Not Much to Report This Week

A very nasty stomach bug got both of us this week and everything came to a standstill as we dealt with it.

Ony a few 16 patches were completed in the sewing arena before it hit.

I did finish this 1,000-piece puzzle that I had been working on for several weeks.  It was in a sealed container, so I guess I was the one who lost the missing piece on the dalmatian.  It certainly is hard to get a photo of these puzzles without losing a lot of the image to glare.

Other than that, nothing to report for the past week other than we are having days in the mid-90s on a regular basis.  I’m hoping this week will be more productive.  The quilt we are finishing for my deceased friend goes to the long-armer tomorrow, so I have a deadline to get the backing pieced.  We are also expecting Bob’s brother to stop by Tuesday and Wednesday on his way back to Wisconsin.  There will be a Guild meeting Wednesday.

 

Two Quilt Top Finishes

The quilt top for my deceased friend is finished.  I took it to the Tuesday gathering to let everyone see it and to get a picture.  The pattern is "Windsong" by Wing and a Prayer Design.  The colors are much prettier than what the photo shows.  It is 108 inches square and my home design wall is too crowded and too small to pin it there.  An order arrived last week with the remaining fabric needed for the backing and I will either cut it here or, perhaps tomorrow, at the place where the Tuesday group meets.

 

I finished appliqueing the border to my tumbler quilt top this weekend.  I’ll try to get a full picture of it for next week’s post.

 

I may be chasing another squirrel in the near future.  We’ll see if I give in.

 

One measley little 16-patch made it to the design wall.

In other news, we had an entirely unexpected freeze this morning!  Apparently, the alert to protect plants was issued in the wee hours of the morning.  Fortunately, my baby plants appear to have survived and we will be on a warming trend this week.

 

Difficult Week

Sunday, last week, began with a call from my pastor informing me that one of me dearest friends, a quilting buddy no less, had passed unexpectedly.  The rest of the week passed in a blur as I tried to process this new reality and offer what assistance I could to the family.  Our circle of quilty friends pulled together to prepare meals, gather photographs, supply information for the obituary, spread the word and attend the funeral. 

 

A member in our Tuesday group provided an arrangement so “her spot” would not be vacant that first week.

 

At her husband’s request, the Tuesday group will be completing a project she had almost finished.

 

Other than a few 16-patch blocks practically no sewing of my own was done, and that only as a calming mechanism.

 

 

Triangles, Thimbles, and a Car Incident

These 16-patch blocks joined those I have already completed from the half-square triangles a friend gifted to me.  I’m getting close to the bottom of the stack and will have to make a decision as to what to do with them.  I don’t have enough for a usable quilt top, but I do have more of the alternate block fabric.  I could made additional blocks from my own stash; or set them on point; or most probably set them aside for a while.  I have some anti-ouch pouch kits to work on while I consider my options.

 

The third border on my thimble quilt is almost completely added by applique.

 

In other news…

I recently had a minor incident in my car when I was forced off the road.  I would have been fine if I had not hit a metal pole someone had set up on the shoulder.  The other driver did not stop.  Thank goodness for insurance.  

The recording of a voicemail left by my insurance adjuster was pleasant and professional.  The above excerpt from that same message was automatically transcribed by the computer.  I think their transcription programming needs improvement. 

 

A Week Away

We spent last week in far South Texas visiting our Wisconsin relatives who adopt Texas as home during the winter.  I knew there would be some down time in the hotel, so my Featherweight made the trip with us.

I completed five anti-ouch pouches.  Unfortunately, after taking this picture, I noticed that the fabric in the top bag is directional and the Bluebonnets are upside down.  Maybe someone will choose it for the colors.

Both side borders of my thimble quilt have been appliqued to the center.  I hope to begin work on the top and bottom borders this week.

I also worked on my half-square triangle blocks and finished two 16-patch blocks along with another hexagon flower.

No visit to South Texas is complete for me without a stop at the Don Wes Flea Market in Donna.  A small amount of retail therapy may have happened. 

We decided to drive to the SpaceX Starbase development site near Brownsville.  Our progress slowed to three miles per hour when we caught up with a rocket stage being moved down the highway.  It took up the entire highway and, as Bob said, it did not yield to us.  Eventually they came to a wide spot in the road and allowed a very long string of traffic to pass.  We went through the same process on the way back as it was still being moved.  At least we got a close look.  I was told this is the second stage of the rockets that are launched from that site.  If that’s correct, this is the stage that has been exploding in recent launch attempts.  My brother-in-law captured this picture through the windshield.

