Rico had his weekly sheep herding lesson down in Molalla at my friend Trudy’s place today… where we helped with lambing a few weeks ago. It was a new experience for him as he got to work in a great big field with hills and valleys, lots of trees and sheep he’s never seen before. And he did a great job.
Here’s a little bit of video from Rico’s working today.
I’m so happy with how his driving is coming along. That’s when he moves the sheep away from me. He’s looking so good and it’s so fun to see him so cool and collected, and to see all this training coming together so nicely.
I have him entered in another sheep herding trial next weekend. It will be fun to see how he does.
When we got home a co-worker came over with her dog for a play date. We had some unexpected, frank and very interesting conversation. It’s a coworker I don’t know very well and don’t have much opportunity to interact with. It was really good to get to have this conversation. I’m looking forward to more.
After grabbing an early dinner since we missed lunch, I headed out with the boys for a three mile walk. It was warm but cloudy. I had on a long sleeve t-shirt with a sweatshirt over the top and it was too much! We definitely have a change in the weather on the way.
I had really hoped we’d actually have a little bit of spring before summer arrived.
After giving the boys some dinner I sat down on the sofa and found myself nodding off. I kind of went with it for a while and then decided I needed to get my butt up and sew three more Wensleydale blocks before I was out cold. Why three? Because that would put me at 50 blocks done.
So I hit my sewing room and sewed up the final three lighter batik blocks that I kitted up last week.
I pulled the rest of the blocks off my design wall and stacked them up in sets of 10 so I can keep track and know when I have 60 blocks.
So, that means I have ten more blocks to sew. I think I’m going to toss all these blocks up on my retractible design wall tomorrow to see if I need to make more dark blocks or more light blocks. I’m pretty sure it still needs more dark blocks to go with all these light blocks I’ve been making.
I’m going to remove the paper from six blocks that are waiting… as soon as I finish this blog post. I calculated the other night that it takes me about four minutes to remove the paper from one block. I’ll finish these up as I watch some pickleball tonight.
I was tidying up my living room last night and realized that I had never taken some Australian Aboriginal fabrics out of the box they were delivered in. I bought these online a couple of months ago.
I have no idea where I’m going to put them. The plastic bins that hold my Aboriginal fabrics are already too full.
After a good night sleep and a walk with the boys in the morning, I’ll be off to play a couple hours of pickleball!
agilejack 
Hi Anne, First off, love the video of Rico. He is amazing and so patient. Good luck on the upcoming trials. Also, would you mind to tell me what the finished or unfinished size of thes Wensleydale blocks are it seems to be a lot of blocks and from the pictures they look to be quiet large.. Love your posts, take care Deborah
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the Wensleydale blocks are around 8.5 x 11 inches. So yes, they are a good size block. this quilt top will sew up really quickly once I have all the blocks done and designed.
Thanks for reading!
Anne
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I enjoyed watching Rico’s most recent sheep herding video. Thanks for sharing his lessons with your readers. Your Wensleydale blocks are so pretty. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished quilt. Since the plastic bins with your aboriginal fabrics are full, I can see a few choices… buy another bin for your new fabrics, start cutting some of the old ones to make room for the new ones, or just leave them out for a while and admire their beauty!
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I think I’ll leave them out for a while and admire Tham while I figure out where to put them!
Anne
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Well done Rico!. And the aboriginal fabrics. Maybe don’t put them away anywhere. Maybe they can be auditioning for a new project?
Enjoy Sunday
Lynn
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I have an idea or two for upcoming Aboriginal quilts, but will probably not strike out on them immediately. Too many other things I want to do!
Anne
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I love your Aboriginal fabrics and wish I could buy them in UK. Sadly prohibitively expensive to buy from overseas!
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I’m pretty fortunate to have access to a lot of really amazing fabrics. It seems pretty pricey but nothing compared to what people in other countries pay.
Anne
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Rico is one hard working dog! He should do well next weekend. He will at least have fun.
Love the light blocks but putting it up on the wall is always the moment of truth for color balance. I have a feeling that you will need a couple of really dark ones. The mediums are well represented.
