Despite All Odds

Okay, let's be honest. I can't go more than a couple days without some kind of sewing. Evie is not up 100% of the time so I take that time and work out in the studio. In the past two days I've gotten the binding started on the Raven.

Getting the binding going

Notice, this is being hand sewn rather than machine bound. My DIL wanted something to do and she left her embroidery downstate, so she's sewing the binding down on the back. I did the machine part on the front for her. 

I was able to get this pieced...

This is the table runner I've been using those whirlygig blocks as leaders/enders on. It's finally done. Well, it's pieced anyway.

I did some knitting yesterday while we were chilling in the man cave and finished a small scarf that I had left over yarn from. I finished another small square of something or another (again, left over yarn), and then I actually started to crochet something to see if it would bother my hand. It didn't seem to, but today it's sore, so maybe not yet?

We did visit my mom on Saturday. She doesn't do well with babies. Never has. Proof positive I was basically raised by my grandmother. 

While Evie is napping this morning I plan on working a bit. I need to get Sandy's quilt basted in and started on Marty. With a seven month old (as of today) it's kind of hard to get much done, but her mom and Jim are both here, so it's not like she needs me all the time. In fact, Jim is having a ball with her. 

Two More

I completed two more blocks in Fireworks yesterday morning before having to start lunch. Jim had to repair the snowblower since one of the pins sheared off and only half the auger was doing anything.

Going to be pretty

The kids should be home from the hospital/clinic this morning with baby Evie and Jim and I were reminiscing about how, when we brought Andrew home it was so anticlimactic. Do you remember the first baby? You get them undressed of their winter wear, fed, changed, and put them in their crib and then look at each other as if to say, 'now what?'. 

I was a c-section mom so I just wanted to sleep. But little Evie was not a section baby and mom had a pretty easy delivery so I can imagine what's going on over there. 

Back to quilting. I'll be working on the Tilda Girls all day. After work, I have to get onto DW to continue with Produce Section. It's hard going from a 49lb machine to a 69lb machine though. And, Bernie and DW track totally different. I usually piece something in between to get a break from one to the other which helps immensely. 

Something New

Aside from our new grand daughter entering the world, I've tried something new piecing-wise (the Luminary) and I wasn't all jazzed about the process. $15 wasted on a pattern that didn't bring me joy. I googled scrap/striped quilts yesterday and ran across this pattern...

It's not as pretty in black and white (I opted to not print in color), but stunning when completed.

The pattern cover

The pattern was relatively inexpensive, and it's a scrap buster for sure. I'm choosing to do mine in red, white, and blues, although, will probably make another once I figure out and feel comfortable for the way I'm putting it together.

Some initial pulls

I've only ever done one block using freezer paper in the FPP method. I'm a very avid FPP-er and have even taken classes (Judy Niemeyer) to solidify my love for the craft. However, burning through needles using paper, which dulls them, and removing all the papers, which is another step and hassle, wasn't the best part of it. 

Social media kept pointing me towards using freezer paper. I printed out all the blocks (37 of them) and then transferred what was printed onto freezer paper using good old fashioned pen and ruler. I watched a few videos on how to do this as it has been a while since trying it last.

The results are much more satisfying and here's the first block...

A win!

I've already started my second block because I think I'm hooked. I love working on this (unlike the luminary blocks) and was excited to get into the studio today to work on more. It looks like a simple string block, but if you look at the pattern, it's much more than that.

Here's today's Evelyn picture from Germany...

Isn't she just the cutest?

She definitely has her daddy's nose but looks a lot like a miniature Lia (her mom). 

Welcome Baby Evelyn

Our new granddaughter arrived at 3:19 p.m. (Germany Time). They don't have a weight yet (????) but everybody is doing fine and she is beautiful!

Evelyn Riley DeGroot

The day before Lucy's birthday and one month exactly after Jims so that's easy to remember.

Here's some more quilting going into the Tilda Girls...

Getting some texture into the dresses

After working I moved over to start doing test blocks for the Luminary pattern. I don't know if I like these blocks not. I'm still deciding. 

Work on DW was next. The 'class' I'm taking with Natalia Bonner starts in 18 days and I want to get Produce Section off DW soon. I also have two E2E's picked up at retreat to do for a customer, so there's that to consider. Here is the Pineapple and Lemon... 

Lemon

Pineapple

Jim is out snow blowing because our 'light snow' yesterday resulted in four inches of powder, and it's still coming down this morning. He wants to keep on top of it. And, we have to run to the store for a few things. A pot of chili and a pan of enchiladas were on the menu for this weekend. I think we've change the enchiladas to breakfast instead though since we're just running down the road for a few things. 

Not Much To Share

Jim got the lights on the tree and I worked on DW for about four hours yesterday. Our neighbors came over for a visit. MSU lost their b-ball game. I did get the new bow tied to the top of the studio tree. Not much else happening in the studio.

When Jim was digging out the Snow Village from under the stairs earlier this week he found this in the closet... 

Newly hung thread rack

I'm not sure what it was doing in the closet, but fat lot of good it does me in there. He hung it up for me and any spare threads we have are on it. BUT I need to make better use of it and add more "odd" threads hanging around that I only use on occasion. 

Thankfully I have a good duster to go over these when needed. 

I have a virtual baby shower to attend for the little kids later this morning and don't know if mom will remember to come or not. It's been snowing a little bit so she may not try to venture out. Hair cuts already occurred and we have to trim the tree as well so we have a busy Sunday planned. 

What a Difference a Day Makes

The way our weather is in Michigan is astounding sometimes. Here was our view off the deck yesterday morning...

Yesterday morning

Here's the view this morning...

What a difference

It's so pretty. While I was waiting for this pic to download, I noticed my downloads file was getting pretty messy, so I just deleted off about 500 pics from there. I'll empty the trash when I log out in a bit. 

No long arming yesterday because I got all of these done...

The big dipper

Not sure about the name of this one

The BOW is now a top!

I have two more blocks to work in the Alaska top before I can start the next phase. I have the first block already cut out and will make that this morning. Jim is out cleaning off snow from the drive so I have a few hours to amuse myself in here. 

And these pics were snagged from IG this morning...

Don't they look happy?

Grandbaby (daughter) due in January

This will be number seven for us and the kids are over the moon excited! Wait until they can't sleep anymore because little one is up wanting attention at all hours. Then they may not be as excited. LOL.