Mug Rugs and 100 Years Calgary Stampede

Been awhile since I last posted, just too busy in the garden and outside. Trying to keep on top of the weeds, but we've had so much rain it is hard to get into the vegetable garden without sinking. Good excuse anyway. I should make some covers for my knees so my pants don't get so muddy crawling around in the dirt.

Made these Mug Rugs some time ago, but decided I needed something to post.

Fronts and backs, a couple are just in time for the Calgary Stampede coming up next week.

Speaking of the Calgary Stampede, I have 3 old post cards from my Grandma Pearl.

My maternal grandparents were married in Calgary July 1912, and must have returned in September for the first Stampede. Rumors are Grandma raced her horse there but I am not certain of that.

I remember these postcards pinned on a bulletin board in the upstairs bedroom. They were one of the things I wanted when Grandma moved from her house. Kind of faded and one has something on it, but don't know how to clean it, so it can stay that way for now.

Real Cowboys and Cowgirls

I never knew my Grandfather, he died 1939, and my Grandmother always seemed old. She was quite the cowgirl and had her own cattle brand when she was 16 in 1904 before Alberta was even a province. I still have that brand registered to me. I've got those gloves she is wearing and another white beaded leather pair also. Picture taken 1903.

1912, Forrest and Pearl on her horse Swift.

One Flower Wednesdays

I didn't get any new flowers made this week, but sewed 8 to my quilt top. Total is now 152. I've run out of green squares for the leaves, will have to cut more, luckily I bought enough fabric.

Mac and I went for a walk the other day and I found this interesting heart shaped rock, I only now realized I should have brought it home instead of just taking a picture. Maybe I will find it again.

Over the years cows have rubbed on this old willow so much it has a wonderful smooth surface and beautiful red colour.

 

I am excited to say I sold my last 8 mug rugs, all to the same person. Now I have an excuse to make more. I have one in the works for a friend turning 60 next week, but for some reason I had a hard time coming up with a design. Now that I am working on it, it seems to be coming together.

One Flower Wednesdays

With all the cold weather we have been having I've just wanted to stay inside and sew. Have been busy with my mug rugs during the day, and a bit of hand sewing on them at night. I was surprised when I counted up my hexies - 16 - they sure add up when you work on them most nights.

How does everyone store their hexies? I found that a 2 lb coffee can works great, knew there was a reason I kept saving them.

There is a real mixed bag of fabrics this week.

As promised I made a hexie flower mug rug. I am not completely happy with it, the back is not the neatest but got it done and the front looks pretty good. Will have to try more, now that I know how to put them together better.

At least the snow and cold produces interesting snow drifts. We got one sunny day yesterday, now back to blowing snow today.

-31C Monday, -24 Tuesday & today, -1 Thursday, then colder but only in the minus single digits for next week. Crazy Alberta weather.

Chocoflan & Mug Rug

 

 Watched this cake being made on

Mexican Made Easy with Marcela Valladolid 

and knew I had to make it for my daughter-in-law Karen's birthday last week.

It was as good as it looks, only one piece left of what we brought home to share tonight.

It is the most amazing cake you will ever make, the batter is put in the pan, then the flan poured on top. 

When it is baked the cake rises to the top.

Family Favorites

 Front and back of a new Mug Rug I made today. I should be doing the ironing and vacuuming, but that will wait. Wanted to get this finished so I can pop it in the mail today. Still using up my scraps. and tried sewing on the binding with the machine only. I do enjoy hand sewing the binding but had no time today.