Catching up, Slowly

Justin loved the Grinch quilt.

I’ve lost so much energy to this stomach issue, that I’ve had to really pace myself.. My hands shak too so it’s hard to hand sew. I am reminded of a conversation with my Gramma Lizzy who told me she couldn’t thread needles any more. Mine is Essential Tremor and vision. I really don’t know what her health issue was. My Aunt Helen still embroiders and she is 93 or 94 now.

Then, I just continued with the BOM quilts I am behind on.

I am still working on the blocks. We are to have a month on them, so working on them the way I feel is hard. I used to need a day to do a block, and now it takes so much more time. I see how it’s about the pacing.

Admittedly, fear sets in that I won’t get things done. Some days I feel so bad, it must be what dying feels like. The pain is real. My Gastroparesis Doctor is still running diagnostic tests.

Because of the fracture/injured muscles, I backed out of my swaps til I am caught up and feeling better.

Red Bleeds

I decided not to risk giving a quilt I thought might bleed. I washed it, and it bled. I couldn’t bring myself to take a pic of it. Then I discovered some help.

If you run extremely hot water in the tub and add 1/2 cup of Ultra Dawn, then soak the stained quilt for 6-8 hours, it could remove most, if not all the stain. Then rinse in cold and run it through the washer again in cold. I hung it over the shower door to dry. Those stars had been pink!

The pic doesn’t show just how white they are, but I am so much better with how they look.

I plan to do an echo stitch inside of them, give it a little press, and send it out the door. Then I plan to gather up all my red fabric and give it away.  As much as I love red, I am done with it.

It’s been a hard experience even though the quilt is somewhat rescued.

Then I sent out a Fall mug Rug to a person who won a game. She’ll get it Friday. It is cute and I might even make some more Tday mini quilts if there is time.

I did finish hand sewing the Secret Santa quilt tonight, but the house gets so dark, I didn’t take a pic of it.

Next is the Grinch quilt and an attempt to make a mini or two with a holiday pattern I found.

I want to stay low key this year, but am already feeling the holiday strain. I decided I will work on pacing.

Silly Birds Swap

The arm is healing. Yet, I am so antsy that I have to do something.

First is catching up on the swaps, and then, the BOMs. I was two months behind on the Silly Birds. It is a six month commitment. We are to use the same pattern and make two each month; one to send, and one to keep.

September is blue, and October is red. I didn’t make my birds. I just really wanted these out.

Then I worked on the Orange BOM & just need to clip threads, check seams and make sure it is the correct size. It too will get mailed tomorrow.

Fall Table Runner swap

I love this one and will be hard to ship it off.

It lays against a Fall quilt back. I plan to make another to keep. I love how it turned out.

Now onto my holiday gifts for the younger Grandkids. I need to finish a quilt and make the other one a pillowcase.

I fractured my left mid-shank humerus while rock climbing so need to pace myself. Getting older is not fun. This was my first break, ever, so I am not whining. I’m all strapped with it to prevent moving, yet it is really hard to sit still.

Back at it

I am so excited about this. It is made entirely of scrap quilt orphan blocks and strips from my stash. It is laid over batting so it measures out with the back. I plan to spray baste and have it ready for a Secret Santa gift in December. 

I am thrilled to use so much from my stash! Yes, it looks wrinkled. Finish pictures before it leaves here for its new home. I saved the leftovers from three different quilts that are clearly indicated in rows. 

When there are enough colors, everything matches, patterns can be seen in the columns. Then, I pulled out a fabric for vertical sashing, and another for vertical borders.

I got a piece of batting cut, and also cut the back, which needs joining and cutting to size.

After watching some You Tube tutorials, I learned the different types of basting. Thread and needle for hand quilting, safety pins for machine quilting, and spray basting for long arm. Spray basting also works for scrappy quilting because pieces may be cut every which way, and be from numerous fabric houses as well as years. I don’t know if or which have been pre washed, so it gives all pieces a 

chance for a little uniformity in the piecing.

Also, I finished a Birthday gift, which is a candle mug rug and a jar opener. It’s hard to see how the jar opener works as it show dark in this pic. I plan to make more for gifts this year, so will see if I can get better shots on here. 

