Lone Star Baby Quilt Finished

This is the second baby quilt I've made using this pattern by Amy Smart.

You can find her free tutorial here: Lone Star Baby Quilt Tutorial . This is now my 'Go To" baby girl quilt pattern. I've already pulled fabric for another one. For this one, I just pulled fabrics from my stash that I thought would make a cute quilt:

And I used this green for the backing that has a pretty white swirl running across it and bound it in a pink I had in my stash:

And Jackie quilted this sweet flower design across it:

I love the way the morning sun accentuates the quilting:

It measured 38 x 38 and will soon be wrapped around a sweet baby girl.

Plus Quilt Using a Jelly Roll

Seems I am always drawn to the Plus quilts that have been floating around for the past few years. I've made one and gave it to my Mom and have been hankering to make another. That, combined with leftover jelly rolls strips that were begging to be used, turned into this today:

                                

It's just baby sized now and I'm debating on whether to make it bigger. I do have another jelly roll of this Moda Breath of Avignon. It's an older line that I still really like, but need to use. Those jelly rolls have got to go and it's awfully tempting to just sit here all day and sew:

A Fun Day in Town

Yes, you read that correctly. I did use the word "Fun" in conjunction with a trip to town. :) I had ordered some baby chicks and that required a trip into town last Thursday. DH was helping the neighbors work and he was going to be away all day, so I went in early and met up with a dear friend who also happens to be a ranch wife and a co-worker AND a quilter. :) I adore this gal! Apparently we were having too much fun together to remember to take any pictures.

She's recently started up an Extension Service quilting club and if she's involved, it's bound to be an adventure! She's just such a joy.

We stopped at Hobby Lobby and the little local quilt shop before enjoying a good visit over dinner. ie: lunch and made plans for a road trip to our favorite quilt shop in a tiny town 75 miles from the ranch. I helped her coordinate some fabrics and choose a pattern for her next project. I only bought some Kona Snow for a background for yet another baby quilt and this pink polka dot for a backing:

                           

I also bought this half-hexi ruler. I've got a project planned that includes these fabrics from my stash and a bit of shopping for a few more pieces:

                            

We then parted ways as she had an appointment and I had a date with these darling things at the local seed store:

                          

For now, they are in my sewing room. I hope they don't mind the hum of the sewing machine because with cute company like this,  I may be spending some extra time in there.

                         

Gathering and Sorting Bulls

The crew gathered bulls on Friday. They loaded up:

                               

and I hauled them to the west side of the pasture:

                                  

Who wouldn't want to be horseback on a morning like this:

                              

Making a plan:

                          

This fella has a plan alright and it always includes mischief. LOL

                                     

I had to scootch back to the house but I couldn't pass up just one more shot of that incredible New Mexico sky:

                             

Gathering bulls makes for a slow, easy pace as the bulls just lumber along, bellowing their displeasure at being told what to do and where to go.

While they ran them through the chute and poured them, I had things to tend to in the kitchen, but I was putting the lawn mower away when I saw them funneling the bulls into the pens:

We've got a good crew and it's fun to watch them work together. We missed one friend who was hurt recently in a horse wreck. Things just aren't the same without him helping. He'll be OK, but prayers are appreciated. I always send these boys out covered in prayer.

  DH rode through the bulls                    

 pulled old ones that will be retired and sorted the others into groups as they will be distributed to the various pastures this next week:

                                

These boys work so well together:
                                

Good weather. Good company. Good horses. Yep, there was a lot of smiling going on:

These boys love what they do and they do it well:

                            

It was such a pretty morning and it was all I could do to drag myself back into the kitchen

I'm thankful everyone stayed safe this week and I'm thankful for a fridge full of leftovers because my kitchen is closed for the weekend. :)