Third Quarter Recap and Going Dark. . . Maybe

Lone star quilting in process

My third quarter goals were:

1. Clean and organize my studio. I thought that I could do this in a month. I rather doubt that I can do it in a quarter; but, I plan to make a little progress each week.

2. Keep up with the blocks in the Temperature quilt for 2022. It takes me about two hours to put one block into the top. I have four rows to add to the top. I didn't add those rows as I started because I thought it would be easier to add two rows each month once I got to July than it would be to add one block at a time. I have learned it is easier to add more block at a time. This will be my TV project.

✔3. Finish the 2022 Bonnie Hunter Mystery--I'm down to the binding, sleeve and label. This is one that I want to give to a four time bronze star Vietnam Veteran. I would like to give it as a Quilt of Valor. I need to reach out to the contact near me and learn what the steps are to complete this task.

A portion of the completed studio clean up

✔4. Begin quilting the Lone Star quilt. It is ready to be quilted. I need to get started on it! Perhaps, this will be my August monthly goal---to ditch quilt it.

5. Help my granddaughter finish her project. I learned earlier this week that the gal where I was longarming, is no longer renting her machine. Perhaps, using the walking foot on my domestic machine will work out for her. She is eight and it will be important that she make progress quickly.

✔6. Help my eight year old granddaughter make a swimsuit. My granddaughter didn't stitch her suit. I decided if the suit was to be used this year, I'd better stitch it myself. 

Book club project 

✔7. Fully finish the cross stitch projects I began in London. One will be a Christmas ornament and the other. . .was destined to be a refrigerator ornament. .  .maybe it will
and maybe it will become something else.

✔8. Catch up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I enjoy looking through my scraps and coming up with the blocks. Some months, I "get" to stretch myself because I have little in that color way! Yesterday, I finished  cutting the colored pieces for the months that I'm behind. Before I left on my trip, I cut all the backgrounds. Now, I have "kits" to sew one of these days!

I had a great quarter and had I not been rear ended on September ninth, I likely would have made even more progress. At the beginning of September, I began planning my fourth quarter goals.

My Fourth Quarter goals are were:

1. Finish quilting the Lone Star Quilt. 

2. Continue with my studio reorganize. I started this project in July and it's been a long arduous journey. There will be "thinning"; but, for this first pass it's all about excavation!

Make a quilt out of some of these flannel scraps

3. Finish the Book club quilt

4. Help my granddaughters make progress on their quilt projects. These are the churn dash top and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge string blocks.

5. Make a couple swimsuits for myself.

6. Make a flannel baby quilt from Martha's scraps.

7. Post about the guild challenge project.

8. Determine the block for the RSC for 2023 as well as a temperature block.

Guild challenge

Since my car accident, I have been unable to machine stitch. I can't sit at the machine and hold my arms to feed fabric without causing neck and back pain. I am slowly improving. Some days, I'm able to live with the headache pain without Alleve. The numbness in my fingers and thumbs is less noticeable. Last week, I had an acupuncture treatment and a cold laser treatment during my last chiropractic appointment. All have been helpful in a small way. While the improvements are heartening, I'm not stitching. If I'm not stitching, I'm not able to move toward my goals which is so disheartening. 

So. . .I'm not making any fourth quarter goals. Gertie, my inner squirrel, has hibernated. Other than my temperature quilt which I can work on each day as a hand project, nothing is happening on the sewing front. Sigh. . . .

Earlier this week, I decided to take a break from posting on my blog because there is so little "material" to share. I was sad to be going dark. I planned to continue reading blogs and leaving comments as that is a great way to stay connected to the quilting community. Bonnie Hunter will releasing the fabric colors for her next mystery soon. I sure want to participate in that mystery. 

I had hope to return in a couple of months as I'm determined to machine quilt and piece again! This morning, however, I felt a bit of a spark. Yesterday, I traveled about two hours to watch our alma mater play a football game. After the game, we drove home. It was a long day; however, I am only a bit more sore than I am on any other day. Perhaps, there is a chance that I can be successful at machine sewing in the next week or two. I'm willing to try. 

I do have one more post that I can write about a project I finished in August; but, couldn't share until after next week. Let's see what happens. Fingers crossed!!!!

In the meantime, I'm linking up to Cynthia and Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework.

I Met Cynthia. . .

A modern quilt at the show

Last Sunday, I attended the Westside Quilters "A Quilted Paradise" show. From where I live, it was an hour drive to the show. My husband offered to drive. I took him up on his offer. I used an ice pack on the way there which helped with pain management. We arrived as the show opened.

It was great to walk through the aisles and see over 150 beautiful quilts. I found that I couldn't stop to read the signage on the quilts because the pain across my back, up my neck and into one shoulder would engage. My daughter wanted proof I saw quilts so my husband snapped a photo in front of this one.

I was really bad. . .I forgot to ask him to photograph the signage so I could attribute the maker. If you attended the show and know, please message me. I will add the information to this post. I liked the modern feel of the piece.

Next, I worked my way to vendor Cynthia Bunz's booth. I've followed Cynthia for years via her blog, Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. For at least the last couple of

Cynthia and me in front of her booth

years, I've participated in her Oh Scrap link up on Saturdays. Cynthia is a master of using every scrap. She is generous with her knowledge and so supportive. 

She's been working on the scrappy paper pieced banner for a number of months. Getting to see the banner in person was extra special! I got to see many of her patterns up close and personal too. The absolute best part was meeting her in person. 

She agreed to have a photograph with me. While I had fully intended to thank her in person for inspiring me to play with scraps, I totally forgot! I attribute forgetting to being tongue tied around a celebrity! I'm really glad to have met her in the flesh!

We left soon after meeting Cynthia. My ice pack was still a little cool so I used it on the way home. I was sore the next day; but, my pain level wasn't any greater than it was before I went. 

It's been a month since I was last able to sit at a machine and stitch. This week, I have an acupuncture appointment to calm the nerves in my neck to encourage the muscles to stop going into a spasm. I hope acupuncture works. I so miss machine stitching!

September Recap and October Goals

Leader ender stacks

My September goals were:

✔1. Write one post about the the Ottolenghi recipes that I've been making.

2. Finish the quilting on my Lone Star Quilt which may not happen; but if I can get the bones of the quilting completed, I'll be happy.

3. Get the book club quilt for our current book to the embellishment stage.

4. Keep up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The color this month is light blue. 

✔5. Write a post about the 2022 Temperature quilt blocks. Keep up with the blocks for this project.

✔6. Inventory the contents of one of the tubs that I've stuffed with projects. This is my organizing project for the month.

7. Choose one of those projects to move forward.

Block in construction

On September ninth, I was rear ended in a car accident. On September 29, I posted about my recovery process. I haven't machine pieced or quilted since September eighth. Consequently, meeting my September goals took a hit. 

I was making good progress on the Lone Star Quilt and was choosing the background for my book club quilt. I did choose a project to move forward; but, I had also planned to make progress on that project before the end of the month. My light blue blocks for the RSC are in the same position they were before the accident. Big sigh. . . 

I did help 51 participants earn their American Heart Basic Life Support CPR certifications. I also helped two participants earn their American Red Cross First Aid/Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED certificates. 

Block layout option

I read one book--I had it three quarters read before my accident. I read "Where the Forest Meets the Stars" by Glendy Vanderah.

For October, I thought about making a list of goals; but, decided against it. Since I have so much dang back pain and finger numbness, I am doubtful that I would feel like my previous self in time to make progress on a list. Not being able to work on goals, makes me feel sad. 

Instead, I'll continue to concentrate on healing. Yesterday, I spent some time piecing on my Temperature quilt. I don't feel worse for the experience today so that is encouraging! Perhaps, I'll be able to continue working on that project this month.  

Another block layout option

Today, I'm attending the Westside Quilter's quilt show. The location of the show is about an hour away from where I live. I'm going for a couple of reasons. One I've wanted to meet Cynthia of Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework for years and she is vending at that show.  She has inspired me to create with scraps. I've wanted to thank her in person. Fingers crossed that I will thank her today!

Second, I want to see how my body handles traveling longer than half an hour in the car. I will have my ice pack to start! If I do okay, I might feel like I can handle attending a football game.

I'll leave you with the last bit of scrappiness that I started before the car accident. The photos are of Bonnie Hunter's Leader/Ender project for this year. This one is called Triple Treat. She releases a project in July and you make bits that eventually turn into blocks. When you make enough blocks for a project, you complete the top. 

I thought about using this block as my Rainbow Scrap Challenge for next year. I have too many bold print scraps that have inhabited the scrap storage for too long and this block might be the perfect place to use them. 

Working on the Recovery Phase and Last Wednesday Post For A While

Once again, I've missed a Wednesday post. Thursday, however, is close to Wednesday. Also, I wrote two posts this week which is my normal rate. Tomorrow, it will be three weeks since I was rear ended. I've had four chiropractic and three massage appointments. I am thankful that I can receive the treatments. I'm thankful that I can drive myself to the the appointments.