I am quite aware that the next generations don’t really want gifts as much as they want time, conversations and doing things together. Hard when they are all 2000 miles away.

We do our best.

The next thing I worked on was the mini quilt swap for September. I love how he turned out so much that I had to ship him right away or I might have kept him. So he is in the mail. 

I love the idea of making mini quilts. My fabric supply is getting down finally, and I can handle those projects better. 

It’s been so much fun, and while there is enough to keep me busy for years, I am ok with pacing myself and having a great deal of pleasure. No matter if everyone I know has a share of quilts, so many folks still appreciate them.

Well, this same person is my partner in a table runner swap. So onward!

Mini Quilt Finished

After  running into a few snafus, I was able to finish it. However, now it waits to go out on Friday. I did do a fare amount of assembly on the Tday runner.


I asked an online Facebook group what they would like asa mug rug for Tday, and was surprised that the majority selected an acorn rather than a turkey. The acorn is considerably easier, so once I get the runner finished, I’ll make up a half dozen.

Actually, I’ve got to get back and finish what was started, and in some cases, never started. This is a pastime that gets ahead of a person.

Like many other creative people, my mind goes full speed ahead.

Forgetting Photos

I was at the PO today when I remembered photos I didn’t take. These were the 60 degree cuts and joining to make table toppers. Sigh.

There Is one more piece to finish and send. It needs the sleeve and a small banner in the white space. Things feel more manageable. This block helped me think more practically about doing an entire quilt.

The pic doesn’t make it look squared, but it is. I had only purchased a Fat Quarter of the wood grain, and it was barely enough.

I plan to start and make the Thanksgiving Table Runner swap. Just to be ahead. There are numerous other things going, but this is next on my to-do list.

It’s not only time management, but working around energy depletion. I am not taking chances on it and creating more stress for myself.

Aw Heck

I worked on a number of projects without a finish.

Some days are like that.

Table Top #2

Another square. With this one, the center is an orphan block from a quilt made last year. It had to be reconstructed, and then became a medallion-style table top.

Wasn’t too sure, however, it looks fine. The pic is shadowed, Yet my friend will enjoy the mini.

I am not sure why I struggle with self esteem, especially all these years of life. I can support people at their lowest point. But can’t pull myself up.

Do over? Sure. I could take another pic. And I am ok with letting it go.

There are two more tops to bind by the time the mail goes out by 5 on Friday.

The quilt for my youngest Granddaughter needs to see the machine. It may not get done. Before I post, I hope to have one of the two tops done.

Nope.

Getting Ready for Mail

A lot of what I am doing now is getting ready to mail the Hallows projects out.

Last night I finished binding on three and made a top for a table topper.

This is one pattern for a scrappy table top square. The borders of light and dark with a light binding helped change it from too dark to ok.

If I were to make another with this pattern, I might quilt it differently. It is fine and is ready to package for shipping

The purpose in doing these minis is to use up fabric.

LOL because, I had to shop for Fall fabrics to be used in a Thanksgiving swap. There will be leftovers, and as soon as my Hallows projects are out, I will get back to finishing BOMs.

This pic is of two more mug rugs, going out to a couple of friends. The mummy mug rug is ever so cute, and the one below has cemetery scenes that I plan to send to a young boy.

I got a message saying a person got her mug rug, a day before I expected it to arrive.

I need to spend the day and night working on the remainder of the holiday projects to ship tomorrow.

Also, I got a call from the power company asking to minimize use during 4-9, well sun sets during that time and I often need my lamp for hand stitching.

Ah well, on with the day.

Mailing Tomorrow

While there are still Hallows projects under my needle, several are going out in the mail. Bother’s table runner of X’s and an O, 6 Mug Rugs to members of a Spoonie group I am in, and BOM swap.

This is the BOM. I like how the photo looks. The center 9-patch were pieces I found in the stash of 2.5” pieces, so I had not used them before.

I took out other scraps saved in a bag for the Orange BOM. There is more fabric, and I’ve used the fabric I had for bindings and borders. Ah hah! A trip to Carpinteria......and I want to use what I have and replace fabrics as I go. If I can deplete what is here first, I can buy what is needed later.

