Monday, Again

Where did  the week go?

Last Monday I cleaned house (and, boy girl folks, did it need it!)  

Tuesday I entertained the neighborhood book club.  My book was Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jenna Bush Hagar. -- a memoir of a daughter/grand-daughter of presidents.  Other hostesses have tied their refreshments to the theme of their book, so I served Texas caviar, Maine cranberry chutney with baked brie, and beaten biscuits to honor Tennessee's presidents. (You may need to read the book to get the gist ...)

Wednesday we attended a retirement luncheon for our pastor.  Alex is on the search committee for a replacement.  We have a couple of interesting candidates; we hope the search won't take too long.

Thursday I ventured to Knoxville while the skies were still blue-ish to finish my Christmas shopping.  I still have a few gaps but I had hoped to get the stocking stuffers off in the mail by Saturday.  Not so; definitely today ...

So Friday I played catch-up.  Cards are in the mail, what little decorating has been done, stockings -- really brown paper bags -- have been stuffed. I took advantage of Hubby's absence to wrap his gifts.

I spent much of Saturday just puttering, waiting for some old church friends to "drop by."  Well, they finally dropped around 4, totally throwing my dinner plans out of whack, but it was delightful to see them.  We ate the steaks Sunday night, instead.

After posting the stocking stuffers this morning I made it down to the sewing room.  Obligated is a flimsy!

It is 48 x 56 and I'm going to finish it as-is without a border. I have selected fun fabrics for the back and binding. 

Next up is stitching the rows of my RSC stars.  

I am in love with both of these quilts.  They will go to my favorite LAQ for finishing soon.

I did a little more organizing and planning in the sewing room before I called it a day.  With no place to go and nothing to do, I hope it will be a productive week.  

Nuts and Bolts Retreat and Stash Update

First, the stash update.  I'm out of the hole, over the edge!!

Dusk to Dawn

In this Week:           7.25 yards
In year to Date:     49.75 yards
Out this Week:      10.5 yards
Out Year to Date:  52.5 yards
Net Used 2014:       2.75 yards

How did I accomplish that?  I finished Dusk to Dawn flimsy and made the back for a total of 4.25 yards.

I finished assembling Starstruck, added borders, and made the binding for another 4.25 yards.  I'll admit that I added 3 yards for the borders after I decided to make this a gift for a special person.

Starstruck

Comfort Quilt

In addition, I donated 2 yards for a quick comfort quilt.


A couple of my other planned projects didn't get out of the box -- or, at least, didn't stay out of the box.  But I did finish the center of Celtic Solstice.  I was short blue fabric for four BG blocks so I not only put them in the four corners, I turned the chevrons to make them stand out.  Now to the borders .....

Celtic Solstice.

We had a lovely group of 18 ladies for some or all of the week.  Two in the group were nuts for dolls. Their tiny charges kept a close watch on the proceedings.


Stick around for a quilt show.  (Sorry I haven't learned how to insert a slide show, but it's on my to-learn list.)

Ari's Indian Summer

Connie's Stacked Deck

Diana's Smores CW Exchange

Donna's Trees

Frances' Chevrons

Frances' Smores Black/White Exchange

Kristen's Spinning Rails

Lisa's Cowboy

Lucille's Applique

Lucille's Carolina Lily

Marsha's Cracked Pots

Maureen's Birds in the Air

Nancy's Blended Nines

Maureen's Hunters Star

Now you can understand why I'm always inspired with this group!

Winter is coming back next week, so keep warm and quilt on.

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

Nuts and Bolts

That's what we call this gathering -- Nuts and Bolts.  You can bet we've got some of each.

First, a status update on my plans.

1.  Cruise Quilt - trimmed it but decided the trimmings from the back were not appropriate for the binding.  I think I have more of the border fabric at home, or at least something close.  Packed that one away.

2.  Dusk to Dawn - added inner and outer borders and made the back.  Still need to make binding, but went ahead and packed that one away.  It will remain a flimsy till I need it for something.

3.  Starstruck - Turns out I had enough blocks made and it didn't take long to get the center together.  When I decided that it would make a better gift than a charity quilt, I sent an emissary to Whittle's (I didn't want the temptation) to pick up nicer fabrics for the borders.  The top is finished and binding made.  I'll use something at home for the back.

SECOND UFO DONE!! 

4.  Stars of Summer - made a sample block and decided the stars will be too dark with the fabrics I planned to use.  Plus I discovered that, in a fit of efficiency, I had left the remaining background fabric at home.  STYMIED!  Back in the box.

5.  Jack's Chain - I got bored cutting chunks for the 9Ps.  It's still in the box.  But it's only Thursday.....

6.  Celtic Solstice.  After analyzing what was in the two boxes, I determined that the reason I got bogged down was the fact I had run out of the blue corner fabric I was using on Birthday Girl blocks and I also need a few better looking chevrons, as well.  In all I am short 4 BG blocks.  They will go in the corners.  Just 7 blocks away from putting the center together.

And I still have binding to do while watching skating tonight.  All is well with the world.  Except that I'm not sure I can upload photos on this new travelling gizmo MM (Main Man) gave me/us for Valentine's Day.

We're anticipating rough weather this evening.  Hope we don't lose power (or miss dinner).  In any case we'll just

Keep Calm

and

Quilt On

 



On My Way ...

... to a retreat in Kentucky.  Looking forward to accomplishing a lot during the week and soaking up all the creativity generated by everyone.  I never cease to be amazed at the talents of my friends and what I can learn just by being in the same room with them.

Cruise Quilt

Here's my plan:

1.  Trim the cruise quilt, make the binding, and attach the binding.  (Read more about the cruise and the quilt here.)

Dusk to Dawn

2.  Add inner and outer borders to "Dusk to Dawn."  Make back and file for quilting.

 3.  Finish Star Struck -- lay out remaining rows, sew together, add border(s).  Make back and file for quilting.

Star Struck

4.  Having finished two UFOs, I can then proceed with a clear conscience to start something new.  I have pulled Stars of Summer off the shelf.  It won't get finished this week, but I'm hoping to make some good progress on it.  I plan to use printed panels as the star centers.  Strips are cut and I'm looking forward to working on something new.

Stars of Summer

5.  In between all this, my leader-ender project will be making the 9-patches for Jack's Chain.  The strips are all sewn; just need to cut the 1-1/2" chunks before I can start sewing.

Jack's Chain

6.  I'm also taking along Celtic Solstice.  I believe I have all the units made and if I can just finish the Birthday Girl blocks at this outing, I will feel like I've accomplished something.

Celtic Solstice

Not wanting to miss the Olympics, I hope to do some hand stitching on bindings in the evenings (that is if the TV in the lounge is working).

I'll report in on my progress next weekend, if not before (assuming the WiFi is working).

Weather will be a lot warmer next week, thank goodness.  Hope it's the same for everyone else.  Hop over to Patchwork Times to see what's on design walls around the world.

A Tip for Tuesday

When you live on a steep hill and know ice and snow are coming, it would be wise to pack for retreat and move the car to the street.  Don't ask me how I know ... LOL

 

Yes, it's that steep!

So I am sitting at the kitchen counter drawing lines on little squares, just what I would be doing if I were at retreat.  Hoping the big melt will come by lunch time.