Welcome to Summer!

 Welcome to the official start of Summer where I annually state " I did NOT move south for the summers.  I could sweat just as easily in central Illinois"

The critters are doing odd things.  It is not always easy to get Oscar to go to bed.  I've tried various things like letting him stay up longer,  "wearing him slap out" as my neighbors suggested.  I've read that I should not physically put him in the bed as that might be construed as punishment.  Still, I get the whining.  It used to be just a little bit when he was first in the bed and he sees Skyler and I are cozying up on the couch.  Lately it is 12:30, 1:30 in the morning.  He sounds frantic sometimes.  What I read says I am to ignore this, don't let him out (a couple of times I did thinking he needed to potty).  Supposedly he will give up and quit wasting his energy if the behavior is not paying off.   I stuffed in some ear plugs last night because I could still hear him with the door closed and the overhead fan going.  SIGH  None of us is getting any sleep with this antic.

So this is what I got up to this morning.  He had managed to skid him crate completely away from the wall approximately 3 ft. away. or the width of the two floor mats.   I guess this is accomplished by repeatedly banging on the gate.  Any suggestions?  Laying any old place in the house at night is NOT an option though that is the daytime routine.  Only my bedroom is off limits to both of them.

What is Skyler's problem?  He will barely leave the pass through opening above the couch, next to his food bowl.  It is up high enough to stay above the dog.  He yowls at me when I go into the kitchen when he thinks he might get some food, even if I don't pony up the grub.  SIGH again---gets tiresome telling him "no, you  already had your treat bite twice and eat yout crunchies."  Yeah, like he knows what I am saying, LOL.

Around here since I last posted:

I used to have one of these till the wheel broke off.  I decided I wanted another one for quilting days.  This one has a liner for it--that is it folded up in the bottom.  Plenty wide enough for the machine and the bag with accessories I cart around.  I had to put the wheels on it as it came partially assembled.  I had bits flying all over the kitchen because of the springs you place between the washers but got the job done.

The next day being a glutton for punishment apparently----I recovered my pressing board in the sewing room with the silver teflon cloth and replaced the double layer of batting underneath it.  Of course, that meant prying up and off all the staples with a screw driver and then re-stapling both layers on (separately!)  I am almost out of the 1/4 inch staples and don't know that I will be able to order more since my staple gun is a Craftsman.  I didn't have much luck on the google search matching all the criteria on the box.    I wore a blister on my thumb for my efforts but it sure looks better.  No holes, scorches or patches with binding tape!

I sewed a bit on Monday on the Layer Cake Lattice getting it up to the point of just needing to sew on the
 second "arm" on the stack of blocks.  I had intended to do that at the evening group but got derailed here at home.   The car was all packed up and ready to go.   I had pulled some of my Christmas fabrics to see if I had enough for Donna's "Christmas in July" idea for the Nina pattern--I believe I do and I know I do if I mix in some other Connecting Thread lines.  It might work or I could use some charms in some manner as I have a couple of those two, thanks to Gene.  HMMMM

Yesterday (Tuesday) I was more or less piddling around here at home, spot mopping in the kitchen, vacuumed, unloaded the dishwasher.  Not really focusing on anything and getting side tracked too easily.  The next thing I knew I was quick defrosting the turkey breast I had pulled out a few days before and throwing it in the crockpot.  This is supposed to be clean out the freezer a bit week, menu wise, and digging out the turkey from the chest freezer to cook was part of it.  I had been procrastinating this as turkey and trimmings was part of "spoil your husband night".  I had some homemade whole cranberry relish so that got pulled out too.  While I had baked a couple of turkey tenderloins for salads recently,  I could not make myself do anything resembling his favorite meal.   Almost 2 1/2 years later, and I could do it because of what it meant to me, to us.  That might sound silly, I know.

The other part of the equation---the day before Miss Kathryn had given me a huge bag of carrots.  I think a local church was distributing them and Paul ended up with a bag but since he doesn't even like carrots, he took them over to his mom's to share with her and his sister.  She took out what she wanted and some for Glynda and passed on the rest to me.  I'm guessing maybe about 4 or 5 lbs of carrots.  I know that the Carrot Souffle recipe I have takes 2 lbs or about 7 cups sliced or chopped carrots.  I made a batch ( I cut the sugar back to about 1/2 cup or 2/3 cup though!!!) and then took about 1/4 of the dish over to Miss Kathryn.   ( I was going to take the rest to the group last night but  now I am thinking I am going to make a batch of carrot raisin salad instead._

Turns out Paul was over visiting and Miss Kathryn had a batch of butter beans on the stove for part of their evening meal.  His friend Charley called to see if Paul wanted to go out to eat with him and his grandson---Paul invited them over instead.  Glynda and Paul's daughter came over to install a new appliance.   I asked her if she wanted some of the carrot souffle for their supper as I had plenty to share.  She sampled it and then started to eat her mom's serving since she had not had lunch.  I went home to get some more to replace it.  Paul tried some while I was out and declared that it tasted more like custard than carrots so it was okay.  The next thing I know I am invited to dinner too.  My turkey was due to be finished up till 8 pm so why not have some company for dinner as I am not fond of eating alone?   Oh, I had Oscar in tow on the first trip over and Paul's dog was there too but Oscar and Baby get along just fine.  I took him home on the return trip.  LOL,  it was getting a little crowded in the mobile home but she went from two for dinner to 5 for dinner easily.  See why I missed sewing last night?

I took care of the turkey when it finished, de-boning it and cleaning out the crock pot.  I cut and/or cubed it up this morning---and had a nice turkey sandwich for lunch and later, some carrot souffle, sparing myself some of the "missing husband" emotions.  DJ would always want to do a repeat plate from the night before but I always wanted just a sandwich---with homemade cranberry sauce mixed with some mayo on it.  Then I would re-purpose the rest of the meal items in some manner, down the line.    That's what I did this time too but I forgot the drippings for gravy are still in the fridge.  Opened faced sandwiches would be good if I get some potatoes to mash.

