One Monthly Goal Finish, and Wind and Rain

My One Monthly Goal for September was to finish appliqueing this basket block (I'm so happy I finished it) and

to prepare the edges of these two baskets for applique onto their backgrounds.  I'm glad those are done, too.

I had a little trouble with the basket on the right and below.  The bias on the handle didn't want to lay flat.  I had thread left over after folding under and stitching the edges, which I thought I might need if I had to adjust the handles, so I loosely sewed it to the basket.  If I need it I'll have it, if I don't it won't be much of a problem to cut it away.

I don't know about setting a goal for October.  The second knee replacement is coming up the third week of October.  Would I be able to post a finish even if I had one?  And this coming week we're going to the ocean.  Hooray!  We were uncertain whether we'd be able to go.  I'm thrilled that we can!

We've had wind and rain today.  I opened some of the windows that were protected enough not to let the rain in.  I love how the wind billowed this curtain.  The wind was so cool and refreshing.

And this is a view of the rain through our driveway side screen door.  Oh, and you can see our golden honey locust leaves on the ground.  I love them but they are a mess when it rains because they stick to our shoes like crazy.

It's been the greyest day we've had for ages.  It's been beautiful and I love it!

Edited to add:  The power went out about 20 minutes after I published this post.  Then I learned that my daughter, in central Kentucky, hasn't has power all day and was told not to expect it to come on until 11 p.m. tomorrow.  I've been in a bubble today and didn't realize how rotten the weather's been for people in other areas.  My thoughts and prayers are with them--or you if you're in an area that's having wind, rain, flooding, etc.

I'm linking this post to
> September One Monthly Goal Finish Link-up at Stories from the Sewing Room
> Finished (or not) Friday at Alycia Quilts
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.

Slow Stitching Zinnias Today

Talk about slow stitching!  These baskets have taken a year or longer, but only because I'm not in a hurry to finish them.. I sew them now and then.  This basket of zinnias is in progress, a little more finished now than in this photo taken a few days ago.  I hope to finish it this week.

These next two have been finished for a few weeks.  Does this one need another leaf on that left stem?

And this one, another leaf, too, on the left stem?  This basket is really straight on the background, I just photographed it crooked.

I have two more blocks to stitch down the zinnias and leaves, plus three more baskets to prepare for applique and three more backgrounds to choose for each of them.  Then I'll choose zinnias and stitch them and their leaves in place.  I think that will give me a total of 20 blocks, 10" x 12" finished.  If I lay them out without sashing (which is not my plan) they would become a 40" x 60" center.  But I think they're too busy not to have sashing.  I'll just keep stitching flowers and leaves for now. 

I love these little baskets.  I'm thankful for quilt blocks-in-progress that are already prepared for both hand and machine stitching.  They're easy to pick up when I don't have the time or energy to think through starting something new.  They're there and ready to go, even for just a few minutes of sewing.

I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Thanks for hosting the link-up, Kathy.

I hope you have good Sunday.

--Nancy.

Slow Sunday Stitching

Today I'll be appliqueing this block.  The two stems on the right are finished and I just started stitching the stem on the left.  I fold over and pin pieces (the leaf and the flower) if they're in the way.  After the stems are stitched, I'll finish the inside of the basket handle, then sew the leaves, and finally the flowers.

I'm amazed at the detail an enlarged photo will show compared to what I see through my glasses.  I was surprised to realize that some of the pins look like they are rusty!  What?!  I can't feel the rust with my fingers nor see the rust when I look at them.  I suppose I should get rid of those pins, don't you think?  Leave them in longer than a week and I'll have a rusty zinnia.  (If you want to see, you can click the photo to open it in another tab, then click again to enlarge.)

I may also continue quilting Everyday Patchwork.  I haven't put a stitch in this for several weeks, at least.

I was going to post last week for Slow Sunday Stitching but didn't manage it.  Below is the block I was stitching, which is now finished.  (Though no photo of its finish.) 

I added another leaf on the right side of the stem on the right.

I don't see any rusty pin in this block, below.

It seems that summer has waltzed into town.  We've had a beautiful, relaxed, and slow early spring.  Lately the temperatures have been in the mid-60s and low 70s, but today it's in the 80s, and probably will be for the next week or so, if my weather app is correct.  It's time for short sleeves, at least for now.  It could be in the 50s again in two weeks.

