A Little Bit of Progress

I've gotten back to hand quilting.  Yesterday, I was excited to quilt my way to the second corner of my current project.  woohoo!!  Perhaps I will be able to finish the rest this year.  I am SO excited to make visible progress!

Huh.  I thought I'd taken a picture last night, but I guess not.  Hopefully I will remember for my next post.

This year, our county fair had a drive-through fair.  My son took his family, and reported that it was "okay, but really short."  He prefers the in-person fair, where they can spend hours and exhaust children, rather than have them stuck backwards in a car seat, trying to point out the "sights."

They had a quilt competition, with 14 entries.  I entered two in the Professional Quilters category.  I had the only quilts in that category, so was awarded 1st place and BOS, Professional on one, and 2nd on the other.  I have not received any ribbons, though they said they would mail them.

"Sunset Stroll," 1st place and BOS, Professional - Tulare County Fair 2020

"Two Beauties," 2nd place, Professional - Tulare County Fair 2020

I really wish I had more to share, but I've been spending a great deal of time babysitting.  Our oldest local granddaughter turned 3 today, so I thought it was worthy of note.

She received a brand new bicycle, and tools.  Apparently the bike wasn't up to snuff.  She spent the evening working on it, before it was ready to ride.  Happy Birthday, little girl!!

Busy, Busy

 I don't know about you, but I am currently challenged to keep track of the days.  I know when it's Wednesday, because I babysit my grandson.  I know when it's Sunday, because of church.  Other than that?  I have to check my phone.  And the date?  Why is it even important any more?

Oh!  Dates are important, because birthdays are celebrated on them.  September we have three birthdays, so we're in the middle of celebrating. I've made a few cards, but, as usual, have fallen behind.  I feel like most of my time is spent with grandchildren.  With 4 locals, aged 2 and under, well, I need to pay attention when they are here.  No doubt about it!!

I've made more masks, for Fall.

And I made my first potholders, as a gift.

I quilted some Komforters for Kids, our guild philanthropy.

I baked baklava.

My husband's garden keeps producing, which keeps me busy making Mediterranean stuffed bell peppers and ratatouille.

And, finally, we had our first shake of walnuts.  If you've ever wondered what a good year looks like, take a gander of all those nuts!!  I've never seen so many before.  Outstanding!

As you can see, there has been plenty to occupy my time, though nothing overly exciting.  I guess the biggest news is that my hand quilting project is 19/25 of the way complete.  I've got about 6 square feet of hand quilting left to finish.  I've been quilting on this project since April, so I am excited to think that I might actually have another finish before the end of the year.  Goals are good!!

And, It's September

 Talk about the days rolling by with no signage.  It's hard to know which day of the week it is, let along which month.  I don't know about you, but I seem to have hit a bit of a malaise.  Without deadlines, it's hard to stay motivated to do anything.  sigh.  I've been reading a lot, not sewing much.

This past month, I've finished a few cards.  Unfortunately, I neglected to take pictures of all of them.  Here are some of the highlights:

They are all birthday cards, for friends and family.  I like the palm tree on the last one.  It was carved from a coconut shell.

I've also made a few postcards:

This is the only one finished and sent.

Yesterday, I made some masks.  It turns out that the first masks that I made were defective.  I used the elastic I had on hand, and it recently lost its stretch.  I guess it's good that it lasted this long.  Who would have thought we'd still be wearing them?

Other than that?  I've been doing a lot of babysitting, and not much else.  I am hopeful that I will post more, because I will have more to post.  But for now?  Who wants a selfie of me reading?

Hopefully, you have all been more productive than I!

Happy Quilting!