Home to a Heat Wave

The DH and I got home today from a week-long road trip that took us north into Washington State and British Columbia. Our goal was to watch a minor league baseball game every night. (Yes, I do love baseball that much.)

Mission accomplished: seven games, six stadiums, and about 1250 miles of total driving. The trip was fun and relaxing and totally enjoyable. We took our time each day, taking secondary roads when we could and really enjoying the scenery. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest my entire life and never cease to marvel at its natural beauty.

Coming home to triple-digit temperatures was not part of the plan. The temperature is expected to hit 105 degrees in Portland today and 106 degrees tomorrow. My sewing room is on the second floor of our 1913 Craftsman house. Air-conditioned? Nope. Guess I won’t be spending much time up there the next couple of days.

The night before we left on our trip I finished the baby quilt top I’ve been working on:

This is a variation of the Pineapple Plus design by Karin Hellaby. Adding white sashing strips to lessen the intensity of the stronger colors was a good call. I added an outer border of the birdie fabric (Garden Birds by Pam Kitty Morning for Lakehouse Dry Goods) and love how it turned out. The top now measures 46″ square.

The only problem is I used up almost all of that birdie fabric. On a whim I decided to check the Internet to see if it was still available. You know, just in case. Not only did I find another yard of the fabric, I discovered it also came in a green background color called “lettuce.” Well, you know how much I love green . . .

Look what was waiting for me when I got home:


Do you ever like a fabric so much you search for more more when you’ve used it up? Surely I’m not the only one.

Our road trip involved stops at quilt shops in some of the smaller cities where minor league games are played. My sweet husband even made a list of shops for me to visit. Be it known: I did not come home empty-handed.

While I wait for temperatures in Portland to drop — the forecast is for another week of temperatures in the low to mid-90s — I’m going to hunker down in the basement where it’s nice and cool. Instead of sewing I’ll continue editing the photos I took at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show last month. The plan is to have a couple of posts about that in the near future. I hope you’ll check back.

 

 

 

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8 Responses to Home to a Heat Wave

  1. Maxine Borosund says:

    Well, I guess there’s something to be said for a charmless Lake Oswego mid century modern with air conditioning. The photos of your home ooze charm! However, this heat wave has kept me indoors and frantically feathering my Reach for the Stars quilt. Finish line in sight!

  2. Maxine Borosund says:

    And yes, I am the queen of buying more of the fabric that I just used. Lots of it in fact. Sheesh.

  3. Diane says:

    I don’t even sew and I lust after the green birdie fabric! Can’t wait to see which of your future projects it winds up in.

    The baby quilt top is just terrific. The white sashing was a great addition, but so are the little squares at the junction points. The quilted finish will make this project one of your best!!

    Thank goodness you have the basement to beat the heat. Stay cool!

  4. Jeanne says:

    A sweet finish to the quilt top.
    How nice to have a husband who supports your habit!!!

  5. Kristi says:

    Your quilt is lovely. A special baby will be receiving a special quilt!
    BTW, what quilt stores did you find in Washington? Since I moved to northern Washington, I’ve been on the look out for new quilt stores!
    Thanks, Dawn!

    • Dawn says:

      Hi Kristi! My favorite shop was the Quilting Bee in Spokane Valley, recommended by a friend. Are you anywhere near there?

  6. quiltcharette says:

    Where did you find the ball games? This sounds like a trip my husband would love. BTW, great finish, agree with the white strips, love the birdie fabric. Congratulations on all 3!

    • Dawn says:

      Thanks, Tam! All but one of the games were West Coast League, the lowest level of organized baseball. Google westcoastleague (dot) com. Teams in the league include the Gresham Grey Wolves, the Walla Walla Sweets, and the Yakima Valley Pippins, to name a few. We went as far as Kelowna BC to see the Falcons play the Bellingham Bells. 😉 The players are college age, all hoping to play well enough to attract the attention of scouts and get tapped for the next higher level.

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