 I laid these all out. These are actually the backs in this photo, and, as anyone can see, they are scrappy but useful for a change or personal preference.

The downside of scrappy quilting is that you never know if your idea will work.

I posted a note on the group page asking for 6 people to step forward. This is a group of people dealing with various chronic issues who have reached out for cheer.

Sometimes I think it would be more wise to make stuff first and then asks if someone wants it. Nine people responded.

These need to go out right away. I’ll get the other items ready as soon as I can.

Theses are the tops. Only one person requested a particular theme. Bats. It’s the middle one in the top row. These little thumbnail photos are really brief.

I cut binding for 3 of the table tops and might get them on tomorrow. It will take several settings to hand sew the binding. I am binding 2 mug rugs as well.

Another table topper is cut,pinned, and ready to piece.

Also,TaDa, I signed up for a Fall table runner. I don’t have fabric for it and am not sure which pattern to use. These need to go out first.

The Blue Something Squared BOM is caught up. The Solids is not. Push, push, push.

Hallows Projects

I cut batting for 2 tablemats and the current mini quilt swap, and then cut muslin for the backs. My next project was a mug rug.

This one used a scene, which I quilted around outlines. The back used 6 squares. All that this one needs is binding. I found a black and white zebra stripe that will work. It’s cut now and needs pressing and adding to the piece. I’d like to finish all the projects here and get them out ASAP.

Looking at this pic, it makes a sweet mug rug. I might see what is left of that piece and make more up.

There are a lot of scraps that could be joined and cut. I like the black and white and could make the othe with one othe color.

Not today. Today’s work was enough.

My biggest lesson seems to be pacing myself. I used to quilt until I wilted. Not anymore.

Hallows Runner

It is challenging to work with 2” pieces. While the pattern called for making strips, there was enough to work with.

First of all, and as always, I needed help reading the pattern. I couldn’t find the length of the four arms. Then I realized, I needed to make those arms out of one combination. As I put the border together, I worked more with scraps. It was actually fun to assemble.

As the day went on, I worked on two other table toppers. There will be a total of three going out.

Ava’s quilt is ready for the machine. I’ll simply load a few bobbins and do a simple stitch on it. I’m not too much into that part and will go with what I know.

There is a sweet sense of accomplishment when a project is finished. I am glad for it. I was down for most of the year and while many projects were stalled. It let me see how doing smaller ones has gotten to be a better choice for me.

Hallows is Coming

Today was highly productive. I was able to piece the small table topper 4-patches for my friend in Texas and also put together most of the quilt top for my youngest Granddaughter.

Isn’t it bright and bold? It’s dark in the room, even with all the lamps. Of course, I didn’t want to show it without the border treatment. I am not quite sure what I am doing for it yet. It will get photographed again.

I also decided to make the same pattern a little larger for my eldest Granddaughter in the purples, teals and oranges. I need a bit mor fabric that I can pull from my stash for it. It will be gorgeous. Oh heck, they are all unique as the kids are so of course their quilts will be too.

It’s pretty essential that I get on with projects to cut the fabrics. I used quite a lot of the Hallows scraps today, and there are so many more.  A good day. Today. And I feel good about it.

Up All Night

Now that I am off some meds, I don’t sleep as easily. Tonight I spent time planning for a few projects. The Solid BOM blocks are drawn from the same grouping.

I ordered the wood grain look for the mini quilt bookshelf. It looks nice now and will be great when the border is on.

My next project is to make the Hallows quilts for my Grandkids, and move along the other scraps.

After a lot of searching through patterns for the last one, the decision is to make a 4 -patch. I can use coordinating 4.5 squares that complement the larger 8.5 squares. Fabric selection takes a bit of time needed to make a scrap quilt than one where you walk into a store and pull bolts off that the store buyer and the manufacturer already planned. Each one is different even if they share a few pieces.

This particular quilt needs to go together quickly. I read somewhere that when you plan to give quilts to siblings, it’s best to do it at the same time. Two of the Grandgrrls are Sisters, who would talk.

Well, it’s 3 now and I am going to see if I can sleep. Really. Unless I clean in here, I am set to piece in the morning.

Block #8 Something Squared

It took me all day, and the block trimmed too short. I’m not remaking it and can let stashing make up the difference.

