Stitching Stuff: Week 24 of 2024

 

Halfway through June? Already?  I am not ready for the year to be half over! Though it's been a good year on the stitching time front, my best year ever for getting in my 15 minutes.  

• 15 minute days/week = 7/7 days
• 15 minute days/June = 15/15 days
• 15 minute days 2024 = 167/167 days
• Success rate = 100%

It's pretty amazing that I've been able to keep my stitching streak up, even with surgery and other things going on.  This week will be hard as I've got a busy week. It will be hard to maintain the 100%.  My days will start early and end late From Monday to Thursday.  Then we have family stuff from Friday thru Monday.  So this is likely my last post till next Sunday.  As I don't expect to get much done other than enough handwork to maintain my 15 minutes, there's probably not going to be much to blog about anyway.  

I didn't get as much done on the scrap processing front as I would have liked this last week, but you can see more of the bottom of scrap bag #1. 

I'm hoping to finish the up the last few scraps in the bag before things get busy on Monday. That would be awesome progress.  

The fabric to be pressed bin is empty. 

The bin was full at the beginning of April.  So it took a month and a half to empty it.  Not bad progress. I've filled it up again with fabrics from the fabric closet that need pressing and folding (some are pressed and just need to be refolded to fit on the current shelfs).  Hopefully, there will be time to make progress on the new stacks before things get busy. 

Have you had time to stitch this last week?  

To Do List for the Week of 06/11/2024

Last week my motivation for getting to the sewing room was a bit low. I managed at least 15 minutes each day up till the weekend. The solid afternoons of nothing but stitching made the difference in getting my to do list checked off for last week.

To Do List for 06/04/2024

1. 2024 SAHRR: Prep back for quilting ✔ 

2. Kate's Choice: Continue making blocks ✔

3. Guild BOM: Cut fabrics, start assembly of June block ✔

4. Wild and Goosey: Make blue blocks ✔

5. Indigo Way: Continue as leader and ender project ✔

I've been keeping the list simple and not very specific.  My goal is progress so that type of list works for me.  This week's list is going to be pretty much the same as we have a pretty busy weekend coming up. 

To Do List for 06/11/2024

1. Kate's Choice: Continue making blocks

The LeMoyne Star is coming along. Paper piecing was definitely the way to go with that block.  The pieces for the next block are all cut.  I'm hoping to finish out at least another row of blocks this week. 

2. Guild BOM: Finish assembly of the June block

I've got two of the corner blocks laid out incorrectly, but I'll fix that before assembly. Once this center is assembled, the block has four more borders to bring it up to 24".  That should be doable this week.

3. Wild and Goosey (Bonnie Hunter):  Continue making blue blocks

I've finished two blocks and started two more.  How many I make depends on how much I sew.  I'm hoping to finish at least 8 this month. 

4. Indigo Way (Bonnie Hunter): Continue as leaders and enders project

Just a few more triangles in a square to finish and I can start assembly of the four setting triangles left to make. Surely I can get that far before the end of the month.  

That's my list for the week.  Linking up with the Quilt Schmilt for To Do Tuesday.  

Slow Progress on the 2nd Oldest UFO

It was another low key weekend. I can certainly get used to those.  We've got some family stuff coming up soon, so we'll be pretty busy for a few weeks, so I'll enjoy them while I have them.  

Most of this weekend was spent in the sewing room.  I don't think I made up for all lack of motivation I had most of last week, but there was good progress on getting fabrics cut for the guild BOM. I also replenished the black triangles needed for the Wild and Goosey blocks.

On the actual sewing front, the next block for Kate's Choice was finished up Sunday afternoon.

This pineapple block was paper pieced.  Since last week's post, it's the second block finished for the project. 

I've finished 3 of the 6 rows I have planned for this project.  I've been moving the blocks around as I finish them.  I need a few more light ones. The next one in the works is a dark one. 

So far it's not been too difficult piecing this LeMoyne Star.  Hopefully the halves aren't too bad to sew into squares and then into the final block.  I've started cutting the fabrics for the next block, it will be another very light one.  

I need to get busy and press the backing for the 2024 SAHRR. That's the last item on last week's to do list.  Thankfully, that shouldn't take too long once I get into the sewing this afternoon. 

Linking up with Design Wall Monday and Patchwork & Quilts. 

Stitching Stuff: Week 23 of 2024

It's been a slow week, other than a doctor's appointment (all restrictions from knee surgery have been lifted) and my weekly coffee date, not much else going on.  So I've definitely had time to get to the sewing room, but unfortuntely not as much motivation.  Thankfully there was enough get up and go to keep the 100% streak going.  