Love the aboriginal prints! You’ll never have too many. 🙂
I am now down to 4 pieces to assemble for each of the remaining 23 blocks of “Strummin”. Took a cue from you and started chain piecing each section, one after another. Pretty good progress to get it down from 28 pieces for each guitar.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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I agree that I’m going to need a few more dark blocks.
You’re making great progress on your quilt. 28 pieces per block!!! That’s too many!
Anne
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How many pieces are in the block for the Wensleydale Quilt? It looks like it is 17? That’s getting up there too.
I don’t think about how many pieces in a block or quilt when I pick it.
I just think it’s a cool, interesting quilt to make.
Some blocks are worth it. This gift is for my guitar playing son-in-law who is turning 40. He is a a gem and deserves a fussy quilt.
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Good going Rico , what fun he was having . I really enjoy watching him . Have a great weekend
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He’s a great dog! It’s fun to see how much he loves working the sheep!
Anne
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Good morning,
I get so tickled when reading your blog posts. I also love quilting and pickle ball.
I am traveling in my Airstream and currently located in Key West Florida. We tackled the 3 National Parks in Florida so we our relaxing today.
Have you ever played Mahjong? I started playing with my quilting buddies 3 years ago and we go on gaming/ quilting retreats together.
Mahalo from a 60 something Traveling Texan.
>
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I’ve played Mahjong online, but never in person. I Love the online game.
I played pickleball to day for 3.5 hours. I’m exhausted but happy! I promised myself that I wasn’t going to hit balls that were going out and I played really aggressively! It was fun!
Anne
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I enjoy reading your blog, I used to work in Portland for Liberty Mutual for 20 years before retiring to travel full-time in an airstream and of course I bring my sewing machine along on my travels. It is fun to see the scenery with your dogs and I love to see your projects. I was curious what 1 or 2 of your favorite online sites for buying fabric. Thanks in advance
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Hmmm. Online sites for Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics would have to be Sew Colorful, Island Quilter and Glorious Color. Tennessee quilts, Missouri Star and Hancocks of Paducah all have good selections of KFC fabrics.
For aboriginals, I kind of get them from all kinds of places. But my favorite local quilt shop has a good selection. Pioneer Quilts in Milwaukie, Oregon. You can find them with a google search.
Anne
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I’m interested in your retractable design wall. Please tell me more and any instructions on how to create my own.
Thanks.
Your sheep herding lesson with Rico was very nice. Do you have to have solid commands before you start herding with a green dog or is it a learn as you go? Is he your first herding dog? Keep making those videos. They’re inspiring to say the least.
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bought that retractible design wall at a quilt show a bunch of years ago. It has two rollers the roll up into a wooden box that hangs above the closet doors in my sewing room. `The fabric is a thick flannel backed with plastic. They are good for a throw size quilt but not large enough for a queen. I made a portable design wall out of construction styrofoam insulation to make my retractible wall larger. Here’s a blog post about making that smaller wall:https://agilejack1.com/2020/10/14/building-to-accommodate-my-next-make/
Here’s a video showing my retractible design wall:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5h5S52oOts
The sheepherding… they do learn the commands as they go along. the learn the movements and how to react to my movements before they learn the commands.
Anne
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I know you have increased the sales of Quilt Recipes- our Wednesday sew group have all ordered and are planning our color ways! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Oh, how fun!!! it’s a fun quilt and I liked it from the first time I saw it!
Anne
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Really love those “new” Aboriginal fabrics! Some I’ve never seen before. I’d love to know where you purchased them – hoping it was Internet. Had hand surgery about 10 days ago, but am already back to sewing! Nothing fancy, but figure it’s good exercise for my fingers. Anxious to see all the Wensleydale blocks up on the design wall. Are you already thinking about what’s your next project?
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I too also interested in the retractable design wall and where you purchased your beautiful prints Australian Aboriginal. Loved watching Rico doing his thing, they are such smart dogs
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I bought those fabrics on eBay. I can’t remember the name of the seller. A friend of mine referred me. sorry.
I bought that retractible design wall at a quilt show a bunch of years ago. It has two rollers the roll up into a wooden box that hangs above the closet doors in my sewing room.
