Planes, Cars and Boats

Howdy.  I recently returned from a very busy Labor Day getaway with Mr. Fun.    While away I was able to have a little photo shoot of this quilt that I made for Hanna in 2011 for her high school graduation.  It's called Tropical Breeze.  You can see the original post here (which has better quality photos).

The pool at the farm with the hibiscus seemed a good location.

I finished my Alice Payne Eagle block at 25,000 feet on the way to Seattle.  I was surprised that my stitching turned out so well after drinking a WHOLE BOTTLE of wine lol.

While in Seattle we had an awesome power boat ride, an exciting sail and some paddling in a kayak.  My Brother and Sister In Law have a wonderful fleet of boats and water toys.

Here we are sailing to Bainbridge Island.  You can see Seattle on the right.  Look how far we are heeled over - yikes!

We stopped at Pioneer Farm in Illinois for a few days.   Here is a InstaGram collage I posted.  So happy that the implement shed has a new sleeve.  It looks like new!

I'd say this corn is as high as an elephants eye - I'm 5'3"

Bow Tie Swap Update
Looks like everyone is doing well with the bow tie blocks.  I know some people who are making them even though they are not in the swap.  They are so fun and fast.  I'm starting to receive them and they look great.

Civil War Swapper, Barbara, posted these 2 cute bow tie quilts she made for her twin grandchildren.  Pop over and visit her blog to see what else she has including a stunning star quilt she's working on.

Katy who is also a swapper posted this great bow tie quilt on her blog.  She is a very prolific blogger - check it out here.

Did you know that I have a designated Fun With Barb Facebook group?  Everyone is welcome to join.  It is a place where anyone can post photos of swap blocks and quilts.  I'll be posting my fall schedule there soon.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful and generous comments on my Reconciliation Quilt post.  It is so encouraging to hear from so many readers!

whole lotta nuttin'

Thank you for all the great book suggestions!

It seems we are hitting the doldrums of summer here, which is actually quite nice.  Most of my days seem to be a filled with a little of this....a little of that.... and not much.  I think they call it the dog days of summer.

I did finish designing the last two blocks of my Hot Flash quilt.  This was a bit of challenge working with all these different prints. (gosh red is hard to photograph!)

and I've been making patches for the nine patch swaps which are due here to me on October 1st.

My Sailor took part in this year's Chicago to Mackinac Island yacht race.  He was part of a 8 man/woman crew aboard Slapshot, a 135ft. J109 sailboat.  The race is 333 miles.  They started on Friday at mid-day and finished on Monday at mid-day.  They came in 5th in their class - Congrats to the Crew of Slapshot!!

I picked up this pretty plate at a flea market recently .  How could I resist red and white, transfer-ware and my new great state of Connecticut.   Love the gilded fluted edge.  $8.00

I also picked up this wonderful folk art painting.  I love the simplicity of it.  The frame is nice and plain.  It looks great in the kitchen.  $12.00

Hanna and I found these socks shopping in New Port.  We laughed so hard.  They had others with foul language.  I would have bought them all, it was hard to pick.

Tomorrow I'm off to Hershey, PA for the Quilt Odyssey show.  If you see me say hello!