Today, it has been more piddling--walking, a couple errands, a load of laundry, run the dishwasher,  and so on.  So now what?  Go sew?   Finish reading the library book I started on Sunday?  I had binged watch the previous seasons of "Endeavour" on Amazon Prime on Friday and Saturday in preparation for the return of the program to PBS on Sunday.  Turned out I had seen one episode on PBS but apparently did not know what I was watching at the time.   There are a couple of the Inspector Lewis programs I could watch before they remove them from Prime.  Maybe tonight--nothing else is on but repeats or stuff I don't care a whit about.  Oh, who knows?  I might be on last walks with Oscar once the sun gets below the tree line and it is not so blessed hot and visit with the neighbors.  The heat just makes me want to mugwump in where it is cooler!

And that's what is--or is not--happening here in my neck of the woods.  THX for stopping by-----

Quilt meeting and so on (slight edit)

Bama Belles met earlier in the week and my friend Gene came to visit us. Mostly we pinned quilts as Gene had one of his terrific improvisitional quilts and Lois had three donation topd. I had three tops readied-- two recent and one that has uh, been "antiquing" in the closet so we did those two. Bev and Brenda had binding projects going. Bev was working on a cute Christmas table runner but the pointy ends were presenting some application hurdles. I think I have her on track to deal with those weird angles. Brenda was working on the binding on her huge t-shirt quilt for her son. I think I posted a pic of it awhile back. If I didn't, possibly when she is done with it.

I had set up my machine to piece but that didn't happen after all.   Lois had 8 quilts to deliver so I needed to take pics and document those.  I knew about it ahead of time so had taken my Notebook with me eliminating the need to unfold and enter the data once I'm home.   As I entered the photo numbers this morning ( I should have done that at the meeting but must have been too busy talking, LOL), I realized I missed one!   I'm working at the desk in the master bedroom so Oscar is trying to get up on the bed and Skyler keeps taking my chair when I get up to get the camera, etc.  You two are NOT helping!

Ready for a little quilt show then?

Lois' version of Pixie Stix (GE Designs Strip Your Stash)

Lois' Ribbon Candy Rings--variation of Ribbon Candy Block from GE Designs Strip Your Stash

I called this one Snuggle Up Variation but it was something Lois came up with.  Some elements remind of Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Trips Around the World.  She has two with similar names, one in long strips and another in block form.  I'm talking about the long strips one, LOL.

Lois Emily's Wedding Quilt--Fons and Porter.  I've linked it before.  Google it.

Lois' Scrappy Sashed and Barred 9 patches  (I think she came up with this one)

 Lois' ever popular Twin Sisters---Eleanor Burns' Quilting Through the Seasons

Patience Corner with I Spy Squares #1.  Her table mate at the fall retreat in Attalla 2015 had given her a bunch of squares from  her stash and this was a good spot to use them.

Patience Corner with I Spy Squares #2

It has been a slightly less busy week for me, mostly it is too blooming hot and muggy to want to do much of anything.  We have gotten a bit of rain the past two days with pop up thunderstorms.  Wednesday only got us about a 1/4 inch in my gauge while yesterday was an 1 1/4.  Kinda looking like we may be in for a repeat of the same thing today.  In fact, there goes my weather alert radio announcing a severe thunderstorm alert.  It didn't sound at all yesterday but it was gusty and blowing rain.  Facebook showed a damaged home in town, parts of tree landing in someone's living room.  The family was not home at the time so no one was hurt.  What a surprise to come home to though.

I got my Pad Thai dish made and shared with my neighbor but not till Wednesday.  Yummo!  I like the shrimp version better but not on the re-heating.  Donna's brother had sent yellow squash with her to share with her quilt buddies so yesterday I made my version of Boston Market Squash Casserole.  I saute my squash instead and add some grated carrots for color and taste (I love carrots!)  I had to bake the cornbread first to crumble in with the squash.  I also made a Toll House Chocolate Chip Pie just because I was craving chocolate.  Most of it is in the freezer.  Yes, the house got way too hot yesterday but worth it.    Baking and cooking is suffering and will continue to do so, I'm afraid.

I've not started another sewing project yet though I may head in the sewing room after lunch.  Not if there is lightning though!  Layer Cake Lattice, I think.  However, I am about to go off on another tangent.  ( I hear you saying "what else is new!?")   Donna is wanting the evening group to do a Christmas in July sew-day.  Several of the girls have signed up to do the guild Christmas block exchange and I think have to make 12 to14- 12 inch finished blocks.  This would give them a jump start on their obligation and not leave a time crunch in late November.  I didn't sign up to do this but have been thinking of what I might do with a container of leftover Christmas fabrics from some of the tree skirts I made for the nieces and nephews as wedding gifts.  I don't know if Josh (DJ's grandson) and Lauren will want one as a wedding gift or not but will ask Lauren next month.   Depending on configuration those fabrics are in, I might try GE Designs Nina quilt which calls for fat quarters, not for a tree skirt but a couch throw, come holiday time.  Sorta looks like a package with a ribbon on it, doesn't it?  You should see how quickly Gudrun cuts and assembles this top using her Stripology ruler.  Here is the LINK to the You-Tube video.  Might be something I can play with while they do their blocks?

Okay, it is time to dig out the leftovers or throw my Chopped Salad together.  I'll decide on the way to the kitchen, LOL.  Skyler, you may have my chair now and I'll move my base of computer operations to the couch. Y'all have a good day, okay?

Another week goes whizzing by

So what have I managed to get done this past week?

