There's always a little thrill when you find a patch on the side of a quilt.  You know the quilting machine elves have visited.  John- son, 22y- spent some time in here.  It's not exactly fixed, but oh so much better than it was.  Fixing it completely would probably take my presence. I'm undecided if I want to persevere through some broken threads- not near as many as before- or just wait til the work on the machine is completed.  Might do a little of both.

So I've got the hand quilting project back together and went and bought needles.  The last time I tried this, I had a booger of a time getting the needle through the layers.  I really didn't know which needle to go with, so I bought some of everything.  I was disappointed that I couldn't use the pearl cotton but I found a very pretty ochre colored quilting thread and it seems the quilting betweens work best.  Guess I should have figured that.

I had the colonoscopy earlier this week.  What a nightmare!  Everyone says that it's the prep that is the bad part.  This is my third go 'round, but I'm here to say that the prep isn't so bad.  When you vomit and then aspirate during anesthesia- that's the worst part.  Gracious what a mess.  I won't get into the details- but it was horrible. Good news!  I won't have to have this done for another 10 years.  2029.  I'm still coughing and clearing the sinuses. So, it looks like I'll be sitting a while in the easy chair facing the quilting machine.  I need to get a picture of the easy chair.  It's pitiful.  I might learn to reupholster. It's stuffing is becoming unstuffed.

Before my procedure, we made 13 pints of strawberry freezer jam.  Strawberries are in season in Florida and so the prices are down.  My oldest son- Joe, 28y- loves freezer jam but he insists that it stay in the freezer- even when you're eating it.  I always thought freezer jam was called that because that's where you store it- until you take it out to use it.  But he likes to use it frozen.  To each his own. Brrrr.   

Sewing morning...

Eva is sewing herself a dress and is using the very convenient counter top in the quilting room to cut out her pattern.  I remember getting down on the floor but now that my bones are older, I'm super motivated in keeping the space clear.  I believe this is Eva's third dress.  Love the green. I've been attempting to quilt, but I've been brought to the brink of insanity.  OK, maybe that ship has sailed.  But as hard as I've tried, I can't quilt another inch. 

I'm stalled.  Every 2 inches to 2 feet, the thread breaks.  Almost always in a right to left and up slightly orientation I've done about everything I can think of to fix it:

1. re-threaded the machine
2. used a different thread
3. changed the design I was quilting
4. changed the needle
5. changed the bobbin case
6. changed the motor speed
7. changed my speed
8. oiled the machine
9. changed the upper tension
10. changed the lower tension

I just couldn't think of anything else.  The thing about most machines is that if there's a problem- check the "soft ware" ie the thread.  But I was stumped.  Finally- I decided to look at the hardware.  The strike plate was the first thing to come off.  Don't judge me by the dust- I've been working with cotton batting and nothing can pile up dust faster.  I don't know if you can see it or not, but that small black bar that runs horizontal in the opening has a tab on the top side.  Can you see the burr over on the right?  There's also  rough patch on the inside of it.  I had this issue once before, but it was much worse.  My Dad came and took it out of the machine and smoothed it out for me- He had to remove some of it's bulk and he said he didn't know how long the fix would last.  It's been a couple years.  I hope this is the problem- I'll ask William if he could try to smooth it out for me.  It won't take as much material away as the last time it happened- it would break every few stitches.  I'd love to buy a new one, I'm just not sure how to describe the piece.  It's not in the manual. "You know,  That thing-a-muh-bob with the doo-hicky on it." If William could get me up and running again, I promise to try harder to not complain about stiff shoulders or sore feet from quilting. 

 Catch a falling star...

My Mom pieced this quilt and I quilted and bound it.  About 2 years ago, my mom was down-sizing and she put all of her quilts on a clothes line and allowed all of the children/grandchildren to choose which ones they wanted.  I don't recall there being any fussing about who got what.  It was all very amicable.  I do have some very sweet and Godly relatives.  Laurie, my daughter-in-law, choose two quilts and this is the last I need to quilt of her's. Since the top was so busy, I just did a largish meander. Isn't the backing sweet?  Kind of a cross between Hummel and Eloise Wilkins. I received it as a gift and it's sat in the cupboard, languishing, for several years.  The print was too big to cut up, but it makes a perfect baby quilt backing.  Grandbaby #8 is due around the first of May so it'll be perfect for him. 

I finally got around to tearing the paper out of this wallhanging.  What a hassle.  But I turned on some tunes and just moseyed along.  My music tastes have been challenging for my kids, this winter.  I usually listen to whatever they are listening to, but I've been on a country music jag.  The kids have been very sweet about it and even insist on spending time with me out in the quilting room.  But when George Jones comes on, I can hear them cringe.  But I'm starting to like him.   