At least with this BOM, I am caught up. Colors aren’t true in the pic. It’s a very different block. Don’t believe I’ve seen it.

I laid out more fabrics for the Solid BOM blocks. My next task is to start cutting them out...one at a time.

Getting to other tasks, I figured out how to hang a swap that came yesterday. It’s a small beach house and fits beautifully in the main bathroom.

I also worked on my current mini. It needs a darker wood grained fabric, so I ordered it online. Whatever comes will have to do. The last book (it’s a bookshelf mini) was more difficult to do. I’ve never done anything like it.

Another thing I did was to look at my Halloween fabric scraps so I could make a quilt for my Granddaughter. Thing is, there is more fabric that I didn’t have in the collection, so I left it alone for now.

I’m not sure how I feel about what I did today. There are bins all over the place. Other than this one block, nothing got finished. Tomorrow.

Cutting, Planning

Today was a good day to cut and plan.

That’s it. I was going to stop writing because honestly, even thinking takes a lot of energy.

When they talk about Christmas in July, it’s for folks who plan for December, who have to buy supplies and mail by the end of November. Like me.

That’s what I started doing.

I worked later into the night to finish another block. I had a date with Jack. Block layout sometimes gets to me. While it needs trimming and a good press, it is done.

How can it be that there are six more blocks?

Yet.

And then, I printed off another BOM pattern. I was caught up on that project. That means there are 7 blocks from two projects. This doesn’t even factor in the Piggy appliqué BOM. Oh well, I was away from quilting several months, so I need to be gentle with myself.

It is very hard not to start another project. Back a few years ago, this was how I quilted. Now, I am deeply committed to finishing projects, even the UFOs hanging in my closet. If I can finish these SEVEN blocks, then, I can start on the holiday gifts.

Six To Go

In catching up, it seems like one block gets done and suddenly another appears.

I’ve worked to finish several blocks and even joined those in the top segment.

One block is almost pieced, another needs HST cut & pressed. In its turn, a block needs cutting, and the process continues. I need to spend time trimming loose threads, ensuring seams are correct, cutting off dog-ears.

What I have should finish the top half. I’ve been saving scraps in case they are needed, and just want to go forward.

Stopping before a project gets completed is more work when I return to it. I am determined to get completely caught up, and then make sure I don’t fall behind again.

Lavender Blue

Continuing with the Solid BOMs, I finished another.

It’s been hard to get back into a project set aside because I just couldn’t do anything. All I can do now is finish a block and go onto the next.

Colors in the pic don’t show up as pretty. Lavender, Lilac, Purple and Lavender Blue. Really lovely.

The next one is in red and white. Soon enough, I can join the first half of the quilt. If it turns out to be larger than I expect, it will get tied.

I spent time looking for ideas to make mini quilt wall hangings. The next swap theme is back to school. What I decided to do was a mini bookshelf. I found a pattern and now it is a matter of auditioning fabrics and finding school themed titles.

Meanwhile, I found an idea for a mini wall hanging for another group. I wanted to make a test block and this is it.

I can already see what it needs. I am not sure who I will send it to but whomever will like a reminder that there are only a few let.

SPOONIES measure energy based on a visual of getting so many spoons a day. Each person determines how much energy it takes to do something. When they add up how much energy is spent, they also know what they have left to give.

https://images.app.goo.gl/fSHcnjQcvbkjw4fs8

The link above will give more information on the theory.

Catching Up

twas a busy day that started last night.

Last night, I pulled bones and made a soup I had for breakfast. Then, I made today’s soup out of a Fennel bulb, a Beet, 2 Potatoes, and a couple of Green Onions. So good.

 

This one has 2 fabrics now reading close.  Flying geese are light in appearance. A third block is cut, with some parts finished. And there are several others ready to cut.

I got into the garden this morning too. And laundry. My Rico cat is still having issues, so I am cleaning but washing what he gets. He is sleeping a real lot theses days.

Another thing is that I am already planning for the holidays...Hallows and Winter Solstice. All I have is either money gifts and/or something quilted. I sure do want to use up this stash. I found the quilt top that was missing. And I found ideas for Hallows quilts.