I'm sorry to have learned of the death of one of my blogging friends.  Susan Nixon, who blogged at Desert Sky Quilts, passed away last week.  She'd fought cancer for several years.  Rest in peace, Susan.  Maybe you knew her?

I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Click through to see others' handwork.  Thanks for hosting, Kathy.

--Nancy.

A Little Slow Stitching

I decided against the large upside-down teardrop shapes on these flowers for Bramble Blooms 1, but that broad expanse was too broad and bare.  I'm trying these pointed oval shapes.  At just about an inch and a half in length, they'll be easy enough to remove if they don't do it for the flowers. 

I only discovered this music a year or so ago.  It is called "Spiegel im Spiegel" (which translates to "Mirror in the Mirror") and was written by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.  Not everyone may enjoy the slowness, but for me it's perfect for an occasional Sunday of stitching.  I love it.



I hope you're having a peaceful Sabbath whether you're stitching or not.  And if you're in a cold climate, I hope you're staying warm!

I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Thank you for hosting, Kathy.

--Nancy.

Slow Sunday Stitching

I have a choice of two things to stitch today.  Or maybe I'll stitch a little on both.

First is this little plaid basket with bright zinnias.

I haven't taken a single stitch on this block yet and before I do, I'll reevaluate the placement of the parts.  Do I like that stem in the middle?  Are its leaves a good size?  Does the flower on the right need a few leaves?  Does the flower on the left need another leaf?  Those kinds of questions.  I always begin by stitching the stems and I think the ones on the right and left are in good shape for me to stitch today.  (It's just the middle on that's in question.)

Second is hand quilting Everyday Patchwork.

I've quilted only one row of fans across the width of the quilt.  I like how the green thread mostly disappears.  For some reason, it's easy for me to do other things instead of hand quilt if there's not something to watch on TV or a book to listen to..  But I want to make progress on this so perhaps a few fans will be just thing thing for today.

I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, Kathy.

--Nancy.

P.S.  Blogger is currently not sending comments to my email.  If you leave a comment (and I hope you do!), I'll respond here on the blog and if I know your email address I'll respond directly to you. 

Flowers, My One Monthly Goal Finish for July

I finished quilting "Flowers," my One Monthly Goal for July.  Hooray!  I'm such a slow quilter so I'm happy it's done.

To finish, I quilted diagonal lines on the lower right block, quilted around and in the flowers of that block, and also quilted the leaves and flowers in another block or two.

After finishing the quilting I just kept going, cutting and attaching the binding.  I had hoped to also finish stitching the binding before the end of July but I know I won't get it done because I've only finished stitching most of one side.  I'll finish sometime this coming week.  I'll post more about this quilt when it's washed, dried, and completely finished. 

I'm looking forward to getting the next top ready to be quilted!

I'm linking this post to July OMG Finish Link-up at Elm Street Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, Patty and Anne-Marie.

--Nancy.

Slow Sunday Stitching a Little Plaid Basket

One more little plaid basket finished,

and one more little plaid basket in progress.

I'll be stitching this one today and maybe my Flowers quilt, too.  These baskets are definitely being stitched slowly, at a pace of perhaps one per month!  But I have five of 20 finished.  No matter how slow, it's still progress, right?

We had a beautiful, cool, grey morning and now it's greyer and raining, a soft, slow, gentle rain.  It's just what we need.  It will be a great day for a nap and for slow stitching.

I'm linking this post to Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, Kathy.

I hope your day is peaceful.

--Nancy.

Two Blocks This Month

My One Monthly Goal for February was to stitch the applique pieces on one little plaid basket block.  I'm happy to report that I was able to finish two blocks.  I'm pleased to be on the way with these baskets.  It took a few years to decide what they wanted to hold, if anything.

I chose baskets with similar colors for these first two so I could take fewer threads when I went to Florida.   Not all baskets and flowers are so similar. 

Looking at these photos I'm now wondering if some of the zinnia stems need another leaf or two.  Hmmmm.

I have a few more baskets ready to stitch but I really need to lay out all the baskets and add flowers so I can be sure I've made enough and that the flowers and baskets look comfortable together.

Most of the flowers in this box are light colors but I have other brighter ones that are still waiting their centers and embroidery floss.

