Design Wall Monday--Catching Up

 Design Wall Monday--See more design walls on Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

I disappeared for awhile, due to computer issues mostly.  I have been sewing and have a finish to share. 

Grandson Hunter's quilt is all finished.  He chose all the fabrics and the yellow thread for quilting, as well as most of the machine specialty stitches I quilted it with.  It is very busy but he loves it. I used Hunter Green sashing and the backing is a Hunter Green flannel, very cozy.  His Mama sent me a pic of him eating breakfast wrapped in his quilt the next morning. XOXOX  I'm working on some Halloween placemats now for Hunter and Cove. 

I also got started on a secret swap project for the upcoming Sewtopia retreat my sister and I attend yearly.  This year it is in Nashville, the first weekend in November, not too long away! I had a bunch of blocks made in a guild class a couple of years ago, which I sewed up into a table runner.  It needs a backing, quilting and binding, but I was pleased with the arrows created in this setting. 

I also finished a Lizzie Kate stitchery, Moon Over Blackbird.  

I changed it by moving the moon and stars some, and turning the pineapple into a pumpkin.. I'm working on a Halloween stitch now, from a set of Lori Holt stitch cards.  I love these small projects for a quick embroidery fix. 

These funny blobs will eventually look like the Cat in the pattern sample, complete with tail!

Surviving Hilary and an Earthquake, and Quilting

SO, we are being deluged by Hurricane Hilary the now Tropical Storm,  a first for California in over 100 years.. After meeting our son and grandsons at the park and watching our daughter in law play soccer this morning (she's playing goalie), it began to rain as we left, and has been raining ever since, pretty steadily. I spent most of the morning thereafter in the sewing room getting a quilt top sandwiched.  I was still in the sewing room when we had a 5.1 earthquake strike Ojai, 20+ miles away.  It was quite a ride during the quake and for many aftershocks thereafter.  Fortunately there was no significant damage to relate. 

I picked up my Fair entries early in the week an gathered up all the ribbons.  There were judge's comments on the back of each tag, and pretty much each one indicated more quilting was recommended.  I suppose I'll have to use that as my guide to win a blue ribbon again at the Fair! I did get awarded 4 second place, a third, and two honorable mentions.  

Quite a pile to bring home.  I'll cash my $7.00 prize check sometime, as the cashier was long closed by the time I went to the Fairgrounds after work.

Grandson Hunter's quilt saw some action on Saturday while hubby Grant was away. I got all the blocks assembled.  

They are quite busy and it seemed wise to suggest a narrow sashing to Hunter's mommy.  He chose a dark green, from my suggestions.  I'll need to purchase that at the fabric store. 

Sunset last night was amazing.  I caught the sliver moon in another pic. 

Variety Post

 How was your Mother's Day?  We were lucky to have all our kids with us, and also my parents, one of my brothers and my sister, and our son-in-law's mom and her husband.  

The girls were laughing about independently choosing the same outfit to wear!  I copied them with a white shirt too:)  We had a lovely time and it was good to all get together.  Last year we had a small socially distanced gathering in the backyard.

Erica hung around after, as her boyfriend was with his family.  She and I both took naps while Grant watched whatever sport was on. 

There was also baseball to watch over the weekend.  Grandson Hunter had his last game.  I took this pic of the sign I'd passed by many times. 

Pretty funny!  A good reminder for some of the more intense parents.  It is amazing how much pressure some parents put on 6-8 year olds.  Grandson Cove has another playoff game in his division.

DMC kit stitchery progress.  Early in the week I got a bunch of stitches put in while Grant was getting a procedure done at the hospital---but I had to tear it all out!  That very light pink is harder to work with than it should be.  I was happy to move on to some of the pretty green leaves.  

I've been home for a couple of days with a killer URI/cold that is kicking my rear!  I'm sure a whole box of tissues has been used up--now a cough is starting.  I haven't decided if I will try to work remotely tomorrow. Two COVID tests have been negative--I am due for the second booster. 

Design Wall Monday--Memory Lane Top Assembled

 Design Wall Monday--see more design walls on Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

The large Memory Lane blocks are all together now! This unique pattern gives the illusion of 4 patches but there is not a single one. I really enjoyed playing with the block's five fabric combos.  I have a nice chunk of one of the Oh My Darling prints to use as a binding.  Backing hopefully I can assemble from stash.

I had sewn a couple of rows together before we went to the grandsons' baseball games on Saturday. It was a family affair, as our other daughter, her boyfriend, and our son, DIL and third grandson came to watch the games.  Cove got a good hit, Hunter did too. Youngest grandson Dane was being very clingy to Mama amid all the baseball field hubbub, but did allow a fist bump. 

Not sure what Hunter was doing here, but from first base he did get to score when the next batter had a good hit.  Later he played catcher but was a bit timid about the ball coming at him! Cove also got a great hit in his game.

There was a bubble-blowing contest in the stands with the daughters.  Grant won!  We were missing our son-in-law, who was still quarantining with COVID.  Grant had been sitting near him at one game early in the week, but tested negative multiple days. 

It was a beautiful day way back in the canyon where the ball fields are.  A herd of cattle made an appearance late in the afternoon.  I also saw a hawk land on the furthest power pole on the hill. Only a few more games left in the season.  Happy May!

Pladish2 Play

There has been some sewing going on--I did get the binding on the quilt of the moment,  Summer Breeze in 30's prints, but no pics yet. I could not resist sewing up at least one block for the Plaidish2 quilt, from all the colorful scraps I cut up over the weekend. Free pattern and tutorial on Kitchen Table Quilting.  

This is the A block.  That;s a lot of pieces but it I chain pieced to keep the rows straight. 

I pressed the rows as I usually do for a quilt top, odd rows to the left, even rows to the right.  Very scrappy block and it makes me happy to see all the pieces cut from the scrap drawers.  

Of course there was feline quality control by Mini.  She is still spending a lot of time lying on this paper mailer on the sewing room floor, so funny!

Mini disappears when this grandson comes over once a week when Papa picks him up from school.  Hunter was having a good time coloring a Paw Patrol character.  He also beat his grandparents in a game of Trouble; he would close his eyes and say what number he wanted to roll of the dice and darned if he didn't get it nine times out of ten!  

We've had a lot of windy days but not too severe.  It keeps the fog away and we have pretty deep blue skies. 

 Lots of jet trails too!  We hope more rain will come our way.  California is still very dry and our aquifers are low from the past years of drought.  Friday is nearly here! Looking forward to the weekend.

Slow Sunday Stitching--Cat/Chat Progress

 Slow Sunday Stitching--see more great needle and thread projects on Kathy's Quilts blog. 

I'm getting stitches into the Cat/Chat DMC kit here and there.  I like to prop up in bed and stitch at night--it is certainly warmer upstairs and I have a Ott light I can see well with. 

One thing I really liked about this kit was the embroidery details stitched on top of the cross-stitch, once completed.  I'm looking forward to that part. 

We got the grandsons together the other day after Grant picked up Hunter from school, and I was watching Dane while our DIL was working.  His mama had bought a huge bin of wooden train tracks and all the trains for $20 at a garage sale.  Hunter had a grand time making a big track.  Dane mostly pulled pieces out of the build, but I watched him and put them back. 

He was riding the foam roller earlier :)

Christmas decorating has begun.  We are getting our tree today after I get my COVID booster at the pharmacy. Lots and lots of boxes were opened and rummaged through yesterday.  

I saved room for the tree :)  

This year's Mischievious Kitten is pretty cute.  Santa gets one less cookie!

Slow Sunday Stitching--Cat stitch progress and Birthday

 Slow Sunday Stitching--see more stitchers' projects on Kathy's Quilts blog.  

I've continued working on the kit I bought at my local quilt store--I previously said that it cost $5 for this DMC kit, but I was wrong.  It was $5.99 :)

Lots of stitches were added when we were vacationing recently at my brother and sister-in-law's in Arizona for a few days.  The cover photo isn't quite true to the floss shades, but I don't mind the warmer blue for the kitty. 

Our son and daughter-in-law and third grandson Dane were also spending time with their Uncle and Aunt. DIL and I went to a local park one day with Dane.  There was a huge reclaimed water basin and we were surprised and delighted when a huge geyser went off. It must have been over 100 feet high--can you see the rainbow?

Our timing was lucky as it goes off every 90 minutes or so.  Dane (bottom left of photo) liked the play equipment and the ducks and geese in the water too....but his favorite thing was giving hugs to this little girl.

They had a mutual admiration party going :)  Her brother/cousin/relative was counting the hugs.  "That's five hugs!"

I got a lot of love from family too...

I had a birthday recently and got some lovely handwritten cards from the older two grandsons.  This is Hunter's (age 5).  We are having fun in a garden, I believe. Look at all the hearts and love.

Cove, age 7, did all his own spelling.  I am happy to know he thinks I am OSOM !!!!

Design Wall Monday--Plus Halloween

 Design Wall Monday--see more design walls on Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

I got started on a promised bookshelf quilt for my niece, Emma.  A collection of fabrics from the scrap drawer has been awaiting finalization of the construction method.  

There are many tutorials out there, but my favorite was from the Fabric at Work website. Her method included cutting different widths of background fabric and sewing the book pieces to the strip. 

The seams are pressed to the background strip--I'm using Kona Black. 

I cut random lengths up to 10" and widths up to 3.5" per the tutorial and cut them apart with the rotary cutter and a ruler. Here they are on the ironing board. 

And now all cut apart.  Once arranged in the order desired, the background/book lengths are sewn together and trimmed to the desired shelf size,  about 11-14" inches.  I will add different pieces to the shorter pieces you see here, for striped or labeled ends.  There will be some objects and perhaps a plant or extra block in a frame tucked in here and there.  My goal is a couch quilt size and I hope to have it completed by December.  I'll need to pick out a shelf fabric--a mottled or wood grain fabric is suggested for interest. Surprisingly, solid fabrics were not recommended for the books.  That's fine with me!

