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. 

Lots of Stuff and Things

There was some outdoor stuff we had to do (dig up trees at the beach and move rocks at the campfire spot) and then while out working with Lia a customer texted and wanted to drop off a quilt. I let her know as long as it was before noon we could make that work. I made some binding, added sashing on Quilt Room, and started a Flower Power block before they arrived.

Once the customer came and went I finished the Flower Power I was working on and then we had lunch. We headed back down to Midland for a yard and estate sale as well as a trip to Michaels for some supplies; Lia needed an embroidery hoop, we found ribbon for Evelyns banner, and then some yarn for later this winter to knit with.

I finished the banner later last night and here it is with a happy recipient. 

I'm going to putter in the studio this morning with Evie and see if I can get anything done with a seven month old on/near my person. We are visiting mom later this afternoon and I don't know if anything else will be accomplished in the studio later today?

A Little Of This

Even though we have out-of-country visitors staying until next week, I had to work yesterday morning and early afternoon. I did get Virginia's quilt finished and called to let her know that it was done. 

Customers came right after lunch (actually, during lunch) and once they left we were headed to Midland. We missed the estate sale by a few hours but we did get some other shopping done at Meijer.

Lia and I decided to make a name banner for Evie's room and here's where I left off last night after Evelyn went to bed.

I'll work on this some more later tonight. Not much studio work planned for today since we have company. But who knows how much the kiddo is going to sleep and what is in store for our day. 

I Know, I Know

This is supposed to be about quilting, but I have to get a little sidetracked this morning. Look who surprised me yesterday with the help of a lot of people? 

I was just trying to finish up Virginia's quilt and Caleb's in-laws arrived. We visited with them for a few minutes and then Tim had to take a call. But it wasn't a call at all. It was Lia (my DIL) letting her dad know she was pulling in. 

All the way from Germany! Caleb was unable to make it this visit, but this is the first time we've been able to interact in person with our newest granddaughter. Meet Evelyn Riley DeGroot. Isn't she a doll?

Of course, this is going to put a damper on any quilt related items for the next week since that's how long they are visiting for. I will be trying to finish Virginia's quilt this morning and I will peck at this one next.

It will be intermittent and since the guest room is attached to the studio, I probably won't be doing much after-hours sewing either since that's where Evie will be sleeping. 

First Time in Seven Summers

Yesterday turned out to be a half day of work for me. Jim got home around lunch time towing this behind the truck.

Once we got through lunch we had a lot of work to do. The boat needed to be cleaned up before trying to get it into the barn. After removing all the leaves, taking apart the cover frame, and doing some general inventory, we headed to the barn. 

Well, this is a quilting blog so I won't go into the details of getting that pontoon into the barn. Let's just say it wasn't a matter of back up, drop, and unload. 

After we got the pontoon in and trailer returned to the neighbor, we headed down to the beach. The lake is coming up and we need to get the deadmen in for the floating dock. The first one was a struggle. Jim was pretty overheated and so he decided, after not swimming for seven years in our lake, he'd take a swim. 

We never came up to the house until after 7:00. Needless to say, other than customer work stuff, I didn't do anything else. Maybe today? Except we're expecting visitors later this afternoon, so in reality, probably not. 

Soon To Arrive

Jim is already gone this morning (he was when I got up) to pick up what I think is my grandfathers pontoon. It was hard to tell with the grape and wood vines climbing all over it and while the MC number looked familiar, it's no guarantee. I'll know more when he gets it home.

After working yesterday I quickly did a Flower Power block and then jumped right onto DW. I wanted to get the block finished that was started on Sunday while waiting for Julie to show and I wanted to get caught up with the group. 

Block #10

I messed up though. I thought we only had 12 blocks in the QAL, but as it turns out, there are 20. I am not going to leave DW loaded with this quilt that long. When block number 11 comes out tomorrow, I'll do that and then unload this piece to make room for something else. 
 

The first "chunk" in The Quilt Room

I'm loving these low volume fabrics. The lighting and where I was standing wasn't optimal last night when I grabbed this pic, but it's turning out so darn cute!

I'm hoping upon all hope to finish Virginia's quilt today on Bernie. It's going to be a stretch whether I get it done or not because I'm just past the half-way point. But now that I'm in my groove, it should go a bit quicker? 

Had a friend text that she can't go to the retreat in September so I'll be going to this retreat not knowing a single person. I'm use to walking into a room full of people I don't know, but after a few days, like typical quilters, we'll feel like long lost friends. Unless this group doesn't appreciate my weird sense of humor and my loud and boisterous self. Then I may not be welcome back again next year. 😉

It's Started

While waiting for my customer to show up, and instead of working on The Quilt Room, I fired up DW instead. I don't like having a hot iron on the planning table when customers come. Too big a risk. I got this much quilted before they showed...

Partially done

The customer stayed for a while and after finally saying good bye, it was lunch time. The rest of the afternoon we vegged and just relaxed. It seems the older we get the more there is to do and why is it the day goes by so quick now? Sunday afternoons are a time for us to recharge and snuggle with the girls.