BOOT BASH BLOCK #9

I am still behind, girls, but trying to keep my head above water.  Things are slightly better here at Fryer Ranch, but we are in the worst drought ever.  The last two days, wild fires have run rampant.  We are lucky that we were not hit, but surrounding lands and homes were destroyed.  Every available male person has been fighting fires (I am sure some women too).  The wind blew up to 30 miles a hour which moved the flames quickly.  For now, things are better, but until we get some rain, we are still in danger of fires.
My Boot Bash #9 is designed, but the stitching is not finished.  But as with last month, I am posting the pattern anyway and the pic of mine as is with the intent to update with the finished one soon.  You girls know what to do.  Mine is just a starter for you.  You are to "make it your own" using your own choices of fabrics, stitches and additions.  Don't forget the Flickr group if you feel like sharing.  You inspire others in their work when you do share.  The link is on the sidebar under the pattern links.

My family situation is a little better.  The little boys are home for now.  Keep up the prayers, please.

Bunny Hill Block of the Month #10--OCTOBER

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post or click sidebar button for Magazine Give away info.

Nothing like a little applique block to do during the appropriate month to put you in the mood. My favorite little darling too, Sunbonnet Sue! This is Anne Sutton's Free Block of the Month (for those few who do not know)! See the button on my sidebar. It will take you straight there!! Also see all my blocks in a sidebar slide-show! I have so enjoyed these blocks. I have changed a few of them a little to make me a little happier, but I give Anne all the credit. She is very very creative. Go Here to see my block on Flickr along with the rest of my set. Also see over 300 participant's blocks and the diversity of them. It's fantastic. Anne introduced me to Cosmo's Embroidery Thread this month. A sale on her site encouraged me to try it. It is fantastic. It goes through the fabric like butter. It works up quickly and smoothly. I'm just saying...........
You might want to stop by and C h e c k i t o u t!

I am encouraging you to go HERE and comment for a chance to win a year's subscription to McCall's Quilting Magazine. Yes, it's true!! All you have to do is comment for a chance to win or a little more for 2 or 3 chances to win. I want my visitors back. I have not been posting as regular lately, but than is about to change. I want everyone to get back to visiting my blog. You are all very special!!!

I picked up my newest issue of "Quilters Home" magazine this morning and took to it outside with me (the one left is the June/July issue and not the newest Aug/Sept issue). My goal was to sit in the swing and read as the electricity was off from 5 am until noon. I swear I don't know how our grandparents survived without it. No lights, no air conditioners, no telephones or computers, no stoves, refrigerators, or microwaves. I guess you don't miss what you never had. But hell, I've had em!!

Anyway, back to the magazine. What caught my eye on the cover was "Mark's Posse test Embroidery Floss". I did not realize there are so many brands of floss. If you haven't picked up this issue, you should and read the complete article. It is very enlightening. I cannot begin to touch of all the flosses he tested, but the one that I was most interested in was a floss that not only got all scores of 5, the best possible score, but is produced by a company that was started by two avid reproduction stitchers who couldn't find authentic colors in avaialble flosses. It is the first company to specialize in in over-dyed threads with a faded, aged look. Mark says he posse went "GAGA" over Gentle Art's embroidery floss. Comments from Posse members were "God, I could see myself cross-stitching again" and "it's silky smooth and sits well on the fabric". I did a search and came up with this site. This pic is just ONE colorway. There are so so many. SO SO MANY!!!

Well, back to my order. I gotta have a few of these skeins. They are so so me. I love me some me threads!!! Just a FYI from me to you. A 'HEADS UP'. Just for you ~~~~~~~from me. Remember they are all 5's.

One other thread that was tested and sounds really great is one called Weeks. The Posse gave it all 5's and one 4.5. They said is doesn't have a good "fondle factor", "but once on the fabric, it looks exquistie!" Another comment was, "I like the way it sounds going through the fabric". I have to hear that!!

I have tried Valdani and I have to say that I do love it. It comes in lucious colors and some in a varigated that gives your piece some real interest. This one was not tested, except by me and I give it a 5-5-5 all the way! See all the colors here. It comes in 3 strand floss and Pearl cotton. I like the matt finish of the 3 strand floss, but to each his own. Go HERE to see the many wonderful collections of colors. YUMMY!! I guess I have rattled long enough about embroidery thread---see ya!