Monday Meanderings 3 - 31 - 2024

I'm back!  I missed last week because I was traveling and didn't want to drag my computer with me.  So over the next few weeks I'll share our family vacation to Panama and Costa Rica.  Just let me say we had a fabulous time. Our family included our son and his family and our daughter and her family, and us.  There were 10 of us although for a few days Pat and I were in Panama City by ourselves.  I'll be sharing some photos over the next few weeks.  

It was hard to figure out what I was doing before we left.  Here's the last goals list I posted on March 18th. 

3/18/2024

✅Finish another loom hat -- Done and turned into From the Heart.

Bind Spider Web quilt -- Started but not finished.

✅Bind 16 patch r,w,b quilt -- Done!

Bind Zigzag quilt. — Didn’t happen. 

✅Work on needlepoint scissors case -- Needlepoint part finished.

I made three loom hats over the weeks before we left. I turned those in before I left. 

Here's a picture of the needlepoint scissors case I've been working on since 2017. These come as kits and use embroidery floss instead wool. The designs are already made into the finished project, in this case a scissors case. You can see the excess canvas on the side and bottom.  I'll line mine at some point.  I need to see if I have some fabric I can use.  I'll keep you posted! 

Here's what I think I'll be working on this week.  I am not sure what I should be doing except the quilting for my neighbor. We'll see if I make progress on all fronts. 

4/1

Finish binding on Spider Web quilt

Bind ZigZag quilt

Clean up sewing table 

Make miscellaneous blocks 

Start knitting new hat 

Quilt customer top 

I don't have pictures of several quilts I've finished since the beginning of the year. Sadly it's suppose to rain for the next few days. Eventually I will get photos and share them. 

Even though I was gone for a week and a half I did get some stitching done during our vacation. So here's where I stand for the last two weeks of 15 Minutes to Stitch. I decided to continue the weekly reports so here are the last two weeks.  

Week Ending  3/24/2024

• 15 minute days/week = 5/7 days
• 15 minute days/March 21/24 days 
• 15 minute days/2024 = 80/84 days
• Success rate =95.2%

And for the Week Ending 3/31/2024

• 15 minute days/week = 3/7 days
• 15 minute days/March 25/31 days 
• 15 minute days/2024 = 84/91 days
• Success rate = 92.3%

Even though we were gone 10 days I was able to stitch on my needlepoint case several days, four days and at least 15 minutes, if not more.  

On to my travelog! Pat and I spent 2 days in Panama City.  We had a private tour of Old Town and some of the outlying areas.  First up is a pic of the tourists and a statue of Thomas Herrera. In November, 1840 he became the president of the State of Isthmus (now Panama) for a little over a year. Prior to this time Panama was part of Columbia and went back to being part of Columbia after that until 1903. 

Old Town, Panama has numerous old churches we were able to visit.  One was the Church of Saint Joseph. Although it is known for its beautiful Golden Altar I was taken with this piece of art.  I believe it was made with pottery and is displayed on the left side of the church.  You can learn more about this church and its beautiful altar at Famous Historic Buildings.

We had lunch at an outdoor area near a big fish market.  The area was pretty large and several different restaurants were operating there. From what I could tell one restaurant had the first three rows of tables, then there was another one with some rows and at least one other with another group of tables.  At the beginning of the rows there were staff from each restaurant trying to get the customer to sit in their section. Our guide said the restaurants served similar food.  We all enjoyed our lunch. 

I'll continue to share our trip but tonight I'm worn out.  We flew overnight Saturday and arrived at home at 6:00 am Sunday. I was able to get a couple of hours sleep on the plane and about 4 hours on Sunday. 

I'm linking with these parties. 

Oh Scrap

Stitching Stuff

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musing 

Goodnight All! 

**addendum -- evidently I was really tired... the date should be 4 - 1 - 2024 but I'm not messing with it now.  Sigh. **

Happy Quilting!  Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 2 - 1 - 2021

 Hello February -- Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow tomorrow, 2/2?  You can read more about him and his prognostic endeavors on Wikipedia.  The weather forecast in my area doesn't support an early spring at all.  Starting next weekend our temperatures will be in the teens overnight and low 30s to 20s during the day.  Brr.  On the other hand that's a long time from now weather-wise so it may change a lot. 

How did you do on your goals this past week?  I was really successful.  (Note: that doesn't mean I did all of them; just that the ones I really wanted to get done, got done!) 

