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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

Enjoying the Season

Very little stitching has happened since I last posted, and this is just a quick check-in. 

I started working on hexagons for the border of my Kim McLean project.  At least it’s a start.

We spent several days on the Texas Coast at Port Aransas celebrating our 47^th anniversary as well as both our birthdays.  The weather was mild and I particularly enjoyed sitting on the balcony smelling the salt air and reading. 

 

The view from our balcony at night.

 

One of the two rainbows we saw.

 

Fortunately, neither of these were an issue. 

It's been years since I put on a swimsuit, so cold water was not a problem.  I did get in a couple of beach walks though.

Our balcony gave us a good view of incoming ships.

Christmas was a quiet one with just the two of us.  Our family celebration was Sunday, which was also Bob’s birthday.

 

The kids went a little overboard on gifts.

We recorded a high of 90.3 degrees on our home themometer today.  This winter has started off as a very warm one, but things can change quickly.

Getting Close to a Finish

I am getting so very close to a finish on this project.  Three sides to go on the binding and, of course, a label.

Our very hot weather continues without a break.  The high registered so far today is 108 degrees.  

Hexagon Medallion Quilt Top

The hexagon medallion project that has served as my therapy through a challenging spring and tortuous summer is now a complete top.  I have finished appliqueing the center to the background.  Since this picture was taken, I have sandwiched it and taken the first few machine quilting stitches.

I was in need of some instant gratification and also wanted to give a friend a thankyou gift.  These potholders were the result.  My potholders are made of the humblest of scraps with recycled terrycloth towels used for batting. They are meant to be used and abused, so I don’t bother to add hanging tabs.  I expect them to be shoved into a drawer until needed, scorched on the grill, and perhaps, covered in spaghetti sauce stains.  My only criteria for this pair is that they be made with fabrics that struck me as happy.

We have had a series of showers over the last week for a total of nearly 3/4 inch.  Temperatures have dropped below triple digits and you can see the relief in people’s faces.   Our lakes are low and we could certainly use some more, but we are ever so grateful.

 

Acceptance -- My 2022 Word

 

Humility means accepting reality with no attempt to outsmart it. –David Rico

 

Six More to Go and Rain!

By my count, I only have six more rows until this piece is ready to applique onto background fabric.  Not only that, the longest rows are behind me!   This has become my go-to project while Bob and I watch the Tour de France. 

We had 6/10^th inch of rain last night and possibly a couple of days without highs in the triple digits.  It didn’t break the drought, but it sure lifted our spirits.

 

Acceptance -- My 2022 Word

 

Granted, I’ve changed internally as I’ve gotten older – I take it easy, I know when to stop and take care of myself, I laugh much more with by belly and soul – but this comes from the confidence and acceptance that comes with maturity. –Iman

Half Way Done!

I have really been enjoying this EPP project.  I am just over half way through it.  The next row to be attached is shown with it.  I may not get to work more on it for a couple of days.  We are expecting family later today through Tuesday morning.  My hands will appreciate the break.

Happy Fourth of July!  Stay safe and cool.  We are expecting a high of 99 degrees this afternoon. 

 

Acceptance -- My 2022 Word

 

When it comes to love and loss, acceptance is never easy.  We can’t make someone see all we have to give, make them love us, or make them change.  All we can do is move on and stop wasting time. –April Mae Monterrosa

 

Hopefully, I'm Back

No question, the past month has been difficult.  Since May 16 my husband has had three heart surgeries.  The first was open heart surgery for a condition we had monitored several years.  The other two dealt with issues that arose following the first procedure.  We are home, at last, and he is gradually getting better though I believe it’s going to a very long haul for his healing; and we are still struggling with learning to deal his post-surgery limitations.

I knew I would be spending hours in doctors’ offices, hospital waiting rooms and hotels, so I had prepped a new handwork project.  As it turned out, it was only after we came home that I had the heart or the energy to really start it. 

It’s another English Paper Piecing project, this time using ½ inch hexies.  I am trying to replicate a design Carmen Maria (@laboresenelatico) posted on Instagram November 13, 2021.  Her piece is done using an even smaller size hexie and reproduction fabrics.  I simply pulled leftover modern fabric from my stash so mine will look much different.  I contacted her on Instagram and she kindly gave me permission to use her design.  She also has a blog (laboresenelatico.blogspot.com), which is not very active, but between it and her Instagram account I’ve spent many happy hours admiring her work.  

Perhaps it is the gray background, but the colors are much prettier in person than in the picture.  I still need to baste a bunch more hexies, but could not resist starting to layout and stitch the design.  

Here was the extended forecast for our area.  We did reach 106 degrees Saturday.  That’s too hot for me to be out and about, so I’m going to put on a Netflix movie and work on my hexies some more.  Stay cool, everyone.

 

Acceptance -- My 2022 Word

 

You couldn’t relive your life, skipping the awful parts, without losing what made it worthwhile.  You had to accept it as a whole -- like the world, or the person you loved.  Stewart O’Nan

Getting There

The hand piecing on my hexagon quilt is finally finished.  I hope some fabric I purchased at a going out of business sale last year will work as an outer border.  The search for it begins, and I also need to decide how to apply the border.

 

Acceptance -- My 2022 Word

Happiness is not dependent on circumstances being exactly as we want them to be, or on ourselves being exactly as we’d like to be.  Rather, happiness stems from loving ourselves and our lives exactly as they are, knowing that joy and pain, strength and weakness, glory and failure are all essential to the full human experience. –Kristin Neff

South Texas

We spent last week in far South Texas with our winter Texan family.  I had more down time than I thought I would and managed to do some piecing on my double-four patch project.

I was even able to have a relatively comfortable place for my Featherweight at the hotel.  I love that little machine.

 

At other times I worked on hand piecing my hexagon quilt.  It’s coming along.  

I’ve started adding borders of neutral hexagons prior to a red print outer border.

 

A highlight of the week was a visit to the Gelman Stained Glass Museum in San Juan, Texas.  It opened in December and is spectacular.  Tours are by appointment only, and we managed to hook up with a group of 14.

 

The guys enjoyed pinochle, lots and lots of pinochle.  Good thing I had sewing projects. 

Acceptance -- My 2022 Word

 

Truth never pleads or compromises or wavers.  It invites and awaits your acceptance. –Vernon Howard

 

It's Red

Long time, no post, but I have been on the road a lot in June. 

However, I do have a finish to show!

No one ever said I was a fast quilter.  This project began as a workshop with Mickey Depre, author of Pieced Hexies, in August 2014.  I quilted it with simple vertical rows.  All it lacks is a label.

Red and White Blocks and a Win

A few more red and white blocks have been added to my design wall.  I haven’t decided how many I will want for the top, but I doubt I am half way through yet.

Last Tuesday I was able to join my sewing pals for a full day.  A friend let me go through some of her remnants and I captured these reds and neutrals for my hexagon quilt.  Unfortunately, the cuts are not quite large enough to incorporate in the quilt shown above.

Also waiting for me at our gathering spot was a basket I won at a neighboring guild’s quilt show.  It was loaded with all kinds of goodies including a kitted Be Attitudes quilt.  I’m not sure if I want to incorporate these new blocks in my WIP or perhaps gift it away.  I need to pull out the one I have started and see if the finishing kit might work.

I know many of my readers continue to struggle with absolutely horrific winter weather while we experience a much warmer than normal first week of February.  I hope it doesn’t offend anyone that I’ve included two pictures from my walk today.

February 4, 2019 Rose

Blue Heron looking for a meal.

The rose (the only one on a mostly dormant bush) was a real surprise, but the heron is a year-round regular in our area.