Ch. Maybush Red Radiant Knight "Nova"

Warning! This post is heavily dog related so if you are not a dog lover you may not find it too interesting, LOL.
We flew to Siren WI. to get our lovely new four legged friend. She seemed to take to us the very first night making herself at home with DH.

 A few pics of some of the twelve Aussies.

 Awaiting a treat from mom Theresa as she prepped our cheese selection.

And this is the delicious tasting we had from a local cheese artisan. The sausage too is locally produced it was delicious

Along with a WI beer only available there, from Gluaris, a Chocolate Porter. We brought home a suitcase filled with a wide selection from this brewery, for our son the beer aficionado.

 That's me taking a picture of the snow that came in while we were there!

My beautiful Nova girl!

The morning of our departure from WI.

And at MSP airport.

Now in her "forever" home, making herself comfy on my visiting brother's lap!

 Getting to know Matthew

She is already a quilting dog, follows me like a shadow and finds something quilty to lay on!

 Exploring in our development, lots of different smells here in the city, so different to the farm.

I told Theresa, "I am taking something of yours, and leaving something of mine" a quilt to brighten their days and warm them this chilly season.

Layla Jane, Great Granddaughter #2

Our beautiful little girl was born November 8, 5lbs.15 ozs, 18.5" long.

Only a few hours old here and definitely a keeper!

Logan and Kelli, the very happy, grateful and proud parents.

 The same for GGMother 

 and GGFather!

We have A Need For Another Quilt Of Valor

I received an email last week from a local lady asking if we could provide a QOV for a retired marine, Vietnam vet, who is fading in health. I do not have one on hand so I sent out a message to my MeetUp quilt group for help. Yesterday we met and made 13x 12" blocks with promises of at least another half dozen.

My plan is to have the rest of the blocks by our next meeting November 17, so I can quickly put it together, quilt and bind it for this ailing Marine.

Celeste with her blocks

Limbania with her contribution

BJ with hers

And here are mine.

I did not get a photo of Jen with hers but with this beautiful quilt that she painstakingly pieced, and I quilted. I think the pattern is Crystal Blue and is definitely a challenge even for an advanced quilter. I used a pantograph called Flower Burst because we wanted something a little bit contemporary to fit the quilt design.

 I think it was a good choice, quilting was not going to show up anyway and really did not need to try to steal the show from this stunning quilt.

 Last night I quickly quilted this baby quilt from my last retreat.

 I will bind it and set it aside for the next baby baptized at St.Mark.

 The hot air balloon panel made a good backing and the batting is Quilter's Dream Angel.

Back to "Normal"

My SIL returned to Australia on Thursday, though my brother is still here and preparing to drive a around the USA for the next month with a buddy. They leave next week.
I did get a quick pic of our guests with Matthew, they loved each other !

We all accompanied him to Trick or Treat, he was a vary scary vampire and again I do not have photos they are on Gill's camera!
The "normal" part is being able to squeeze in a little time to quilt and sew. The Christmas panel is ready to be returned to the owner in CA, who has the LED lights for it so she needed a thin but firm batting and I used Dream green, made from recycled soda bottles.

Freehand meander in the background and some outlining and Christmas lights on the tree.

I used Superior silver metallic thread that sews very dependably and does not shread and break

Visit from Aussie Relatives

My brother and SIL arrived 15th. November for a visit and wow has the time flown this past two weeks. We have been busy though, a first birthday party for great granddaughter paisley

and a baby shower for expected great grandson Sterling due December 25th.

 Sterling's parents love the quilt!

 Paisley enjoyed her brother's party too!

Gill wanted to visit Sedona after my brother had shown her his photos from his last trip

 This was at the chapel in the Red Rocks

A lookout near Sedona on our way to Williams, an historic town on Route 66 AZ.

 We spent the night in Williams, before heading out to the Grand Canyon.

All the pics from the Canyon are on someone else's camera so I haven't any!

But Gill loved it and enjoyed the helicopter ride over the canyon

Lunch at El Capitan

View from our rooms

 and sunset from our hotel on the beach

After a spot of shopping, cocktails and dinner at the Boo Bar

 The boys watched the football

Lunch at the Friendly Dolphin.

The decor is fascinating, so much to see.

 I had to have a photo of my brother and me, we do not have too many opportunities living 8,000 miles apart!