More Otavalo Views

The beautiful square near our hotel on the busy Market Day.

The square at night

The church at the head of the square.

Wood carvings in the square of a town near Ibarra.

The beautiful carved church doors at the head of the square near our hotel.

The view from the roof of our hotel.

Up in the Mountains

After the busy market it was time to explore the mountain area outside of Otavalo.  Out first stop was the region around Laguna de Cuicocha

The lake is really a sunken top of a volcano. 

Its a steep climb to the rim where there is a walk around the lake which takes several hours.

The Park Rangers station on the rim.

After the Lake we visited Hacienda Pinsaqui, a Hacienda built in 1790 which has played host to Simon Bolivar in the past.

Its now a deluxe hotel.

With its own resident llamas and horses

Wonderful views.

And its own Chapel

Trip to Ecuador

 I took a trip recently with my sister Elizabeth to Ecuador.  Our first stop was Otavalo, the famous market town high up in the Andes.  Three women knitting at their stall on market day. 

 One plaza is always full of vendors but on Saturday the Market Day the side streets also fill with vendors.

 This is what that street looks like on a normal day...with a local Otavolan couple. 

 At a junction of the main plaza.

 Lots of food stalls for both locals and tourists.

 A one man band.

One street just had vendors with feathered pieces.

Lowville Autumn Festival

 During our Adirondack trip we took time out to visit the Lowville Autumn Festival.  Here the local band serenades the attendees.

 It was a beautiful windy day and there were dozens of children flying kites.

 Or learning how to make a wooden car inside the beautiful stables which also held vendors.

 More kites

 And a train for kiddie rides.

Gorgeous tie dyed baby clothes.

More Croghan Views

 On our walk around town we passed by the TB Basselin House.  The former mansion of a millionare from the logging industry.

 The house had huge grounds and a wonderful porch as well as these massive lions guarding the steps.  Unfortunately it is crumbling now.

 Some sad remains in the side yard. 

 Further down the street a wedding was taking place.

My First Quilt

I made this  small quilt around 22 years ago after I moved to Wolcott.  I had joined a small local guild as a way of meeting people and not necessarily to make quilts.  This was the result of a quilt class the group was holding in a local school. It was a Mystery Quilt.  Its made from Gutcheon Fabrics, a wonderful manufacturer at the time who was making fabrics which were more interesting that the standard calicos so popular then.  I just removed it from a bannister where I had it wrapped to prevent a cat from using it as a scratching post.  Only two small blocks had faded in all that time.

Sewing Days at Marcia's Studio

 Suky always loves to greet visitors, test fabric and get in on the action, always under her terms.

 I finally have the Seminole strips finished for this mola quilt.  Now all I have to do is quilt it somehow!

 Marcia has been working on this new quilt for quite some time.

 This is a new small quilt I began working on in Studio with Philippa Naylor at QBL this summer.

 A new kimono jacket I began work on.  The fabric is a Liberty of London cotton I purchased in London about 20 years ago.

The layout for the inside lining.

Family Labor Day Picnic

 Dominic shows his roller skating prowess before a family picnic at his families new house in Williamson.

 There was also time to show off the fact that he can ride now without training wheels.

After a huge buffet and the usual hot dogs, hamburgers and roast chicken, it was time to run it off with a few races with his Uncle Carlos.

Labor Day Weekend in Wolcott

 My daughter Penny and her husband Carlos came up for the weekend and for a cookout at my granddaughters.  In return for making them their favorite lasagna they agreed to trim this monster hedge.  It kept getting off my own trimming radar mainly because not only is it a monster, I can't see it as I drive in and out of my driveway so it gets ignored.  It had recently gotten quite out of hand.

The reward.  Their favorite lasagna with leftovers to take home.