Not a Routine Day

The bow tie blocks have been sewn into a top and I hope to add the borders this week.  I thought I had everything I needed to complete the quilt, but discovered I need batting and fabric for the binding.  Both are on order.  The extra long ruler hanging next to it on the design wall helps me lay the blocks out straight.

 

In other news, the shingles for our new roof arrived this afternoon.  We haven’t been told when they will actually begin work, but when they do, they will start early in order to avoid the worst of the heat.  They said the thought they could complete the work in one day.  I hope they’re right.  I’ve been through roof work before, and the noise can be maddening.  The dogs will have to stay indoors and I expect they won’t like the noise either.

 

In the process of delivering the shingles, the trailer hit a water meter across the street.  Fortunately, the city was able to get it fixed and the water was turned back on before I had to cook dinner.

 

My hibiscus put on another bloom.

A Finish and Progress on Sew Along

The patriotic wall quilt that grew out of a guild workshop with Becky Goldsmith in July, 2016, is bound-labeled-done.  The workshop subject was needle-turn applique, which I used for the flowers and stems.  However, by the time I picked it up this year, I had developed a strong preference for prepared edge applique and that’s how I finished it.  Becky is a good teacher, and I still prewash my fabric because of that workshop. 

 

I also finished the blocks for the Fig Tree Vintage Bowtie Sew Along.  Here they are on my design wall where I have been fiddling around with various arrangements.  I find it hard to believe I am currently ahead of schedule!

 

After taking a brief break from it, I’ve resumed work on my red and white tumbler quilt.  As for the Maymont project…it’s still in timeout. 

Progress on Bowtie Project

At least we got one tomato this year.  Its size was underwhelming.  I think it was labeled as being in the “slicing” variety of tomatoes, but maybe that’s a relative term.  I cut it in half and shared it with Bob.

More progress on the Vintage Bowtie Sewalong.  I’m actually a tiny bit ahead of schedule, but several participants are already quilting their projects.

I finished the quilting on my patriotic wall quilt, but discovered, as I started the binding, that I failed to ditch stitch one of the applique units.  They really do look better ditch stitched as it gives them more definition, so back to the invisible thread and walking foot I go.

Two Steps Forward, and Then I Rip

  

Here are the first 21 bowtie blocks in the sew-along I’m following with Fig Tree and Company.  I am on schedule with the first week’s assignments and will start on the next 20 tomorrow when I join my friends for Tuesday sewing.  I’m enjoying the change of pace and looking forward to having this new snuggle quilt for my tv/sewing chair.

Also under the needle is this patriotic piece from a long-ago workshop.  The applique has been ditch-stitched and I am beginning a small meander as a filler.  Unfortunately, I’ve run into some bobbin tension issues, and am having to do some ripping.  The good news:  the tension issues make the ripping easier.

Our weather station recorded 100 degrees today with a feels-like temperature of 115 degrees.  Air quality is poor, so it has been an especially good day to stay indoors and sew (and rip).  We have a chance for storms tonight.  Rain would be welcome, I just hope it doesn't come with anything dangerous.  Except for needing a new roof due to hail earlier this spring, we've been very fortunate so far.  

On A Whim...

 

I’ve been itching to make a fresh start on a project and came across this sew-along sponsored by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree and Company.  It checked several boxes:  small project, simple and repetitive pattern, large pieces, and a fabric collection I find a refreshing switch for summer television time in my comfy chair.  Having a die cutter certainly helped me get past the  cutting stage. I will be pairing these prints with neutrals for the background.

 

The schedule calls for us to make 20 blocks a week starting tomorrow, so technically I’m still on schedule.  Of course, there are many who are not only ahead of schedule, but already have finished tops.  I will take it with me tomorrow when I sew with my Tuesday group, though there's no way I'll get all 20 done then.

 

The hibiscus on the front porch is starting to bloom.

 

I encountered this guy on a recent walk.  He's a medium size one and not at all interested in posing for a picture.

 

Peek-a-Boo!

Everything is so very fresh and green right now.  I've been meaning to get a picture of the fields that are now filled with yellow wildflowers, but haven't managed to do so yet.  We will be having temperatures in the 90s all week.

 

 

 

A Happy, Busy Week

Last week was busier than usual and the only quilting accomplishment I have to show is that I am down to my last flag motif on this applique project.  Then I will be ready to choose how to quilt it.  The original pattern included a pieced border using the fabrics in the applique, but I no longer have enough to do that.  It will be big enough for a wall quilt without a border, and I would like to finish this.

 

Friday was a combined birthday celebration for my daughter and Mother’s Day for me.  After eating a huge lunch so I didn’t have to cook dinner that night, we went for pedicures.  This was the gift box waiting for me when we got back to the house.

 

Periodically, since beginning my blog in 2010, I would get a bound, printed copy of the blog as a permanent backup.  The publisher I have always used notified me that they are going out of business, and I had a two-week window in which to get a final book made.  It arrived in the mail Friday. 

 

Applique Prep Complete

The remaining applique prep work on this project is complete and ready for stitching.  I intend to make it my primary focus right now.  This week is shaping up to be a very busy one with something on the schedule every day through Friday. 

We were fortunate to get 1.68 inches of rain Saturday night.  Lake Buchanan, which is the primary source for the “constant level” lakes south of it on the Colorado River is still 17 feet below average, although this weekend’s rain will possibly add another foot or so to its level.  Every bit helps, and we were very fortunate that the severe weather missed us.  Folks in other parts of the state are dealing with dangerous flooding.  Our's is an area of drought punctuated by floods.  I don't know who originated that quotation, but it certainly fits.  The Central Texas area has had a population boom over the last several years, partially due to the growth of technology companies here.  There is a real concern about how the area's water supplies will be able to support that growth.

The pond in our neighborhood is getting a good flow from the creek that feeds it.  I usually see water snakes in this area every spring.  So far, though, I've only spotted one and it was dead.