Goldie's quilt is finished.......

...washed, dried, and awaiting a label. 













 I took the finished top and my basting frame to the senior center on Tuesday for the regular monthly get-together.  But somebody forgot to tell me that they weren't coming !  So I had the entire big room to myself, and got the top basted in 2 hours.  So glad to have the use of the room, if not the good company to go with it.

Finished top awaiting basting.

 

 

I like to wait until the quilt has shrunk all that it is going to before I apply the label, since it doesn't get quilted.  That way, the quilt doesn't shrink AWAY from the label, causing the label to look buckled and poofy.

Finished size of the quilt is 48 x 72 inches.   After photographing the nearly complete quilt top, I realized that I would like for it to be a little bit wider........but it didn't need any additional length.  So, rather than piece an additional row of blocks, or border it all the way around, I just added borders to the two sides of the quilt.  And, I must say, I like the look ! 

I struggled with a quilting design, trying several ideas and removing a LOT of tiny quilting stitches.  Finally, I settled on using the walking foot to quilt across the blocks, and then using the darning foot to freemotion-quilt feathers in the outside borders.  They don't show, but they filled up the space.

Have I mentioned before how much I like it when a machine-applied binding goes smoothly?   I use a SLEW of pins to make sure that the stitching doesn't slip off of the fold, and it takes a bit of extra time, but nothing like as long as hand-stitching.  

I like the addition of the black and white fabrics to the multi-colors of the blocks. 




















I used the cow print for the binding and for the backing and a white tiger print for the borders.  The quilt has a batting comprised of 20 % polyester/ 80% cotton. 

 
I spoke to Goldie yesterday and she sounded great.  I haven't told her that I was making her a quilt.  I don't know about you guys, but nothing stops me in my tracks like promising something before it is made, or coming up on a deadline.  So, I hope to take the quilt over to her tomorrow and surprise her.  It'll be nice to see her.....she's been missed.

Goldie

A dear friend in her 80's has been diagnosed with cancer and  has started radiation treatments today.

I hope to be able to make something to send to her to convey my love, and assure her of our prayers for her healing and comfort.

 I added some rows to an existing quilt-top that I had and love.  It's now long enough and wide enough to top a twin-sized bed.  Perhaps if I can finish it for her, it will brighten her room during her stay in the hospital.  She's such a sweetie and so full of faith........I know that God is using her as a witness there for His glory. 

What a beautiful last day of summer !

Today was the most perfect gift from God !  Wonderful temperature, days after a good soaking rain, lots of sunshine with cool breezes.......and good health to be able to work and enjoy it !

Praise God !

Yesterday, Hubby's sisters visited and we took them out to lunch.  One of his sisters is selling a house and has been doing some long awaited destashing. 

 

When she came across these blocks, she lovingly set them aside to bring to me.  It seems that she started an afghan and never finished it.

The work is outstanding ! 

After looking over the pattern, I realize that she did an additional round

 on each block that was supposed to be the setting pieces.

 And the original pattern was to be done in yarn,

but she used thread, so these are very fine,

and obviously a different size than the pattern intended. 

 They're pretty enough to just display in
the basket in which I received them,

but it will be a shame if I can't find some way

to make SOME little something out of them.

 I'll have to study on it and experiment a bit.

Former (memorial gardens) layout

The past week has found me attempting to change my flower garden area a bit.  I planted my dwarf crape myrtles 10 feet apart last summer, and then filled in between each one with gladioli this year.  But having to twist and turn the mower in and out of all the spaces I created has become quite an aggravation, not to mention that the yard looks like a memorial garden with each bush growing out of it's own perfect little circle of broken up soil.  

New flowerbed incorporating present plantings

So I took on the job of making one long flowerbed down the length beside the driveway, incorporating the bushes within it.  I de-grassed between each circle ......... took me hours  to remove the sod and then shake all the good topsoil out of it.  And now I have begun using my little tiller to dig the bed nice and deep.  I don't know what I'll plant in those areas......need to keep it low to showcase the bushes ........ but atleast I'll have options now.  I think I'm going to like it, although I do need to outline the bed somehow.  Everything costs money and I'm not exactly swimming in it right now !  So, I'll do it as I can !

The current outstanding bloom in my other flowerbeds is this plant that was here when I bought the place last year.  Rose calls it "House Leek". 

 The leaves resemble a succulent; and the magnificent big blooms have bees on them constantly, but the bees don't attack us, thankfully.

Court news for family and friends

Once again, we ride the roller-coaster.  Second review date gone by with nothing but a request that the case be deferred to the next scheduled date, which is, by the way, the plea-date.....  October 1st. 

 Reading Psalm 56, as suggested by friend and neighbor, Rose.  

Taking comfort at the Father's table.  

Oppressed, but not depressed.  

Deflated, but not defeated.  

Victorious, 

always, 

in Christ Jesus, my Savior.

Connecting Threads package..........

....arrived today, and has me longing to start Seth's quilt.  It should be a quickie to make, based on the design shown in these fabrics on Connecting Thread's website.  You could buy a kit for the quilt, including all fabric AND the pattern, measuring about 63 by 71, for $20. + change.   Instead, I ordered extra stacks and yardage for borders, hoping to enlarge the pattern to 72 x 90 or so.

We'll see how long it takes me to actually get around to piecing it.  Atleast I wrote the kids a letter today and sent my daughter some seeds from the flowers blooming in my yard.

I took the quick way out, and machine zig-zagged my orange peels........I realized that I just wasn't at a place in my life where I wanted to start a long-term project.  So, for instant gratification, I made 36 blocks, each measuring 4 1/2 inches.     I like it, but don't know if I want to stop at this size.  It would be a great size for my kitchen wall, but I'll sit and stare at it for awhile before I go farther.

Fun things ahead......

....I ordered some precut squares in a collection called "Mastermind" from Connecting Threads.  I'm hoping to make a big boy quilt for my youngest grandson, who is currently accomplishing potty-training.

I look forward to working with a different type of fabrics from my usual bright, more girly collection.

 We got the yard mowed again today.......it had only been a week, but the recent rain had really spurred new growth.  But sweat was rolling down from my eyebrows from all the humidity along with the temperature.  We're expecting thunderstorms tonight with more rain, and possibly a real cool-down next week.  


 The flowers all over the yard are really loving it, especially the
morning glories.

Happy Labor Day.......so long summer !

Unofficially, it's a wrap.  I know we'll have some heat for a while longer, but September means 'it's coming!".  Not too soon for me........I just adore the Fall season !

Finished measurement-21 inches square

I basted the Amish wallhanging this weekend, and got a chance to machine-quilt it today.  I used the walking foot for stitching in the ditch, and then played a bit with the free-motion quilting.  I've grown rusty, and my movements were not smooth at all.  I wound up having to do quite a bit of un-quilting, which was NOT an easy feat since my machine 'coasts' to a stop, making a lot of tiny stitches in place at end points.

Pictures are not too good, as the center wants to be washed out.  But the batteries are low in the camera and are recharging as I type, so these photos will have to do.

Here's a little bit better shot of the center.

 I'm so glad to have this hanging to put on my kitchen wall to remind me of Wanda and Terri visiting me this summer after 3 long years of missing them.