Basically, I still feel pain from the mid point of my head down to my tailbone. I am thankful that I can take regular breaths without feeling rib restriction. Coughing and sneezing still cause pain in my neck and back areas. Before the treatments breathing was even painful! It's taken me more than a week to write this post as typing on the lap top more than about ten minutes makes my thumb, index and middle fingers numb. 

I've had X-rays of my spine. The results showed that the top curve of my spine is a little flat and the second curve of my spine is rotated a bit to the right. The chiropractor said that the results are indicative of a rear end accident. With treatments, I might regain the curve and alignment; but, I might have a new normal for me. In other words, I may be living with the way my spine is now. The chiropractor said that there was no reason to not think I'd be back to "normal" activities.

The chiropractor has given me a few neck exercises. Rolling a tennis ball in specific areas of the back of my head has helped decrease the severity of the headache. Unfortunately, one of the exercises sent my neck muscles into an angry flare. The shoulder exercise triggered more numbness in my fingers. For those exercises, I backed off on the number of repetitions and the range of motion. 

Sometimes, the chiropractor is too aggressive with the treatments. It is going to take some time for us to determine what works best for me as she gets to know me and my body. So far, I may feel better at the end of the session; but, in a couple hours, I may also feel like those areas have been lit on fire. The massage therapist is gifted at calming those areas while working on other areas that cause me pain. I miss my previous chiropractor! She is moving to New Zealand because her husband has a job opportunity there. I am thankful that I have a referral for my massage therapist. 

Bending to groom the dog is uncomfortable. I've taken to brushing her on our bed as there is less bending for me. The brushing movement with my arm is tough too. It doesn't take many strokes until the numbness begins. I've found cooking--especially stirring and chopping to be difficult. I'm fortunate that my husband is fine with stirring and chopping as well as lifting full pots from stove/oven to table! 

Work is tough. I'm thankful that I only work about five days a month and most of the time, there is a day in between that I can use as a recovery day. Demonstrating compressions is painful and several hours later, my back is even more painful! I am thankful that there is a lot of walking in my job and that sitting and standing is about the same. Right now, there is no way that I can sit or stand for prolonged periods. Sitting at the table for a meal is sometimes too much!

I miss reading a book. I did manage to finish reading a book I started a couple months ago and I had progressed through about two thirds of a second book before the accident. Holding the book is uncomfortable and looking down is uncomfortable. I may go back to listening to audible books soon if I can manage the time spent on the computer to check them out from the library.

I miss machine piecing and quilting. I miss participating in the quilting related zoom sessions. Some days, I can English Paper Piece and some days I can't. I miss using our season tickets for the college football games. Sitting more than 20 minutes in a car irritates my back. The field is more than an hour and a half drive from where I live. I hope that in a couple of weeks, I'll be able to handle the drive.

In addition to the chiropractic and massage treatments, exercise, ice, Alleve and a positive attitude continue to be part of my recovery.

As for Wednesday posts, these are going on hiatus until I can handle time on the laptop better.  

Costa Rica Star

Current book club book

Our Thread Tales book club is reading "Color: A Natural History of the Palette" by Victoria Finlay. It is a deep read; but interesting. I've spent some time googling a number of references the author made in the text. 

The cover of the book inspired me with the color palette. In Martha's projects was this Costa Rica star from Judy Mathieson's "Mariner's Compass Quilts--New Directions" book. The colors in the project were what I envisioned. The project had issues.

Why Martha didn't get past the two circle stage was because neither circle was round. That large circle, while beautiful, was full of waves.

The inner and outer circles

She didn't know how to fix it without losing the crispness of the design. She would lament that she had no idea how that happened since she paper pieced the sections. She also would say that she wished that she had left the paper on the sections. She looked at it often; but, didn't work on it. I'm going to finish it using the mantra finished is better than perfect!

After she died, this project was in the pile destined for the landfill. I picked up the bag because there was some black fabric and a couple batik fabric chunks. Was I surprised when I opened the package at home and discovered this project.  

I thought that I would take the circle apart at the quarter marks and restitch it. I was fortunate to have the Mariner's Compass book.

Inner and outer circles together

In the pattern, addressed the waves and said to block the project. I did block it and blocking helped reduce the amount of waves. I was able to get to a more circular shape. I'm glad that I didn't try to rip the sections apart. This star is contracted with the pieces being added to the same side until the circle is complete. Ripping wouldn't have solved my issue.

