14 March, 2024

Pi Day

An oldie, but a goodie; always appropriate on 3.14!
Life is Good! 

13 March, 2024

Checking 'Em Off...

...one at a time, from the "projects to finish" list. "Winter Winds"* is now ready for hand finishing! ✔ I used the Swirly Snowflakes pantograph for this one, it might just be my new favorite panto; it's FUN to quilt, it was just perfect for this one too! I got the binding and the hanging sleeve made as soon as I removed it from the rails so that I would be motivated to complete it 100% without delay. I use the glue basting technique at the ironing board before I attach my binding by machine.  I've been doing this for years and have always been happy with the results. You can watch Sharon Shamber's video by clicking on the embedded link above. It's wonderful to have no pins whatsoever to contend with!
The only difficulty that I had with glue basting my binding was that someone was inconvenienced whenever I had to move his bed down below as I worked my way around! Sorry, Augie.
Quilted, bound, hanging sleeve and label all attached and ready for hand stitching. 
This is the hemmed edge of the hanging sleeve before it was attached. I turned the edges in 1/8", finger pressed, and turned it again, at less than 1/4" inch and stitched it down. Don't those edges look straight and crisp? I used a new tool, keep reading...
Clover's Fabric Folding Pen. When I was getting ready to make the sleeve I remembered this, it had been a Christmas gift that I put in my notions bin to try later. No time like the present, right? I read the instructions and gave it a try. I was amazed. As I drew the pen onto the fabric along a straight edge it made a moist line. I folded it along that line and, like magic, it behaved perfectly... straight, crisp fold! I did press it with the iron too, but I probably didn't need to. This is a great tool to have on hand! Clover NEVER disappoints! 
Another tip: if you have access to a serger, do yourself a huge favor and finish your quilt top's edges before loading your quilt for quilting. This is the second time that I've done this and I can't believe how it has improved my life! Edges are secured and stabilized as they're over-edged and your top will lie smooth and square on the quilt sandwich throughout the entire quilting, and advancing, process. Plus, it is so NEAT!
One more check ✔: working my way through last year's BOM, I knocked out block #7; this block is entitled "Hopeful". I am that, hopeful, that I'll get more of these stitched up on Saturday; it is National Quilting Day after all. Can you think of any better activity to commemorate the occasion?
Life is Good!

*The snowflake pattern shown above is called Stars and Snowflakes by Wendy Sheppard.

09 March, 2024

Already?

How'd this happen so fast? I'm not quite ready to give up an hour of AM sleep yet. Seems like we just "fell back", didn't we? Sigh.
I've said for a long time that Augie has "cat-like" tendencies but this proves it! First of all, let me explain that "NO", he's not allowed to get on the end table! I found him curled up here one day last month. He's looking at me as if to say "what, there's nothing to see here!" He is a funny little dog; we love him all the more because of it, never a dull moment. 
These were found during my recent cross-stitch shopping excursion. I'm really excited to begin this one 🍓; it's only appropriate since I've had a finish this week! 

I can work on it with that "extra" hour we're gaining, right?
Life is Good!

07 March, 2024

Finally, A Finish!

No, not a quilt finish but a finish nonetheless. I believe that I started this one the summer before last but it's done, in a frame and ready for its close up! I had to laugh when I read Mary's Country Threads blog the other day and she referred to quilters who've taken up cross stitch as "jumping ship"! I haven't gone all in, as in totally overboard, but I do stitch to unwind in the evenings and have an outing to a cross stitch shop planned for tomorrow! Maybe I'm in deeper than I thought. 😉  It's been hard to get into the sewing room the past few days what with getting the perennial garden weeded and cleaned up for new growth emerging, and tending to the sourdough! Seriously, keeping up with the starter and using it on a regular basis is like a adopting a baby! Last week I did a big batch of cinnamon rolls and this week I've baked rustic whole wheat loaves as well as bread bowls for soup.  
Whole Wheat
Bread "bowls"; these were yummy!
I did manage to get another (2024) BOM block together in an effort to stay ahead. I'm still working backwards (2023) too, as time allows. I'm also piecing blocks L-E style at the same time; stay tuned for those; they're cute. 

