Trying to finish the last few Dear Daughter blocks.
Blessings,
Chris
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Rainbow Scrap Challenge Progress
I have been working (very slowly) at making the tiny 4 1/2 inch Dear Jane blocks
for this Bright Jane Quilt as my RSC.
I started it in 2014 after completing my Civil War Reproduction Dear Jane Quilt.
That one took only 5 years and a masters degree.
This time I am working on a doctorate.
In 2017 I joined in the monthly RSC and progressed a few blocks monthly.
In 2018 I only made 14 blocks but that is 14 more than before.
Then I put them in a see-through box and totally misplaced them.
I am sure they will show up eventually.
Blessings,
Chris
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Goals for 2019
The list this year will be simple. This is different from my Bucket List. I dream really big there.
- complete and gift Dear Daughter
- stitch at least 20 minutes a day
- learn to thread the bobbin on the treadle machine
- learn to use the treadle machine
- complete rest of courses for DCC
- complete first draft of Sister (got about 8 chapters written so far)
- write first draft of Surviving Menopause (got a box full of notes, journals, research papers, massive action plan, outline and a document started with 2 pages written)
- research editing options
- progress on 12 ufos for 2019
- not start any new applique projects
- bake an apple pie
- lose 40 lbs
- return to India to do a women's conference
- I want to say change my name to Dr Chris, but there is this dissertation that needs to be written
Blessings,
Chris
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Reflections on 2018
This has been a most interesting year. I joined several quilt-a-longs to hopefully, move forward some ufos. Did not happen. There was really only one quilt start and it was the one thing I worked on every month. Oh. There was another impulse. The lazer cut pre fused Huguenot Friendship Quilt. It was boring. Really. I did bring Bright Jane out to play for a few months. That was fun. Then impulsively I wrote up 26 blog posts about ufos never before mentioned here. It was quite a journey. But not a stitch to move any of them forward. I did complete a few blocks for Beyond the Cherry Trees and my Morrell even one for Antique Wedding Sampler. And I completed the 1857 Album and got it ready for quilting and layered Dear Jane for quilting. But all that was before Dear Daughter came into my life and took over my stitching time. That and a lot of diapers.
On my calendar for 2019 I have several quilt-a-longs written down for a January start. I wish. And then I think about not starting any new quilts at all next year. Sounds impressive. But oh the self control necessary to maintain such a goal. The reality is, I enjoy starting new things. Do I get bored with the old? Maybe. But usually the adrenaline rush is such that I just have to jump in and start. The other reality is, I have a couple of big things that I need to get done and just floating from one thing to the next most days, apart from family stuff, keeps me going day by day.
I was in India for 2 weeks last month then came home and got a stomach bug from family here that had me out of it for a good 4 days. Being in jet lag recovery did not make that a happy journey. I finally feel human again and there is an itching within to start on something new. I have been considering doing some serious clean eating again to feel better and hopefully shed a few pounds.
In August I started intense chiropractic treatments 3 times a week for my neck and back. I decided to not change any of my eating habits for a while until I could see if the treatments were working. They were. They are. I have little pain in my hands these days, where, before, I had pain all the time. I have more immovability in my neck. I realized that I am sitting straight in my chair. Also, I can stand straight more often but not for too long because I have trouble breathing. Turns out my diaphragm and right lung are somewhat compressed from bending over for so many years and sitting most of the time. Yes, getting moving is the answer, but that seemed almost impossible for so long. But things are shifting. My spine is a bit straighter. I do move around more. My daily responsibilities have lessened with our daughter and her little boys no longer here 4 days a week and now our son is living here and the girls half time. They are such a joy. Most of the time. I can hardly wait until hormones awaken. He says we will just buy lots of chocolate.
I finally got to visit family in Saskatchewan. Rented a 2018 Dodge Charger and saw some beautiful flat country. My Sweet Farmer and I took a few days and drove to Iowa for a Guernsey Cow convention. Had dinner on a river boat on the Mighty Mississippi River and saw an eagle. Shipshewana quilt retreat in April. And I even stopped playing computer games but that only lasted for 5 months.
In may submitted one course for my doctorate in Christian counseling. Now just 8 more to go. And I wrote 2 whole pages for Surviving Menopause. I gave NaNoWriMo a half-hearted try to write 1 page a day while I was in India in November. I ended up writing 22 pages for Sister but no where near the required 50,000 total.
