A few Client Quilts

 My Friends Mother passed away and she was an amazing quilter...but she had a few unfinished tops.

So they all chose the ones they wanted - and my friend asked me to help him finish it. Of course, I fell in love with the quilt... so now you have to see it!! its a controlled scrappy quilt - and the layout - amazing!!

Isn't that a cool layout?  I really like it - and was so honored to help him finish it.

Then a memory quilt. I really like these - they just have so many memories for the person in it - and its cool to see how much these mean.

This is from Linda - she followed the 2021 Modern HST BOM  

I love the way she went from reds to Blues - it turned out amazing!!

Puppy says - what's next mom?????

Food??? We are going to get food right?????

Happy Monday!   

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Desing Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Wall Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Finished ( Or not) Friday

 Summer is too much fun!! 

I am hoping that you all a LOT of finishes for us to ohh and ahh about!!!

Share away and let us get inspired!!

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An Archaeological Dig Site

 After our foray into Fort Laramie - we headed to a dig site.

Our Son was working on the Archaeological dig site for Paleo Indian Culture - and they allowed visitors one day. It was AMAZING!

This site was discovered in 1959 - and is believed to be home to five different cultures of PaleoIndian. One of the coolest things (to me) is they found a new projectile point. ( to laymen like me that would be arrowhead - but not really) These would have been used as weapons to be thrown.

There are people called Flint Knappers who have studied the making of these projectile points. They came to the dig site to demonstrate how that was done. The photos above are my son learning to Flint Knap. It was really cool to watch, and to see how delicate the process was. But then it creates something that can be used to take down a bison.

These are some of the research trailers. As items are found they are brought here and catalogued.

This is one of the dig sites. they work in 1 meter x 1 meter squares, and as they progress thru the layers everything is mapped, and detailed. If I remember right - they have found evidence of 5 different cultures in this area. Indicating that it was a great region for animals, water, and survival. 

Under the Black is called the Wisdom block - or something like that - I think my brain was getting full.

But you keep it so that as technology changes you can use new things on it to confirm what you have already found.

From this particular site they have found a lot of information that tells them how the Cultures lived, including the food they ate, the structures they built, even fireplaces. 

I learned something else too. They have found evidence of living things at 12,000 BP... I did not know what BP stood for. It means Before the Present. and the present was chosen as 1950AD - for a detailed reason that I can not remember.

We went on a hike around the area. My son had told me the things they looked for to indicate the presence of the culture. And the proof that they lived there. It was a lot of fun. I found quite a few things he said to be on the look out for. ( none of them were significant in new research... it was just fun to pretend I knew what I was doing!!)

This is primitive living. of course, there are NO hotels where the Previous Cultures lived - so all of these Archaeologists. lived in tents!!!  and you all!! it was hot!!! but it cooled down nice in the evening.

It was a great time. I learned way more things than I previously knew. and it was great to spend some time with my son in a place that he loved. 

Weekends need to be longer

 like maybe three or four days...

we have to pack a lot into two days :

I will be napping now

I brought them to a finish.... and!! Finished (or not) Friday!!!

 Happy Friday!!!

Real quick... a New Mystery is starting in September: Long May She Wave  

I have been traveling a little bit - so this week I chose to finish projects that came to me already started.

The first one was just the center, so I added the Two Borders, the backing and I quilted it.  It is now a Quilt of Valor size and someone in my QOV group will get it bound for us!

Isn't that a fun way to use strippy blocks?  I thought it was really pretty - so added a little flag border and then.... gingham for the outer border.

And the next one - came from Kathy - she made the center, and then she had to move so she gave it to me to see if I should make it bigger. I decided - I really liked it just the way it was. so I chose a backing and got to quilting:

Isn't it pretty?  ( Don't laugh - but I did NOT notice there was one white border, and none on the others until I hung it up to take a photo)  I must have been overtired... but you know what? It will be loved anyways!!

many of you asked about my Flamingo clips - Here is a link to them:

Flamingo Clips ( commission earned)

I hope all is going good in your world!!!

And that you are getting a lot of project time in!

So let's link up!! See what you are up to!!

*Provide the direct link to your post that you are sharing this week

*Spend some time visiting the other links

Oh! And thank you for all the Zucchini recipes - I have tried quite a few of them - and we have enjoyed them  - but zucchini three times a day... whoa - that's a lot!

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Ft Laramie

 How many of you have dreamed of being a Pioneer - one of those brave people that crossed the continent to settle in the west?  I can not lie - I have thought of it ... but now that I know how hard it was... I am a fan of electricity and running water hah!!!

We took a few hours to step back in time at Fort Laramie ( Wyoming) and it was awesome!!! I love reading westerns, and I love hearing how tough people were - but getting a chance to see what life was really like.... amazing!!

Sit back... this is FULL of photos!!

Fort Laramie was first a Fur Trading Post, and then it became a Military Outpost. It was right on the Oregon/California/Mormon trail so many travelers would stop there. There are huge fields around it that people would set up camp, and restock before heading west .

The Stage Lines, The Pony Express and Transcontinental Telegraph lines all passed through here.

This is the Single Soldier Bunkhouse. Its actually very large!

The Fort Began in 1834, and in 1849 was purchased by the Military

Check out this wagon - can you imagine crossing the plain in that? Truthfully - I think if I laid down my feet would hang out the end!!

This photo ( below) is Two Bakeries - the one in the back is crumbling, the one in the front still stands.

They had Four bakeries at one time - they made one 18 ounce loaf of bread per soldier per day - with as many as 700 men at the garrison - Holee cow!!

And did I mention it is hot there? It was 102 when we were there? and Shade is a premium!

The building in front later became a school house

If I counted right - there was a Guardhouse, a Prison, and Jail... Heck fire we were bad people!!!

This is the Guardhouse  ( below)

See those tiny cells? They say there were only 5 ft long, but they sure don't look very wide !! I am 5'10" how would I fit???  

I am also VERY claustrophobic - I think seeing one of these cells would have put me on the straight and narrow.... 

This is me Standing in Front of the Guardhouse.

As we kept walking we came to another Jail cell!!!! You walked inside and man, that was rough - but check out the solitary... I threatened Puppy and K... they had better not make trouble!!

Fort Laramie is about 600-700 miles from the Missouri river - depending on where you jumped off to head west. it was one of the only Civilizations wagon trains would come upon between Ft Kearny and the west coast.

This is a photo from one of the Officers Quarters - note the quilt!!! ( Also note that was Happy Half Square Block 24!!!) there really is nothing new under the sun hahahaha!!!

And another... this one is super cool to me!!!

This ( below) is Old Bedlam - supposedly the Oldest standing Building in Wyoming. Its called Old Bedlam because of all the Boisterous noise that came from it ! It was the Bachelors officers Quarters... you can imagine the fun time right?

Just to Prove we were there...and it was hot... we were melting. My Little dog - he is so picky - there was a fresh water bowl there for dogs, and he just looked at it and stuck his nose up. Apparently he can only drink from his water bowl... stinker

THis is what remains of the Old Post Hospital. One would think that with as many jails as there were, and as many wagon trains, Indian raids and just general sickness the Hospital would have been bigger.

This was actually the third location of a hospital on post, and they built this one over a cemetery - so before they could begin building they had to reinter 6 marked graves. Others they worked around, and were left there.

It was a 12 bed facility. in the late 1880's they installed a phone line, so they could actually call the post doctor if needed. it was the only hospital within 100 miles ( in 1880) so they also treated civilians for $1 per day.

Looking at the major part of the post from the Hospital location.

I just thought that was a cool view.

So if you are ever traveling through this area - I would highly recommend a stop. Its pretty cool to see life the way it was, and imagine what traveling would be like. And again - be grateful for modern conveniences!

Linking to:

My Corner of the World

Through My Lens    Sharons Souveniers

An overload of Steppers

I am starting to think I have a problem... or maybe an addiction or maybe... I just can't stop myself from cutting up 3 1/2 inch strips... and turning them into Stepper quilts.... 

I give myself to the end of the year - then I may ask you to stage an intervention.... 

When I was cutting up my blues for the Blue Plaid Quilts ( One here ) and ( One here) I also found Reds - and because I wanted to empty the bag - I cut them too.....

And now:

I have three MORE in progress

One - Is a top already:

Two is Rowed already.... so you know that top is coming soon: 

And three... its on the design wall - and needed some leftover blocks added to it....

It's an addiction... like chips... you can't have just one....

help.......

Linking to:

Monday Making

Design Wall Monday   Midweek Makers

Purple Rainbow Challenge for July

 Oh man - july went fast - and I just never got ahead of it!!