Carpinteria Trip

Planned an entire day at the beach and in the town. What surprised me was a quilt shop across the street from the museum. https://roxannequilts.com/  the shop was filled with Kaffe fabrics. Such a treat!

I bought three ‘pickle’ green fabric for a Halloween quilt to be made for next year. I was blown away by the colors in the store. Follow the link to get a taste of what I mean. There was one pattern I loved and didn’t buy. I might call them and have it shipped.

Another One of Those....

Today's quilting is one of finishing projects. It is a twin sized Log Cabin.

When I checked seams and clipped threads on the Yellow Log Cabin going off to Spain, I discovered three different places on it that needed my attention. First, the errant section needs to be disassembled, re-pinned and stitched up. While the last spot is pinned for recognition, the entire quilt got another examination. 

It has been sitting around waiting for me to finish. It became a UFO (unfinished object). The stress of not finished it grew. I put so many other things in front of it so it moved further away yet not out of my thoughts. Strange.

The other projects suffered the same treatment. Now, there is more work. Whether or not I left notes-to-self, getting back to work on it means fully engaging in its energy. Something I did not want to do. Obviously.

I was determined to finish it before picking up another project. All that is left to do is write a note, package it and ship it off. Easy breezy.

August Orange

The Orange BOM swap and the monthly Mini Quilt swap are all I am doing until I catch up with the BOMs still waiting.

The July was a 1/4 “ short on one side. I am keeping the first one and ripped one outside bar off and cut it wider to trim when it was finished.

Then I made the August block. The center 9-patch came from my scraps. As the scraps get used, ill either cut them for my stash, or toss if they won’t.

I also pulled 42 white 2.5” mini charms from my stash to give them as an extra with the July block. I also put one of the Fairy magazines in. It has been a plan for awhile to use up what I have . It seems like a lot, even after all my years of quilting.

Things I have either in the closet or on shelves is valued. I know that if I don’t share things, most will get trashed. Unfortunately I have slowed down making projects. Over the years, I have come to see that most people want to fill their homes with personal choices.

I like these sampler quilts because choice of colors are so varied, that they go anywhere. Art shouldn’t exist to coordinate with a sofa. But people by cheap products and emplacement them in a couple of years. This one, because each block has oranges, will go to one of my Great-Niece whose Mother died from leukemia. Orange was chosen for leukemia awareness.

Placemat Swap

It is actually two placemats and two coasters.

When I chatted with my partner, she told me she liked Earth tones, batiks, and modern style. I messaged back that Earth tones could be dark soil of the Midwest to baked clay of the Southwest. While my pictures show black, the fabric is dark green. I added as many batiks as I had, and did as close to a modern concept as I could conceive. No pattern.

I did the coasters in a similar was with scraps from the project. Then just line quilting.

What am I experiencing? I think the greatest thing is to keep on. I see how hard it is becoming for me to stick to my old routines. So I don’t. In the past, my energy was high in the early morning. It is not.

I sometimes don’t get to work until afternoon. And I don’t push myself. I used to multi-task. Now it seems more important to finish one project at a time. I had been signing up for swaps, and stopped myself. I don’t do well multitasking anymore and want to catch up.

First on that list is a Solid BOM. Like the others, I am 6 months behind. I plan to get back to them all to catch-up before signing up for more. Also, there are some UFOs or unfinished projects.

What is the lesson? Just Do It.

Watermelon MR

Ive assembled a simple 3” patch mug rug, and kept it. When I bought a simple watermelon fabric,  it seemed like it would work for binding.

So I am working on it. The patches are front and back and will sit on my dining room table just fine. While it seems like a big step to keep something for myself, it is still something I rejected to give others.

I’ve been working on the mini quilt for a swap. The theme is Summer vacation. The size must be larger than 9x22. First, the design. Then, fabric selection. Next, the cuts. As it is I sewed 10 buttons on, numbered them with a permanent marker. They need to be trimmed and some of them joined. I will have to re-draft measurements at that point for better results. Right now, those 10 pieces are rough though I do have a plan. No pics yet.

The Solid BOM project is at least 6 steps behind the group and is next on my to-do list. I want to get this half pieced to make good color choices for the rest of it. All of it is scrap quilting.

