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!

Whoo hoo!

 

I finished my pot holder quilt today! I made it as a wall hanging, but now I'm thinking of keeping it as a lap throw for myself. If I do decide to use it as a wall hanging, all I need to do is add some hanging strips at the top. Dave really likes it for a wall hanging. Decisions, decisions!

Inversion

 

I love this bookmark! The pattern is "Inversion" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. I had to follow the instructions step-by-step, but it was well worth it for me. The thread is size 20 Hakelgarn, hand-dyed "Granny Delicious" from LadyShuttleMaker. I'm really glad I've decided to use my hand-dyed threads. What took me so long?

I now have four rail fence blocks quilted. I had hoped to finish six today, but I ran out of steam. I don't have a deadline, so there's really no rush.

I finished adding the fourth strip to my new wall hanging. I only have one strip left to add!

Curds & Whey

 

There was just enough of LadyShuttleMaker's "Autumn Medley" left to tat a Curds & Whey bookmark, pattern from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. On to the next color!

I finished quilting the last of my 10" squares for my new patriotic quilt. This afternoon I laid out the strips for the rail fence blocks. Once I have those finished, I will decide on the layout and the method of finishing the blocks.

It was a rainy afternoon here, and it looks like it will be rainy again tomorrow... perfect crafting weather!

Asymmetry

 

Today's bookmark is "Asymmetry" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. This one took me all morning, about four hours. I feel like I get slower every time I pick up my shuttles!

This afternoon I worked on quilting five more blocks. I have five more to go, and then I will start working on my rail fence blocks. I have an idea for joining these blocks, which I will try out with some fabric left over from other projects. If my idea works, I'll be sure to share it!

Fern

As I thought, I really didn't have time for crafting yesterday. I thought I would have a lot more time today, but I didn't accomplish much!

I washed a couple of loads of laundry, took my daily walk, and went grocery shopping with Mom. This afternoon, I sat down with my tatting.

This is "Fern" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. I'm still using LadyShuttleMaker's Autumn Medley. 

I hope to get some quilting time in tomorrow, and I'd like to tat another bookmark. We will see what tomorrow brings!

Traditional Clovers

 

Our day started out sunny, but we knew that rain was coming. So, I started my day with quilting five squares for my new pot holder quilt. We never did get thunderstorms, but I wasn't taking any chances. I never use my sewing machine during a thunderstorm.

After working on my quilt blocks, I worked on another bookmark. This is Traditional Clovers from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. I'm still using Autumn Medley by LadyShuttleMaker.

This afternoon I added another strip to my pot holder wall hanging. I have two rows to go.

Tomorrow, Dave and I have some shopping to do in the morning. Mom and I have haircuts in the afternoon. I'm guessing that means there won't be much time for crafting!

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!

Braid: Four Ring, no decorative picots

 

Today I tatted another Braid: Four Rings from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. This one was tatted without the decorative picots. Again, the thread is size 20 Hakelgarn, hand-dyed thread from LadyShuttleMaker, "Patriotic".

I finally finished the final quilt block for my wall hanging project.

I just finished it a few minutes ago. Tomorrow I will decide on the layout and begin sewing the blocks together. By the end of the week, I should have a new wall hanging!

Braid: Four Rings

 

Another day seemed to get away from me, but I did manage to finish another bookmark in size 20 Hakelgarn, "Patriotic", from LadyShuttleMaker.

The pattern is Braid: Four Rings from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Not as planned

Yesterday did not go as I had planned it. I did not touch my sewing machine, so my quilt block did not get made. It probably won't get made today, either. It's a good thing I'm not on a deadline!

I did finally finish my bookmark this morning. The pattern is Braid: Three Rings on page 28 of Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti.

The thread is size 20 Hakelgarn "Patriotic", hand-dyed by LadyShuttleMaker. I have a 50 yd. skein of this thread, so I know I will be able to tat at least four bookmarks, possibly 5, from this color way.

Today will be a busy one. Mom has a doctor appointment this morning. I have a retired teachers' lunch at noon, a graduation party from 5-9 p.m., and a jewelry party from 5-9. Depending on how my day goes, I may have to opt out of one or both of the parties. Life seems to get very busy once school is out for the summer!

One done, one to go!

 

I didn't spend much time crafting today, but I did manage to finish one more quilt block.

I only need one more for my project, and I plan on finishing that tomorrow morning. After that, I will decide on the layout, and then I can begin joining blocks.

I did start another bookmark today, but I didn't get very far.

So, what did I do with my day? I did a lot of walking and enjoying the beautiful weather. I bought a gently used sewing machine so that I can give sewing lessons to local kids. 

The best part of the day was preparing dinner with my brother. David tried a new recipe for ribs, and I made roasted potatoes, carrots, and onions. Dinner was delicious!

Robin Perfetti

 

I love Robin Perfetti's designs. I also love hand-dyed thread. So, I've decided that I'm going to increase my bookmark stash using Robin's designs in Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks and some of my hand-dyed threads.

This is Braid: One Ring from page 24 of Robin's book. The hand-dyed thread is one that was left on a Tatsy shuttle that I pulled out of one of my shuttle storage drawers. The tag is long gone, so I have no idea of the color name or who dyed it.

This one is Braid: Two Rings from page 26 of the book. If I had just a little more thread, I would have tatted at least one more pattern repeat. 

All in all, it was a pretty good tatting day!

Unfinished forever...

It's true. I started tatting the final round of Renulek's Spring Doily 2026 this morning. It took me about an hour and a half to complete one pattern repeat... not a problem. I knew that as I moved on I would get faster.

However, something looked off. I counted to see how many pattern repeats I had left... 23... and a half! How could that be? Four rows back, I missed tatting a ring and chain.

This doily is for daughter Joanne, so I contacted her on FaceTime to show her what has happening. She likes it just the way it is, so I'm just stopping here. Right now it's 24" in diameter.

I love this doily, so I will probably tat it again. I will pay much closer attention to how many repeats are on each round. It's too bad the final round can't be worked into this properly, because it is really beautiful. Next time!

After my doily disaster, I decided to work on a quilt block. This truly is a scrappy quilt block. I used up bits and pieces from previous blocks. It's not my favorite, but it will do.

The quilting pattern looks kind of funky on the back, but the look on the back is always a surprise to me.

I did try starting a tatted bookmark today. As I finished the second ring, I realized that I had missed a section of the first ring. I cut the thread and decided that tatting will have to wait for tomorrow!

Celebrating Alison

 

This weekend we celebrated my oldest daughter Alison, who turns 50 tomorrow. I can't believe I'm old enough to have a 50 year old daughter!

After a big lunch at home, we visited Mistie Hill Winery, about 40 minutes from our home. There was a beautiful breeze, and the temperature was just right for sitting outside and enjoying each other's company.

Alison's one request for her birthday was to spend time around the fire pit. It was the perfect night to sit by a fire.

This morning we went out to breakfast, which was delicious. Alison and Andrea both headed for home right after breakfast. Dave and I went shopping for a few things we needed and then went home. This afternoon we each worked on a little cleanup from the weekend activities, which really didn't take long.

Tomorrow we should be back to normal. Let's hope for lots of tatting and quilting time!

Round 19

 

I finally finished round 19 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2026. Only one round to go!

We are celebrating daughter Alison's 50th birthday this weekend. We won't have the whole family, but we will have enough to make it a true celebration!

Lucky me!

 

Mom finished this beautiful Eternity Shawl that she made just for me! It's 7' long and 30" wide. She finished it a few days ago, but I didn't get around to blocking it until today. My brother David helped me. He's pretty good with blocking pins!

I did make some progress on Renulek's Spring Doily 2026, but I'm so close to finishing round 19 that I decided to wait until I finish the round before posting another picture. I'm hoping that happens tomorrow!

Round 19 progress

 

I have finished 3/4 of round 19 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2026. I'm hoping to finish this round before the weekend.

Tomorrow will be a tough day for tatting. It's the last day of school, which is good. However. daughter Carol was given notice that all of the Drama Club props and paraphernalia need to be moved by noon Thursday so that some major work can be done at the elementary school and Hamann Center. A crew of 13 worked on Saturday and made a major dent in the work that needed to be done. Today Carol, Dave, my brother, and one of the students managed to clear out a storage room. My brother and I will be going to help her out tomorrow morning. There are two rooms and a closet left to clear out. I know she's hoping it can all be finished tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Another quilt day

 

I was feeling really lazy today, but I did manage to finish two quilt blocks.

I was working on a disappearing nine patch block, but it was way too big for the quilt I'm working on.

So, I took two of the four sections and created these two blocks.

I have an idea for the remaining two blocks, which I will try sometime in the next couple of days.

School is winding down. I'll be in for lunch supervision Tuesday and Wednesday, and then I'll be off for the summer. We have family coming to visit this weekend, I guess I'd better spend some time getting the house ready for company!