Birthday Weekend

 We spent the weekend celebrating, before the world turned upside down.  It began with a day out, which was SO nice after the months of staying home.  We visited an estate sale, then an antique mall, and ended up near the entrance to Sequoia National Park for lunch.

 We sat riverside and watched the Kaweah flow by.  It is much lower than I've seen before, but it could be time of year.  It was hot - 91 - and a bit muggy, but, still, getting out to eat was a treat.

 They had a unique avian scavenger, in addition to the usual sparrows.  This one waddled onto the deck, just as we were getting ready to leave.

On Saturday morning, I went to the Farmers Market.  It was a shadow of its former self, but I came away with fresh flowers, eggs, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, apricots and fresh tomatoes.  I hope that they are there again on Saturday, because I want to make it a habit to shop there.

My sister came to visit for the weekend, bringing a cake made from scratch.  She'd asked what my favorite cake was, then found that none of her bakeries were offering lemon cakes in their limited inventories.  She baked the cake layers, made lemon cream cheese frosting, and homemade lemon curd.  Oh, yum!!

Our sons and their families came for dinner on Saturday.  Two of them came back for breakfast on Sunday.  They gifted me with these beautiful flowers.

 My sister thought I needed some succulents in my house.

 Can one have too many plants?  I don't think so.

 Yesterday was my actual birthday.  The day was quiet, spent at home, listening with horror to the reports coming in from around the country.  So much can change, literally overnight.  I remain hopeful that good will triumph over evil.  God is in control of all things.  Perhaps we should look to Habbakuk:

Look among the nations! Observe!
Be astonished! Wonder!
Because I am doing something in your days—
You would not believe if you were told.

He always has a plan, whether we can see it or not.

And with that, I will leave you with my birthday picture, taken before the world turned upside down.

May God have mercy on us all.

This n That

Are you still locked down?  Still in quarantine?  Our County Board of Supervisors voted to open our county last week.  Even though I've gone nowhere but the grocery store, I feel different.  It's odd how much a proclamation can do to change things, even if it's only words.  Perhaps this week I will go out and about, to see if anything really is different.

I haven't made any masks recently, but two were called into service last week, when one of the grands needed to visit the doctor.

My daughters-in-law have both been called back to work, so that is exciting.  I'm hopeful that other places of business will also lift their restrictions.

In the meantime, I'm still sewing daily.  I made a few more cards, though I haven't sent them all.

 These were made for a mother/daughter duo.  I found a beautiful dresser linen that looked like someone took a bite from the middle.  I couldn't pass it by, since I knew parts could still be useful.

 That pretty purple reminds me of a flower picture my husband sent.  It is the flower of an eggplant.  Isn't it cute?

Here is another card, that I made with trims from the Covid Mystery quilt top I made last month.

 I found the flamingo at an estate sale sometime last year.  I thought this was the perfect place for him to hang out.

 I've also gone back to doing some collage work, with fabric scraps.  This was inspired by my garden.  Each time I look at it, I smile.

And, last, but not least, I continue to hand quilt 3 hours each day.  I've taken a few days off, when my fingers just can't continue, but I'm making good progress.  I hope to finish this quilt before we hit July.  Goals are good!

And that's all I've got for now.  Be safe, but don't be scared.  Go outside, take a big breath of fresh air.  Summer is almost here, and the days are looking brighter.

Happy Quilting!

Simple Sewing

A couple of days ago, we decided to take our chances and invite the kids to breakfast on Sunday.  We left it up to them, as to whether or not they feel safe in our presence.  All of them accepted, so it was time to put two more leaves in the table, as well as dig up a few more chairs.  Once that was done, I went on a hunt for a tablecloth.  Interesting.  The only tablecloths I have of this size are Christmas.  That just won't do.

I then went on a hunt for YARDAGE in my stash.  Turns out I needed 6 yards, and then some.  After digging into the back of beyond, I tracked down a suitable candidate.

