AND SOME FINISHES!

I loaded up and went to work on free hand quilting which I rarely do because I have to think, and finished the quilt in no time.  

The backing I chose.

And another one went right on the frame 

and this time I did a meander for the quilting.

I love the backing fabric for this one! 

 Today, I tackle loading a big quilt for QOV!

 

STUDIO ATTRACTIONS

One of the charms on point tops were loaded on the frame for quilting.  I will tackle that today with a meander pattern.

I cut up several more fat quarters into layer cakes;

then cut two long strips from one side of the 10" piece,

and then two shorter pieces from the remaining piece.

These cuts yield this pile of pieces to sew up 

which happens very quickly when I chair sew!

And it was fun to throw them up on the design wall.  

I think it will be fun to cut them up with other fabrics and rearrange the pieces so there is less order--that is one of the things that is so interesting about quilting--just a little change can produce a block that hardly looks related!

 

*REWARD TIME IN THE STUDIO

It was nice to add the blocks we made at my daughter, Marsel's, house.  I added a few blocks to complete the row. 

 Now it is time to make another red star block!

I also started a new project--a way to use layer cakes.  I 'made' these layer cakes from two fat quarters and I will be using the rest of the fat quarters to make a bunch more! 

 9" blocks, unfinished.

*the reward is for getting all of my luggage taken care of and new homes found for all of the extras! lol

 

A SAFE ARRIVAL

Despite a lot of this....

I did get a lot of knitting time in and finished one sock and started its mate.  It is a very long drive (8-9 hours) but we did it. 

 While I will NOT say Lena loved the trip, she did remarkably well.  

 

GOODBYES

Goodbye to all of the woodland friends...

who have brightened our mornings

and afternoons

and evenings.

We will remember you until we come again...

 

THIS IS WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE

Here is a family pic after church yesterday!  

My first grandchild, David, Bill, me, my daughter, Marsel, her husband, Bruce and first grand daughter, Abigail! 

And after eating popcorn last night, I finally finished this C2C blanket in LionBrand Mandala yarn. It is 40" x 48" 

 It gets a A+ for squish factor!

 

SEWING TOGETHER!

We enjoyed some sewing time yesterday--

we worked on adding to my string blocks for a QOV.  

They sure add up faster with sewing buddies!

Marsel went through some yarn supplies and decided that sock knitting is not for her so I have some new yarns! 

And I get to finish this pair for her!  

TOGETHERNESS

 A lot of cleaning outside took place--Bill taming the front garden and I can't wait to sit outside on the front porch and just watch the birds--more pics tomorrow!   A bit of sewing happened.  I have a ton of these string blocks to make so everyone finished means I can get closer to sewing the blocks together!

This afternoon we are going on a short hike --think of woods, a creed and some rock hunting!

GEORGIA HOME AND YARD

Bill usually does some intense trimming while we visit--this time,

 it was a much needed taming for the butterfly bush!

It is magnificent but out of control, so-

He gave it a good trimming and with the whole growing season before us, it will just continue to bloom and attract bees and butterflies all summer!

Bill also weeded the flowers along the back side of the house which is our apartment view.

Lena especially loves the bird feeder entertainment!

After dinner, I enjoyed some crochet with my daughter's cat sleeping near my feet on the recliner. 

I have crocheted the C2C this far, about 3/4 of the way done and I ran out of yarn!  I made this a lot bigger than the other one but it is very cozy now at 36" x 48".  It's a good thing it is a standard stock at WalMart so I will pick some up tomorrow! 

A TOUR

We went to see where our grandson is working

 and to meet his co-workers.

How wonderful to see how much he has learned about the big equipment he repairs!  We are very proud of him!

 

SLOW AND EASY

The early morning is full of light, sound and color!

I picked a gardenia from the bush outside our door.

I am crocheting a C2C blanket in the LionBrand mandala yarn in #4 weight.  It's at the halfway point now.

And I started another C2C in a new yarn from Hobby Lobby.  

 

A TRIP

Yesterday, we were loaded up and headed north-goodbye for a bit to our Florida!

And hello to north east Georgia to see my daughter and family!  It's been just over 2 years since we made the 8 hour drive!

It is exciting to see the first glimpses of Atlanta,

but the winding traffic lanes full of vehicles becomes a lot more nerve-grinding instead of fun very quickly!

We made it safely and are now settled in the the renovated basement/addition to daughter's home which now includes an apartment for guests!  

And yes, Lena made her first    L   O   N   G  trip with us!  

She did great!  

And there are birds outside the window for her to enjoy and flowers for me to learn--she has hellebores!

 

WELCOME JUNE!

When the rains come in their season, the rain lilies bring forth their blooms!

They are a cluster of tangled long leaves most of the year until the rains come and wake up the bulbs.  They are a tall plant and bloom for a month.  They even have a lovely smell!

 

PLACEMATS

The new Fat Quarter fabrics came from my local quilt store

 and I sat right down and stitched the project immediately! 

 A cottage look for red/white and blue table settings!

I like the look for a good summer celebration 

for our country's 250th birthday!

 

AN IDEA

I'm not thrilled with the boring patio door covering in my studio.  Once I saw the gorgeous pieced curtains that Kate of The Last Homely House made, I knew what I would love to see in my studio!

There is a gridded stabilizer that I thought could help me in the ambitious piecing project.

I have been collecting 2 1/2" squares for a long time and decided to play with the pieces.  I  can press them to the interfacing so that I can keep them in place for actual piecing.  This panel is 48" x 72" which will  mean I will need two to cover the patio doors.  This won't be a quick project but it is nice to have one that I can savor for a long time!