FINAL VISIT WITH THE GRANDS......

Last weekend was our final visit for this year, as we head south soon.  We had a good time, getting lots of hugs and kisses.

DH walked to our grandson's school with our son, to pick him up, and he was full of information about his day  - he loves school so far!  During the weekend, he sang lots of different songs for us.  He sings on key, and always seems to know all the words.

Our granddaughter is almost walking.  I think she could, but doesn't have the confidence to trust her balance yet.  She is pretty good playing by herself, and has a different favourite toy with each of our visits. 

We visited the Waterloo Quilt show on Saturday.  Our son stayed home and finished clearing out their veggie garden, but the rest of us enjoyed the show.  Our granddaughter rode in her stroller for a while, but then wanted to walk, and she put on a mile or two while we looked at quilts.  Our grandson was playing "spot the animal on the quilt" with DH.  When they were looking at some quilts in one of the vendor booths, the shop owner gave him a small wall hanging with a space theme - I guess it was for good behaviour.  Since the show was held at the huge community center, we stopped to watch the figure skaters practice on our way out.

I'm thankful that we live in the computer age, and can Skype with our grandchildren regularly.  We told our grandson that he could call us any time.  We often have "dinner" with the family,  having a video chat at the table.   We still miss the kids, and I have a better appreciation for my parents getting re-aquainted after 6 months away each winter - we only wrote letters, and long distance phone was only for dire emergencies.

I'm getting in extreme packing mode soon.  Right now I am deciding which projects I want to work on over the winter, so I can take some of the fabric required - I'm really trying to use my stash.  I think it will be another scrappy winter!

WHERE DID SUMMER GO?

This has been the shortest summer on record, for us.  I think it was just because we have been extra busy this year.  Our 4 1/2 yr old grandson spent 3 weeks with us, and his whole family visited for another week.  We also made many trips to visit the family, as we wanted to spend as much time with our granddaughter as we could.  She just celebrated her 1st birthday last week, and is settling well into daycare.  Her big brother started Jr. Kindergarten in September, and is enjoying his new adventure.  DH and his friend entertained 31 times during the summer, bringing music, jokes and memories to many seniors in nursing homes, rehab facilities, and seniors' residences in our area too!

I spent some time working on a basket quilt, similar to the one that Bonnie Hunter was working on.....

I began while south last spring, using available scraps, and I decided to continue when we returned home.  My light fabric is leftover muslin that has been hidden in my stash of scraps and I needed it to leave the premises!
 
I cheated, and used striped fabric for sashing and borders!

Please excuse the picture - we had to take it indoors, as it was raining, and in our small townhouse that was a real challenge.   I had to open the patio door and stand on the step to get as much as possible in the picture.  

The good news was that this quilt used 14 yards of fabric, for the top, backing and binding!  Now I have to find it a good home!

JUST IN TIME & STASH REPORT

I just finished the final stitches in the binding of my quilt for my granddaughter's first birthday, in September.  The whole gang arrives tomorrow for a week visit, and I wanted it finished and hidden away.....

I had fun machine quilting.....

 

Here is the completed quilt, that I'm calling 

"Little Lambs for Ana"

Unfortunately the colours are a bit faded, even with the blinds closed - I shouldn't complain that it is a bright sunny day!

                          Fabric used this week  6.125 yards
                         Fabric used year to date  60.5 yards
                             Fabric added this week 0 yards
                        Fabric added year to date  68.5 yards
                              Net used 2019  -8 yards

I'm still in the red, but getting closer.  I just have to find more hours to sew....... 

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!

PACKING, PACKING, PACKING

My least favourite part of moving between 2 homes with the change of seasons, is packing up my quilting things.

I always arrive with a plan for the season, with some homemade kits of fabric collected for quilt projects.  When I get together with my quilt group, plans get rearranged, some things moved forward, and some never started.  Of course, there is the temptations at quilt shops and quilt shows each season as well!

We are nearing our deadline to get the van loaded, with lots of little last minute chores to complete.  We always find a few forgotten items on the last day, so I save one tote to pack last, just in case.

We have some stops planned along the way, as there are many wonderful sights to see.  We plan a stop at a botanical garden in Georgia, and have reservations at a dinner theatre in Pennsylvania.  

I'll be anxious to get my sewing room back in order when we arrive, but I have a tiny Easter dress to finish for little Miss A, and then we are heading out for some grandchildren hugs from Mr. D, Miss A. and family!