I mentioned that I had wanted to do some clean eating: no dairy - I am a dairy farmer- no grains, no legumes, no sugar, basically eating only real foods but specifically fruits, vegetables and meats. And absolutely nothing with chemicals. Try to find that. So, I realized that I had been eating real foods in India everyday for 2 whole weeks. I ate a small chocolate bar today and it tasted really awful. Really. Then I had a sugar cookie. It was way too sweet. Really.
My daughter completed her Master of Social Work Strategic Leadership and graduated. Hurray!! That means I no longer had her little boys coming to the Farm every week for 4 days at a time and changing diapers. I have again taken the long through Toronto drive to visit her. I love visiting her home. It is so orderly and the view out the back is her large yard and the farmer's fields behind. We will be there for a 2 night sleepover house party over Christmas. She is cooking the turkey this time. Maybe they will barbecue it since our son will also be there with the 3 little girls.
Winter has arrived. At least for a while. The snow is all gone for now as rain has taken over the weather. The crops are all in and we are all settled in on the Farm, looking forward to those quiet days at home. The Farmer watching football and me at my computer. I am decluttering the work space here and changing a few things so there is room for me and the girls to be productive. Now I must get back to yet another book report.
Blessings,
Chris
On my calendar for 2019 I have several quilt-a-longs written down for a January start. I wish. And then I think about not starting any new quilts at all next year. Sounds impressive. But oh the self control necessary to maintain such a goal. The reality is, I enjoy starting new things. Do I get bored with the old? Maybe. But usually the adrenaline rush is such that I just have to jump in and start. The other reality is, I have a couple of big things that I need to get done and just floating from one thing to the next most days, apart from family stuff, keeps me going day by day.
I was in India for 2 weeks last month then came home and got a stomach bug from family here that had me out of it for a good 4 days. Being in jet lag recovery did not make that a happy journey. I finally feel human again and there is an itching within to start on something new. I have been considering doing some serious clean eating again to feel better and hopefully shed a few pounds.
In August I started intense chiropractic treatments 3 times a week for my neck and back. I decided to not change any of my eating habits for a while until I could see if the treatments were working. They were. They are. I have little pain in my hands these days, where, before, I had pain all the time. I have more immovability in my neck. I realized that I am sitting straight in my chair. Also, I can stand straight more often but not for too long because I have trouble breathing. Turns out my diaphragm and right lung are somewhat compressed from bending over for so many years and sitting most of the time. Yes, getting moving is the answer, but that seemed almost impossible for so long. But things are shifting. My spine is a bit straighter. I do move around more. My daily responsibilities have lessened with our daughter and her little boys no longer here 4 days a week and now our son is living here and the girls half time. They are such a joy. Most of the time. I can hardly wait until hormones awaken. He says we will just buy lots of chocolate.
I finally got to visit family in Saskatchewan. Rented a 2018 Dodge Charger and saw some beautiful flat country. My Sweet Farmer and I took a few days and drove to Iowa for a Guernsey Cow convention. Had dinner on a river boat on the Mighty Mississippi River and saw an eagle. Shipshewana quilt retreat in April. And I even stopped playing computer games but that only lasted for 5 months.
In may submitted one course for my doctorate in Christian counseling. Now just 8 more to go. And I wrote 2 whole pages for Surviving Menopause. I gave NaNoWriMo a half-hearted try to write 1 page a day while I was in India in November. I ended up writing 22 pages for Sister but no where near the required 50,000 total.
I mentioned that I had wanted to do some clean eating: no dairy - I am a dairy farmer- no grains, no legumes, no sugar, basically eating only real foods but specifically fruits, vegetables and meats. And absolutely nothing with chemicals. Try to find that. So, I realized that I had been eating real foods in India everyday for 2 whole weeks. I ate a small chocolate bar today and it tasted really awful. Really. Then I had a sugar cookie. It was way too sweet. Really.
My daughter completed her Master of Social Work Strategic Leadership and graduated. Hurray!! That means I no longer had her little boys coming to the Farm every week for 4 days at a time and changing diapers. I have again taken the long through Toronto drive to visit her. I love visiting her home. It is so orderly and the view out the back is her large yard and the farmer's fields behind. We will be there for a 2 night sleepover house party over Christmas. She is cooking the turkey this time. Maybe they will barbecue it since our son will also be there with the 3 little girls.
