Summer Doings in Kentucky

Summer doings in Kentucky have been more fun this year. Unlike last year, no one was able to visit us and see our little slice of ‘God Country’. So this year we have visitors, crafts, sewing, blocks, and winnings. I was working on another post but got stuck… So I thought I would show you some of the creating interruptions.

Winnings

Some days I have a chance to read and catch up with blogs that I follow and comment when I can. I rarely participate in blog giveaways because I really have enough stuff. But in this case… they are hand-dyed fabrics. And they are scraps! So I threw my name in the mix, (actually all the mixes because I love her products) and so far the ones I have purchased I am only able to pet!!! I can’t cut into them. I am thrilled to say, I won a scrap pack of hand-dyed fabrics from her summer vacation giveaway. Her scraps are almost yardage for me! These came from Vicki at Colorways by Vicki.

Vicki also makes postcards. So I made one and sent it to her as a thank you. I used some of the scraps above with a few of my leftover bits from other projects, (the circles and the white). I slapped a stamp on it and sent it on its way, (naked, no protective envelope or plastic sleeve).

It has arrived and she posted it on her blog. See it here: https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/blog/a-new-record-for-mistakes#/

Visitors

We have had visitors this summer. There have been very few visitors to see our little bit of paradise since we moved here 1 year and 11 months ago. But we have been fortunate this year that family is finally able to visit. This past week we have had the pleasure of kids and the grandkids visiting. I made an apron for the ‘sous chef’ to wear while helping in the kitchen. They got a kick out of the apron. They forgot it when they left, so I will mail it along with a big packet of photos from their time on the farm. We fished, fed the animals, helped in the garden, hiked in the woods, and played some games, as well as a trip to the Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat museum and factory. Another visitor came and collected her share of Mr. March, and next week my nephew will stop by for the night and return a few weeks later for a longer stay with my great niece.

Naming Game

I have also been doing a little painting. We finally came up with a name for the ‘farm’. It kinda explains exactly what we’re doing out here in rural Kentucky. Anyway, we thought we needed a barn quilt, so I made a prototype and learned a lot! The block is the Corn ‘n Beans and I made it a 4 patch. We decided to put the name on this one which is mounted on the shop exterior next to the driveway. The one on the barn will just be just like this, but only the block.

Making blocks

In addition to the block above the ‘million pieces project’ is now a pile of blocks. Its a scrappy project and seems like it has taken forever. I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to like it… but I think so. Here is a little bit of the whole… It has grown on me as I made it. Sometimes I do wish I did a bit more planning… when making things instead of just winging it. If I had made one block in the blues and the other in the reds with the same background in all of them it might be more appealing. I may have to play with that, but maybe some bigger pieces, not 2 1/2 inch squares. 5″ are sounding just about perfect!!!

Hothouse

The kitchen in this house faces south. The previous owner had a window seat built-in under a double window. I don’t have a use for a window seat, but several of the following owners have all used it for plants. Not only is it the best place, but it is also the only place that gets enough light. I have a small jungle growing and several plants in bloom. 4 orchids, 1 violet, and one Thanksgiving Cactus with one bloom. This is the 4th time it has bloomed since November. The orchids started blooming in late January and into February. The violet blooms about every 8 weeks. There is also a pink violet that also blooms about every 8 weeks, they take turns!

Now you know what’s been eating up my time. How are you spending your summer? Busy creating?

More Later… Beth