ANOTHER WEEK WITH OUR GRANDSON!

We started out with a visit from our older son - he arrived by train on Thursday, just in time for dinner.  One of his friends picked him up and they headed out to spend the evening with the game club. 
Friday morning, I changed our bed and collected laundry.  DH and I packed a bag for the weekend.  We had a great visit with our son.  Both sons are in town for a gaming weekend - board games, that is.Our younger son arrived by train just before lunch, and we dropped him off at a local restaurant to meet friend.  Over 20 members of the game club joined him, including his brother.  After lunch they headed to the game site, and played various board games with the gang until late.  They were back at it all day and evening Saturday, and returned again on Sunday morning!
DH  and his friend had a performance at a nursing/senior home, and when he returned home, he unloaded his equipment, and we headed out to visit our daughter-in-law. We made exceptionally good time on our trip, and arrived before our grandson went to bed.
Saturday, while his Mom did some shopping, our grandson (3 1/2 years old), helped me to fill the firewood box that is just outside the garage.  We pulled loads of wood and kindling until it was full.
DH emptied both of their sheds, swept the floor, and put everything back neatly.
After lunch, the other 3 headed to a medieval fair, while I stayed home.  I got ribs ready for cooking, making a rub, and getting them ready to cook in the pressure cooker.  I did dishes, cleaning up the mess I made, and washed everything that wouldn't go in the dishwasher.  Dinner was yummy!  We packed our grandson's clothes for the week, and collected bits and pieces that we'll need for the week.
Sunday morning we were up early, had breakfast, packed the car, and headed home.  We called our sons when we arrived, and our grandson talked to his mom back home.  The "boys" arrived home about 1:30, almost gamed out!  Our younger son was taken to the train station about 2:15, and our older one at 4:15.
Our grandson has had fun playing with all the special toys that live at our house, and after dinner, headed up to bed.  Granddad reads him 3 story books every night, after a clean-up and brushing teeth!

We have a busy 5 days planned, and then we'll return him home next Saturday.  I hope to have a couple of minutes to do some sewing, and check my email, etc., but we'll see.  We love our grandson, but he never stops from morning until bedtime!
 

MISSING IN ACTION!

I can't believe that I have been "missing" for two months!  Where has the time gone......
Our quilt show was a huge success, thanks to all the tired volunteers who helped fill the many positions.
DH and I have been spending a lot of time with our f

amily.  DS2 and family had some important jobs to do to their home, so many hours were spent helping.  Also DDIL2 is expecting a new family addition soon, so we also helped keep our grandson busy.  He spent almost 2 weeks with us in July, and is returning for a week in September.  He has moved into his new "big brother" room, after DH painted it GREEN, his favourite colour.
We also had a visit from both of my brothers and their wives - a first for us.  We had fun sharing information about growing families, eating and relaxing.  We hope to repeat the visit at my middle brother's home later in the fall.
I have been quilting too!  I finished the machine quilting and added the binding on 5 quilts for my guild's community quilts program during the past 2 months.  I also finished my wall hanging that was started during the early months of 2018.
H This is my version of Diamond Hill by Esther Aliu.  I made some minor changes, and omitted the appliqued border.  The green print was leftover cotton from my neice's bridesmaid dresses from the 80's.  After making 5 dresses, I had lots of off-cuts from the gored skirts, and have been whittling away at it ever since!

 Here are some close-ups of the blocks to show the quilting.

I plan to update my 2018 page soon, and add all the additional projects that have been in the works while I have been MIA.

 DH and I have been attending many of the plays at the Thousand Island Playhouse in Gananoque ON.  We have friends who have season passes, so we usually tag along with them.  Our group ranges from 4 to 8 attending together.  Good thing our old van has seating for 8 adults!
DH and his friend have also been entertaining at local nursing homes, and senior residence around town, billed as Three for a Quarter.  The have fun playing a big variety of music from the 30's on to today, telling jokes, and visiting with the residents.  They love to see people singing along.  DH says they don't have to be really good, as many people remember the original music when it is being played/sung!  I think they do an awesome job!  I joined DH on July 4th as we entertained for a resident's 100th birthday.  She had many relatives and friends visiting to share her day.  I played my flute along with DH on the guitar, and even sang along on a couple of songs.  It was a great way to spend the afternoon!