My house is reasonably clean now, LOL. That was a several day proposition since I did the kitchen and living room one day.  Bathrooms, another day.  Bedrooms on still another. I got a new vacuum cleaner as I could no longer use the on-board tools on our old one (something wrong with the hose??).   I need the crevice tool etc for cleaning around the baseboards and so forth.  This one is much lighter weight, bagless and narrower across for getting in tight spaces.  I still hate vacuuming but at least it is no longer killing my back.  It also has some pet tools which will be good for cleaning the upholstery.  I used the brush deal on my lamp shades as Skyler has gotten those a bit furry especially since he has decided to sleep on the pass through near one of them.  SIGH

Paul, my neighbor's son and my friend, had told me if I needed any help with something to let him know.  He thinks he needs to do something for me for helping him out with his disability papers but he doesn't.  Glad to have helped wade through the paperwork.  The vacuum cleaner came sort of assembled but sort of not.  I asked him to be on stand-by in case I couldn't figure it out.  I also had a tiny repair job on the laundry rack--missing bolt, needed a longer screw maybe.  He fixed it later after seeing to his mom's car radiator emergency but I got the cleaner assembled myself.  Once he finished that little job, he said he was ordering pizza and cheezybread--come on over to his mom's for some when he got back from picking it up.  Glynda and Robert joined us.

No more antics canning but I gave away most of my output from the Zuke and/or Cuke-Carrot Relish.  Maybe a good thing it might 8 pints!  I've barely cooked anything lately really since this is prime salad and sandwich weather lately.  I grilled a ham steak and nuked some corn on the cob but the leftovers turned into ham salad.  My relish is good in THAT too.  Oh, I did make a batch of Hummingbird Muffins but that was mostly to get the bananas out of the freezer since they kept falling out of the door. I farmed some of those out and stuck the rest out in the chest freezer.  I have all the ingredients on hand to make some Pad Thai using this recipe for Colorful Shrimp Pad Thai but thinking of doing it vegeterian using some tofu instead of shrimp.  Maybe tonight, but more likely tomorrow.

It has gotten so hot, like today my phone says it is 95 while my thermometer says 98-99.  We need rain.  I think we are officially in one of the drought counties.  The yard has gotten even more brown and crunchy than it was.  The Rose of Sharon is in bloom while the gardenia is about done.  It still smells good in the back but the blooms are drying up.  The main thing in bloom right now are the Mimosa trees with their fern-like leaves and pink feathery flowers.  I think they are actually an invasive plant like kudzu, Chinese Privet and the like as you see them on the roadways in spots where folks obviously did not plant them but they came up anyway.  Donna says that they have a sweet smell but I can't say that I ever noticed that.  I know that the blossoms are slippery to walk on along the walking trail when they fall and get wet.  No rain, that's not likely to be  a problem.

I was able to get into the dentist's office this week once they returned from their week off, first thing on Wednesday morning.  You may recall my mentioning that I had a back crown pop off over Memorial Day weekend.  At first I could put it back on but of course, it would not stay in place so I placed it in a clean condiment cup and tried to avoid chewing on that side of my mouth.  I got some of that repair stuff but then worried about getting it on wrong--not easy to get my fingers back there to place it in the first place.  I let the expert deal with it!

Margarita had called and needed someone to ride along with her to the Ashville Quilt Shop on Wednesday. I told her I would be happy to go but I probably could not leave till after 9 since I had that dentist appointment.  Shop doesn't open till 10 anyway and it would take about an hour to get over there.  I guess she is really directionally challenged so it is wise to travel with a buddy.  Some of the girls from the Heritage group in Attala meet in the classroom there on Wednesday including Jennifer who does some of our long arm quilts.  Margarita had two quilts to pick up--those two I had helped her with the pre-sashing--and a third top was ready to deliver to Jennifer.   I needed some background fabric for "Strips Plus" that I would like to make down the line.

The following day I was back to the same block as the dentist office.  On Friday the doctor's office had called and said I was supposed to have a thyroid ultra-sound.  The radiologist advised it be repeated at 6 months.  First I had heard about it! Neither the MD or the endocrinologist had said anything about that at my appointment.  In fact, the endocrinologist had sort of minimized the size of the nodule and said it was not the cause of my current over-activity.  I didn't refuse to have the test done but had to voicemail them and see if it was necessary, etc before I scheduled it.

I went to the Friendship Quilt show on Saturday with Jane, Aline and Donna.  This was our old guild in Pell City so we saw a lot of our old pals at the show or working in some capacity.  I have some pictures to share of my favorites but will do that in a separate post.   A couple of the members of the JOY Guild were vending over there.  I got a couple of Rachel's Peek-A-Boo animals and probably should get a couple more for the other great-grands that are on the way but I can get with her about that over-sight.  The dog and panda are adorable!

The fabric on the back flips over to cover the little faces making the Peek-A-Boo.

AND, yesterday I was finally able to get in the sewing room to finish up my version of Floating Squares.    It is much prettier in person.

The backing is prepped and the binding made and pressed too.  This was some yardage that Marilyn had given us/me for Belles to use on our donation stuff.  I finally found a top it would work on though it had to be pieced.  My top measures exactly 45 inches and too wide for the standard usable width once the selvages are off.  This was the "before" shot but I was able to piece it so the break in the stripe was not too noticeable.  Even though I got it a little out of sequence you can't hardly tell it on the side "end to end" piece either.

Since I had combined two different charm packs to make the Floating Squares top, I knew I had enough of those for another top.  What about the background yardage?  Would I have to order a bit more?  This morning I counted up and was about 7 blocks worth short of the background components for the pieced blocks.  I cut through the scrap pieces and available yardage and eked out all the 5 inch squares with 4 extras.  I even managed to get two strips out for the top/bottom borders.  If I don't mind more than one seam in the long vertical, I could eke out on one side anyway--but I do mind!  Plus the least you can order is 1/2 yard.  I hit the sale section of the shop for something that should work for the backing.