 I cut it into two 120" pieces, then cut two 12" strips from one of them.  Here is a closer view of the fabric.  I picked it up from Joann's, when they moved locations.  I think I paid about $2/yard.

 I stitched them together with French seams, then topstitched them to keep them flat/in place.  I then hemmed it, and put it on the table.  Just two seams, but, wow.  It took 3 hours, from beginning to end.

 I also made 4 more masks.  These are reversible, with batik on both sides, instead of flannel.  I hope that it will not tickle my nose the way the flannel does.  I also hope they will be cooler.

We've finished the update of the bathroom lighting.  I wanted a shelf on top, to display some of my shell collection.  I am quite pleased with the results.

Other than that?  I am continuing to hand quilt 3 hours/day.  IQA has extended the entry deadline for Houston until June 4.  I doubt I will have finished my quilt by then, but who knows?  I have plenty of time to try!

Stay safe, and Happy Quilting!

Komforters for Kids

Back in March, I pieced two tops for our Komforters for Kids guild project.  KFK's purpose is to make and distribute quilts to children in distress.  These are kept in the back of patrol cars, as well as given to CPS.  Back in March, they put out a call for quilters to help make more quilts for distribution.  The KFK committee helps by supplying us with "kits" made from of 6" fabric squares.

 When I let them know I'd finished two tops, I offered to quilt some for them as well.  Within hours a bag appeared on my doorstep, with five quilts needing quilting.  I finished quilting them last week.

 This week, I bound them, by machine, something I've never done before.  But back to the quilting.  Some of the quilts were in need of something to make them more special.  This was one of them.  I quilted the fruits of the Spirit into the solid-colored squares.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.  I thought they would be a good reminder for anyone interacting with a child wrapped with this quilt.

 This little flannel quilt just called for "woof!" quilted in the empty squares.

 Here is the cute fabric I chose to bind this tropical quilt.  I love the result.  As you can see, by the time I hit the 5th quilt, the binding was looking pretty good.  I now feel confident with this new skill, at least enough to not worry about binding any more KFKs.  Easy peasy.

Other than this, I've been spending an average of 3 hours/day hand quilting.  My latest project is moving right along, and I am excited to see the textures created, bringing it to life.  I don't know how long it will take, but I am not going to hurry.  This is a quilt that deserves all the time in the world.  What better time to have it in front of me as my primary quilt project, right?

In other good news, there are rumors that some of the restrictions might be relaxing in California.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?!!  I still will likely keep a reduced activity list, because I'm a bit wary.  They say asthmatics are compromised.  I don't know.  So far, I am thankful to have stayed healthy and avoided the virus.  I hope and trust that the rest of you can say the same.

Stay safe, and keep quilting!

This n That

The past few days have been spent working on guild charity quilts and mask making.  I haven't finished binding the quilts, but the binding is cut and waiting for me.  I'm binding by machine, not by hand, so it's a lot faster.

 The past two days have included some mask making, I've 11 more to add to my total.

These are all lined with flannel.  The next batch will be made from two batiks.  I'm hoping they will be cooler in the warmer weather we've been experiencing.  The flannel tickles my nose and overheats me, so I'm ready to try something new.

Speaking of trying something new, there is a video out there somewhere, which shows how to use a seam ripper to create the pleats.  This is SO much easier than trying to iron them in place before stitching.  Just be sure to use a large seam ripper.  I first used a small one, and the resulting pleat was barely there.

My biggest news is that I've begun quilting the quilt I started in a David Taylor class back in 2014.  I finished the top last year, but I've been putting off the quilting, worried that I wasn't warmed up.  Well, after finishing that long-time UFO, my hand quilting is as warm as it's ever going to be.  I've been at it for three days, and so far?  So good!!  I am loving the project, but I am limiting myself to 3 hours of quilting a day.  After that?  My hands begin cramping and the stitches start to suffer.

Yesterday, I was bummed to find out that the Spring Quiltfest in Greenville, SC has been cancelled.  They must have decided yesterday, because on Monday, they reiterated that they were still taking entries.  I asked for a refund, rather than keep the quilts entered in a show scheduled for 2021.  That's just too far in the future for that kind of commitment.

If you are having quilt show withdrawals the way I am having quilt show withdrawals, I recommend you look up Quilt Fever.  It's a 16 minute documentary about Paducah.  I have to admit that it shouldn't have been a tearjerker, but midway through?  I found my eyes leaking as I contemplated the overwhelming loss to the quilt community that the inability to gather together like this has been.  I've been trying to push off reality, in denial, saying, "Surely we will be able to get together again soon!"  Now?  I'm not so sure.  One day at a time.

In the meantime, if you're having quilt show withdrawals, here is the link for Quilt Fever on Amazon.  Enjoy!!!  And keep on quilting!  I can't wait to see your show and tell!

Ta Da!!!

Drumroll, please!!!  I have finished one of those forever UFOs!!  You know?  The ones that you still really like, but they sit at the bottom of the priority ToDo List.  High school grad quilts take precedence.  College grad quilts take precedence.  Wedding quilts and baby quilts?  Take precedence.  With all that precedent taking, some quilts just sift to the bottom and sit there, waiting patiently to be noticed.

Well, what better motivation than a Stay at Home order to get some forward progress on one of those I-love-you-but-every-other-quilt-is-more-important projects?  I set a goal to finish this quilt before the end of April.  Ta da!!  It is finished!!

 You are looking at the quilt on the bed.  The binding is navy blue, I've set it on top of another quilt.  There is no white border.  The color in the picture above is closer to accurate.  The design in the picture below is more evident.

 This quilt is FULL of memories!!  I was piecing it when I worked in the dining room, with my sewing machine on the dining room table and a flannel sheet taped to the wall.  I was piecing it when we had two cats who are since long gone, who liked nothing better than to maraud through my sewing space and destroy whatever they could find.  A favorite midnight treat was to shake all the block pieces from the flannel wall.  If you look closely, the piecing of this quilt is pretty intricate.  Actually, the piecing is easy.  It's the color/fabric placement that was a bear.  And now it's done, and it is all hand quilted.  hip hip hooray!!  hip hip hooray!  hip hip hooray!!!

I worked so diligently on that quilt this week, I didn't make time for much else.  I made one little birthday card, for my mother-in-law.  It reminds me of Tahiti.

 Back in December, I talked with a contractor about updating our 80's lighting in the bathrooms.  He finally got us on his list this week, and the first stage of improvements has been installed.  Gone are the cracked plastic/fluorescent light fixtures and in their place are LED's, set in oak.  The second stage will involve adding a shelf above the light box, and up-lighting.  I plan to display shells there, when all is said and done.

So, while others are chaffing at the bit, wondering what to do next, I am very pleased with this week's progress.

I even have my next hand quilting project all set and ready for quilting.  My plan was to begin by 3pm this afternoon.  Unfortunately, at 1pm, I sliced open my finger on a can of tuna.  groan.  No stitches necessary, and I had a tetanus shot within the year.  All I have to do is wait for it to heal a bit because the next hand quilting project?  Cannot be christened with a bloody finger.  That much is certain.

The other quilt-related thing that I did this week was to enter two quilts in the Mancuso South Carolina show.  I'm anxious to see if they are cleared to hold it.  South Carolina is one of the states easing restrictions, if our news in CA is accurate.  I hope and pray that all goes well with them and that they pave the way for the rest of us to regain our freedom of movement.

April has been a long month.  I do hope that May holds only 31 days.

Happy Quilting!!!

Some Saturday in April

I'll begin with a pic taken in my front yard.  It is iris season.  Despite the rain, the snails, and the mildew in the roses, the beauty out there grounds me.  On sunny days, I'm out there pulling a few weeds, tossing snails into the street, and grooming dead leaves from the plants.  I find it very therapeutic, and a nice complement to being inside, bent over my various quilting projects.

Today is a rainy day, so quilting, it is.