 

FINALLY BACK TO QUILTING! + STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  0 yards
Fabric used year to date  112.25 yards
Fabric added this week 14 yards
Fabric added year to date  70.25 yards
Net used this year  42 yards


A week after our arrival in the sunny south, our son, daughter in law and grandson, age 2 yr 10 months, arrived for a two week visit.  We had so much fun, with trips to Disney World, swimming, mini putt, and just enjoying time with our family.  My sewing room was closed for business for the duration!
 
After they returned north, we took time to catch up on our sleep, tidy the house, do laundry and just relax for a while.  My quilting group started again, and we've spent 2 Wednesdays getting re-acquainted, and figuring out what we want to work on this winter.  We have some new members too, so we're having lots of fun!

I've been catching up on my guild's BOM project, and I have all the blocks made up to date.

Some of the blocks are made in pairs, all scrappy, and others are made in sets of 4 or more.

 The December blocks are made in shades of green.

I love this time of year in Florida.  The only problem is that it is so nice out, I have trouble sitting at my machine!

DH is helping a neighbour work on his driveway today.  I guess I should get the binding cut for a runner that I've been working on......

Looking at my stash report - I'd better get stitching or this will be my worst report in all the years I've been tracking my fabric acquisition!

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE????????

I can't believe that I haven't posted since the end of July!

We've been busy, with family, DH has been entertaining at nursing homes and senior residences in our area, along with his friend and bass player, I've been machine quilting more quilts for my guilds community quilts program, and we have been on the road frequently.

Here is the picture of the finished "Autumn Orphan" quilt.  I've also added some close-ups of the quilting.

In early August, our son and family came for a visit, and our grandson, age 2 1/2, stayed with us for a week after his parents returned home.  This is the longest that they had been separated, and the adults didn't do as well as the little one.

He loves construction vehicles, and we picked up 6 small ones for him to play with.  Lucky for us, just a block away, the city was replacing a storm drain, and every day for the length of his visit, he and Grandpa walked over to watch the excavators and dump trucks at work.

We had a great visit!  

When we returned him home, we went to see my middle brother, who was in the hospital.  He was supposed to have a 2 1/2 hour surgery, but it lasted 8 1/2 hours after they detected cancer.

There was a complication on the day after his operation, and he ended up staying in the hospital for four weeks.  He lost almost 40 pounds by the time he returned home.  He is recovering slowly, and still has to undergo radiation and chemo, but has a positive attitude, and a wonderful wife and family to provide him with the support that he needs.

In early September, we had our grandson for another week!  His parents managed better the second time, and discovered that they could get lots done when he was away.  They even had time for a dinner out!   We seem to be constantly packing and unpacking, as our family lives 4 1/2 hours away, and requires us to drive across the city of Toronto each time!  Not for the faint of heart.
We also attended our good friends' daughter's wedding, and we gifted them the double Irish chain quilt.

Since then, I've been busy catching up on my quilting projects, including working on my guild's block of the month project.  Our guild is having a quilt show in June, and I found a few items, and made some more to donate to the boutique.

I made this quick table topper for my guild's Christmas dinner, even though I won't be attending.  I have a large stash of Christmas fabric, and I'm trying to use more of it.  Unfortunately, this only used  1.75 yards.

By the way, I've used 60.25 yards of fabric this year, after deducting the 52 yards that I've added to my stash.

Today I looked through the quilts that I have made since the last show, trying to decide which ones to enter.  Since the entry pictures need to be in by February, (when I'll be south for the winter), I need to select a few now.

Suddenly, it is time to pack for our winter in the south.  I've already sent a notice to be published in our community newsletter, letting everyone know the start date for our weekly quilt group.  Now I just have to plan some projects to take along!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY 7 MAY 2017

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  69.625 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  51 yards

Net used 2017  18.625 yards

We've been home for a month, and my report hasn't changed at all!

We seem to take longer each year to get back into the groove.....

We've had lots of rain since we returned, and there is some localized flooding, but not near our home, so far.  Lake Ontario has an extremely high water level, and many docks and waterside properties are flooded as well.  The damp weather, along with our return to a home with stairs has been playing havoc with my knee.

