Monday Meandering 6 - 24 - 2019

Yea for a successful week!  We were out and about this week with a couple of meals out and going to see Men in Black 3. (I'm not sure that's the official title but basically the movie was the third of the Men in Black.)  And it did not disappoint. I get such a kick out of all the aliens that someone thinks up and the weird things they do.  We both enjoyed it a lot.  I think it is the first movie we've seen since The Post in 2017.  Nope, we don't go to a lot of movies nor do we watch them at home.   

Instead of doing movies I quilt and read.  Here's what I've been working on this week. First up is the parrot quilt on Ruthie. I've already applied one side of the binding.  Later this week I'll get the final side down.  I'll share more when I get a picture of the full quilt. 

I rescued a piece of vintage cotton showing a cowboy in action.  As I made this pillowcase I was wondering whether kids today have much of a clue about cowboys.  Well, there's always Woody in Toy Story!  I can never figure out which way to run a directional fabric on a pillowcase.  I thought I had the cowboy going the opposite way.  Sigh. 

On to a successful goal week.  Yep, I got all my goals checked off this week.  In fact I'm just about done with my One Monthly Goal.  I need to figure out what is going to be my July goal.   Must look at my collection of UFOs and current projects to make a decision. 

June 17, 2019

Hand quilt on old Christmas quilt√

Quilt Butterfly quilt√

Work on Rainbow Scrap Challenge√

Prep backing of Parrot Quilt√ and quilted it! 

Make 1 pillowcase√

And this week I'll be working on: 

June 24, 2019

Hand quilt on old Christmas quilt

Bind butterfly quilt

Finish binding parrot quilt

Work on Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Make a few blocks for Taps quilt

Make two more blocks for QOV

I'm linking up to my regular linky parties: Oh Scrap, Monday Making, Moving It Forward, and Main Crush Monday. (MCM hasn't posted yet so I'll check back later and see if it's been published. )

That's it for me today.  Hope you have a beautiful summer day! And if not, there's always quilting.  Here's a pretty butterfly visiting our butterfly bush.  I read recently that the butterfly bush is an invasive species in Virginia.  I can really believe it because one our bushes has been growing like crazy and branches that hit the ground started rooting.  We may be removing that one. Here's what I found on the other bush.  Isn't this a pretty butterfly.  I like the blue on it.  It took me quite a bit of time to actually catch a picture of the whole butterfly in a position you can actually see her. This is actually a female Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, the state butterfly of Virginia.  The males are yellow with distinct tiger stripes.  It's time to get back to quilting (or probably reading blogs this morning!) 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie

December OMG

For December One Monthly Goal I will (hopefully) 

Load and Quilt my Jamestown Landing Quilt! 

Here is the backing and the quilt top sitting on Ruthie. I probably won't load her until after the 17th.  We've got concerts coming up and things to do.  But, I might surprise myself and do it this coming week and get on with the quilting.  Time will tell.  

I haven't figured out what I'll use for the binding.  I'll probably need to buy some fabric for it but I'm going to wait until I've finished quilting it.  Who knows, maybe I have a big enough piece in my stash to make the binding. 

I'm taking several quilts and these pillowcases down to Country Piecemakers for our donation groups.  I'll post pictures soon -- yes, I've actually taken pictures of everything I'm donating tomorrow!  Here are 2 pillowcases I finished in November because I really hadn't used much fabric. I bought both of these fabrics on Black Friday, 2017 at JoAnn's Fabric Store.  I got a really good deal and was happy to be able to find the cuff and accent pieces in my stash.

Today I'm sneaking into the Elm Creak Quilt's OMG December Link Up party at the last minute (hours?) and Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. That's it for me today.  I'm going to do a little blog hopping to see what folks are working on or hoping to work on. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meandering 10 - 1 - 2018

Welcome October 

When last I wrote, the normal Monday blog was actually written on Thursday evening and set to post very early Monday morning.  YES!  I succeeded on doing that correctly!  Let's hear it for succeeding with a new skill.  What I didn't share was Friday afternoon we were leaving for a week of vacation.  Pat and I and our friends left for a cruise on the St. Lawrence River and the North Atlantic.  I've been wanting to do this cruise for years but it generally conflicted with my October retreat or Pat's barbershop competition.  So when everything aligned beautifully we talked our friends into going with us and off we went.  

