Did anyone here spot the error in the trellis quilt????

Do we get a prize if we do?....the answer is no..

Cow quilt is glue basted...first time I have used Elmer's to do it....

No, I didn't see any error in the Trellis quilt. Busy quilts hide a multitude of sins!

Hi Ladies--

Just getting a chance to check in after a while away from the boards. QNS--the trellis quilt turned out beautifully. OK--I saw a quilt top on the UFO board that looks good too! I am sure others have been getting projects done too, I just didn't get a chance to go through every page since it has been a bit since I've been here.

I am no longer working at the insurance office and I started selling Pampered Chef kitchen tools (eventually want to have just 1 party a week)....the "regular" hours of the office weren't working out well with kids' schedules. I have been able to get a little card making and more sewing done in the last couple weeks. It has been really nice to be able to relax. This week my goal is to start a little more structured routine so I can get more done on my days home....can't sit around on the computer quite so much or spend all my other time in the craft room as much as I'd like. :) I am going to spend some time each day cleaning out drawers, cupboards and closets. School starts here in about a month I want to get the house in order before that. Archery tournaments are still part of our lives...at least one tournament a month.

I hope all are well and that I can stay in touch a little better.

I got two fun plates in the mail today, "Chocolate Kiss" from JeanieG, and "Proquiltinator" from Honchey. Thank you ladies! I bought that pattern for a tote bag for the plates... now I have to make some.

Hi Everyone, Just checking in and glad to hear from you Carrie..

Nina, The Trellis Quilt turned out great..Very colorful..

I also got a plate from Jeanie today, real cute..

It finally rained late this afternoon..Didn't like the lightning & thunder that came with it.. It did cool down with it..

Have a good evening all..H.

Hot, hot and hot here. Little ducks are learning how to line up in a row to be sprinnkled by the water hose several times a day. Guess that means we have our ducks line lined up.

Yes, Jeanie I got your 'license plate' and I love it.Although I did not get as many as I would have liked, what I got was wonderful. I see a handbag in my future.

h I did not get the number of plates I was expecting too, what I got was wonderful. I do think I see a big handbag in my future. The purple/green/black trellis quilt is done and Savannah is almost done. Just adding the slashing and cornerstones and border.

Everyone keep safe from the heat and enjoy the day.

Just a quick line. Givio I have your fabric scraps together, but it will be just a bit longer before I send them out due to us girls getting a call about our dad that is in the nursing home. His kidneys are failing him so they don't expect him to live long. I stayed over there all night, and home for the night to rest and get some sleep before going back over.

Appreciate any prayers.
Susan

Nina, I haven't sent plates to you as I'm still collecting them...

Jeanie, yours will be on it's way in a day or two..

I'm thinking of starting a "follow along" thread for the Gypsy Wife Quilt...The pattern is expensive... I went on the sewitsforsale site on Yahoo and got mine there from someone that was willing to part with it at a much reduced price.
Anyone wanting to follow along? I'm thinking of starting it this coming September after Labor day...

Susan, I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. I pray that if it's his time, he will pass peacefully with no suffering. Praying for strength for you and the rest of your family, too. God is close at times like these! :hug:

Nina Sue, I am going to a quilt show in a couple of weeks and will have access to a lot of vendors, hopefully with PLATES! I owe you a BUNCH of plates in trade, so hold on. It's not over yet! ;)

I will think about the Gypsy, Honchey. Things are progressing here one stitch at a time. Road trip coming up on Friday. Too bad no credit no cash available, but good times and laughter with the group I go with. MC numbers were stolen on the last trip I made and that is still being investigated....no way we ordered from a top store in Wisconsin. It will get straightened out, I am sure. So have a good day, celebrate the memories, JuneBillie, Prayers coming your way for love and strength in saying 'good-bye' to your Father.

Hope life settles down a bit for you now, Bev.

I am home a bit right now. Early in morning son dropping me off back at the nursing home until late that evening. Keep calls going in between to the nurses. I had to check in to keep my sanity. Or what little I have.

QNS, I never seen any thing but good things in your quilt.
Also, you said we have until even in September on the license plates. Well, I am hoping before it's too late to get you one from one of the shops to send you due to you really wanting the extras for what you will use them for. I will do my best.

Also, QNS my mother was just that way. She made us girls all a quilt and other things, and said she wanted them used not to decorate or hide away somewhere. That is what made her feel the best. So I try to go by that now too.

Thinking of all of you girls. Life is too short not to do something you want to do today, and have some fun even amidst the chores and whatever kind of jobs.

Yesterday afternoon, nothing went right in the quilt room. I had never filled a bobbin with the new machine and after several tries, I got out the book on the machine. And tried again. One I thought I had filled, ended up in
bird nest' under the plate which caused more troubles since I could not see to clean it out. DH came in twice and re-threaded the machine. So hoping today is a better day. Putting the Savannah on the vertical board, just have the slashing and cornerstones to do and arranging the blocks in the quilt. Love how fast it is to put together.

JuneBille, one day at a time or one hour at a time...take care of thy self a bit, too.

Dublb, take care of your self and enjoy Brady.

