Another pretty lazy weekend day. Took the boys for a tree-mile walk this morning. It was nice when we started out, but by the time we got home we were in a downpour. That was sort of the pattern for the rest of the day.
After our walk I got everything in the car that I needed for Rico’s herding lesson, then hit the road first to pick up an order at Joann’s that I bought last night. Then we were on our way to Battleground, Washington, to find some sheep.
I had allowed a lot more time that we needed to get there for our lesson at 2:15, so I stopped and took the boys for a nice field run at Washington State University first. They were happy to get out.
When we got to the sheep ranch, it was absolutely pouring rain! The poor woman who had the lesson before me was soaked to the skin, and so was her dog, the instructor, and the sheep! I was much more lucky. Our entire lesson was in the sun! Rico did some amazing work and wore out his little brain! I videoed the final outrun, lift and fetch exercise we did just so you can see what it looks like.
We worked mostly today on driving, which is pushing the sheep away from you. The dog’s natural tendency is to bring the sheep to you. So driving requires a lot of training to get the dog to do what’s not natural to him. Rico did some really amazing work today. He was moving those sheep all over that field following my voice commands the whole time. I wish I had gotten some of his outstanding driving work on video.
When we got home I puttered around the house a little then had an early dinner. Then I hit my sewing room thinking I’d finish the Frankenbag I’ve been working on. But that didn’t happen. I was a little stuck because I wasn’t entirely sold on the lining fabric I had chosen yesterday.
I decided to go with the jewel Roman glass fabric instead.
I think it was the right decision. And I managed to get the lining pieces cut and fused, and got the pockets and placket pieces cut and fused.
I didn’t feel like I had enough oomph left to finish all that detail work so I pulled out a project I haven’t worked on in some time.
It’s my Aboriginal scrappy trip quilt.
I had seven blocks done previously and I made four more tonight. The four that are separated out on the lower right are the new blocks.
This quilt gets less and less crazy and less and less chaotic the more blocks I add.
And the pattern becomes more visible with each additional block.
These blocks are made out of strip tubes. I had previously made some of them and just had to cut and sew tonight. I’m using Bonnie Hunter’s Scrappy Trip Tutorial. If you’ve never made a trip quilt, you should give it a look.
Each strip tube makes two blocks. So each of the blocks on the design wall have a duplicate that hasn’t yet been sewn. Those spare block parts are waiting patiently in a zip loc bag in the project box.
My two other trip quilts have had 42 blocks. They are generous throw size quilts. I very well make this one the same size, but it would probably work if it was a little smaller. That would mean I have to make ten more strip tubes. That doesn’t sound too bad. But I have a lot more blocks to sew still.
Bender chose a very interesting way to snooze earlier tonight. I don’t know what he was thinking.
It might be more comfy to actually be ON the bed, rather than under it!
agilejack 
Remember those rubber ice pack bags people had to use back in the day? The way he’s wedged under that bed reminds me of one! So I’m thinking his little brain cells are fried from all that sheep herding and he’s taking an easy night off himself! And all the better to hide from anymore freaking sheep! Lol
Love your aboriginal trip around the world quilt. Fully agree with your lining change choice. All the difference between ok and wowzer!
Stay dry! I understand more rain is headed your way!
Colleen
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Hahaha! that dog bed totally looks like one those ice packs! I actually have a couple of them. I almost always take at least one with me when I travel. they are handy to have in a hotel when I don’t have a freezer for my reusable ice packs.
We always have more rain heading our way this time of year. but we’re not having the same experiences as California.
Anne
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I forgot to mention how much I enjoy your web surfing. You always manage to find and share interesting things with us! I also like the stuffed wiener dogs! So cute! I’m thinking of making one for myself. Will have to control my desire to gift it to my hubby since he keeps saying he wants another dog. Hehe As much as I’d like to, I’m getting too old to want to walk in the snow and rain here. It gets pretty nasty here in Chicagoland area. That pouch pattern you found would be great for coupon sorting as well. I’m an expert sorter … Just never remember to have em with me when I need em! Lol
Keep up the good work! I think the darker or lighter diamonds rein in what could be chaotic in your aboriginal quilt.
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Sounds like you need to make TWO Weiner dogs!!!
I’m glad you like my surfing. I always feel like I spend too much time doing it. But I do get some really good ideas and inspiration.
That pouch would be perfect for coupons.
Anne
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I’ve just watched your video several times, of Rico working. It is amazing! He does the job so well. There are two border collies very close to us at the cottage, and Edie, the older female can keep me entertained for hours just watching how eager she is to be working. The young male, with very little training, watches Edie, but doesn’t seem as eager to do the practice exercises. They are only around on weekends, so I am not sure what their training routine is at home.
The bag lining change looks right to me as well. Your aboriginal trip quilt is perfect. That is all that I need to say about it.