Eventually I'll add more pictures but I sure don't want to over do it.  Today I'll share a few pics from the first day and a half.  (I promise, I won't be putting 20 pictures on a post but maybe 10 every once and a while!) We flew to Montreal to take the Veendam of Holland American line. Here we are ready for our adventure. 

Our evening was spent cruising up (down?) the St Lawrence River enjoying the views. Here is a lovely church.  The church's roof was gleaming silver in the late afternoon sun.  My guess is it has a metal roof. This picture doesn't do it justice.  We were hoping that the leaves would be giving us a beautiful show but that wasn't the case. Lots of green trees although the green is definitely looking like the end of summer.  

The journey continued overnight.  In the morning we were in Quebec City harbor. We had arranged tours in several of the ports.  Today's was a city tour which would start after an early lunch. Because these tours weren't offered by the cruise line, we had to walk to get to our meeting place.  We passed this part of the harbor with lots of small and large boats.  One of the hallmarks of all the locations we sailed to was harbors filled with sail boats and sometimes motor boats.  

The sky was cloudy and rain was threatening.  It mostly was misting during our tour -- no heavy downpours.  This was the first indication I may not have packed correctly for the trip.  My raincoat was water "resistant" not water "proof" and pretty old. Before we left the dock area we had to go over the water --- oops! It was actually a lock that we had to cross and the way forward was blocked because it was filling! When we looked around we realized there was a bridge over it -- fun to see and feel the power of the water as it filled the lock. 

We were able to catch our bus very close to the harbor. What we didn't know is we were taken up to a different area to pick up the tour bus.  (Hum, hindsight is 20-20!  That's where the cruise line's bus was dropping off folks!)  We had an excellent tour guide/driver.  He had worked for the national park system for years and was working as a guide/driver in retirement.  

I'll close with one more picture that I took specifically because it reminded me of a quilting pattern.  Loved the doors painted in various colors and the cool knocker -- along with the transom window with leaded glass.  This was taken in Old Quebec city.  I can sure see this design on a quilt. (Don't expect to see it on any of my quilts anytime in the near or distant future!) 

We got home early Saturday evening totally exhausted.  That said, both Pat and I would love to go to any of the communities we visited for a longer stay.  Needless to say neither of us did anything more than unpack that night.  The next morning wasn't much better except I did all the laundry.  

Late afternoon I started perking up and eventually headed down to the studio.  I

had checked my goals list and realized I hadn't done much of any of them.  (On the other hand, I knew I wasn't going to either.)  I pulled out the pillowcase pieces that I'd cut earlier and made up one case.  After dinner I cut out another and made a second case.  Unfortunately, that was almost the only finishes I had for the month of September.  I'll be adding up my usage and purchases fairly soon so I know where I stand.  Here's the two pillowcases -- Christmas with some super heroes. (And, I have no idea who they are except Spiderman.) 

 Here's my goals from last week... yea, not many and not many successes.

September 24, 2018

Cut a quilt for retreat Oops, didn’t happen  

Finish up sock Um, nope

Knit on Theo’s sweater √

Make a pillowcase (well, it could happen, maybe)√√ 

And this week I plan to get a LOT done! 

October 1, 2018

Finish cutting 2 projects - pirates and friendship star

Embroider 4 pirate blocks 

Figure out a 3rd project

Knit on Theo’s sweater (maybe start the body over….) 

Finish sock 

Attend retreat!!! YEA

Finish pirate top, friendship star and maybe one more project! 

