No More Beacon

The crane down at the dam was used for all matter of things construction. It was finally removed yesterday. We could see the blinking red light throughout the night and last night it wasn't there. Our neighbor reported it was deconstructed yesterday. 

We are officially done!

Here is some of the quilting going into Diane's quilt. 

The first two borders

I have to make a quilt for Jim's cousin for another expected grand baby; one of those 3-yard things is what I selected and here's the fabric for that. 

Flannels!

And while working on DW last night I finished a pass with one color and switched to another. This is what was left on the cone I removed. Talk about thread chicken!

I'm off to go skating this morning and then we'll head to Meijer afterwards since we are already in Midland. Don't know if I'll have time after getting done with lunch (after returning home) to quilt this afternoon on Bernie.

Solids

Do you have solids in your fabric stash? I have a lot of small pieces left over from both
the Amish with a Twist quilts, but very few large pieces. 

I was working on Elijah's pillow top last night. I was to the point of setting all the appliqué pieces on the background but could not find a background piece that would work. Black, red, and dark blue (all the big pieces I had) are not going to work. That's on hold until I can run over Thursday to get a piece that may be more suitable. Of course, a six year old isn't going to care, but I will. 

In the meantime, Janices quilt was finished at about 4:45 last night. She was coming this morning to pick it up but called already and rescheduled for Thursday instead. 

Drying from the markings

Today I'll be working on Diane's fifth quilt top while continuing to frame iron a new back on Marty. 

A simple quilt that needs some serious quilting

Jim has town stuff to do today; new tire on the truck (defect), doctor appointment, and attending the delivery of moms new bedroom furniture. 

I did get the Temperature quilt all up to date while we talked to Andrew on his way home from work. That took a while since I was two weeks behind and I had to add a row to the already existing top. No work on DW. 

What's That Thumping Noise?

Despite all the Christmas deadlines, the Temperature quilt still needs to be kept up. I didn't do anything with it the previous week and unfortunately, this is as far as I got yesterday.

Only three cut out

Jim decided we needed to go to Northwoods in Pinconning to pick up dog shampoo and anything else we stumbled across. We were there for quite some time (way past lunch), and instead of our planned meal, stopped and got a pizza instead.

Since it was well into the late afternoon going out to the studio wasn't an option. However, I did do some quilting stuff.

Making a garland

Because of the retirement situation and having to kind of watch our pennies, we decided to make our own garland for the stairs and the loft rail. I tied about 12 feet yesterday (of the 40 that we need). I need to cut more fabrics because it's starting to repeat itself too much. 

Christmas Headway

After making a dresser runner yesterday, and let me tell ya, that took WAY longer than it should have I was finally able to jump on DW to get some long arming done on Elijahs quilt. But here's the runner I made to kind of match the bed quilt. 

I should have made it a bit longer but it's going to serve the sun-fading purpose it was made for. 

To protect it from the sun

Notice the room isn't yet painted. Mom insisted on getting the set over here asap despite my asking her to not be in any big hurry since we did yet need to paint. While I was at retreat the set was sent over. Ho hum.

I did get a few hours in on DW but no pics. I don't usually work in the studio on Sunday. But, since we have nothing planned, I guess that's where I'll head to for the morning anyway. This afternoon I'm planning on working on the strip thing. 

London Fog

The fog of late has been so thick, but today it feels like London (not that I've ever been there). I still can't see down the lake and I'm blogging late this morning. 

Yesterday started out well. Very productive and I thought maybe I'd be able (if I worked late) to get Janices quilt done. But then, before my customer showed, this is what I discovered.

When Jim measured the back he found the length to only be 3 inches (total) longer than the top. He figured if we loaded the quilt the other way it would be long enough that way. He's still having a hard time turning things around in his head to make sure seams and sizes are correct. 

The back is WAY too short. Crap!

Well, now I have to find a way to fix this. 

Measure first to see how much of the sides I need to trim to get to the right length. 

Remove the whole thing from the frame.

Cut sides and piece them together to make a longer section for the missing bottom.

Add them to the whole quilt; and what a pain that is!

Reload after pressing and try to get the damn thing straight on the frame like it was previously. An almost impossible task.

It's reloaded and my customer finally showed up about 10 minutes before closing. She never left until nearly 5:00.

Since I was already in a frustrated, pissed-off state of head space, I decided to get even more frustrated with trying to rectify this awful situation. A few hours later and I had a top. 

There are supposed to be two additional small borders added onto the side. But, as a long armer, I know those small borders are more of a hinderance to quilt they they are a statement piece for the quilt top. I decided to leave them off. In all likeliness, this quilt will be cut up into a coat later at some point and I don't think those small borders (1" and 1 1/2") are even going to make a difference. 

I'm getting a later start today because, well, it's Saturday and it was a busy week. Playing with the dogs this morning was much more important than anything else I had planned.

I need to make a new table/dresser runner for the new dresser in the spare bedroom. Mom is afraid the sun is going to bleach the cherry finish so I'll appease her (when/if she ever comes over) and make something to match the quilt on the bed. 

I want to get on DW today to work on Elijah's quilt. Maybe during the football game later?

Not Sure How To Make It Clear

I've changed my hours both on Google and the web site. I had two people this morning near 9:00 texting me to ask work questions. I answered them right back but maybe being considerate or aware of others has went by the way side?

While I do eat, sleep, and breathe quilting, I like to enjoy waking up gradually. Business related items before I've even had my coffee is not cool. 

I have a customer coming today to drop off and I have another full day on Janices quilt on Marty. I got three rows done yesterday and I work tirelessly on it all day long. I have five more rows to go and since I have two more tops coming in today it won't get done until at least Monday.

Elijah's quilt is sitting on DW but  not basted in as of yet. 

Ready to begin

I wanted to concentrate on getting Jacobs pillow done. Here is his Christmas set ready for wrapping. 

Jacobs Christmas gifts

When you have seven grandchildren, the holidays have to start earlier around the house. Jim was working on our little strip project while I was working on Jacobs pillow. It takes a village. 

New Wednesday Norm

Since I am now closed on Wednesdays we have a new norm. IF the weather cooperates, we'll be in Midland in the morning, maybe lunch after but definitely grocery shopping after that since we're already in Midland. 

When I get home I may or may not long arm depending on the time. Yesterday it was nearly 4:00 before we got home so no long arming on Janices quilt. But, there was lots to do after Jim and I watched (as we are naming them) Fred and Ed across the lake attempting to build a pole barn. And, it was too nice to be inside.

First, get the binding on Jacobs quilt. 

Check that off the list

Next was picking out and making backing for Elijah's quilt. I'm frame ironing today while working. 

Getting ready to load this tonight

Once I had the back made, loaded, and started on frame ironing, I moved over to Mike and blanket stitched the pillow top. 

Top and back/binding selections

I had to decide what colors I was using for the pillow back and binding and have those all figured out. By this time it was nearly 8:00 and I was tired from the Midland activities this morning. My knee has a little twinge in it so I'll not be running any marathons today. 

We are also dealing with mom stuff. She is showing continued decline in her mental faculties and we had to put a bedroom set fire out throughout the day. Well, Jim did anyway. She's supposed to come over later on to explain what happened but we need to have a discussion with her about recent developments in her spending and thought processes. I'll be working all day until she decides to show up later.