This past week, I had a bit of an epiphany.  Though I have literally dozens of UFOs waiting patiently for attention, I don't have the creative juices needed to give them the attention needed to move them forward.  Instead, I find that I need something repetitive and fairly mindless, to keep me occupied.  I've got so many unspoken thoughts flying through my brain, apparently there is no space for blatant creativity.

Instead, I have reverted to traditional piecework.  When I say "reverted," that might give negative connotations, which is the last thing on my mind.  I LOVE traditional patchwork!  But I don't usually have the time or the patience to create a quilt one block at a time, repeating the same pattern(s) over and over again.  And yet?  Like a jigsaw puzzle, this is the kind of activity I find that I am craving.  

When 2020 rolled around, had you told me I would be indulging in scrap patchwork, I would have laughed at you.  "I don't have time for that!"  And yet?  Now?  I have PLENTY of time for that.  I mean, what else is there to do?  I could clean house, but, really?  Is that the BEST use of my time?   If we are all potentially 14 days away from the ICU, would I rather be found with a cleaner house?  or a finished project?  Apparently the answer is another finished project...or a new UFO.  hahahaha!

This past week, as I flipped through various UFO's, I remembered my box of binding trims. Each time I make binding, I trim the triangles, stack them up, and toss them in this shoe bin.  It is to the point where the lid barely fits.  I decided that it was again time to start making them into half-square triangles.

 At this point, I usually piece them into 8 pointed stars, but this time?  I wanted to do something different.  Some of the half-square triangles yield 2.5" pieces, some only 2" pieces.  That just means that instead of one project, I guess I'm doing two?  Just keep sewing, and decide later!

 Last year, or was it the year before?  A friend asked me to dissect a quilt and find the quilt block it was comprised of.  Turns out it was a Delectable Mountains block.  I've had that pattern on my design wall since that time, wanting to make the block for myself.  oooh!  I like it!!

 Look at that!  Four blocks are even better than one!!

So, that's what I've been doing this week.  Relatively mindless piecing, repetition, working with a calming palette with a few splashes of color here and there.

And while I'm doing this?  Well, let's just say that the house is not cleaning itself.  Witness my sewing space, where I use the word "space" quite liberally.

And on that note, I hope that you are staying safe and staying healthy, and using your time to ground yourself, doing whatever it is that brings you peace and joy.  Take care!!!

Blursday

Well, Easter has come and gone, in a manner reminiscent of Christmas after the Grinch's visit.  It came without family, it came without congregating, it came without fancy clothes, it came without a feast, and yet?  It came just the same, via Zoom and online sermons and multi-family Facetime.  Indeed, He is risen!

I finished the fifth and final installment of the Mystery quilt, designed by Material Girlfriends, and shared by Calico Mermaid.  I altered the piecing of the second block, so my border blocks are unusual, and not according to design.  The colors are more vibrant than this shows, in gorgeous tropical batiks.

One step involved trimming the blocks from 9" to 8".  I used the trims to make these Easter cards for the grands.

 I thought about embroidering their initials, then decided to put my collection of Tsukineko inks to good use.  I was pleased with the results (and the ease with which they were reached!)

I made a few more masks, for family and friends, but I've put mask making on the back burner for a few days.

I continue to work on the hand quilted quilt from the early 90's.  I am hopeful that the quilting will be finished before the end of the month.  Goals are good!  I have 7 strips of color to complete.  Each strip is composed of 8" blocks, so, well, that's still a lot of blocks that need quilting.

I have to say that my days are consumed with stitching and working in the garden.  Without these hobbies?  I suppose my house would be a lot cleaner.  With them?  The house is still in the same state it was in when we first began the Stay at Home.

If I ever make it through my stash and finish my UFO's, I promise.  I'll focus on the house.

hahahaha!!

Stay safe, my friends, and take it one day at a time.
Happy Quilting!

Mask Making

I've added another 17 masks to the number I've made so far.  These are the latest installment of adult masks.  I also made some child-sized, for the grands.  These are a sneak peek at Easter gifts.  What a year, right?