This was my first attempt at random baptist fans.  I knew I was doing it wrong, so I asked for some help on Facebook Quiltville Open Studio.  Those girls rock!  It wasn't one minute after I asked how to do it that they supplied Bonnie Hunter's tutorial on her blog- that was the very one I was looking for but I couldn't find it.  How cool is that?  So, I ripped it out.  Changed the batting and the backing.  I was have a terrible time quilting through the layers.  I bought new needles- sharp ones. Basted it much more thoroughly.  Will only be doing four arches per fan per Bonnie's instructions.  I'm looking forward to having a new hand project.  I quilt random baptist fans with the quilting machine but I wanted a more primitive look for this one.  This quilt is made from all of my hand dyed fabrics.

Before I tore it all out.  Keeping it real.

The stomach bug has been running amok throughout the house. I have been spared for the most part- you know how you feel sick knowing everyone else is sick... and then, you're not?  Of course, if I were superstitious, I'd say I just jinxed myself. But, I'm not going to be that person.  

Winter is refusing to loosen it's hold on us.  We had the most beautiful snow of the season, yesterday. It melted very quickly, and now we're back to tan.  It'll make us appreciate the green of Spring.  And gives me more time to quilt!     

 It practically glows in the dark. 

All of the fabric- except the two outer borders- were given to me by my Aunt Isobel.  She must have been going through a seriously strong case of brightitus. My younger daughter was especially fond of bright colors when she was a child, so I made this for her.  That was about 10 years ago.  This picture was taken during a rain storm so the lighting is poor.  It's brighter than it appears. The backing for the quilt is made from 10" blocks given to me by another friend.  I have really good friends.  These colors are probably more to her liking these days- which is fine.  It can be a reversible quilt. The quilt is very big- 90"x 105".  I quilted it in three different styles of swirls.

In case you didn't know it, this blog doubles as a journal.  Some quilting and then some day to day things.  

I was recently traumatized by an insulin pump. Actually, I think the continuous glucose monitor was to blame.  It was like being held hostage by a demanding baby and a tyrant.  Calibrate, wait 15 minutes to calibrate, do not calibrate while sensor is updating.  This could take 3 hours but we're going to remind you every 15 minutes just in case you forget.  And be sure to acknowledge the reminder or we'll repeat in 2 minutes.  Blood glucose is required for auto mode.  Finally, after all night and half to day- sensor is not functioning properly, remove and replace.  I have never been so happy to rip something out of me. And replace?  Nope.  Not til I'm over this grudge. I'm exhausted.

 Trip up...


Here's a smallish "trip around the world" that I finished quilting last weekend. I made it out of batiks- which I love.  The movement is so beautiful.  I'm needing more backing for quilts so I sold this for $75. I'm happy with what I got for it and I know it's going to a good home.  It surprised me that a quilter bought it.  I figure quilters would just say, "Hey, I could do that."  Then again, maybe a quilter would look at it and appreciate the work that went into even a simple quilt. I quilted it in a loose feathery meander. 

No one's been sick for almost 3 whole days now.  When crud is going around, it sure makes you appreciate good health.  

I have a large( 90x105") quilt on the frame.  I got a little start on it yesterday and hope that I can make some more progress, today.  I pieced the backing out of 10" squares so it's almost like a double sided quilt.  I pieced the quilt over 10 years ago so it's high time I got it finished. This quilt is for Bekah and, without a doubt, it's the brightest quilt I've ever made.  The same quilter who bought the "trip around the world" gave me all of the fabric for this quilt.  She must have been going through a serious "brights" phase.  I'm looking forward to sharing it with you. I'm already planning my next quilting project- for Eva.  

Joe and Laurie and the baby are gone this week- it seems so quiet without a toddler in the house jabbering about everything and nothing.  They'll be back Thursday night and then we'll back to our rowdy selves. Babies are amazing ambassadors to joy.

Stalled...

Oh nothing major.  Just an ordinary pause for the most part.  I have this small quilt- 44" square.  I just don't know how I want to quilt it.  I see something in my head but I'm not sure I can do it.  And there's nothing worse in the quilting world than picking out quilting stitches.  (Except that one time I made 750 flying geese squares only to find out they were too big.  I can tell ya, I have made very few flying geese since.)  This quilt is small enough that I should be able to get it done in a day, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen. I prefer to quilt in the morning and so maybe tomorrow I will think of something.  Maybe I'll dream of what to do and be ready to hop to it at first light.  It's supposed to snow and I love quilting when it's snowing out. I have high hopes.

Oh, I found the missing quilt!  I was looking for a batting scrap for this quilt and in the bottom of that tub was the quilt. Why?  I can't reason it out.  But there it was.  I am so thrilled that I didn't just quilt it and give it away- which is actually what I plan on doing with it, but I also want to have some memory of doing it! 

My Mom bought me 5 battings.  How exciting is that?  I was out and now I can pick production back up.  Two of them are king sized.  I have a large quilt I made for Eva that will work perfectly with it.  She bought all bleached battings and I usually buy the natural.  But Eva's quilt is white so that's perfect.  Now for backings...



 

 Sometimes, you need a little distance...

Some things just look better when you step back a bit.  I'd like to think that could be said of me!  While I was quilting this top, two of the kids drifted in and both asked the same question.  "So... what's the story behind this quilt."  The fabrics are from the 70's- maybe the 60's.  And they were slapped together with no rhyme or reason.  Which, generally, I like. But when you're obviously trying to attain a specific goal... a little organisation could go a long way. Some of it is hand sewn, some on the sewing machine.  The muslin is the cheapest money could buy. You can literally read through it. It just looks really ugly, up close.  But if you tip your head just right I think you can see where it has some redeemable qualities. 

My sister-in-law found this quilt top at a thrift shop.  She called my husband and asked if he wanted to buy it for me and that she thought I would like it.  (William never denies me anything.  Ever.  So I have to be very careful about what I say I want or even like.  Yeah, I'm a tad bit spoiled.)  That's how the quilt top came to me.  I tried to like it.  Really.  But it was a struggle.  There are a couple of snaffoos in the lay out of the blocks.  Some would call them humility blocks, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it just happened and no one noticed.  Let's face it, it's a humility quilt. However, I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt.  Maybe some one's granny- who was half blind- started the piecing and then some one else finished it. There's a lot to be said for finishing and every quilt deserves the right to be useful. 

 I found this length of fabric in a bin and sewed it together for the backing. It's thin like the top.  Maybe not quite as thin.  Also ugly, so they seem to deserve each other. If I were going to stay true to the age of the quilt, I would have used some nasty polyester batting.  But I just couldn't go there.  The binding is from the scrap binding bag. I love this bag full of goodness.  I mean, who likes making binding?  And here I have a bag full of it.  A lot of the time, I make the binding when I make the quilt top- that way, it matches and it's another step closer to being done.  But with the quilting of so many scrap quilts in my future, this is the perfect solution. 

 Today's finishes...

So, I cheated.  These are really small.  But I still finished them.  I was hoping to get the pink and red one done before Valentine's Day, but that was the week I was in the hospital so...  But it'll be done for next year. And, strictly speaking, it isn't  overtly Valentines-y.  It's just red and pink.  It measures about 18x20". 

This is the second one of this pattern I've made.  I just wanted something bright.  I think I gave the other one away.  (Do you do that?  Give things away and can't remember to whom?  I have a quilt missing right now.  I saw a picture of it on my phone, but it's no where to be found.  Did I quilt it and give it away?  I don't remember doing that...  Oh well, I might come across it as I clean quilts out of bins.)  I used a variegated YLI thread- haven't used that brand in years.  So much coarser than the Mediera.  But it worked so that's something.  

I've measured the bulk of my quilt tops and labeled them with the measurements.  I think that will make it simpler when I go to put it on the frame- I'll know what backing and batting I should grab.  I didn't get any quilting done, yesterday, as I am pretty sore.  I fell down the stairs and I hurt in places I didn't know existed.  It was only 5 steps, but still, I'm no spring chicken. Well, next time, I won't get distracted when I'm wearing slippers.  Maybe that's why they're called slippers... they make you slip.

Anyone that knows me, will know that this is not one of my quilts.  I don't usually match fabric.  I never thought about that until I saw this one.  I guess I take "scrappy" to a whole other level.  (But, I might surprise you with some of the quilts I finish over the next year or two.  I'm not bi-polar for nothing.) This split rail fence was made by my son, John.  I think he was about 12 years old.  Almost all of my boys have sewn at one stage or another.  He even quilted it. So, it's been 10 years in need of binding.  To be fair, he had it on his bed for a good 5 years. I'll count it as a finish even though he pieced and quilted it.
   

This is one of my Mom's quilt tops.  I think it is so sweet- just like her.  2 years ago, she was getting ready to move and downsize, so she gave away all of her quilt tops.  She hung them on a line and let the daughters and grand daughters choose which ones they wanted.  My daughter-in-law choose this one- green is her favorite color.  I quilted it using some pale pink thread in loops and leaves.  I filled the inner border with little leaves. The binding is marginally scrappy- just two different patterns but the same shade of pink.  

The weather has turned cold again.  At least there's snow which blankets the beige fields.  I saw the surgeon, today, and he says my appendix did rupture after all, but that it didn't drain- much- into my abdomen.  This is probably the cause of the inflammation and enlarged lymph nodes. The human body is an amazing thing and he said I was very lucky- but that if you have unexplained pain, you might want to make a more timely visit to the doctor.  I get to have a scope of that area in a few weeks- what fun.  And a follow up scan to get a look at my lymph nodes in a few weeks after that.  Everything should be resolved by then. Being sick is such a hassle and so inconvenient.  I'm trying not to take every day for granted.  But that's not so easy.  Before you know it, you're just breezing along until... who knows what will happen.  

    
Today is Bekah's birthday.  She's 18.  This is a picture of one of her drawings.  She's very talented.  (I got the picture at great physical endangerment- I fell down the stairs. Ouch.) That's her standing next to me.  A little mini-me. She's just a sweet as she can be.  Very sensible and practical.  All girl- yes, her hair is purple.  Always the voice of reason and someone who can sympathize with you. I love the stuffing out of her.