The batting is all fluffed up and cut to pinning size.  I'm taking it to Belles tomorrow with the other two I have ready to pin, if we have time and inclination.  Lois has some tops to deliver so I will need to get pictures of those and log them in.  Also Margarita may need some cutting help/advice since she said her next project is a D9P for a family member.   I'll be on stand-by, LOL.   My traveling machine is in the car as it always is and I tossed the Seas The Day stuff I had prepped recently in there to sew though I may not have time.  I'm thinking that the Layer Cake Lattice I cut out at the last meeting might be my next "sew at home" project, right after I change the needle and de-lint the Singer.

I am also considering doing the Moda Bake Shop Bee-utiful Quilt-a-Long.  Pamela Morgan from Sweet Little Stitches has designed some really cute original embroidered blocks that all have a bee (or two) somewhere on the block with some pieced sashing.  The resultant quilt looks fun though I don't care for the busy handwriting print around the embroidery but could sub out for that.  The first block "Bee Curious" was just posted last week--a cat with flowers and a bee.  Might be fun!  I love embroidery and have not done much of it lately for some reason.  See what I have in the way of a white or light background fabric that is not committed elsewhere......

Guess that's it for this installment.  Hope you have had a good day---

Around here-- catching up

Look at what has decided to bloom this year with more blooms about to pop open.  I had cut back the gardenia bush quite a bit 2 years ago as it was impeding airflow a bit into the kitchen.  There was a bird nest in there so I had to wait to finish the job but it has taken time for it to rebound from my unschooled pruning/annihilation. Last year I think there were only two blooms for the entire summer but maybe it likes it hot and dry?


While it has been overcast for the past couple days, we have not really much measurable rain.  Rained on the way to supper last night and while we were walking into the restaurant but it didn't budge my rain gauge.   Rained for about 15 minutes this morning and just enough to dampen the street.   We are currently about 3 inches below the average amount and about 5 inches behind where we were at this time last year.  No wonder the grass crunches underfoot!

This top has been waiting for me since the Tuesday evening group.  Everywhere you see a blank space is where there should be a small pieced floating square.  Donna and I helped Stacy lay out a quilt top so she could begin sewing her blocks.  Marilyn and Donna were teaming up on a top too--Donna cutting, Marilyn sewing.  Margarita and I had our head's together  working out the backing for 3 identical bowtie tops.  She needed to get them larger in order to take them to the longarm quilter by Thursday when JOY Guild was to meet.  I elected not to drag my machine in and marked the diagonals on the stack of white charm squares for "Seas The Day".  Then I laid out my version of Floating Squares using a mix of Benartex Lazy Daisy and Brigitte pinning it to the vinyl table cloth and then hanging it up once I got home.

I've been busy!  Maybe busier than usual or just gone a lot, more like.

Thursday was JOY Guild day with a potluck lunch, sew and tell and a silent auction.  I delivered my two personal tops ( Prairie Sticks and No Bake Jolly Bar) along with Aline and my joint endeavor (previous post) and Charming Boxes from the retreat group and me.  Felt kind of strange to head out the door empty handed except for my "dish to pass".  I was waffling back and forth about what to fix but ended up making a Greek Salad with turkey chunks as one of my ingredients.  I had most of the ingredients on hand anyway.  Actually, I have a couple more turkey tenderloins marinating in Italian dressing that I'll bake in a bit as that worked out well as a replacement for chicken.


This was my Friday focus.
My neighbor Glynda had asked me if I wanted some zucchini the other day.  Yes!  Then I mentioned that if they found themselves over-run with the stuff, I would like to try to make some Zuke and/or Cuke/Carrot Relish this year.  Later she came down with three more.  I figured I would see how far I would get with the ones I had and adjust the recipe.  I called my parents to get some clarification on the recipe.  I HAVE made a batch once umpteen years ago.  Mom has tweaked it since then and gave me the updates.  Alum was added and more spices than the original.  Also some bell pepper, etc.   I  made one trip to the store prior to the phone call consultation and one the next morning for anything I was missing.

When the recipe called for larger stock pot than what I had on hand, I asked Glynda if she had one I could use.  She had two of them, one from her sister-in-law's estate and she said to take it.  Later I had borrow the other one so I could hot water bath without crowding the jars in the pan.  Oh, and I needed to get some more zukes.  After I ground up the ones Glynda had given me, I had to ask for the ones she had mentioned were in the fridge.  As she came back down to the beauty shop, she spotted a couple more.  Miss Kathryn was at the shop between clients and said she had one to spare too so I got that one too.  Still used 4 cukes to total 10 cups of ground zuke-cuke mix. Now that might be the last time I have to ask for zucchini as you know how that stuff is!  The joke about leaving some on your neighbor's doorstep, ringing the doorbell and then running away so you can get rid of the surplus?  LOL.

For being a nervous novice on this canning stuff, they all sealed.  I had to make another call to my parents to figure out just where to measure for headspace--from the top rim down?--but I got the job done.  I've delivered a jar to Glynda and Miss Kathryn.  When their brother (or son depending on who you are referring to) Paul saw the post I had made on Facebook, he chimed in and said he wanted a jar.  I told him he could have some but I had heard him say a couple nights before that he didn't particularly care for carrots except in pot roast.  Just teasing me, he said "I love carrots!"  He has some now too.  I may deliver some to two other neighbors on the block as well.

I mentioned in the last post that I had signed up for a basket weaving class being given at the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County.   This cute little salt and pepper basket was what we made.   The kit came with blue for the accent color but I have greens and yellow in my kitchen.   It was fun!  I love that wire handle even though I didn't get the wire bent back as tightly as I would have liked.  The kit of supplies had a set of needle nose pliers in it but not heavy enough for the job.  By then I had sort of stripped the black off the wire.  It is what it is!