I'm linking up with my regular Monday linky parties: Oh Scrap!, Monday Making, Main Crush Monday, and Moving It Forward.  I'm hoping I can get back to writing my Monday blog on Sunday evening... it sure makes Monday easier if I can! 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meandering 11 - 13 - 2017

Here are some successes from last week's goals:

I showed the pattern and my fabric here. Here is "Kit" modeling the dress almost done.  I have stitched the lapels back but there are some roses that still need to be put on the dress.  

I've cut out a top and a pair of shorts.  The shorts are done but the top still has a little work to go.  Next up will be another baby doll outfit.  Quilting and piecing have taken a backseat to these doll clothes. 

I won Kit with a trunk, clothes, accessories and quilts from Village Quilters in Catonsville, Md at least 10 years ago. When she came to live at my house I displayed her.  When Jenny was home from college she would often change Kit into one of the many outfits she had.  When the grands came along, Kit retired to her trunk because Jenny's doll and clothes were available.  Needless to say, she was very happy to get out in the world again wearing this fabulous outfit! 

The Country Piecemaker's pillowcase day was so much fun! Sharon came down and we traveled the hour and half to Powhatan, Va together.  The guild made 152 pillowcases Saturday.  All were cut out and in kits before the day began.  Some were already pinned in "burritos."  We had more people stay this year to do the sewing and all the turning, pinning, ironing and etc. that goes into making the pillowcases.  Rumor has it that only 110 were made last year.  

Sewers in the front, pinners in the back.  Standing folks were ferrying cases from one location to another.

Becky, Bonnie and Nancy sewing away. You can see cases ready to sew and ready to turn in front. 

Through the 8 years that Country Piecemakers have been making and giving pillowcases for sick kids we've contributed 2,685 cases.  Amazing!  The funds and/or fabric are all donated -- the guild does not provide any financial assistance. Hats of to Colleen, our intrepid pillowcase leader, and her special elf, Donna, who cut the fabric and put together all the kits.   I will continue to make pillowcases for this -- in fact I think I bought 5 yards of Easter fabric when I was up in Lancaster.  

I was more successful with my goals this week. Here's last weeks:

November 6, 2017

Make first doll outfit√

Retime Ruthie, the longarm√

Attend Pillowcase day in Powhatan√√

Finish one cross stitch ornament √

Catch up on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge √ mostly

November 13, 2017

Finish 2^nd doll outfit

Cut out baby doll outfit

Work on another cross stitch ornament

Continue to work on Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Play on Ruthie 2

Attend Spotsylvanian’s rehearsal and first concert of the season

A lot is going on this week so I may fall short on some of these goals.  

Check out my favorite linky parties:  Oh Scrap!, Monday Making, Main Crush Monday, and Moving It Forward.  I'm going to spend a bit of time today cruising through the Internet to see what folks are working on. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 9 - 11 - 17

I spent way too much sewing time making pillowcases for hurricane relief this past week.  Now I just need to get them to the post office. Hopefully this week they will go off to Sarah's church.  Read about her efforts here. Here are 6 of the 8 I made.  

Not all of my fabric was kiddy fabric.  I doubt that will be a problem for folks who have almost nothing.  

Next up was a little diversion from quilting. When we moved to another new location for us we decided it made sense to live in an active adult community.  Our thoughts were we would be with folks in similar situations and there were all sorts of activities for the residents.  We have not regretted that decision.  We've enjoyed lots of activities with our neighbors and we actually know our close neighbors.  I decided to try a new event last week by going to the craft club.  Many of the items they did over the last few months I wasn't really interested in.  But I really wanted to make a picture frame with shells on it.  Here's my end result. I have to say the gals who run this group had beautiful shells.  I can't wait to find the perfect picture to put into the frame. 

I really got going on a project I told a friend I would finish for her.  Of course, it sat around my house for at least a year. I don't often sign on to make or finish projects for people because I like my own projects.  On the other hand I usually don't need to buy fabric to work on an old project like this.  Sometimes I charge folks, sometimes not.  Amanda started these placemats almost 25 years ago. She was a non-quilter but decided she could make them by hand. So she got two placemat tops finished and had cut all the other pieces to finish the other two.  BTW, did I mention she drew templates and cut every piece by scissor?  

I finished these two for her and made two more from her pieces.  I was really impressed that all of the flying geese I made from her pieces turned out pretty darn good. I actually checked the pattern and realized she was suppose to have one more flying goose on each side of the leaf.  I didn't even think about it when I finished hers.  She'll be happy to get them this week.  I'll be happy to have one less thing hanging over my head!  Do you finish other people's UFOs to help them along? Do you charge for it?  Let us know.  

My goal list from last week is mostly not done.  Sigh.  I did read a few too many books though, does that count?  

September 4, 2017

Quilt Streak of Lightening nope, didn’t happen

Make last 2 fabric boxes√

Cut out new quilt for retreat nope

Make pillowcases√

Finish placemats almost done

Now for this week. This looks long but 3 of the items are definite.  The other 3 are in the category "I sure hope I get these things done!"

Sept 11, 2017

Make lotto blocks for retreat

Prep a project for retreat

Finish placemats

Mail pillowcases

Do some serious fabric shopping!

Enjoy Barbershop singing competition

I'm linking up with my regular linky parties: Monday Making, Main Crush Monday, Moving It Forward and Oh Scrap.  Take a few minutes sometime this week to check these links out.  There is always lots of eye candy and great inspiration.  

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 9 - 4 - 2017 & Stashbusting Report

It's all downhill to the end of the year now.  The time will be flying by if previous years are any indication.  

First up is an opportunity to help the people of Houston and surrounding areas.  Sarah who blogs at Confessions of a Fabricholic has put out an appeal for pillowcases for kids and quilts.  You can read all about it at her blog on Saturday.  She gives a link for directions for the pillowcases and the address to send them to once you've got them made.  Guess what I spent most of my weekend on? Yep, pillowcases.  2 cases already finished. (I did another one today but picture is from Saturday.) 

And fabric to make 3 more is ready to be cut.  I should have 8 pillowcases ready to go to Sarah's church in Tennessee by Wednesday.  I may make some more after the initial batch.  But, truth be told,  I didn't often buy 1 yard pieces of fabric.  Of course, I've changed from buying a half yard to a yard a year or two ago.  I get irritated when I need 3/4 yard and I have to really scrounge to find that much fabric. What's your go-to amount of fabric when you buy on "speculation?"  Mine is 1 yard pieces.  

Since the month ended last week it is time to share my fabric usage figures.  Not a bad month even though I did buy 3 hunks of fabric from Sew It's For Sale yahoo group.  

2017	Fabric In Month	Fabric In Year	Fabric Out Month	Fabric Out Year	Total In or Out Year
Aug	4.125	67.000	6.125	76.375	9.375

I'm happy I'm controlling my fabric purchases.  This month may be a disaster as I'm heading through Lancaster county in a couple of weeks.  I'm starting a list of fabric I actually need rather than I want although I've noticed my orange fabrics are getting used up so I hope to add at least a yard of orange.  

I did pretty well on my goals but I spent time at the grand's house and then came home ready to sit and read so I didn't do as much as I should have.  

August 28, 2017

Spend a couple of days with the grands√

Keep hand quilting Civil War Quilt√ (this is being put on the back burner while I work on ornaments for the grands.)

Bind geese & floral wallhanging√

Make some fabric boxes√√

Find backing for Streak of Lightening√ & quilt it

And coming up this week: 

September 4, 2017

Quilt Streak of Lightening

Make last 2 fabric boxes

Cut out new quilt for retreat

Make pillowcases

Finish placemats 

That's it for me today.  I'm linking up with my favorite Monday linky parties: Monday Making, (technical difficulties and family time!)  Moving It Forward, Main Crush Monday and Oh Scrap. (I'll post the rest as they become available and I remember to check them!) 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie