Merry Christmas

 Here's wishing everyone a 

Merry Christmas. 

These reindeer looked cute at the Mall last week.  But, I bet the real reindeer are relaxing after their long journey yesterday!

I'll be back tomorrow (or maybe Wednesday) with my normal post.  In the meantime I'm getting ready to go to a Christmas Day that is different than planned but it's going to be fun for sure.

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 12 - 27 - 2021

How about a post event Merry Christmas?  I failed to get a Friday blog posted.  So I'm hoping you had a wonderful day on Saturday.  Here are the four ornaments I made for my grand kids. 

I took these photos of the ornaments on my tree.  Notice  the little Santa  ornament up on the right. I'm pretty sure that ornament is from my family tree when I was very young.  I'm guessing the green pine cone was from a later time but still from when I was living with my parents.  Sophie loves blue so I always try to make her ornament with blue. The rest of the kids got red work. 

I should have moved the red and white ornament on the right so it showed more.  I bought that when we lived in Georgian in the late 80's and early 90's.  It is a Santa made on a dried okra.  I like to have unusual or handmade ornaments on our Christmas tree. 

We drove up to our daughter and son-in-law's house for Christmas Day.  Wonders of wonders -- the traffic on I 95 was moving at or above the speed limit going and coming.  The trip took the normal hour and 15 minutes.  It made a great start to our day.  And we were very happy it was an easy drive home. Truth told, I fell asleep!

We had a lovely day.  We opened presents. I played a game with the grands. (I will never play a game on the floor again.  Yikes, I just don't move that well any more!) We ate a terrific dinner cooked by Brian with desserts made by Jenny and Sophie.  Overall we had a wonderful time with Jenny and her family.  

We've had Cassie, our son's dog since last Monday.  They went to Tennessee to be with Aimee's family.  We haven't figured out when we'll do the dog swap and the presents swap yet but hopefully this week. Heck, they aren't sure when they are coming home! 

The goal list didn't get everything check off this past week.  On the other hand, I did finish a couple of books which I enjoyed. Here's how I did on that goals list. 

12/20/2021

✅Wrap Christmas presents 

✅Finish grand’s ornaments 

Finish winter wall hanging — haven’t finished yet but I've decided what to do! 

Make new UFO list — in works  

✅Have a wonderful family Christmas 

And this week --- 

12/27/2021

Finish new UFO list 

Pick 12 UFOs to focus on this year 

Finish quilting and bind the Peppermint Bunny top

Quilt and bind another top 

Work on more ombre log cabin blocks 

Work on Winter Wall hanging 

Here's the fat quarters I was gifted from Jen's family.  They were personally curated by Brian.  I was absolutely tickled with them.  I am now trying to figure out how I will use some of them in their own quilt.  Didn't he do a terrific job? 

Here's my Monday linky parties.  I hope you can take some time to go to some of them and surf the many blogs that will be linking up at the parties.

Oh Scrap

Monday Making 

Design Wall Monday 

To Do Tuesday

Have you been making goals or quilting plans for the 2022?  I decided I'm going to participate in a UFO challenge where every month we finish a UFO.  I also want to start and finish 2 quilts that I bought the patterns and/or fabric for a while.  It's time to get them started and finished this year. This may be the year to make some year long goals.  I would like to clear out some of the UFOs I have although some I'm just never going to make.  Do you make year long goals?  Are they written or stored in your brain?  How do you follow through to make sure you finish those goals?   Let me know in your comments.   

Happy Quilting All,  Bonnie 

 

 

A Finish -- A Long Time Coming

 First the personal good news! 

Wow!  Mary Washington Hospital Center was so very well organized!  I was really early for my appointment because I thought it was an hour earlier than it was.  No problem. They moved me in from car check in to being texted to come on in.  Yes there was a small line but it moved so quickly.  Next thing I know I was chatting pleasantly with the gal getting ready to give me the shot.  No, she didn't know how many shots she had given but I sensed it was a whole bunch. What? You're done already?  I don't think I even felt it go in -- amazing.  Then on to set my follow up appointment which is 4 weeks away.  I was done before my actual appointment time.  