I wonder what this quilt will look like when it's finished!  At the very least, I think it will be cheerful.

I'm linking this post to February One Monthly Goal Finish at Elm Street Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, Patty.

--Nancy.

Four Little Plaid Baskets

I hope to sew at least a few more stitches on this block today.  I stitched the right side of the center stem yesterday.  Looking at the photo I see I need to adjust the flowers or the angle of two of the stems....

I chose these baskets for a short trip to Florida this week because these bright, sunny, summer flowers seemed the perfect choice:  they reflect Florida's weather.  

I hope they'll enjoy the trip and I especially hope I can take pins and my little Fiskars scissors on the plane.  TSA tells me I can have scissors with less than 4" blades--these have 1 1/4" blades--but do they mean a carry on bag or a personal bag?  And what about pins and needles in a personal bag?  Anyone know or have experience?

My One Monthly Goal for February is to finish stitching one of these baskets.  I  may stitch more but one's the goal.

I'm sad that my reliable Canon PowerShot A560 camera no longer seems to take clear close-up photos.  I have relied on it for so many reasons, not the least of which is being able to see details that my eyes can't see, even with glasses.  I've had it nearly 20 years.  Maybe it's in need of a trip to the repair shop.

In truth I don't know how much stitching I'll do in Florida.  When I'm on the beach I'm usually either walking or watching the ocean, but there will be time in the hotel room and maybe in the car.  One way or the other, one of these blocks will be finished this month.

I'm linking this post
> Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts
> February One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts
Thank you for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.

October One Monthly Goal: Play

I wonder about the wisdom of setting a goal for October.  We're only seven days in and it feels like a hard month already.  But I know I'll accomplish more if I do set a goal, so I've chosen what I think will be a simple one:  to play.

I'll consider border options (to add one or not, to add one with applique, or one without applique).

If I decide to applique the border, I'll play with options for colors, fabrics, applique patterns, applique placement, etc.  Below are possible colors for the leaves.  I think shades of brown but maybe green/brown fabrics, too.  What is that color called, anyway?

What color are oak leaves in autumn, anyway? I guess it depends on the species of tree.  So many that I see around here are in the golden to medium brown range.  But do I need the colors to be exact?  Perhaps artistic license will come into play.

I'll also consider size of the applique pieces so they don't overwhelm the pieced part of the quilt.

Really, I'll just consider all the options.  I hope by the end of the month I'll have made a decision but I'm not going to create that pressure for myself this month.  I'll just consider options and play.

This is the inspiration quilt.   The original is red and white.  I don't think I want an oak vine, since oaks don't vine.  Maybe oak branches?

I'm linking this post to to October One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts.  Thanks so much for hosting, Patty.

I'm also linking this post to
> Finished (or not) Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
> Off the Wall Friday at Creations by Nina Marie
> Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework
Thank you ladies for hosting.

--Nancy.

Links to Enjoy #2

This is a round up of posts (and two items that are not posts) that caught my attention and interest over the past month.  I hope you find something to enjoy.

The Goodnight Quilt by Mary Jane Hannaford.  Michele of Pennsylvania Piecemaker wrote a beautiful post about this quilt 

a month ago.  (Thank you, Michele.)  I was fascinated by the appliqued images of people and animals and also by the poem embroidered on the quilt.  I followed the link Michele included in her post and was delighted to see more photos and learn about the quilter who made it.  These kinds of quilts are so interesting to me because of the detail, the individuality of them, and the near-primitive style.  They seem almost autobiographical.

Lace on very large scale murals is both beautiful and amazing.

One of the Ninety and Nine.  This song was written by Michael McLean after he'd had read the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15: 4-7.  This is especially apropos if you feel left out or unnoticed because you're not the one the Savior went to find.  If you want the story behind the song, listen from the beginning of the video, here.




Why not tock-tick instead of tick-tock?  And about the order of adjectives.  There's not a link for this image below, just the image.  I love learning about words, word origins, idioms, and other interesting things about words and language.  I thought this article was too fun.  Here's the link to an explanation for this phenomenon about the order of adjectives, called the rule of ablaut reduplication.

When ice cream could kill you!  Gosh, I'm glad we can buy ice cream in cartons and that there are government regulations.