Yesterday, I made some Easter cards as well, but I will save those for another post.

My Mystery quilt remains stalled at step #3.  I'm glad I didn't sew the blocks together, after seeing the layouts.  I'm going to do something a bit different in piecing one of the blocks, so I'm thinking my version might be a bit unique.  I hope to piece those blocks today.  We'll see what happens as the day progresses.

 I've been doing some baking, but it came to a halt when I ran out of eggs.  Savemart had no eggs in the store, when I went in search of them.  I am very thankful that a friend has chickens, and came to my rescue with a dozen.  Later, my son waited for 30 minutes to get into Costco.  He bought some eggs for me there, as well.

 The one thing that has not changed is that the garden is still celebrating the arrival of Spring.

We've had a lot of rain in the past week, which has helped keep people home and indoors.  The iris look a bit bedraggled today, but the unopened buds are still pushing, so I've got a lot more to look forward to in the coming weeks.

I hope that you are staying healthy, and safe.  The days are pretty crazy.  Good thing I know that God is in control.  He's got this, and will work it all to the good.  Families are definitely getting to know each other, and time?  I've always lamented the lack of time to get things done.  I have no excuses now, since all I've got is time at home, time to get things done.

What am I doing?  I'm spending a lot of time reacquainting myself with my sewing machine!  I liked the post that said, "I used to be a fabric hoarder.  Now it's called being prepared!"  yup.  There you go.

Happy stitching!!

One Day at a Time

And so it goes.  Home alone, for the most part, just me, my sewing machine, and my stash.  We are keeping each other quite entertained, so no worries on that part.  I'm continuing the hand quilting on the queen-sized quilt that I showed in the last post.  I am more than halfway through with the quilting, which feels like a milestone.  Indeed it is a milestone, seeing as it took me from May 2000-April 2020 to get this far!  I'm not sure if that is more horrifying or embarrassing.  I've been told that other quilters would have trashed the project long ago, rather than allowing it to linger in the back of the closet.  Different strokes.

I've been making quilted cards, and mailing them out.  It's a single stamp if they are less than 1/4" thick, but almost $4 if I add buttons and the like.  Here are my most recent quiltlet finishes:

 The first was for a friend who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.  I finally had time to make her card and mail it.   The second is for a friend who has been housebound since the pandemic began.  Her birthday is in a few weeks, but I couldn't wait that long.

 The next is for another housebound friend.  I hear that she is recovering from an illness, so I was glad that God set up the timing for delivery of this card.  It arrived the day she returned home from the hospital.

 And this one?  For yet another housebound friend, who is recovering from pneumonia.

So many people are stuck at home these days.  I find it fascinating how many people, who might otherwise be tempted to ignore the warnings and run out and about, have been forced to stay home.  Me?  Were I not under prohibition to lift anything over 10 lbs, I suspect I might be sneaking out to see the grandchildren.

Our local quilt shop, Calico Mermaid, has been sharing clues for a Mystery quilt.  I've been keeping up so far, having finished the first 3 clues.  Clue #4 arrived today.  I'm not quite sure whether I want to sew the blocks together now, or wait until the last clue arrives.  It might affect my choices for color placement.  or not.  I have no idea.  I guess that's why it's called a mystery, right?

Here's what I've been working with:

 The pale turquoise looks washed out in the pictures.  All of the colors look a bit washed out.  They are actually quite vibrant.  I suppose I will look at them for another day, to see if I want to sew the blocks together, or wait until the final reveal on Tuesday.  Patience has not been my strong suit.  Then again, procrastination has been.  Funny combo, right?

And I guess that will do it for now.  I hope that you are staying home and staying safe and healthy.  This too shall pass.  I'm looking forward to having a lot of show and tell when it comes to an end.  How about you?

P.S.  Our Thursday group, the Itty Bitties, has been unable to congregate.  However, on Thursday, we held our first Zoom meeting.  It was great fun, especially since we were able to include our friend who moved to Ohio.  It's been a long time since we've all been able to visit together.  I highly recommend it!!