Pin pin pin

That's what I did this morning.  I pinned two rows worth of the 36 patch together.  Figure (if I have enough pins) that I will pin then take it all to be sewn at the same time.  I just did this before work, and didn't really do anything in the sewing room tonight after work.  I had some errands to run before I came home, then made monte cristo sandwiches for Ev.  Also re-baited the moustraps I have set because that little ba..... mouse or mice has/have eaten all the peanut butter off the traps and they didn't set off.  Agh.  Have I told you how much I hate mice?

So when I took Ivy to the vet, he sold me some Omega 3 fatty acid, fish oil, capsules for Ivy.  Said it will help with her coat and any allergies she may have.  Paid $18 for the bottle at the vet.  Today I went to Aldi and found them for $3.98.  Well, if the dog is going to be on them forever, at least I know where to find them.  Now watch Aldi quit selling them.  Like they did with my decaf tea.

36 patches sewn into rows

I have all nine rows sewn, now I need to sew the rows together and the top will be done!  I don't know if I'll put a border on it or not.  Probably not, because it is already so big.

Made beef stew tonight.  Turned out pretty good.  I am experimenting in freezing it in mason jars.  I hope it works, but just to be safe, the two jars I have in the freezer are also in a big bag in case they break.

My replacement dryer was delivered today.  I sure hope this one works right!

First layout

Okay, so this isn't the ideal way to layout a quilt, but because of the size of this one, it was the best I could do.  You get the idea.  And I got a good feel for what it will look like.  Right now, I'm thinking I'll go upstairs and make one more block to replace that horrible yellow and green one that is standing out like a sore thumb up towards the top!

Ev grilled some pork chops today for dinner.  We had them with corn on the cob, macaroni salad, sliced tomatoes, and home made pickles.  Pretty good dinner for a Sunday night.

Almost there

Of all the time I have had to sew today, so far I've only sewn for an hour.  I finished sewing the twosies together into strips.  They need to be pressed, then sewn together and the last 15 blocks will be done!  I wanted to have them done today, but it just didn't happen.  I had to stop and make dinner, plus ran some errands.  And don't forget the peaches!  I might get back up there, but not too sure about that.  I'm a little sore today.

I have got to get back on my diet.  I've gained so much weight back and I feel awful.  Mom and I are going to try and lose again and have set September 1st as a start date.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those of you on the East coast getting hit by the hurricane and storms.  Be safe, friends.

More peaches!

Would you believe I put another batch of peaches in the freezer today?  I think we have enough peaches to last the winter now.  Or at least for a good part of it!  One entire basket in my freezer is nothing but peaches, and that wasn't enough room.  I had half again that many bags.  I see lots of peach pies for us and Uncle Ray!  Good thing, too, because his apple tree didn't do so well this year.  In fact, he didn't even get enough apples at one time to make a pie!  I think we had a late frost or something that got the blossoms.

Nick just rolled out of bed (it's nearly 2pm...must be nice!).  I'm going to go upstairs here shortly and work on that last batch of 36 patch blocks.  Last night I didn't do anything on them.  Went to dinner with Lori and visited here for a while with her.  Then talked on the phone to an old friend for almost an hour.  By that time it was after 9 and I was tired.  All that floor mopping in the afternoon did me in!

Ivy on the new furniture

Here's me by the pup. She is laying on the new-to-me loveseat.  I really hope she doesn't destroy it or the couch.  They really look nice in my front room.

Came home from work at noon (remember, my hours were cut) and mopped the kitchen and bathroom.  Also did dishes.  Lori is coming over tonight and we are going out to eat then coming back to play games.  Should have a lot of fun.  We haven't played in a while.

Just 45 minutes of sewing today

I would have done more but my friend Donna came down to visit tonight, and before that my darling daughter came by for a while right after work, and in between my darling son was having a crisis about his math class.  Busy night.

I did get some twosies sewn together for six blocks.  It's getting close!  Almost have all 72 blocks done.  I'm leaning more and more towards having a narrow sashing strip between the blocks.

No more mr. rotary cutter for a while

I have to admit, after cutting all those strips, then cutting the strip sets after they were sewn, I'm pretty burned out on cutting right now.  Here's a look at the last of the Mohicans, so to speak...  The little piles each represent the makings of one block in the form of twosies, and this is the last bunch of them to be made for the 35 patch quilt.