1/25/2021 

Work on T-shirt quilt, borders, blocks ☑️

Embroider sweatshirt - Moved to future week… 

Bind Christmas quilt☑️ This is will be shown later this week.

Quilt one or more of my quilts ☑️ See below.

Off list: finish pink table runner. ☑️ ***

*** How I could forget to put this on my list is beyond me.  It needed to be done by Sat, 1/30.  You can see the finished Table Scraps table runner here.

I'm happy to say I only have to sew the top and bottom borders together and then add them to the t shirt quilt.  I am really looking forward to finishing this quilt.  I enjoy working on my own projects but every once in a while I take on a big project for a customer.  It's time to get this quilt done. 

Here's my list for the first week of February.

2/1/2021

Put fabric away, straighten cutting table, vacuum floor. 

Finish purple basket

Make more RWB Ohio Star blocks 

Quilt one of my quilts. 

Yellow RSC blocks and/or table runner 

Just so you know I really do need to straighten my cutting space and put fabric away. 

Here's the worse area. 

Yea, I'm not the neatest quilter.  I am lucky to have a very big cutting area.  It's divided into 3 sections.  This front section I "can" cut on but more often I use it to stage my projects: pulled fabric, fabric that needs to stay out until the project is done, things like that. I am notorious for piling up fabric that I've used and then letting it just pile up deeper.  Think archeological dig.   Below, you can see the purple mat that is usually pretty cleaned off and is my main cutting mat. 

I've been stashing cut off fabric at the top of the cutting area.  It's now overwhelming the space and I have less and less space to cut on.  Not a good thing. The space beyond the rulers has my Accuquilt Go Cutter.  It's open and ready to use. If you look back to the first picture above ... the fabric at the bottom right is basically leftovers from the Go cutting.  I tend to toss the little bits, but every once in awhile there are usable pieces left that get piled up there.  ARGH.  It's now driving me crazy.  Therefore it is now time to put this stuff away. (Or throwaway maybe.) 

Since yellow is the RSC color for February I decided to check out my collection of odd blocks and block parts.  I knew I had some yellow bits and pieces.  I'll be figuring out how to incorporate these in whatever project I make. 

Finally, here is the finished top that I quilted and bound last week.  For those of you who read about the Pink Table Scraps runner, I used the same navy blue binding from Kona. 

I've decided to name it Wild Snowballs.  You might remember that my swap group (FCQ Equilters) was making snowball blocks last fall.  I have the 6" snowball die from Accuquilt so I went to town making them.  Often I made two of the fabric so I had a nice collection of blocks for myself. They make a wonderful leader ender block.  So I just kept making them.  And, finally, a quilt!  I used some Kona white (or Snow or one of their whites) for the sashing.  The corner stones was a grey grid that I got in a kit I didn't want to make but loved the fabrics.  

When I went to quilt it I realized that It needed to be finished some how.  The botton row had sashing, but the top and two sides did not.  No problem I thought I'd cut some more sashing and corner stones and be done with it.  Except... I didn't have enough of the grey corner stone fabric.  My solution was to sash the top and then use the white only on the side borders with 4 more corner stones. It worked really well.  You can see pictures of this project here and here.  Here's a couple of close ups.  Left, while quilting; right after quilting.

Here are the details of the quilting:  Thread:  So Fine 451; Pattern: Star Struck Edge-to-Edge, rounded star by My Creative Stitches.  

I haven't any plans for this quilt yet.  I'll probably hold on to it until Hands 2 Help 2021 that Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict does every spring.  It's great having a head start on it. 

That's it for me today.  I'm linking up with the regular gang: Oh Scrap, Monday Making, and Design Wall Monday.  Tomorrow I'll link up with To Do Tuesday. (Ha!  I hardly ever remember! Extra points for me! I remembered early on Tuesday!) Hope you can take a few minutes to surf blogs today 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

To Do Tuesday!

I kept my nose to the grindstone to finish all my goals. I'm tired but they are all done!  Yes, every single one!  Want to see?

10/6/2020

Make 1 more quilt✔️ I made, quilted and bound the last of the Happy Quilts. 

Finish quilting 3 quilts✔️

Bind 4 quilts✔️

Add pieces (steps, windows and roofs) to the landscape quilt.  Added some steps, a tree, and a roof.  Needs more.  