Now worries - I still plan to stitch some Purple in August - along with the Orange Angela called for

I did , however - pull what Purple yarn I had and knit up some hats for Operation Christmas Child. Two of them you have seen - but I wanted a true *purple* photo.... you know - for posterity!!

I have just a little bit of Purple yarn left - so will work it into another hat , with the little bit of Lime I have left over. We shall see how far they go... I may have to add a third color! BUT!! there are the 4 that I finished for July

And I even found some Orange ( ish) yarn in my yarn bin.... 

I also finished up this little quilt. I did not make the top - I really think that San ( GypsyQuilter) did , but I can't guarantee it. Now it is all finished and will head out to bring some comfort.

Go check out everyones Purple RSC items at https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

A Patriotic Finish.... and Finished.... ( or not) Friday!!!

 My Finish for this week is a little lap quilt... With some of my Patriotic Leftovers.

It is going to my Local Hospice for a Veteran in their care.

I think it turned out kinda cute! and it will hopefully bring a little cheer.

And I like that I am able to finish some of my smaller projects and find a home for them. I don't think I see the end to the finishes any time soon.... but I may be slowing down a bit....

This is me trying to be artsy.... hmmmmm... it was worth the try haha!

This is my Favorite photo of my Barn Quilt

Now it is your turn to show off your Finishes ( or not) this week.

But there are conditions:

Tell me your most favorite way to eat Zuchinni.

I printed all the ones from last week - but I have even more zucchini... and baking... not happening until the temps drop.

Provide a direct Link to your post

and

Visit others.. Spread the love

( oh ya - and link back to the post... get more people seeing all the pretties!!!)

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Colorado Ghost Towns - Keota

 I have always been intrigued by Ghost towns. We have quite a few of them in the mountains, and I hiked to one that was really cool. But .. did you know there are some out on the Eastern Plains of Colorado?

I have actually been thru this one on the way to a hike, but didn't really explore it much - so of course!! I had to go back!!

I googled the directions, and we found a back road. Back road for Serious!!! it was gravel the WHOLE way... which of course - I LOVED!!!

We came across a Patriotic Field - I loved it!!!! 

and I found a BARN QUILT!!!

I loved that we could find old houses/barns that are still standing - but the clouds just show you the vastness of the plains. I do like to see forever - but this area defines *forever*

James Michener used Keota as the headquarters when he was writing and filming his series Centennial

I don't know if you have ever watched that - we gave it a try and it is a LONG epic show.... 

the town of Line Camp in his novel was based off of this town

It amazes me that these structures still stand - I can not tell how old each one it - but can you imagine building something that stays that long?

I can't seem to find exactly what this building ( below) is - but based on the rooms I am going to think it was a boarding house.... My opinion only ,

This is the Water tower - its not in use anymore, and I bet the water now would be bad.... I bet there is gunk in there!  But I thought it was funny to see the old water tower with tanker on the ground.. do you think that has water? and the truck with equipment.  they say the town is abandoned - but we saw signs of life around the tower.

Keota dates to the 1880's when sisters Mary and Eva Beardsley built a homestead here. The history I could find said that the sisters along with their brother came out to homestead (under the homestead act of 1862)      The sisters sold their homestead in 1888 to the Lincoln Land and Cattle Company. 

A few more farmers and ranchers also established roots at the spot.

they say this was the general store and post office .. there was a mailbox out front! 

I just like the shadow play on this one.... 

This was the Methodist Church 

Just a town view - with a foundation still on the ground.

Keota was also a station stop on the Old Prairie Dog Express of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. 

The railroad was mostly used for shipping cattle from Cheyenne to Sterling. It was abandoned in 1970 and they removed the track in 1982.

The school started ion 1888 and closed sometime in 1951. the school house was torn down - but I believe the foundation in the photo above is what is left of it.

And of course! I had to find the cemetery!!!!

It was only 425 thousand degrees outside - but I think this might be the oldest headstone in the cemetery.

It was a fun little trip. We learned that Ghost towns do not have working restrooms, or even gas stations haha!!  Okay - we knew that - but it was so amazing to see that it was just open space - with nothing like retail to ruin it.... I loved that feeling.

Hope you enjoyed our little trip 

Linking to:

My corner of the world

Through my Lens