Frills

Today marks 19 years of blogging! I can hardly believe it. I started my blog on my 55th birthday, and today I turned 74.

I've never been one to keep a journal, so when I was encouraged by Sherry Pence aka LadyShuttleMaker to start a blog, I was hesitant. There have been some years when I've posted frequently, and some when I didn't post much at all.

I enjoy having people leave comments about my posts, but my main reason for maintaining my blog was to keep myself inspired to create and to keep a record of my works. I wish that I had posted more during the lean years!

I only worked on one project today, "Frills" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. The thread is size 20 Hakelgarn, hand-dyed by LadyShuttleMaker, and the color is Autumn Medley.

It's been a while since I've tatted this pattern, and I thought I could fit one more pattern repeat and still have it fit the bookmark sleeve. However, I didn't want to take a chance and have part of the bookmark sticking out. I should have taken the chance!

Wedding weekend

We head a busy weekend with a family wedding. My brother came to stay with Mom. Dave and I left for the wedding on Friday and returned home Sunday. With all of the activity, there was no crafting!

Today I was able to get back to crafting, and I succeeded in reaching all of my goals. First I sewed two strips of my wall hanging together.

I emptied two shuttles in preparation for my next tatted bookmark. I often wonder if I'm wasting my time tatting up small bits of thread, but I keep on doing it!

I have ten squares quilted for my next pot holder quilt. This one will be another patriotic quilt. There will be 25 one block squares. I decided to do these blocks first since there's not much to do other than quilting. These blocks will alternate with rail fence blocks. 

I haven't decided which fabric I will use to bind the blocks. I think I will wait until all of the blocks are quilted. I'm excited to see how this one will turn out!

Curds & Whey

 

Another bookmark is finished! This is Curds & Whey from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konnor. I love this pattern!

Braid: Five Rings

 

Today was kind of a lazy day. I played around a little with quilt blocks, but nothing worth showing. This afternoon I decided to finish another bookmark, Braid: Five Rings form Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. 

I don't think I have enough "Patriotic" left for the next bookmark in Robin's book, so I'll see how much I can tat of Mary Konior's "Curds & Whey" from Tatting with Visual Patterns. Crafting will probably be on hold with a family wedding this weekend. That's okay. I'm looking forward to a change of pace!

The final strip

I finished the final strip for my wall hanging today. The next step is to sew the strips together. That probably won't happen until after the weekend.

Today, I took the plunge and cleaned out my closet. It's not finished. I need Dave's help in getting down the items on the top shelf, and we need to go through his clothes. Still, going through my things was a major accomplishment, and the closet is much cleaner!

One more strip

 

I finished the next strip for my wall hanging today. There are two more strips that I hope to finish tomorrow.

Today, Dave took me to a quilt shop in Morris, IL, about an hour west of us. I didn't need a thing, but I did find a few fabrics that called to me. 

We're expecting hot and humid conditions tomorrow, so I don't expect to be outside much. I do have to get a few things done in preparation for a family wedding this weekend. Luckily, they don't require going out into the heat!

Two rows

 

Today I sewed two strips of quilt blocks together for my wall hanging. I have three more strips to complete, and then I can sew the strips together.

I'm eager to see how this turns out!