It would be so nice to get some of these storage boxes put back in the closet. I think clutter slows me down. I need order around me so I can be creative.  Right now, my mind races as I think about changes, ideas, patterns, colors.

The Bug Jar mini would be perfect for a person who likes them, but might freak out a person who doesn’t. I’ll just keep it awhile.

Mini Quilts

I finished two mini quilts last night. Inspiration comes from one the swap groups I am in.  Sometimes I laugh at how many pieces of fabric I have.  One of the health groups I am in speaks about the lack of motivation from a dopamine deficiency because of an inflammation. Well, I’ve been dealing with this since the first part of the year and have been finding mysel less able or willing to do much.

Anyway, I push myself a lot these days.

The theme this month is Summer Vacation. I made this w

 All hanging for my Granddaughter ‘s Stepchild, whom I consider my Great-granddaughter. She is a pitcher in a fast-ball league. She is 12. When I was back in MN, I was able to attend two games, both of which her team won.

It was a very peaceful evening to sit on lawn chairs and marvel at how these young women played. Families came out to watch. What surprised me more than anything is the extremely high cost of participation. Why heck, a decent bat  runs from $350 to $500.! Other gear is the shoes, hats, shirts, socks, helmets, and gloves. Families travel many stay at hotels, potluck and cheer on the girlies.

The swap mini is a bug jar pattern. After making it, I changed my mind. I sewed butterfly buttons on it as well as one flower button. It is echo stitched, bound and has a dowel attached in back for hanging. I wouldn’t hang it, so why expect someone else to? I sent my partner an email telling her I planned to make a different one.

At this point, I don’t know what I will do with this one. I’ll head out to the P.O. this morning and get the baseball one sent.

Another thing I did yesterday was to press, layout and join some blocks for my next BOM I want to catch up to. It is being made from solids in my stash! And most likely will be lasrger than I plan.

Whether or not I am wiped by chance or by choice, I am pushing myself to do something more each day.

Mug rugs

these swaps have been fun. While the colors aren’t working in the pic, they actually look good. I made two for this swap because my partner is the group admin. Like me, she doesn’t want or need more supplies. Like me, she doesn’t make for herself.

This is a new pattern style for me with a center focus. My partner asked for blues and whites, and the Summer one I made was more teal or aqua.

This style is easy to make.

If you have been aware, Southern Cali is having Earthquakes right now. One just now. Non destructive to this house, so I can a little cavalier about it. Though I am aware.

I have been working to catch on the projects and am actually feeling better now. That means I will attempt to blog more often too.

New Swaps

Besides the simple BOM Orange swap, the Table Runner, the Mini Quilts, I signed up for Summer Mug Rugs and a Summer Pincushion. Crazy.

I tried one of those easy Mason Jar tops. Couldn’t do it. So I went browsing for patterns. Watermelon is one of my favorite Summer fruits. It seemed easy enough.

First, it called for felt scraps. I spent time looking and drove off to town. $1.90 per cut. Then to find threads. Easy part done.

I’ve developed Essential Tremor. Both hands now. Keeping even stitches is a challenge.  This was a test, I guess.

I planned to make two different Mug Rugs. And because I don’t do assembly work, they are different though the same. This swap was assigned tonight, so I ca assemble extras and ship it off this week.

Funny thing, my partner likes the idea of appliqué as well as bright colors so, she will be happy. I went back into group archives to see what extras she might like.

Both projects gave me a sense of accomplishment.

Twin Log Cabin

Just need to do a final check before shipping. Good to have it done so I can get back to smaller projects.

I am more aware projects need to be smaller. Last night I made copies of various BOM patterns and swap ideas. This is a lovely quilt and I do hope my friend likes it. I am glad to have it finished. 

I have learned, finally, that people simply don’t get the quilting process. We live in a culture where things match...like walls, carpet, sofas.

Quilts are not about matching.

Quilts are different for people. What the quiltmaker creates is her vision. What a person receives is compared to what they can buy online, at Macy’s or Walmart for $50. A handmade quilt is worth hundreds or even thousands.

Well, I am off to do what I can.

