…quilting or playing in the yard, or running errands, but my computer has taken me hostage and I just can’t seem to break free! 🙂
I’m really just checking in to let those of you who read my blog know that I’m yet living’.
We’re in our first spring at our new home. The Japanese weeping cherry is gorgeous, and we have a star magnolia in the front lawn. I hope to open a new bed between the magnolia and a tree that’s further west, and add lots of blooming shrubs and perennials so that we have bloom three seasons.
The house has weathered our winter well, and made it through the heavy winds associated with the tornadoes that came through northern Illinois a week ago. We were very fortunate, and so were our extended families.
Dear Husband and I were both sloths during the winter. I dreaded getting on the scale yesterday, but oddly, it said I hadn’t gained weight. I’ll find out on Tuesday whether my scale is broken, when I see the doc for a check-up.
DH is studying to become a soaring pilot. He’s taking lessons in a glider and hopes to buy one, one day. I’ve been up for a ride, and I can see what he loves about it.
My Scraps on a Mission group is slow to get back to work this year. I’ve finished four lap quilts, and have the tops for three twin-sized quilts finished. I’ve sent one to the long arm quilter because it was more than I could do on my machine, but I hope to do the other two on my own. I have an oversized baby quilt finished for the grand daughter of a friend, otherwise I haven’t gotten to any of my own quilting in the past few months. Ideas, I have tons of ideas, and lots of projects started, but just not enough time.
Exercise has been going well. I subbed for our guru the past two days while she’s been taking a five day yoga seminar. I suspect she’ll have all sorts of things to inflic….er share with us.
I’ve come to understand why Northerners become snowbirds. I always snooted those who went south, but I’ve finally reached the age where weather, temperature, air pressure, etc, all have an effect and make me realize I have arthritis! I don’t love winter as much as I used too.
We’ve met the neighbors to the south! John offered to clear our sidewalks with his motorized plow, so we took a goodie basket over to say thanks. We find we have a love of gardening, and a dislike of the wildlife who eat our plants! I can see DH and John shooting marshmallows at the critters.
So….we’re here, and have weathered winter, and are looking forward to the warmer weather. I hope you’re all doing well. Happy Spring to you!
I’m looking at the quilt you did in your post of June, 2013. It has bright strips with white sashing and the ends of the sashes from stars between the blocks. Could you tell me just how you did that sashing? I assume you “snowballed” the end of each sashing piece? Does the direction of the stitching line on the snowball square matter? I am directionally challenged, but I love the look of this quilt. Thanks, Kathy
I think you’re asking about the quilt we came to call “Stars and Bars.” I LOVE that quilt, and it was really difficult to give it away. I saw a picture of this quilt on-line and just winged it. Each sashing piece was the same length as the strips in the blocks. I added “connector corners” in black, and a setting square in black between the sashing strips to create the black star. I’m pretty sure “snowballing” the corners is the same thing as a connector corner. Each sashing strip has two of those connectors, one at each end. You’re observant! The points are directed to opposite sides of the sashing. If you set out the sashing pieces, and a stack of the black connector corner squares, you can sew one end of each sashing piece. Then turn the stack around and work on the other end. Make sure that you sew the point toward the opposite side of the sashing. Once you get it right, it will be a cinch to sew the rest. The sewing lines will be parallel. I hope this helps.