We've had 2 trips to spend time with our grandson, and will be returning next weekend again - our younger son and daughter-in-law are celebrating their 5th anniversary.  We plan to send them out for some together time.  They had a huge fir tree uprooted in their yard during a late winter storm.  Most of it fell into the neighbour's yard, but the uprooted stump remained in theirs.  DH has been trying to dig it out, and cut off as many parts as he could, but finally had to give up - it is just too large.  Our son had a company come and give him an estimate for grinding the stump, and since the 5th anniversary is "wood", we offered to pay for the work....

I attended my guild meeting on Wednesday - great to see lots of familiar faces.  I sat with 2 newish members and told them about several of the fun activities coming up.  We played "strip bingo" - the cost was 8 fabric strips @ 2 1/2 inches by WOF.  I was relieved when I didn't win - I have every inch of storage space packed, so I better get using some fabric!  I was handed two small quilts to complete for our community quilts project, and spent the last 2 days machine quilting, and attaching the binding and sewing on the label.  It gave me time to catch up on some of my favourite TV shows that have been waiting.

I've been working on a super scrappy quilt top, using lots of orphan blocks and small bonus half square triangle units.  It is super scrappy, even for me, but I'm sure it will keep someone warm when it is finished.

Check out all the progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  69.625 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  51 yards

Net used 2017  18.625 yards

I always have a slow start at my quilting when we return to our northern home.  My basement quilting room is much cooler than the rest of the house, and feels even colder after spending time in the sunny south.  We spent our first weekend home with our younger son and family, when our grandson learned to say Grandma and Grandad, and this weekend our older son came for a visit.  We enjoy getting caught up on all their news.   

I attended my guild executive meeting this past week, and got caught up on all the news.  We'll be having a quilt show in June 2018, so now I have to get busy making some items for the boutique.

Hopefully I'll get my quilting mojo restarted soon....

Here's all the progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  0 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  0 yards

Net used 2017  0 yards

 I'm not off to a good start this year.  I still have to figure out what I plan to use for backings for the quilt tops that I've completed so far.

My time has been taken making the first 2 of 13 rows for my group's row quilt.  I have to try to make samples of the next few rows, so I can stay ahead of the group.  I've also spent some time with some of my newer quilters, helping with problems.

We had a visit with our cousins from Jan 1-4.   We talked, laughed, played Sequence (a board game), and ate way too much food.  DH and I are back to our normal diet.  I cooked a turkey dinner while they were here, so I made turkey soup with the bones yesterday.  We're having it for lunch today, and 5 containers of soup headed to the freezer.  We also packed up some turkey and gravy for later meals as well.  DH wants me to make more cranberry sauce!

See everyone's progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

NO SEWING FOR ME

I took my machine in for its annual "spa treatment" on Tuesday.  My sewing room looks so lonely without it!  I can't wait for the phone call to tell me I can pick her up.....

Since I can't sew, I've been preparing some baby quilt tops and backings, and pin-basted one this morning.  I thought I had lots of batting, but after a search, I discovered that I only have leftover pieces!  I just ordered some more, but I think I'll check out all the bags and see if I can hand stitch some together - at least it will feel like progress!

My southern quilting group begins its weekly get-togethers next Wednesday, so I took some time to organize my binder of "stuff" so I'll be prepared for the first week.  People are slowly arriving.  I think many waited until after the election, or are waiting until Thanksgiving.

Yesterday we had a visit from a cousin who was only south for 4 days, to visit us and his sister.  He plays a mean guitar, so DH and our northern friend played most of the afternoon.  I called and invited our friend's wife for dinner, so they could keep playing!  It was great to visit and listen to the music, even if it was only for a short time.

Off to hunt for batting pieces!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  6 yards

Fabric used year to date  179.875 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  146.125 yards

My "used" fabric was from my small autumn leaf wallhanging, and a baby quilt made from a panel.  The baby quilt will be heading to my community quilts group at my guild. (picture to follow later)

  I'm currently quilting my redwork quilt, making slow progress.  This time of year, DH and I are busy doing our Christmas shopping, as well as birthday shopping for our grandson.  It seems early to everyone, but we'll be relocating south in a few short weeks, and they get super busy this time of year.

DS1 spent the weekend with us - sort of.....  He arrived Thursday in time for dinner, but he really came for a game weekend with his friends.  Starting with lunch together on Friday, they played board and card games of all sorts for the weekend.  We had a good visit at breakfast each morning, and by 9:30 he was off for the day.  He returned home this afternoon, and we took him to the train station for his trip home today.

