AN ARCH

Yesterday, Bill and I put together a metal arch/trellis. We built it in the studio where we could have room for it and the sewing table to conveniently work at without having to be on the floor!  It is very tall and since it is only 4 1/2' wide, we could head right out the patio door ---

and carry it all the way down to the Muscadine grape vine!

 We got it all installed before the afternoon rains hit!

The yard is exploding with these lilies, which we call Rain Lilies because they wait for the rainy season to bloom and all at once, they are all blooming!  (their real name is a Crinem Lily, which is a big family of lilies, and this color is called Ellen)

 

A FEW MORE

Yes, I made the original four and said I would decide then if I wanted to make some more;  well, I do want to make at least two more and then maybe some half blocks.  I will be doing some more marathon cutting today so when I sit down, I can just make some parts a few at a time.

(not that I'm counting or anything

 but it is 10 months since Septic Shock changed so much.)

 

SEA HAVEN PROGRESS

I finished the textured portion of this sweater!  I like that the instructions recommend putting the stitches on waste yarn and trying it on to be sure it is fitting.  All of the stitches are bunched together on the circular needles so it is impossible to 'guess' if it will fit right without taking the time for this step!

I did that and it is a wonderful success!  I have just a few more inches before I separate for the sleeves!

 

PACING MYSELF

Wednesday was a wash--there is still the piper to pay when I have too many busy days in a row.  But I felt up to sewing two blocks yesterday.  As usual, the blocks are going together much better after the first one was under my belt! I have one more cut out and I will tackle it today for sure.

In between rests, I have been enjoying the garterlac dishcloths. 

 It's good for building brain cells! lol

I'm also enjoying the pleasure of the Sea Haven sweater! 

 I'm finding the repetition of the texture rounds easy to remember and am liking the results!

 

GREEN FRONT AND CENTER

 I set up several layers at one time

and cut out all 32 pieces needed for each of three blocks!  

I will know after I complete these, if I want to make a whole quilt!

 I make some new yarn to make this sweater

 except mine will be the short sleeved version. 

 I am using Drops Cotton/Merino which is 50% of each.

It is a bit splitty but feels just right for a sweater!

And as I knit away, I must admit tears--not from frustration

 but from grief all afresh;  Ethan loved my stitch counter and would scoop it from my knitting shelf to click it as fast as he could and smile when he would click more than his last attempt!  I'd give anything to have him driving me crazy with the frantic clicking again....

NEW START!

I bought this pattern back in my one outing in January and finally gave it a try yesterday!  A bit fiddly because of the    curves but totally doable.  The block is 19" finished!

I am not making such a big sized quilt as per my usual.  

I had to make some templates for the drunkards path pieces because the ones I have were either too big or too small, doesn't it figure!  I have a packet of Fat Quarters in greens that will become these blocks!

 

FINISHES MEAN MORE PLANS!

 I made the backing for the recent r/w/b quilt and cut the batting .  Next I pieced a backing for last year's Shop Hop quilt and cut the batting for that, too and added both to the pile

 for quilting at the frame.  

  I guess I need to do a lot of machine quilting but seeing the design wall empty makes me itch for some piecing! 

 I like to cut for and piece a new quilt best!!!

GRAND SCHEMES!

And now it is a top!!!  I have a grand sense of accomplishment as my stamina slowly is returning! This top is 48" x 62".

I also loaded the Cabin Fever quilt onto the frame--

maybe I can start to quilt it today!

 

PEACEFUL PIECING

My local fabric store didn't have any more of the fabric I needed so I had to find some scraps and make do--I put the 'odd' blocks in the four corners.  I've started sewing the rows together and should finish it today, I hope.

While at the store I was able to purchase some backing for this top so it can be added to the quilting frame queue!

In the evening, during a grand T-storm, I worked on a garter stitch entralac dishcloth--again doing it from memory!  I can see some areas that need some refinement but it was a good exercise!  I got this far along on binding off the last row but didn't like the way it was turning out--I like the binding off to look the same as the casting on row. (see how the top right corner is smooth on top?  The other triangles should look like that, too!)

After a few false starts I improved but now I will try another one to see if I can remember a bit more easily second time around! 