Winter has arrived. At least for a while. The snow is all gone for now as rain has taken over the weather. The crops are all in and we are all settled in on the Farm, looking forward to those quiet days at home. The Farmer watching football and me at my computer. I am decluttering the work space here and changing a few things so there is room for me and the girls to be productive. Now I must get back to yet another book report.
Blessings,
Chris
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Rainbow Scrap Challenge Blocks for 2018
My goal for the RSC was to progress forward my Bright Jane blocks. This is how I did this year. I had planned to put up the completed ones on the design wall but for the life of me, I cannot find the box of completed blocks. Has nothing to do with decluttering and cleaning. Did I mention I hired a new cleaning lady? I did. I gave her a few directions and let her go to it. We are both happy.
Not many, but 14 more to add to the box wherever it is hiding.
Blessings,
Chris
Not many, but 14 more to add to the box wherever it is hiding.
Blessings,
Chris
Friday, December 7, 2018
Dear Daughter Progress
The final blocks for Dear Daughter were released the other day. I have decided to stop at 36 instead of 42 like the original. I had made several replacement blocks early on and just got tired of some of the leaves and stems and layered bits. Some of them are so similar to the 1857 Album blocks. I have 25 complete and the sashings sewn on. They look pretty good up on the wall. I have the rest in various stages of progress.
My one-monthly-goal is to have all these complete by the end of the month. That will give me a whole month to layer and quilt it. It will be gifted mid February so I have a time limit to my dawdling.
Blessings,
Chris
My one-monthly-goal is to have all these complete by the end of the month. That will give me a whole month to layer and quilt it. It will be gifted mid February so I have a time limit to my dawdling.
Blessings,
Chris
Saturday, December 1, 2018
12 UFOs for 2019
Judy at patchworktimes has posted the link for 2019 ufo challenge. But I have a doctorate to complete. At least that is what I keep reminding myself. In case I decide to join in, I will be ready.
1. 1857 Album Quilt
Machine quilt and bind.
This was the Sentimental Stitches BOM for 2016-17. I collected all the free patterns when they were free. The top is completed, sandwiched, basted and ready to machine quilt. It has been sitting patiently waiting for nearly a year.
2. Almost Amish Irish Chain
There is so much work done here that it would be a shame to not put this on the list. Machine piecing. Machine applique. Machine quilting. Sounds pretty straight forward.
3. Morrell Sampler
Machine applique all the broderie perse blocks that are already prepped. Change that center pinwheel.
4. Antique Wedding Sampler
Complete this one block finally. Been working on it off and on since early summer. But first, have to locate the last bits of leaves and flowers to hand applique on.
5. Dolls of the World
This is my oldest ufo from 1979. It also is the simplest and most close to being completed of all my 40 some ufos. I wrote about it a few months ago and have some thoughts about completing it. Check back later to see what I do.
6. Dear Daughter
Complete the hand applique, assemble the top and machine applique and bind then gift. Whatever number is called for January, this will be the project. I need it complete and ready to gift by mid Feb.
7. Huguenot Friendship Quilt
Finish the machine applique with silk thread on the 36 center blocks and assemble the center so I can lay out and prep the borders.
This was an impulse purchase last winter.
8. Country Bride 2
Here is my opportunity to practice some machine quilting with rulers on the already pre cut alternating squares and borders. The backing and batting have been cut and ready to go for nearly 22 years.
I still have to do some embroidery for the stems before layering these already machine appliqued blocks.
9. Green and Gold Irish Chain
There really is so little to do on this one to get it to a flimsy. This will be another I can practice my machine quilting skills.
10. Stack-N-Whack Butterflies
Stop being a coward and just make some bodies and antennae so I can add the borders and machine quilt to my hearts content. I think loopy flowers would be nice. But what colour? White to disappear? Varigated?
11. GO Not So Fast
My goal here will be to get the center medallion to be a square.
I saw a completed quilt using the same Winterthur panels that has given me some ideas.
12. Dear Jane
Last but by no means least, this one. I started quilting it by machine last winter but had much trouble with tension and my machine was in for repairs for a mere 3 months. Turns out if you do not use it, parts seize up. Who would have know? I want to remove all the machine stitches in so far and start over. No promises.
