QUILTING AND GARDEN

I finished the machine quilting on my "52 blocks 52 weeks" quilt.

I spent a couple of days hand stitching the binding, and then checking for threads on the back of the quilt.  I took a few pictures today, but don't have a picture of the complete quilt, as my quilt holder is grocery shopping!

This is the quilt on my bed, but it doesn't show the borders.

52 blocks in 52 weeks CQA 2019

I added feathers along each of the wide borders, using the bonus blocks to place one on the left and right side border in the center

I set the blocks alternately with blue and green triangles to set the blocks on point.

A few more pictures of my iris collection.

ONE SMALL FINISH

I completed the small panel quilt first, doing simple free-motion quilting using my Bernina.

I spent the evening hand stitching the binding, and this morning asked DH to hold the finished quilt so I could take a picture for my records.

My next quilt in line is my "52 Blocks 52 Weeks" project from the Canadian Quilters Association in 2019.
This is a much larger project, so I am taking my time, working on it between other chores.  
 I managed to plant 2 more herbs, 2 perennials and some annuals for summer colour in my tiny garden areas in front and back of our townhome, and Mother Nature provided an overnight soaking rain to water the plants in well!

A LITTLE PROGRESS

DH brought in my DIL's cutting table on Friday, and we set it up in the living room - the only place large enough!  He helped me pin baste 3 quilts - my 52 blocks 52 weeks quilt, my version of Unity from Bonnie Hunter, and a baby quilt.

We both suffered from tired backs and sore fingers, and my tin that holds my pins is more empty than I have ever seen it!   I use the grapefruit spoons to help close each pin as it is used.  It was a trick I saw on a very old "Quilt In A Day" program on PBS, well before any handy tools were available for this task.

I received an email from the local greenhouse, so yesterday afternoon, we took a drive and picked up my plant order.  We had a much cooler day, with scattered showers, so they are waiting on the patio to be planted.  Most were annuals to add some colour to my front garden when the irises are finished blooming, and I also have 2 more and 2 perennials for the small garden at the back of our townhouse.

Now I have to get my machine ready to quilt.....clean lint, oil, new needle, make sure the bobbins are all wound.  I did some mending yesterday for a friend's son, so I have to change the needle plate and foot on my machine as well.  I also have an audio book to finish soon, so this should be a very productive day!