As I finished up with the cutting, I had some bits and pieces of strips and strip sets that have been collecting from all 72 blocks.  It's quite a collection and I'm thinking it might turn into another quilt in some way shape or form.  Maybe four patch blocks alternating with solids...  Hmmmm.  Will have to ponder a while...  hee hee hee.

So for those who have been reading this blog and probably think I'm a fool for keeping my dog, considering the amount of damage she has done....I have a question.  How do you keep your dog from barking outside at night when you let them out to do their business?  We have a fenced in back yard so we don't have to walk the dog, but lately she has decided to just bark and bark and bark.  Only at night, though.  And she is just barking at the wind!  Agh!

Oh and another ongoing saga...my new dryer isn't working.  I kept thinking to myself that I had to be smarter than the dryer, that it was just me not knowing what settings to use, and that was why the clothes weren't getting dry.  Well, last night when I put a normal load of towels into the dryer on high heat for an hour and they still weren't dry, I was finally convinced it wasn't me, but that the dryer was just not heating up properly.  It gets warm, but not hot.  First thing this morning I called about it and they ordered a new one and it should be delivered next Tuesday.  I hope....

Strip sets for last group of blocks done

I finished sewing the strip sets together for the last 15 blocks.  In the home stretch now!  Can't wait to have all the blocks done and start playing with the layout!

Ironing and then some

Ironed the last group of fabrics and started to cut them into strips.  Got a little late and I have to go back to work after a week of vacation, so called it quits for the night.

Went to Johanna's today for a bbq.  Had a nice meal and a nice visit. 

Last group of fabrics for blocks picked

I chose the fabric combinations for the last 15 blocks of the 36 patch quilt.  They are mostly brown and cream combos.  Today I finished the other 15 blocks that were in the works.  They are all done, pressed, and ready to rock and roll when I get the last 15 done.  I'm anxious to start auditioning block layouts.   Not quite sure where I'm going to be able to lay them out so that I can see them all...  What have I gotten myself into?  haha.

Ordered the book "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt" from Amazon and got it in the mail today.  Somewhere on the 'net there is a quilt a long with this book, I think.  I have seen the ladies on "A Sisterly Connection" have done a few of the blocks, but not sure if they are participating in a quilt a long or what.  I think the book will make for interesting reading, even if I don't do the quilt.

Johanna and Ben brought the couch and loveseat over this morning.  This is the set that used to be my Grandmother's.  They no longer have room for it, and I really wanted to get rid of the couch we had, since Ivy did such a number on it.  The furniture looks nice in my front room.  The couch isn't really comfortable, but it is in great shape and is a sofa bed.  Maybe it just needs to be broken in....

They also came by later with Johnathon and we had a great time.  He got in the pool with Johanna and Ev while Ben and I went to pick up some chicken for lunch.  Nick even got in the pool for a bit with them.  We are all going to their house tomorrow for a bbq.  Will be a good way to end our vacation.

Finished a few more blocks

I finished four more 16 patch blocks tonight.  Have the strip sets ready to finish several more.  Then I just need to make 15 more blocks to have enough for a king sized quilt.  So how am I going to quilt a king sized quilt on my domestic machine?  hmmmm.

Sloppy Joe times two

Making sloppy joe's for supper.  I have two skillets going - one with ground beef in it and the other with fake meat crumbles.  Guess which one Ev and I will be eating out of?  Nick likes the Morning Star vegetarian products, so that's what I used, plus a can of Manwich.  Easy dinner.

Received my order from Connecting Threads today.  It's not complete, but there were a lot of pretty colors that I did receive.  Since that sale was such a great sale, a lot of colors were out of stock.  I did get a rain check on them, though, and will be ordering again soon.

Stopped at the vet today to get ear meds for Ivy.  She has been acting like she has ear mites, so got some meds for that.  Hope it helps.

Johanna and Ben are going to bring that other couch and the loveseat tomorrow morning.  Really looking forward to getting rid of the one we have now.

Darling Son has moved back...again

Nick is back in the fold.  He stretched his wings over the summer, and found that it was rather expensive.  No problem.  I'm glad he's back home again.  He's good company.  Going to try and get his room fixed up in the basement so it's more comfortable for him. 

