Goodbye 2020

 Last day of the year 2020...what can I say? My husband,Ken, and I are fortunate to be retired and have not been too affected by the pandemic. We are very grateful that our family are all good. Many have not been so fortunate. I hope 2021 brings healing both physically and emotionally to many.

Trying the 31 Day Blog challenge has been a challenge. I learned that I don't want to post everyday and am still trying to find a more regular schedule for me to do so. We'll see what happens. Here are a few things I've worked on since December 20- my last post:

We got snow and it made everything so pretty!

I came across a tutorial on Pinterest for this little mouse- she sits on my sewing machine.

Made a couple of scrappy potholders for a friend.

Completed 2 snowman pillows- yea UFO's done!

We are having appetizers and Prosecco for our meal tonight- it has become a tradition. We rarely go out on NYE- just like to stay home, eat some fun foods and watch something on the TV. I am trying something new in the foods- my Great-grandmother Pilar Alonso LeCointe's cheese empanadas. I have never made them before so wish me luck. Here are some pics:

This is the recipe- I actually have 2 and they differ a bit so I am winging it

This is a pic of the dough and the filling prepared- that cube above the dough is lard- I am following the exact recipe and can probably make changes if I see fit after we eat them. This is NOT starting any weight loss diet-hahahahahaha!

These are a couple of pics of Pilar:

Today's Prompt: My Proudest Achievement- Stella the Sturgeon

 Back in January and February 2019 I entered a piece in the Langdon Divers Art Gallery art show that was in conjunction with the Fond du Lac WI Sturgeon Spectacular. The theme was Fishes of Fondy and the requirements were that your piece had to be about Walleye, Sturgeon or Muskie. I chose the Sturgeon because they are really dinosaurs in the water- they are huge, they have been here for thousands of years and they are very unique. I had also been admiring Susan Carlson's 20 foot fabric collage crocodile which gave me the idea to do a life size collage quilt of a sturgeon. Thus was born Stella the Sturgeon! I had so much fun making her and the ideas just flowed right out of me- a most unique experience of not overthinking and part of it from the background to the fabrics I chose for various part on the fish.

After the Art Exhibit was over I applied for the SECURA Fine Arts Exhibition at the Trout Museum of Art (which is not a fish museum- read about it here https://troutmuseum.org/) I just thought what the heck! She was accepted!!! And not until I was attending the opening night did I find out that it is very hard to get a piece in this Art Show. I was blown away!!! And- VERY honored.

Here are some photos of the process:

My daughter helped with the pattern for Stella- made it to size and I printed off the pieces and taped them together.

Paper pieced these scales and forgot to take the paper out so she crinkles if you run your finger along that part - too funny!

The background is various whites with silver accents to depict ice and snow.

This is the most fun I have ever had making a quilt!!!!! 

My Fabric

 This is the main area where I keep my fabric. I purchased these metal drawers from Menards many years ago and they work very well for larger pieces. I also have some smaller drawer units on wheels that I keep smaller pieces- mostly scraps-in, organized by color. The green cupboard holds my vintage tablecloths and other vintage fabrics. Some of my holiday themed fabrics are in plastic containers in another part of the room. Just a peek of what I call my Treehouse Studio. I was our master bedroom but really was too big for that- I used to be in the basement but this room is so much better with more light and a great view of the lake.

My Least Favorite Color

 I shall now follow the daily prompts for the 2020 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge! 

Purple is my least favorite color- I can't tell you why. I just get a feeling of ick when I look at it. In spite of this aversion I did accept a commission to make a quilt for a gentleman out of his collection of Crown Royal Bags. It was a challenge to figure out what pattern to use, I wanted to keep it simple. I found some examples on Pinterest and re-created one after consulting with the woman who made it. Here it is...

 He was very happy with it- I was relieved! I always worry when I accept commissions.

http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2020-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/

Catching Up

 See....I told you how bad I am at not keeping up with this blog- it's been more than a few days! I never think I have anything to say/show that anyone would care to read. But, this is a diary of sorts and when I look back I do feel a sense of accomplishment and am reminded of what has happened in my life. So- I think I'll just ramble a bit- if no one sees it- that's fine, too.

Book I am currently reading- I heard about the author on the podcast Authentic Obsessions- Maggie Petrie is married to Nick and interviewed him about his writing. She interviews all different types of artists- it's a great podcast- check her out!

Here's the Xmas tree in our living room- letting it settle before we decorate. It's a bit scraggly but I love it!

Savory Scones- recipe from Pinterest-  https://www.justataste.com/zucchini-bacon-cheddar-scones-recipe/ Delicious!!!!   

                                        

Holiday Tree

 We own a small parcel of land next door to our favorite organic farmers. My husband thinks he is channeling Aldo Leopold and wants to rid the land of invasives and restore it to it's natural ecology- oak savannah and prairie. He is working with the farm to restore the soil and they are grazing their cattle on it in a system that helps the cattle and the soil. We also volunteer on the farm.

Today we went out there to see if we could harvest a tree. Our daughter and her partner met us out there- we walked and socially distanced and we each found a tree that would work in our homes.

I didn't do much sewing...I'll get back to that tomorrow.

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Claiming my Blog- what is this? Having my first cup of coffee on this brisk but sunny morning. I really have to figure out how to get pictures here easier- from my phone to the computer and then find them- UGH! It was so much easier on my PC and now I have a Mac- still haven't got the hang of it. Any suggestions would be very welcome!

One surprise this morning- while watching tv last night I complained to hubby that we really could not see our little Christmas village. It was here:

There was a table lamp blocking the view. When I got up this morning it was moved!

I was shocked! Why didn't I think of this????Perfect new spot- those husbands can have excellent ideas sometimes...

 Just found out about the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge- since I am soooooo bad at keeping my Blog up I thought it might help. Please leave a comment to cheer me on and let me know what you would like to see here- thanks so much!