The class was from 9 a.m. till we finished.  By the time I ran an errand on the way home it was almost 3:30 before I got home.  I stopped in at Miss Kathryn's to deliver her jar of relish as I was walking Oscar.  She said Paul and Carolyn would be by soon and said to ask me to go along for dinner with them if I wanted to.   They had served a light lunch at the class but I would probably be hungry enough to eat by the time we got our order.  He swung by to pick us up and the rain started coming down on the way. 

Paul decided on Zoe's On the Lake, not far from us, hearing no objections from us ladies.  I had eaten lunch at the restaurant before but they had not been there.  It turned out there was a class reunion going on there in about an hour and they were planning to send non-reunion folks to the upper dining room.   They set us up in a side room when I told the hostess we had one with some walking difficulties in our party.  (I was the first one in the door.)   We had finished eating by the time most of the reunion crowd was arriving but it still made getting out the door a little problematic.  Everyone was grouped all around the exit in the large room, hugging, talking, greeting each other.  We each saw someone we knew in the Jacksonville High School Class of 61.  (Me, a member of the quilt group.  Carolyn, a male first cousin and Paul and Miss Kathryn, their brother-in-law/son-in-law's aunt.)   More, hugging, talking and greeting.

My critters have barely seen me, LOL.  Still, it is good to get out a bit. 

What's on my mind creatively?   Couple of things.  Always!  I was reminded by a long ago seen quilt called
"Contrary Wife-Ornery Husband".    My perpetual quilting calendar kicked it off.  This crossing type block is called "Contrary Wife"  I kinda like the name, LOL.

Mary Hickey in a book published by Leisure Arts in 1997 entitled "Big Book of Small Quilts" apparently combined the Contrary Wife with a Shoo Fly/Snowball variation block (both are in the nine patch family 3 x 3 grid) to come up with a quilt called "Contrary Wife-Ornery Husband"  I really like THAT name!

Maybe you can see how these two blocks are similar but the coloration switched up a bit---and I eliminated a few extra lines when I drew it up in EQ,   If that link above won't open for you I know I spotted the quilt in a google image search.  Cool how it sort of makes like ribbons across the quilt top they way the blocks are rotated.

Then another quilt block that Lucy mentioned to me the other day in an email.  Circle of Squares from toefeather blogspot that makes a cool 12 inch finished block using 2 1/2 inch cut squares.  You can eliminate a line from this too.  I refuse to sew two squares of the same print together in a 4 patch when I can cut a rectangle instead!   She sent THIS link to a finished small baby quilt.   Cute, huh?

I got to thinking that you could probably use charm squares or cut squares from your stash.  You could cut the charms a bit smaller if you wanted and ditch the pinked edges.  Anyway, I drew it up in EQ7 a bit ago.

It would use one charm pack provided your background choice provided enough contrast.  I think as long as you work in a number easily divisible by three on that one you could cut the charms any size you want and re-size the block accordingly.  For example 21 inch blocks with 4 inch sashing, trimming the charms down to 4 inches and using the remainder of the charms  for the cornerstones would get you a 55 inch square quilt  2 blocks x 2 blocks. This  was calculated at 32 charms for the blocks, 9 for cornerstones.   I think it said around 3 yards of background fabric?  1/2 yard for binding.  I might just do this!   Mind you, there is nothing wrong with the original version but just another way to use a charm pack and their mix of fabrics in a different way.  The blogger on toefeather got their inspiration from a Circle of Wonky Star Tutorial, just simplified it a bit more when she made hers.    Just a thought!  I have lots of those, LOL.

Guess that's about it!  I need to run down to the gas station while I still have 10 cents off/gallon and I want to sew a bit.  Hope you are having a good day in whatever you chose to do.  THX for stopping by----

Another Tuesday, end of month

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone for 2016.  Tomorrow we flip the calendar page to June.  Time is flying when you look back anyway.  Some days drag for me, but most don't.  Today will seem long because I woke around 4:30 and then just gave up on trying to go back to sleep a little after 5 a.m. when it was clear it wasn't happening.

It is another hot, dry day.  I believe we are probably behind on our rainfall totals for the year as it seems to rain so seldom around here.  Robert my neighbor who mows my lawn for me told me that I should start watering my yard as he is not getting paid.   It crunches when you step on it and is all brown particularly since the clover is drying up.  Nothing has come in to take its place except for tall weeds shooting up here and there.  The county finally mowed along the main hard road which looked like pasture land almost but it looks ten times worse since there are chewed up sacks and debris from the litterbugs along with dried out grass stubble.  Some of the trees are dropping leaves already but the kudzu is thriving.  Without the lawnmower running over there were shoots probably at least a yard long along the row.  I grabbed them up and pushed it back on itself the other morning when I was walking Oscar.  Of course, he wanted to go burrowing in there after whatever critters and creepy crawlies are in there.  I should have taken him around to the backyard but I seriously did not know it was THAT bad out there.  I keep forgetting to take the cutters down to the end of the lane with me as it is spiraling up the street sign again.  I think I could get at the responsible section where it begins to coil but long pants and insect repellent might be a good idea first!

What have I been doing since I last posted?  Mostly working on Aline's Disappearing 9 Patch top.  It IS done since I put the double border on it yesterday.  The goal was to get it bigger, which I did.  I had thought about getting a mix of colors from her leftover squares but I think the all blue works better especially since it was the yardage I was given to complete the task.  It measure 55 x 69 where the blocks set block to block would have been just 36 x 48.  I like the chaining effect across the quilt.  

Skyler was not being much help yesterday while I was trying to get this done though.  He would not get off the pressing surface.  I even broke for lunch, walked Oscar and he was still parked in the same spot.  Not bothered by the iron either.  When he did get down, then he wanted to climb on the quilt top on the machine table as I sewed or on my chair when I got up.  I knew better than to try to strike the vertical measurements if he was around and closed the door!!    