Anne
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Thank you for your reply, I will be looking for both. I live in WA, Yakima, not too far from you. Love spring is making her debut, flowering trees and bushes, can’t wait for the warmer weather.
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I bought those fabrics on eBay. I can’t remember the seller. Sorry.
Glad you’re back to sewing after surgery!
I have a few ideas for a next project, but really want to finish up a couple UFOs first! Hahaha! Like that will actually happen!
Anne
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It looks like both you and Rico get a workout when herding! Well done! I love the Wensleydale blocks, and you’ve got me going online to search for aboriginal fabrics next.
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We got a good deal of walking in through that big field! And we love it!!! Nothing better than being outdoors in beautiful countryside!
Check out my local quilt store, Pioneer Quilts in Milwaukie, Oregon. They have a website and a good selection of the Australian Aboriginal fabrics.
Anne
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Loved Rico’s video! So smart and talented 🥰 I like the darker fabric around the center brights , good contrast! We just got through dog sitting a friend’s mini Australian shepherd for 2 weeks and miss him. Very smart and sweet. Now we have a blind Yorkie with 3 working legs while mom is getting an operation. This Friday we have an appointment to adopt FIV 🐈⬛ kittens. Like our HIV in people. I want 3 but may be limited to 2 , she said too overwhelming. She doesn’t know me, I would find it heaven 🤗 Big hugs to your boys 🥰
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I’m going to be pet witting a co-worker’s blind yorkie in a couple of weeks! I’m looking forward to having a small dog visit!
You’re going to have fun with those kittens!
Anne
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What online site did you buy these beautiful aboriginal prints from?
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I bought them on eBay. I don’t remember the name of the seller Sorry.
Anne
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We would like spring here in northern IL too. We had 40s and 50s, then a week of 80s and now 40s this weekend with a freeze warning tonight. I would just like a week or 2 of mid 60s.
I’m looking forward to seeing all of your blocks up on the design wall. This is the fun part, deciding what combinations you need in the last 10 blocks. How big are the blocks?
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the blocks are a little bigger than 8.5 x 11. So this will be a generous throw size quilt. And it will all sew together quickly… no seams to match!
I’m with you… I would love a few weeks of 55 0r 60 degrees with sun!
Anne
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I’d like to know about the retractable design wall too! My fixed wall is great for testing out a design idea but it isn’t large enough to house a complete quilt top. I bought a wide roll-away blind and intend to mount it to the ceiling for this purpose. It would be nice to get some details on your retractable design wall before I start making holes in the ceiling.
The centers on the light blocks really pop! And well done, Rico!
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I bought that retractible design wall at a quilt show a bunch of years ago. It has two rollers the roll up into a wooden box that hangs above the closet doors in my sewing room. `The fabric is a thick flannel backed with plastic. They are good for a throw size quilt but not large enough for a queen. I made a portable design wall out of construction styrofoam insulation to make my retractible wall larger. Here’s a blog post about making that smaller wall:https://agilejack1.com/2020/10/14/building-to-accommodate-my-next-make/
Here’s a video showing my retractible design wall:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5h5S52oOts
Anne
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Thank you. That seems like a similar approach to the roller blind I got (Home Impressions 96 In. x 72 In. Ivory Fabric Indoor/Outdoor Cordless Roller Shade – Do it Best https://www.doitbest.com/shop/housewares/window-coverings-and-treatments/shade/roller-shade/home-impressions-96-in-x-72-in-ivory-fabric-indooroutdoor-cordless-roller-shade?SKU=603472 ). I got it figuring that a queen quilt top could dangle past the roller blind a little bit when it’s retracted. But I’m mounting it to the ceiling so it won’t get in the way of any doors. I just need it to be far enough off the floor to prevent my devious, orange kitty from sharpening his claws on it!
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That’s a great idea!
Anne
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Gidday from Australia. I’ve done a few postcard quilts using indigenous fabrics. They look great with black sashing.
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I have a couple ideas for upcoming quilts using the Australian Aboriginal fabrics. I’m thinking using black prints rather than block solids for the sashing. I’ve used a black print before an it works really well!
Anne
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