Bright Jane
Rainbow Scrap Challenge for another year. I plan to put it on the wall to stay when there are 100 blocks complete. As I get sections of blocks done, I will sew them together into 9 units. But for now, the blocks are easier to store individually. And besides, the little grand children love putting them up on the design wall.
I will not be making the pieced triangles for the border. I am planning to make the corner kites.
Beyond the Cherry Trees
This will be my hand applique project for the year. There are 3-4 already started blocks to complete the 25 for the top and then begin the 4 borders. The 200 cherries are all cut and waiting but the 20 yards of bias stems still need to be made. After the stems are cut I can run the left over fabrics through the GO Cutter and make a few hundred leaves. This took a time-out when I started Dear Daughter.
One Block Wonder
This can be my hand piecing project for the year. After making a whole bunch of hexies, I realized that if I made half hexies, I could easily sew a long straight seam to connect the rows. Live and learn.
I am not planning to start any new quilts in the coming year. That's not entirely true. I have been considering making a couple of tractor quilts for the little boys. But I could start them this year. I am making small goals for these ufos. Maybe only 2 actual completions of quilting and binding.
Blessings
Chris
1. 1857 Album Quilt
Machine quilt and bind.
This was the Sentimental Stitches BOM for 2016-17. I collected all the free patterns when they were free. The top is completed, sandwiched, basted and ready to machine quilt. It has been sitting patiently waiting for nearly a year.
2. Almost Amish Irish Chain
There is so much work done here that it would be a shame to not put this on the list. Machine piecing. Machine applique. Machine quilting. Sounds pretty straight forward.
3. Morrell Sampler
Machine applique all the broderie perse blocks that are already prepped. Change that center pinwheel.
4. Antique Wedding Sampler
Complete this one block finally. Been working on it off and on since early summer. But first, have to locate the last bits of leaves and flowers to hand applique on.
5. Dolls of the World
This is my oldest ufo from 1979. It also is the simplest and most close to being completed of all my 40 some ufos. I wrote about it a few months ago and have some thoughts about completing it. Check back later to see what I do.
6. Dear Daughter
Complete the hand applique, assemble the top and machine applique and bind then gift. Whatever number is called for January, this will be the project. I need it complete and ready to gift by mid Feb.
7. Huguenot Friendship Quilt
Finish the machine applique with silk thread on the 36 center blocks and assemble the center so I can lay out and prep the borders.
This was an impulse purchase last winter.
8. Country Bride 2
Here is my opportunity to practice some machine quilting with rulers on the already pre cut alternating squares and borders. The backing and batting have been cut and ready to go for nearly 22 years.
I still have to do some embroidery for the stems before layering these already machine appliqued blocks.
9. Green and Gold Irish Chain
There really is so little to do on this one to get it to a flimsy. This will be another I can practice my machine quilting skills.
10. Stack-N-Whack Butterflies
Stop being a coward and just make some bodies and antennae so I can add the borders and machine quilt to my hearts content. I think loopy flowers would be nice. But what colour? White to disappear? Varigated?
11. GO Not So Fast
My goal here will be to get the center medallion to be a square.
I saw a completed quilt using the same Winterthur panels that has given me some ideas.
12. Dear Jane
Last but by no means least, this one. I started quilting it by machine last winter but had much trouble with tension and my machine was in for repairs for a mere 3 months. Turns out if you do not use it, parts seize up. Who would have know? I want to remove all the machine stitches in so far and start over. No promises.
Bright Jane
Rainbow Scrap Challenge for another year. I plan to put it on the wall to stay when there are 100 blocks complete. As I get sections of blocks done, I will sew them together into 9 units. But for now, the blocks are easier to store individually. And besides, the little grand children love putting them up on the design wall.
I will not be making the pieced triangles for the border. I am planning to make the corner kites.
Beyond the Cherry Trees
This will be my hand applique project for the year. There are 3-4 already started blocks to complete the 25 for the top and then begin the 4 borders. The 200 cherries are all cut and waiting but the 20 yards of bias stems still need to be made. After the stems are cut I can run the left over fabrics through the GO Cutter and make a few hundred leaves. This took a time-out when I started Dear Daughter.
One Block Wonder
This can be my hand piecing project for the year. After making a whole bunch of hexies, I realized that if I made half hexies, I could easily sew a long straight seam to connect the rows. Live and learn.
Blessings
Chris
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