The next issue was that the hole was too large for the inner star. I considered floating a piece of black background between the two circles. That was a fleeting thought! 

Close up of the seam between two circles 

Instead, I opted to hand baste close to the inside edge of the outer circle. I was able to adjust the fullness enough to set in the inner circle. I basted the edges together because if there were going to be puckers, removing basting stitches was easier than removing regular stitches. 

For the most part, it worked. There is fullness and the edges of the outer circle still "wave"; but, the overall fullness appears to be less. I'm hopeful that the mantra, "it will quilt out" works!

One of the backgrounds that I'm using for my 2022 temperature quilt has the same colors as this star. I thought perhaps that fabric would work in this project too. I also auditioned the plain black fabric that Martha had chosen for the project. 

The pattern has the circle centered in the background, sashed with a selection of fabrics used in the star and then bordered with the background. Gertie, my inner squirrel, liked the plain background the best.

Auditioning the backgrounds 

She also thinks the plain black background fabric is too small because she wants to change the orientation of the star which I think is a good plan. She is drawing thumbnails with layout ideas. 

I've peaked at her thumbnail sketches. I like the one of the star off of the background. Gertie thinks we could pull off an organic edge. Let's see! Gertie also wants to add some bling/beads to the project. I'm not so sure about the beads. Gertie wants to machine piece the piece to the background. I'm leaning towards applique. We continue to contemplate our options!

Martha would be tickled that the two parts of her star are together. I know she would add sparkle or bling to the piece.

I'm linking to Cynthia and Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework because Martha made this project with scraps!

I wrote all but the last two paragraphs of this post before the car accident. I still am not able to machine piece or machine quilt because of pain in my upper back and holding the fabric makes my fingers numb.

Ottolenghi Recipes--post 3

Learning about mushrooms

I've continued to cook recipes from Yotam Ottolenghi's SIMPLE cookbook. Goal number one one my September list was to write a post about the dishes I've made since sharing our potluck in London.

I did make a repeat of the muhummara, pickled egg plant, cucumber salad and pea salad dishes for Dick and Gail, a couple of my Washington State friends. I continue to make the hummus on a regular basis. 

Cordyceps

Not all of the recipes that I have prepared have been wows. A few recipes were the kind that making them once was enough.  Over time, I'll share my thoughts and a photo of all the recipes that I've tried.

One recipe that I was interested to try was the Burger with Mushrooms and Feta recipe on pages 164-165. Making this recipe in London involved a trip to the mushroom vendor which was an experience in itself. I have eaten a few types of mushrooms; but at the mushroom vendor's stall, there were mushrooms I hadn't seen! 

We told him what we were planning to make with the mushrooms. We asked if he could recommend ones that would hold up with the cooking and pair well with the other ingredients in the dish.

Hen of the Woods

He was happy to select a few varieties for us. We learned where they originated and how to use them. Some wild varieties, you tear apart and some varieties you leave as they are. You slice the cultivated varieties.

We visited this vendor several times during my London stay. He was always passionate about his product which made it extra fun to purchase from him. We did purchase some brown and white mushrooms from the local market to round out our dish.

We tore the Hen of the Woods and the Oyster mushrooms. We left the Cordyceps whole and we sliced the rest. Those orange Cordyceps  remained orange in the dish which provided a lot of interest! The Girolle turned a darker shade of orange in cooking. I didn't use all of these mushrooms in one recipe. Over several repeats of the recipe I've used all the varieties pictured here.

Girolle

I've made the dish once since I've been home. I used the mushrooms that my husband could purchase in the supermarket. While the dish was still tasty, it was better using a wider variety of mushrooms.

Oyster

I like the recipes that you serve from the cooking pan. It sure helps with cleanup! This dish also tasted terrific cold as a leftover.

I'm a week late in writing this post. I haven't missed writing a Wednesday post in a long time. I had this post started before being rear ended. Unfortunately, I physically haven't been able to type more than a line or two at a time. It takes me a long time to write a post with all those interruptions! My fingers tingle and my arms go to sleep. I still have a headache, neck and back pain. I am so ready to get rid of the headache!

The dish ready to serve

Sigh. . .I've been to two chiropractic and one massage appointment. I felt a little better after the second chiropractic appointment and I gained a little range of motion with the massage appointment in my neck. 

I've scheduled more of each. I still can't machine quilt because my arms tire and my fingers tingle just getting into position to quilt. I have been doing a little hand piecing; but, I'm behind on the blocks for my temperature quilt. 

