Saturday, August 27, 2011

What a Guy Will Do For a Quilt

It recently came to my attention that a nephew was wanting a quilt and wondering about the cost.  His sister kindly suggested that he might barter for it.  That idea fit me perfectly.

Blueberry season is almost over and I still needed more to last me until next season.  So for starters I received two beautiful buckets full of wild blueberries!




It's a grand feeling to know that I have enough to last until next season!

He also agreed to come and wash the outside of my windows!


 
In addition to  not owning a ladder to reach the second story, I'm extremely afraid of heights.  I even have a hard time watching someone up there on a ladder.



It was a perfect day to get the windows washed!  Normally I don't like how they look with the sun shining through, but today they look awesome!

Thank you Dan -- and thank you for trusting me to fulfill my end of the deal knowing that there are a couple projects I have to finish before I get to yours!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Weekend Quilting

Back in May I was inspired by this quilt seen on Quilt Dad's blog.  I purchased a few fat quarters to get me started and then pulled fabrics from my stash that I thought would give me the same flavor.  I cut all of my patches at 6 1/2" and set them aside.  When Barb called to say that Bill was going to the island for the weekend -- and when I realized it was going to be another hot muggy weekend and she has air conditioning -- I offered to head over and keep her company and try to motivate her to get back to her quilting.

I decided to bring along the stack of squares I had cut out, knowing it would be a quick and easy quilt top to assemble.

I'm loving how the quilt turned out -- it definitely captured the flavor I was hoping for.


And Barb was ready and willing to get back to a quilting project.  She pulled out this kaleidoscope quilt that she had started eons ago -- there were cardboard templates in the box which really dates it -- and patiently set out trying to figure out what her plan was and where to go with it.  Can't wait to see this one all quilted and ready to snuggle.


I also took along my August UFO challenge project and managed to complete 19 blocks -- with one more to go.  I discovered that the twentieth block I had cut out had a piece cut with a large edge of selvedge on it.  This project has been around for several years, so I don't think I'll find a piece in my stash to replace it -- I'll have to cut out a whole 'nuther block and then get busy assembling the top.

Maybe I'll be a little more productive in August -- July just sort of slipped by while I was enjoying company.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Sometimes Senior Citizens have Sleepovers

My brother-in-law headed to Isle Royale for a couple of nights, so I decided to overnight at my sister's and get in some visiting and quilting.  Besides having a cozy sewing room -





She also has air conditioning -- it felt wonderful on these hot, muggy days.  She also has a blackboard painted on one wall, which was above my sewing machine.  You never know what food for thought you might find there.


I had good intentions of completing my July challenge quilt while I was there.  I did do some quilting on it, but I was easily distracted and still have work left to do.