Journal Cover

I received a fat quarter at a Guild meeting and was asked to create something with it that could be used in our quilt show boutique next February.  The fabric was so pretty I really didn’t want to cut it up.  I procrastinated several months because I could not decide what to do.  When the show chairman said they already had enough potholders, mug rugs, tissue holders and pin cushions, I decided I better get busy and make a decision before I ran out of options.   So, I decided to use Wanda's tutorial and make a journal cover.

A fat quarter is not wide enough to make the inside flaps as big as I wanted, so I had to piece it.  Fortunately, I was able to place the seam were the fabric turns on the back flap and it isn’t all that noticeable.  I like it, and if no one else buys it, I will.

A Workshop Finish

Tote Bag Front

Tote Bag Back

I signed up for a Guild workshop Wednesday and this is the result.  I still had some work to do on it when we had to vacate the room we were using. Fortunately, I was able to push through Wednesday night and finish it Thursday morning.  I definitely did not want another workshop UFO.  The bag was made using a charm pack and accent fabrics for the lining and straps. 

I also delivered nine more anti-ouch pouches to the Guild and picked up some more kits to work on before our next meeting.

Now, back to the never-ending bow tie and hexagon projects…..

Ouch-Pouches, Hexagons, Bow Ties and a Brave Dog

Thursday was spent at a friend’s retreat center working on anti-ouch pouches which are given to patients who have had breast biopsies or surgery.  There were 11 of us working and I’m told we completed 168 pouches!  Our guild meeting is next week and I have nine more started at home that I hope to deliver.

My hexagon quilt went to retreat with me, but was never touched.  Since then I’ve been working on it in the evenings and have made a little more progress. 

And, I think I finally have enough bow tie units to complete the border blocks.  My main concern is whether I have enough variety in fabrics. 

Our lovable mutt (shown here demanding attention while I do handwork) proved her worth this week.  When I went out to investigate her non-stop barking I discovered a water moccasin snake in the yard.  Very dangerous!  Hubby dispatched it.  We’ve had numerous visits from harmless snakes as well as possums, armadillos, skunks and even a rabid raccoon in the 10 years we’ve lived here.  I guess that’s the price you pay for being on the outer edge of the community.

Home from Retreat

I attended our Guild’s third annual retreat this week and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship, good food and time to work on two projects.

My bow tie quilt is a top except for the units that will border it.  I still have approximately 100 of those to make.

This Sue Garman project was going on its third annual retreat.  I would love for it to be completed before next year’s event.

Of course, there was a somber undertone to our play days.  Although we were far enough inland to escape direct impact.  Everyone had family, friends or property at risk from Hurricane Harvey.  There was no television at the retreat center but cell phones never stopped ringing as we got updates.  Pleas had already been made for loved ones to evacuate and vacation homes had been secured as best they could before Harvey’s landfall.    All anyone could do was wait for the storm to play out while we dealt with our collective anxiety by sewing. The full extent of what will need to be done for recovery is still unknown.

There and Back Again

The last two weeks were spent on an extended road trip from Central Texas to Monterey, California.  We had not planned on a long trip this year, but the stars aligned in such a way that it was meant to happen.  Hubby was suffering from a major case of cabin fever after rehabbing from knee surgery that included some setbacks.  The second week in August was coming up and in our area, that means lots of noise and traffic congestion for the annual motor boat races.  And a relative had taken a tumble resulting in a broken leg and we wanted to see her (it had been 12 years).  So, off we went.

Needless to say, no sewing machine work happened, but I did invest quite a bit of time working on my Edyta Sitar project.  The second row of rosettes is now anchored to the center.  I will need A LOT more neutral hexies, but I’m ready to start placing the outer row of rosettes.  I love it when I can begin to see real progress on a project.

Other than the pounds I gained largely due to this and other indulgencies…..

This is the only souvenir to come home with me.  I'll look pretty classy while walking the doggies in my pink Pebble Beach hat!

Monterey has some fabulous scenery.  

I think you could make just about anything grow there if you stick it in the dirt and give it some water.  These were in a planter by the parking lot and I love the way the fresh colors play together.

This will be a very busy week on the home front.  Not only will we be in recovery mode from the trip, but I will be prepping for our Guild’s annual retreat next week.  

Hot Weather Equals Quilting Weather

It would be an exaggeration to say we’ve been sheltering in place the last few weeks, but it has certainly been hot enough for us to limit activities during the hottest part of the day.  I’ve been using the time to push forward on my ongoing projects.

I’ve started playing around with the layout of the second row of rosettes in my Handful of Scraps quilt. 

I’ll need many more neutral hexagons and that has been my focus in the evenings while Bob watches dance, Alaska and Ninja Warrior programs on television.

I’ve also been working on bow tie units and blocks.  The units in the container are made with darker fabrics and will be used in the border.  I estimate I’ve made about half of what I need for the border.

I’m very grateful to my quilting buddies who have generously saved scraps for me.  I find a new pile almost every Tuesday when I join the group.

One Stitch at a Time

This was the scene last night as I tuned into Bonnie Hunter’s Quilt-Cam. 

And, this is the current state of that project.  It doesn't look a lot different from my last post, but I believe all the rosettes are done and it will be time to start joining them to the center after I complete this outer row of neutrals.

My basket of bow tie units now has enough in it to finish making the 20 center blocks I have planned.  My version of this pattern will be smaller than the original which was published in Quilters Newsletter in 2000.  It had 42 center blocks.  If I’ve calculated correctly, I need to make 216 additional units in dark fabrics for a border.  Time to start cutting up more scraps.

I only finished five anti-ouch pouches this month, but I did respond to the coordinator’s plea for more fabric by filling a large shopping bag with yardage from my stash. 

Today I am especially grateful for air conditioning.  One of our two units went out for 24 hours…not good news in July in Central Texas. Thankfully, the second, smaller unit, did not fail and we were able to schedule a repairman who got everything up and running.