• 15 minute days/week = 7/7 days
• 15 minute days/June = 8/8 days
• 15 minute days/2024 = 160/160 days
• Success rate = 100%

I did sew for almost an hour most days once I made it to the sewing room. So I'll have progress to show for Monday's post.  

The scraps are still being pressed, measured and cut.  It was really hard to see progress in last week's photos, but if you look closely you can a sliver of the bottom of the bag on the right hand side. 

 

If I can keep up the momentum, maybe I'll be able to empty and fold up scrap bag #1 so then there will be just one scrap bag to trip over by the end of the month. 

The "fabric to be pressed" bin is definitely much lower.

 

Most of what is left is fat quarters and maybe a couple of two to three yard fabric cuts.  I should be able to empty this bin before the end of the month. That won't be the end of pressing fabric, I have some fabric that needs to be pressed and refolded to fit the shelves I have now. So the bin will be refilled again and the process starts over. 

Now that the kids are out of school, yard work has picked up and vacations are here how are you doing at keeping up with the stitching time?  

1. Gretchen 2. Julie in GA 3. Karen 4. DonnaleeQ

5. Jennifer in Indy 6. Bonnie in Va 7. Dq at Dreamworthyquilts 8. Amanda

9. Frédérique 10. Quilting Gail

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Week 113 Photo Challenge: Tools

Some of the challenge cards have been tough, this week's was pretty easy for all of us. 

A tool according to Google is a "device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function".  It was interesting to see what we each come up with as our tool set, the subjects are widely different.  The subject of my photo is probably not a surprise. 

Kate: Stitching Tools

Most of you probably have a very similar set of "implements" somewhere in your sewing room. I like how my tools coordinate with the pile of fabrics.  Would you consider fabric a tool?  I'm undecided on that concept, I can see it both ways.  

My Guy took a lot of different photos.  He has lots of tools for many different things.  He finally decided on this subject for me to use in the post. 

My Guy: Photo Tools

It was My Guy who really got me into photography.  The manual Olympus was his first SLR. It's been well used and remains well loved. It's not used much as it's difficult these days to get film processed.  He has lots of lens, he had to quit carrying all of them in his camera bag, it's just too heavy.  I don't share many of his photos here on the blog, but he is an incredible wildlife photographer. He has had pictures published in trade journals and charity calendars.  

Grad Girl's photo is probably not surprising either. 

Grad Girl: Tools of the Trade

It's one of the drawers from the lab.  Grad Girl said she pretty much opens this and uses several things from it any time she's working on experiments. It's pretty typical stuff for anyone working in a chemistry lab.  Grad Girl thought it looked like one of those "I Spy" puzzles. I agree, it does.   

The challenge next week should be interesting. 

I've got at least one idea for next week. We'll have to see how that works out.  

Photo Play: May Summary

With the improved mobility that showed up about mid May came a desire to get the camera out again. One thing I've learned over the last few months as I've struggled with my knee is that pain and photography don't mix for me. I can stitch when I really hurt, but taking photographs just doesn't appeal.  

Part of the renewed interest was starting a new book on photography:  Visual Poetry by Chris Orwig.  My copy came from a Half Price Books in Dallas, TX.  It was published in 2014, so it's probably out of print. Amazon had one used copy available when I checked. This book starts with chapters on poetry, creativity and learning to see.  Back in the January Summary, I shared one quote that resonated with me was "An image is a poem about time" (from Sara Leen, in 2017 she was director of photography for National Geographic). So it's not surprising that I'm really enjoying this book. The chapter on creativity had me reflecting on not just my photography, but what creativity looks like in the rest of my life.    

Two of the ideas from the book I've tried to apply this month are "edit ruthlessly" and "what's my criteria for the set of photographs".  I'm a sucker for flower photographs, but have been struggling to make them stand out as "not just another flower photograph".  My criteria when editing this set was good detail and/or saturated colors.  

Clemantis (image has been cropped) - I-Phone 12 

Canon 70D with a Sigma 105 mm macro lens used for all the following photographs. Some photos have been cropped. 

Evening Primrose

Indian Blanket Seed Head

Sweet William 

How well do these photos meet my criteria?  It's hard to pick a favorite, but it's between the Clemantis and the first Sweet William photos.

My Guy is a much better wildlife photographer than I am. You have to be fast on settings and focus, he's just a lot better on those things than I am (yes it's a matter of practice and I don't, he does).  My criteria for a photograph of any wild thing is that the composition is reasonable and the animal/bug is in focus. 

Bee on Mexican Heather

I took 20 something shots to get this one. There a couple that are close, but this one has the best depth of field throughout the photo.

How light interacts with a subject is a big part of photography.  The last three photos were me just playing with the settings on the camera and the available light shining on the zipper of my pencil bag.  My criteria for these photos was small details and visual appeal.  