MORE THAN JUST IDEAS

I felt like getting going pretty early yesterday and after spiffing up the house, I headed into the studio!  I have several Fat Quarter Club kits to catch-up on and so I set to work!  

I really liked the recent post by AliciaQuilts and thought this would work out well.  The pieces went together easily and so it was a perfect choice for me!

So I only had 5 fat quarters which yielded a very large table runner at 36" x 60" OR

I could make a larger lap quilt but I was short these 4 blocks! 

 I think I am going with this version and will go to my local quilt shop to buy a few more FQ's to fill in the blanks!

I also have these fabrics I bought last year during the Shop Hop to make a QOV quilt using the same pattern or if I feel ambitious, 

I might make the quilt in the magazine in the back left of the photo which I have had earmarked for a quite a while now!

When I was done with all of the up and down of sewing, 

ironing and playing on the design wall, 

I headed outside to give a good sniff to the tree crinum 

because it is an extraordinarily wonderous whiff!

I finished my little bit of a walk by going around the house and enjoyed the Shasta daisies,

and the Mandavilla blooms.  

And then it was time for a rest!

 

ANOTHER RUNNER~

A very easy and quick (even for me!) table runner accomplished! 

18" x 52"

And I've drawn up the plans for the next runner already!

 

A BIT OF THINKING

My view as I bike my mile or so every morning.  Bill has been swimming several times a day but I haven't mustered the energy yet.  The pool is 86-88* so it is warm enough,  I just have to wait for my desire to be great enough to find the energy!

I've been working on this new table runner--I didn't mean to make a Christmas one but I am trying a new idea and wanted to test it out using one of the  fat quarter kits i get.  I will make a red/white/blue one next--should have it done in time for July 4th.

I did end up putting the outer 4 1/2" borders on;  I will use a dark binding to frame it all.  This was a very good pattern/project. 

 The pattern is Cabin Fever.

The other night I wanted to use up the last of the dish cloth cotton skein with this pattern.   I sat and did a bit of thinking and then just cast on and was quite pleased when I figured it out without having to look it up!!1  Anytime I can pull a thought from the mire of my brain I get pretty excited! lol

 

FRIDAY FELINE

Yes, sometimes it would be good to just shut the world out!

 

A NEW START

I played around with this pattern to make another table runner instead of a larger quilt.  I got all of the pieces cut and even pieced a few before I ran out of gas. 

I started something new because I am happy to reveal the washed and dried kid's quilt 

which has been added to the donation pile!

And the variation of the rail fence block turned into a really nice table runner to add to my pile! I am appreciating and not abusing my new energy level--I have hope for a semblance of normal again!

 

TWO FINISHES!

It took two hours-one in the morning and another in the afternoon but I am so excited to see some finishes for a change!!!

Right outside my kitchen window is this desert rose--I was worried that the frost would claim it but it has rallied!

There is no aroma, unfortunately, but it glows with beauty!  Kinda how I feel on the inside to think I might be recovering!

 

A NICE PERK

I had to go to the lab yesterday for bloodwork;  11 vials were needed!  I have never had to give so much before but funny thing happened, I felt better for two -three hours afterwards!  Interesting point to share with the doctor when I see her in 2 weeks!  Anyway, when I got home, I finished the quilting on this one.  The binding will happen today!

I even got the latest table runner loaded on and will hopefully feel like taking the 20 mins to quilt this, too!

I also made some body lotion; my body needs some serious moisturizing!  This feels good and is slightly scented with some orange extract.  I need to get some healthy looking skin because I look like I have been in bed for almost a year!!!  

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

I had my last one of these--an iron infusion, #5, which gets followed by 250ml of saline solution.  As things go, it was a memorable time because this vein almost blew and so we had to try 3 other locations.  A ton of fun but other than a blood draw today, I should be done with the pokes for at least a month!

When I get home from an infusion, 

this is all I can do--rest with Lena!

I do enjoy a few sessions with a new water coloring book!

And I can make a dishcloth every other day.

Outside hasn't been to hospitable because of the heat wave!  

This was pulling into our driveway after the last treatment! 

 Last week was filled with doctor appointments, labs and an ultrasound on my parotid glands--just too much fun. 

 After the lab work today, 

the rest of the week is a clean slate-hooray!