I left the second black and white leftover quilt blocks on my design wall for a few days and decided that I wasn’t loving what I had done because it felt chaotic and didn’t make any sense. I played with a different layout of alternating black and white zig zags and I like it so much better. So I sewed it all together and added the borders.
This ended up about 56 x 65 or so. A bit of a modest throw size quilt but it would be good to snuggle under while watching a movie.
Yesterday afternoon I started sewing together the blocks for the first black and white quilt top. My sewing time was cut short when Bruno threw up a whole spool of thread he had found on the floor under my sewing machine and eaten, along with all of his dinner. I won’t share the photo of the aftermath here. It’s a bit hard to believe that he could actually swallow a spool of thread. It’s possible he got it into his throat and it gagged him. At any rate, he will not have free roaming access in the sewing room . There are just too many things for him to get into… the scrap basket, two garbage cans, blocks on the design wall. I’m actually keeping that door closed during the day as well. Puppies. Geez. It’s really a good thing that he threw it up!
I made a trip to my long arm quilter last week to pick up my friend’s Australian Aboriginal economy block quilt. I absolutely love this one!!!
You really do need to see it close up to see all the gorgeous detail of the fabrics.
And the backing is just brilliant!!!
Here’s a closer look of the back and binding. That binding fabric is one of my favorite of these fabrics.
I just love all those gorgeous jewel tone fabrics! And the Aboriginal fabrics sparkle! My former co-worker that I gifted the bag to said the fabric reminded her of the night sky.
I tried really hard to convince my friend that she should just give that quilt to me. She didn’t seem to get the hint. I’m holding out hope that it will arrive back here around my birthday or the holidays.
Bruno continues to grow way too fast! I grabbed this photo of him with Rico a few days ago to mark his 16-week birthday and to celebrate spring with my forsythia.
My mom absolutely loved her forsythia. The yellow blooms were her indication every year tat spring and arrived. I have so many Easter photos from my childhood in front of our forsythia.
This video just makes me laugh! Bruno absolutely loves going for our walks and thinks I’m very slow to get moving!
Bruno got to go on his first off leash run on the edge of the forest last week. I did have a long line on him in case I needed it, which I didn’t. He was so good! He stuck around, checked in often and came when called. He had such a great time!
We were all happy to get out on a beautiful day! Here’s a video of Bruno and Rico running together.
Bruno had a visit with some former co-workers last week. They had been wanting to meet him. He got completely loved up!
He definitely loved all the attention.
Lambing season has started and I’ll be heading down to Molalla, Oregon, tomorrow to spend the day in my happy place. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some fresh lambs in the morning.
I just love all the schedule flexibility and luxury of time I’m finding in retirement!
My knee is so much better! I’m back to playing pickleball and am nearly at 100%. It feels so good to be out there moving my body again after a few weeks of inactivity. The dogs are happy to have me back and active again too!
agilejack 
Your Australian quilt is gorgeous. Very exciting fabrics to work with.
Bruno is adorable. I’m glad your retired life is full of joy!
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It is so good to see what you are creating—- I have missed your enthusiasm and inspiration. Keep enjoying retirement and sharing your daily life.
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Retirement is the best! 🙂 Love seeing your dogs running together, Bruno looks so happy in the photo on the stump, he’s a cutie and he knows it! The zig-zag layout on the quilt is great, may have to use that for a future quilt, I do have a stash of the Aussie fabrics, they’re hard to resist.
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Looks like Rico is doing a great job teaching his little brother. That howling at the door is really fun. Not sure if I’d be happy at 4 am with him doing it.
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Although I did like the original layout of the black and white quilt, I must admit that I like your final version better. That distinct light and dark contrast appeals to my sense of order. I have a hard time with something that’s too “random”!
Love your updates!
Diane Page
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I would really like directions to make this beautiful quilt, please. Thanks you
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the blocks are from the algorithm quilt pattern by GE designs. I just arranged them differently. That means I can’t do a tutorial because it’s not my pattern.
Anne
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the blocks are based on the Algorithm pattern by GE Designs, in the Stripology squared book. I just arranged them differently.
Anne
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Puppies are alot of fun and alot of work. Nice that Bruno has a big brother to show him how to a good boy! Sewing rooms are full of items that can be dangerous for them. Enjoy your new little friend. Take good care.
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I love your videos and hope you enjoy retirement as much as I do. I miss the interaction but I love being able to do what I want, when I want! Pups are enjoying spring finally!
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Retirement looks great on your design wall. I too have Easter pics in front of the Forsythia – the yellow bells of Spring arrival. 🤗
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So glad to see all this video craziness! Glad you are sharing this ‘time of your life’ with your fur buddies!
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Love the aboriginal quilt. I love the fabrics and needed the inspiration to use mine.
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The intensity of the aboriginal prints all used together is terrific!
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Lovely b & w the aboriginal quilt is just gorgeous – what a joy to see Bruno is just such a joy- cute guy. lt looks like Bruno and Rico were having a race. also seems you are squeezing every ounce of joy from your retirement. Bravo!!! 🌻👌
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I like the layout you ended up with.
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Congrats on your new canine companion! So much fun. Your resolution after Bruno’s sewing room “snack” is spot on. We rescued a very large and beautiful German Shepard/Labrador mix pup 7 years ago, and he almost immediately found a “sparkly thing” on the floor under my sewing table. My husband tried to retrieve it from his mouth, but he ran and swallowed it. The veterinarian was skeptical about my missing needle and thread from my “quilt in process”, however, she ex-rayed, and sure enough it was exiting his stomach and entering the intestine. The entire staff at the vet office stayed for emergency surgery ($3500). He’s our big baby, and the expense was worth every penny, but we restrict his access form certain areas of the house now.
I love the black and white fabric placements, they are stunning! Glad your health is on the mend, stay well!
Susi
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So glad you’re enjoying retirement!!
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Yep, I had a cat once who started ingesting the thread on a spool of thread. My husband saw this happening and started pulling it out of her and I remember him backing into the living room about 20 ft with the thread still coming out of her mouth. That would have been a frightening surgery. I’m glad that Bruno threw up the spool! He seems like a real cutie-pie. Also, I enjoyed your original black and white arrangement of the algorithm quilt, but this new arrangement is artistic and keeps my eye moving around and around the design. Thank you for the beauty and the inspiration!
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