Hi ho! Hi ho! It's off to Mo'e we go.

While at lunch with Katie and Barb on Friday, Katie mentioned that her husband was off work that day.   I told her that I could use his help with Mo'e, who had decided to 'skate' his head all over kingdom come.  She and her ever so helpful hubby came down and I showed them what I meant... sorry it's too hard to describe, but basically the head of the machine was sliding back and forth on it's base.

"Helpful Hubby" held the machine head up so that Katie could dust the base while I went searching for some new shelf liner.  It worked!

Then I was able to load the backing on for the next quilt ... in the first photo, you can get an idea of the flannel print I'm using.  I thought it worked with the Buffalo Check top.

All loaded... after I trimmed off about 10" - maybe a little more.  It's a wide (108") and my leaders aren't quite long enough for it ( and I didn't need that much anyway).

Yesterday, a neighbor went with me to a Booth Brothers concert about an hour from here.  Missed a turn and ended up in Indiana but the next exit worked as a U turn (kinda) and we only had to backtrack a couple of miles.

Back home again by late afternoon, I decided I'd check to make sure I had the right size batting..... well, twin wouldn't work... minimum 6" short on the length.  So I went into the 'stash' room and found some queen size batting.  The one I decided to use is not the usual Hobbs 80/20 that I use... it's not Warm & Natural but very similar.

I got it in place and then decided I'd bring the quilt top out to make sure it would fit... yes, but only if I lay the top with the 72" across and float the 96" length.  Once I basted it as far as I could on the sides and across the top, I decided to go ahead and start quilting - I managed to get three rows done.
I'm just doing straight lines in a plaid pattern -- 1/4" from each side of the seam line(s) and then down the middle of each block.  Using light gray thread until I get down to the wolf when I'll have to switch to black to outline and somehow quilt it.  I know I want to outline where the hip would show and where the back of the front leg travels up into the torso but, beyond that, I haven't a clue yet.  I don't want to continue the plaid pattern across it nor do I want to create 'fur' with stitching, so, hopefully, something will work out in my head by the time I get that far.

No, I did not center the quilt on the frame ( probably about the first time I haven't).  There's only a hand width of batting & backing on the other end.  I didn't want two 'skinny' strips of batting & backing left after trimming - I'd rather have the one fatter piece.  There will be a skinny strip after trimming on the right side, but not enough to save - should only be about 2" ( I'm trimming it 2" from the edge of the finished quilt so that I can try a wide binding -- in a beautiful medium red tonal).

Ok, I guess I'd better quit dawdling around and get busy. 

Until next time... when I hope to be able to show you the finished quilt ( so you may not hear anything from me for a week lol)

take care...
ttyl.....
Stay Safe.....

Done Done

Cabin Fever

Amanda of Jedi Craft Girl and Amber of Gigi's Thimble

And that-s all I managed to do quilting wise today. 

 Chewy's ashes came back today ( they had told me next week) so I picked them up, stopped at the quilt shop for fabric for the binding for this quilt and the next one, then stopped at the post office to inform them that there is mail being delivered to a L*** D*** who has NEVER lived at this address.  Since I was just across the alley from the insurance office, I went in there and inquired about my proof of auto insurance ( in case I get pulled over).  The agent didn't realize that I hadn't received it.  Last stop was at our mailbox which was OVER-stuffed.  There was a box in there that could have been delivered to the house --- most of the rest of the mail was annoying political 'stuff'.  

Anyway, between the standing at Mo'e yesterday, carrying laundry baskets of laundry from one end of the house to the other and back again,  walking Buddy ( and stopping to chat with neighbors while we're out), and then the errands today, my hips and knees are really hurting.  I did call the dr's office yesterday and got an appointment for the cortisone shots in my knees -- next Thursday... it can't come soon enough.
 

Tomorrow, I hope to at least load the backing for the next quilt... the Buffalo Check w/ the wolf on it.

ttyl.......

take care...

Stay Safe.....

Quilting Done

It's certainly not perfect and I still have to trim, and then add label and binding, but at least the quilting part is done and I can unload it from Mo'e and MAYBE get the next quilt ( the Buffalo Check with the wolf) loaded.

It's not been a great week for me so far.... Sunday, our cat, Chewy passed away and I had to deliver his body to the vet's office so he could be sent off for cremation.  And now it seems that Buddy is having problems with his butt again <sigh>.  I just got the vet bill and am holding off taking him in if it's not really necessary... I'll wait to see how he's doing tomorrow.

The cortisone shot in my left knee has worn off and I can't remember if I can have one every three or every four months... hoping that it's three.  I'm fine standing until I move to take my weight off my left leg and then it's very painful ( which is part of the reason I'm not quilting as much as I'd like).

