Why Do I Post Everyday?

Generally I'm out in the studio everyday and since this is my quilting diary, that's one of the reasons. Another reason is to make me accountable for what I'm going to be doing later on that day, and reason number three is to summarize what I did the previous day.

If I wait two days, details are often forgotten. When I don't post anything I wasn't here to do anything quilting related. 

Yesterday was one of those days when I wasn't here all day. But what did I do Friday?  

After working on Flea Market for the day I made a Love Letter block. I did the two leaf blocks left in Flower Power, and then instead of jumping on DW, I sorted and glued down the circle parts of Flower Power. 

Now I can start stitching all of those down. The class for this quilt used a variety of stitches to go around each circle. I'm not doing that. Just a regular blanket stitch is good enough for me. 

Yesterday, despite not being in the studio, I did do something quilt related. I've been wanting to get down to The Hen House quilt shop in Charlotte so Jim and I took a trip there after Jacobs birthday party in Lansing. Now there's a hidden gem! I know the owner and most of the people who work there and so it was like a mini reunion. These ladies all belonged to the guild we had there (until Covid killed it) and catching up over the past four years took over an hour. I picked up this layer cake to add to the fabric for the Quilt Room I'll be starting soon. 

I haven't been sleeping very well lately (again). I did get some sleep last night, but the previous two nights I saw 3:00 a.m. and beyond and still got up before 8:30. Today I'm not feeling too good and my energy level is about zero. It'll be a quiet day reading and snuggling with the girls. 

Busy But Not In The Studio

Jims birthday was yesterday. The only thing that happened in the studio during the day was wrapping presents. The rest of the day was spent preparing a nice meal for Jim, dealing with the Culligan man, and wrapping more presents. 

I was able to do something in the studio in the evening hours; around 6:30. River Rock is what's on the frame for today.

Moms Birthday/Christmas Present

Not my color way, but mom loves these muted batiks and she picked out the kit at The Hen House when we went down together in the fall. This will get an open E2E on it since it's so busy and most all quilting will disappear if I try to do any custom. And she selected a wool batt so I want it to remain pliable during use. 

And hey, this is not a customer quilt. It's actually one of mine. At this rate, I'll get to do one of my own quilts every three months...or four times a year. Whoo Hooo! 

This will be most of today's project since the wrapping is, well, wrapped up, for now anyway. I have to run to the groomer and then to Pieces of Thyme (which will be closing for three weeks after tomorrow) to drop off brochures and Linda's quilt. 

Down and Back

My long arm, DW, goes downstate every year for a spa day. Yesterday was that day. The dealership where he was purchased (thanks a million Gall Sewing and Vac) will slot me in for the day so two four-hour trips aren't necessary. 

Mom and I found plenty to do while the long arm was being tuned up. We are from Lansing after all and know where to go and how to get there. 

I did warn mom shop hopping was in my plans and if she didn't want to tag along I would understand. She was a trooper and never complained about my lingering and gabbing with long time friends.

After Gall Sewing, we headed to Country Stitches. After lunch we went down to Charlotte to The Hen House. Purchases were made from all of three; we have to keep these people in business or it'll come down to just few choices rather than the plethora of choices we have now. The virus thing isn't helping so I think our contributions are key. 

Today I'll take DW for a test drive on something small and get him ready for the six or so customer tops sitting here waiting patiently. 

Hurdles

It wasn't hurdles so much we had this weekend, just lots of away-from-the-house time. Saturday was a complete wash. On the road and downstate all day long. 

I did manage to get three backings from The Hen House while downstate. We were actually there during normal business hours to be able to shop a little and catch up with old friends. 

Yesterday was a recharge afternoon. Errands and shopping in the morning. But I did manage to get another little bit of sewing in before leaving; working on the Stack and Whack Kaleidoscope top. 

In our travels this weekend, I had two [more] people ask about the long arm and what exactly it is that I do. Since DW is currently naked, thought I'd grab a pic of him to show how big he is to better explain to folks the machine I sling around for hours.

A good pic of DW naked

One of the kaleidoscope blocks 

This morning customers are coming to pick up (Sue L.) and then I'll have the rest of the day to work on DW and get rid of his naked-dittity. :-)

100 Blocks Completed

Now to get those 100 blocks in a pleasing setting will follow. But a few things need to come off the design wall first.

After long arming the Rainbows and Checkers (that's what I've decided to name it) for a few hours yesterday, I started working on this little top which has been hanging out for way too long on the wall.

Sunny Sampler

The supplies for this top can be found at The Hen House in Charlotte-they have a web site if you're interested. More white was needed to  complete it; thank you Pieces of Thyme quilt shop for carrying Kona White. Today will be spent getting the borders (which are many) to hopefully finish out the top.

And, more long arming. The Rainbow and Checkers top is a little under half way completed. Most of it is being ditched because the goal is to keep it snuggly. And, it's so busy a ridicules amount of time changing out threads would have been spent, not to mention much of the quilting would not be seen.

Busy, busy, busy...

I hadn't been on the long arm in over a week. Our weather has been spotty with high winds and/or storms; I don't get on the machine for fear of electrical surges. The weather finally broke a few days ago and I've been a crazy person on DW since.

After finishing the selvedge quilt, I put this little cutie on to do the background fill.

A monthly mantel mini quilt

Once this was done, I loaded and quilted this piece yesterday.

A-B-C's

This A-B-C top had been sitting in my WIP pile for a while now (Katie calls it our rack of shame...which isn't too far off). It was a panel I purchased at The Hen House and somehow made work with the fabric within my stash. It's loosely quilted with a flowing flower motif and would make a nice quilt for somebody's couch; or a child's room.

Then, because Jim is still not able to do a whole lot of anything after his eye surgery, I took advantage of the time and loaded and started this piece below.

Small Log Cabin

The log cabin top above was purchased at an Amish auction last spring, and I must say, while lovely in color and placement, the piecing needed to have some trimming and pressing done prior to getting it on the machine. Apparently 1/4" seams are optional in Amish piecing.

I hope to finish this one yet today and maybe get another top loaded before having to go out and mow later.