Oscar was being as good as gold though.  I am trying to wait to walk with him once the pavement has cooled down a bit.  I think it is too hot for his paws.  Glynda said I was welcome to walk him on their acreage just to keep off the road.  We would have still have  to do a little bit of the asphalt to get over to the open grassy areas.  I might.  He just stops, chokes himself on the leash, tries to turn into Miss Kathryn's or just plain turns around and heads me towards home.  Now, at about 5:30 in the morning no such problems or once the sun gets below the tree line he steps lively.  I picked him up yesterday  and started to carry him as he had balking about moving forward or backwards.  Robert saw this and asked if Oscar was having problems/couldn't walk--no, just tired of fighting it and carried him across the lane and to the grass though even he was pawing gently on the dry ground.  Must be what he wanted.

I am going to wait to sew on my Floating Squares till this evening when the group meets.  This morning I pressed  the binding for Aline's top and one of the Ribbon Candy tops.  I had ordered some green fabric for it and it had come in after I slogged through all that other last week!  As I looked at the storage containers with the binding all rolled up for the pending pinned or going to the long arm quilters, I realized that I had not made any for the Beach House Charming Boxes.  There was some yardage left, just enough as it turned out after backing two tops with it.  Only thing left of that bright orange is some scraps  from making a couple blocks and a 3 1/2 inch strip WOF.  I seamed and pressed it so I think I'm all set till I quilt them/have them quilted.  

I also stacked the block components for the Layer Cake Lattice top I had cut out a week ago.  It calls for the layer cake to be sliced into 4 1/2 x 10 rectangles and 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 rectangles.  I cut a bonus 2 1/2 inch square from the bottom of the shorter rectangle for another project (Granny Square centers, anyone?)  Since I layer cut all that, those were still in piles of 4 as I had left them.  Not anymore though!  This will be my sew at home project and use the old Singer I have set up while the Floating Squares was started on the New Home which I drag round in the car with me.  If I don't feel like sewing I can mark squares on the diagonal for another project.   Seas the Day that uses a Daysail Jolly Bar from Fat Quarter Ship---might go to one of the great- nephews at some point.  (We recently found out that one of the babies expected this summer is a boy while Lily is going to be a big sister before too long!)

Then there is always the tempting and inspirational things you see online---I like both of these and do have the stuff to make my version of them.  Love the summery colors!

The maker Ms. Berg called this purchased pattern "Sparkler Quilt" by Freshly Pieced  and I spotted it on Facebook on the Sew Interesting group.  She said she used a Benartex Transitions jelly roll by Sarah Vedeler.   I know it by the name "Grandmother's Windmill" and have one kitted up in 30's fabrics, maybe a few blocks done.  It is one of the 12 containers atop my bedroom entertainment center.  I think GE Designs has a similar version she calls "Strip Joints"  Might be one extra strip to hers above the motif though.  

This one was posted by Missouri Star on their Quilting Deals site on Facebook and the pattern is Surprise Pinwheels.  The maker credited there used Flow by Zen Chic for Moda.  I have a couple of charm packs of it but I think this calls for jelly rolls.  Well, I should say I HAD a couple.  I dug into them to make a couple of blocks for the group Charming Boxes.

I also saw a very beautiful version of GE Designs Square Dance in batiks.  I have one block done on that.

As you can see I have no shortage of ideas or stuff to sew and play with.  

What else?  

• The rooster who lives across the main road and annoys the heck out of me escaped from his coop this morning.  Saw him strutting across the the driveway when I let Oscar out to potty.  I couldn't call his owners to let them know since I don't know their name let alone their phone number.  Hard telling where he ended up but I could hear the hen cackling when he was roaming free.  
• Miss Kathryn's son has a boat now and caught a mess of fish this last week so I was invited to a fish fry on Saturday afternoon.  
• Binge cooked and prepped on Sunday.  I tried something called "Do Nothing Cake" as I am waffling about what to take to the guild potluck this week.  I am not sure I like the texture of it and don't even taste the pineapple in it.  I shared some with Miss Kathryn to get her take on it.  At this point I think I am just getting a vegetable tray and calling it "good".  At least I can use the leftovers here at home.
• One of my back lower crowns has fallen off on Saturday morning. At first I could plunk it back on there but it needs to be secured.  I'm afraid I am going to either swallow it or lose it so when it came off for the 3rd time yesterday, I left it off and am trying not to chew over there and damage the post it sets on.  No answer at the dentist office and no answering machine.  Odd!  I went into town a bit ago and sure enough they are taking the week off.  Wait a week and try again.   I had a couple of errands to run in town anyway.
• My nephew's baseball team the LeRoy (IL) Panthers made it into the Elite Eight--though they call it super sectional now.  That is the furthest the baseball team has gone in school history.  The girls softball team fell in the regional but ditto for them.  The team that beat them is moving on to the final four I think I read this morning.
• Signed up for a basket weaving class at the library.  Should be fun. I've done it before in an adult ed class in Illinois but that was some time ago.  Made a couple of egg baskets then but the one the Dixie Weavers Basketry Guild is going to share with us looks way different with a wire handle.  Wait and see!

Guess that's about it.  Till the next installment----thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to play with some fabric soon.

Checking in

My two critters conspired to get me up at 5 a.m.--and stay up.  Oscar has not been happy to go to bed in the first place but usually will settle down to sleep.  Last night he was almost frantic and whining in his bed so I had to let him out to potty about midnight.   That was not the problem apparently as all he did was go out and bark, disturbing the neighborhood.  Same thing at 5 a.m but by that time, the rooster was crowing across the road.  That have been part of it.   Frankly, I am at a loss to know how to handle this whining and not wanting to go to bed.   He cannot be roaming around the house at night unsupervised.