Sending Mail

I sent 2 pieces of mail out for swaps. And one block from a swap came

Of course the Baseball mini went. This is the table runner, scrappy. I like the pattern and know how it works better. This is actually prettier than it photographs. The back is the same green print and while it is there, the binding is that dark purple.

I’ve never used table runners so this is new. In this house, I have a long redwood picnic table in the dining room. Table runners are perfect for it.

I also ordered the ‘deal of the day’ from MSQC because they let us order 2...they are charm packs so my plan is to use them in a lap quilt. It looked like Fall colors, and if so, then will go to one of the grandkids as a Hallows quilt. I will buy coordinating Hallows fabric for back and borders. This is an easy quilt to make. I will need six.

I Love Baseball

One of the swaps I joined was a mini quilt swap. Each month is a new theme. This month, for June, is I LOVE AMERICA.

I have a scrap of baseball fabric and made this. There is a sleeve on the back, laying quite flat so it could serve as a tabletop. I can’t think of a better theme. My entire family loves baseball.

Years ago when the Twins were in the World Series, my siblings and I got tickets for home games. We met at Brothers’s house, walked a block to the bus stop and stood in the aisle,hanging onto poles and laughing. Good memories.

I have a bit more of the fabric and may make a couple more of these as gifts.

I finished machine quilting the Log Cabin, and am clipping threads. It is trimmed for binding, and extra fabric for it. Thing is, it will need to wait til I return from my trip.

Working Again

Whatever blocked me is gone for now. I’ve been quilting the yellow log cabin and have one last border to do on it.

Then I worked on this for a table runner swap and decided to finish it for myself. I am fond of the colors and realize I don’t keep these things.

The edges need trimming, some batting and a back and then quilting.

I started another for my partner, using blue, purple and greens. That pattern is so much easier so it will be used for other table runners.

The lesson here is to be good to yourself too.

Then  I am trying to finish other BOMs I am in. This is #5 of Something Squared called Circle of Friends. It is actually a lovely lavender background and just photos sort of muddy.  I haven’t laid these out yet and will do a spread after #6. I wanted to show sprouts on the bottom for new friends and full blossoms on top for longer known friends. I do like this block.

I did finish the top of another mini quilt and wii wait to post a pic after it gets quilted and the binding goes on.

This one  is for the Orange swap, and is my second attempt at it. I’ll keep the first one. I actually like how that he dark fabric looks like it’s own block.

Funny, how I feel like I am getting a better sense of colors.  My offering today is three vert different looks.

Just as I say that, I also think I failed on a scrappy ‘Oh My Stars’ quilt. It is so busy. I need to cut the last border for it yet, so it might shift.

Mini Quilt

I joined a few swaps that give me freedom each month to participate. I thought getting a mini quilt would be like getting a doll blanket.

This is my current one.

It is made from 4” b&w scraps for the background, 2.5” scraps stems, 5” for each petal, scrap white for borders, black for binding and buttons for flower centers. It is echo stitch quilted, also a decorative stitch around the leaves/stems and straight stitching around the petals.

I need a dowel for the back, as well as to label it.

It actually took longer than one would think.

Next is the table runner swap. I’ve got that cut, also in similar colors. Then the June block with Orange.

I learned that size doesn’t matter. What I wish I learned is to take photos of the layout.

Grad Quilt Finish

Got it ready to ship today and forgot the label. Tomorrow.

It is bright & sunny. I am surprised at how nice it is because those starburst points were difficult. Goes to show the power of long arm quilting. I was glad to drop it off. As usual, it took several nights to do the hand binding.

If there is a spiritual lesson in it all, perhaps it is one of trusting in the process.

I’ve moved onto a line here and there to finish other quilts, to working on BOMs, and the three swaps I am in. One of the things I am adjusting to is knowing my pace is slower.

Right now, my plans are in travel prep for June. I need to get my hair trimmed to handle the growing out stage.  I have my clothes and don’t plan to take much. The Grandkids get money for their birthdays. I need to print off maps because things change all the time.

My garden is lush. It’s at the stage where it needs little. Summer is coming and by then everything will dry to a crisp under the hot sun. I love what is there.

Years ago, I planned for this stage yet find it hard to just sit without pulling weeds. It is a lesson and one I haven’t got yet. My best lesson lately is learning how to nap. Getting there.

One would think....