Every day I hope that it will be the day that I can try sitting at the machine to piece. Sitting at the table for a meal isn't that comfortable either so I haven't tried sitting at the machine. I've missed Zoom sewing with my groups because I sitting in the chair makes my back hurt. 

I find chopping, stirring, carrying the dish to the oven and table tough to do. I baked some bread, but, my husband needed to finish because my arm strength gave out. He's been a great sous chef. I'm telling myself to be patient.

I will heal. 

As far as the car repair goes, we were able to get it to a shop for an estimate. We chose two car repair shops. The second shop on our list didn't have an estimation appointment open until the beginning of October. We decided that we would go with the shop that we were able to get the estimation of damage appointment. 

We have a repair appointment scheduled November eighth. That appointment is about two months after the accident. Materials like parts are all still a challenge to source and ship. We are fortunate we can still drive the car. 

2022 Temperature Quilt-post 4

Reusing the basting papers

When I last posted about this project I had decided to add another background fabric to the project. I was stitching the blocks into rows; but, planned to wait until the year was half over before I began stitching the rows to each other. I have since learned that it is easier to add a block into the the project than it is to add a whole row. I thought it would be easier to add a row! Live and learn!

I've enough of the rows together to begin removing the papers. I do plan to leave the papers on for the outer three rows. I've been reusing the papers. The seam allowances at the block corners is a bit "fluffy." I'm considering adding a dab of glue and giving the area a press so the seams are as flat as possible.

I'm working away on the month of September, adding a block every day once I have the high and low of the day. I've also been stitching at least one block of the February row. My goal is to finish adding February by the end of September. I'll need to add January while I work on October which is doable.

Width and bottom edge

I realized that I will need to add another diamond to the bottom edge so that the bottom edge mirrors the top edge.

Adding a few more diamonds of the dark background fabric isn't a big deal. 

Long and skinny

The bigger deal is this top with six rows completed measurers 14 inches wide by 70 inches long. I thought that it would be wider. At this rate, it would finish at around 35 x 74. I thought a long and skinny project would be okay. I had envisioned this project as a lap quilt. It isn't going to be big enough if I stick with my current plan. 

This project is an example of the importance of having a solid plan. Had I been more aware of what size I'd be making, I could have changed the layout to make a wall hanging. 

I've been pondering what to do for the last couple weeks. I could leave it long and skinny. It takes a lot of time every day to make a block and attach it to the project. I do like the boxes. 

I could repeat the pattern for next year. I wouldn't have to determine what the pattern would be or figure out the supporting fabrics. I have plenty of those supporting fabrics. I'd be committing to a lot more handwork!

Gertie, my inner squirrel, is opting for adding another year to the project. She said if I do it a second year, I should title the piece "A Tale of Two Years." My London daughter suggested finishing it this year. She would add big borders with some words and a legend. 

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Please leave me a comment about what you would do if this was your project. Thanks!

For the first time in years, I missed writing a Wednesday post. I'm still not able to sew at the machine and I still am sore from the car accident. I'm still using the ice packs liberally. I still have a nasty headache. Alleve doesn't do much for the pain. I miss sewing so much. I hope that I will be able to quilt sooner rather than later! I can't type more than about ten minutes before my hands go to sleep. It's taken me days to write this post. Sigh. . .I'm trying to be patient. . .

I'm headed over to Cynthia and Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. I'm looking forward to reading about other people's scrap projects.

Then This Happened. . .

Driving home from work Friday afternoon, this happened. . . 

Our car

Yep, traffic suddenly slowed to a stop, I slowed, the person behind me didn't slow fast enough and I got crunched. At impact, I felt and heard my lower back, mid back, neck and head make cracking noises and move. That cracking is not a good sound. That moving didn't feel good either.  I felt fortunate that my car was drivable. Her car was not. Two guys who work at a Toyota dealership were behind her car and saw the accident. They tried to move her car out of the line of traffic and couldn't. Clackamas Fire and Water Rescue happened by and were able to move her car to a safer place. 

The other car

We exchanged information. We both were feeling nauseated and shaky. My neck immediately hurt and I had a tremendous headache. I stayed with her until her son arrived. No sewing happened that evening. Not much happened yesterday either. I still have a headache and am liberally using the ice bag. I've numbing on my thumb, index and middle fingers of both hands although the numbing is more pronounced on the left. 

Accident reports have been filed and insurance companies have been notified on our end. I have an insurance number for a personal injury claim so I can seek medical attention. I am so bummed. I'm scheduled to work two days this week. I am hopeful I can complete my tasks. 

