Month: August 2019

Ask me if I was shocked when Sharon left a comment on my last post and told me that my Enduring Legacy had been showcased on Barbara Brackmans Material Culture Blog.   I loaded the quilt in late July Enduring Legacy Ready to Quilt and started quilting it only to continue to have issues seeing the threads.  This is how that problem ended up –  An Oops!  I am Back on Track and ready to quilt.

If you follow my Blog, you are aware that Clay and I both will be undergoing Cataract surgeries the next 2 months.  We do everything together, but to have this happen at the same time is just too funny!  He will have his done on 17th and 24th of September and mine will be on the 1st and 8th of October.  I am thinking I had better make good use of the next 30 days in getting some things finished, started, and accomplished as it may be that I am out of commission a couple of weeks!   I think the eye drop schedule will be a full time job!  Enduring Legacy will be quilted in November or December depending on getting my eyes fixed and new glasses!

Thursday I was playing around with some blocks that required 1″ HSTs.  I wanted to share my technique in making those tiny HSTs.  Maybe you can try it and save time if you are in to making small blocks.  I used this technique for my Star of Chamblie by Marsha McCloskey.  I started with a 12″ square of a light and dark fabric for the HSTs.

Then you sew the like strips together

Press all seams open

Starting from the right side cut out the HSTs all the way across the bottom of the strip set

I cut 32 HSTs and still have some fabric to make more – I think I could have cut out 50 HSTs from this process using a 12″ square of both fabrics.

Here is the link for the tutorial by Quilted Treasures

Today I will be working on Alexander Bean Pot Blocks.  I also want to start preparing my blocks for Celebrating Mary Brown that I will be working on with Karen and Cathy starting in September.  I am trying to get my friend Jan to join in the fun!  I also want to work on Happy Little Things BOM and Prism Quilt quilt.  They are not difficult and maybe I can get a head start on them before eye surgery!

Have a wonderful Labor Day Week-end and let’s pray for those in potential harm’s way in Florida with Hurricane Dorian!

Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Sew Can She; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Fiber Tuesday;    Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHOW; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Show and Tell Monday with Bambi; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party Kevin

Greetings! Weather is still hot, no rain! Same old story! One hates to wish for a Hurricane, but we would settle for a tropical depression in the Gulf and that we would be the receiving of 10 inches of rain! All our pretty green grass is now brown. But that is summer in South Texas. We are blessed that this horrible 100+ did not hit until August!

I wanted to work on my Alexander Bean Pot, but I knew that there was a lot of paperwork (on-line) that needed to be accomplished before we start on our Cataract surgeries in September and October. Calendars had to be updated and I would be required to enter our medical history into the hospital’s database! Other ‘little’ things also needed my attention so all in all, Monday and Tuesday were non sewing days, but all things are completed and I do not have to do anything else regarding the surgeries except show up!

Now to what I have accomplished on Alexander Bean Pot quilt and it isn’t much, but hopefully today will be much more productive! I am so happy to be home and the break did both of us worlds of good!

I only have 7 blocks completed but they go fast as long as I do not have a lot of unforeseen requirements come around!

I really enjoy making this block. It is a 5″ unfinished – 4 1/2″ finished block. I am making 2 of each of the color-ways that I have selected and of course as you can tell they will be in Reproduction fabrics.

I have so many things I want to work but will probably do mostly machine sewing, as hand work is not up to my expectation due to the eyes being a little ‘off’ for awhile. We shall see. I tried to work on the last block of Stonefields from Section 6, but am not happy with how it looks, so it will be redone.

The only QAL will be doing will be Happy Little Things BOM. I ordered her Bitty Blooms embroidery patterns to go along with this BOM for $6.00. You can download the patterns! They are so neat!

I am thinking that a good project for the evening would be some Sashiko or Embroidery since it is not as detailed as my applique projects. We shall see what I can get done before my surgery on 1 October.