Johanna and I went to Fairview and did a little shopping.  I was in Barnes and Noble and drooled over the Nook Color e-readers.  Want one of those puppies!  Asking for gift cards for BN for my birthday and going to make up the difference to get one then.

Had a good week off so far.  Been nice to just come and go, see Johanna here and there, and spend time with Nick and Ev. 

Johanna and Ben are planning to bring the couch and loveseat from Gram's that they had at the house here on Saturday a.m.  Looking forward to having them, just hoping that Ivy leaves them alone.

Ivy got a rabbit last night in the yard.  I think it made her sick.  She needed to potty pretty badly early this morning.  And she had some stinkiness about her during the day.  Ugh.  Just being a dog, I guess.

A day at the Caverns

Ev and I spent the day at Meremac Caverns.  Had a real good time.  Want to go back and try the zipline!  Took Ivy with us.  She was pretty good in the car.  She waited in the outdoor kennels that they provide at the Caverns for dogs.

I didn't get any sewing done today, but hope to do some tomorrow.  Hey, I'm on vacation!  hee hee hee

Completed eight blocks

The dryer arrived and was installed without any problems.  Glad that is done with now.  I'm going to have to figure out how to use the dryer most efficiently because it has way more bells and whistles than my last dryer did!  The last dryer was about 20 years old.  Can't say I won't miss it...a little bit.

I completed eight blocks and sewed twosies together into strips for several more blocks.  Not in any kind of race to get done, just enjoying the process!

Everett had to go get a part for his motorcycle today in Alton, so I rode along and we had lunch at Fast Eddies.  Really been enjoying this vacation time with my hubby.  We even went uptown to the tavern he likes to go to and he had a beer and I had a soda and played one of the video machines.  Looking forward to going to Meremac Caverns tomorrow.  Hope the weather is good!

Waiting for delivery of dryer....

The waiting is the hardest part....  (cue Tom Petty music here...)  The delivery people were supposed to be here at noon.  It is now 12:10. 

A little bit of sewing today

First day of vacation and I was only able to get in about an hour of sewing.  Had some running to do today.  Ended up going to Johanna's new place again so Ev could see it, then took her to lunch.  Nick and Bethany came along to see her place and had lunch.

When we got home I had some things to take care of, then made French toast and bacon for dinner.  Cut up a couple of peaches to put on the French toast, just to change it up a bit.  Turned out pretty good.

Switched up the flea meds for the cat today.  After the fiasco we had with the product she was on, I figured it was time to change.  We changed the dogs' flea med last month to that new pill.  I hope these changes keep the animals healthy and flea-free!

When I was sewing I was able to finish one block.  I also pressed the strips for 7 more blocks.  Maybe tomorrow I will get them sewn into blocks.

Getting excited about going to Meremac Caverns Wednesday!  Should be a good time.

Slow start to the morning

Just getting moving here.  Going to head to church in a bit, then not sure what our plans are.  I have to work the chicken dinner from noon til about three.  Thinking it might be nice to go down to Lowe's and see about some peel and stick tile for Nick's room in the basement.  Not sure Ev is up for that, but just a thought.

I really want to get back upstairs and sew some more.  Not doing anything yesterday on the 36 patch has me rearin' to go! 

Oh, and if anyone is in need of thread right now, Connecting Threads has a sale going right now on their 1200 yard spools of cotton thread for $1.74.  I'm going to place an order today, as the sale ends tomorrow.  If you spend $50 the shipping is free, so I have a couple friends going in on the order with me, even though I am sure I could spend $50 myself without too much trouble!

Paddleboating

There's my boy and his girlfriend, paddleboating at the campsite earlier this week.  They had a great time.  Tonight Nick played guitar a local pub.  They had a medium size crowd.  This was the first time he played there.

Didn't do any sewing today.  Went to see Johanna's new apartment and shopping for clothes.  Tomorrow is the chicken dinner at church.  Supposed to work it in the afternoon.  Hope it goes quickly.

