A little happy sewing

 Thursday evening guild was fun and friendly. It was good to see the members, but I did feel uneasy in a group with the variant out there looking for victims. I do not want to be a Covid patient! Some of us wore masks throughout the meeting while quite a few didn't. there was a nice program on how to make flanged binding, and a swell show and tell.

During the day, Millie froze on a screen and I put in the call to Grace company. The tech guy called just when I pulled in the lot for guild. He suggested I download and install any updates to the tablet's software. It took 4 1/2 hours on Friday to do that, but it seems to run fine now. I finished the little charity quilt I was working on and all was well.

I made some charity quilts during my time in Texas, and this is the first one I attempted to quilt with my back problem. It too longer than usual and I had to be careful with my body mechanics, but I got it done!

I decided to start easy and used an all over stipple pattern.

The back is a yellow stripe, and the binding is the red dot I used in the quilt.

While the machine did its work, I cut out the pieces for my next project, then loaded another small quilt when the first one finished. That was too much. The back pain was incredible and took all evening and into the night's sleep to abate. It is disheartening to realize how injured I really am. I'm being patient and waiting for my appointment, but I'm worried Covid will throw a monkey wrench in that, too.

I started late today, but was able to finish the second quilt. Tomorrow I'll begin sewing blocks.

I'm not usually a fan of purple, but I like the combination of purple and teal. Someone will love it and get comfort from it. That makes me happy.

The quilting pattern is an easy hook and loop design.

 

The binding is done and it is ready to go to a nursing home resident.

That's it for today. I don't mind slowing down and trying to recover my strength and get my back fixed!

In the garden, things are growing, but showing signs of Autumn coming.  Here is a canna that opened today 

And with this, my day is done. I'll take a nap while it rains and be ready  for whatever comes next!

See you later!!

Making masks and rescuing birds

 I spent  most of the day in the studio trying different mask patterns from Youtube. Here are the results and the favorite, Make DIY's mask at the post below on Youtube. I converted the measurements into inches for the mask, just below the pictures:

Make Fabric Face Mask at home// Easy Face Mask Pattern//DIY MASK is the post on Youtube.

Both Mr Wazoo and I love this mask! It has great coverage and is very comfortable because it doesn't touch your mouth or fog up glasses!

There is no need for the nose wire because it fits closely all around the edges.

Mine has the fun frog fabric. Mr W opted for the aboriginal one.

I cut the elastic at 10 inches and added an adjustment bead to the ends for a more personal fit.

Because it has no wire, it can be worn either side up. I see I had it with the pattern upside down here. Oops!

To make the mask, you need two pieces of fabric (I lined one with lightweight fusible interfacing for a bit more security) 11x8 1/4". The measurement for the triangle you cut off is 2 1/8". When folding the bottom and top in, measure 2 5/8". When folding the top and bottom to shape the mask, align the edge of the top/bottom with the edge of the end of the mask. See how she tweaks it to have the shape before sewing these ends down. Make the casing big enough to fit your elastic. Mine was 1/4", so I sewed the casings a bit bigger to be able to pull the knot in.

Here are the others I tried.

I didn't like the fit or design of this, although it did offer a big space in front of the mouth.

I just think it is really ugly.

This one fit tight. Touched my lips and the sides didn't lay flat on my face.

It had good coverage, but wasn't as comfortable as the Make DIY's mask.

This could have used a nose wire because it crept up on my face.

I also didn't like using two fabrics on the front. Won't do that again. 

Totten's mask was nice but too fiddly for me. The Make DIY mask is so straightforward and doesn't need a template. Two thumbs up!

Meanwhile, Mr Wazoo has been busy in the yard and I thought I'd share a picture of the garden outside the studio. We have had loads of huge butterflies on the butterfly bush as well as hummingbirds. Yesterday, a tiny hummer hovered outside the window a couple of times and looked in. That was strange, but exciting. Later, while I was sewing, I kept hearing a little chirp chirp chirp that sounded very close. I had the door open, and looked out the screen door to see where it was coming from, and there was the tiny hummingbird, his foot caught in the screen! I gently pushed the screen spline out and then carefully removed his toe from the crack between the spline and the screen. He clung to the screen, trembling and unmovable. Mr Wazoo to the rescue! He got a cup and coaxed the bird off the screen into it. Then, he turned the cup to the great outdoors and tapped the bottom until the hummer took off, landing on a nearby tree. I saw him later on the feeder. At least I hope it was him...

The hydrangea are turning a pretty shade of pink and the brown eyed Susans are in all their glory. The butterfly bush is the tall shrub next to the hydrangea.

From the inside, I almost missed the hummer on the screen. He was about 2 inches long and very colorful. 

His tiny toes were like a sliver of sewing thread! I worried I might damage him with my manipulations. He looked at me and never tried to poke me with his beak or get away. 