Scraps ready for Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks

I have to trust that my ability for sewing will return. I plan to try a little activity every day. Tomorrow, we'll start the repair process on our car. Likely, we will need a rental. I am fortunate that my husband is able to juggle the equipment, the questions and system. My headache makes it hard sometimes to think!

My plan yesterday was to sew my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks. In the middle of the week, I finished cutting all the pieces for three blocks. I'm not sure when I'll be able to sew the parts into blocks. I'm linking up with Cynthia and Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. Do check out all the projects stitched with blocks. I'm always inspired with the projects.

Inventory of One Tub

Goal number six on my September goal list was to inventory the projects in one project tub. I pulled the "designated" tub. I emptied the contents. I wasn't surprised that there were a lot of projects! After all, I excel at bundling and planning projects; but, I'm less than stellar regarding the follow through!

The top tub was "it"

1. A couple blocks that I liked and made extra when the guild did Block of the Month. I thought it would become a table topper; but, I need to make blocks. Perhaps, a table runner would be a better option.

2. Class project when Sylvia Pippen was the instructor. Haven't touched it since I was in class. It is a handwork project.

3. Leftover knit and cotton fabric from the summer dresses that I made for the oldest two granddaughters. Perhaps, I'll make one for the youngest granddaughter!

4. I cut a bunch of 7 inch squares into hexagon shapes and made a couple blocks. Haven't touched the project in years.

5. A By Annie's pattern for an organizer. I've made several of these and have fabrics for lots more!

6. At least three hanging dish towel projects in this group and as many as six!

7. This is a book club quilt that I thought that I'd stitch years ago.

8. Lots of yardage in this print rayon fabric. Have no idea what sort of clothing pattern to tackle.

9. This is a started book club quilt that stalled. Perhaps, I'll figure out how to move it forward.

10. Button ornament possibly. I saw one on Pinterest and wanted to make some. I even sorted through my buttons to capture a few of the right color to make a tree. It's been years since I did this!

11. Leftover piece of a selvage block. I had an idea about making more "yardage." That thought was in the winter of 2020.

How many projects in one tub . . .at least 22

12. Christmas fabric strip pieced. . .maybe a table runner, a stocking or a placemat? I made a couple stockings and these are the leftovers.

13. Christmas wall hanging project from my friend Martha's stash. Maybe I can add some length and make it into a comfort quilt donation.

14. Three dishtowels for embroidery. This could be a place to stitch what I've made playing with my new software.

15. A thread catcher project. The directions and the hoop are included in the bag. 

16. A wrist pincushion that I made when I was ten. The dog chewed it up; but, I'd like to make a replacement. Maybe, the two older granddaughters would like to make one too.

17. At least three sample blocks with no idea why I bundled these up together. Maybe my plan was to use the blocks in a back or possibly make pot holders out of them.

18. Pot holder project .   .  .there must be at least four in this group and I've one complete!

19. Three small bags of bonus triangles. I want to make a Wild and Goosey quilt pattern by Bonnie Hunter. Quilters gifted these to me.

20. String basket/bowl project. Started in a workshop. I would have to revisit the tutorial to remember how to twist the strings!

21. Credit or gift card holder project.

22. I was the winner of these nine blocks from contributing to the block of the month. Maybe, these could be put together to make a baby quilt. 

Now to choose one project and make progress which is goal number seven on that list. 

Should I put the numbers in a hat and draw? Should I pick one that I can finish in an afternoon? Should I pick one that I could gift during the holidays? Should I pick one that takes up the most space? Should I pick one that my granddaughters could do too? Should I spend one week a month working only on projects in this tub? Should I spend one day a week only working on projects in this box?

Hm m m. . . .I'll noodle on the options. Perhaps by next week I'll know what I'm going to do. Gertie, my inner squirrel, has had lots of suggestions!

August Recap and September Goals

The sky the first day of September

My August goals were:

✔1. Write one post about past book club book/quilt. I've two posts left to document the finished quilts I've made that were inspired by books I read through the Thread Tales book club. The book will likely be: The Soldier's Wife by Margaret LeRoy. 

First day of third grade

✔2. Finish the 2022 Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt. The pattern this year was Rhododendron Trail. I have the sleeve and label to attach.

✔3. Gertie, my inner squirrel, took me on a detour.  She had a good idea. I added some red squares that were in my precuts too! This project is the guild challenge so I'll be doing some secret sewing. 

✔4. Fully finish the cross stitch projects I began in London.

✔5. Make at least one swimsuit. I made two! The granddaughters packed their new suits for camp!