 I have lunch scheduled with a couple of quilting pals  and a quick stop at the LQS on Friday and then on Saturday, I'm taking a neighbor with me to see The Booth Brothers.  I haven't seen them in person since January - we had tickets to see them in April, but then came COVID-19, so I'm really looking forward to seeing them.  We still have the April show - which was moved to Oct. - tickets and the same neighbor has agreed to go with me... of course, that was when we thought the concerts were going to be on a weekend and in the daytime - she may change her mind.  When it was rescheduled, it was moved to Tues and Wed evenings.  I smell a couple of naps in my future since we probably won't get back here until 9:30-10 p.m.

Guess I'd better quit stalling here and get back to the laundry... sigh.

take care...

ttyl....

Stay Safe........

I DID IT!!!

I finally got back to working on the quilt that's been on Mo'e for at least two months.  It's not my original quilting design because that was custom and I just want to get it done and off Mo'e... I have two more passes, I think, before I work on the side borders.  Depends on how things go tomorrow, I just may get it done.  Lovin' the texture.

 It took a week but my furnace is finally fixed.  I swear there's some incompetence going on at that company.  The first guy told me it was the fans, but then left a note for the next guy that I needed a new thermostat.  The second guy ordered the part but it didn't come in until Tuesday, and then it was the wrong one.  He finally got the correct part and got it up and running this afternoon.  Hopefully, it will last a few more years.

I guess that's about all the 'news' for me... 

take care...

ttyl....

Stay Safe..

Took longer than expected

First off, let me 'air' my feelings about this new format (or whatever you call it).  It's a real pain to use!  At least, for me it is.  I have to load photos from my phone onto the page and then I have to get on my computer to type the blog that goes with the photos ( it's the easiest for me) - but that was before 'they' decided to 'improve' it.  Grumble Grumble!  Now I have to play around with my phone to get the photos onto the blog and that means tipping my phone sideways so that I can see the photo/video icons.

Ok - rant over....

This top didn't get finished as soon I was hoping it would because Wednesday was my birthday and I was just relaxing, enjoying the day or talking with two of my adult kids on the phone or waiting for the gas company to come look at my furnace and to fix it.

The gas guy finally came - and apparently fed me a bunch of BS, saying that he'd have to see if he could find the part kit because the fan(s) inside the furnace were 40 years old (  the furnace was brand new when we got it 27 years ago last month) and that he'd come back the next day.

Thursday morning, a different guy from the gas company came - with a new thermostat!  He said that was what the first guy had said I needed.... Nope! Guess again!.... He did manage to get the furnace running but it was making an AWFUL screeching sound ( and he was going to leave it that way!) until I told him I couldn't handle that noise - to shut it off!!... Then he said that if I wanted, he could order a replacement part -- well, DUH!.  He went out to his truck and placed the order, but it wouldn't come in til Monday.  Ok, it's still pretty warm outside and I have a good space heater and LOTS of quilts to burrow under (along with Buddy and the cats) to keep warm. (He called today and said that it didn't come in but it will arrive as soon as UPS can deliver it - another day or two). 

Thursday afternoon was grocery shopping day.... It only took two hours, but that was my energy spent for the day.

Friday was lunch with a friend and paying bills online... energy gone again,

Saturday, I finally got around to sewing the rest of the blocks into rows.

Sunday morning, I was just going to sew six rows together and leave the rest til today... but I only had to join three sections of rows together which meant only two more rows of sewing, so I went ahead and finished.

I know what my friend, Katie, means about L O N G rows... and I had to pin most so that the seams matched.  I'm a little off in at least a couple of places, but not too noticeable and the quilting should help hide them.

Ok, so here it is laid out on our guest room bed.  The lighting stinks but it was the only place to lay it since the grass outside was wet/damp.

This is closer to the true colors.... I used three shades of gray.

 I was going to go back down to the local quilt shop to buy flannel for the backing today, but I saw that Joann's was having a sale on wide flannel backing, so I ordered it online and am now just waiting for them to send me a message that it's ready to pick up.  I'm thinking a bright red cotton for the binding so will go down to the LQS for that.

I was still feeling pretty good when I finished the quilt top yesterday so I went into the kitchen and made two desserts that I've been thinking about doing for at least a week.  I never did get around to making the zucchini bread and had to toss out the veggies today <sigh>,  Oh well, if I get the urge again, all I'll need to get is the zucchini - I have everything else :).

