MAKING BLOCKS

Because I love to piece more than I love to do the quilting frame, I did only one row on the frame and enjoyed a lot more time piecing these rail fence blocks!  I had one block left over that will end up sewn into the backing.  Today I hope to get this sewn into a top!  Which will have to be quilted eventually!

In the evening I enjoy stitching here, where it is cozy and warm!  I know, no snow here, but it is very cold at night (high 20's) which is a very brutal winter for us!  I have all of my blocks now crocheted and will have to get them all crocheted together and then add a border.  Lovely evening work!

 

JUST A PICTURE

A new yarn shop (River City Yarn and Fiber) opened in a new location and posted this picture of a pattern. She discussed the pattern and stitches and all the yarn stuff that thrills me.

So, I bought the book, used some birthday yarn and began to stitch.  It is so satisfying to play around with an idea and see it come to life.  I don't know about you but for me,

 it is as exciting as mountain climbing!

 

STAND UP AND BE QUILTED!

This hasn't happened in a very long time---

a cat divot in my TAUT quilt layers on the frame!!! 

Since I hadn't started any quilting on it yet, it wasn't a big deal to fix it but it doesn't bode well for future projects!!!

 

I worked all day but got the quilting done, applied the binding and even sewed the QOV label on the back!

And then before I could drop, I loaded the second QOV that needed to be quilted.  I hope to work on it when I get back from getting my x-rays that didn't happen on Friday!  (Bill dropped me off, I waited in line to sign in and was told that they were so backed up they couldn't get to me so could I please come back on Monday!  A quick call to Bill and he came back and rescued me!)  

OCEAN DREAMS

I have the ocean on my mind

 but I laughed as I looked at these paint-by-number canvasses because each one of the views has a chair along with the ocean!  Just my speed!  

 

WORKING WITH YARN

 I'm still working along on this afghan;  I bought more yarn to make it larger so I have been making a pile of blocks and then I add a row.  I always crochet the lengthwise rows together and then do the width ones last.  I don't think it matters but it is my routine!  As soon as I laid it down on the floor to check the size so far, Lena had to come and check it out! lol

Today, I have to go in for some x-rays so the rheumatologist will have the results for my appointment next week. 

 Too much fun, I must admit!

Bill will drop me off so I have a skein of yarn and my hook so I can make some more of the solid granny square blocks while I wait for him to pick me up again;  with yarn in my hands, I can be very patient!  No wonder it keeps my blood pressure down!

FAT QUARTER CLUB HEARTS

Two table runners were made using last February's Fat Quarter Club from my local quilt store and this month's kit!  I need to hurry up and  get the big quilt off the frame so I can make these in time for the new month!  I will keep one for me and gift the other.

Lately, Lena has used my sewing chair when I go in to sew--she runs in first and gets all settled.  I go and get another chair but this one is too low so I have to use a pillow.  I was complaining to Bill and he said, " You could move her you know!" 

 The thought never entered my mind! lol

 

WOOD ON WEDNESDAY

I turned a sycamore log into a vase over the last few days. 

 it is 9' tall and about 6" across.  The orange and dark lines are just beautiful in this wood though they are caused when the wood begins to rot from insect infestation!

I keep a lot of the 'imperfections' which make the character I appreciate when working with the wood.  

You can see what an ordeal it is to make the hole in the center of the vase.  I put a plastic insert in it,  when finished, so it can hold water for fresh flowers if I want.  I do not hollow out the whole piece-I don't have the right equipment to do that nor the patience! 

It does make a mess when I remove the wood to get the shape I want!  Cleaning up after every block of time I spend there

 is part of the job; I always walk away from a cleaned area.

This wood was very dry because it was cut down several years ago.  It is very dusty--when I turn a piece like this, I use a face mask to keep it out of my nose and lungs!  I thought I looked like Araignee when she is soap-making! lol   

After cleaning up, I have to change my shirt, take off the hat and comb the wood chips out of my hair.  Often, I have to give myself a good vacuum before I can enter the house!  

 

LEARNING ABOUT THINGS

This vine is growing through the 70-80' tall pines near Mary's home- and it is blooming all the way from the top to this part that hung down to the ground where I  could get my picture!  It is called a fire vine!  As I came down the street toward the tree, I thought the tree was covered with a vine of colored leaves that the freeze had created.  What a surprise when I drove close enough to see it wasn't leaves but a heavy cover of flowers!!!!