Of course, once Skyler sees me up he starts meowing to be fed and such.  It worked.  I tried going back to bed but that only lasted about 10 minutes as Oscar was whining.  I can hear him even in the bedroom with the door closed and fan running.  I prepped my veggie tray, made some iced tea, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, cleaned some stuff out of the fridge since it was trash pickup day.  Then I got dressed and walked Oscar, walked my laps all before 8:30.....it has been a long day already!

I spent a big chunk of the morning pressing binding.  8 or 9 quilts worth.  One bit was pieced for 2 or 3 quilts so there was miles of that one to deal with.   Have you ever tried this trick?  I think it might be from Kaye Wood, maybe.  Slip a long pin into your pressing surface so it overlays the folded binding but does not go INTO the fabric.  Then place another one about the width of the soleplate away from the first.  Then a little tug on the strip with the iron down folds and presses the binding.  You still have to fiddle with it a bit to keep the fold straight but your fingers will stay away from the iron itself.  No burns or dealing with hot fabric or steam (if you use it.)  Later I switched to two longer doll needles when I melted the head of a couple of the flat daisy pins.  That worked better!

I roll the binding as I press over leftover cardboard bits, just like Joy taught me, and either slip it into the folds of the quilt or I have a container where they can be "filed".

Belles meet earlier in the week.  I took my Climbing Roses top (personal project) to pin and had the pinning table all set up and my top half pinned before anyone else got there.  Bev helped me finish up. We are getting low on batting right now and I wanted 80-20 for the ones I was going to quilt.   I ran through Walmart on the way over to our meeting place.  A 72 x 90 one could be halved for two quilts.  We pinned two of the Ribbon Candy tops which morphed into 4 of them.   Lois had two tops as well so we traded off.  I had more batting in the car so asked the girls if they were up for doing two more.  Actually Margarita needed some help with cutting and advising her about her project sashing.  By the time I turned around to help they were half done with it!

We broke for lunch and some of the girls left but Brenda, Jackie, Margarita and I went back to the church.  I cut out the Layer Cake Lattice Quilt I mentioned in the last post.  Brenda need to trim down and square up a t-shirt quilt she had picked up from the long arm quilter so she could bind it.  Jackie was keeping us company and had met us at the restaurant.  Margarita continued to work on her block pre-sashing I had been helping her with.  She was clear on what to do next so we called it quits around 2:30.

Later that evening I prepped two quilt backs.  I'm taking two tops to the long arm quilter when JOY group meets next week.  Charming Boxes is already to take to the guild president as well.  That was part of the reason I was wanting to get the bindings all readied.  That and now all the sudden I have 4 more pinned quilts atop the armoire.

I had batting bits leftover after pinning those 5 quilts earlier in the week.  One trim-a-way section was perfectly sized for another of my tops (Beach House Charming Boxes).  The rest I patchworked together with that knit seaming stuff but I had enough for another top I had stored in the closet.   I don't know if I have a picture of the completed Fiddlesticks top or not but the link will take you to a partial view.  I started it two years ago almost but 2014 was not a good year for sewing, like almost non-existent.  Those will be ready to haul to the next Belles meeting to pin.  NOT that I am ready to quilt any of them!!  There are other tops hanging in wait, including Lily's quilt but what was the point of pinning them??  I prefer to sew, not quilt and that wasn't happening either.

After I clean the gunk off the iron tomorrow, I HAVE to work on Aline's top.  That and Oscar really needs a bath!  Two things on the list.  No, wait make that 3 things.  Miss Kathryn called a few minutes ago and said Paul and a friend had caught a mess of fish so fish fry on Saturday.  I am supposed to make some Comeback Sauce like I did last time, per her request.  No problem, I've got all the ingredients on hand.  She said Paul added more hot sauce to his but that's okay---just don't add it to the bowl that others are dipping some out of, LOL.

I hope you all have a safe Memorial Day weekend.  It isn't about picnics and sales but time to remember those who served and went before us.  If I were in Illinois, I would go visit my husband's resting spot and decorate his family's graves as we often did together.  If I went up there without him, once we moved, I did the honors for him.  This video is moving, including the music of Ryan Kelly of Celtic Thunder fame, with some images that make you think what this is all about.

THX for stopping by.

This and that

Let's see what have I been doing since I last posted??  This and that probably describes it fairly well.  I had a routine doctor's appointment Thursday morning and then met a friend at our meeting place to help him pin a twin sized quilt.  I offered when he mentioned that it was getting too big for his normal basting methodology.   Happy to help him out as no one needs to be crawling around on the floor and killing their knees if I can help it!!

Friday was not a good day for the fuzzy headed.  I thought it was getting better and had talked to the doctor about it the day before.  He seemed to think it might be med effects and possibly my B/P med might be need to be changed if it continued--check my pulse and b/p and see if a pattern emerges.  Well, I was really rocking and rolling.  Gait disturbed more than anything.  I stayed on the couch like a lump.  Thankfully, by Sunday I was able to get back to my walking regime after laying off for the better part of two weeks.  Now stay away, will ya?  Not welcome here!

 I should probably be sewing and specifically sewing Aline's D9P blocks together but I am in a holding pattern before I get any further along than placing the blocks on the "design wall".  She wants it bigger and one way to achieve that is to sash them.  I have some stuff her daughter's sent me--a soft yellow like her small squares and then a light blue for an outer border.  I think maybe too light with the bold teals, greens and purples.  She is still recuperating from her recent injuries and family members are there to help.  Might be wearing her out!  I told her call when she had a few spare minutes for me to run out for a consultation, LOL.

Meanwhile, over the weekend I have been digging around in the closets.  At first it was just to switch some of the long sleeves and jeans around in favor of my summer wardrobe.  Read:  a few things more than bike shorts!

