3/18/2020

Make Us Laugh Blog Hop Begins

Today begins our blog hop
and we hope to make you laugh. 

Joan, who blogs at Moosestash Quilting, put out a call for quilters who wanted to join in this blog hop months before the world had heard of the Coronavirus. Thank you, Joan, for a theme that might lighten our minds (if only for a little while) in the next week. My day to show my quilt is Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

In the meantime, have a laugh on us with the daily designers listed below!



Here is the schedule and 
I look forward to having you stop by soon 
to hop along with us.

Wednesday March 18

Thursday March 19
Friday March 20
Monday March 23
Tuesday March 24

3/17/2020

Spring Activities and Diversions While Staying Home

The middle of March 2020 is here. I am limiting my activities to what I can do within our own home. The governor of Michigan (and governors of many other states) has ordered places that people gather to be closed for a time to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. While I hope I do not get sick, I had been helping in the local high school art class for the first 2 weeks of March. I have not heard of anyone in our county, or our local small town becoming sick; and I hope no one gets sick.

I want to keep busy. I have had many things on my To-Do List (for years), but haven't put forth a sustained effort to accomplish all of them. I decided this past week that I was not going to begin any new quilting projects (there are many on my list). Instead, I am going downsize the amount of fabric and other items in my storage area and make my sewing area a pleasant, oraganzied place to work. I realized a few years ago that it is the clutter and disorganization that inhibits my ability to productively create. Creating is a necessity for me; it calms me and brings me happiness.

Since the gyms and fitness clubs are closed in Michigan for a period of time, my husband suggested I get outside for exercise. The weather has been fairly sunny with temps in the 40s and walking is pleasant. Of course, he found a job I could do! And to tell you the truth, I have really enjoyed it.

Stacking wood!

We heat with wood via an outdoor wood boiler. In November, he ordered a dump truck load of split wood, as he would have knee replacement in December. I would become the one filling the boiler and I can't split the large logs. Well, that huge pile was still quite large last week and we needed the area tidied. At the end of my first 2-hour day, I felt tired; but my arms and legs got quite a workout! After a few days of stacking, I am almost done, including the raking up.
This was after the first few hours of stacking.

Nearly finished. My husband kept pushing the wood closer to the stack with his tractor.

I discovered the bulbs and some plants are popping up around the house. Now I will be outside exercising as I clean the flower beds, readying them for what I hope is a marvelous and colorful display of flowers.




What are you doing to keep busy?

3/15/2020

Middle of March Quilting Update

It's been a busy 30 days since I last blogged. 

At the beginning of March, two other ladies and I began helping (for the 3rd year) the local high school art teacher with "The Monster Project." We assist each morning of the week. The high school art students interpret the 2nd grade students' monster information and drawings and design a pattern to sew and stuff. 





In this last picture, the student 
(who worked on a project last year)
wanted the pink monster to have a zipper mouth. 
The students get more creative each year!
And this is delightful for the adults to see. 

Each year we become a bit better at organizing and assisting 20+ students in each class. (This year one class has 32.) Presently they share 5 sewing machines, so logistics are a challenge, but the students are patient. 
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Also,I was putting together the final aspects of a speaking engagement that I presented last Thursday. The Tall Pine Quilters Guild asked me to present "Integrating Quilting and Technology" at their meeting. I had belonged to the guild for many years and took a break 3 years ago. It was nice to see many old friends, although not all of the members attended because of the Coronavirus. In fact, the guild was the last group meeting at the school until the governor opens schools in April. 

The presentation went well for my first time. I had them answer a questionnaire afterwards. The answers and comments were very helpful. I discovered that about 50% liked the Design aspect of the program and 50% liked the information about what the computer and cell phone could do for organization, photos, and sharing quilting interests. I will be revamping a few parts of the lecture before I present in April at another guild's meeting. 
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I've been working on my quilt for the 

Here is the schedule and 
I look forward to having you stop by soon 
to hop along with us.

Wednesday March 18

Thursday March 19
Friday March 20
Monday March 23
Tuesday March 24

2/20/2020

Quilting Red



I'm one of the bloggers today showing you what I sewed for the Color It Red Blog Hop, hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt. Carol has planned many blog hops over the years that I have enjoyed participating in. Thank you, Carol, for planning this one, too! I am linking this to Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup for February

I made this wall hanging to display for Valentine's Day. And even though it was celebrated a few days ago, it's a great project to show.

For years I intended to make a project using the Twister technique. The blog hop gave me the impetus I needed. And, I found the perfect project at Freemotion by the River, by Connie. She designed a free pattern of a small heart project that I thought would be just the thing. 

I didn't have a Twister template, but Connie's directions told how to make a paper template. After I gathered the red fabrics I wanted to use, I was ready to begin. 

I sewed the squares as directed.

I added the border (but forgot to take a photo). Then I started cutting the pieces using my paper template. 

I think the Twister template would have given me more finger safety than the paper (I incurred no injury). I should have tried using a 24mm rotary cutter rather than my 45mm rotary cutter. 

My layout of pieces on the ironing board. Each had a twister turn and are showing possibilities!

Finally, sewn, row by row for a finished top! I quilted it corner to corner. 

On the back I used a technique I learned from Ammi Sims to make a hanger. 

She cuts squares for the corners and folds them in half. Sew them on before adding the binding. I added two loop-type hangers to help keep the center from falling out. I did not have a long dowel; so, for now I used a ruler as a hanging rod. 

After quilting the top, it measured 20" x 20". Thank you for visiting.

Below, is the list of blog hop participants for today and tomorrow.  If you missed some of the other days, HERE is the complete list.
February 20th
Patchwork Breeze  (You are Here!)
February 21st