Squared up

 

I finished binding the squares for the third strip of Joanne's patriotic quilt, and that was about it for the day. There was lots of visiting, chatting on the front porch, grocery shopping, and playing games today. It was the perfect summer day!

Second strip

 

Optimistically, I approached my day thinking that I could complete two strips. Ha! I started at 8 in the morning, and finished at 8 tonight. Granted, there were other activities during that time frame... laundry, cooking, cleaning. Still, I really thought I could complete two strips.

My goals for tomorrow are more realistic. I now know that there is no way for me to finish this quilt before daughter Joanne and family head home, so I will take a more relaxed approach. I do better when I can alternate between two crafts, and I do have a bookmark that I'd like to finish.

We've had a great week crafting, playing games, and working around the house. I will miss Joanne, Jan, and their three kids when they head home. I am so grateful that they have taken the time to come visit us!

First strip

 

Today was a busy quilting day. I finished trimming all of the blocks by 8 a.m. After that, daughter Joanne decided on the arrangement for the quilt while I worked on cutting binding strips. Just our luck, I was short 16 strips. The fabric was a remnant, so I'm not sure I can find more of it.

After looking at red, white, and blue fabric, we settled on the navy blue. Joanne and I both like the look, and I was able to order more pre-cut strips that will arrive tomorrow.

In order to speed up the process, I machine stitched both sides of the binding. It doesn't look quite as nice as the hand finished binding, but there is a chance that I could finish this quilt before Joanne heads home. The first strip is done, and we are both pleased with the way it is looking. We will see what tomorrow brings!

Rail fence

 

I finished quilting and trimming the rail fence blocks for my next quilt. Tomorrow I will square up the single blocks, and then Joanne and I will decide on the layout.

We have already chosen the fabric for the binding, so I will probably cut that out tomorrow as well. This is so much fun!

Family time

Our youngest daughter Joanne and her family arrived Friday. They live in southern Georgia, and we live in northern Illinois, so it's a long journey. We had family cookouts Saturday and Sunday so that most everyone could spend some time visiting. Not everyone could make it, which is completely understandable!

Despite all the activity, I did get some craft time in. The last of "Granny Delicious" hand-dyed thread from LadyShuttleMaker is now a Curds & Whey bookmark (Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior). I had a little bit of thread left on three different shuttles. I"m pleased that I was able to join the threads so easily, and I like the way the color changes worked out.

As I started squaring up my pot holder blocks, I decided that I wanted more quilting on the rail fence pattern. It's taking quite a bit of time, but I think it's going to make the quilt look extra nice.

I added hanging tabs to my most recent pot holder quilt, and Joanne helped me hang it yesterday. It really does brighten up my sewing corner. Granddaughter Kara claimed the purple and yellow one that I took down. 

Three of my daughters and Joanne's three kids are headed to the beach today. I do have a bit of housework to take care of, but I"m hoping the also have some quality craft time!

Vineyard

 

Today's bookmark is "Vineyard" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. This one took quite a while to tat, but it certainly was worth the time invested!

My stack of rail fence blocks is growing. I only have six left to finish. After that, I will trim all of my blocks and decide how I want to border them. 

Daughter Joanne and family arrive tomorrow. We talk almost every day, but since they live a two day drive away, we don't get to see them very often. I can hardly wait!

Wildflowers

 

My big accomplishment today was to tat "Wildflowers" from FourDozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. The thread is size 20 Hakelgarn, hand-dyed "Granny Delicious" from LadyShuttleMaker.

I also managed to quilt six more blocks for my next pot holder quilt today. Crafting will probably slow down for the next week. Daughter Joanne and family will arrive on Friday for a week long visit, and I'm sure spending time with family will be my priority!