Just enjoyed a bowl of cucumbers and tomatoes topped with ranch dressing...from the garden...summer is in full swing...Weeds every where..5"+ of rain on Friday and Saturday helped them along...I look around and see so much to do....

Plan on quilting cow quilt today, will report to you, Jeanie on how it goes..tomorrow my QBuddy comes to sew..always good...

but first, youngest 3 Grands want to spend the night, 10 yo says she'll make pancakes...meanwhile 12 yo has found her next quilt project...she wants to try Tonya Ricucci's Word Play techniques...whew her last project did not turn her away from quilting:). I'm anxious to see what she comes up with.

Tuesday the NC crew come in the late afternoon and stay til the next Wednesday...Thursday the WI crew move in until Saturday and will be back later ...MrOK already asked me what nights he should make hotel reservations for me...even said I should take my machine and projects and have a solo quilt retreat...boy after 45 years he does understand me....

Bev enjoy this transition time...this is the home of your choice for you to create even more memories

Carrie...so good to hear from you..oh I recall those days when you wonder if you are coming or going and empathize...good luck with the new endeavor.

We now know the SBG, just keeps sewing, just keeps sewing.....

JuneBillie...life gets tough, doesn't it...try to have some time for yourself, even if it's only a few moments in the day.

Still don't know where the oops is in your quilt, QNS....hope the sewing's going better this afternoon..

Honchey, how's the PT going? My knee is acting up today and thought of how you're dealing with your issues...

Okay, this isn't getting sewing done...later yinz

Ok, I am told by private PM the upper left corner on the pillows is off in the trellising. I replied, "It does not matter, DS will love it 'cause I made it." If you ever feel the need for a private retreat, come on down South, to our humble homestead and have a free room and board...even Mr.Ok is welcome to come too.

OK, what does your LQS license read? And your row by row, do you design it? We have soo many large cucumbers and squash right now...and i just do not know what to do with them. Is there a solution other than feeding them to the chickens?

You got a new sewing machine? Awesome! What is it?

SBG, three years ago I bought a 550 Bernina, but still sewed on the 1530 inspire Bernina. The older machine had to be sent in to Chicago to be fixed, so I am using the newer Bernina now. Didn't know how to fill the bobbin, had to learn. It fills it automatically, and I want control over it, but that's not how its built. It sews a straight seam. That's all I really want.

Gladdie, you are so funny! You're a better man than I, hosting all that family at once. I would need to run away too, like your hubby said. Short visits are best. We love to see them come, and also love to see them go! (Did I just say that out loud?)

And fresh tomatoes and cukes salad is one of my summer favorites. I can eat a ton of it.

QNS if you have the big overgrown cukes, they make the best red cinnamon pickles! We can't have Thanksgiving and Christmas without some of those on the table. If you want the recipe, just let me know. It's for the huge cukes you 'missed' until they turned yellow and shouted, "HERE I AM!"

Wow... great to have a backup! I have the old 1970's Bernina 830 Record, and it's always been my favorite machine. I sewed on that up until three years ago when I bought the Juki 2010Q for quilting. It's a straight stitch only machine, but I love to quilt on it. I've had 2 or 3 of the Bernina 830s... and went through 3 motors on the first one I had! I used the heck out of it. It's still the best, to me. The thread cutter in the foot pedal of the Juki does have me a bit spoiled, tho. That, and the way it can just start sewing without having to have the thread tails held. No bird nesting ever. I don't need any leaders and enders on that machine.

Gladdie's shop's plate says "QLTNISAWRKOFHRT" (quilting is a work of heart"). Sweet. I looked it up on the Row by Row site.

SBG, let us have a look at the recipe for big cucumbers...I now have 15 large ones. Thanks.

****************
Thelma Spier's Red Pickle Recipe

1) Using largest overripe cukes (yellow ok), peel 4 lbs cukes (about 7 huge). Slice in half lengthwise and scrape out seed centers. Slice into 1/2" slices.

2) Soak 24 hours in 1 C. lime plus just enough water to cover.

3) Drain and rinse 3 times, then soak 3 hours in ice water.

4) Drain cukes well in colander. Mix 1.5 tsp. red food color (or more), 1 tsp. alum, 1.5 C. Heinz white vinegar, plus enough water for mixture to just cover the cukes, and simmer cukes in mixture for 1.5 hours on low heat.

5) Drain, discarding liquid. MAKE SYRUP: Mix 1 C. vinegar, 1 C. water, 5 C.s sugar, 4 sticks of cinnamon, few whole cloves, 2 small boxes of Red Hots candy (or one bag). Boil mixture to dissolve sugar and candy, stirring.

6) Add cukes to the pot and boil for a few minutes. Fill hot, sterile jars with hot pickles. Add one cinnamon stick and 4 cloves per jar. Cover with syrup, leaving 1/2" headroom.

7) Process in water bath canner for 5 minutes.

Makes 4 pints.
******************

Although the recipe is for 4 pints, I usually make quart jars, and use as many cukes as I have. I often have to mix up and cook some extra syrup to have enough to fill the jars at the end, so be sure you have extra of everything for the syrup. These are the best sweet pickles, if you like sugar and cinnamon! Just like candy.