Backing up a bit  -- it started with the Rappahannock Area Health District being on top of their game.  I filled out an on line survey saying I wanted to get a vaccine several weeks ago. On 1/22 I received an acknowledgement and was told to expect a text when I could sign up for an appointment.  The email to sign up came in Wednesday morning. It probably sat in my in box for 15 minutes but once I saw it I immediately scheduled my appointment -- for the very next day!  Pat got his announcement within the hour but I had left for a hair cut so he didn't know exactly when my appt was so  he goes first thing tomorrow morning.  We were euphoric!  Kudos to the state of Virginia and RAHD for keeping us well informed and Mary Washington Hospital for being so organized.  

So on to my quilty news.  Today I share a great quilt.  I really love it but man, it has been very problematic.  First off an overall picture of the quilt.  I started this sometime in the late 1990s or possibly early 2002 or so.  I went to a mystery retreat in Lancaster, PA with several gals from my quilt guild.  We had a great time. I didn't get the quilt finished there so it got shunted aside.  Every once and a while it would come out and I'd get some of it done.  I can't say when I got the top completely together.  I decided to hand quilt it as it was before I had my long arm.  I batted it up and basted it and added some pin basting too.  I drug this thing around for YEARS! I'd mark a bit and hoop it up and stitch until my fingers were sore and I was bored.  

Sometime in 2019 I finished the inside of the quilt and started in on the borders.  I don't know why I chose a braid that had 8 rows in it. (Yes, equivalent to going around the border 8 times.)  Near the end of last year I decided to get serious and get this thing done!  So mid January all the quilting was done.  It was time to bind it.  In my infinite wisdom I did put some of the backing fabric in the bag I toted around for years.  It had a note that said 6/2004.  I suspect that was when I started the hand quilting. I stitched the first side of the binding by machine and finished with hand stitching.  DONE!  Since I had been dragging it around so long I knew it had to be washed.  I think I've already mentioned that the backing fabric bled when some water for my iron splashed on it.  But, let's move to a picture or two before I finish this tale. 

Hum, the bushes have gotten bigger since I last took quilt pictures on the rail.

A close up with the quilting, border and the beautiful backing.

Another close up of the quilting.

And, so it's time to continue my tale. Since I knew it was going to bleed I loaded the quilt in the washer with bunches of Color Catchers.  I mean A LOT.  Most were new, a few were slightly used and were very pale blue.  Shock number #1. 

YIKES! Every single one came out a very deep red. Well, except that one with the fold marks.  Some how it had gotten folded and the color didn't penetrate the entire color catcher. (What does it say about my darn washer that it didn't agitate enough to open the darn catcher? Yes, it's a blasted front loader.) 

Here's what the pathetic quilt looked like when I took it out of the washer the first time. 

So, this is may be after the 2nd wash.  I wasn't thinking particularly well the day I washed this as I didn't put a towel or something else in to balance it in the washer.  It was dripping wet when done. I had to wring the thing out to get it so it wasn't dripping all over the place before it went in the dryer. Sigh.

And, Color Catchers #2.  Seven new ones. So why the one in the middle didn't turn pink is a mystery. 

It dried fine but it no longer looks the same. 

So, it isn't horrible but it definitely turned some parts of the quilt pink.The green isn't as vibrant either.  The squares of now pink, were a light cream with little gold specks in them.  I loved it.  But, I still like this.  It just isn't what it was.  Should I have washed the backing fabric before I used it? You bet!  I have been washing every piece of fabric (except precuts) for years.  Truth be told I don't know when I became so fanatical about pre washing everything. Probably when another red fabric bled like crazy.  Maybe that happened after I had already started quilting this one.  It will still look beautiful during Christmas and will evoke memories of the fun my friends and I had at the mystery retreat. But, boo for the bleeding red! Let this be a lesson to everyone who loves to use a strong red!  On the other hand, I'm so glad I dropped water on it and learned it was going to bleed.  I might have put a lot less Color Catchers in and had an even pinker quilt. And, no I don't blame the Color Catchers.  They did the best job they could have -- I should have put the whole box in! 

I'm happy to link up with Midweek Makers, Needle and Thread Thursday, Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop?,  Finished or Not Friday, and Beauties Pageant. Ok, I'm way ahead of where I usually am for a second posting of the week. I'll be back tomorrow to link to the last two parties. You know the drill -- go visit some of these linky parties... you will enjoy seeing and reading about what's going on in quilting rooms across the country! 

