TRYING TO CATCH UP

We've both been busy since our return home.  Medical, dental and eye exams, along with various tests etc.  We've also had 2 extended visits with DS2 & family.  The last was to help them with some extra yard work, and to get their gardens ready for planting.  Our grandson (4) was a great help too!

I've attended a guild meeting, with my extra job of organizing the social group who helps at various jobs during the meeting, as well as providing snacks for the whole group.  I've also attended an executive guild meeting, bringing more snacks, and I spent the morning with the community quilt  group, and brought home 3 basted quilts to finish.  We had a new, more efficient water heater installed, and tomorrow our furnace and air conditioner are being inspected and cleaned.

The three quilts are quilted, and binding and labels are sewn on each.  I also cut out a baby dress for smocking for my granddaughter.  I have not done any for a long time, so had to stitch carefully,  so I didn't have to remove any stitches.

I also finished the top for my version of Bonnie Hunter's "Checkerboard Rails" quilt.  I also made a pieced backing.  Now I just have to clear my cutting table so I can pin-baste the quilt.

We planted 2 large pots with herbs, and picked up one tomato plant, but have to keep checking for the other variety that I like - they seem slow to arrive at the garden centre this year, but they normally arrive by May 24 (date of the last frost), and the long weekend was celebrated early this year.  We've noticed that some of our neighbours are getting the small beds in front of their homes cleaned up, new edgings, some plants etc.  The neighbourhood should look lovely when everything is blooming.  I had 4 tulips bloom that were missed by the squirrels.  They don't seem to bother the hyacinths or daffodils, and we've made a note to pick up more in the fall.

I'm off to sort all the bits and pieces on my cutting table - then I can get to work again!

I'm getting caught up!

I've finished a couple of items lately.  Two are upcoming baby gifts, so I can't show them.  I also put the final stitches in my guild's block of the month project for 2016-17.

  It finished at 76 x 92 inches, and I called it 
"Use It or Lose It!"  
I love making scrappy quilts, and years ago my DH said that to me about my huge bins of scraps.  I spent 2 summers pressing and cutting all the scraps into usable sizes, and have made many scrap quilts since!




I spent the afternoon today, filling out my entry forms, artist statements and labeling pictures to be sent to Quilts Kingston - the quilt show in Kingston ON, sponsored by the Limestone Quilters Guild, and the Kingston Heirloom Quilters June 8, 9, 10.

I've been spending my evenings hand stitching some small thread catchers for the boutique, and I've also begun quilting my second large winter quilt project.

Last week, my southern quilting group, along with some non-sewing neighbour volunteers used our Wednesday quilting time to make pillowcases for Cases for Smiles.  In four hours, we made 360 bright, colourful pillowcases for kids in local hospitals! 
 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  2.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  184.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  148.5 yards

This might be my last report for a few weeks.  We are getting in the "packing to head south" mode around here.  

I spent some time making a baby sleeper this week.  I had to change the pattern a bit to accommodate the zipper closure.  I dislike working with snap tape, and I don't have a snap setter tool.... ,  The knit fabric was in my stash so I get to count it!

I also made a toiletries case for SDIL2.  Picture to come later.  I made it similar to one I own, that I've had for years.  If I make another one, I'll make a few changes to make it easier to assemble.  Making this makes me really appreciate all the work that StudioKat Designs goes through to design and test their wonderful purse patterns!  It is not as easy as it looks!

I thought I'd also show the baby shawl that I made earlier in the spring.  It will be delivered to DS2 and SDIL2 this week.  I'm going to be a grandmother in January!  The pattern is from a "Beehive for Bairns" knitting book from the 1940's - another from my mother's collection.  I like to think that she was looking over my shoulder while I was making this!  It is all knit in garter stitch, which makes it reversible.

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3 yards

Fabric used year to date  179.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date   50.375 yards

Net used 2013  128.875 yards

A good friend of my daughter-in-law is expecting a baby so I offered to make a few items.

I looked through my flannel stash and made a double layer receiving blanket, two burp cloths and a baby size bib.  She is busy knitting a lovely baby blanket.  She is a fairly novice knitter, and has chosen a great pattern, but had to watch some videos to learn how to follow the pattern stitches.  She is making good progress, and it should be done by the time the baby arrives.

Check out everyone's stash progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.