Odds And Ends

Today I’m working on things that need to be tied up and ready for another day of quilting, stitching or whatever. 

I bought two different blue fabrics to use in the borders for this charity quilt.  Auditioning them along side the quilt and photoing them didn’t help me decide which one to use.  I like them both!  Maybe, I’ll use one for border the other for binding—decisions, decisions, decisions!

I’m sewing on these tiny blocks—at least I can use triangle 

Paper to get exact measurements.  Easy to do the stripes but, I sweat the tiny pieces!

You can download these sheets —nice to have ones that size up at 1.5”

I found these dye packages—I need a backing for two fall quilts—maybe, combining these together, the outcome will be a shade of fall—

This is the look in dye pot.  More red orange than I wanted but after rinsing it just might work. 

 

Sleep

 You’ve bathed, brushed your teeth, said your prayers, put on your nice clean sleeping clothes, ready to slip between freshly laundered sheets—the pillow is fluffed up so your head falls onto the pillow, ahhh, here it comes——sleep!  

An hour later—where is sleep?  Where has it gone?  so many thoughts run through your brain—what’s for dinner?  Make a shopping list—what household chores need to be done?  Where or where is the “sandman”?  

Another hour passes—still sleep is nowhere! I’ve penned the great American novel, wrote a symphony, organized the pantry, cleaned the kitchen, bathed the dog, but still sleep evades me!  

Let’s count sheep—that doesn’t help! Saying over and over “sleep” doesn’t work!  Thinking of a beautiful spot on earth doesn’t work! 

Don’t look! But, I do—the clock is ticking the minutes and hours away—soon it will be daybreak—my eyes are not heavy laden with sleep yet.  Okay, I’ll listen to my calm app—only I’d need to get out of bed to retrieve my phone—can’t do that as sleep will come any minute now!  Alas, NOT! 

I give up!  And the next thing I know, the sun is shining through the window and it’s 7 AM!  Sleep came and went and I didn’t even know it. I hate those sleepless nights! 

Celebration!!

 Over the past weekend, we journeyed South to visit my mother--there were several of the family there to show our happiness as we celebrated her 101st birthday!!

Mother seemed overwhelmed with surprise when 

She entered the room.  We had reserved a hotel meeting room

For the celebration.  My brother picked her up from her assisted living facility.  We hadn’t seen her in over a year and half.  

My brothers and myself with Mother

We had a charcuterie board for refreshments plus my brother ordered a huge cake that we shared with hotel staff and assisted living residents.  

After all the planning and anticipation, it was All too quickly finished and we went out separate ways. 

Progress

July block from Santa Fe Trail, hosted by Melva --

we are traveling along the Santa Fe Trail as we read the diary

"The Land of Enchantment--Memoirs of Marian Sloan Russell along

the Santa Fe Trail" 

It has been a fun adventure and the blocks each time have been

interesting and diverse--for some reason, the above block

beat me up pretty good!  My brain was foggy that morning and I

ripped and ripped more times than I want to count--evidentially,

I got it together and it's a pretty block!

Next time, I'll eat breakfast before I tackle a complex block.

Tally Ho!  I've finished the row along--well, it does need a border--got to think on

what I want for awhile--anyway--this was a challenge to finish--

"Serendipity" a charity quilt along by Moda Fabrics on

Fat Quarter Shop--I used fabrics from my stash--

A lot of my time I spent doing Tour de Fleece—I finished one roving bundle, worked on the one pictured above as well as plied several singles.  It was the most spinning I’ve done in some time.  Now, I’m sorry the race is over—maybe, I’ll spin during the Olympics.   I would like to finish this brown cotton bundle too! 

One Fabric

There was a challenge thrown out on Facebook group--Quilts R Us--I just ignored it!

I don't need another project at this time.  Then, of all people, a friend challenged me

to take up the challenge--how could I refuse a friend?

All you had to do was choose a number between #1 and #15.  Me thinking it had to do

with how many quilt tops you made within the challenge time--chose the number 3.

seemed right to me.

Then, then, then the leader of Quilts R Us told us what our number meant--

What?? Number 3 means to do a One Block Wonder??  I've never done a

one block wonder!  Never wanted to do a one block wonder! 

Can I change numbers?  NO!  was the answer!  I'm stuck with One

Block Wonder--

Okay--now to do research--I don't want to buy a book--I won't do another

One Block Wonder--YouTube videos are a huge help!

