The final steps - onto the binding!

Do you know what this means?

Trimming of the quilt for binding! When I cut off the backing, I was thinking I would have enough to make a binding. It was not the case, so I looked over and saw some light teal on the shelf... just like that inner border! There was enough and after some calculations - I cut 7 strips of it to make a binding. I measured the quilt, and it is 59x69. I have them sewn together, just need to press them in half, then attach to the front of the quilt for hand stitching down on the back. That involves clearing off the ironing board. 

I had big plans to layer and pin a quilt for machine quilting today and clean the house. Alas, I slept the morning away and finally feel slightly better. I'm going to take it easy instead of doing that.

This was my lunchtime stitching yesterday, to finish off that set of 4 blacks. I believe I have a light blue one for today. I prepped some more backing and battings, I just need to select and cut the hexagon colors for the front. 

These need to get stitched into sets of two's and then fours. 

Progress

 Time to move the hoop again! I do enjoy stitching these butterfly's more than the wedge of cheese.

The end is in sight! Just the whole top and the bit on the top left to go. I think the binding will be the teal backing - about the same shade as the inner border. I don't have more of that outer teal border. The other option is a white, which might happen. We will see.

I got my one hexagon done at lunch today. I used a pink for the quilting part.

I popped out to Publix to get some meats to make meatloaf. I guess I forgot to grab the package of burgers from Sam's last time that I normally use for it. The butcher checked for the meatloaf mix as he remembered they had just ground a little pork that morning and came out with a fresh package for me! I remembered cheese.... over $5 for a shredded package! Nope! I remember Aidan grabbed a log of mozzarella from Aldi last week, I'll use that instead on half. Emily dislikes cheese on her side. On the way home - I saw the latest 2 story house they were taking down along our road. Still no word from the county but our lawyer sent a letter indicating it is in the initial survey stages???? I guess they missed the window and had to rebid the contract..... so who know's if they need to start it all over again or not. Still in the wait and see stage.

Slow Sunday Stitching

 I'm happy to say I have made progress on hand quilting the cat and mouse and am now stitching the Butterfly's for the cats to chase in the final border!

Somehow the butterfly template got it's wing clipped! Oops. I've been free handing that wing as I draw around it with chalk. The first edge was completed while it was on the frame, so I had 3 sides to go. I made good progress on one side while watching a hockey game Saturday night.

Earlier this week, I decided to stitch one of these a day to try and get them moving along. They are quilt as you go hexagons and will be used to make the existing quilt bigger. I'll add the little outline quilting to these tomorrow while watching the F1 race with Aidan... and will stitch up a few more of them. I've got another set of 4 in black prints and one of light blue ready to go.

Linking up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers.

What to hand quilt next?

 As I am getting closer to a hand quilting finish, it is time to see what quilts are next in the lineup. There are quite a few to select from. 

Ella Maria Deacon around 60' I think.

VQF Booth Hop 71x71.

 Joann's Century Quilt BOM (83x89)

1857 Quilt Along (72x72 I think)

Triple Irish Chain - from early 2000's. 

Harmony (54x54)

We will see what jumps to the top of the list once I finish the cat and mouse. 

I decided to machine quilt the 2 inch hand pieced trip quilt, and I know the potato chip quilt will get machine quilted as well, once I piece a backing for it. I pulled some leftover backing fabrics that will work for the trip quilt. Hopefully I can get either the trip quilt pinned and quilted or the backing made for the spud quilt this weekend. No machine sewing happened today - but my FIL Tom is home tonight in his own house and bed. Their timeframe of an hour for his release was way off, but we finally got him home mid afternoon after a drive through at Arby's for his favorite Jamocha shake. 

October Table Scrap Challenge

 Cat and light brown. Check!

I found this free cat pattern to make a cat block in a square. I pulled some scraps in light brown and dark brown to make the cat. Then decided it would make a nice placemat, so I pulled some paw prints from the black scrap pile. Some dark blue from the mystery box a few years ago for the backing, and it was time for quilting.

I just did a diagonal one way on this. I cut a few more scraps for a binding and hand stitched it down during a quarterly staff meeting on Wednesday.

The finished placemat. I believe it is 12x18.

