Thursday, June 14, 2018

I really wanted to do the Splendid Sampler 2 block that was released today; it was a pretty simple block and it wouldn’t have taken too much time. My deal with myself was I’d get a card finished and then I’d do the new block (x2 so I’d have a card ready the next time I needed it).

The card I was working on today seemed pretty simple; paper piecing with a bit of piecing as well. Not so. The pattern had you cut out specific sizes for the paper piecing; being as efficient as I am I cut out all the pieces for the card and another set (for my Splendid Sampler Second Time Around). Sadly those first pieces were too small; I made a note to myself and cut some more.

Again the pieces didn’t work on the angle they needed to be at. So I cut them extra large (although I had to switch fabrics so I’d have enough) and got on with it. But on the second one I missed one of the strips and that meant more cutting and starting that particular piece over.

I finally managed to get the top finished by lunch (a late lunch); I sandwiched and quilted it this afternoon. I’ll take the hand stitching to do on the ferry tomorrow (we’re off to Vancouver), along with some thread that Taylor has requested so I can fix a few of her stuffies.

We have the doll house, cabinet and furniture loaded into the truck. Since we are driving I have a couple more things I want to take to Christy’s.

I think there is time to pack before supper.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

I feel like I’m back on track this week. Although I should have enjoyed a full day at home I had a few errands to run; along with that and some computer work it was noon before I got started sewing.

I finished another Farmer’s Wife Sampler block. This one was a little confusing with a mixture of paper piecing and templates for the pattern. In the end I used the paper piecing portion of the pattern and developed my own method of dealing with the set in triangles than required the template.

I’m really enjoying getting back to these sampler blocks and I vow not to be distracted by the Splendid Sampler II Sew Along that starts tomorrow!

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

I often don’t get much done at the bee but today, maybe because it has been so long, I was whipping through the projects.

I quilted the three cards I made yesterday and I’ll get the bindings hand-stitched tonight. This month my challenge project is the Farmer’s Wife Sampler. When I dug it out there were three packages that already had fabric and the pattern printed out so they came along with me. I know the blocks have given me problems in the past but today’s paper-piecing issues were entirely my own; of the four sections I don’t think I managed even one without having to reverse stitch (not easy when you are dealing with thin paper). The new gadget I bought at Quilt Canada is awesome though. I also took along two Splendid Sampler blocks that I cut and packaged when I was making cards but they will go back in the bin for another time.

I was asked to join a few ladies to travel to Parksville for their quilt show next Friday; I seldom get invited on these tours as many of the groups that go have been going together for years and there just isn’t room for anyone else in the car. After Quilt Canada I can’t imagine that I’ll need to visit any of the vendors but you never know! It will be nice to see more quilts that, I expect, will be more at the level of our own show.

I was also asked if I wanted to join a book club in September. Details are really absent but it might be once a month or every two weeks and we’ll circulate between member’s homes. So far there are only three people involved but the one thing that was certain is that there will be wine and snacks. I think everyone in the Guild saw the movie Book Club and I think this is where this idea originated.

I’ve got a bit of computer work to do but then I’ll get my supper, get the bindings stitched down and get these cards ready for the mail tomorrow.

Monday, June 11, 2018

I was awake early and up and about before six, which meant I was able to be upstairs sewing by eight. There was a lot going on around here today. I was expecting our Cranberry Hall president to stop in to collect some info she needed and to drop off some info that I needed. Then Pat called needing me to find some equipment for a recording session he has tomorrow. We weren’t sure how he was going to get it; I even offered to catch the ferry over and take them. Fortunately he found someone who could pick them up.

Around lunch I was stitching in the living room because I was expecting visitors at both the front and the back door. The back door caller picked up the equipment for Pat and while I waited for the front door delivery I mowed the lawn and the boulevard. I had to get to the post office before two; I waited as long as I could and then headed out. I had more than a few stops to make and when I got home the parcel had been left at the door.

Since the lawn was looking pretty good I thought I’d tackle a few weeds before supper. I swear those weeds start growing the minute your back is turned. I had a nice chat with our neighbour; she and her family are moving to New Brunswick at the end of the month. She had been given a lovely hanging basket and when I was watering some of the pots she brought it over to me; she said she didn’t have time to take care of it and without water it would just die. It needs some deadheading but I think it will be a lovely addition for the summer; we hadn’t bothered much with flowers this year.

I’m working on cards again today and, after supper, I came back upstairs to do a bit more. I’d best get at it if I want to finish them tonight; I don’t really need to finish them tonight but I’d like to have them ready for hand stitching at the bee tomorrow.