a wonderful spread of snacks and goodies on the table. It was just like I remembered as a child. She was so quick and I think the wheel chair only helped speed her up.

Her table was always ready for company and there was almost always company at her table. I love that I got to share this with my daughter.

She's still making quilts, here are some of the quilts that she made recently.

Grandpa and Elena, he was catching up on the news.

Elena with Great-Grandma Aho

Late that evening, the boys finally arrived! Yay! We're all together again!

This morning ---Deacon: Daddy can tinfoil go in the microwave? 
Me: No  
Deacon: Oops. Well good thing I opened the door after I saw sparks.

-Erik

Minnesota Trip - Day 2

A few scenes from today...

 Grandpa and Hank

 Sharpshooter Jack

 Grandma and her homemade Finnish flat bread.

 The milk truck came.

Our northwest cutie with the Northwest milk truck.

 Teeny, tiny puppies

Shelby had 10 puppies. Elena's been keeping close tabs on them, also known as "farming dogs".

Dinner at Pizza Ranch - my parents and just some of my siblings and their families.

Sleeping beauty. :)

Deacon is starting to feel better, he and Erik will fly in tomorrow night. I can't wait for us to all be together again.

Much of my free time over the past month or two has been devoted to making these little beauties.

Oh, I'm getting so anxious for the celebration in which they will be displayed!

Minnesota Trip - Day 1

Ahh, it's so nice to be at my mom and dad's farm.

Here's just a glimpse of our day...

My dad's barn.

Nephews running around in the yard.

I remember doing the same thing when I was about 5.

Big tractors, big dog, big house.

Holsteins.

Elena trying to coax the kitty down from the hayloft. "I'll catch you, kitty".

Uncle Chet came to the rescue.

All better.

Time for a milking lesson from Uncle Lukey.

Milking lessons, kittens to hold, saunas to take, family to visit with, cousins to chase, odors to smell... oh, it's so nice to be home.