Have a wonderful day and a good week – Happy Stitching!

Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Sew Can She; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Fiber Tuesday;    Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHOW; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Show and Tell Monday with Bambi; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party Kevin

It is so nice to go away for 7 days, but think the sweetness is coming back home and enjoying our home and routine. I wonder if this is how it is when one ages. Of course, I do not feel old! Isn’t the new 74 the old 50? LOL.

Our weather is so wonderful 100+ with high heat indexes. We have not had any rain for over 6 weeks and that is not good. While we were gone our babies (deer) held on but for the first time after arriving home from a trip, it was obvious we certainly have spoiled them because they were really looking for us and their corn. We returned late Saturday afternoon and today they are looking good again.

On this Casino trip we stayed at Win Star in Thackerville, OK about 6 miles north of Gainesville, Texas. I must say that it is not my favorite Casino, in fact, all Casinos seem to be phasing out Video Poker and that is our favorite video game to play. Slots are just not our bag – no thinking in that process. But I must say I did win some bucks on one that I really liked and then the next day lost on the same machines.

We stayed in the Inn which was about 1/2 mile from the Casino which is owned by the Chickasaw Indians. We took the Shuttle each day and that was not the most pleasant experience because they do things different than other Casinos. They have a route to follow and you get the pleasure of doing that lovely 2 mile route before you get to the Casino, plus the time you have to wait for them. I do believe this procedure needs to be improved! But we have no plans on returning there. I prefer the Choctaw Casino in Durant, OK, mostly because Clay is a member of the Choctaw tribe!

I must bore you with this little ditty regarding the challenges I have when traveling in finding a Restaurant who provides ‘shell’ eggs and real potatoes. Chicken was off my menu because Restaurants only serve meat with tons of preservatives including MSG in all frozen potatoes! So I ate a lot of eggs because Restaurants no longer know how to cook backed potatoes OR how to cook real French fries.

The Grand Buffet had some ‘real’ Chef’s who knew how to take 5 eggs, crack them, put them in a dish, whip them and then soft scramble!!! The Casino Terrace Cafe that does not know how to provide good service, plus they cannot cook scrambled eggs – even at a cost of $3.00 per egg! YIKES!

The last little escapade was to take a little short trip to Gainesville, Texas on Tuesday morning to go to Walmart and iHOP to have breakfast – you know the iHOP that serves great eggs? The egg story for iHOP is funny, but not funny for them. I ordered my eggs – 5 shell eggs scrambled – told the waitress how I wanted them fixed. Out came 5 eggs that had been cracked on the skillet and stirred around – not for me thank you. They were sent back and the came back totally brown. Those went back and the 3rd try they really messed up! Clay tried to explain how to cook scrambled eggs – this time I received 5 scrambled egg yolks. Needless to say I did not eat their egg disasters! I let them take the loss for 15 messed up eggs!

We stayed from Sunday until Thursday morning. On Wednesday evening I contacted Cracker Barrel to see if they had real potatoes and real shell eggs. We told them about the time we would be there for breakfast early Thursday morning on our way to Salesville, Texas and was advised all would be available. We arrived about 7:30 and they had a REAL baked potato ready and fixed me the best scrambled eggs – I was back in heaven! After 4 days of nothing but eggs and chips, it was a wonderful meal!

I will say that everyone we came in contact with in Gainesville were the most sincere sweet people I have dealt with in a long time so that was a joy!

Now it may sound like we had a rotten time, but other than the egg story, it was a fun trip and restful.

We visited with our friends Bobby and Belinda from Thursday through Saturday morning. Bobby had smoked a chicken for me and I almost devoured it in one meal! Very good and did not upset my tummy! YEA! Belinda is a love to be around as is Bobby.

On Friday afternoon we kept watching the weather and I told them I think you will see rain by 3:30 or so. About that time I headed out the door and the temperature had dropped, cloudy, wind blowing and then some sprinkles. We figured that would be all there would be, but then the sky opened up for 3 hours and they received 3 1/4″ of rain! It was so nice to be in cooler weather with rain!