This has been a great week.  I'm one seam away from finishing the commissioned T Shirt quilt top.  I've been shot. And, I shared a quilt that was a long time in the making. It's all good.  Hope you are having an excellent week too.  I've got a busy day tomorrow so I should be finishing this up and heading to bed!  

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Monday Meandering 12 - 28 - 2020

We survived our outdoor family Christmas gathering today.  It was held at our son's house.  The freeway was wonderful on the way up.  It only took us 50 minutes to get there. (I always assume an hour or more.) We all arrived around 10:30 in the morning in the hopes that the freeway wouldn't be jammed with travelers on the way home.  Good thought but didn't hold true for the home trip.  We took surface streets. It took us less than 2 hours to get home including picking up a lunch/dinner order on the way home.   

The kids and dogs were having a good time running around.  The kids all seemed to be in fewer clothes than the adults were wearing.  The newest dog, Walter, was really wild trying to keep people throwing the ball for him.  Cassie, one of the old ladies of the group, was happy to chase after a few balls until Walter started chasing her ball too.  Kona was pretty peppy for a dog with a tumor on her hip bone.  At 14 we hope she has a few more months of a decent quality of life. It was good to see her again since she's gone back to live at our daughter's house.  

Did I forget to mention the high was to be 43 but it was in the low 30s when we arrived?  The six adults conversed about what we'd done to stay warm: wool socks, flannel lined pants, hats, and gloves. I don't think it reached the 40s before we left. But it felt warmer in the sun.  After an hour of playing and chatting we all headed to the front deck to begin the present opening. 

It's hard to tell but all the grands are in this picture.  Theo is mostly behind his mom (in the red and purple hat) on the left.  The other adults were hanging out on the other side of the deck. 

The last Christmas present I finished is this fleece hoodie Ellie is wearing above and below. Here's a close up of the snowman design I machine embroidered on it. I bought the hoodie on line from Target but didn't notice there was a seam line coming down from shoulder to bottom ribbing making it difficult to place the little snowman. I wasn't thrilled with the results.  But I was tickled that Ellie immediately put it on.  She might have been getting cold by then. (The color is more accurate on the pic of Ellie wearing it.) Her dress was a wonder of sequins.  If she was in the sun and you were in the wrong place you were getting a glittering reflection right in your eyes!   (Random thought:  why didn't I add wrapping presents and doing the embroidery on my goals list?) 

I have to say I was tickled with the presents I got. I love that my kids ask me what I want for Christmas.  Heaven knows I don't NEED more fabric but I really like what I got. 

On the left are fat quarters personally curated by Jenny.  I love them!  There is a wide variety of colors, prints and all fit the concept of looking like solids from a distance.  I have a plan formulating in my mind.  But it will take a while for it to come to fruition.  The fat quarters on the right are a group I noticed at the Fat Quarter shop and passed on to Kevin when he asked for more suggestions. I have a great idea for these too.  Sneak back to the last post where I showed two blocks I made from new Accuquilt dies.  See that Ohio Star in red, white, and blue? I'm going to make some more blocks from these fabrics.  I am tickled pink with everything I got for Christmas this year.  

And now let's see whether I succeeded with my goals for the week.

12/21/2020

T Shirt Quilt - add the coping strips to last column, get vertical sashing strips on - ✔️

Make blocks for FCQ Equilter -✔️ in progress

Try to finish hand quilting done on very old Christmas quilt -✔️Progress made but not done. There's more to be done then I thought. 

Make more blocks for 2019 BOM quilt - um, nope

Quilt and bind one of my quilts - nothing done Not quite true. I tried to find a backing for any of the quilts needing to be quilted. But nothing was jumping off the shelf ready to go without piecing it. 

And for this week: 

12/28/2020

Continue hand quilting on Christmas Quil

Start working on borders of T shirt quilt 

Sew the red and black blocks together 

Quilt one of my quilts 

I was happy with all the progress I did make but forgot about all the time to prep the presents and today's outing. I fell asleep for several hours once we got home after 2 pm.  I don't think I woke up until 4:30 or so.  Slept. Like. A. Log! So no studio time today.

I'm linking up with my favorite Monday parties: Oh Scrap, Monday Making, Design Wall Monday, and To Do Tuesday. I'll be back to link up the last two one as it  is available.  Join the fun by checking out these links. 

