Back to some red

It's definitely time to get this table runner finished - before it becomes a UFO.  Actually there probably wasn't much danger of being set aside because I love the red/blue star fabric so much.  Red is one of my most favorite colors, and this one really makes me happy.     

The patriotic table runner has grown a bit longer since I took the photo above, by the addition of another "mountain" section.  It has been sandwiched, and I've begun quilting it using the basic serpentine stitch on my machine following the seam lines.  So far I'm doing every other seam, but may decide to go back and fill in the others.  We'll see how it looks.  

A blue binding, with more stars, is prepped and ready to go once I finish the quilting.  There are even stars in that white background.   

I'm linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this morning, so check out more red projects.
https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

Friday morning sewing

Lots of sewing fun was had this morning, and now I need to spend the afternoon calculating grades for some of my online students as they finish up the spring semester.   

One blue Jelly Belly Bar block is added to the stack of patriotic blocks for a new Quilt of Valor.  And 2 more Boxed Squares are added to that QOV project.  Because these blocks are so easy, they make a good distraction from the next thing I worked on.  

I worked on the parts and pieces of the final 4 Laundry Line blocks.  And I finished one more block, so now I just have 3 to go.  Then the pieced sashings will begin.  I noticed there isn't a lot of contrast in this particular block, but I used the exact fabrics the pattern called for so it is what the designer intended.  I'm trying to not obsess over it.  LOL!!

And I caught up with this week's Farmers Wife Sampler blocks.  Basket Weave and Autumn Tint are the names of these blocks.  I didn't use autumn colors for the Autumn Tint block, however.  There are 22 of these 6" (finished) blocks done now, and I know for sure that I wouldn't have gotten this far without the group challenge.  Even though it's just a couple of us, it's still fun to be making these along with someone else and be accountable for getting them done.  

And now - back to my online students.  I had high school kids in 3 different courses this semester, and today is the "official" end of the semester for some of the school districts my students are enrolled.  Everyone in 1 course is done - YAY!!  I have 3 students left to complete course #2, and 3 students remaining in course #3.  After 38 years, this is my FINAL semester, and I'm so ready to be done.  

Progress amidst chaos

 The ducts and carpets are clean, and some of the furniture has been returned to its spot is some of the rooms.  My office and the living room were still a bit damp.  And some of the furniture is too heavy for me to move by myself.  

I worked in my office during the duct cleaning but had to move once the carpet cleaning began. So, my basement sewing room was a good spot to be.  And I managed to get both of this month’s sections made for Saturday Sampler.  

These are from Lori Holt’s book Quilty Fun, and I’m using my stash of 30s fabrics.  So cheerful and bright, and since it’s kind of a mystery we have no idea exactly how all of these will go together in the end.

I also managed to finish one more Laundry Line block.  Five of the 9 are now complete, and I started the next block.  One step closer to finishing this project.  

 

Spring cleaning

 Today is the day that the duct cleaning crew is coming, and then the carpet cleaners right after.  I've been dreading the chaos, but it is something that really needs to be done.  

The plan is to hide in my sewing room as much as possible.  However, I'm guessing there will be lots of interruptions to move furniture around.  

Urban Cabin

 I picked up Urban Cabin from the quilter this morning, and it's looking wonderful.  She has a great eye for thread color and quilting designs to really enhance a quilt.

The thread looks kind of gold and the design makes me think of windows.  Now, I need to decide what to use for binding. 

When I got home yesterday afternoon from driving my friend to the doctor, this little flower arrangement had been delivered.  It was a Mother's Day gift from one of my girls.  I love it.  The vase looks striped, but it's actually a clear vase with ribbons wrapped around inside.  How clever is that!

Tomorrow is the big day of duct cleaning and beginning the carpet cleaning.  I'm really dreading the chaos and noise, but it needed to be done.  Maybe I'll hide in my sewing room most of the day. 

Busy with everything but sewing

 We spent the weekend in Omaha for my great-niece's high school graduation celebration.  It was such fun to gather with family, even for a couple of days.  My sister-in-law, my oldest daughter, and my 8 year old granddaughter rode along, leaving on Saturday morning and getting home about 11:00 last night.  We had such a good time!

The graduate hadn't opened her gifts yet when we left Sunday, so I'll be curious to see what she thinks of the quilt I gave her.  She got Jelly Belly Bars, and I already have 2 more quilts in gift bags for 2 more great-nieces graduating within the next weeks.  

Today I'm driving a friend to a doctor appointment. She can't drive yet following her knee replacement, so I'm happy to help her out.  And either Thursday or Friday I'll be driving my sister-in-law to a doctor appointment too.  Again - always glad when I can help out, because both would do the same for me.  

In between the chauffeuring we have guys coming to clean our ducts in the house.  And we're having all of our carpets cleaned.  I might be ready to lose my mind by the end of the week.  

The red bunny

Yesterday this red bunny joined the family of Country Bunny blocks.  I picked a batik for this one, and it's a softer red rather than a bright cherry red.   

This is bunny number 6 so far.  It joins the light blue, lavender, pink, green, and coral ones.  I do need to make a yellow one to be caught up with the colors for RSC21.   These began with the lavender bunny, even though lavender isn't an RSC color - yet anyway.  

I have no idea what I will end up doing with them, but they are really cute.  

No sewing today.  I have to work this morning, plan to meet a friend who is in town for a graduation for lunch,  and get some laundry done.