We now are enjoying being home and not sure what type of trip we might take in late Fall. Probably NONE!

Nanette

We are now halfway through August – about 30 days or so from Fall – don’t think Fall will be here until November!

I finished 4 blocks for Stonefields this week just in time for HQAL.

I will be taking the rest of the month off from quilting post due to a nice upcoming vacation getaway for us.  And it is coming at the right time.  Yesterday we had our annual eye exam.  I now know why I could not see the thread when I tried to quilt Enduring Legacy – Cataracts! I look back during February when I started catching up on UFO’s and realize that it was Cataracts.  I just did not realize it as I blamed it on my dry eye problem.

What is amusing to me is that Clay and I both are now scheduled for surgery.  Clay goes first in September and mine will be in October.  I am beginning to look forward to not having the blurred vision without my glasses.  I will still wear glasses and have the dry eye issues, but at least I won’t see double without my glasses!

Clay and I are together 24/7 so here we are having Cataract surgery back to back!  Too funny and will be fun!  I wear corrective glasses so I will be fine until October and then I think it is only a 2 week down time.  We are very happy with our eye doctor, so no worries there.

We are hoping for a big change in the weather (maybe in December – LOL) soon, or at least get back to the low 90’s and out of the 102 plus with the horrible heat index hitting 108-110.

Nanette

Kathy, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Susan,  Nanette,  Edith, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen and Kathi

Morning from the new Desert in South Texas.  Yesterday it reached 104 – heat index about 109!  We probably have another week or so of the high temperatures then it may start going down to the 90’s – YUP a cold wave!  The Casino is going to be so nice – hope it is 50 degrees in there!  I am doing great on riding the indoor bike each morning.  Last night I did another 15 minutes after supper and did a total of 10 miles on the bike for the day!  In addition, I have lost a pound – of the 3 pounds that, for some reason, I had gained back and that is a NO-NO for me!

After my lovely mess up with my Enduring Legacy quilt escapade I am back to where I was on Sunday morning!  It took me about 12 hours to clean up the mess and without Clay it would have taken longer.  I have now put it to bed for the next 2 weeks.

Through this mess we figured out that the LED lights that Clay had added in February above the needle were too bright!  I wondered why I was having issues seeing the threads on the quilts I had quilted since then, as that was unusual, but I attributed it to my eyes!  WRONG.  He is just so smart – he had added a lot of LEDs under the throat plate that really helped me before the new group of lights were added and had then wired all together.  So to fix the problem, he reduced the voltage on the new group of lights and now it appears that I will not have that problem again.  I will start quilting on this puppy in September.  I need a little time away from that mess!

You can see how he added lights to the HQ he made the metal plate to put the LEDs on and used double sided tape to connect to the machine.  He amazes me with his ingenuity and abilities to make or do anyting to make something better.  He was that way with our 36′ Fifth Wheel – we had all florescent lighting, modified the kitchen table, and more!  I STILL miss not having it, but do not miss all the work in loading and unloading!

In the meantime I have completed my Butterfly blocks for Stonefield’s Section 6!  One more block to go and it is the Cat and Owl in a boat!  I want to finish tonight!

I have started making blocks for Alexander Bean Pot yesterday.  I love Carol Hopkins Reproduction quilt books and her directions!  This particular one provides the directions for one block which really makes it easy and fast when making a different fabric set for each block!  I selected 16 sets of light and dark for 16 blocks, then decided to make 2 of each colorway.  I will more than likely make another 16 group sets when I complete the first 32 blocks.  I enjoy cutting out 2 blocks, sewing them, and then start on the next 2.  This way I am not constantly standing, or sitting!  The blocks are 5″ unfinished, 4 1/2″ finished!  I love the way she did the sashings for this quilt and I will be looking for a nice red reproduction fabric in my stash when I finish all the blocks.

In case you are wondering about Kevin’s project, they have been gifted to a quilting buddy!  Now I plan on making more Alexander blocks the next couple of days and then vacation time!  Have a great rest of the week and happy stitching!

Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Sew Can She; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Fiber Tuesday;    Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHOW; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Show and Tell Monday with Bambi; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party Kevin

August is definitely here!  We are in the 105-110 heat index and now the temp’s are 102-105!  I have given up walking – even at 6:30 AM it is horrible.  Now doing the exercise bike.  This is so much easier on me since I lost my weight and I am in the Studio much earlier and I no longer have to take two showers a day!  I am back to myself again and it feels good – getting some good sleep – and not dealing with the heat when exercising!

I started working on Kevin’s Mystery Quilt, but became just toooo bored with making 4 patches (Sorry Kevin).   I do not know why, but it is just not my bag to just sit and make 4 patches or a lot of 9 patches!

I have moved on to making some 3″ Stars and Churn Dashes with my reproduction fabrics.  Yesterday I made 5 more stars.  I have a great stash of shirting’s, but wouldn’t you know as I cut out the star backgrounds I ran out of the black and white background fabric.  I looked in all of my hidden stash boxes and the obvious stash, but nope – all gone!  So I switched to another one.

 

I am almost finished with my Butterflies for Section 6 of Stonefields – hoping to be finished by Wednesday!  Now that I look at the picture, I am not happy with my work!  (I need to get an attitude adjustment!)  I will embroidery the antenna when I complete all 4 blocks!

Then I pulled fabrics for my Alexander’s Bean Pot quilt.  This is one I made in 2015 for Darryl.  A little late in getting mine done!

Next I pulled the fabrics for the blocks.  I always pull the predominate fabric and then select a contrasting color that is in the focus piece!  I have not decided how large I will make mine, but it will be more than 20 blocks and of course I will probably change the border.  So far I have selected enough for 12 blocks and must decide if I am going to make 2 of each color, or make them all different colors!  Decisions Decisions Decisions!

This morning I started quilting on Enduring Legacy!  I selected a Copper Thread Color thinking I could see it better BUT I still had a difficult time quilting.  I had to put my face in the quilt to see where I was in the process to prevent crossing over the meandering!  Clay is working on some LED lights that he put on the machine for me – we think that they are too bright and causing issues.  If this is the problem, I am going to rip the stitches out and start over!  Won’t that be fun??????????  I had thought I could have it completed by Wednesday, but not looking that way!  Fun times ahead because I will not let cross overs stay on my quilt!  Another issue is the crummy fabric!  I made this darn quilt once and then remade it again to complete it.  Lots of hours in it so why let it look like @@@@@ after all the hard work I did!

Well, this non-positive person is going to go cut out blocks – something that I have fun doing.  I will say one thing, I am glad that I love the entire process of making a quilt.  I will never understand purchasing pre-made blocks and just putting them together, or better yet buying laser cut applique pieces.  Just call me an old traditional quilter who enjoys the entire process (except when I am quilting and have problems!)  LOL

Where is that Casino when I need one?  (Coming Soon)  Have a wonderful week!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE:  Spent 2 hours quilting – now I am ripping!  Anyone want to come over tomorrow and help pick out the threads – I rip fast with my rotary cutter.  This puppy is 80 inches wide and I did 2 rows.  I may be back to where I was by Tuesday, maybe tomorrow afternoon.  BUT I am going to use white thread so I can see what I am doing!  I just cannot see the beige or copper.  Not sure if the dark brown would be any better!  Any suggestions?

Nanette

Morning!  Weather report will be the same for the next 12 days!  100 plus Heat Index about 105 to 110!