Next week, my brother and his wife will be in town for 3 days.  They visit from China a couple of times per year, and this time, 3 of his wife's school friends are coming for a tour of southern Ontario.  They've never seen the autumn leaves in person, and are looking forward to their visit.  They are staying in a hotel while they are here, as it would be difficult to accommodate 5 adults comfortably in our small townhouse.

Next weekend is Thanksgiving for all Canadians, and we are looking forward to a lovely dinner with friends.  Hopefully I'll get some quilting done too!  I'm starting to plan some projects for my winter in the south.

Check out all the progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  173.875 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016   140.125 yards

No changes to my numbers this week! I spent time trimming the final 120 half-square triangle blocks, and stitched the final border of my redwork quilt top!  

Tuesday I spent all day with my community quilts group.  I baked some muffins before heading out, and we ate them with coffee as we stitched the labels on all the quilts completed since our last get-together.  Then we headed down to the workroom, and our fearless leader assigned some jobs.  My partner for the day and I were asked to add 3 borders onto a quilt top that had been rescued from a church sale - it was almost thrown out.  I also helped another person pin the borders onto her quilt top.  Lots of ironing of quilt backings, and quite a few quilts pin-basted, including the one I had worked on.  As members left, they chose a quilt to finish, and I brought home the large one that I had worked on.  My partner ended the day by making the binding, and several people helped with the basting.

Thursday, I decided to design the leaf quilt that I was making with my test blocks.  I used EQ7, with a custom set to place the blocks and figure out all the setting pieces.

I added pictures of the four blocks, but I just used contrasting fabric for the rest of the small wallhanging.

Below is my completed top.  I'll be using the dark framing fabric to make the binding.  (The dark around the edges is the carpet in my sewing room!)  The light fabric has silver sparkles, and looks much better in person.  I found both fabrics in my newly organized stash, so they'll be counted as soon as I get this little project completed.

Friday it is off the Kitchener to spend time with our grandson and his family.  We try to arrive mid-afternoon, and I make dinner for the worker bees so they can relax after a busy work week.  DH has a list of things he wants to help with around their home, so we'll have a busy fun weekend.

Check out all the progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Nothing new to report this week!

We had a house full of company for 5 days - 4 extra adults and a 19 month old whirlwind!  We loved spending time with our grandson, but by the end of the visit we were nearing exhaustion!  We had trips to the playgrounds in the area, as well as an afternoon at the splash pad, playing with lots of water.  We all slept well every night.  DH also played tour guide for some of the time.  We were sad to see them leave.  My DIL is finding their home empty without her sister and nephew in residence.

After they left, I had to deal with the seeming mountain of sheets and towels, and we took advantage of the days to catch up on some sleep.

Wednesday was my guild executive meeting.  We have some new members, and lots to discuss about the upcoming season.  I returned home with items to update on our website.

Friday I finished the final quilt for community quilts.  I only provided binding for the first 3 - the final 2 came with  prepared binding.  Now they have to have labels stitched on each and have a picture taken before they'll be sent to their new homes.

Saturday morning we headed out to another family reunion.  This time it was DH's side of the family.  We all come from his grandmother's side and his great-aunt's family.  Our grandson was introduced to everyone, and was his charming self.  He had a cousin who was almost a year older, so he enjoyed his afternoon, playing in the sandbox and running around the yard.  The cousins who were graciously hosting, raise alpacas, so he got to feed carrots to one of them, and was able to pat both its nose and neck, but the fun ended when he wanted to grab the ears!  I came home with a bag of alpaca yarn to knit into some more items for them.  They especially asked for small shawls and hats and scarf sets.  I'll have to find my patterns, but I'll probably try some new ones this time - I like the variety!

Check out all the progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  1.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  168.625 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.75 yards

Net used 2016  134.875 yards

I'm still not getting any of my projects completed, but I did provide the binding for 3 of the smaller "community quilts" that I machine quilted for my guild.  The 4th one is about 2/3 quilted, and then there is one more to complete.

Reorganizing my sewing room and family visits took a huge bite out of my month!  Our son, daughter-in-law and grandson, along with her sister and nephew from Russia arrived on Friday afternoon.  DH took them for a short driving tour of Kingston after we had dinner.  We've been taking care of our grandson this weekend, while the other four headed for a weekend in Ottawa.

