What a Difference a Change Makes

I told Charlene that I would post this for  her two days ago, so finally I have it here.  Sorry, Girlfriend!

These were made by a friend of mine and I inherited them after she passed away. 

These are huge diamonds for a lone star quilt.

Generally not my choice of fabric, I thought it would be interesting to see how it looks put together.

This is one layout.  The strong color on the  edges make this look  bold and bright.

Here are the same diamonds, with the dark reds on the inside of the star.

Looks very different, doesn't it.  Value does that for you.

This one looks larger and more open.  Stunning with the right background.

These are the other blocks.  Same construction but the reds are in a different position.  Now it looks like it has motion.  Again, the value changes are dramatic.

I thought this was interesting on this background it looks like you can see through the star.  Makes it look open and lacy.

I won't have time to work on these, and I may end up giving them to Charlene in the long haul.



I have the baby for the next two days.......and for that, we should all be ecstatic.

I have a funeral service tomorrow afternoon and he will come with me for that.  His first, I am sure.

In other types of  changes, my dear friend Mathilde's daughter died unexpectedly last week.  It was a shock to everyone.  She was just older than Carrie, so it really hit home with me.  Heather was Mathilde's only child, just like Carrie is our only child.  I cannot imagine her pain. 

Mathilde's sister passed away not quite a year ago.  They were living one of Mathilde's rental properties and it had flooded.  So they were all living together.  Mathilde is raising her children now. 

Such loss.  I can only put my arm around her and hold her.

52 Snapshots of Life - Week 23 - Swissy Play

I am so bad about keeping up with this photo play.  The 52 Photos one was so easy to do, i jut need to get into the rhythm of this one, I guess.

I am sitting here trying not to die from this bout of allergies that has gone from my chest to my head to my ears.  I am miserable.

The week's prompt is Play.  We certainly got that around here!

The best fun I have ever had has been with my beloved Swissys in at our Fun Day.

These photos are from the 2007 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Regionals held each year in Perry GA.  I gathered with my Swissy friends from all over the country for years and years and years at the fairgrounds in Perry.  It was the most wonderful place to be with the most wonderful of friends. who shared a love of our tri-colored dogs.

This is Hank and his little brother Dozer.  Our Swissys are drafting dogs bred to pull heavy loads in the middle ages.  We still do weight pulls where a nice pull will be 3500 lbs for 30 ft from a dead stop in 30 seconds.

 These are Rowdy and Keygan.  Keygan was a brother to my Bonnie Doon a couple of litters down.


 Our Swissys were also bred to herd sheep and docile cattle.  They are heavier boned than border collies so they are not as fast.  But since they are herding dogs, they are quite intelligent and exceptionally good at reasoning quickly. They are considered drovers, who work from behind the herd, keeping it contained and putting it where the shepherd wants them.  The instinct is there, the control must be learned!  LOL

And they are also pack dogs.  Swissys were used in WWI and WWII in Europe to carry supplies and draft howitzer guns over terrain.  We use that ability today to enjoy Pack Dog Hikes and sharing the beauty of the woods with our friends.  Walking on the bridge is my dear and wonderful friend Molly E, who passed away this year.  She was a great promoter of our breed and the wonder of what a true and loving companion can be.

I miss my Swissys.  These Bassets are great and fun dogs, but they are not Swissys!