DISCUSSION ON COPYRIGHT LAWS:  I want to state this without exception that if I have a book or pattern for sale there is no problem with doing so as far as Copyright Laws apply.  Designers take the time to create and design quilt patterns. The process is time consuming and requires the ability to be creative!  I could easily design my quilts because I have EQ software, but I do not want to take the time to design a quilt – not my bag.  So I purchase patterns and have paid dearly for them.  SO, if I offer a pattern for sale, it is the original pattern and in excellent shape.  What I WILL NOT DO  is copy the pattern and SELL THE COPY to ANYONE!  It is against the law!  There is a reason for me stating this and is based on an experience I have had with 2 individuals who wanted me to sell either a pattern or a copy of a pattern.

Now for some fun things that have been going on even with some unsettling time in the last 10 days.  I an glad to say I am getting my footing back and will continue to work on Kevin’s Mystery quilt (no thinking required here – just color issues).  I have finished part of Section 6 of Stonefields and only have 4 more blocks butterfly blocks to applique and I can move on to Section 7.

Kevin’s Mystery Blocks – about 35 completed out of 184!  Long way to go!

Stonefields Section 6 – Partially Completed – 4 more to go!

Remaining 4 – They are such cute butterflies with matching circles – they will be the same color as the wings!

Have a wonderful day and keep on stitching!

Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Sew Can She; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Fiber Tuesday;    Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHOW; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Show and Tell Monday with Bambi; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party Kevin

Morning.  I am glad to be alive and have a heaviness in my heart for the loss of my precious Kay and now sadness for those who lost their lives while living their lives.  My God be with them.

I have been working on Kevin’s Mystery Quilt .  On Friday I cut out 800 yup 800 2 1/2″ squares from some left over Timeless Treasure Lollie Pops (probably purchased in 2013/2014).  What a job but it felt good to move around in the Studio after a difficult week.  This is what 800 looks like!

 

This is Color 1 of the Mystery quilt and we are to make 4 patches – all 184 of them!  Yikes!

Color 2 will be lights – all 700 of them (2 1/2″ squares) to be cut after I finish all of the 4 patches!  I may not finish them before we take a little vacation from the world!  We will see.

I did work on 2 blocks from Stonefields, but it seems that Ms Susan Smith was off on her measurements (what’s new) and I had to waste some fabric and time before realizing it – I would show the problem, but it is gone with the trash man!  I have my own version that I will show when finished.

Have a safe and blessed week!  Enjoy Life!

Nanette

Linking To:  My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Sew Can She; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Fiber Tuesday;    Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHOW; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts;  Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Show and Tell Monday with Bambi; Slow Sunday Stitching  Quilt Fabrication Mid Week Makers; Peacock Party Kevin

ATTENTION WARNING:  This post contains feelings and words about God, Country, and President Trump.  If any of these words offend you then you may just want to delete my post without reading it.

What has our America come to?  I pray that everyone who was killed in the El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio shootings are in the arms of our God and Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I pray that all the survivors who were shot, and anyone and everyone who was involved in the horrible incidents will recover emotionally and physically and remember that our God and Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ are holding them close giving them the strength to go forward in their lives.

I further pray that the radical news media STOP inciting all the hate against our President!  Wake up CNN, MSNBC, NBC, and ABC, you are impacting the safety of American lives and triggering some of the mentally sick people to do the horrible deeds.   Then the Democrats in Congress and those running for President get to work and take care of business and those running for President quit fighting among themselves and start telling Americans exactly what they can do for this country and not for themselves!  You need to support President Trump like the Nation supported the last Democrat President even if we did not like him!!!!!

Republicans need to also get their agenda straight!  Either you are a Conservative Republican and support the President – no middle ground anymore!  Support our President or move on!   As far as the 4 women of Congress who spew hate everyday about our country – get another job please!  I do not care if you live here, but do not try to destroy this beloved Nation that has given you so many opportunities and your freedom!

Enough said by me!  Lt Gov Dan Patrick of Texas said it all this morning on FOX!

May God continue to Bless this troubled Nation!  Brother against Brother is not the way to live!

Nanette