In other business, Thanks for all the compliments on the Hedwig the Owl costume I made.  Here's a pic of the older grandsons as Harry Potter and Hedwig. 

Cove and Hunter had a great time trick or treating in their neighborhood.  Daughter Elaine also sent a video of Cove (Harry Potter) casting a spell:  "Winguardium Leviosa!", and Hunter flapping his owl wings.  Youngest grandson Dane cried when posed by the carved pumpkins, but was all smiles when he was free to move about. 

A cute little ghostie :)  

Our neighborhood was slammed with trick or treaters.  DH was being very generous with handfuls of candy at first, but then had to slow down with the crowds.  We came very close to running out of candy and I had to try three stores before I came up with ONE bag of chocolate coins!  Fortunately, being a Sunday night, the crowds were gone by 8 pm.  Wonder what I'll make next year?

Slow Sunday Stitching--Cross-stitch and Halloween costume

Slow Sunday Stitching--see more projects on Kathy's Quilts Blog. 

Not much slow stitching has been happening around here, but I did spend a bit of time on the cat cross stitch project. 

Nearly finished with one side of the cat's chin and cheek. 

Last progress pic for reference.

Most of my crafting/sewing time this week was spent on costume making.  Daughter Elaine tasked me with making a costume for younger grandson, Hunter.   Big Brother Cove is going to be Harry Potter, and Elaine asked me to make a Hedgwig the Owl costume for Hunter (age 5). She bought the materials to copy a homemade costume she saw on a blog, and started by cutting out a tunic base and a bunch of felt feathers.  I took over from there, sewing all the feathers onto the tunic, and cutting out a half-circle cape from the white felt.

While there are lots of "no sew" costumes, I wanted this to last, so I used my walking foot to sew down the rows of overlapping feathers. I cut a lot more feathers in a larger size to cover the majority of the cape. This was not hard, just time consuming.  I did not do it all at once, but broke it into several sessions when I ran out of cut feathers and needed more. 

I used the smaller feathers on the top few rows.  The tunic back has no feathers, since by design I made the cape long enough to cover the whole thing.  I waited for Hunter to try on the costume before adding some elastic to hold the cape on his arms. 

We did have to trim the cape a bit in width, and I re-secured the ends of the feather rows where we trimmed.  Hunter was very excited. 

He'll wear gray leggings and actual shoes for trick or treating tonight. 

 

The elastic bands at his wrist and upper arm worked great.  I took a video of him flapping around the backyard. 

Mama cleverly bought a second pair of Harry Potter glasses to use to make Hedwig's beak and face feathers.  Can't wait to see the boys all dressed up tonight!

Weekly Doings

I had every intention of posting during the week, but that obviously did not happen.  We were watching different documentaries regarding the remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy several evenings. I was home that day from work and watched all the horrifying scenes and tragedy.  I posted a remembrance about it here

There has been no piecing this week but I did complete cutting some parts for the Sewtopia Challenge project, from Windham Fabrics (Five + Ten fabrics by Denyse Schmidt).

While the pattern called for the large triangle to be cut from a square and sliced twice diagonally; with only one required for my project, I used Bonnie Hunter's Essential Triangle tool instead, to save fabric since they are only fat quarters. Other pieces for the pillow front and back are yet to be cut. I'd like to start some sewing first. 

I did quilt a baby quilt that has been sandwiched for some time, even the binding was made.  This will be donated to guild. 

Left over blue/gray HSTs from another guild project got some corner triangles from a mini charm pack I won.   The black graphic print yardage was in stash. 

Closeup of the prints.  Ditch quilting and some very random double lines for the quilting. I did not mark anything so they are "organic" straight lines, haha.

There was some slow stitching of binding misses, as usual.  I accomplished some of this while babysitting youngest grandson, Dane, as he napped.

He can be kept busy by putting pieces of Mr. Potatohead back in the toy bin and letting him fish them out, as he is obsessed with that toy:)  We also spent time outdoors while Mama had a Zoom meeting in her home office.  

It was the opening weekend of soccer season for the older grandsons.  Cove put himself under Grant's beach hat and called it "Papa Shade". Little Brother Hunter's first game resulted in a win.  

Green Lightning is the team name.  Hunter is the far right in the team pic above.  The girls playing in the next field wore purple uniforms and were The Purring Kittens, lol.

Cove (#2) scored a goal at his game, which is fortunately played at the same location as his brother's. I believe the game ended in a tie. He was very focused and expended a great deal of energy following the ball and getting any action he could.  

Ten Years Ago: 

Ten years ago this month, daughter Elaine was getting fitted in her beautiful wedding gown, for her October wedding.  Hard to believe it has gone by so fast!  

I made snap bags for her bridesmaids' gifts.  She put a necklace in each one with a personal note.  It's time to make another one for myself, with a wristlet for easier carrying.