Sunday, August 12, 2012

Blue Pedestal Block , Trains & Lavender Sachets




















This fun filled summer has been busy, but managed to snatch a few moments here and there to finish this blue pedestal block for the Tulip Farm quilt from Blackbird Designs.






















We celebrated my husband's 60th birthday with a fun train trip to Reno.  We challenged ourselves to take all public transportation and foot transportation during this trip, and it was such an amazing experience.  We walked to the bus stop from our house and took Amtrak to Reno 9 about a six hour journey.   This was our first train trip, and I highly recommend train travel, and can't wait to take a longer train trip in the future.  During the trip between Sacramento and Reno, docents from the California Railroad Museum provide interesting stories about the gold rush era and how the early train tracks were built over the sierras. 















This is a view of Donner Lake, and the docents described the harsh winter fate of the doomed Donner Party during the winter in the 1800s when emigrating to california by wagon train many perished.





Just harvested some lavender that I used to fill this little sachet.  These are fun to stitch and the pattern is in the June 2011 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting.  So enjoyable to pick up a quick stitching project during the dog days of August!  Hope you are all having an enjoyable summer, and are getting some stitching in.  Thanks for stopping by!



14 comments:

Karen said...

The blue pops on your Tulip Farm block. I have enjoyed watching your progress on this quilt. Still one I would like to make someday.

Jenny M said...

Yes, I am also enjoying seeing each of your finished Tulip Farm blocks. How many blocks do you have to go?
The Blackbird Design ladies have some wonderful patterns.

Lori said...

Oh my goodness! I love your tulip block Dixie! The blue is amazing and really makes this block shine!!

Happy 60 to your hubby! My daughter is taking the train from Portland to Canada this week. I always thought that would be fun.

Barb said...

great block and I love the blue bird bath.
Happy B-day to Hubby, what a great way to celebrate.

Janet said...

Once again you have made such a beautiful tulip block! I love the blue pedestal fabric. Happy Bday to your DH. The trip sounds fun!

Angie said...

I love your Tulip Farm blocks!! :) What a fun quilt---and your lavender sachet is adorable. I have a lot of lavender dried, I should make some of those up. :)

Dawn said...

Thanks for sharing - we saw an Amtrack passing through the Rockies - what a view they had hugging the mountain edges.
Wonderful quilt block, and I love the lavender sachet. Sweet dreams with those tucked in the linens!
Hope you celebrate the birthday all month ;-)

Libby said...

I love travel by train. What a fantastic idea to have docents on the train to offer history.
On my 'to do' list is to take the train north from San Luis Obispo over Cuesta Grade. There are a series of tunnels that the train passes through. I remember being completely fascinated as a girl to see the train traveling through three or four of those tunnels all at the same time.

Angie said...

I love those blocks!! And your fabrics are just perfect!

antique quilter said...

what a cute block , love that bird! ok your sachet is beautiful and did I read that right you harvested your own lavender for it
wow I am impressed.
Kathie

Carol said...

Love your Blackbird block! I miss seeing all your work in person. You have such a good knack for pairing fabrics, textures and colors. Hope to join you at the next appliqué class at FG. And I love the idea that you harvested your own lavender - and the embroidered stitches and rick rack on that sachet is soooo sweet!!

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Karen said...

I've been missing you.

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