Deep in conversation with Papa

✔6. Make a plan of tackling the started projects and gifts that I stored into a couple tubs. It would be great to reduce the number of "opportunities" in those tubs! This is going to be my "cleaning/organizing" goal for this month.

✔7. Begin quilting the Lone Star Quilt. It was my one monthly goal.

✔8. Stay current with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and the Temperature quilt blocks. The RSC color for August is orange. I plan to piece August into the temperature quilt along with March. This means that I'll be stitching two blocks a day. . .doable if I keep at it!

Beginning quilting on the Lone Star

✔9. Determine a plan for the next book club quilt. We are reading: "Color: A Natural History of the Palette" by Victoria Finlay.

✔10. Add the binding to a quilt that I'm planning to gift to a graduate.

In terms of meeting the goals that I set, it was a terrific month! Additionally, I helped 63 people earn their American Heart CPR certification. 

Get this project to the embellishment stage

I watched my granddaughter crawl for the first time. I even watched her eat her first solid foods. . .sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli and mangos have all been winners! I've seen her first tooth. I've watched her splash about in the tub and the outdoor wading pool. It's been a great visit and I will miss her and my daughter when they return
to the UK at the end of this month. She and her papa have spent some quality bonding time together.

Width of the Temperature Quilt

Our middle granddaughter had her first day of school. She
is a third grader. Our oldest granddaughter had to delay school because she has COVID. She was bummed as she had her outfits planned for 5th grade for the entire week. After a week, she continues to recover. After six days, she moved into the bored stage which was a good sign. All but our daughter in that family have had COVID now. So far, my husband and I continue to be COVID free.

I can't believe it is September! The photo was of a sunrise on the first day of the month. Mornings continue to be my favorite time of the day.

My September goals are:

1. Write one post about the the Ottolenghi recipes that I've been making.

2. Finish the quilting on my Lone Star Quilt which may not happen; but if I can get the bones of the quilting completed, I'll be happy.

3. Get the book club quilt for our current book to the embellishment stage. Making this goal will be a stretch; but, I'm also making it my One Monthly Goal. Check out Patty's link for a view of others' plans for the month. Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal September Link-up

4. Keep up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The color this month is light blue. 

5. Write a post about the 2022 Temperature quilt blocks. Keep up with the blocks for this project.

6. Inventory the contents of one of the tubs that I've stuffed with projects. This is my organizing project for the month.

7. Choose one of those projects to move forward.

I'm linking to Cynthia at Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. The back of the lone star is pieced with leftovers from the front. 

A Plan. . .OR is it a List??

Before: The next designated pile to clear

Goal number six on my August list was to make a plan about tackling the projects that I've stored in a couple of tubs. In my head, I thought that goal number six was to clear/organize an area of my space. It was tough, but I did find homes for all the stuff but the wire basket. I have to report having access to the cabinet shelving is great. Note that in the after photo, my cutting table is still clear! Clearing another pile is a bonus!

I thought that the wire basket could become the place holder for the projects in the queue. I've written before that I'm super great at bundling projects but less than stellar than finishing the bundles. For now, I'll leave that wire basket empty. This was the basket that my friend, Martha, had about half full of strips and strings!

I wrote that I had a couple tubs of started/planned projects; but, I have more than that! I considered making projects out of the flannel bin and small project box until it was empty. Gertie, my inner squirrel, was on board with that idea.

After: Cleared area

Because sewing quilts out of flannel is not my favorite activity, I couldn't see myself sticking with that plan. I thought about choosing to work through one tub. I asked myself how would I approach the projects stored in the tub?

Gertie immediately reminded me that I've some projects that are within sight that I've earmarked to work on in the next year. I wondered how would I work those projects into the mix?

Maybe, I spend the next year working on started projects. Of course, Gertie swished her tail in excitement about getting back to some of those abandoned projects. Then she whispered in my ear wanting to know what happens when we start a new project? She also wanted to know how I planned to spend time learning the new embroidery software that I purchased last month. All good questions with no great answers. . . YET!

Mostly flannel scraps from Martha's stash

I had so many questions and no clear answers! I had a conversation with my friend, Marla, who is an organizing
guru. She suggested that I take an inventory of my projects. I have resisted making a list of started projects. She did help me see the value of a list, however. Sigh. . . .

I made a general list from the thoughts running around in my head combined with Gertie's gentle nudges:

1. Make two to three flannel projects in 2023. Making the projects make a dent in the amount of flannel in the box without making me commit to spending hours sewing with fabric I'd rather not sew! Most of the flannel came from from when I sewed pajamas and nightgowns when my daughters were in elementary school.

Two tubs of started projects

Most of the other flannel that I acquired from my friend, Martha, I've made into six quilts that have been gifted. I still have some juvenile flannel prints in a small project box that were in Martha's stash. Click on the link so view all the projects I've made from her scraps thus far.

2. Inventory the projects in one tub. Some of the projects are clothing. Some of the projects are small gift items. Some of the projects are quilts. I'm considering numbering the projects and then drawing one project every month to have more finishes or at least make progress! Likely there are more than a dozen projects in a tub. This step would be a start.

3. Make a list of the requests I've received. Someone wants Christmas stockings. I don't have to have the stockings finished in time for Santa's visit in 2022. The granddaughters that live near by, want to work on their quilt projects and to make clothes.

4. I have the Grassy Creek, Bonnie Hunter, mystery project from 2021 that is ready for the last clue.

5. I have four butterfly quilts that have been lingering for years at various stages.

6. I have some started book club quilts. Several projects are in the drawing stage. Several projects are in the "stuck" stage.

7. I've two older quilts that need a hanging sleeve attached. 

8. I've started class projects stored in project boxes.

9. I've a temperature quilt from 2021 that needs quilting.

Sigh. . . .

I could go on; but I decided that this list was varied and big enough! If another pandemic happens in the next five years, my little space will keep me occupied! I've spent more than a decade "acquiring" the projects and it is going to take time to reduce the number of them. 

Seriously, this list will evolve as I learn what what works. A list is helpful. My current thought is to incorporate an item or two from the list on my monthly and quarterly goals. Let's see how that works for a few months and a couple of quarters!

Lone Star Quilt--Ditch Quilted and More (post 5)

Back view of ditch quilting

On Friday, August 19, 2022, I began ditch quilting the Lone Star quilt that I began in a Saturday workshop in January 2021! On Friday, August 27, I completed the ditch quilting. 

I pin basted the project pinned last February; but, I hadn't taken the time to get it started. Ditch quilting, while necessary, is so boring to do. I chose a monofilament thread in the needle and red Aurifil 60 weight thread in the bobbin.

Ditch quilted Lone Star

Over the next few days, I'll determine the thread and the quilting designs. It would be great if I could make progress on the quilting of this project next month! With each project I quilt, I can sure tell that I have less time to quilt before my arms and hands numb. I notice the numbness more on my left side. This is residue left from being rear ended in a car accident 13 years ago. Sigh. . ."maturing" sure isn't for sissies! 

This was goal number seven on my August list. It was goal number four on my third quarter list. It was also my one monthly goal!

Batik sleeve

I'm linking to Patty at Elm Street Quilts. Please check out the link to see all the other inspirational projects! Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - August Finish Link-up

I also made and attached a sleeve to a quilt for a friend in my Mystery Mavens small group. She made Frolic which was the Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt in 2019. She doesn't like attaching sleeves and decided to pass on entering the quilt in the upcoming Mt. Hood Quilt guild show. The show, Quilts of the East Wind will be held October 14 and 15.

My friend, while participating in Bonnie's mysteries, doesn't make all the blocks and sets the blocks different from Bonnie. Her quilts are always fun to view. Other people would enjoy seeing her work so I volunteered to add the sleeve. 

Back of my secret sewing project

Honestly, I feel the same way she does about quilt  sleeves! I even measured her quilt and pinned the note with the size to the sleeve so it will be easy for her to complete the entry paperwork. 

I did use a quarter yard of fabric from my stash, which was a win for me! Even better, the fabric was in the "chunk" section of my scraps! It is a batik sleeve because the fabrics in her quilt as well as the back are all batiks. I've now used 64 yards of fabric from my stash this year!

Goal number three on my August list was to do some secret sewing that Gertie, my inner squirrel, convinced me to do. She is pleased with herself because I've finished the project. For now, I'll share the back as it is a secret project. Gertie is busy writing the post. She is most pleased that no yardage was harmed with this project. We made the project out of scraps!

I'll also link to Cynthia at Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. 

Book project

Goal number nine on my August list was to come up with a plan for a project inspired by our current Thread Tales book. We are reading, "Color-A Natural History of the Palette" by Victoria Finlay. 

The cover of the book inspired me with the color palette. In Martha's projects was this Costa Rica star project from Judy Mathieson's "Mariner's Compass Quilts--New Directions" book.

The colors in the project were what I envisioned. The project has issues. I'll write about that in a future post. For now, I'm going to try to make it work. If you have suggestions about how to inset that circle to an oval. . .please share!