Quilt Show Photos at Quilt Inspiration from the Springville Museum of Art here, here, here, here, and here.  There were some amazing quilts there.  I was especially taken with the first post in the last link.  Beautiful!

Some Birds Changed Their Tune during the pandemic.  What would a post highlighting links to enjoy be without a nature post?  Be sure to listen to the two 30 second audio clips.  

I hope you find at least one post to enjoy!

--Nancy.

Trying a Cheri Method of Applique & a Finish

Cheri Payne posted patterns for Everyday Patchwork a few years ago and I decided to make one.  It's a sampler quilt with appliques across the top and at the bottom corners, very appealing to me.  I put in the last stitches of my version of the quilt top yesterday.

One of the challenges with the applique was that Cheri posted the patterns as an image and didn't give a size gauge.  I printed the photo but the appliques were too small.  I cropped the image and printed it again and decided it was close enough.

The other challenge with the appliques was trying to decide how to stitch them.  I turned the edges of the pieces to do my normal method of applique (so they weren't raw edges) and then looked at a close up of Cheri's stitching.  It looked to me like hers are raw-edge applique stitched with an overcast stitch perpendicular to the applique.  I couldn't decide whether she used a single thread or a double.  (Click on the photo below and it will enlarge in a new tab to show details.)

I left my edges turned under and began with two strands of thread, then looked at the photo again and decided she used a single strand of thread.  I used both on different pieces.  (And it looks like Cheri may have done the same.  I still can't decide.)

In the end, I don't know how this method of applique will hold up through washings and dryings since there's no stabilizer on the backs of the pieces.  I don't know whether I'll be happy to have used it or wish I'd used the less visible stitches I usually use for applique.  I will say stitching these went faster. 

This is my finished quilt top.  If you compare it to Cheri's you'll notice that I added two more rows of blocks to make a quilt that covers a body for a nap with enough length to tuck in under one's feet.  (What's a nap without having your feet tucked in?)

At right are several of my favorite blocks.  The first is a very scrappy Maple Star.  I'm not sure the names of the others.

Getting this top to completion was my One Monthly Goal for July.  I'm thrilled to have it finished so early in the month.  Linking to One Monthly Goal July Finish Link-up at Elm Street Quilts.

I'm also linking this post to 
> Put Your Foot Down at For the love of geese
> Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
> TGIFF at Quilting Gail
> Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
> Off the Wall Friday at Nina Marie's blog
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.
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Before and After

In a post a few weeks ago I asked appliquers if they thought it would be possible to remove the stitches from around this block and have most of the pieces remain stitched together. 


Most responded with suggestions for getting the blue out of the background fabric (for which I was very grateful!) but few shared thoughts about whether the appliqued pieces would withstand being unstitched and remain together.

There were two reasons why I wanted to unstitch this applique.  The first was the halo of blue around the flower on the left.  When I first made the block I thought I would be able to live with it but three years later, now, I knew I couldn't.  The second was that the background fabric was a little coarse and of lesser quality (and one I shouldn't have used in the first place).  When there's one mistake, I usually just fix it as easily as possible, but when there are two mistakes I go back to where the first mistake began and redo from there.  So I unstitched the outside edges where the applique met the background fabric.  The above right photo is what was left behind the applique.

Sadly, I didn't take a photo of the applique pieces after I removed them.  I don't know why I expected them to be like cardboard but they were limp and floppy, like wilted flowers.  But most of the stitches holding the pieces together remained intact.  Whew!

I prepared new background fabric, made a new blue flower (checking to be sure the fabric wouldn't bleed), changed the center of the little red flower on the right, and then stitched everything back in place.

This is not the best block I've ever made (you know how it is when you go back to things you made years ago!) but I'm okay with it.

I've learned that it's possible to unstitch an applique, how to do it, and what the possible results will be.  But I hope I don't have to do this again!

On to the last Basket of Plenty block.  I'm still playing with flower patterns, colors, and fabrics.  The fun part!

Here's a little humor for you.  I was coming down the stairs the other morning when I was surprised to hear a sweet, little voice join in a conversation between my husband and me.  It seemed to be coming from my phone and I could only guess it was Google.  This is how the conversation went. 

