My string bucket is empty!! Well, to be more accurate, this is what I have left over.
Whew! (Wipes brow) Now I can focus on other sewing projects until year-end. I took my Bernina in for annual servicing yesterday, and I hope to get it back before I’m unable to drive after surgery (about 10 days). But if not, I can get friend Ruby or Cousin Kim to pick it up and bring it to me at the next “Church of Bernina” sewing day.
So this coming week I can trim the last string blocks and gather them together for the first January Quilts for Kids meeting.
This past week I basted two quilts, both From Rainbow Scrap Challenge block sets from 2024 and 2025, respectively.. This first one, Windmills, is backed with a Tula Pink teacup fabric from her Alice in Wonderland line (it was probably named something else).
The second quilt is Weathervanes. It’s rather odd, isn’t it, that both these quilt blocks and resulting quilts are named after things that relate to wind - Weathervanes and Windmills. Weathervanes, below, will be a gift for my housekeeper.
I’m going to whip out my Pfaff Grand Quilter and try using that to quilt these two. I don’t remember any particulars from reading the machine’s instruction manual, so I’m not sure if I can FMQ on this straight-stitch-only machine,. But I should be able to handle whatever the heck it does do. If I have any issues, I can always use my little Brother machine to do a serpentine stitch.
My next project will be to finish these Night-Flying Geese into a quilt top. These are just placed (sideways) on the design board. I hope to web them on Monday. Excuse the wonkiness…
While I have black thread out for that, I’ll fix a black leather purse handle on a beaded purse (an African design from Chico’s) that Ruby got for me at an estate sale. And speaking of Ruby, she and I did go up to Crystal Hot Springs to “take the waters” on Thursday. It was my turn to drive, and we had overcast weather all day. That was no problem while we were in the hot springs, but we did have some heavy rain for about a half hour on the way home. All in all, it was a fun day, but no pictures.
This week I also got all my pre-op registration and tests (EKG and lab work) done, so I will just waltz on in to the hospital on the 4th and let Calgon (or the anesthesiologist) take me away. My knee replacement will be done as outpatient surgery so I’ll go home the same day. But first, the HOA annual meeting this morning, a party later this weekend and Thanksgiving on Thursday.
Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate!
17 comments:
Wild and wonky Geese are so beautiful--those Vees you spy in the sky are never neat and precise are they? I really like that idea for Night flying geese--I love to watch them wheel across our skies this time of year.
Whoa--an empty string bucket??? Congratulations on a huge make of these...
I am still making my neutral small (4" ) ones--really relaxing.
Your two RSC finishes are really lovely..nice works all
Hugs for a fun weekend Julierose
I'm sure you can free motion quilt on the Pfaff Grand Quilter and probably faster and easier than on any other machine. Your housekeeper is going to love the quilt.
Does this mean you don’t want a package of strings showing up on your doorstep??? I love your night flying geese! What a beautiful gift for your housekeeper.
I wonder how many others lead their life through surgeries and what they can quilt/sew ? I too, just had surgery. For two weeks I was not allowed to lift not more than twenty pounds. Made a library stop and kitted up some projects. I'm good.
Congratulations on the empty bucket. !! What progress. Can you come over and help me? Scraps. Overwhelming. Ugh.
Congrats on emptying the string bucket, but I'm sure it won't stay empty for long. I've sewn together one top from RSC 2022 and have one more to do. I'm going to send them to Cynthis for Many Hands and Many Hearts. It sounds like you're all organized for the upcoming surgery. And, if I recall, your service on the HOA board is coming to an end soon. So January will really be a fresh new start for you (and a clean sewing machine).
Pat
Well, they’re not quite finishes yet, but they will be before month end! I’m looking forward to getting started in the new year with a monthly color to focus on, including strings. I always have string and crumb blocks going, and in the new year I’ll be working to pare down my 2.5” scraps and strips. Scraps are like Whack-a-Mole, aren’t they? You bop one down and one or two more pop up!
I’m pretty sure you can FMQ on it too, otherwise what would be the purpose of it? But I need to dig it out (it’s so very heavy) and familiarize myself with it. And then for sure I’ll make a little practice quilt sandwich
Oh, dear Cherie! I will always take a gift of strings! Actually, most of my strings come from donations. And they all eventually make it into donation scrap quilts.
Hi Karen, surgeries become a fact of life as we age. I’m happy to go under the knife if it means being able to walk and move pain-free (after recovery and PT, naturally). We’re so lucky that we can improve our quality of life through modern medicine. I have a friend who complains incessantly about needles and having to give blood. My response to her? It’s better than leeches!
I love Cynthia’s Many Hands and Many Hearts charity! I’ve donated a few times already - blocks, bucks and quilt tops. My first charity is Quilts for Kids, but MHMH is right up there in my heart! And yes, my service as HOA Treasurer is nearly over. I’ll probably still be doing the monthly newsletter, but the hard and time-consuming stuff is all behind me.
Congrats on only a few strings remaining! I love both the windmill and weathervane quilts. I'm sure your quilting will be great! Good job on moving the night geese to the next step... :)
Look at that little bit of strings left - way to go, Cathy! Your RSC quilts look beautiful, too. I love the Night-Flying Geese! They will be finishes before you know it!
Sending you very best wishes for your knee replacement. Is it usual over your way to have it done as day surgery? Robin had both his knees replaced and stayed in hospital for three nights each time.
Congratulations on emptying the strings bucket. You are amazing. Good luck for your knee op.
Your RSC flimsys look great, Cathy. So colorful and pretty. I love the mix of low volume prints you use. Makes the tops so interesting.
Congratulations on the string blocks! But nature abhors a vaccum and that scrap bucket won't be empty for long. I like the geese flying in line. Everyone who has knee replacement surgery says it feels so wonderul afterward. Good luck!
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