Still no dryer

I know I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I was excited because my dryer would be delivered in a day or two.  Well, we still don't have the new dryer.  When I called to schedule delivery, it had not come in to the store.  After a bit of confusion and aggravation, I was informed that it would not be in the store until August 15th, that it was back ordered.  This is not a big deal, because my dryer is still working, but I was getting kind of antsy about getting those grills and the old washer off of my patio!  I guess Ev must have sensed that, because yesterday he and Nick and Bethany loaded up as much of the stuff as they could and scrapped it.  I think we were all pleasantly surprised that they got almost 70 bucks for that pick up truck load!  Now, when the dryer comes, they can scrap it and the few things they couldn't get loaded into the truck this last time.  It's nice to have my patio back.

Nick had a couple of friends over last night.  Ivy behaved pretty good once she got used to them.  We have got to get her to stop jumping on people when they come in.  sigh. 

This coming week Ev and I are going to Meremac Caverns, a two hour drive from home, just to have something to do for our vacation.  It will be a day trip and I've convinced him that Ivy should go along.  They have kennels to put the dogs in while you tour the caverns, so that won't be a problem.  There is a State Park in the area and I thought it would be neat to walk some of the trails there also.

Messy messy messy

This pile of fabric scraps is the makings of 8 blocks.  They are sewn into strips and need to be pressed, then sewn into blocks.  Before I got this far, I tallied things up on my handy dandy white board.

 

 

Ev and the kids gave me this white board at Christmas.  I asked for it to help me develop machine quilting patterns.  Now it has the tally of blocks made, blocks in progress, and how many more blocks I need.  I like having a visual reminder of what I have accomplished.

Why I keep a lint roller in my sewing room

Shadow cat seems to like sleeping on my pressing board!  That's okay, because she doesn't shed much and what little she does, I get up with a quick swipe from the lint roller.  Doesn't she look peaceful laying there?  This cat is a pretty good companion, I will say that.

While kitty was lounging on the pressing board to my right, I cut quite a few stacks of squares from the strip sets.  Each one of these little squares is a stack of 18 two-sies ready to be sewn into 36 patch blocks.  I have already been in the sewing room for three hours today, one of which was before work, but intend to get up there again tonight.  I should be able to make some more progress and have a few squares done.

After this batch is sewn, I will only need 15 more blocks to make the king sized quilt.  I tallied up the amount of squares in each color family on my white board and, as expected, I need more browns, oranges, and yellows.  I hadn't really hit those bins yet, so that is where I will concentrate getting the last group of blocks from.  There are only a few grey/black blocks, but I don't think I will be adding too many more of them.  A couple is all it will really need, I think.

A little here and a little there

I have more strips cut.  Seems like these blocks are getting done quickly since I go upstairs and do a little bit each morning when I can!

Really tired tonight. 

Keep on working on those blocks!

I'm going at these 36 patch blocks like there's no tomorrow and loving them!  still!  I have strips sewn together for 14 more blocks and material ready to be cut into strips for 7 more.  I like having these blocks in a couple different stages because it gives me options.  If I'm in the mood to sew, there's something to do.  If I'm in the mood to iron (ha, like that ever happens...) there are blocks to press.  As well as if I'm in the mood to cut or to pick out fabrics.  Maybe it's this manic way of going about things that has really gotten me enthused about this project.  I've already got ideas in my head about how to make another one in just one color scheme.  Nuts, I know...  but so much fun!

I did take time off to read a quick short book my friend at work recommended.  It was "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo.  It was a good read and really made me think about a lot of things.

Lots of pool time

Today we spent the afternoon in the pool.  It was great to be outside for a change.  We had too long of a hot spell where we couldn't get outside for any length of time.  Johanna and Ben brought Johnathon over and we grilled out.  Ev cooked pork chops.  They were really good!

I didn't get the second case of peaches put in the freezer yet, but will get there.  After cooking the sides for dinner and cleaning up the dishes, I went up to sew for a while.  Got strips cut for more 36 patch blocks.  I'm about halfway there and still really loving it.

Random bits and pieces

 Here's the little sun glasses case I made.  It's not quilted or anything.  I just wanted something quick, but I might make a quilted one and maybe a matching checkbook cover.  The button hole on this is awful.  I was using the Bernina and I haven't made buttonholes on it before so it doesn't look good.  My old Kenmore makes beautiful buttonholes.  I guess I'll just have to figure out how to make them on the other machine too.

 Ahh, Shadow cat has decided to guard the peaches in the freezer.  She is hard at work here.