From the outside, after I freed his foot from the screen, he sat in the same place and trembled. Mr W coaxed him off and on his way. Our good deed for the day.

Last night the storm clouds cleared and revealed a near full moon over the mountain. It was still hazy from all the rain the day before, and it looked mysterious in the sky with tree branches silhouetted against it. The camera in the phone isn't perfect, but you get the idea. There was another huge thunderstorm overnight, but today looks glorious so far. It's a good day to sew. 

I'll be venturing out this evening to the evening guild for the first time. I'm a little wary of a crowd indoors at this time, but I will play it by ear and leave if I need to. We'll see. I'm the secretary, so I kind of need to be there.

Moon over the mountain

After running in the yard, playing with her toys in the studio and a big zoomie after supper, Penny crashed in my lap and commenced snoring. It was so funny, I had to catch it on a video. She is a good, if noisy, sleeper!

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Selling the Millie, waiting for action

 I'm still nursing my back fractures and (somewhat) patiently waiting for my surgical appointment in October. 

The new Tempur Pedic bed arrived on Saturday and we slept on it that night. The two sides of the split king mattress moved during the night, and Penny was fuddled by falling into the dip it created. I researched what other people have done to resolve the problem, and Mr Wazoo spent Sunday taking it all apart and trying to fix the problem. Last night was better, but I think it would help if these adjustable bed people would get a fix! Anyway, the bed is comfortable and I am able to turn over with minimal effort and pain.

I have my Millie for sale on the APQS site, but am having difficulties finding it there. It figures...I posted it on August 7th, and have had no response, so I looked for it today and couldn't find it. I made a new post in the forum area for machines for sale, but it still isn't there. I need to re-group and put it on line on other longarm sites.

Meanwhile, I saw a new post on Youtube from Timothy Totten about 3-D masks. The mask doesn't touch your mouth and stands away from your face, keeping your glasses from steaming up. I wore mine on the shop hop and it was comfortable and effective. I'll be making more today with a few tweaks.

See how it pokes out in the front? That is where all the breathing and talking takes place.

Your glasses sit on the top piece and there is no fogging! The bottom piece fits under the chin, completing the gap free fit on the face. I chose batik fabric for its tight weave and added a layer of fusible interfacing to the inside piece.

The three amigos traveled to Tennessee to the shop we couldn't visit last time, and a smaller shop right down the road. I bought some 'low volume' (I hate that term) fabrics for a quilt I would like to make, a new book and a pattern. I also bought some fun fabric for masks. As everyone knows, I just don't have enough fabric!!

I also found this cool Wisconsin Panel and hope to make a  pillow out of it.

I like this Cluck Cluck Sew pattern and have a jelly roll to use with it. The book has several great pre-cut quilts that appeal to me, and passed the 'Don't buy it unless there are three projects you'd like to make' rule.

Penny has started in on her second Yak Cheese Chew. These things are great! They don't get slimy and gross, she works on it for long periods, her teeth are nice and clean, and it doesn't smell! This is her new one so you can see the size of it. When it gets too small for safe chewing, you soak it in water, then microwave it and it becomes an edible cheese puff! No waste at all. Thanks to my sister for the first bag. I'll be ordering another one soon.

The pointy end is where she has been chewing. It is about 3/4 inch thick.

Who'd of thunk it? Yak cheese?!

Penny is back in her element, running and happy in the yard.

Its good to be home.

A new daily routine

 Wake up, drink a glass of water, take the puppy outside, make coffee, take morning pills, sit and recover. That's how I start my day. That bit of activity makes my back begin to ache. After 30 minutes of rest, I make and eat breakfast, get dressed and take Penny out for her run and fetch. Another 20 minutes of sitting, this time outside enjoying nature, then its off to the studio. I finished the two armchair antimacassars and sent them back to Florida. It took 2 1/2 days to quilt two 20x22" pieces of fabric. Ugh...

After a good drink of oil and a warmup, Millie did her job and helped me quilt the two pieces of fabric.

I didn't get a picture of the finished products, but you can see the Rounded Square panto here.

I got out one of the quilt tops I made in Texas and added the borders made from the fabric I got on our shop hop south. Tomorrow, we'll be on a shop hop north!

This was a jelly roll project. I like the prints and colors of the collection. I made the green backing and hung it all back on the rack.

Today I paid some bills, did a load of wash and tried a new mask pattern. I made three duds before I got the gist of the directions and had some success.  I'll try it out tomorrow. I need to make some more as ours are getting rather tired and worn out. I'll have one of the girls take my picture tomorrow for you.

Supper is over, the clothes are put away and I am recovering again. Next stop, bed!

