Another strip

 

Another strip of Joanne's patriotic quilt is finished. I thought I might get started on binding the blocks for the next strip today, but it didn't happen.

I almost finished a bookmark today, but I wound up throwing it out. I was working with perle cotton, which I really don't like for tatting. From the first ring, I knew I wouldn't be happy with the results. Near the end of the bookmark, I made a mistake. I thought I knew what I had done wrong, so I carefully untatted and "fixed" my mistake. However, it was still wrong. I saw that I had made a mistake four rings back. I started to untat again, and the perle cotton just shredded. Yes, I could have cut out the mistake and added new thread, but I disliked the look so much, I just threw the whole thing away.

Tomorrow, I will start the pattern again with thread I like!

Curds & Whey

 

Have you noticed that I've been finishing off each skein of hand-dyed thread with Mary Konior's Curds & Whey? That's because this is a simple one shuttle pattern that looks good no matter where I end it. I've even been saving small pattern repeats to use as embellishments. Where or when I use them has not been determined!

I wasn't really in the mood to sew yesterday. Another book has caught my interest, and I wanted to be lazy and have another reading day. However, I also have a strong desire to see how this quilt is going to turn out. So, I spent the better part of the afternoon binding the next set of blocks.

I've watched videos on yet another way of attaching the binding, but the finished look is different, so I won't be experimenting with this quilt. I do have an idea for my next quilt!

Reading day

 

Yesterday was a reading day, and I made the most of it! 

When we went book shopping the other day, I purchased The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods. We all started reading our books when we returned home, and this one held my interest so well that I finished it yesterday.

I also did some mundane things like laundry, cooking, and baking. But... I had a day filled with reading!

Crescent

 

Today's project was "Crescent" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. 

Joanne and family decided to stay an extra day, so we had fun shopping, grilling, and playing America-Opoly. Joanne won her first ever Monopoly game!

Too busy

I was too busy enjoying time with family on the 4th to post about my crafting activities. I was able to accomplish quite a bit while visiting.

I finished "Lattice" for Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti yesterday morning.

"Lattice Variation" was finished this morning. Both are in size 20 Hakelgarn, hand-dyed "Shades of Gray" from LadyShuttleMaker.

I also finished the third strip of Joanne's patriotic quilt. I will not finish the quilt before they leave tomorrow morning, so I'm working at an easier pace. 

We plan to take the kids book shopping this afternoon, so crafting is probably done for the day. However, we are going book shopping!

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!