MORE BLOCKS FINISHED

I had decided to make both version of my guild's BOM project this year, both using fabrics from my stash.  This is version 2 - with a paper pieced centre.  I decided to make this from batiks, choosing neutral, blue, green and plum for my colours.  These 4 blocks will be used in round three, and the other 4 will provide corner blocks for the final round.
Now I have to get back to a couple of projects that have deadlines!

I baked chocolate, chocolate chip, peppermint cookies this morning, and made some Cheddar sausage balls for the pot luck tomorrow.  My group has been keeping me busy with calls, questions, asking me to re-send files that mysteriously disappeared from their computer......

DH picked kumquats from our friend's tree - they are still north and the fruit is dropping on the ground.  He scrubbed the fruit, quartered each one to remove the seeds, and then had a lesson in making microwave jam.  He made a batch on Sunday, then another one today, after picking up more sugar.  He even made enough puree for 2 kumquat pies - everyone's favourite at the Kumquat Festival in Dade City.  We'll keep the puree in the freezer to give to the tree owners when they arrive.  There is still more fruit on the tree that needs to ripen, and hopefully they'll be able to pick more when they arrive in January, - that is if a hard frost doesn't damage the fruit!

Our visiting dog was happily reunited with her family yesterday afternoon.  The house is quiet today, and DH gave it a good vacuum to pick up all the tiny bits tracked in by doggie feet during the past week.   

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  7.75 yards

Used year to date  133.625 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  108.875 yards

Net Used 2012  24.75 yards

 

 I finished my southwest tree of life quilt this week, and then I made a set of quick and easy placemats.  One of my Florida quilt group brought the "non-pattern" placemats to the group and suddenly there were placemats springing up all over.  I haven't taken pictures of the placemats, but the southwest quilt is in my "quilts 2012 page.

The hot, humid weather has been taking its toll.  All the grass in the area is brown, and the farmers' crops are withering!  We have central air conditioning, but it always seems to be several degrees warmer in the top floor where the bedrooms are located.  I'm the type that doesn't sleep well - I love it cool, so with our long spell of hot, humid weather, I'm getting more and more tired!

Of course, when we went shopping yesterday, they had some yellow beans, so I had to buy enough to make bean mustard pickle - more later.  They also had baskets of prune plums, so later today I'll be making some plum jam.  The local peaches from the Niagara region of Ontario are also in season, so there is a basket of peaches on the counter, just calling my name.  Looks like I won't be getting much sewing done today!

A friend gave me half of a large, overgrown zucchini, so I cut out all the seeds, until I hit firm flesh, then made some zucchini bread yesterday.  2 loaves of pineapple zucchini and one of lemon zucchini.  Can't wait to taste them - I like to let quick breads sit a day for the flavours to blend......

Back to quilting - check out Judy's blog to see everyone's results this week.

GOOD AND BAD QUILTING DAYS

I was so pleased to finish all the "stitch in the ditch" quilting on my "Half Log Blues" quilt.  I even added the binding and got it sewn to the back by hand.  (I always do this before finishing the quilting - seems backwards but it works for me!)
I finally began doing the "fun" quilting on the half log cabin blocks and had a terrible day!!!!  I changed threads, needles, presser feet, I adjusted the tension, but nothing was working.  I decided to take a break from quilting, as I was going to destroy the area I was working on by so many failed attempts, and my waste basket was full of thread.

I took a day off and made some black currant jam!  DH and his friend were pruning some shrubs for an elderly neighbour, and she remembered how much my DS2 loved black currant jam.  She offered some black currants if DH wanted to pick them!  I managed to make one large and six small jars of lovely black currant jam, using the microwave method.  Tastes wonderful!!!!!

Finally decided to get back to my quilting.  I changed the presser foot one more time (I have 3 to choose from on my Juki), and like magic, everything was working!

Hopefully things will stitch smoothly today as well.  DH is playing golf today, the garden is watered and my chores are done, so I plan to spend the day quilting.  Wish me luck!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

We are enjoying sunny clear weather in Kingston this Canada Day.  The air is clear and a bit cool, but none of the dreaded humidity!
This is a tiny quilt that I made when we were living in Florida, while DH was posted to Tyndall AFB.  I used mini Christmas garland and sequins to make the fireworks.  I hang it on my front door every Canada Day!
I had a productive day yesterday.  I began by making 6 jars of strawberry jam.  I make mine in the microwave.  You can only make 2 jars at a time, but it is easy, and I can do other things while it is cooking.  We are not big consumers of jam, so this method works really well.

Then I headed to my studio and pin basted all 5 baby quilts!  I managed to do it with the queen size batting, that was provided by the guild, even though I had to piece it for the final quilt!  All the backing fabrics come from donations, so the two ladies do a great job of matching them to the tops.  I'll begin quilting today.