Then I was off on a treasure hunt and looking for quilt backings for some of the recent top finishes.  I thought I had all the Ribbon Candy tops paired up but I forgot one.  I did have some yardage set aside  but initially I thought that it was going for a different top.  I want something else for the binding though.  I had a list started for Connecting Threads anyway as I discovered I do not have quite enough yardage for the queen sized Pixie Stix quilt from the GE Designs book Strip Your Stash  (or alternately, one called Quartet on craftsy.)  I need to get another yard or two of the denim Quilter's Candy Mirage I had previously purchased.

I also puzzled over which gray was which---Moda Bella Solid has a Gray  9900-83, Zen Gray 9900-185 (I think!) and Fog  9900-282.   One might be a tad dark but the Fog might be perfect for a challenge quilt I need to work on in the next few month.  Since I had the invoices and could check past orders, I believe the storage methodology is straightened out.  The hangers are labeled if it won't fit in a project box for now.

How about a choice of Hay 9900-104 or parchment  9900-39 or Snow 9900-11?  What is really the difference between Bleached White PFD 9900-97 and white 9900-98 anyway?  Would it hurt if you mixed the two in the same project.  I am trying to keep them separated for now.  Making my head spin.  You too, no doubt.

I found something I can use to back the Charming Boxes but it will need to be seamed.  I've got a little time before our quilt meeting to get that together.  It is a striped fabric and NOT horizontally either.  It is waiting over the machine which still needs to be de-linted and bobbins wound, needle changed before I start on any sewing.  Working with pre-cuts makes for a good bit of dandruff bits in the machine, on the pressing surface, probably what is floating around on the ceiling fan blades too.

I drew a bit in EQ which helps me figure out how to re-size the block and layouts if I wish.  It is an alternate idea (or two, LOL) for the challenge quilt.  However, I am fairly certain that I will go with my original idea.  I reserve the right to change my mind.

In reviewing the online order history at one site I saw I had gotten a Blooms and Bliss layer cake and charm pack.  Huh??  I don't remember what I did with that let alone what I make with it!!  Of course, it was in a container, even labeled as it turns out, but in with another project.   I was noting the other project but not the small print.  LOL.

 That lead me to ponder the difference between the Moda Bake Shop Speedwell Quilt presented by Nicola Dodd and the similar looking Missouri Star Double Square Star.   I guess it depends on many seams you want meeting at the block intersections.  I like the cleaner looks of the Speedwell one better---and the pieced in border color.  I've printed the pattern off and put it with the fabrics and in its own container.   I love the pretty pastels and florals in Blooms and Bliss and it would work well for this pattern. I will work it into the "mental" list.  I should really start a document so I can scratch off or remind myself what I planned to do with my fabric treasures though I have been doing better about leaving notes in the containers if not the actual pattern print out or copy!

Meanwhile my friend Lucy has completed not one but two Floating Squares!  She said I could post the pictures.   Mine is waiting but I may work on it tomorrow, after I cut out something else I have in mind.

This is from her relocated Peppered Cottons and is probably quite similar then to the one shown on the Missouri Star tutorial.  I really love how these turned out and seeing them makes me want to get cracking on my version!

What am I cutting out?  Have you seen the Fat Quarter Shop free patterns page?  Or their videos?   Scroll down and there is one called "Layer Cake Lattice" that is a currently craze of plus quilts..  I would link it but it goes straight to pdf download.  You should check out the page when you have some time.   I have a well antiqued layer cake I got for Christmas from DJ (Silk Road from Benartex) that I will use.  I am using a Moda Bella Parchment and maybe bind it with Hay, LOL.  (he gave me money to spend down---worked for me and even more for him!  Pants that turned into an iron instead any indication of his shopping expertise??)

I puzzled how you did Indian Hatchet shapes if you don't want to do a flippy corner half square triangle.  Marti Michell had covered this in a Farmers Wife Sampler post---I know because I read back on her blog to find THIS POST on cutting tricks.   I have many of her template sets in my sewing collection and the idea of not wasting the fabric but removing the fabric and sewing on the correct sized half square triangle could possibly be explored.  Scroll down to what she shows in the Ava Block #19--that is an Indian Hatchet shape and what is needed in the Speedwell Quilt.  I couldn't get it to work necessarily with the charm square but may have found a work around but need to do the seam to know if it will work for sure.   OR I could try Trudie Hughes Rotary Mate with the speedy triangles shown in several of her books, Crib Quilts for one.  I have the ruler.



I spent a good part of the day Saturday washing and trying to dry the pet linens.  Skyler is not using either of his perches so I took them down to wash the sheepskin stuff.  He would rather park on the dog crate or the front door rug right now.  However, that danged washing machine is not good about heavy or bulky items.  I could not get the water to spin out properly and that meant prolonged drying times.  So what does Mister Mister do after all that?  Dumps his bed upside down along with his frog and sockie laying on the BOTTOM, not the cushy top.  What a goofball!  Oh and drug it over to the front door area.  Not quite to in front of the TV but close.

And this one?  He had been snuggling up with me on the couch till I needed something, like the camera off the coffee table.  Of course, I can't get a decent picture of him.    He won't look at me, or is licking or scratching for a kitty blur.

So I resort to this..........I had switched out the quilt on the master bed to the more summery Cheese and Crackers quilt.  Then threw the light weight 50's vintage bowtie on top of it. Skyler is acting like he found a long lost friend.  Oscar wants up there in the worst way but mainly because Skyler is on there!  Hop, hop, hop.  Lucy says I should get him steps, LOL.  I think not.

Well, Oscar is acting like it is time to walk again and I am about ready for supper. Greek Salad awaits!

Hope you have had a good day in whatever you chose to do.  I've been busy as usual but trust me, that is way better than mugwumping on the couch like Friday!  Till next time------