Monthly Archives: July 2013

Western Flycatcher Progress

The baby Western Flycatchers are almost ready to try out their wings!

*Click on the photos for a larger view, and to see the date the photo was taken. All of the photos were taken between July 25 and July 29.  

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-24-2013

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-24-2013

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-25-2013

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-28-2013

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-28-2013

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-28-2013

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-29-2013

Beautiful wings!  Almost ready to fly!

Baby Western Flycatchers 07-29-2013

To see the Mama and her eggs, click here.

To see the newborns, click here.

To see last week’s update, click here.

Valencia Street Bike Basket

I have had the Valencia Street Bike Basket tutorial link saved on my Pinterest for quite some time.

My two granddaughters are six and five years old…new bike riders.   I’ve decided the time has come to make the bike basket.

Palak Shah’s tutorial is easy to follow and the basket is quick to make.  You could make it without the ties and just have a nice basket.  Or you could add ties to every corner and just leave them tied as bows for a decorative touch to  the basket.  The basket doesn’t have to be used for a bike.  It could be a useful room decoration.

I don’t have a bike, so I couldn’t tie the basket to the handlebars to show to you,  but you get the idea.

Bike Baskets

My granddaughters will be getting these for Christmas.

Bike Baskets

Almanizer Quilt Block Part 1

The Almanizer block is simply four square-in-a-square blocks sewn together.

Almanizer Quilt Block

But I drew this one in Electric Quilt with a 2 x 2 grid.  You could also draw it with a 4 x 4 grid if you want to.

Here is how the Almanizer looks in a straight set:

Almanizer Straight Set

And with a splash of yellow and sashing added:

Almanizer Straight Set 2

I deleted a few lines to come up with an alternate crossing block:

Almanizer Straight Set 3

If you aren’t interested in a two color quilt you could liven it up with another color:

Almanizer Straight Set 4

The next design is simple, and yet, bold.  I like it!

Almanizer Straight Set 5

By adding a few lines to the Almanizer quilt block, and paying attention to color placement, one comes up with the popular star.

Almanizer Straight Set 6

The very same design, but a bold red replaces the baby blue:

Almanizer Straight Set 7

How about moving those stars around?

Almanizer Straight Set 9

Feeling quiet, or feeling bold?

Almanizer Straight Set 9b

Add even more lines to the Almanizer block, and it can get complicated, but you might come up with fun little pinwheels like I did:

Almanizer Straight Set 8

The only difference between these last two examples is the outer border.  You might be the type that needs a visual look before you can decide what you like the best.  I am.

Almanizer Straight Set 8b

I didn’t have time to play with this block in on point settings, so that will be next week.