Pick next main project ✔️I'll be working on a new quilt

I did 3 bindings in a row -- all 3 of the happy block quilts.  I used the leftover backing for the binding.  It was a surprising stiff fabric even after initial washing.  I shouldn't be surprised that might needle bent.  I had some pretty thick sections to go over while I was binding. 

As I was stitching down the second side of the binding on the third quilt, I started to worry I would run out of thread.  I have no more and the Mettler Silk Finish I like isn't available locally.  Never fear, I didn't run out. 

It looks like it was a close thing but in reality it wasn't.  I had a half-full bobbin I could have used some from it if I ran out. Oh, BTW -- it was a brand new spool when I started the first of the 3 happy block quilts. 

So what's up for this week?  I'm planning on a little down time.  Read a book, maybe make a batch of cookies.  There are a few things I'd like to make progress on though. 

10/13/2020

Finish labeling quilts and mail

Add some more details to landscape quilt

Quilt customer’s quilt

Read a book

Start looking for fabrics for a baby quilt 

You might have noticed I don't plan on going wild sewing this coming week.  I'm going to take it easier.  I also need to do some cleaning in the studio.  I might even finish a book or two.  

I'm linking up with To Do Tuesday, and MidWeek Makers. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie  

To Do Tuesday!

Did you succeed with your to do list this past week?  I'm calling mine successful.  But you'll see below I really missed it.  Here's last week's list:

9/29/2020

Quilt one lap quilt Almost done, 2 rows more…

Continue working on 3 kid’s quilts✔️2 are tops the 3rd one is begun

Change water fabric on landscape quilt ✔️ done and it looks better

Keep making Snowball blocks. ✔️ I think I did 6 or 7 of them

And this coming week doesn't look a whole lot different but I'm hoping to finish all the quilts. 

10/6/2020

Make 1 more quilt

Finish quilting 3 quilts

Bind 4 quilts

Add pieces (steps, windows and roofs) to the landscape quilt 

Pick next main project (I'm hoping I'm done with the 4 quilts I've been working so hard on.) 

Do you use and AccuQuilt cutter?  While I was starting to make the Happy Blocks for my 3 similar quilts, I read Mary Johnson's directions for the block.  

The strips for the frames are cut the larger size and then cut into 2.5" pieces.  It was a lightbulb moment for me when I realized I could use my 2.5" strip die to cut the pieces. 

First I cut the strips 9" wide. (Heck, I only had to cut 2.) Because it was a 24" ruler I used both of my 5 pound weights to hold the fabric as I cut 9" stripes. 

Then I carefully aligned the strip on the 2.5" die.  

And in just a few moments I had this collection of 9 x 2.5" pieces for my Happy Blocks. I was able to get 16 pieces from each strip. It was amazingly fast to cut 2 strips at 9" and then roll them through the cutter. 

The small pieces at the front was the only waste from the strips. Fast and frugal at the same time.  I also use this die to cut my bindings.  

I hope you can use this idea if you have an AccuQuilt cutter. I never thought to do this before but it's now in my bag of tricks and will save a lot of time. 

This post will be linked with To Do Tuesday and Midweek Makers. (I'll come back tomorrow to link up with these two blogs.)  Go check them out to see what people are working on.  I get way too many ideas from looking at blogs but there are so many wonderful ideas. I hope you do too!

Happy Quilting.  Bonnie 

  

To Do Tuesday -- Tuesday Night Version

 Another good week for my goals.  Here are last week's results: 

9/22/2020

Sew log cabin blocks together✔️

Work on landscape quilt. Figure out more size appropriate rocks. ✔️but need to change some other things still 

Bind my churn dash quilt. ✔️

Make more Snowball Blocks✔️

Make the red scrap basket✔️See Monday's post about the basket. 

Here are photos of some of my finishes. 

First, check out the Scrappy Rebuilt Log Cabin.  The top is ready for quilting but it won't happen for quite a while. 

I just finished the binding on my Churn Dash this morning. I was really happy about how it turned out.  I sew the binding on the back of my quilts first.  Then I flip it over and machine sew the binding down.  I really like how well this binding looks on both sides. It helps that the binding is the same color as the backing fabric. 

This week I really have a short list.  I've agreed to provide some quilts to kids whose families lost everything due to wild fires. Most of the quilts are ready to go but I have 3 quilts I'm making and one to quilt and bind.  So I'll be busy and highly focused this week. Here's my goal list for this week.

9/29/2020

Quilt one lap quilt

Finish the 3 kid’s quilts 

Keep making Snowball blocks (I use these as leader enders.)  