  

I like how the series goes from where you can identify the subject to the very abstract last image. My favorite is the last image. The subtle color differences on both sides of the bag separated by that bright silver "line" was unexpected. 

It feels good to be back playing with the camera.  I'm not up to long walks yet, but hopefully that's coming in June.  Thanks for sticking with me for another not quilting post.  I always like to hear if you have a favorite.   

May 2024 PHD Report

May went fast. Didn't I just write the April PHD report?  At any rate it's time to link up with P Designs USA for the May PHD report. There's been no change in my PHD report. 

On the downside that means no finishes, but on the up side there's been no new starts either.  Maintaing the status quo is the second best outcome you can have.  There has been progress this last month, with the promise of a finish next month.  

One project moved to finished quilt top in April, so that opened a spot on the works in progress list. That spot was filled with my second oldest UFO, Grandmother's Choice (Barbara Backman).  This UFO is 12 years old, so it's definitely time to move it along.

I pulled all the blocks out of the project box. only three were salvagable. This project was really above my skill level 12 years ago. Template piecing is still something I don't have patience for so this project is now Kate's Choice and I'm deciding on what blocks to add to the sampler. 

We went to OKC to hang out with Grad Girl for Mother's Day weekend, so the hand stitching project came along. 

It might not look like a lot of progress, there are a lot of thread changes in the area thats been added.  

The effort to add more blocks to Wild and Goosey (Bonnie Hunter) continued this month. There is definitely a noticable increase in the number of purple blocks compared with where I was at the the first of the year. 

The top left quarter is just about filled in. Just three more quarters to go!  

The backing was made for the 2023 SAHRR (Quilting Gail), both the back and top prepped for quilting.  On the last day of the month, the quilt was mailed out for quilting. 

Trudy should see it Monday.  Fingers crossed the quilted version comes back in enough time for me to bind it before the end of the month.  It would be nice to have a finish for June.  

Indigo Way (Bonnie Hunter) was still the leaders and enders project for May.  The last full B block was constructed. Since then it's been back to making all the component parts for the last 4 setting triangles.  There are a lot of pieces in those partial blocks!

But all the square in a square centers are made, the blue and white corners are also all done.  All that's left to make is 12 of the red/white triangle in a square blocks. Once those are done, I can start constructing those last 4 setting triangles. 

With the 2023 SAHRR sent out for quilting, it was time to pull another finished quilt top out of the closet.  Next up for backing and prepping for quiliting is the 2024 SAHRR (Quilting Gail).  

The backing fabrics have been selected and the assembly plan has been worked out. That's as far as I got before the month ended. The plan is have this one ready to go out when the 2023 SAHRR comes back. Fingers crossed I can manage one finish a month till the end of the year.  Probably won't happen that way, but no harm in dreaming.

The May block for the Guild BOM was actually finished a couple of days before the end of the month.     

The block for June will be another large one, then the next 4 will be the smaller ones.  

May was a really good month on the productivity front. You just can't tell that from my progress tracker. 

The only bar that moved this month is the one for the 2023 SAHRR.  But there were only three projects with any progress on my April PHD report, there are seven in May.  I'm sure knee surgery had a lot to do with that, but still it feels good to rebound this month.

To Do List for the Week of 06/04/2024

Last week had a lot more out of the house stuff going on then is typical.  Which was nice, being retired it seems so much easier to get into a bit of rut. Being out and about more didn't impact my stitching time too much so I was able to complete last week's to do list. 

To Do List for 05/28/2024

1.  2023 SAHRR: Package and mail out for quilting ✔

2.  Kate's Choice: Continue making blocks✔ 

3.  Wild and Goosey: Continue making purple/blue blocks ✔

4.  2024 SAHRR: Cut and assemble backing ✔

5.  Indigo Way: Continue as leaders and enders ✔

This is the second week in a row that I've completed my to do list. Are my lists too easy?  The plan was to focus on finishes for a bit and those are moving along. It just seems there isn't as much going on at the sewing machine.  Maybe it just seems that way because early in the year I was working on 4 quilt alongs at the same time, so there was a lot going on at the sewing machine.  I probably should just enjoy the slower pace for a while.  So this week's list doesn't look that different from last week's.  

To Do List for 06/04/2024

1.  2024 SAHRR (Quilting Gail): Prep back for quilting

The backs are usually pretty easy to prep, just a good pressing and a quick whisk of the lint roller.  

2. Kate's Choice: Continue making blocks

It's been a while since I've made a sampler quilt.  So I'm enjoying playing with blocks that I wouldn't normally make.  My paper peicing skills are definitely getting a work out.  