...Forgot to mention, if you are processing quarts instead of pints, add a little time to the processing-- maybe 10 minutes instead of 5.

Ok, "this isn't getting sewing done" -- it's how I feel sometimes. :-) I'm trying not to use so much time online, but often failing in that goal...
SBG and all, I used to use a scissors for cutting the thread, but when I recently got a different machine that had a sharp cutter on it, I used that. I found it made a big difference regarding having to hold the thread when beginning. So long as the lever is up (I don't know the name of it, the one that goes up and down with the top thread threaded through it) I don't have any problem with tangles near the feed dogs after using the thread cutter. I've never used leader/enders anyway.

The 'Take Up Arm' or lever? I think it depends on the machine. All my vintage Singers have to have the thread tails held when you start sewing. I haven't gotten into the swing of using leaders and enders with them, either, tho.

Yeah, I need to go run some important errands and here I sit, enjoying my coffee with yinz.

My 'rat's nest' was caused by the bobbin not wound tight enough and incorrect threading. I do not need the leaders/enders on either machine I use.

Tomorrow is the BIG warehouse sale, everything is $6 or $7 dollars a year in Newton, Iowa...and Pella, Iowa is having a big sale likewise in price. Don't know where all we will get to, but in good company, I am not worried about it. I will enjoy the trip. Then, on Saturday, we have company coming in (a couple) to spend the night which they have not done for four years or so. So have to clean out the sewing/guest room before then. I have promised fried chicken and gravy for her and pork roast for him. Easy meals to do. Dishwasher will clean all plate ware and pans.

Thanks, SBG, for the recipe; I will try it and pass it on to the friends coming in on the weekend.

Got the nose piece of my glasses adjusted today, so it 'sits' above the skin cancer that will be removed on the first of September. DH got his dark glasses back, second time around, they got the tint right for him/ The big Ragabon is through my hometown, with a few lingering on about town...until Friday. They honor the Bicyclists who have been killed on the Iowa roadways...about 17000 was count that I heard today...that is the population of the town itself.

OK, my knee is okay as long as I don't twist it at all...I'm done with the PT and as the DR said time & resting the ankle before it acts up and it will get better... and it has...I just noticed a bruise right in the center of the area where I have most of the pain and I'm wondering if it is finally coming out or did I do it without knowing???

I also have a script for Voltaren Gel which really helps.. it's a penetrating cortizone that's used for pain & swelling..I've noticed I don't use it as much as before.. It works!!

I always sew with leaders & enders cause I don't like to waste the thread and the mess it creates... I even trim the seams of threads as I sew along...Those end up all over the place :D

Glad to hear that the knee/ankle is improving, Honchey..this knee stuff is getting old..trying to switch from aspirin to ibuprofen as it's supposed to reduce the swelling better...

QBuddy was over..spent a great deal of time laughing at our mistakes...yesterday quilted a bound a small quilt for Elise and the binding on my big mini quilt..now to stitch them down...still haven't worked on the cow..

Now must spend time getting ready for two weeks of company, after I get bills paid tomorrow. Have a goodnight...

OK, I forgot to mention that I also use a unit that's called Smart Relief Tens Unit.. PT also used it on my ankle. It's wonderful on almost any part of your body.. Think about investing in the above brand..the unit has a lithium rechargeable battery whereas the other units use D batteries.. they sell for about $28 - $39..I got mine from Amazon.. it will help when your knee gets tired or achy...The stimulation takes away the pain & achiness...and it reduces the swelling because it has pulsating action Try it..what do you have to lose besides the pain..it may only be a temporary relief.. and I would take that anytime..you know what I mean because I really do feel your pain..been there - done that!. H.

Thanks for the advice on the tens unit...I will check it out....am sure it would help MrOK's shoulder issues as well.

Our road trip was again about 300 miles long; productive and fun. Warehouse sale had the border I needed for the quilt and some fall landscape trees that fit right in as well. Found one or so at each of the other four stops and couple of patterns, too. Tired. Company comes in the morning, but will wait to move the final boxes out of guest room. After the chickens go to bed, so will we.

Everyone have a great weekend.

Did you pick up any good plates, Nina? I can't wait to see what the vendors might have at the upcoming quilt show in Vicksburg.

I should send rain west...we got another 1 1/2" this morning.

Went to my neighbor's today...She left an extensive fabric collection when she passed away, her DH has no idea what to do with it...embroidery machine is listed on Craig's list...I started sorting this afternoon...some fabrics can go to the church sewing circle..patriotic to local QOV...etc...have more to help with, but no rush and family now has an idea of what to do with her items...no one is interested in her hobby...now to get ready for family next week...

Last winter 7 yo sorted through a new batch of scraps...pulled out some and "designed" this little doll quilt...got it FMQ and finished[ATTACH=CONFIG]554858[/ATTACH]
...now can FMQ the cow quilt.

Thanks, Jeanie....I figure if kids start early to play with fabric they will want to "play" when they get older

I was always playing with fabric, have been playing with it for over 70 years! You are right Gladie!