Beginnings and Ends

 I have to keep looking back in my photo gallery to see just what I've done since my last post and it's not because I've done so much that I've lost track - it's just the opposite.  When I was having problems with the sashing on the then current WIP, I  put it and myself into time out for about two weeks.  Well, I did work on my sashiko project but even that was hit and miss.

Eventually, I took the Shadowbox quilt back out and managed to get the sashing on with the help of pins.  Even got the borders on.  Now, I  just need to get some backing fabric.

It's hard to see in the photo, but the print is white and yellow daisies on a blue and green background.  It was yardage left from a quilt I made for my oldest daughter about 14 or 15 years ago.  

Next up, was the Jan. BOM from AQS magazine.  I haven't done any of their BOMs before and thought that since I liked this years and it looks like I can use my scraps for at least some of it, I  thought "why not?"  Here are the first two parts.

No pics of the sashiko yet...maybe later.  

Next up was a finish.  It's one I thought I  had started last fall, but when I  looked up the name, I  saw that I had just started it in December so finishing it in January wasn't too bad of a time frame.  I'm not real happy with the quilting part because I did it on my domestic which was giving me a hard time and I really should have warmed up on a practice piece.  It is what it is and it's done; I even hand stitched the binding on the back!  Shocker, right?

Bountiful Blessings 

Once that was done, I allowed myself to start a new project.  It's a pretty simple one, especially since I have a small bin of 2 1/2" squares and it finishes at 43" ×54".  

So far, I have sorted out 200 of the 252 squares needed and have about half sewn into pairs and then four patches.

Now that I  have a little more space on my table, I  can pull out the remaining blocks I  need.  I don't have the light blue yardage needed for the background, but I found some pale yellow that I  think will work just as well.

I still haven't done any long arming since I got Mo'e back home...hoping that I'll feel more up to it one day SOON.  I'm blaming this lousey Michigan weather for my aches & pains...gotta blame someone/ something.

Just noticed the time... I've got to get dressed and take Buddy to his groomer appointment.  Also have to stop at Walmart for essential chocolates and bananas and also to see if they carry clear LED bulbs.

Take care...

TTFN 

NEW YEAR New Challenge

 I signed up for TQS (The Quilt Show)'s yearly Block of the Month.  First time in about 9 years. It's called Homeward Bound and designed by Sarah Fielke.  I bought the background fabric from TQS but am going to try & shop from my stash as much as I can for the other fabrics.  After a shaky start (I ordered the required 1/4" bias tape online but when it arrived, it was 3/8" wide and a darker than I expected), I  got things back on track by simply making my own.  Sarah recommended bias tape with fusible backing but neither what I ordered online or made myself had it - I just used my Roxannes glue baste it and it worked just fine. Month One is completed.

Now, I  just need to find my Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Circles that are here SOMEWHERE in my home.  I can borrow a set from one of my cousins - or I could just buy another set, but you know that as soon as I do either, they will show up.  Or at least that's how it usually goes...I say this because, while looking for the circles I  found the stencils thats I couldn't find about a year ago and ended up having to buy a new set.

Oh Oh!  I have to share this with those of you who aren't Katiemaytoo.  She presented me with these yesterday.  Thank you, Katie :)

There's kind of a long story that goes with it, but to make it shorter....one time when she was checking on our cats while hubby and I were on one of our trips, I came home to find this guy...

sitting on a table next to the couch.  Actually, our dog, Buddy, noticed it first and was hoping it was for him. No, it was for me....I get distracted easily - apparently like the dog in the movie UP.  

Got a call early this morning from 'the spa' Mo'e is at ...he's ready to be picked up...just as soon as I sell my first born child (who needs two daughters anyway).  Just kidding...it's more than I thought it would be but still not outrageous.  We're going to try and pick him up on Saturday while we're on that end of town visiting my nephew at his new apartment.

OK, got to give Buddy treats. 

Take care

End of the old year

I was able to finish both of these by New Years Day. The top one was completely done in flannel and finished before New Years Eve and the bottom one only needed binding and a label sewn on..along with a small patch on the back where there was a small hole.

 

This Scotty one was kind of a disaster because of the sashing and borders..they were just a hot mess and I don't think I'll do another scrappy sashing or border again.  Other than that, the only problem I had was not noticing when the bobbin thread slipped out of it's place so I  have a little railroad track in at least one spot and just some yucky stitching in other spots on the back.  I was checking, but obviously not often enough. 

This was one of my #3s for this month's American Patchwork & Quilting UFO Challenge for 2023.  I decided that my goal this year should be all my tops that have been waiting to be quilted... 1 done and still about 40 to go (I'm sure there are at least a couple that are in hiding).  

They won't be the only UFO that I'll be working on, but I  hope to quilt at least two a month, maybe more since almost all are on the smaller side - think large crib or maybe a twin size.

Today, Mo'e went in for his 'spa' day..which is more like a week.  I told Jason (the manager) that Mo'e has been running so good that I almost didn't want to bring him in

and he told me that I probably shouldn't have, but it's been at least three years since I've had anyone look at him and I'm sure it can't hurt ( unless they mess with my tension settings).

Then, on the way home, my car got rear ended (again!) I saw it coming - this little car was right on my rear end and kept on coming closer even as I slowed down and then stopped for the red light.  If there hadn't been a car in front of me, I might have been able to make a right turn and avoided getting hit.  As soon as she hit me, I put the car in park and jumped out to look at the damage (she hit quite hard), but I couldn't see anything except where I was rear ended several years ago.  She got out of her vehicle and started saying something about having two artificial legs and I just waved her off while telling her to drive a little slower and pay attention.  She didn't listen to my advice as she was still behind me when I got on the freeway.  I tried to put more distance between us, while not going too fast myself.  I kept checking my rearview mirror to make sure she wasn't getting closer and saw her exit the freeway - then I was able to relax and breathe again.

Anyway, so back to quilting.  Now that Mo'e is off the frame, my son, Chris, is going to help me make some changes to the frame...like taking the rear bar apart if necessary to straighten it out and taking off the old velcro that holds the leader canvas onto the bar and replacing it.  We may even adjust the height of the frame so that it stands a little higher. We're also going to see if there's something we can do with the power cords so they're not such a jumbled mess.

Well, can't think of anything more for today...time to fix Buddy's dinner.

Take care

Stay Safe