Now, to choose a fabric--from my stash--I don't want to buy a new fabric--

four(yes 4 yards) are required to make a quilt--

Searching through my stash for at least 3 yards--I AM NOT doing

a whole quilt!!!  I found this fabric--I have no other use for it at the

present time--maybe, this will work.

I cut my 6 sections of fabric required and line them up--it states it

must be perfectly lined up--one on top of the other--

I did my best-- cut the first 4" section--oh, then I

read instructions that you needed a special ruler--off to find that

ruler since of course, I didn't have that one in my numerous rulers.

Ruler arrived and I cut the pie wedges and then I played with the

wedges.

turning this way and that to see what I could get

out of these wedges.

Okay, now I'll sew the wedges together--

which wasn't hard to do--three together and then

the other three and seam them across the middle

I had enough of the pie wedges sewn to do a layout--

Not finished yet--and it was only going to be a table runner!!

Then I read the rules again--the minimum size is

LAP size--oh Joy! 

I guess it's a challenge--which takes me out of my comfort zone

well, I'm definitely outside that box and I'm squirming!--

 

check in later to see if I complete and how it will look--

I have a deadline of December 31!

 

July-August Reads

 

Here comes the dog days of heat!  Here is my stack of books I'd like to get 

through--

Now, I'm reading Michael Jecks "Rebellion's Message--setting 1550--

Main character is Jack Blackjack--cut purse--very interesting to read

about the 'low life" of this time period--we have read all of his Templar

books--fascinating! 

Off and on I read from Bernie Nelson's "Honky Tonk Angels"--

Bernie is our singer-songwriter friend, who has been on the Nashville

country music scene for many years.  He took his passion of music

to seek out God' handiwork in the creation of the biggest songs in

Country Music--great read!

Jeffrey Archer series--Clifton Chronicles-- I have book one, two and

three in the series--don't know why I got all three at one time--hoping I 

like following this family!  

C. J. Box--this is a set of two of his books--"Back of Beyond and Badlands"

featuring Cody Hoyt and Cassie Dewell--this is first and third books

of Highway series--I have already ready "The Highway", book #2--

The above books were found on Paperback Swap--except

for Bernie's book--it was a gift from him.

and of course, my major Number One read is

THE Bible--followed up by listening to THE BIBLE RECAP

podcast on Podbean!

These should keep me busy for a few weeks!

 

Summer Time And The Living is.............................

Adding more flowers to my growing garden using

patterns from Coriander Quilts group--Spring Brook Blossoms

BOM--love this !!

Pat Sloan always is happening!  This seems like a quick mystery sew along--

Lap Size too--another perfect one to create for a gift

How about a Christmas in July quilt?  The pattern can be found at Lisa Capen Quilts--she even will

have videos each day beginning July 20--you can download the pattern now and

enjoy a head start to a Christmas quilt

I found another sew along--and the recipe is all there for you to begin and

end--this one comes from 2018--Summer Fun Quilt!

I'm digging these summer tops--never have anything to decorate with during

the summer.  check this out at Crafty Quilter

What will you work on during these dog days of summer?

Since June 26, I've been prepping for Tour de Fleece as those 100+ bike

riders do their best to stay in their lane and not crash!

I'm spinning on my brown cotton "fleece"--getting many bobbins single

spun and plied!  Yay for me!  Once I begin, I don't want to stop, but

dinner calls and chores wait--this will end July 18 and then I'll pick

up those menus and shopping trips to grocery and maybe, do a 

little dusting and sweeping!  But, for now, I'm in my happy place!  

 

Here Comes Great Grandma........................

 My turn to brag--our first GREAT grandbaby was born July 8th at 1:51 PM!  Waylon Michael weighed in at 6 lbs. 6 oz. with a length of 20"--oh, how proud we are of this baby.  And his parents, especially Mom who did everything right to birth a perfect baby (in our eyes!)  God has blessed us!

Proud DAD!

Oma D-Mother's mother

Oma N--Son's mother

Ok—Alright!!

Slowly sewing the cut out blocks--there are days when I don't want to sit at the 

sewing machine.  Here is progress on a few of the summer quilt projects.

this is the July block for Santa Fe Trail by Merva loves scraps--This is  certainly

a different approach to an interesting block

Here we go again with another fun project from Fort Worth Fabric Studio!

"Suddenly Summer"  A nice size strawberry!