3.  Guild BOM: Cut fabrics and start assemblyof June block

The May block was large, 24" x 24" finished. The June block will be another large one.  The quilt has two of these and 8 12" finished blocks.  Those checkerboard borders are a bit fiddly, you have to really pay attention to the order of those squares.  Thankfully whoever drafted the instructions did a great job at making that clear.  

4. Wild and Goosey (Bonnie Hunter): Make blue blocks

I have lots of blue scraps, so it should be easy to pull lots of different blocks together this month.  

5. Indigo Way (Bonnie Hunter): Continue as leader and ender project

Just 12 more triangle in a square blocks needed and then I can assemble the last of the setting triangles. I'm really hoping that assembly of the quilt top is in progress by the end of the month.  

That's my list for this week.  It should be pretty doable.  Good luck with your to do list for the week. Linking up with The Quilt Schmilt for To Do Tuesday.  

Blocks and a Backing

It was a low key weekend, most of which I spent in the sewing room.  Not all of it at the sewing machine.  There was a fair amount of scrap sorting and fabric pressing. There was also a quick clean up of the desk and sewing area.  Most of the progress at the sewing machine was making a some blocks for Kate's Choice. 

My plan is to all some more of the lighter blocks to the collection to balance out the dark green and deep purples.  

The fabric for the 2024 SAHRR backing was cut and the panels all sewn together. 

Now it needs a good pressing and clean up.  The plan is to have this project ready to go out when the 2023 SAHRR comes back from the quilter.  

Kate's Choice is my second to oldest project and the 2024 SAHRR is one of my newest projects.  I can certainly see how my tastes in fabrics have changed and my skills improved over the intervening 12 years.  Linking up with the normal linky parties:  Design Wall Monday and Patchwork & Quilts.   

Stitching Stuff: Week 22 of 2024

It was a quiet week. I'm a bit sad the week is over, one of my long time work buddies who retired when I did, is moving to Rhode Island.  His family is there and his kids work in the North East.  The going away party was Friday night. He was part of our weekly discussion group and was always fun to talk with. He'll be missed. 

The sewing machine, rotary cutter and the iron all had good workouts this week. It shows in the metrics for the week.

• 15 minute days/week = 7/7 days
• 15 minute days/May = 31/31 days
• 15 minute days/2024 = 153/153 days
• Success rate = 100%

I did sew on Saturday, but it seems silly to list the days for June when there's only been one so far.  This far into the year and I'm still at 100%?  That's a first.  It's been really motivating to try to maintain the 100%. We'll see how it goes this month.  

I did work on processing scraps this week, but it's hard to tell there's been any progres on that front, so no photos of the progress with scrap bag #1.  It's easier to see the progress in the to be pressed bin. 

The top three pieces were pressed. Which ended up being almost 10 yards of fabric.  The bin is just at the half full mark, it was full at the end of April.  

How has your stitching week worked out.  Did you declutter or give up and just stitch this week?  

 

1. Gretchen 2. Julie in GA 3. maggie f 4. Karen

5. Jocelyn @CNN 6. Melisa- Pinker n' Punkin Quilting 7. Frédérique 8. DawnyK

9. Bonnie in Va 10. Andrée 11. DonnaleeQ 12. Quilting Gail

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Week 112 Photo Challenge: Old Vehicle

We took two weeks with this challenge.  All three of us struggled to come up with photos with this as the subject.  

On the surface it doesn't seem to be that hard, but it's not been the easiest subject to find in either community.  My Guy is happy with his newest shot, Grad Girl and I are going with what we came up with.  Some weeks are just going to be that way.  

Kate: Vintage Honda

I spent a some time photographing the wild flowers with a macro lens. Walking back to the house, I focused the lens on my graduation from grad school present to myself, a 1989 Honda Prelude.  My parents, espeically Dad, had a say in my previous 3 cars.  This one I got to pick out for myself.  The car is desperately in need of restoration, someone reached out not long ago interested in it. So we've decided to let it go to a new home.  My Guy just doesn't have the time or inclination to restore it right now.  

I went close in, My Guy chose a more wide angle shot for his subject. 

My Guy: Steam

We have an old train depot here in town that includes the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe No. 940 steam engine.  Built in 1948, it's part of the historical display in downtown.  And yes I checked, a train is considered a railed vehicle according to Wikipedia.  I like that he chose to go black and white for this shot.  

Grad Girl also struggled, she's been busy so if she can't find something in the lab that fits, it pretty much has to be on campus. 

 

Grad Girl: College Wheels

I don't see any vintage bikes in the photo, but a few are showing their age. Texas A&M has a pretty impressive set of bus routes, but the schedule is very abbreviated for summer.  So riding in the rain is the only option for some.  It's a huge campus, quite the hike from end to end in any direction.  

So what's the challenge for this week? 

This one could be really interesting or really boring.  I'm looking forward to seeing what we each come up with.