Husband:  I took the car for an oil change this morning.
Me:   Oh, great!  Thank you!
Phone:  I am here to please.  (Nothing like taking the credit for something she didn't do, huh?!)
Me:  Google, what are you doing today?
Google:  I plan on waiting here quietly until someone asks me a question.
Me:  Will you get bored just waiting quietly?
Google:  No boredom here, only helpfulness.  :0  (Google included the big smile.)

Later I repeated the last question and Google's response was, "I can't get bored.  There are too many cats and not enough time."

Who writes these things?!!!  I learned that the voice was Google Assistant.  Honestly, I have no idea how she came to be on my phone and I have no idea how to find her.  I guess I'll have to let her initiate conversations, which means she may not be much of an assistant.

I hope you have a good day today!

--Nancy.
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Requesting an Opinion from Appliquers

This is Basket of Plenty #4, made nearly two years ago.  When I washed it by hand (to get glue out, I think) the blue fabric bled into the fabric around it.  And, yes, I've tried Dawn dish soap several times, but it hasn't helped at all.

The bleeding is quite visible from the back in the photo below.  If I wanted a blue halo this would be the fabric I'd choose!  Because I don't want to remake the whole block I've been thinking about un-stitching the applique and putting it on a new piece of background fabric. 

These are the questions I have:

• If I remove the stitches from around the edges, does it look like the rest of the pieces would still be stitched together?
• Do you think, if they are, that it's possible to lift all the applique pieces and successfully put them on new fabric?
• Have you ever done this? 

Click on the photos to enlarge them if you want to see details.  They'll open in a new window where you'll be able to click once again to enlarge even more.  (But please don't judge my applique stitches!)

It looks to me like all the pieces are stitched together well enough that only the stitching around the outside edges would have to be removed but I'd love to hear your opinions and experiences about doing this.

This is the back of the whole block.

Thank you for any help and opinions you can offer about this idea!

--Nancy.
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Sweet Land of Liberty, June

I didn't make much progress on the June blocks for Sweet Land of Liberty because I was trying to finish the May parts!  This is what I did this month. 

Four Economy blocks and a dozen flying geese.  I can't keep straight which I've claimed for previous months and which I haven't.  Either way, I'm ahead of what we should have at this point in the sew-along. 

See that Economy block on the left in the center row?  I love it!  The plaid was a shirt a month ago.  It was a great shirt but it will be even greater in quilts.

These are the blocks for June and the fabrics will probably become Lady Liberty, a pineapple, and the Sawtooth Star, though I may change my mind.

The Lady Liberty pattern is different that the one Cheri used.  I saw Robin's Liberty and fell in love with it.  Mine won't be as delightful as hers since I don't have her pattern but I hope it will fit with the primitive style of the rest of the quilt. 

I decided to enlarge the quilt a bit so the background of this block is an inch wider and taller than in Cheri's pattern.  I had to do that because of the changes I made in the first row and top and side borders (which I'll describe below when I get to that photo.)

Pineapple fabrics--probably.  They look a little brighter in the photo than in real life.  I only have a few gold fabrics so I'll use what I have.

These are the probable fabrics for the Sawtooth Star.  I'll choose just one of the solid tans--or maybe I'll choose a lighter fabric.  And I expect I'll use a pen rather than embroider the center block.

I spent most of my time this month putting together the top row and borders from last month.  Preparing and appliqueing the vines, berries, and letters was slow going.

I want this quilt to be wider than the original so I added a border on the left between the body of the quilt and the flying geese and I widened the border on the right where "America" is appliqued.  I think I've increased the total width by 3", which means I'll have to adjust everything below it.  It will be a challenge but I think this is probably the best quilt to try this on since it already has so many improv-style adjustments.  (I'll tell you how crazy I am in a few months when it all works--or doesn't.  Or, if you visit here often, you may read about it as I work on the quilt.)

These are close-up photos, taken across the top row in overlapping sections.  I think I'm supposed to do something else with the star on the basket.  I'll have to take a look.

The angel block in the center still needs to have three flying geese appliqued diagonally cross the upper right.

The eagle with the star still needs some stitching or applique.  Not sure which.  I may choose to make the quilting do double-duty to replace any embroidery on the large eagle.

I'm so grateful that Lori is holding this sew-along again with Cheri Payne's Facebook Friendship group.  Slow as I am, I need the extra time to finish each section.  It's been fun.  Thank you, Lori.


I hope all is well with you and in your part of the world.

--Nancy.
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