Unlike Miss Ivy who is definitely at play here in this picture!  Ev was laying down and throwing the ball up in the air for her to catch.  It's a little hard to tell, but she was in the air in this shot.  She catches the ball while still in the air and is pretty good at it!

All in a days work

Today was a busy day in the kitchen.  I put up 4 quarts of refrigerator pickles and prepared 8 bags of peaches for the freezer.  There is another half bushel of peaches waiting for me to get at, but that will be for another day. 

I went out and mowed the grass using the rider.  I just mowed outside the fence and it still sorely needs to be weed wacked, but that can also wait for another day.  Ev can do that part if he gets time.

After all this, I jumped in the pool!  Sure felt good!  Stayed in for about half an hour.  Water temp was around 84, so not as warm as it had been in the past couple weeks.  I was so hot and icky from mowing, even though it was only on the rider, getting in the cooler water was no problem at all!

The only sewing I did today so far was to mend a couple of pairs of Nick's jeans so he had something to wear this weekend!  He and his girlfriend are going to visit family up North and to a concert in Chicago.  I also gave him  my Kohl's card and told him to make sure he stops there and gets himself some new jeans!

I also made a little pouch for my sunglasses in my purse.  I just wanted something to help from getting scratches on the lenses.

Probably go upstairs to sew later tonight.  I'm ready to press and cut more material for the 36 patch blocks!

Blocks and pies

 Today I was up early enough that I finished up 7 blocks before work.  They were already in strip sets and go pretty fast after that.

 When I got home I finished another 7.  I know I photographed them in groups of 6 but that's just easier because I use my freezer to lay them out on and I would have to stand on a chair if I grouped more than 6 together at a time...

 Do you have any educated guesses as to what kind of pies these are?  They look and smell wonderful.  I just hope they taste good.  I'm taking one over to my uncle tomorrow morning.  They are strawberry rhubarb pies.  I bought a case of peaches today to freeze so I can make peach pies.  This will be the first crate I freeze.  Usually get a couple crates before the season is over.  They are the Calhoun County Freestone Peaches and they are very good. 

 And this jumble of fabrics is my next several sets of fabric pairings for more blocks!  I have 35 blocks completed as of today.  Almost half way there!

Blocks blocks and more blocks

Those strip sets in the last post have all been pressed and are ready to be sewn together into blocks.  And just to make sure they don't get lonely, I have another stack of strip sets to make even more blocks all pressed and waiting in the wings to be sewn into blocks!  It is entirely possible that I may be able to put together 14 blocks tomorrow!  That is, if I get off this computer and go to sleep.  Yawn.  It's almost midnight and morning rolls around pretty quickly.  I'm anxious to have more blocks to post pictures of.  I'm also looking forward to picking out more fabrics for more blocks.  I'm finally going to dig into my blues. 

Morning progress, again

This is what I accomplished this morning before work.  There are 6 strips in each of these stacks, waiting to be sewn together.  I need to press them first.  They go together really quickly after this step.

Tonight I cut apart pieces to make 7 more blocks.  I didn't do any sewing after work, mainly because I didn't get upstairs until nine o'clock!  Donna came over with her granddaughter to swim, so that took up some time, plus I had gone to the grocery store after work, then had to make dinner.  I just made large chef's salads, but it still took some time.  So by the time I got upstairs, I wasn't in the mood to really sew, but wanted to get something accomplished, so I cut those pieces.

Progress in pictures

 Blocks....

 Blocks...

 And more blocks...

 And just for good measure...

Some blocks in the making!

Simply Monday

Another Monday come and gone.  Had a decent day at work, at least.  I went upstairs in the morning and cut a few more strips.  I actually have strips cut for 14 blocks now.  Last night when I was upstairs I didn't feel so much like sewing and since I was watching the baseball game on t.v. it was easy to keep cutting strips rather than move over to the machine.  Tonight I sewed three blocks worth of strips together.  Still loving the results and enjoy seeing how each combination comes together.

Lori came over around 5 and we jumped in the pool for a while.  That was really refreshing.  Nick and Bethany showed up around 6 and got in the pool too.  This has been a good summer for the pool.  It's getting a lot of use, and that's a good thing, especially after all the work we put into it earlier in the year.