What Happened??

Where did the three day weekend go?  And, how did I stay so busy and mark so little off my to do list?

We were busy as cats.  End of school year has its own requirements.  And, I am busily trying to finish projects...again this year.  We spent lots of family time and I spent lots of time alone, just recharging my batteries after the trip last week.  My hands were busy and so were our cars.

I finished ripping the quilting out of that table runner I’m re-doing.  And, I got most of the quilting back in it.  That is looking much better.  This time, the quilting does not overpower the piecing.  They were not in good balance and because the quilting stood out so, it really drew attention to what I am worst at; regimented lines.  I'm much better with curving, circular and natural shapes than with regulated quilting that looks like interlocked weaving.  I promise, I will show pictures of this runner as soon as I can.  But, the receiver needs to see it first.

And, I finished hand quilting this little quilt and got it bound and washed and blocked.  Not really sure how I feel about this one.  The hand quilting is really nice, but it disappears in the piecing.  And, the wool batting is "limp".  It was a dream to hand quilt through.  I split it into two layers and only used one layer, so it is very thin and the quilt has no body.  Good thing the piecing is right on it.  I'm looking forward to getting this one hung, and planned to hang it in the sewing room, but it might get a special place in the living room as Rob likes it, too.



I finished this doily that was supposed to take until we went on vacation.  If I haven’t said it lately, I really enjoy thread crochet.  It’s very portable.  Not very practical.  I don't know why I'm making thread stuff since I have a couple of small plastic tubs of it.  But, it is very relaxing and easy on the hands.  I'm learning that I am not up to hand quilting much anymore.  My hands just ache after a short time.  But, I can wield that crochet hook like a light saber.



And, I got one sashing strip hand sewn onto all my dresden plate blocks and selected a layout.  Again, not sure how long my hands are going to let me hand piece, so I want to make at least one larger hand pieced and hand quilted quilt.  Nothing about this quilt so far has been done with anything more mechanical than a rotary cutter.  It is going to be pretty.  I keep telling myself that.  But, it is a long way from being completed. 



And, I did some yard work.  We did some shopping.  Sydney got a haircut.  Both dogs got new tags with phone numbers.  I cooked.  We ate out.  I finished one book and almost another (I read multiple books at the same time) and I started one (audiobooks hardly count, even if they are 11 hours long and unabridged).

We went to see the Avengers and we PPV’ed The Woman in Black and Red Tails (a perfect Memorial Day movie!).  There was lots of war movie on our TV this weekend as I'm sure it was for many.  Some was better than others.  Red Tails was the best. 

All in all, it was a busy time and I think we spent the time well.  Even if I didn't get much marked of my to-do list.  I mean, a to-do list is really just to keep me on track.  It's not like mine is ever going to get any shorter because as soon as I knock something off, there is something to take it's place; machine piecing project, hand piecing project, hand quilting project, hand piecing project, and a bit of crochet...oh, and I'm teaching myself to Tat.  But, that's not an official project yet. 

Kim of A Peach in Stitches won the book giveaway.  Kim, email me your snail mail address please. 

It’s election day here, so I’m off to try to vote.  Memorial Day, Election Day, and the last school dance is tonight.  We’re trying to chaperone. 

No rest for the weary, I guess.  I'll rest when my hands won't do anymore.

Take care and have a great Tuesday.  Lane