    What's on your "finished" list lately?
Life is Good!

04 March, 2024

In Like A Lion?

How did your March kick-off? Did it come in like a lion? Ours was chilly and rainy but not too cold to nip the abundant daffodils who are joyfully showing off right now. I'm participating in two blocks-of-the month currently. This one, left, is part of the Barn Star class from the book by Shelley Cavanna.
My fabric choices are from the Dry-brush Essentials line by Wilmington Fabrics. I wanted my stars to look actual barn stars; I'm not following the color suggestions in the book.
The first two blocks are huge; twenty four inches square, both of these.
This is the second 2024 block-of-the month. Lemoyne Stars w/ Variations. Twelve inch blocks. So far I'm caught up and plan to stay that way or, even better, work ahead as time allows. Last year I abandoned both BOMs that I was participating in after I broke my wrist at the end of August; I had always intended to pick them back up but it didn't happen. My plan now is to work backwards and complete those too. But, the question is this: if I am working backward on those and ahead on the current blocks at the same time, am I actually making any forward progress, or standing still? 
My Winter Winds quilt is under the needle currently. I just love this pantograph!
In an effort to USE my ages-old serger I did an overedge stitch on the entire perimeter of this quilt top before loading it onto Snowbird for quilting. I can't believe what a difference this made as far as keeping the edges neat and straight! I may do this to all my tops moving forward, it really didn't take much time at all and I can already see how much cleaner binding this will be when I get to that stage. A win-win! To stay seasonally appropriate my goal is to finish this one up before the quickly-approaching first day of spring! Fingers crossed! SEW, what are your plans for this coming month?
On March 1st my parents celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary! What a blessing. 
I found this treasure last week too, Mom and Dad leaving on their honeymoon. 
Mom says it was snowing to beat the band on that 1952 evening in Massachusetts. 💗
Although it didn't exactly greet us here with lion-like weather to begin the month
it is March and we know to expect the unexpected. 
Life is Good!

28 February, 2024

February~ Come and Gone!!

Out with the snowmen, it's February; love and hearts have replaced them on the tabletops and kitchen windowsill! 
And yet, while all of that is true, here is the greater question:
Thank you so much, blogger friends and those in real life who've reached out to inquire about my whereabouts and well-being. I'm fine, just as busy as I've ever been. I had taken on quite a few outside longarm commitments over the past few weeks; those, along with regular day-to-day activities have pretty much taken every free minute and run out the clock on February. Whew! Of course, that didn't stop me from starting a few projects of my own...


... as well as a new set of Lenten paraments for church. If anyone reading this has experience with sewing paraments or vestments let me know. I have questions for you!
I got a this bitty cross stitch piece bordered with all the best intentions to make a seasonal pillow but the backing/stuffing part still hasn't happened and this cutie remains one dimensional, I need to finish it for next year now. 
This little hanging is now 25 years old; made by a dear friend who's since passed away. She made one of these for every month of the year, they hang in the kitchen window as a reminder of our friendship over all these many the years. 💗
And just like that this month has all but passed and spring is knocking LOUDLY at the door! Augie is now sixteen months old and the absolute perfect companion. I'm going to TRY to be better about posting here, I seem to have gotten out of the habit, time to get back in the swing of things!
SEW, what's new with you?
Life is Good!

30 January, 2024

Day Brightener!

Look at what I received this morning; isn't it just the best?!! It was created for me by our DIL and Lynnleigh, I couldn't love it more! Our DIL got a sublimation printer for Christmas. You can click on the hyper link for more info, this was all new to me; I'm so VERY excited about the result!
I'm including a day brightener for you, too; a dear friend texted this to me yesterday. It hits close to home. 
Are you smiling? 
Life is Good!