I'm wishing everyone a week of fun times in their studio or in whatever they plan to do.  And, may be 2021 will lift the burden of Covid from our shoulders.  Stay safe and enjoy what we have. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Goal Setting

It's time for the February goal for the One Monthly Goal blog. Heck, it's past time. I'm barely getting it posted in time. 

I'm going to have two goals for this month.  

First one up is my Calendar quilt from Country Piecemakers guild in Powhatan, Va. 

All of the calendar challenge quilts will be hung at the Mid Atlantic Quilt show at the end of February.  My deadline is to have it done in 3 days so I can turn it over at the CP meeting on Saturday.  Looking at this picture I've decided the window is too small. And, some of the presents need to be changed.  The tree is hand appliquéd and the other elements are ready to be appliquéd.  Hopefully by the end of today I'll have the quilt batted and backed.  I plan to do a little stitch in the ditch around the elements.  And then it will be on to decorating it. 

My next goal for this month is to quilt and bind my heart table runner from last year. 

Maybe I'll have it done before Valentine's Day.  If not at least it would be done and ready for next year. 

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts February Goal Setting post and Midweek Makers.  Spend some time looking at what people are working on these days. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Christmas In July Started!

And, it started without me.  So sorry gang.  Here's the scoop! 

The wonderful Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict started her blog hop yesterday.  First there are two great bloggers who are giving us some quilty ideas. Sarah has a tutorial for a great Christmas quilt.  But wait, change up the colors on the quilt and have a quilt for any time, season or reason you want.  I'll be spending some time today seeing if I can pull a quilt out of my stash.  I want to make a Christmas one to donate to my favorite singing ensemble to use as a fund raiser. Hum....

Yesterday's bloggers shared some great ideas.  Joy from Days Filled with Joy shared some small pouches.  I've actually made something like them to use as gift bags.  (Mine were a bit bigger. Because we recycle ours they are a great way of cutting down on the trash during present opening.)  Our other blogger is Selina from Selina Quilts.  She has a multitude of ways to use tumbler units.  I particularly like the wreath idea.  (OH NO -- I do not need to get new ideas of things to do!) 

Today we have two more bloggers sharing their brilliant ideas. Joanne from Everyone Deserves a Quilt has some great ideas of how to use quilts, fabric or blocks as pictures. Wowzer! I've always wondered how to display a quilt (or block or fabric) on a canvas.  Joanne has wonderful directions and it makes me want to try it.  Jan from the Colorful Fabricholic has the cutest Christmas Tree pot holders.  Or just make the tree blocks into a quilt. Lots of fun things going on.

Here's the whole schedule: 

Saturday, July 14th

Joy @ Days Filled With Joy

Selina @ Selina Quilts

Sunday, July 15th

Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

Monday, July 16th

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Jamie @ L'Fair Quilts

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels & Eats

Tuesday, July 17th

Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts

Mary @ Made by Marney

Wednesday, July 18th

Karrin @ Karrin's Crazy World

Marian @ Seams To Be Sew

Thursday, July 19th

Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts

Sherry @ Crazy Patch Quilter

Danice @ Homespun Hannah

Friday, July 20th

Kristi @ Confessions of A Fabric Addict

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts

Saturday, July 21st

Cindy @ Stitchin' At Home

Meloney @ Mel's Quilting Blog

Sunday, July 22nd

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Moira @ Quilted Snail

Monday, July 23rd

Brenda @ Song Bird Designs

Amy @ Sea of Estrogen

->Bonnie @ In Stitches With Bonnie<- p="">

Tuesday, July 24th

Kathy @ Kathy's Kwilts and More

Summer @ Summer Lee Quilts

Wednesday, July 25th

Susan @ Quilt Fabrication

Brandy @ Pampered Pettit

Jean @ All Points of the Compass

I'm hustling off to get a quilt finished for a customer today and then I still need to finish my project.  It's not big but it is fun.  And, did I mention GIVEAWAYS?  Many of the participants are giving something away to one (sometimes more) happy readers.  I'm giving away a matched set of a see through fabric pouch and a collapsable thread catcher.  (Pictures will be shared eventually!) 

I'm linking up with Oh Scrap! Take a look at what is happening around the Internet.

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie