Jammies to Hairy Spiders

These are pajama bottoms with T shirt tops/embellished w/matching fabric. Very cool. The pant legs look like pillow case edges.

This week's quilters were churning out pajamas, machine embroidery, and great quilt tops too.

Just take a look.....

The hairy spiders are just black circles now, but this quilter has hairy yarn and she knows how to use it!
Applique is beautiful....

Sorry, I am getting use to my new software and camera. I deleted the group photo by mistake. Someone forward me one, o.k.?

More to look at.....

Between hosting this weekend I finally finished my Marinara Sauce cooking on the outside burner for 3 days. This is what it started out as.

I wish I had an outside kitchen like the decorator shows. One that you can hose down when you're done. What a mess, but at least it was outside.

Have a good day, Patsy

getting the Word out "Bonnie"...

I am printing off pamphlets to pass along to area quilt shops, guilds, newspaper press releases and so forth.
You see, I so want this to be a successful event. Bonnie Hunter will be in Spring Green, Wisconsin on Monday, November 10th at 7pm at Arthur's Restaurant on the corner of Hwy 23 and Hwy 14. Many of you have eaten here on the way to the HOmestead Cabin Retreat. Or have passed it as you turned to the north up Hwy 23. It has a big black steer (cow) on top of their sign.
email me any questions you may have about the event. Let me know if you are planning on coming! I'd like to get an idea of exactly how many? homestead986@hotmail.com Thanks, Patsy

Something to Crow about!

I got a new camera! I'm so excited about the little gem. I had a 3.1 pixels and now went to a whopping 10.1 megapixels! With a 12x zoom. It is the Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS. (had the Kodak Easy Share originally too). It is not pocket thin so I like it. AND I can still look through the little view finder if I want to. Call me old fashioned and it fits. My memory card fit right in from the old camera. I was a bit nervous about switching over the software to the new one. Affraid of loosing 4000+ photos but it did it fine. Was the same brand so it must have known. I know I should put the photos on disc but I would have to learn to do that then. And I could delete alot of them.

Anyway, here are some Sudoku quilts from this last weekend.

and some more beauties .......

and more

I look forward to a busy week. I did the routine mammogram thing. Here is my yearly promotion - It will soon be October and it is Breast Cancer Month. Won't you take the time to schedule a check up for next month? You know, you are overdue!

Take care till next time, Patsy

Junk Destinations - Delaney's

Across from the Badger Ordinance Plant ........

Not your ordinary store.....although they do have a 'store' for inside shopping. But me, being the adventuresome person that I am, I go strolling through the yard.

Watch your step. There are things everywhere! From football scoreboards to hospital walkers. There are much factory remnants of production of years ago. And remnants of the health field.

Behind the junk yard is a peek at the "Forevertron". Dr. Everymore's rendition of imagination gone wild. There are thousands of scrap metal sculptures to buy or just enjoy. You can tour this place too for free, just another driveway over.

Delaneys is located between Sauk City and Baraboo on Hwy 12. They are closed on Wednesdays.

Happy Junking, Patsy

Scenes from the 2008 Quilt Expo

Greetings Everyone,

This is a duplicate of newsletter many of you receive but think it may get more exposure here. Book now so you won't be left out!
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We had some cancellations so check your calendars if you want to get away one last time before Christmas........ and finish those gifts!
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October 31st wknd * 2 openings!
November 7th wknd * 2 openings!
December 5th Discount wknd* 4 openings!
(Everyone brings just one meal - Pot luck)$150+Tax
###################################################
Openings for the first half of 2009 ------------------- *Openings are getting harder and harder to get in - so I want to let you know in advance what I do have.....always call to reserve and check for sure.
*******************************************************
January 16th wknd * 4 openings
February 13th wknd * 7 openings
March 20th wknd * 1 opening
May 29th Primitive Gatherings Wknd - Wool Applique/Rug Hooking - 6 openings $230
July 17th wknd * 3 openings
July 31st wknd * 2 openings
Aug 15th wknd * 5 openings
Aug 22nd wknd * 13 openings
Enjoy this nice cool weather - I am!

.....and now on to the Quilt Expo's show............
This one above is from Primitive Gatherings that I bought the kit. I had been wanting it for quite a spell and now I have it!
and more in the show............
and more..........the following is HAND quilted!

March on, inspiration! later, Patsy

Beauty to the Eye

Outside, nature provides us many interesting shots of beauty all the time. You just have to look through the view finder.

My cranberry bush is dripping in berries.

This is what this small maple looks like already. It is uplifting every time I am walking out to the cabin. Don't worry if you're coming in October. They aren't all turned this color yet. Just the stressed ones.

This booth was just a marvel to behold. It was jaw-dropping to me as I loved the colors.