With my morning coffee. Linking up Friday with Joy and the TSC!

Tuesday evening I was at one of the local schools where all 8 of the county high school marching bands performed their routines for each other. This was not a competition, but a chance for them to do a run through their program before MPA (Music Performance Assessment) November 2, and see how they stack up to their local bands. It was great to see them cheering each other on. There were a couple of past judges who gave each band some input on their music and performance, things to work on in the last week. Emily was listening to the critique recording last night and came out laughing. Very nice, Very nice.... I guess their music was Very Nice! All 8 bands did a great job and all looked really good. The 8 music directors of each school are on the track in front of them. Grandma came up to Ocala and watched them with me. We got to the stands about 6:30 and headed home close to 9. Must remember the seat cushions next time. Lets hope a new storm does not develop and bother the November 2 weekend activities.

A little progress

 It appears when my sleep pattern is messed up (thanks busy kiddo!) I have no gumption to do much of anything! Not much progress has happened since Thursday, but I did add some stitches to the cat and mouse quilt. I have about 1.25 sides to go with this border before starting the last butterfly border.

I added a little while watching the Lightning get trounced by the Maple leafs after a Bronze/Silver Committee training session on-line last night. 

This was holding me hostage most of the weekend. He was a very snuggly doggie with his girl gone so much.

Sunday, Aidan drove me to Lowes, and we picked out some plants for this flower bed. I am only 6 weeks behind in setting this up for fall! We pulled out the plants that were there and Aidan put them out back to see if they would survive. They lasted over a year in the front with cute little purple flowers on them. I need to find a few pumpkins to put out in the bed. Too hot to carve until the day of Halloween around here - still mid 80's outside. 

I had prepped a slew of these hexagons and they have been sitting patiently. I think I need to just commit to making one per day through the end of the year and see if I can make some progress on them. My templates have a 2 inch hexagon side for these. I think I'll plan to make one per day on my lunch break. First one done.

Tonight, Emily has her Pre MPA for marching band (Music Performance Assessment). All 8 high school bands in the county will perform. This will be the first time I have seen the whole show in person. They just got the 3rd part ready last Friday at their all day practice and I saw it online from a video at their competition in Tarpon Springs Saturday. Did I mention, her bus arrived at the school Sunday morning around 2:15 AM?  Aidan has an Academic meet after school today, but it appears parents can't really go to those! Bummer. We will see how they do at this one.

Thursday of a crazy week but a quilt top finish!

I worked today and am off tomorrow, which is swapped from normal this week. I am going to ride tomorrow at noon. The kids are technically off school, teacher work day to finalize the first quarter. Emily has marching band practice 9-4 and Aidan has an annual Dr appt at 1. Saturday - Emily has an all day competition about 1.5-2 hours away towards the Tampa area. Aidan has the UCF Engineering day at school 10-4. It's also a F1 race/sprint weekend, so he will be watching that after he gets home Saturday. I expect to be exhausted on Sunday... with a 1AMish pick up of Ms. Emily from School. Tired yet? I'm so happy one of them drives themselves! It makes life so much easier.

Oh, tonight is a makeup football game for their Homecoming with the dance to follow after. It is outside in their courtyard and it is going to be down in the 50's tonight! Florida people are used to temps in the mid 70's overnight this time of the year, so I expect lots of chilly kids... including my girl. She is a midnight pickup.

Wednesday, I had time after work to sew 7 potato chip blocks together! Then I made the butternut squash, brussel sprout in bacon meal Aidan and I like. Greg was on his own, and Emily was at school for their first practice as a group before their symphonic band concert. They sounded really good. We heard the big band as well and they played some rocking tunes. 

Never a smile from her!

 

The are the Rattlers.... well, we do live in Florida after all!

This afternoon I was able to lay out the 17 blocks I made to expand this quilt top and got them sewn together. I have to say, it sewed together really well, and no fudging of seams was needed. Love when that happens. Each block is 12 inches finished so the quilt top is 72x84.

A photo in the shade with Bear.

Then in the sunshine. We are enjoying a cool day today. Temps in the low 70's! I could handle this temp year round. 

While out back, I checked on the chickens and Buttercup (the rhode island red on the right) gave us this egg today. The others are all in stages of molting. Their crowns are not bright red, so no eggs from them. Hopefully soon, as 3 have not laid eggs in a while.