 

Signs of Progress

It’s been a fairly quiet week…nothing wrong with that.  

I have almost one long side of my thimble project appliqued to a border.  This is proving to be a very slow process as we’ve been watching television programs that require me to actually watch the screen rather than just listen.  I make much better progress when Bob chooses something I have no interest in.

 

One more hexagon flower is complete.

 

Here is a shot of the design wall showing all the ones done.  Only one more is needed and I’ve prepped the fabric.

 

When I need some mindless stitching at the machine, I’ve been returning to the 800+ triangles (400+ HSTs) that were gifted to me.  I’ve made a couple of 16-patches in order to see how they will look.  Each four-patch is 3 inches square unfinished.

 

 

A Finish

A label has been applied and thread ends have been buried, so this clamshell project is officially bound-labeled-done at last.  The top was finished in 2021 and I called it “Sanity” because it helped see me through some of the Covid 19 lockdown.  It began with an on-line class led by Irene Blanck and measures 45 X 50 inches.  It is hand pieced using the English paper piecing method.  A friend came to my rescue with fabric for the border.

 

I completed two more hexagon flowers for my Kim McLean project, two more to go.

 

In other news…

Bob’s medical tests last week failed to show anything that needs to be treated.  I’m counting that as good news.

 

If anyone can identify what kind of hawk this is, I would appreciate it.  He was surveying his world when I spotted him on a walk Saturday.

 

 

Not Quite Bound-Labeled-Done

Our cold temperatures plus wind chills were severe enough that I wimped out of going to Guild on Wednesday and, instead, spent the day in sweats sewing.  I was feeling guilty until I found out two of my close friends did exactly the same thing.  I guess it’s okay to play the little old lady card once in a while.

Consequently, my clamshell project is almost in “bound-labeled-done” status.  A label must still be attached and then there are those pesky threads to bury.

I also cut border strips for my red and white tumbler quilt.  That’s my next big hand-work push.

The weather here is definitely improving and it’s good to see some sunshine again.  No sewing with friends on Tuesday because hubby has an all-day medical procedure in Austin.  My local applique group meets Thursday afternoon and I’m looking forward to that.

Oh, and the local armadillo is still roaming the neighborhood.  The Animal Control Officer, who lives across the street from us, told me they are a protected species.  They had dug (and re-dug) such a big hole underneath the pad our AC unit sits on that I had to cover it with heavy mesh and weigh it down with big rocks.  Now they’ve relocated to the front flowerbed.  I've named him Arny.

More Progress on Clamshells and Hexies

Four more hexagon flowers have been made for use in the Kim McLean project.

Here they are surrounding the center on the design wall.  Four more and I can move forward with the border.

 

Fabric has also been attached for the binding on the clamshell project.  I may give the Kim McLean project a break and focus on completing the handwork on this one first, provided I don't decide on opting for black fabric instead.  Now that it's attached, I'm not sure I like it as much as I thought I would.

 

And, this tumbler project is getting a good steam pressing so I can remove the papers on the perimeter and prepare to applique it to its outer borders.  Looks like there’s lots of handwork in my future.  I’ve found that this creamer, which never gets used for its intended purpose, is just right for pouring water into my steam iron.

 

Joining the gifted triangles into four patches is my choice for mindless sewing at the machine these days.  I still do not know where this one will take me but I wanted something easy to pick up and put down until I get my next batch of anti-ouch pouch kits at the guild meeting Wednesday.

 The forecast is for another cold week, but so far, no precipitation is expected.

Clamshell Project is Quilted, At Last

After all the trouble I encountered trying to quilt my clamshell project, I let it rest for two weeks.  Fortunately, I was able to finish quilting it Saturday with a minimum of drama and it is now ready for trimming and binding.  My plan is to pull out my cutting table later this week and possibly pin baste my next project.

These are the hexagons I completed this week.

This is how I envision they will be used in the next border.  I need to make eight more before I can determine their final placement.  

Everyone is happy that we have had a mild cool-down with highs expected in the 50s this week.  Last week included several days in the mid to high 80s.  There are only minimal chances for rain.