These are the blocks I've worked on for the last few days. The two piles of charm squares are ready for the two other quilts. 

I was able to finish all the blocks for the first quilt.  I used the Happy Blocks for Charms pattern available at Mary Quilts. Here's all the blocks laid out, ready to be sewn together soon. Hum, I need to separate the turquoise and orange blocks in the top row. 

After this one is done I'm making 2 more that are basically the same with the only difference being colors around the charms.  Hopefully I'll be able to start quilting at least one of these along with the top that just needs the quilting during the week.

I'm linking up to To Do Tuesday and Midweek Makers this week.  Make sure you visit these linky parties to see what people are now working on.  I'll be back to link up with Midweek Makers. 

Virginia allows early in person voting.  Tomorrow is voting day for us.  That and getting our flu shots.  Maybe there will be a take out lunch too.  

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

To Do Tuesday (Oops, Wednesday edition!)

Here's last week's to do list.  

9/2/2020

Quilt one of my quilts✔️ ready for binding

Begin customer’s quilt nope, nothing done except think about it! 

Finish baby quilt top✔️ at least the center is done, still needs borders 

Finish wonky Family Portrait✔️ basically done although I may add some more quilting. 

Pick a new UFO and start working on it ✔️ Yep, check here to see the next UFO I'm hoping to finish.

It was a fairly successful week. I also spent some time baking and reading.   

And, here's what I've got planned for this week. (I'm late getting this posted so we are already a day into this week! Eek!) 

9/8/2020

Trim log cabin blocks.  

Load and start quilting customer quilt

Make 1 scrap basket in red 

Bind one of my quilts

Put borders on baby quilt. 

I've already started trimming the log cabin blocks but it'll take a long time to trim 60+ blocks.  I probably need to make one or two more to have the correct amount. 

The red scrap basket is in progress.  I watched a Craftsy class called Home Organizers by Annie Unrein.  She had an interesting project called a Catch-All-Caddy. I like the size but I don't need a bunch of pouches and pockets.  So I'm planning to strip it down to the bare bones and see if I want one for every color of scraps I keep.  I'm making slab block type fabric to make the sides of basket.  I'm pretty sure I'll line it with yardage and then use a contrasting strip as the binding. Here's one of the slab fabrics -- just needs a few more inches on the sides.

Hopefully, I can make some good progress on all of this week's goals. 

I'm linking up with To Do Tuesday, Midweek Makers, and Needle and Thread Thursday.  I hope you enjoy checking out the blogs posted on these linky parties. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

  

Monday Meandering 11 - 7 - 2016

As usual, my post is all about trying to get Christmas Favorites done.  I've been using it as my One Monthly Goal for most of the year and this month is no different.  Here's where it's at now... 

It's together! It's got its first border on!  I've done the embroidery on the two blocks! But, oh no!  I realized I hadn't  blanket stitched around the center of the 2 "e"s in the Mistletoe block.  OH GOOD GRIEF! 

Hopefully early this week I'll have the last border put on.  Here's a close up of the border fabric. I was a little concerned about the variety of greens I've used in this quilt.  Lime green, yellow green, blue green.  Lots of different colors.  I finally decided that all those greens go together in nature so they can go together in this quilt. 

I have some real issues with the lighting in my new studio.  I will eventually get it all worked out but for the most part I don't have enough light on my design wall to take great pictures.  I had my overhead cam lighting on and about 3 additional lights on.  Must figure out how to get better lighting down there.

By the way, that embroidery of red circles on Santa's cheeks is his rosy cheeks not crazy eyes!  His eyes are little buttons that will be put on after the quilt is done. 

Goals were accomplished this week!  (Well most of them anyway!)  Here's last weeks:

Oct 31, 2016

Do the hand embroidery on Christmas Favorites√

Put the last few items on the CF blocks√

Knit on the second red sock√

Find a small quilt to quilt on Ruthie√

Work on Stack N Whack nope – nothing happened on this. 

And for this week: 

November 7, 2016

Put last border on Christmas Favorites

Make backing for Christmas Favorites

Finish second red sock

Load and quilt baby quilt

Pillow Case Day at guild Saturday

I'll be linking up with Main Crush Monday and Monday Making.  I'm also looking forward to spending time with the folks who link up with those two websites.  I find so many wonderful ideas by surfing these two link ups. (Well, along with all the other ones I link up to!) 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

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