SEWING IN CIRCLES!

Our time in our southern home is coming to an end.  Our final visitors have departed, and the guest room has become a space for staging all things that need to be packed for the trek north.

While we had visitors, we stashed items in every nook and cranny, to make their visit more enjoyable.  Now, we are getting everything out of hiding, and checking our lists of things that we need to take along.   There has been some shopping for small items, and even a couple of parcels shipped to us to bring home for family and friends.

I always find it difficult to work on a project at this time, but I still need some sewing time.  I looked at the past and current leader and ender challenges at Quiltville, and decided to give one or two a try.
Part of my shopping lately was to buy some Kona black and white fabric for Checkerboard Rails.  I cut rail pieces from some scraps that I had been given, along with some leftover 1 1/2 inch strips, and made a couple of sample blocks.
Then, I thought of Jewel Box Stars, the challenge for this year, so back to some scrap triangles etc., for a few block parts. 

Then, I remembered admiring the basket blocks that Bonnie had worked on during her last teaching trip.  I made a drawing on graph paper, and figured out what size I wanted to make, and thanks to the Essential Triangle Tool, I have 8 blocks completed!

I also decided to try the Canadian Quilters Association challenge - 
52 Blocks in 52 Weeks.  I had picked up fabric for project as well, this during my last shopping trip, and have the first 12 blocks completed.

Tomorrow is the last day my quilting group meets, and then I plan to clean and oil my sewing machine, and pack it into its case, so there will be no more distractions and I can get organizing!  DH and I are looking forward to the trip north, with a few side trips planned, and getting some grandchildren hugs too!

Playing with Fabric

I've been working my way through some quilt panels that have been waiting too long to become quilts.
Before heading south in the fall, I gathered some panels, and chose a few pieces of coordinating fabric for each.  The one I have been working on lately has a garden theme.
I began by adding a small border on each side of the panel, to make the width to height proportions more pleasing.

This just shows part of the panel.  I added pink on either side. 



Using leftover fabric from a past project, I made hourglass blocks, using a floral print and a variety of neutrals.  The next border was the yellow floral print, to coordinate with the narrow yellow frames in the panel.  For the final border, I used a border stripe fabric, to finish the quilt top.

I am mitering the final border, and will use the top to give a demonstration with my quilting group this week.  

DH and I attended the AQS show in Daytona Beach this week - the quilts were wonderful!  Since I'm trying to get my stash under control, I only picked up thread and needles to add some new colours for quilting!  I also picked up a cute yellow flannel for the backing of this lap quilt - it has flowers on it to continue the garden theme.  I need to wash it before I can pin-baste the quilt, ready for machine quilting.

Friends are arriving on Tuesday to spend 10 days with us in the sunshine.  Their 2 granddaughters, 9 and 11, are coming too, so we'll have fun at the pool, and plan a couple of days at Disney World too!

SPINNING MY WHEELS!

That's what I feel like lately!  We had adult guests for over 2 weeks, and I managed to do a tiny bit of sewing, and attend my Wednesday quilt group.  Then we had friends visiting with 2 small girls.  We went to all 4 Disney parks over a 10 day period, with alternate days of shopping, swimming, mini golf, golf cart rides etc.  Needless to say, my cover remained on my machine for the duration of the visit, and I missed both Wednesdays, but everyone managed just fine at quilting.
It has taken me a few days to get caught up - laundry, cleaning, sleep, etc.  I managed to get to quilting on Wednesday, then out on an adventure with some friends today.  DH has been looking at our "closing the house for the summer" list, and has begun taking care of some of the items. We'll be hitting the road, van packed in just over 2 week!  

Where did the winter go?  (I know - we didn't have to suffer the endless snow and ice, but I'm sure there will be some left when we return!)

I have 3 of the 4 borders for my hexagon quilt ready to attach, and I was hoping to find some backing fabric today, but nothing climbed into my shopping bag today.  I also found out that my favourite quilt shop's 30% off sale takes place the day we depart......
I guess that means that a stop at Mary Jo's in Gastonia NC is in my future!

I still have a few days to sew before serious packing begins, so there is hope yet!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  61.875 yards

Fabric added this week 5 yards

Fabric added year to date  14 yards

Net fabric used 2014  47.875 yards

Sometime, during the past several weeks, 5 one-yard panels arrived.  I can't believe I didn't even turn my machine on for over 2 weeks, but having company, especially little visitors, took up all our time.  We had fun taking them to Disney World, and seeing their faces light up when talking to their favourite characters.  DH took them to the pool every day he could, and played mini-golf, took them for rides in the golf cart, etc.  I kept everyone fed, and tried to keep them organized.  I also edited the photos taken each day, and played games with the girls.

This is our second day of laundry and cleaning, and hopefully, I'll get my sewing mojo back by Monday!

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

I'VE BEEN AWOL

DH and I discovered that it is hard having company when you are recovering from a cold, and I have a "wonky" knee that acts up from time to time, and of course, it acted up the whole time they were visiting.  DH was great, and took them out a day or two, leaving me at home to catch up on mail, bills, a bit of cleaning and cooking, as well as a couple of minutes of sewing.  I was suffering from withdrawal!

I have been working away at the parts for my next project.  I managed to get the 4-patches stitched before our company arrived, and I cut the parts for the half square triangles, stealing a few minute now and again while our visitors were here.

One of our neighbours, who we dog-sit for, has a trip planned to the Florida Keys from Monday to Friday, so sweet Sophia will be staying with us for the week.  We also heard that our elderly neighbour has to go to South Carolina for 2 weeks for tests and treatment, and can't take his small dog.  He leaves on Saturday, and so we are organizing several neighbours to take the dog for a walk, and provide some play-time for it.  Since we have Sophia for the first week, we can't keep it here, and we are not sure how well trained it is.

The annual Variety Night in our community, is this Sunday, and DH had not planned to participate this year.  He got a call on Thursday, asking if he could MC the show.  The person who had planned to do it, as well as sing 2 numbers and various other things, had to head north after a death in her family!  He just returned from the dress rehearsal, so I'm anxious to hear how it went!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I have nothing on the wall this week!

  I'm still recovering from the bug that attacked over a week ago, and DH is about half-way through the symptoms!  I did piece a back for a quilt, but I've been spending my energy doing some baking each day.  (I updated the recipe page...)

  Phase 1 of our company arrives next Saturday.  HS is arriving in Orlando on Friday, to attend a work related conference, but her company didn't want family or spouses along, so MS is coming to our place the following day instead.  He'll enjoy a couple of days of golf while she is "working".  Then, two days later, HS will be heading to our place for some R&R, and after a week in the sunshine, they'll be flying back home.

   I've been doing some basic meal planning, and baking bread and goodies so I don't have to do as much while they are here.  Meals will be simple - DH is great at the BBQ, and salads will be served in abundance, along with lots of fresh fruit.  Florida strawberries are in season now!

   I spent some time re-doing a basic quilt pattern to use some more fabrics that headed south in the fall.  I had to make sure that I would have enough fabric, using just what I have on hand.  I also have part 5 of my guild's BOM to complete.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some sewing done this week!

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for some inspiration!