And what does that mean?
No walks for Don. All he got was a short trip out to the mailbox. He had to ‘make do’ with the front yard. He is not happy at all. We tried to explain that we were old farts and could easily fall, but I don’t think he was listening.
I finished some blocks. There are still many more waiting.
Sweet Baby Rue had the best solution.
Sometimes I look at my blocks and wonder. “What was I thinking?” Last winter I joined The Splendid Sampler. Twice a week for fifty weeks I receive an email with instructions for a six-inch block. I could not decide on a single group of fat quarters, so, instead of two blocks a week, I am making four. “They’re only six inches.” Silly me.
I have since learned that I really, really, really do not like paper piecing. It seems such a waste of time and effort and paper. Some I turned into applique. It’s so much more fun. Some I skipped. And some I thought about enough to cut the shapes and then just sewed them together to fit.
I finally managed to switch my Summer and Winter clothes. I was beginning to wonder if we were having a mini ice age. Last week we actually had the heat on and the air on by the end of it. It’s a wonder I don’t have a cold. And now…it’s raining again. I think it’s causing me to lose my mind. I put eggs on to boil this afternoon and I completely forgot about them. Rubber eggs anyone?
I have made good progress with my squares. I’m starting on four bonus blocks. I am not making the last block. It is all embroidery and I’m not in the mood. I saved it in case I change my mind. I hope to start the BOM from Australia that I joined later this week. The fabrics are different from any that I have seen around here. Once these are current, I have a December wall hanging to finish. If it’s not Winter by then, there are my pants that have no pockets. I don’t understand it.
I forgot to show the back of my new hat. I really like this one.
And, there’s nothing like cat help.
Since some people have inquired, I’m not dead. But I do feel old. These twenty-five degree changes can be tough. Yesterday was lovely. Today, I’m as grumpy as I possibly can be. Just ask Sweetums.
Except for the hand embroidery, I’m pretty much caught up with my sampler blocks. I had given most of my embroidery equipment to my son. I found some floss, but the only hoop I found was seven inches and the blocks are only six. There was nothing to be had locally. No surprise there. Sometimes I wonder why I bother. I got what I needed on-line, but it took a week. So now I have eight blocks to embroider. At least I know how. Nannie taught me before I could read and write. She was so patient with me. I tried so hard to please her. Her praise meant so much. I can almost feel her hand on mine as I stitch.
My daughter’s Christmas tree skirt is finished and I am very happy with the result. Maybe I’ll make one for myself.
Here are the twined knitted gloves I made for her. The socks are almost finished. Twined knitting takes so much longer than normal knitting, but it’s worth the work. I think I’ll make an Ascot with the rest of the yarn. They look so tidy.
I’ve started working on the Splendid Sampler. I couldn’t decide on which colorway to use so I made both. The second block has a lot of tiny pieces. It took forever to cut and my knees locked up. But I’ll live.
The back was finished, so I dragged my batting. Dot was not much help. She kept falling asleep. She liked the fleece, but I would have had to piece it in two places. I got out the Warm and Natural. I didn’t really want to use it, but it’s 96 inches wide, so, no seaming. Now, there’s only two yards left. I’ll have to order some more soon. I hope to get the quilting accomplished tomorrow. We’ll see.
I laid it out on the floor and had a good look. I was very happy with the presents and trees. But something was missing. There was no Santa! What ever was the matter with me? So, I dragged the books, fabric, pencils and tracing paper back out. Bumper!
I need to find my markers to add eyes. I had so much fun with this project.
I got out all my Christmas type fabrics for the back. I cut out eight panels rather than trying to use one big piece. I think I can get one piece for the batting. If not, I have plenty of pieces.
Presents.
Trees.
Chick in a Santa hat.
And cat help.
Promises are important to me. If I promise to do something, I do it. It make take a while, but it will be done. I promised. I owe this trait to my mother. I think it was one of her best tricks. She disappointed me so many times. It took me several years to realize that her promises meant nothing. I was just a little kid. Why did she do it? I eventually learned. When I say, “I promise,” I mean it. It will be done. Of course, it may take a while. After all, I am an old woman. I can’t say lady. That’s just not me. And where am I going with this? My daughter asked me to make a draft stopper for her sliding doors.
I made this in time for Christmas.
The pattern was poor. I doubt the writer ever made it the way the instructions were written. Happily, I had more sense then they did.
She got this one on her birthday. Did I already show this?
And, now I am working on her final request.
Since the draft stoppers were more important, I’ve just recently started work on the Christmas tree skirt. It will have appliqued Christmassy things on it. It’s been a fun project. Definitely my favorite. There’s something to be said for saving the best until last.
I do have one problem. I joined The Splendid Sampler. So far I am three blocks and three small projects behind. I really enjoy finishing. And I have to finish the tree skirt before starting the quilt blocks. I know that I don’t need to finish the skirt for about ten months. And I know that I could go back and forth on these two projects, but I can’t. I can’t.
Here’s the fabric I chose for my sampler.
Little Ruthie has caught the elusive Tiger Snake.
Maggie Pi said so. Maybe tomorrow. I still need to finish the door draft thingy. I finally found tiny locking bags to put the poly-pellets in. I need to fill eighteen of those little suckers. I hope I have enough. Then, there’s the hand sewing. Will they be ready for Christmas? Not if I get any more cat help.
My new gloves. I love to knit gloves. It’s the only way I can get them to fit. And, of course, switching colors like these if so much fun.
There was just enough yarn left to make a hat. The main part of the hat is reverse stockinet with changing yarns every row. I used the last of the yarn to make a few worms. I’m very happy with it. I should write down the pattern before I forget.
Up a Creek in Lower Slower Delaware 