UP TO DATE - ALMOST

I've been catching up on my "52 Blocks in 52 Weeks" project.  I cut out parts for 4 or 5 blocks, and then sew them together.    I finished up to block 43 last night, but then downloaded block 44 this morning.

I have been spending time with my Electric Quilt software, deciding how I am going to use the blocks in a layout.  Straight set, or on point, what kind of sashing, how many borders etc.  I'm sure I'll figure it out by the time the final block pattern is released.

I spent some time this morning unpacking my 2 small dufflebags of fabric.  Now I just have to decide which project to start first.  I really should work on the projects that I left here over the summer, but something new is always calling my name!

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

No Change!

 

No sewing going on in my world.  Once I finished the quilts for my community quilts group, I decided it was time to tackle my sewing space.  It has become very disorganized over the past few years, and there is lots of craft stuff, and miniature supplies from hobbies that are on the back burner for now.

Lots of sorting, cleaning, re-organizing, seeming to make more mess that I started with.  DH joined me yesterday and we pulled everything out of the old kitchen cabinets that fill one end of my room.  Sorting, tossing, donating, cleaning and labeling kept us busy.  DH sorted all the paints and tossed those that had become solid, and also checked out his collection of glues (I had already done mine).

Today, I'm finishing the laundry, and doing some kitchen chores.  My basil was calling, so I made pesto from my favourite recipe and it is stored in the freezer.  I just pulled some cookie bars from the oven.  I'm trying to stock up in preparation for my visit from DS2 and extended family.  His wife's sister and nephew will be visiting from Russia, and her middle sister is joining them from California.  They will only be with us for a few days, but they are planning on an Ottawa visit, and our grandson will be staying with us for 2 days.  My little townhouse will be packed with 7 adults and our little guy, but we always make room for family.

Next weekend we head back to Kitchener, to help them get their house ready for visitors.  Some furniture needs to be relocated, and a few organization chores that we'll assist with as well.  Hopefully I can get some stitching done soon.  I have placemats to complete for "Meals on Wheels".  Our guild donates some every year, and I made the pieced tops over a year ago.  They just need to be backed and quilted.   Sounds like a simple task to do when we have company, in between cooking, visiting, etc.

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

DONATED FABRIC SCRAPS

I've spent 2 solid days sorting through the bags of scrap fabric that were given to me for my quilting group.
I had piles of fabric on every surface in my sewing room, and spent almost a whole day at the ironing board!  Since the fabric had been stuffed into various plastic bags, most of it was so wrinkled that you couldn't even see what it looked like!

  It is amazing how little room all the fabric takes up, after it is pressed, folded and organized, but boy, is it heavy!  I know from experience that a container stuffed with scraps will rarely get used.  I may be a bit anal, but I like things organized.  I have containers with 1 1/2 inch and 2 inch strips - and that is where I go when looking for pieces to add to my scrappy quilts.
I managed to sort all the donated fabric into several groups - solids, pieces 1 yard or more, half yards WOF, fat quarters, strips 2 in, 2 1/2 in, 3 in, 3 1/2 in, 4 in,  odd-shaped pieces bundled together by theme.  There are even a set of 3-patch strips obviously destined to become 9-patch blocks.
I ended up with a large bag headed to the garbage, as some of the fabric had been stored outside in less than ideal conditions, and was damp, mildew stained etc.  There were also many ruined pieces that were horribly miss-cut or mangled.  Some I think had been destined for the garbage, so that's where they are going.
I'm hoping the group has fun tomorrow, doing some "shopping".  I just received an email from one of the group who has been delayed in her trip south, asking me to save any leftovers for her......