They win my personal "booth award" but look what they had to work with. It was Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods.

They were even featured in Country Living magazine.

Next time we will visit the quilt show.......here is just a tease.....

How's that for tiny, insane pieces!

Later, Patsy

"Open Gate" quilt Designs Weekend

Ballyseede 61"x80" by Open Gate

Monique and Sue had a wonderful weekend working on this quilt as their weekend project. Some gals did their own color combos, some did the kit of the class sample. This was a weekend ago.

Here are some of the results.

And here is some other goodies appearing around the room.

You can see more of Monique and Sue's things here at Bundles and Bolts.

Later this week I will show you a few of the quilts that caught my eye at the Quilt Expo in Madison. I actually got to spend over 5 hours going through everything on Friday. What a treat! Next year I am going to do the same!

Enjoy the rainy day = what's left of her. Patsy

Kaleidoscope Fun!

While up north with my kids, I happened upon an awsome gift. You see, last Christmas my kids gave me this cardboard and foil kaleidoscope with a note to pick one out on line - they just couldn't agree which one. So I went on line and many were out of stock (right after Christmas) so I had forgotten about it.

I went to Bayfield - very touristy town and this great pottery shop that I always stop at, had this terrific scope! It has actual stones from around the world they say and it is in an oily liquid. The light shines in the middle and you can view from both ends a different view. It is called the Wedding Kaleidoscope from Chromascopes handmade.

Quilters just like this sort of stuff.....

and to think, stones.........

just one more view..... The pics don't do it justice as the clarity is sharp!

playing today. Yesterday I got some goodies at JJ Stitches and Millhouse Quilt shops in Sun Prairie and Waunakee respectively. They will both be venders at the Madison Quilt Expo. If you want to spend a night at the retreat, call as we have room this weekend.

See you there on friday! patsy

Ready for Fall - decorated anyway

Labor Day weekend was my chance to bring out "Fall" and put away "Patriotic Summer". Here is just a smattering of what the retreat looks like this year.

IT is a good thing I don't remember what I did the previous year - because I always like to change it up.

I havn't yet paid a visit to the Amish greenhouse for my annual Mum purchase but it is coming soon. Along with the pumpkins and gourds soon to come.

I hope to see some of you at the Quilt Expo in Madison Wisconsin this weekend. I don't have a booth - just looking and spending.

7 Random Things about Thyself...

A bit ago, I was tagged by Chris from the Shady Grove. I am to share 7 Random things about myself.

1. I have chewed my fingernails since very young. I stopped briefly twice - just to prove I could.

2. I am affraid of deep water and will never go on a cruise. I took swimming lessons 4 times when I was young. Finally put my face in the water the 4th year. I can back float though.

3. I have stuck my toes in both ocean coasts. Both as an adult.

4. I grew up on a dairy farm and I never took a vacation until I was married.

5. I am the youngest of 7 children. 3 girls, 4 boys. One brother was killed in a car accident at the age of 18.

6. I was an "Aunt" at the age of 7 - it happens when you are the youngest of 7.

7. I own a 1951 jalopy or hoop-dee GMC pick up truck with a dump-o-matic. I plan to restore this baby to get my groceries with.

Well, there you have it. Way more information than you ever wanted to know about me. Hope I didn't scare anyone. Patsy

A Mix of things..........

The apples are looking good here at the Homestead Cabin Retreat!

Some photos of my "UP NOrth" Trip...

I have been up north and back again - all refreshed for the Fall Season here at the Retreat. My daughter and son-in-law were working on their porch railing that they cut and hand shaved themselves out of cedar. My son's cat, named Yettie (Big foot) is rightfully named. Just take a look. I got to get some of the organic blueberry farm's wares to bring back for my freezer. Yum! It is a bumper year for them up there in Bayfield Wisconsin. On August 27th, they had a light touch of frost that kissed the vine crops.Have you ever wondered the contributing factor of Overweight Americans? Seems more and more are overweight.

I think I have the answer. If we all ate off of antique dishes, we might lose weight......see the cereal bowl of yesteryear and one of today? Each has a half cup in it - the recommended dose. I of course dumped them both into one and ate them both.

But the theory is still a good one. Even the plates are smaller of years ago. Now if I can just retrain my 'eye' to accept this theory!

I have to show you one of my must stop at spots when I do go to Bayfield (on the shores of Lake Superior). Of course I wanted to put these on the retreat and showed Marty when I got home. He didn't think much of hanging all that weight onto the end of the roof just for show. Have to work on him on that one. Ain't it cool?

Self watering too - if it rains.

This photo is taking at the same stop. I had to have at least one view of the lake to show you.

Have a great day. We are enjoying a wonderful gentle rain that started early this morning. I hope it continues all day! Patsy