around Bandera

A few more sights to see around Bandera include the Apple Store in Medina (not to be confused with the computer Apple store!).

They have many tasty apple products, including apple ice cream and apple-flavored coffee beans!  Apple coffee is surprisingly good.

One of my favorites is their Three-Pound Apple Pie!  After all, Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!

You may sight some roaming buffalo, now called bison.  Will this simple fence really keep this guy from charging through?

A delicious lunch can be had in the Camp Verde General Store.  be aure tonsave time to browse and shop there too!  This is the former site of old Camp Verde, headquarters for the U.S. Camel Corps.  Did you know the U.S. Military even had a Camel Corps?  It was a short-lived experiment that lasted from 1856 to 1865.  The military camp was abandoned on April 1, 1869 (no April Foolin' either!).  Read mores about this military adventure here.

Last of all, is the fascinating old Silver Spur Dance Hall.  Nicknamed "Bandera's Forgotten Pearl", this dance hall was built in 1920 and survived the days of Prohibition.  Shown above are the romantic remains, now the site of weddings and other party gatherings.

How many more hidden gems are tucked away in this Hill Country of Texas?  I will share news on more as I find them.

Polly's Chapel

Polly's Chapel is a must see the next time you are traveling through Bandera, Texas.

This stone chapel was built by Polly Rodriguez, a founding father and pioneer in Bandera and in Texas.

It took Polly and neighbors three years (back in the 1880s) to build this chapel that holds 120 people.  The stone was hand quarried from the nearby creek and the wood framing was made from native cypress trees.

It is a Texas Historical Landmark and has served as a Methodist Church since its beginning.  In fact, Polly converted to the Methodist faith while building this chapel and served as the first preacher.  My friend, Dennis "Duke" Thompson also served as a preacher in this quaint chapel, officiating at more than one wedding.

The family of Rev. Jose Policarpo "Polly" Rodriguez (1829-1914) continue to maintain this chapel where weddings and other events are held.  If you are interested in booking an event here, contact the Polly Texas Pioneer Association.

If walls could talk, this chapel would definitely have many interesting tales to tell!

The challenge of something new

This year I found a few busy groups that keep me motivated to start and complete my projects.

There is "NewFO" which gives every participant the permission (or is it a dare?) to start a new project each month. Tempting as this group challenge sounds, I have not participated every month.  However that changes this month!  

For the month of August, 2014, I hereby declare my intent to begin a new project.  The one shown below.

I purchased this sweet ABC's of Parenting by Lizzie and Kate at the International Quilt Festival in 2012 (I think it was 2012 - or could it be 2011?).  I'd love to display it in my PreSchool classroom as a subtle and friendly lesson to all my wonderful parents (and grandparents) that pass through my classroom.  But all projects must be started before they can ever be finished and displayed, so this is the month to begin this one!

Since "A Lovely Year of Finishes" allows many challenges for their ongoing monthly finishing campaign, my goal is to finish at least one full letter (or letter phrase) of the project above this month, though hopefully I will finish even more.... And I am also challenging myself to finish one (or maybe two!) of my long standing red work embroidery projects. 

I'm not even sure when I began either of these two projects (shown above).  Or where the original patterns may be.  I like them both and want to focus some energies on finishing them.  They have been my companion during many teacher meetings and inservices the past few years, so I look forward to finding new projects to stitch on during these meetings in the future!

Click here to see me at # 32 in the Goal-Linky-Party for the August Lovely Year of Finishes Challenge. 

Check back at the end of the month to see how I've done with my double challenge.

Bindings are ON!

For my "Lovely Year of Finishes" this month, I challenged myself to finish quilts by adding the bindings onto these quilts.  Good news:  I have bound many quilts is month including two baby quilts for my new great nieces Ava Rose Nichols and Riley Kate Ragland.

The quilts are to be personalized by their parents as each little one reaches various "first" baby landmarks. The two quilts are identical, so I've shown the front of one and the back of the other.  (click here to see my linky in the finishes party of linkies!)

I also finished binding and labeling "Fields of Blue", a quilt made especially for my son Isaac. 

Isaac is helping with today's quilt photoshoot. Rainy weather made it a bit of a challenge. 

 Then the last quilt that I stitched on the binding this month is my Summer Red Baskets - I'm still pondering what its name will be....

Isn't the quilting divine?  Pam_Quiltaholic is the master quilter behind this wonderful stitching. A full image of the quilt is coming soon, when I feature it in its very own blog post.

Gone Quiltin...

On a recent roadtrip around Texas, I popped into this sweet quilt shop in the heart of Bandera, Texas.

Can you see the Singer sewing machine in the window?  I believe it is the very model that I learned to sew on many years ago!  

Although, on second thought, this might be a tad different from what my memory recalls....It might be time to visit my Dad again (the keeper of my Mom's ol' Singer....). 

Candyland

Candyland is my newest quilt -- finished it just moments ago and just in time to post in in the Modern Quilt Guild Michael Miller 2014 Challenge.  It measures 33" x 50"

I used three of the six fabrics to create this sunny little quilt.  I think I may add more quilting to it too, but first I must post it as tonight is the deadline for entering this challenge!

Additional info:  I started and completed this quilt in three days!  That must be a record for me, but then it does not account for the many weeks of pondering ideas once I received my fabrics for the challenge.  Since I began this quilt in the month of July, I am counting Candyland as my NewFO for the month of July.  The really fun fact is not only did I begin the quilt, but I also finished it in July -- although I am still considering adding more quilting and it still needs a label on the back (the official sign of completion, right?

For those who might be wondering, I did not place in the competition.  The winning quilts are superb and can be found by clicking here:  http://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/michael-miller-fabric-challenge-the-winners-are/

My star for NASA

I have made a star for the "Astronomical Quilts! Block Challenge" and here it is!

This challenge began when NASA Astronaut Karen Nyberg made her own star-themed quilt block while she was on board the International Space Station.  This special quilt block will be combined with other quilt blocks made (and submitted) by others attending the International Quilt Festival. The quilt made from all these blocks will be on display this fall as we celebrate the 40th anniversary International Quilt Festival!

You are invited to participate too!

The rules are simple:
1). Make/create a star-themed 9.5" square unfinished block (that will finish to 9" in the quilt)
2). Any and all variations on a star are welcome (traditional, modern or artsy).
3). Any color scheme and techniques are acceptable BUT do not add any embellishments!
4). Sign your unfinished block on the front with a permanent marker.  Include your name and your location.

LIMIT:  One Block per person!

Once you've created your unique star block, mail it by August 1, 2014 to

Star Block Challenge

Attn: Rhianna Griffin

7660 Woodway, Ste. #550

Houston, TX. 77063

The deadline is nearly here, so whip together a star block and mail it in now!

I can't wait to see the quilt made with all these stars.  I especially look forward to finding my block in this new quilt.  It promises to be a spectacular exhibit!

Oops, I still need to sign my block!