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!

FINALLY!

Yesterday, the first blooms opened on my iris plants.  It has been a cold spring, but finally had some sunny days......

And one day later.....

DH and I visited 2 garden centers this morning - what a disappointment.  Scant quantities of plants available, and little variety.  I still haven't found a rosemary plant anywhere.....
Yesterday, I placed an order at a local nursery, and I'm waiting for my notification to pick up my plants.  At least the few that I found will get naturally watered in tonight, as we are expecting showers around 4pm.

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!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  72.375 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  51 yards

Net used 2017  21.375 yards

 

Lots of sewing this week, but no finishes yet!  I have 2 loaves of oatmeal bread rising in pans, and 2 loaves of white bread on its first rise this morning.  We also had a nice Skype chat with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson.  They've been busy in the garden all week, and have some of their veggie garden planted.  They'll be out shopping for more plants again this afternoon, after nap-time.

They are still re-working some of the established garden beds, removing plants that they don't like, and replacing with things they do.  They love plants that provide food, so they planted an Italian prune plum tree this spring, and plan on planting some fruiting bushes in the corner that used to be taken by the large tree that nature removed.  This year, they are adding compost and nutrients to the soil in that area, so it will be ready for its new plants next spring.

We have a busy week planned, with a night at the theatre on Tuesday, and a graduation dinner for our friends' daughter on Wednesday.  She is receiving an engineering degree from Queen's University in Kingston.  DH and his friend also have 3 performances at local nursing homes this week as well, so I hope to get the alternate blocks for my quilt project completed this week.