Tag Archives: Amy Smart

The Deschutes River Runs Through It

Last month, the Hubster and I spent a couple of weeks housesitting for our son and his fam in Yelm, Washington.

We took a couple of day trips to nearby Tumwater.

Founded in 1845 and originally named New Market, Tumwater is the oldest permanent Anglo-American settlement on Puget Sound and served as a final northern terminus of the historic Oregon Trail.

It just so happens that the salmon run takes place every fall in Tumwater. We hiked the Riverwalk Trail a couple of times while we were housesitting.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!

Tumwater River Walk Trail

That walkway that you see people strolling on is part of the salmon run. You can look down through the grates to the water.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

The fish ladder that corrals the Chinook is a concrete formation built along the edge of the Deschutes River.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

Tumwater River Walk Trail

The walk is pleasant and peaceful. There are benches to sit and contemplate if you wish.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

I highly recommend clicking here.

The link will take you to a page where you can view a short, gorgeous video of this park. There are two videos; scroll to the second one.

After viewing the video, I bet you will want to take a walk in the park!

Tumwater River Walk Trail

Deschutes Falls Park

The same Deschutes River that runs through Tumwater also runs through the Deschutes Falls Park.

The park is close to Yelm, so it was an easy day trip.

Deschutes Falls Park

Deschutes Falls Park

There was no one hiking here the afternoon that the Hubster and I visited.

Deschutes Falls Park

There is a gorge, a canyon, waterfalls and cool rock monoliths to explore!

Deschutes Falls Park

This was such a serene and lovely place to be!

Again, if you click on the link above, you will see a short video that shares more than I can in this post.

Deschutes Falls Park

I was looking for an easy pattern/idea to cut a kit for myself to sew while housesitting. Something that I wouldn’t have to concentrate too much while sewing.

I made the hourglass blocks at my son’s, and sewed them together here at home.

Hourglass Quilt

Amy Smart graciously shares her free pattern at her site, Diary of a Quilter. Thank you Amy!

See the world around you!

Scrappy Pumpkin Table Runners and Pillow Covers

I have finished the two table toppers and the two pillow covers!

It is difficult to get the quilting to show on the black background, so I didn’t get too fancy with it.

Pumpkin Table Runners

*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!

Pumpkin Table Runners

One runner has five pumpkins, the other four. The amount of pumpkin blocks depended upon the size of my cabinets.

The backing… I have lots of this fabric and I am trying to use it up.

Pumpkin Table Runners

All dressed up for the season!

Pumpkin Table Runners

Pumpkin Table Runners

Pumpkin Pillows

It is hard to tell, but the backing for the white/grey pumpkin is a print of ghosts and pumpkins.

Pumpkin Pillows

For the link to Amy Smart’s pumpkin block click here: Scrappy Pumpkin Table Runners and Pillow Covers

Have fun and carry on!

Scrappy Pumpkin Table Runners and Pillow Covers

I am enjoying working on seasonal projects and using up stash at the same time!

I found an easy pumpkin tutorial shared by Amy Smart and it has been fun to make!

Pumpkin Table Runners

*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!

Pumpkin Table Runners

I am making two table runners to fit two different cabinets in my home.

Pumpkin Table Runners

I am also making two different pillow covers for the couch.

I added enough black squares (great to use them up) to make them the size that I need for the pillow forms that I have.

Pumpkin Pillow

On to the not so fun part; making batting the sizes that I need from the scraps that I have.

Frankenbatt…appropriate for the season!

Pumpkin Pillow