I had a busy day yesterday, my friend, Mary, went with me to grab a bit of shopping and then to a rather involved doctor's appointment.  I was sure the appt was going to be a waste of time but I was wrong!  She was smart and thorough and willing to get to the source of my UTI's.  I have a battery of tests ahead but they will give us direction for solving this pain!  

Mary and I enjoyed a relaxing lunch after the doctor's and mulled all I learned.

  It was also the one year anniversary to Ethan's death. 

Mary is the best kind of friend, one who doesn't have to talk but just puts her arm around you and shares the sorrow. 

 I hope to enjoy some sewing today and I might even finish the latest project on the lathe!

DISHCLOTHS

Knit,

Crochet

Knit

Three good sized dishcloths from the one skein of Simply Cotton from KnitPicks.  

Off to a doctor appt but will have some fun shopping and lunch with a friend to make the day tolerable!

 

COZY CRAZY

 The crazy patch pillows are completed!  These go on the couch in front of the fireplace.  Just in time for this cold snap because the fire won't be going out anytime soon! 

KEEPING WARM

It's like this in my yard--trying to protect sensitive plants as best we can when we have such low temps!

I made two crazy patch tops for my pillows that needed a perk.  I hope to turn them into the actual pillow covers today!

I am playing with a skein of Simply Cotton by KnitPicks.  It is a nice cotton to work with!

 

FRANKINCENSE EXPERIMENT

You know how you get these ideas....since I have joint pain all the time and most of the 'rubs' stink, I thought I would give this a try.  I bought a package of frankincense  resin chips.

First I had to grind them into a powder.

And then add a good oil to them and stir it up.

Now its simmer in a hot water bath for 24 hours.  I did have to add water to the crockpot to replace the evaporating water.  (that is a dishcloth in the bottom so the jar isn't in direct contact with the heat)

I will let you know how it turns out when I continue this experiment this afternoon!

 

DOING A LOT OF STITCHING

The Navy Blues quilt is loaded on the frame! 

 No stitching yet but it's ready for me!

I also added the borders to the 4-patches quilt.  I have the backing for this, too, so as soon as the one is done, I can load this one!

 

IN THE WOOD SHOP

I hollowed out the bowl

 and then moved right into the sanding and finishing!

I am happy to see it now completed!

7 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Bradford Pear, half log

SOME PAINTING PROJECTS

The wooden layered light house is completed.

It is about 3/4" thick overall.  

Anyone want to sit in front of this view with me?!

I've been going too many days in a row and could use a slow morning BUT I am off to a routine doctor appt instead!

 

PIECING CONTNUES

All of the four-patches are united into a top but the borders are just  pinned in place.  I hope to attach them today.

I've also cut all of the borders for the Navy Blues quilt top. 

 I don't think I will get them all sewn in place because I am heading to my QOV leader's home to cut up 'kits' for the Nat'l Quilts of Valor Sew Day which is in the beginning of February.

And look!  I have blooms on my baby Bougainvillea plant!

 

FELINES AND FINISHES

The queen on her throne! 

 I don't use that pillow except to cover up the one I use each night, for obvious reasons! She sleeps next to me or at my feet each night,so I think she wanted to try it out when she could! lol

The Navy Blues quilt is now a top.  I will be getting the backing this Saturday so I will soon have it on the frame. First is the border.

Fresh out of the washer--the Shadow blocks 

are now a completed quilt!

I am thrilled with it except for one little problem...

a bit of bleeding on any of the blocks with this fabric!  I will try washing it again with a Color Catcher and see if it helps! 

 If not, it is subtle and doesn't ruin the quilt.

And I began the four-patches--row one is done! 

 

FABRIC FUN

The Shadow Blocks quilt is off the frame 

and will get its binding today!!

This was the assigned project for our Fat Quarter Club from my local quilt shop; an armchair sewing caddy. 

 I decided to join in, for a change,

 and it turned out beautifully!

I put it right to good use! 

 It will more likely be a yarn station for me--a place to put my crochet hook and darning needle with a pair of little scissors for sewing in all of those yarn ends on my dishcloths, 

afghan blocks or socks!

 

WOOD ON WEDNESDAY

Another Bradford Pear bowl.  No drama on this one!

I leave some of the bark on the bowl--I love the texture it gives it;  if I wanted a perfect wooden bowl, I could buy one at WalMart!

Today, I will hollow out the bowl.  

 I will be making a beautiful mess!