JULY/AUGUST 2008 It’s August! And August in Missouri is not particularly a pleasant place to be. Like most other parts of the USA it’s hot, hot, hot. And in  Missouri one gets to add humidity. After all of the rain we’ve had this year, it’s somewhat like living in a sauna. There is one really good thing about August. It’s so hot that after opening the door to the chicken house each morning (the shutters on the wire covered windows are kept open but the door closes tight each night – we’ve been having lots of problems with raccoons), making sure they have food and lots of water, and checking the garden –  well, then I come into the house or the loft. Outdoor activities are greatly curtailed unless Cullen and Quinn are here and even then we’ll keep them to a minimum. And while I love my flowers and trees and garden – it’s getting to be the time of year when I long for a hard freeze. After I get my tomatoes canned, of course. Even in the Mystery Quilt we’ve moved from flowers to houses. See the Home Page and the Mystery Quilt Page for a drawing of the blocks, borders and sashing. The last 2 months we’ve moved to the “house” part of House and Garden. There will be a few more “garden” things but all of that is part of the “Mystery”.
 Sitting inside where it’s cool we’ve been working on quilts and patterns for fall and even Christmas. We had a fun “Christmas in July” promotion last month to get us in the frame of mind for cooler things. And I worked up a little kit on “Friends” to keep the angels by our side during all of this heat.
I’ll be at the AQS Festival in Des Moines in October so I’ve been working on fall patterns and kits to take with me. Some of the really fun things we’ve been working on are wallhangings and door banners for Fall and Halloween. “Wilhamina Witch” will be offered both as a pattern and kit this month so check the Home Page and email ads for information. Or preorder by emailing Barbara at jpquilts@cameron.net or call her (816-632-7632). And next month we’ll add “Autumn Kisses and Hugs” (x’s & o’s) and maybe  “3 Pumpkins and 5 Black Cats” so be sure to keep checking the website for info. I’m pretty sure I’ll have the kit for Autumn Kisses and Hugs” ready soon and definitely by September. Part of the problem is waiting for the fabric for the kits to get here. Why is the fabric you don’t have yet always the one you want to use?
Fabric we have and have used and loved is in our current Quilt of the Quarter – “Cockscombs and Birds”. I just love this quilt. It’s my August and September couch quilt. Once again, see the Home Page or catalog for ordering information.
Don’t forget to see about this year’s Girl Gang Quilt –  “Favorite Things” (see June Notes for a drawing). I really, really like it – back to a little more “folk art” style of quilt. The patterns shipped to your local quilt shop last month (if they’re a “Gang” shop) so they can have things ready to start classes this fall. If you want to join in on the fun and don’t have know of a “Gang” shop near you, email or call Barbara (see above) and she may be able to direct you to one in your area. And if there aren’t any then we can help you find one that does mailorder OR get a few friends together and start one yourself in your home.
 It’s finally stopped raining so I’d better quit typing and go to the loft and sew. I’m working on “Wilhamina” right now and she’s lots of fun. I do so love the pretending of Halloween. I don’t believe in magic, ladies, black or white – just God’s love and power. But wouldn’t it be fun to be able to fly? I’m not sure I would like to be able to wiggle my nose and make things happen though. I do find that God knows best so I think I will leave making things happen to God. But I would like to be able to fly. Sure would save a lot of money on gas. Let’s not go there!!
Keep quilting ladies.
Jan
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