Enjoy your week
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I just love watching a dog do what it’s bred to do. Instinct is an amazing thing. And each dog is an individual who presents different training challenges. It’s really fascinating, and the dogs just LOVE it! I think they know this is what they’re meant to do.
Anne
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Glad I’m not the only one with “project boxes”! It does feel good when we get one of those finished. Bender was just too exhausted to get on his bed. Good job wearing out a border collie! What does Bender do during Riccos lessons?
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the project boxes make it really easy to organize all my unfitted projects!!! Hahaha! I feel like they almost ENCOURAGE unfinished projects! but it is nice to dig into one of those boxes and have everything all organized and in the same place. I think I have at least a half dozen of them with different projects.
Bender stays in his crate in the car while Rico has his lesson. He’s really comfy in his crate and is usually snoozing away when Rico’s lesson ends.
Anne
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I took a class with Exhuberant Color several years back to make a Trip Around the World quilt. It turned out very pretty but was quite ‘Quaint ’ compared to the others in class. I learned how to make the tubes and how easy it is to make the quilt. Your prints are very pretty in your quilt and I agree the lining fabric turned out perfect in the bag. Are you going to start a sheep farm for your dog to learn herding?
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Haha! I would LOVE to have a sheep farm when I want one, but they are a lot of work!!! I’m not sure I’d want to take that on.
I love all the techniques and tricks there are for making quilt construction easier. I love finding efficient ways to make beautiful things!
Anne
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So impressed with Rico’s herding skills, but I’m fully aware of the work involved by both team members. Kudos to you both! As usual, love your current Frankenbag, but your Aboriginal Trips quilt is gorgeous, reminds me of a tapestry. Can’t wait to see the finished quilt!
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thanks! The Aboriginal trip quilt feels a little chaotic to me. It will be fun to see how it changes as more blocks are added. I think more blocks will make the pattern more apparent and will calm it down some. I’m all about Chaos, but I like a little pattern to help make the chaos make sense!
Anne
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Loved Rico’s video, so smart! So does Bender stay with you while Rico runs? Rico looks like he really enjoyed his training. Yes, the jewel Roman glass is right with the pink sharks tooth, zing! 😻 sweet Bender, sometimes it feels good just to lean up against something and snooze 😴.
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Bender stays in the car in his crate while I’m working Rico. they both got a nice field run in before Rico’s lesson. Bender doesn’t do herding because he thinks it’s about chasing the sheep… rather than following my commands.
you know Bender has had plenty of activity when he’s asleep before midnight! He’s like me!
Anne
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Dear Anne,
Fun video you sent. He’s doing so great.
I think you also chose well for the lining fabric. I wasn’t keen on the other one either. Good to pause and reflect, yes.
I love your aboriginal quilt. Such neat fabric.
you may not realize we are all out here following along with your life, but we are. I wish my sewing room wasn’t in the garage where its just too cold to create much right now.
Nancy
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You will know when I’m not sure about a fabric choice because I don’t dive right in!
I like the aboriginal quilt but it feels a little chaotic. It will be interesting to see how I feel about it as I add blocks and more of the pattern emerges.
If my sewing room was in my garage I wouldn’t to any sewing this time of year!!!
Anne
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The Jewel Paperweight is a different feel, calmer, a little more sophisticated. The Zig Zag fabric really bright, draws attention to teal(green) and pink, they jump out. Using the sharks teeth on the Zig Zag, to me, was too many sharp angles, but the color was fine. On the paperweight it looks fine. IMO the jade Millefiore would carry over the calmer feeling.
Rico is working hard! He is very focused and doing a great job! Bender got tired just watching so too pooped to climb into bed.
The aboriginal quilt is interesting. It has a cozy feel. I like it!
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I would have used the jade millefiori, but I don’t have any more. I’ll buy some eventually, but couldn’t convince myself that I needed to buy some just for this bag when I had other options and a ridiculous stash on hand!
Rico is a wonderful sheep dog. Watching him work is so much fun. So level headed and thoughtful out there!
Anne
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TY for showing Rico herding the sheep! He’s the dog!
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He’s pretty amazing. Talented, smart, sweet, and sensitive. I love him.
Anne
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I loved seeing the video of Rico…he’s such a good boy!
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He is! He really loves his sheep herding!
Anne
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Good to see more of your Aboriginal Scrappy Trip, looking gorgeous!
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It’s fun to see how it changes with the addition of more blocks. And I really like sewing these strip tubes together. Something sort of meditative about it… all those soft “clicks” when the seams nest.
Anne
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Hey Rico looked great. A little fast on the lift but he was awesome at slowing when you growled at him. WHAT a good boy!!
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Yeah. that lift… We’re working on him being a bit more thoughtful on those lifts. He’s really doing a great job.. so much natural talent!
Anne
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