 

Hexagon Flowers and Anti-Ouch Pouches

My take-along project for stitching Tuesday was the set of anti-ouch pouches I picked up from Guild last month.  I finished up the work on them over the weekend and I have 15 to deliver to the Guild meeting on the 19^th.  Maybe that will give me enough rest time to keep from burnout when I pick up more kits then.  They are a good project for those occasions when there’s a lot of distractions.

 

I also prepped several hexagon flowers for hand stitching, but only managed to finish two.  The prepped sets will go with me today for my monthly neighborhood stitching group.  They are another good project for situations with lots of chatter.

 

We actually had some much-needed rain last week, approximately 2/3 inches.  This week is predicted to be dry and warm with highs in the mid-80s through Saturday.

No Snow, Lots of Work on Several Projects

The winter weather event that we had received so many dire warnings about skirted our immediate area.  Areas a few miles to our east were not so fortunate.  Our city had pretty much shut down in anticipation. Schools were closed, my Tuesday group did not meet, the church office was closed, Bob’s doctor appointment was changed to a teleconference, etc.  When we went out with the dogs after 9:00 Monday night, we could see a few tiny flakes, but by the morning the roads were dry.  Apparently enough did land on our roof to result in interesting icicles on our rain chain as temperatures rose above freezing. 

I’ve added the first border to my Kim McLean project as well as a few more hexagon flowers which will go on the next border.

The center of my clamshell quilt is quilted and work has begun on the border.  Bobbin tension issues are definitely making progress sporadic. I’ve tried just about everything I can think of:  rethreading, oiling, de-linting, changing the needle, adjusting the tension and even giving up on regulated mode and changing to manual.  The last change seems to have helped, but it still is not entirely behaving itself.

And, needing some instant gratification, I made two potholders to go with the two aprons I made for my friend.  I gave the batch to her Thursday at my applique group and she seemed quite pleased.

 

Will it Snow This Week?

My collection of hexagon flowers has grown. 

Also, I joined the nine blocks that will be center of my Kim McLean project.  Progress is slow, but it is progress. I will need to pull out the cutting table and start working on borders this week.

Last week was filled with errands, some rescheduled from the previous week due to the threat of bad weather.  The big question for this week is also the weather.  We made an unscheduled grocery run Friday instead of today and hopefully we are set for whatever occurs.  Bob even insisted on getting food that could be cooked on a grill if we lose power, although the news media assures us that the grid is expected to hold.  At any rate, while we didn’t have to get up any earlier than usual, I had to be dressed and functional, extra early each day.  A bonus from all this cooler weather is good sleeping weather snuggled under extra quilts. 

 

Handwork and Quilting Progress

 

This hand-pieced clamshell quilt is my current machine project.  Work has been slowed by thread tension and bobbin issues which, I hope, have finally been resolved.

 

My handwork has been focused on making hexie flowers from Kaffe fabrics for my Kim McLean project.  I think I need 13 for the border.  Working with these fabrics is fun and my current take-along for Tuesday sewing.

 

The only completion I can brag about this week is this 1,000-piece puzzle that Julia gave me for Christmas. 

We are expecting a handyman to come Tuesday.  Smoke detector batteries need to be changed before the chirping begins.  Neither of us belongs on a ladder. 

We were very fortunate with regard to the winter weather last week.  No icy roads in our immediate area, but we did get 2/3 inch of much needed rain.  Many of the bloggers I follow had their hands full dealing with snow.  The pictures were pretty, but I didn’t miss the hassle.

Another Apron

I finished another reversible apron this weekend.  It is for a friend who provided the fabric and said she would make a contribution to the quilt guild’s boutique if I would sew it for her.  There are some small fabric cuts left and I am considering making a couple of hot pads out of them.

I also managed to pin baste a quilt and clear off the quilting machine so I could work on it.  The result?  A mountain of projects-in-process precariously balanced on a small table desperately needing to be addressed.  This is a continual process in my sewing space.

Winter has arrived with lows in the 20s this morning.  One business, a quilt shop in Llano, has already sent out emails saying they would close Thursday due to the possibility of bad road conditions.  We got our grocery shopping run done today, so we should be set no matter what.  Fortunately, nothing is predicted to happen tomorrow that would keep my Tuesday quilting group from meeting.  It feels like forever since we have been able to gather.  Christmas and New Year's falling in the middle of the week certainly messed with our schedule.

I don't always choose a focus word for the year, but this year "intentional" keeps crossing my mind.  I would certainly accomplish much more if I were better about being intentional in how I spend my time.