Jane Stickle Block Update

Here are the Jane Stickle blocks completed in April and May (I failed to log my progress last month).  I went back and reevaluated some of the blocks planned to redo.  I was unhappy with most of them because they had the background fabric I originally intended to use all the way through the quilt.  I now think they are okay to use because of the variety of background fabrics surrounding them.  So, I have 151 of 169 center blocks completed.  There are lots of triangle border blocks yet to be done, but the end is in sight for the center blocks. 

These are the knitted dishcloths completed this month.  Bob and I have been re-watching a lot of old movie series during the evenings, and I use that time to knit them when I’m not doing hand applique on Jane Stickle blocks.  The process is relaxing and they will be an addition to my badly depleted gift drawer.

Thank you to all who responded to my last post with sympathy and good wishes for my ailing dog, Chloe.  Your comments are very comforting.

Catching up on my Journaling

My blog has been quiet the last two weeks, but quilting and other crafts have been going on.  It’s time to catch up on my journaling. 

Work on the Be Attitudes quilt slowed beginning in April because of workshops and company.  The quilt shop sponsoring it as a block of the month closed and that also took a bit of the impetus out of keeping on track.  I have all the block kits, however, and they are still up on the design wall.  I finally finished the blanket stitch in the “Be Respectful” block and have started auditioning fabrics for substitutions in the "Be Honest" block. 

In the evenings,  I'm still knitting dishcloths.  Pictures of those and my completed Jane Stickle blocks will be posted after my camera battery has recharged.  

Work has also begun on a Quilt Club challenge project.  We are supposed to create an avatar of ourselves (or alter ego, if you prefer) for the September meeting.  I have begun drafting out an idea.  Being able to execute it is an altogether different issue, however.  Since it is a club challenge, I probably won’t post pictures until the reveal date at club.

Finally, we received sad news yesterday.  Chloe, my four-year-old lap dog has cancer.  We adopted her from a local shelter in June, 2010, and she has been my special companion ever since.  It's uncertain how much longer she will be with us, so I intend to do all I can to make the time left good.

My Bags are Packed, I'm Ready to Go....

Today is Quilt Club day and I’m packed and ready.  I’ve got my papers organized, so hopefully I can field any queries that may come my way.  I’ve got my three-generation memory quilt and snowy egret wall quilts ready for show and share. 

And I have this month’s batch of anti-ouch pouches for breast cancer patients.

I have yet to see a month when the club failed to receive a thank you from some recipient of a bag.  Some of the cards are very touching.  It’s gratifying to know that something so simple to make brings comfort to someone.  We’re having trouble keeping up with demand, so I hope to increase the number I make for next month.

Checking in

Sometimes you just have to stop progress on what you want to work on and do a little organizing.  I have a sewing tool kit that travels with me to Sit ‘N Sew and I keep it next to my machine when working at home.  It had become so jumbled up it was becoming a major irritation.  So, I treated myself to some new containers, borrowed my husband’s label maker and went to work organizing it.  I know it won’t take long for me to get it jumbled up again…that’s the nature of the craft, but at least for the moment I should be able to find what I need.

Speaking of jumbles, work continues on my Jane Stickle blocks.  I have been delving into the batik remnants my quilting friends have given me, trying to prep blocks. 

 

We had some much needed and appreciated showers last week.  I’ve always loved rainbows and managed to capture this one between showers.  We did not get that much, but at least we could turn the sprinkler system off for a cycle.  We have a chance (small) for more this week.  Here’s hoping we get some.

Three-Generation Memory Quilt

The memory quilt that began as a workshop project sponsored by the quilt club in March is complete.  It is best viewed up close because many of the pieces are smaller than a dime.  After ferreting through little boxes that had been shoved to the back of dresser drawers for years, I ended up with memorabilia from three generations on my father’s side of the family.  Some of them were vintage crochet pieces.  Others were little pieces of jewelry including some 50-year recognition pins belonging to my father and grandmother. 

I tried to document on the label who was represented in this piece, hopefully making it a little more meaningful someday to our daughter.  After taking it to “show and share” time at the quilt club next week, it will hang in our house.

Group Quilt

While at the ranch last week, I put this top on the quilter.  It was pieced by the Sit ‘N Sew group I hang with on Tuesdays and they asked me to quilt it.  I did a fairly easy pantograph called Popcorn. 

Another member of our group will give the quilt its final trim and add the binding and label.  It will then be donated to the Quilt Club’s silent auction which will be held during its February show. 

Our group has never formally affiliated with the quilt club as a bee, though almost all of us are members.  This year, several of us are club officers and we are beginning to be more active as a recognizable group.

Tuesday will be our first Sit ‘N Sew day in our new location.  The quilt shop proprietor who is closing her store was kind enough to let us have many items, including tables and chairs on an indefinite loan basis.    We enlisted several husbands who had trailers and pickup trucks and moved into the new space last Wednesday. The new work area is smaller, but it includes a small kitchen area.  I think all of us are just relieved to be able to continue sewing together.

Love Those Squishy Packages

It’s mug rug swap time again, and my package from Ida was waiting for me when we returned from a trip to the ranch.  We chose a patriotic theme this time and I love what she came up with…can you guess she has a new embroidery machine?  The binding really sets it off.

 

Here it is with the extras she included.  Thank you, Ida.

…and here is the one I sent to her.  I know she has received it, so I can post pictures of it as well.

Like much of the rest of the country, we experienced record breaking cool weather this week.  It was in the low 40s when we got up, but fortunately, no freeze.

Additional note added May 4:  In my haste to get this post out yesterday, I neglected to mention that my mug rug was an adaptation of a free pattern I found on-line.  I removed the border and extended some of the seams to make it wider.  If you would like to see the original pattern you can visit Belle's post.  So many people are very generous in sharing their creativity, and I did not feel right in omitting that information.  I am so sorry for the oversight.