Tonight, while dinner was cooking on the stove, I grabbed a folding chair and went into my old sewing room determined to find my copies of the two BQ patterns I have and want to try using for a t-shirt quilt ( saw one someone had done with it on fb).  And, not only did I find those patterns, I also found the apron pattern that I want to use to make an apron for my great granddaughter for Christmas. YAY!!  I might just make all three of the Dallas, Tx great granddaughters each one --we'll see :).

I can't start quilting on the wolf quilt, which by the one is a Lorna McMahon design if I didn't mention it in an earlier blog, until I quilt the one that's been in 'residence'/on the frame since July, I think.  So, that will be what I'll be working on the rest of the week - I hope. ( Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise)  

Off to bed now....

take care...

ttyl....

Stay Safe....

Weekend of Progress

Saturday morning started with some online shopping when I received notice that some pdf patterns were 50% off on etsy by Lorna McMahon at Sew Fresh Quilts (sorry, I'm clueless when it comes to linking).  At first, I was only going to purchase the dinosaur pattern(s), but then I got to looking at the wolf on the buffalo check and realized that it would be a great one to do for the grandson who hasn't had a 'made especially for you' quilt from me in about 12 years ( he's 22). 

Saturday afternoon had me down at the local quilt shop picking out fabrics for the wolf quilt.. I went with three shades of gray for the buffalo check and was pretty sure that I had enough black at home for the wolf/wolves ( I was wrong but did manage to 'borrow' some from another project).

Sunday noon, I was starting to cut out blocks.  I wasn't about to stand/sit there and cut out EVERYTHING required, but cut out enough to get a good start.

Since I moved my sewing machine and some basic supplies out to what used to be our formal living room, I've found myself without much wall space to use as a design wall - I really need to make myself a portable one -, I could only use the wall behind the front door, which isn't big enough for the entire quilt ( I'm doing twin size) - darned closet door (that won't completely close) is in the way.

Anyway,.. here's the first row.....

and the second row

etc,

etc

I think this lower section was where the sitting wolf gets attached, but I wanted it more center, so I made another set of blocks and stitched them to the lower one.

And, now, we get to the making the wolf part ( I'm only doing one wolf)

That's where I called it a night... which meant it was dinner/supper time and the animals needed to be fed and Buddy needed to go on his evening walk.

Rain happened overnight and continued this morning.  It looks like it's stopped for awhile.  I read online that our downtown is flooded at the major stop light and I also read a message from the local recycling center that they will be closed today because of flooding.

IF it really has stopped raining for a bit, I'll take Buddy for his morning walk, retrieve the mail, and then get back to my piecing.  I figure I should have the top done by tomorrow night... then, I'll have to find a flannel for the backing, which means back to the local quilt shop :).  It also means that I'll have to finish quilting the quilt that's been on Mo'e ( my mid-arm) for probably close to 2 months.

take care...
ttyl.....
Stay Safe......

I've Been Busy

Back when I posted last ( four days ago), I left you with a little 'teaser' by only showing you a pic or two of what I was working on....  well, here are some more pics :)

Here it is completed... front view and back view

 

It was a bit of a challenge, but not too bad... more prep work than actual sewing.  

After I finished the table runner (above), I started on the wall hanging kit that I purchased on sale at AQS's website.  I really don't know why I bought it - it's certainly not 'me'/my style.  But it, too, was a bit of a challenge as to how to transfer the markings onto the black fabric so that I could hand stitch the circles.  

I finally decided to trace around the circles onto parchment paper, cut them out and then draw around them with a white chalk 'pencil' and it worked.

Top completed and the binding and the split sleeve are ready for hand sewing... yeah, sigh, I'm hand stitching the binding on to the back.  I didn't want the binding to be as wide as it usually is when I do it all by machine, so went with the 'old fashioned' way.  Just not sure when I'm going to actually get
around to doing it.

Once the Luna quilt was as finished as it was going to get yesterday, while cleaning up some of the scraps, I decided to make a couple more key fobs

AFTER I made a couple of kid size masks using a different pattern than I've been using and a scrap of Halloween themed fabric that was laying close by.  It's pretty simple...and I'll probably use it again.  Next time, though, I'm going to try it in adult size.

Here's a link if you want to try them... https://youtu.be/0AzeR7QCbQg

Not sure what I'm going to be doing today.  Had to drop our cat, Chewy, off at the vet's again this morning.  He's not eating and that's not good.  They gave me antibiotics to give to him but the only way I could do that was to put it in his moist food --no eating, no getting meds., no chance of getting better :(

I think I'm just going to do some 'puttering' around the house... dishwasher needs emptying and reloaded, have a load of laundry that should be done... you know, all that 'ho hum' stuff.

Well, Buddy is out on the porch/deck and has decided that he wants back in........

take care..
ttyl...
stay safe