We spent most of Saturday with our wee one, (just 19 months old), visiting a couple of parks to play on the slides and then to a water play area in the afternoon, so he could run and splash in the puddles and squirting water with all the other kids.  Today we've had showers off and on all day, so we've had a quiet day, playing with toys, and we watched the Winnie the Pooh movie before he headed upstairs for his afternoon nap.

A good friend from my guild asked me to quilt her latest quilt - not something I usually do, other than for community quilts, but I like a challenge, so she is bringing it over tomorrow morning, so I can get started as soon as the last two quilts are completed.  I'm sure I'll get around to my own projects soon enough, and I don't really have any deadline!

Check out all the progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

A LITTLE PROGRESS

DH and I managed to find time this week, to do some pin basting!  Tuesday afternoon we headed to the clubhouse to use the large tables there, and managed to baste both quilts that I had completed since arriving south, along with a small panel for a growth chart for our grandson.
We had our cousins come for a visit from Wednesday to Friday, and we had some friends join in for a ham and scalloped potatoes dinner on Thursday night.
Friday afternoon and Saturday have been spent catching up on my guild's block of the month project.  I had 2 blocks to complete, and then I'll email the pictures to the coordinator, so she knows I'm keeping up!   (This has become a joke between us, and last month she printed the pictures and hung them with the rest of the blocks at "show and tell".

 Now that I am caught up, I'll get my machine set up for machine quilting, and make sure I have lots of bobbins wound.  I'll "warm up" by quilting the panel first, then my scrappy quilt, then the bright coloured hearts quilt.  That should keep me busy this week!  Then I want to get started on my son and daughter-in-law's new "oceany" quilt - king size!!!!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  135 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  97.875 yards

Net used 2015  37.125 yards

 

I feel like I've been spinning my tires!  I've been sewing every day, but the call of the lovely weather has other ideas.  We bike ride every day, and lots of our friends have arrived, so we've been catching up on all the summer happenings.  I'm not complaining, but I really would like to finish a quilt before the end of the year!

 

Yesterday I cut two lengths of muslin to back a quilt.  I serged the raw edges and put the fabric in the washer and dryer.  I was shocked to find that the pieces I cut 68 inches long, shrunk in length to 61 1/4 inches!  This is why I always pre-wash all my fabric!  I knew that I had to add some fabric between the two widths of fabric, but now I have to add another strip lengthwise.  I've been using some 9-patch blocks, made from leftovers, so it will blend with the scrappy quilt top.

 

Tomorrow we are heading to Epcot to see the Candlelight Procession - listening to the Christmas songs and hearing the huge choir and the full orchestra is one of our holiday rituals.  It always gets me in the Christmas mood.  We also want to start decorating inside and out.  We'll do what we can on Tuesday, then I'm off to my quilting group on Wednesday, and DH's cousins arrive in time for dinner.  I'll probably wait to decorate the tree until after they leave.  Our house is tiny, and the extra decorations make it feel smaller.......just right for two!

 

Check out others' progress this week at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY - WEEK 47

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  135 yards

Fabric added this week 4 yards

Fabric added year to date  97.875 yards

Net used 2015  37.125 yards

 

I better get going - my numbers are heading the wrong way!  I received 4 yards of fabric this week - to back the heart quilt.

 

Meanwhile, I've been slowly putting the braid and 9-patch quilt top together.  One more border, (another neutral),  to measure and add, and then I'll have to put together a back for it as well.  I plan to use scrapping binding for this one as well.  Hopefully, I'll get some pin-basting and quilting done this week.

 

Our daughter-in-law's sister came for a short visit this week - great to get to know her better.  She left Friday morning, to spend the weekend with friends, then was heading to her in-law's home in Ft. Myers.  We suggested that she stop and meet us for lunch as she passed by, so we had a great soup and salad lunch at Olive Garden, then gave her a hug and sent her on her way. 

 

 Shortly after we arrived back home, our son let us know that they were ready to Skype, so we had a good time chatting and watching our grandson zoom around their living room!  He sure is a busy boy!  I showed them the hood that I made, and DH has it packed to be mailed tomorrow.  Just in time - they have a light dusting on snow on the ground, but the streets and sidewalks are just wet - no need to shovel yet! 

I'm linking with Patchwork Times and Quilting is More Fun than Housework today.