PLEASURE IN FINISHES

The skein of Merino/silk DK yarn is spun;  there are 200 yards which will be knit into another Dropped Stitch Scarf.

I made an adult double-layered hat on the Addi and it even has a label and pom!  (The pom is removable with a button on the inside to ease in washing care)

The only finish in the studio was the table runner! 

( Everything else went sideways-I left. )

But the runner adds warmth to the dining room

 and that makes me happy!

 

TABLERUNNER!

I not only added the borders to the table runner,

 I also loaded it up and quilted it!

I did have a bit of an argument with my machine at first.  I almost went on strike but reached a compromise and it went smoothly after that!  ( it did not like the thread I chose for the top!)

I did the coffee swirls panto and now have to wait a few days to bind it because I want just the right shade of light turquoise to bind it and I don't have anything pastel enough!

 

AUTUMN IN THE STUDIO

I loaded up the table runner after I added a 3.5" border all around the squares.  It maxed out the width of my quilting frame!  70' x 20"  While I was digging through the bin of Fall fabric, I found a large piece that was exactly what I needed for length! 

 I even had enough to use for the back of some hot pads-I now have two pumpkins for my table!

I really like the contrast of the orange and turquoise!

And then I loaded up this quilt after I pieced the backing for it!  I didn't start quilting it yesterday but I will today.  See the empty design wall behind the frame?  I get to do some piecing again!!!!

 

AUTUMN TABLE RUNNER

It's finished!  The new table runner is ready to add color to the dining  room with the Autumn leaves! 

 48" x 20"

This is where Lena ends up after playing with me 

and her toys when I sit down to paint 

and it is the one time I do not let her jump up on my lap!

Yesterday's prompt was Spirit.......I chose to share a glimpse of the dove which appeared over Jesus' head

 upon his baptism by his cousin, John.  

 

A QUILT SHOP SHOW!

This is my local quilt shop.  She has been here for 10 years

 and this is the 8th Annual Quilts by the River Show.

The inside of her shop is full of color and inspiration!

I will be enjoying the quilt shoo today with my new quilting friend, Mary!  I will also be purchasing some additional background fabric so I can get the two strips in the center area that I lack! 

 The rest is ready to be sewn together tomorrow!

The stems are appliqued with fusible web 

and some invisible thread to secure them.

I'm off to be saturated with quilting goodness!

 

LINEN REVEAL!

Heirloom linens are treasured from generation to generation; 

 this one is brand new but could fit right in the family of antique!  

Instead of hand stitching the overlay down, I have used my sewing machine in a blanket stitch using a large needle to give a bit of a extra dimension to the stitching.

The results are subtle but elegant, I think you will agree!

This will be on the altar table in the front of the church. 

 22" x 72" of 100% bleached linen.

 And this is how it is stored when not in use--it stops the wrinkle lines from becoming a permanent character for the table runner.  I sure enjoyed making this;  it's been a long time since I have played with such an antique project!

LINEN INTERRUPTED

I laid the two layers of linen wrong sides together with plenty of pins-all around the 16' perimeter!

Be sure and change your thread from the wash-a-way to regular sewing thread!

Once sewn, trim your corners and turn right side out.

Taking my time, pressing the edge...

and pinning the inner points as I work my way around the runner.

Here is how it looks right now.

I turned my attention to these two delightful grands!  Who were to enjoy some Hot Wheel moves in between thunder storms!

They sure caught on to the moves to turn 180* and keep on speeding away!  Impressive.

And once they are truly sweaty, we head to the pool to cool down!  What a wonderful visit thing it is to be a grandma!

 

Progress and Beauty

Look at this!  My caladium has two blooms 

and one more on its way! 

 Just beautiful.

I sewed the binding on this quilt 

and as soon as I hand sew on a dedication label, 

it can be handed in to the local coordinator. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed this quilt-along!

I also finished the free-motion quilting on the table runner

 and trimmed around the  border hexies 

to make a smoother edging so I will be able to bind this!

I used my small drunkards path template to draw a curve on each of the hexagons and then used scissors to cut all the way around.  I might use a large plate and make them circles instead of scallops.  I will decide another day! lol

And then I loaded another QOV quilt I made with a friend last year before you-know-what-hit.  It's time to get it done 

and delivered to a Veteran who will use it!

 

Piecing and Patterns

I was eager to stitch up the HST's for Clue 4 for the QOV QAL!

All 48 blocks made in no time.

In no time at all, 

I had it all stitched up and put in the finished bag.

And then it was time to apply the binding 

to the tropical table runner!  

I made this the width of the fabric and 18" wide. 

 It was nice to see the picture in my mind work out perfectly!  

As long as I was in the studio, 

I drew out the pattern pieces for the bird house

 in cardboard for a template to use again and again.

Once the in-house chores were finished, 

I headed out with the new pattern pieces

 to begin on the bird house. 

 I sanded the pallet wood scraps,

so I could draw my pieces on the wood,

and then I cut them out using the scroll saw.

All of the pieces had their final sanding on the band sander. 

 (do you know if you hang a fingernail over the side

 of the board you are sanding 

that it will take that fingernail right down really quickly?!?!)

I had the pieces cut out and then sorted them for assembly.

But I couldn't for the life of me, cut the right angle for the roof--i

t measures at a 80* angle 

and I couldn't figure out how to cut it. 

 My attempts resulted in a shorter piece than I liked--

you've heard the 

"'I've cut it twice and it's still too short" joke, right? 

So I left it for another day....

it was time for pizza anyways.