Monday Meanderings - 12 - 30 - 2024

Welcome to the last few days of 2024.  I'm a big user of my library's ebooks. Since I check out books frequently,  I'm already getting used to the year as 2025. And in just a day or two it will be 2025.  Will you be staying up to welcome it in on Tuesday night?  I doubt if I will. I might if I find something interesting to watch on tv that will motivate me to stay up.  

I promised I'd share the ornaments I made for my grands once Christmas was over. Here's one picture of them.  Yes, I really staged them. 

Everyone thought they were very cute.  I was happy to have them done. I'm starting to think (only think) about what I want to do for them next year. Maybe some machine embroidery instead of all the hand work.  

Here's what I did toward finishing my goals this past week. 

12/23/24

✅Bind bow tie quilt — done!

✅Enjoy the family together on Christmas — we had a great time. 

Put borders on fall quilt — not even started.

Pick fabric for New Years Day Mystery — I decided to save directions then decide if I want to make it later. 

✅Quilt and bind pinwheel windmill quilt — Quilted and first side of binding sewn down. 

✅Pick 12 projects for the UFO challenge — 9 piecing projects and 3 quilting projects are on my list. 

Not a bad week considering Christmas was in the middle of it. Luckily I only had to do a little food prep.  And, I made a point of hitting my studio on Wednesday morning before we went to our son's house.  

Here's the windmill quilt while it was being quilted.  

Generally, I'm not a fan of variegated threads but this one worked so well on this quilt that I used it.  It is a YLI 100% cotton thread called Havana Market, 40 weight. It did lint a lot but I really like the colors on this one.  You can see the whole top here.  Below is the backing I used.  I tend to use excess backing for my binding which worked well on this quilt.  I used Fern Gully quilting design to give a lot of texture.  (The first side of the binding is sewn on the back. Sometime this week I'll flip it to the front and machine stitch it down. 

Here's what I'll be doing this week.

12/30/24

Finish bind pinwheel quilt

Put borders on fall quilt 

Enjoy the Rose Bowl Parade 

Work on UFO Challenge project

Spend 15 minutes a day cleaning up especially the front of my cutting table

I've been making a point of using up small dribs and drabs of thread on spools. One of these was used up; the pink is still available. I'd sure like to get it and one other used before the new year. 

Sometime after the new year I'll make a report on my thread spool usage this year. 

I had another 7 days of success making sure I'm stitching for 15 minutes every day. 

W/ending 12/29 — 364 days in to 2024. 

• 15 minute days/week Dec = 7/7
• 15 minute days/2024 = 353/364 days
• Success rate = 96.97%

I'll be doing this again in 2025.  I like the idea of having a bit of stitching going on every day.  If you are interested in joining this program go visit Kate at Life in Pieces. I think the main part of joining is to report your numbers every week. Pretty easy.  I need to ask Pat to make me another spread sheet to mark off my stitching days. 

I'm linking with the following parties: Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Design Wall Monday, and Monday Musing.  

Here's another closed up pic of the little penguin ornaments. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

To Do Tuesday

Did you notice I skipped Monday this week?  I had some plans to do a short Happy 4th blog, even picked out the artwork.  But, nope, didn't happen.  So it's To Do Tuesday instead.  

So let's start with last week's goals list.  It was a great week actually. 

6/27/2022

✅Make backing for Cheese and Crackers quilt -- Check below to see the yellow backing at the top of the photo. 

✅Quilt and bind Cheese and Crackers -- Here's a peek at the quilting.

✅Finish making the dog toys -- Something like 28 toys are done.

✅Make 3 more blocks for Irma -- Ready to put in the mail.

✅Sew cupcakes block together -- Done, and it doesn't look much differently from last week's picture. 

Here's what I'm working on this week.

7/4/22

Work on July’s UFO challenge Migrating Geese

Start on Picnic Time small wall hanging 

Make blocks for FCQ Officers, more red Spider Webs 

Quilt something… decision to be made during the week

Here's the new challenge piece.  Several years ago I purchased a Technique Sheet (TS) from Studio 180. The sheets are printed in color and then laminated. The TS  shows how to make the geese and gives sizes for various widths of the strips. I made 5 long strips 9.5" wide. All the geese strips are completed.  I bought a wide back from Connecting Threads to use as the sashing, borders and backing.  After hours of making sure I would have enough fabric for the backing if I cut a hunk off for the sashing and borders, I started cutting.  

As you can tell I used some of my homespuns.  All the plaids I used made a dent but unfortunately I still have some left. Sigh.  I might need another project of homespuns one of these days. (Cheese and Crackers made a dent in my 30's and fabrics but another project or two also will be needed to use them up.) 

I admit there was shopping going on the last week of June.  I was hoping both packages would come in after July so I wouldn't have to count them in during June.  One is being counted on my June stash busting numbers and one will be in the July numbers.  But here's what I got.  First the June add ins.  

I've been getting emails from Craft Town fabrics for years.  In fact I've bought from them before but not for several years.  When they offered a great price on a rainbow box of Mettler Silk Finish threads I was totally hooked.  See the box below.  Don't they make you want to sew something in a beautiful bright color?  

I figured I could add some fabric for the same shipping charge, so I did. Plus they often have All or Nothing fabric or fabric at lower costs starting at $3.99.  These are older fabrics but definitely quilt store quality.  I decided to check the All or Nothing selection. Hum, there were several that appealed to me.  I ended up with 2 prints and 3 neutrals. Here's my haul. 

I hadn't bought novelty fabric for a while so I decided to get the popsicles and sheep just for something new.  Actually the popsicles is a full yard and will be used for the basis of a new quilt -- possibly a 3 yard quilt.  The sheep will probably be the centers a child quilt but not sure what as it is only 3/8th of a yard.  The other 3 neutrals will work well as background fabrics when I use a variety of backgrounds. (note -- Craft Town has $5.00 shipping up to $49.99 in July. And, no I don't get compensated for sharing this, just call me The Enabler!) So I thought I was set for awhile. 

Except, Connecting Threads was having a 20% off sale and I fell for a fat quarter bundle of red fabrics.  So, again, I checked shipping and decided to add a one yard piece of wide backing.  I have had great luck using wide backing for piecing.  I was "planning" on getting some white I had purchased before.  It was a little surprise when I got the package. That lovely grey fabric was what was suppose to be white. Note to self: double check your order before submitting it! Sigh. I haven't decided how I plan on using it.  I will check my tops and see if there is any that would fit on it. Or it might become a background fabric for some project.  Lots of possibilities. 

The reds are going to be used on more spider web blocks.  The reds in my stash don't seem right to me so this influx of reds will be put to work soon. 

It seems like I had a whole lot to let everyone know about today.  But, I'm done now.  Well, except the plug for the Linky parties.  Here are links to the parties I'm participating in today. Please use these as launching pads to visit quilters on the Internet. 

Monday Making

Design Wall Monday 

To Do Tuesday

Midweek Makers 

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  

Monday Meanderings & Thread Report

2017 was a banner year for using thread.  Yep, I keep all my spools during the year, then photograph them and count them to see how I did compared to other years.  I did great this year.  The 30 spools I used up ties with 2014 for the most spools used.  Special thanks goes to my friend Beth who comes on Tuesdays and sews with me.  If she didn't have the right color I passed her one of mine.  A win-win for sure. 

Year	Spools Used Up
2017	30
2016	7
2015	27
2014	30
2013	17
2012	22

I generally don't use polyester thread when quilting but I have been using it   in the bobbin recently. It is not Dual Duty. I've been using a long arm poly thread in the bobbin.  The plastic cone broke so it won't work on the long arm any more but I can wind bobbins with it.  It's thin so it helps with the accurate quarter inch seam. For the longest time I only used cotton thread while piecing.  Early on I made a quilt that got washed a lot.  Eventually the fabric gave out because the thread was too strong for it.  That explains my fondness for cotton thread. Do you use polyester thread in your quilts? Do you have a favorite brand? 

Here is my first goal list for 2018.  I have my friends coming down from Maryland for our In House Retreat on Thursday.  Special thanks goes to the weather for cooperating with our plans.  Because next Monday is a holiday they can stay for a full day of sewing Sunday and leave Monday to drive home. We're all excited to get together. Ruthie 2 should be humming along this week too. 

January 8, 2018

Finish sweater (a UFO since the 1980s!)

Quilt FCQ charity Quilt

Cut out Alphabet Challenge pieces; start sewing

Finish piecing 2017 Rainbow Challenge top #1

Clean studio & house for In House Retreat 1/11 – 1/15 and have fun with my friends! 

That's it for today.  I'm linking up with my regular parties: Moving It Forward, Monday Making and Main Crush Monday.  It's been fun to catch up with all my favorite blogs.  Hope you take some time and look at some too. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie

Acquisitions and Visitors

Last week I drove out to Kelly Ann's Quilting shop in Warrenton, Va. with a quilting buddy.  We had been the week before for a Accuquilt Go presentation. I had purchased a die that had to be ordered, hence the second trip to Kelly Ann's.  I've now got a 6.5" square die to add to my collection.  (Did I mention I also bought the kite die recently?)  And, we picked up the row by row instructions. Kelly Ann's is a cute shop with lots of fun fabric, some wools, patterns and a lot of Accuquilt dies.  (If you've never been to an Accuquilt presentation -- go.  You'll learn tips and techniques to get more out of your dies.) 

As we were walking back to the car after lunch I noticed this great mural on the side of a building. I haven't been able to find out much about it except it does represent Civil War times and the building is called the Mural Building. I like how the artist extended the picture with the trees and the look out. 

Do you know about Massdrop? It's an e commerce site where customers help decide what to buy and employees arrange the deals.  I don't buy a lot from them but when I do I generally choose items I need (or want) that provide a decent discount. I'm a member of the quilting community (which has recently added knitting items.)  My most recent purchase were these Presencia threads. 

The price seemed good to me especially considering the suggested retail price on Presencia's website.  I'm happy to see my thread bin has been replenished. Over the next few months I'll probably augment this with some brighter colors.  It's always nice to have a collection of colored threads when you need just the perfect color. 

Yesterday we had some visitors.  We'd planned to go to the pool but almost immediately upon arriving it started pouring rain.  (We needed it so we're happy to have the rain.) 

Theo, 9 months, after his nap.

Ellie, 3 1/2 years, after her nap.

I was pleasantly surprised how well both slept here.  The adults were able to enjoy some quiet time together on the deck. 

I'm linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday. Make sure you take a little time to enjoy the various blogs and inspiration. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie