Transparency--Finished---Post 8

Transparency is FINISHED. . .binding, sleeve and label are attached. I like the zing of the bright green binding. It electrifies the project and says HAPPY! Hey, I'm happy with the finish. It is smoking because I finished it this morning!

Label

The label came from Kerr and Wingle. The format was part of the final clue. I placed a printed version of the format on my light box and traced around the graphic parts that related to the mystery. I added my pertinent information to the right side of the label. I used fabric marking pens like micron to ink the areas.

Quilting on the back 

I like the texture of the circle quilting. I don't know that I'll do that again as it was boring to keep making the same shape over and over. It took time too! I do like the pieced back. It is like a quilt in itself so I suppose this could be a two sided quilt!

View of the back

It took me about 80 hours to complete this project. I used about eight yards of fabric from my stash to complete it. This brings my total for the year to 0 yards as I have purchased 28 yards of fabric since my no shopping ban! I do have two quilts at the quilter so in time, I'll be able to report more usage in time. Although, I anticipate purchases in my future for three upcoming projects!! It is my fifth finish for the year.

Finished front

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday, Frédérique at Quilting and Patchwork and Cynthia at Oh Scrap!

Transparency Quilted--post 7

Yesterday, I spent the day blocking Transparency. I finished the all over quilting pattern on Tuesday. I like the texture the quilting provided. I like that the pattern is the focal point of the project. While the quilt dried, I cut leftover backing fabric for the sleeve and for the binding. I made a label. Last night, I trimmed it. I'll attach the binding, label and sleeve next time I have a few free hours.

Blocking Transparency

 

#3 Quilt of Valor is a Top!--post 2

Stitching blocks into rows

Goal number one on my September list was to piece the Quilt of Valor blocks I had made last month into a top. I did! This is a pattern that is available on Alycia's of the Quilty Girl blog Etsy site. It didn't take too long to stitch the blocks into rows and then join the rows into the top.

I had no stitching errors. . .meaning I didn't turn a block a way that wasn't listed in the pattern! I delighted in sewing the victory lap. This is when I stitch an 1/8 inch around the perimeter of the quilt so that when the project is quilted the seams will remain stitched! The top measurers 60 inches wide by 70 inches long.

Sleeve and two bindings

Last Wednesday, I shopped a sale at one of my local quilt shops and purchased fabric for backing and binding. I purchased 12 and a quarter yard of fabrics. This brings the total fabric purchased since February and my fabric ban to 28 yards. I'm back to being negative in fabric used from my stash. The number is -8 yards. I have some finishes in the works so I'll be reversing that negative number soon!

Batting, backing and top

The backing is pieced. The batting cut. The sleeve is prepared. The binding for this quilt and Indigo Way are prepared. I will be quilting this project by checkbook too! I have too many projects waiting to be quilted so I've decided for now, paying will help me get the pile quilted and free up room in the studio!

Finished top

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday; Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilting and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge

My plan yesterday was to make the squares for the color of the month which is dark for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. All was going according to plan until we lost power. 

Fabric line names

Turns out the internet company cut our power line while providing an internet line to a neighbor. We were the only ones affected. At first the power company said we'd have power in 1.5 hours. Then it was that we would have power by 3:30pm; then it was 6:30pm and the final estimate was 9:30pm. The power returned about 10pm.

More fabric lines

While I was able to glue the strips together it will be another day or so before I can stitch the squares. I also cut some pieces for a special back that I'm piecing for our challenge quilt. Other than that, I spent the day reading. . .until it was too dark to see! 

We weren't able to leave because the power company had to excavate the power lines which run across the drive way. They excavated a ditch to access the power line. I'm glad we had leftovers that were okay to be eaten cold! We were without power for 12 hours. I understand that we are on the list to have the underground power lines updated. These have been in place since the mid 1970s.

A few more fabric lines

This was goal number number seven on my September list. It won't take long to stitch the strips together so I'm calling it goal met! Linking to Angela at So Scrappy.

Off to the Quilter--Indigo Way--post 7

Clipping threads and repressing seams

This is a short post. Friday, I dropped Indigo Way off at the quilter's. This was goal number two on my September list.  I had planned to take a photo of the layers and a photo of it at the quilter's. . . .but, I did neither!!!

View after pressing and trimming

I did take some time to repress the top and remove errant threads. I did pick a star/patriotic patterns for the quilting and a medium blue thread as the quilting thread. I have no deadline. . .well, I need to finish it for the Clark County Quilter's guild show in March. The quilter, Christie, said I would have it back well before then. I do need to purchase binding fabric.

Our granddaughter and daughter flew home to London yesterday. The house is quiet and they are already missed.

Linking to Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

Continuing to Quilt Transparency--post 6

 

Circles and more circles--front

Goal four number on my September list was to continue quilting Transparency. I had a plan that I was going to work on my walking foot skills and quilt spirals. I failed. I tried numerous times. . .I failed each time. I was not able to turn the quilt smoothly enough to create a nice line. I will try again. Although, I will do a little research to see if I can learn some hacks/tips on how to make the spiral.

Circles and more circles--back 

I decided to try an all over design using the two circle template that was in the starter set I purchased years ago. I haven't stitched an all over design on my domestic machine. Trying a different style is good. I have quilted about half of the top. I used a variegated thread of purple, blue, pink and turquoise. 

I've been disappointed in my ability to keep the tension even. It seems like when I travel over a seam and apply pressure to move the fabric, it messes with the tension. The old me would be ripping it out. The current me is leaving it. I'm chalking it up to a learning experience. Perhaps, by the time I'm finished I'll have figured out how to make it work. Had I used the same thread in the needle and the bobbin, the tension issues would have been less prevalent. I'll remember that for another time. . .maybe!!

With my granddaughter here until Saturday, I haven't spent much time in the studio. If I can quilt a few minutes when she is sleeping, I call it a win. Truth be told, I've found myself sleeping when she is as following after a two and a half year old has exhausted me!

Swimming. . .No Quilting

Riding the tail of an Orca

From my previous post regarding our two and a half year old granddaughter, the orange spools have also become  "jabs" shots. She tells me that she is the doctor and then she gives me a jab! Or, it is a tongue depressor. She also has used it as a whistle and pen light. 

We've made deviled eggs together. She likes the white; but, not the yolk. She baked a chocolate zucchini cake. She delighted in licking the bowl. We've made many green salads and she has torn the lettuce and added the chopped ingredients. 

Mostly, she is running to and from activities. Friday, she and her mama had a photo session in the park for family pictures. It was a hot day, upper 90s. Yet, she still ran all over the park and went through two water bottles in an hour and a half! She loves going to the park and climbing on the apparatuses.

My friend. Wendy, has a swimming pool at her house. She invited us to come as often as we can and her schedule will allow. We've been three times.

Spinning on a noodle

She loves the water. She now will tell her mama to back up so she has more room to jump in the water from the side of the pool. Off the steps, she will act like a
beaver and do a sitting dive. She can easily glide five feet. She does not want to swim on her back. 

We have convinced her to lay still with the promise of getting to sit on one of the floats. She is particularly fond of the Orca and watermelon. 

When she tires of the float, she pushes herself off. When you bring her to the surface for a breath, she giggles and says "AGAIN!"

Retrieving a ball with her mama

She sleeps well after a pool session. She is somewhere between London and Oregon time. Although yesterday morning, she slept in until 6:30AM which is so much more pleasant than 3AM! 

I have quilted a little bit during a couple of her naps. Although, I will admit to taking a nap with her because I'm as tired as she is!

Linking to Cynthia at Oh Scrap!

Playing With A Two and Half Year Old

Stacking spools

Our youngest granddaughter and her mama (our daughter) are visiting from across the pond. They arrived Saturday. The youngest, Miss A, has had jet lag. She was up the first "morning'"at 1AM which would have been 9AM her time. The second morning, it was 2:30AM and the third morning it was 4AM. About the time she is acclimated, it will be time for her to get on the airplane and start over! She does ask where is the sun because she wants to go outside and it is dark!

Extended fingers

So. . .what does one do in the wee hours? I had a bag of empty spools and we've stacked them in a variety of ways. She delighted in knocking the stacks over. Yesterday morning, she placed the Aurifil spools on the ends of her fingers. Then, she paraded around moving her "extended" fingers and giggling. Yes, she was able to fit one spool on her thumb; but, it was uncomfortable. She removed the spool quickly!

Did you see the green spoon in the photo? She got into the baking drawer and she has had a field day with the measuring spoons and cups. The green 1/2 teaspoon measure accompanies her throughout the day. Yes, she has toys; but, she seems to prefer common household objects to entertain herself.

Playing with "paper dolls"

I showed her the magnetic dolls our older grands played with when they were younger. Miss A hasn't figured out how the pieces make an outfit; but, she does marvel over how the pieces will "stick" to the figure. There is a hat that is a favorite. I know this because it is a part of almost every outfit.

Wearing my sandals

If one leaves their shoes unattended, she will put them on and provide us with a fashion show walk/strut. I don't know how she manages to maintain her balance; but, she does! 

We've been cooking. She and her mama make scrambled eggs many mornings. She knows how to stir her eggs as they cook and she eats every bite of egg! Yesterday morning, we made French toast. We put syrup on part of it and peanut butter on the other part. (She loves peanut butter.) Interestingly, she took a piece of each and stuck them together like a sandwich before she ate the chunk with a fork! 

We've fed apples to the neighbors' horses and cow. She has been mesmerized by the cow's tongue. . .the length, how rough it is and the color. It is black. She will hold the apple at just the right angle for the cow to use his tongue to pull the apple into his mouth. She stands without movement as she watches him eat the apple and will ask, "Again?" after he finishes!

Naps are hard to wake up from as she tries to make her nap her night sleep. We feel for her. Tomorrow our friend, Wendy, has invited us to swim in her pool. It will be a fun day! Playing with my granddaughter was goal number 10 on my September list. I plan to keep playing; but, wanted the goal on my list so I documented some of what we did!

August Recap and September Goals

 

All over motif for Transparency--front

My August goals were:

✔1. Begin quilting Transparency.

✔2, Work on the August Embroidery Software class.

✔3. Continue keeping up with the blocks for the 2024 temperature quilt. Today, I'll piece the block for yesterday and stitch the row to the top.

✔4. Begin the piecing for "The Women" book club quilt.

✔5. Stitch selvage squares in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The color for August is orange.

6. Sew with Miss K should she be available.

✔7. Work on the challenge blocks. This will be a project that I can't share on this blog until there is a reveal in June 2025!

✔8. Document making the back of the 2022-2023 temperature quilt.

✔9. Work on Rita's temperature quilt. Now that I've figured out how to end the rows, it's time to make the top.

Motif view from the back

I did teach a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor program. There are a few more people at the facility who are certified to teach Red Cross lessons! Each of the new instructors have great skills. The participants are going to love them! 

I've started the August Embroidery Software class. I figure I will catch up with the classes in October. Unfortunately, Miss K's schedule was full so we weren't able to spend time stitching. My fingers are crossed that we will be able to do it this month!

All in all, I had a terrific month.

Almost ready to attach August

My September goals are:

1. Piece the Quilt of Valor blocks that I made last month into a top.

2. Press Indigo Way and remove all the threads from the
back of the quilt. Get it, the back and the batting to the quilter.

3. Keep up piecing the blocks for the 2024 temperature quilt.

4. Continue quilting Transparency.

5. Continue working on the challenge blocks.

6. Work on the September Embroidery Software class.

7. Stitch the selvage squares in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. 

8. Begin to embroider the legend of Rita's temperature quilt.

9. Sew with Miss K should she be available.

10. Play with the youngest granddaughter. . .she arrived August 31 and will be visiting for two weeks!

Linking to Frédérique atPatchwork and Quilt and Cynthia at Oh Scrap!