This has been a challenge--such a small block, but using

paper piecing helps!  This is from Primitive Gatherings

American Quilter's stitch along--this is suppose to be the layout

But, I goofed!  and sewed it this way!  Good thing that Jack is my friend

And would you believe I did it again on the next week's block?

Goofed big time!  Just hurrying isn't the name of the game!

It should and does look like this!!  again Jack to the rescue!

 

Ready, Set, Go!

 

I sometimes spend a morning cutting out several blocks—then when I’m at the machine—I can just zip through the patterns!  Well, sometimes—if I don’t mix up the pieces or drop them, like I did one time!  I try to stay organized!  But, if I leave for a week or so—oh, dear—my memory isn’t so good!  

Sewing along on Fort Worth Fabric’s summer

Mystery—

This one is laid out ready to stitch—June’s

Monthly pattern from Hands All Around

I’ve finished two flag blocks from Primitive Gathering-

Another One cut out and ready for the needle

And June’s block for Santa Fe Trail

Happy 4TH!

 

10,000 Shadows

There are awesome fiber artists out there in the world!  Thanks to internet we're able to see what they are creating at the touch of a few keys.  Just take a look at this artist's work!

Sissel Fogodgaard is inviting all knitters to participate in her crowd projects--

check out her website to see other projects she has done

Together during 2021 she would like knitters to knit 10,000 small 'socks'

which will be turned into 'shadows" in 2022 --turned into

a magnificent art exhibition.  Her aim is to have participants from all over

the world--100 shadows from at least ten other countries.  You

can find the detail instructions on her website and below is her video

on constructon.

Ready Set--Spin!

 Warm up those spinning wheels!  Prepare the fiber!  It's that time again--TOUR DE FLEECE!

This event runs concurrently with Tour de France bike race.  Spinners/participants try to spin on the days that cyclists are racing on the tour.  You can rest on their off days--but there is nothing to say you can't spin on those days as well.

The tour began June 26 and runs through July 18.  The mountain stages are July 4, 5, 7, 11, 14 and 15--those should be challenge days for spinners.

This 22 day spinning event gives you a chance to hone your skills--giving you confidence in your spinning ability.

Here are some suggestions for your spinning days--not rules (which can be broken!)

try to spin at least 10 minutes a day--just make that a goal--you can spin more or less

maybe make your challenge to spin a fiber you haven't tackled before

Think about joining a support group--you can find several on internet; face book has a group.  Maybe, you can gather spinners in your area to encourage each other.. 

What will you spin?  I'm still working on my cotton--white, green and brown.  I need to weave more towels!  

Baby Things..................................

 I don't want to bore you with things happening around our first great grandbaby--but I will!  There is already been two baby showers and another up coming June 27 where both men and women are invited.  Guys are to bring diapers--cool idea.  And a children book is being use as cards-- a super idea!  I have my favorite:

"A  young woman holds her baby

and looks at him lovingly

Softly she sings to him

I'll love you always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be"

It gets me every time I read this book--and the tears flow!  And another favorite is:

If you have a chance, go to youtube and watch the video of a grandmother reading

this book to her grandbaby!  Hilarious!  Love this book!  Here is the unofficial song--

you can't help but laugh out loud when you hear this or read the book!

                                                                                        

now for gifts from my hands already given:

Here is the quilt I appliqued for the baby--there is much love that went into this

top--I didn't quilt but tied--hope the baby loves the softness and the teddy bears

I also made two flannel receiving blankets--I tried to find horse fabric but

found this farm one--which works.

And this one has dogs--well, the baby will have three dogs to play with.

The next shower--she's getting CLOTH DIAPERS from me!

I had to really search to find cloth diapers on Amazon--there were lots of

books on how to fold etc.  Microfiber ones--no!  I wanted to get good ole

COTTON diapers--finally found it on one of the back pages--here is their description:

•  10 Pack Birdseye Cloth Diapers 100% Organic Cotton Reusable Diapers Cloth for 
• Newborn Reusable Un-Paper Towels, Dust Cloths. Extra Large 24 X 24" Burp Cloths 
• for Babies, Boy, Girl/Toddlers.
•  
• if you have read one of my early posts--you'll know she asked me "have you ever heard of cloth diapers?"  Bless her!  Now, she'll get some cloth diapers and find out--the greatest invention to a mom!  You'll use them after the kid is out of diapers!