Mini Shop-Hop

 I had wonderful day yesterday with my quilting posse. We went on a mini shop-hop to Dahlonega, Cumming and Jasper. Starting in Dahlonega with the Common Thread shop. They have a nice selection of traditional and contemporary fabrics in a bright, well organized shop. If you want to see how the shop is set up and where things are, there is a great Youtube video: the Common Thread in Dahlonega Georgia. Actually, they have 29 videos there! Go and take a look.  Type in www.youtube.com, then type in the common thread in Dahlonega  GA.

                                        

Here is a look at some of the offerings in the shop from the balcony.

I spent my time in the sale room, picking out backings for a couple of the quilts I made in Texas. Hopefully, I will ba able to quilt them once I get my back fixed!

Next, we travelled to Cumming and my favorite shop, Thread Bear Fabrics. This shop occupies two store fronts and has so much fabric it is a quilter's nirvana. Janet, the owner,  has the passion for fabric that die hard quilters share and it shows in the mere volume of fabric variety in her two stores. I snapped a few pictures  for you so you'll understand what I am talking about.

Here is our driver and my buddy Gail, following the mask rule and picking out her fabric choices. We go to this shop frequently, so have a good idea where each type of fabric  is located.

On the ceiling are many of the panels they offer. Janet knows where every panel, and fabric is!

More fabric and notions

Some people would get overwhelmed with the stacks and shelves,  but I think of it as the thrill of the hunt. I love looking in all the boxes and examining all the shelves.

With my other quilty friend Audrey at the check out in the distance, I was perusing  the batik rows for another backing fabric.

So many to choose from. I found the perfect selection and had the owner's husband and store partner Randy cut it for me in the other half of the shop. In his half, they have wide backing, the sale area, fat quarters and fabric arranged by manufacturer.

I could set up a machine and a cot and live here!

Visit the website at www.threadbearfabrics.com

You won't be disappointed.

Off to Jasper over lovely country roads studded with quirky shops and houses varying from ramshackle to glorious. It was a pleasant drive, ending at the Pickens County Mercantile and Quilt Shoppe. This is a fairly small space, located in the old railway depot. Three area are well organized with fabric, yarn and embroidery supplies and a classroom. We spent our time searching for the fabrics to finish projects at home. I got the backing for two more quilts there.

                                                            

                                                   

                                                  The store is in this quaint building.

Need thread, floss, yarn, needles, notions and more? No problem here

Looking into the fabric room of the shop.

They have a  great selection of reproduction, contemporary and blender fabrics. Fabrics by collection, batiks, flannels and pre-cuts.

Look at the rainbow selection of yarn!

Some of the flannel and woodsy fabrics on offer.

The website is www.pickenscountymercantile.com

If you're a quilter and in the area, it is well worth stopping there.

Back at home, I had to lie down for a while. I have been doing a lot of porch sitting and contemplating my future lately. I spent a couple of hours outside last night, enjoying the quiet and thinking about life. Maybe there is a good thing to come from this injury. I'm forced to slow down for a while. Not for too long, I hope. The itch to quilt is strong and I need to scratch it!

One day at a time

 On Tuesday I attended the first longarm quilting group from my day guild. I think we were 9 quilters, but I may have forgotten someone. Sarah did a wonderful job keeping things moving, and everyone seemed excited to come again next month. 

Because I am not actively quilting, I feel funny posting on the blog. I hung up the 12 tops I made in Texas, put away all the supplies and kits, and uncovered and tuned up the Millie. Then, I had to go sit down. This back thing has really put a kink in my activities.

Penny and I sit out on the porch while I sip my morning coffee and enjoy the coolness of our lush green landscape. Here are a few pictures I took on a trip around the yard.

Home sweet home. Mr Wazoo has made a beautiful place to come home to.

Most of the flowering plants are spent and the greenery has taken the stage

My favorite shrub is the blue-green one in the front.

In the side garden, the hydrangea are exploding with huge clusters of snowy blooms.

The blooms are as big as my head!

In the back yard, the gnome watches over the bird condos and the rock slope.

The 'Christmas tree' trellis Mr W built has finally got a vine growing on it. We have to be patient and it will eventually be covered with greenery and flowers.

I'm sorry, Texas, but this is wonderful.

Tomorrow I am taking a road trip with my two quilting buddies. I expect to enjoy their company and the countryside more than buy more fabric. We will visit a couple of shops and have some lunch before coming home. 

I loaded a small customer project that came in while I was away, (two 20 x 22" arm covers for the customer's husband's chair) and have the quilting half done. The machine is fine, but the computer is still my nemesis, causing trouble with each row. I'm ready to sell it, and will research the best way to do it while I'm laid up. Good-bye Millie. 

I am taking stock of what I want to be doing, and weighing the possibilities when it comes to longarm quilting. I will always make quilts, but may close up shop on customer quilts. We'll see.

For now, I'm going to the shops!!