Blocks Finished

 

 

I got all my blocks made today for my crib quilt and now have to trim and sew together.  It was a tedious day but sometimes you just have to ignore that and keep going.  I am going to be away all day tomorrow and will probably be quit tired when I get home so it is unlikely if I will be posting.

Until Friday then, here is a photo of last nights sunset, the Christmas table runner I made and the set of 4 place mats I just finished.  They would be great for Thanksgiving. These will go to the store for a lucky customer.

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late Leaves

I don't especially like tops that are just one block that is repeated over and over although I seem to do a lot of them.  My current crib quilt is just a square in a square with a row of four patch blocks as border.  It doesn't take any thought to make the blocks- just repeat, repeat , repeat. 
I needed a mental break after my last project and I guess this is providing it but I do get bored.  I should have something more involved to do at the same time but I want to get this finished.
We had a lovely sunset tonight.  I saw it in time to get a couple of photos.  Our trees are also finally starting to change colour.  I have been saying all along that they are late this year and tonight's news cast mentioned they are about 2 weeks behind normal.
I made a gigantic crock pot of chili today using some of our garden produce.  Should keep us going for a while.
Well, back to the blocks.  Hope you are having a good week,
blessings

Dusting and Cleaning

Thought I had posted yesterday but apparently not.  I have finished the pattern I was designing and also sent in my monthly article for the Quilt Pattern Magazine so I am now caught up on my schedule.
I had to take all my clothes from my closet today so the water heater could be checked.  We live in a manufactured home and the heater is behind a wall in the closet.  This seems to be the usual place.  I lived in a smaller version of this place forty something years ago and the water heater was in the closet there as well.
Everything was taken out and put on the bed then all put back again.  I took the opportunity to go through what I had and discarded a lot of items.  They will be donated to a charity shop.
I also loaded a quilt onto my frame and it is nearly half done.  The quilt is actually four placemats that, once quilted, will be cut apart and bound.  Doing them all at once is a really quick method.
Before doing that, I gave my machine and the frame a good cleaning.  I remembered to open the front section that is just over the needle and found it was full of lint.  I am sure the Juki enjoyed getting rid of that.
It looks as though our trees are finally starting to change colour.  This time last year and most others they are past the peak and getting ready to drop.
Blessings,

Sewing, Sewing and More Sewing

I have been tied to my sewing, working furiously since Monday evening.  I finally completed the project this morning after working until 10 p.m. last night.
I pattern to The Quilt Pattern Magazine and have had to work out the design, write it up and then write out the pattern itself.  It is a lot of work but once you see the result in fabric and paper, it is worth it.
I have also been continuing my preserving of the tomato crop.  We have two bushel baskets waiting in the garden for me to get to them.  they aren't quite ripe yet so I don't have to worry about them going bad.  I also slice up some of the green tomatoes and freeze them as we like them in stews and chili.
I haven't got around to cleaning my machine yet but that is next on my list.  Actually, my first project is writing up that list so I can stay on track.
We have been getting some lovely fall weather although the trees haven't got into the really beautiful colours yet.  Hope you are enjoying the season.
Blessings,

Cleaning Your Machine.

Our tomato plants seem to be on steroids.  I did two six quart baskets today and that doesn't even begin to reduce the crop.  Most of them are Roma which is great for soups, stew and chili.  Parsnips are coming along as are the squash and pumpkin.  I don't think we are going to get many beets though.  The tomatoes self seeded amongst them and took over.
I finished quilting and adding the binding to my table runner and am doing the hand sewing part this evening.  Quilt room is tidied up and ready for the next project but first I need to give the machine and frame a good cleaning. I use a product called Tri-Flo for cleaning in and around the bobbin as well as other areas.  It is actually for bicycles and can be bought at stores that sell them.  It cleans without leaving any residue and only a drop is needed on a QTip.  I also use a bit to clean the rails on the frame.  You still need to use oil for your machine as this is only a cleaner.
Give it a try.
Blessings,

Customer Quilt Finished

I finished this quilt this evening and called the customer for pick up.  It was one of the most difficult I have done because  my machine will only quilt a small area at a time and I didn't want to stitch over the applique.  Most of the time, especially toward the end, I was able to do about a 3-4 inch square section before rolling. 

Then I started having needle issues.  I broke three before discovering that the thread coming from the spool was catching on the base.  Once I moved it to the other spindle it worked fine.

The first photo shows a more accurate colouring.  The second is a close up of the centre block where I did free hand leaves.  I did trim the threads after taking the photo.

I think I am going to do something simple next.  I sold another crib quilt and have to get more of those done.  I am thinking of an I Spy quilt with  square in a square blocks set on point.

I also have a pattern up to write for TQPM. Looks like the fall will be as busy as the summer was.

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

Bye, Bye Bug.

I finished making the blocks for the Christmas table runner today, got the layout decided and am starting to sew everything together.  I also got quite a bit done on the frame quilt.  I am hoping to have it finished for the weekend.
Our leaves are really slow changing colour this year.  They all have moved from deep green to softer shade and some are tinged with yellow but only a few have any red.  Does this mean we are going to have a late winter?  I did hear that it was supposed to be a warmer than normal fall but I don't have a great deal of confidence in long range forecasts.
Heidi and I are starting to go for longer walks now it is cooler.  She is doing a much better job of staying at heel.  Usually she is at the end of the leash and trying to sniff and pee on everything.  Perhaps she is starting to grow up-finally.
I saw an remarkable thing this morning.  A hummingbird was sitting on the clothes line when a small bug passed by.  The hummer darted out and got it almost before I realized what happened.  I've never seen them catch a bug before.  I also had one feasting on the rose bush the day before.  My roses are still blooming and the bright red adds a wonderful touch of colour to the garden.
Blessings,