I saw this quilt on my Facebook feed today and saved the photo off to my phone. This is a cute quilt and would be easy to draft to make. Placing it on here so I don't lose it and someone else might like it as well.

Hockey Tuesday

 I added a thread into this at lunchtime to add another cheese. I hope to make good progress on the next side during the game tonight. Those mice really want their triangle of cheese to get finished off. 

I also got this out - my Accuquilt cutter and my 2.5 inch strip die. I cut some more strips out and managed to get everything cut for the last 7 potato chip blocks.

We will see when I get a chance to sew these up. Probably later this week or weekend.

Emily requested a crust for the ham and cheese quiche so I made one using this recipe.  My quiche recipe is just milk (I used her lactaid milk) 1/2 cup, 1/4 cup mayo, and I use 5 eggs. Beat that until smooth. Then I layered some diced ham and some cheddar cheese in the pie shell and poured the mixture over it. Covered with foil and baked for 45 minutes at 400 degrees. I took the top off, and did 10 minutes more. I also put 4 russet potato's on the sheet pan with a little oil and salt to back at the same time. It turned out pretty good.

Emily is working on making some Macaroons to bring into school tomorrow for extra credit. They are pink and we will see how they turn out.

7 to go....

 I added a few more chip blocks Sunday.  10 of the needed 17 are done.

Hmmm. That light yellow print really shows as a light in the photo.  Not going to change it, but won't cut more of that for the color piles.

Going to be a crazy week.

Monday, both kids late. Band and academic club. Guitar for Aidan. 

Tuesday,  academic meet aidan.

Wednesday Emily fall concert.

Thursday, homecoming football game makeup followed by dance until midnight. 

Friday- off school but.... Emily all day band practice, Aidan dr. Appt.

Saturday, Emily competition on west coast. Aidan engineering day at school 10-4.

I know pork roast tonight with mashed potato and a veggie. Wednesday I'll do the butternut squash with bacon and brussel sprouts for me and Aidan. I took a little ham out of the freezer, so maybe a ham and cheese quiche tuesday?

Weekend update

 I have been making progress on the second border of the cat and mice quilt. The triangles of cheese are tempting the mice and I'm nearly done 2 sides. It was nice quilting last night to a Lightning hockey game. I splurged this year and got Fubu which states it carries the local hockey games on Bally sports. I'm trying it out for a weekly trial to see. There are games Tuesday and Thursday so we will see.

I was able to get 7 of the potato chip blocks sewn up today before the bobbin ran out. I took that as a sign to be done for the day. This is the amount of parts left, so more will need to get cut out and prepped for more blocks - especially the lights. 

The 8th block was in progress. I select 2 colored ones for the middle, then 6 for the lights. Two sets of 2 colors and two sets of 3 colors to finish off the block. I try to get a little of each color in each block. This one has dark blue and orange in the middle. The sets of 2 - purple and green; red and yellow. The sets of 3 - teal, red, green and medium blue, brown and pink. I have 10 blocks to go before the quilt will hopefully be happy with a 7x6 setting of the 12 inch blocks. (72x84). I fear it might be unhappy with that size as well and want to be bigger. Stubborn quilt.

Linking up with the RSC on Saturday and Slow Sunday Stitching.

Greg and I headed over to see his Dad in rehab today. I guess Greg did not call Tuesday like I thought, and Tom was unaware of why we did not stop in Thursday. He knew kids were out of school (from the staff) but did not put that together with the Hurricane and why we didn't go over until today. His house was fine, and the power was back on. We put the storm shutters up and verified the AC was functioning and reset his clocks from the power loss. We will find out on Wednesday about his release date, but he appears to be strong enough to be going home very soon. There were lots of limbs and branches piled up on the side of the road for pick up and lots of gas stations without gas. I was very happy to have a full tank of gas in my car and the truck. One gas jug went to the lawn mower and if the stations near us are without gas, the other one will go in the kids car to get to school on Monday. 

Lets hope that is the end of storms for us this year.ca

My MIL got her power back on last night and did a happy dance. The clean up crew was also able to finish up her yard in a few hours late afternoon, so she is one very happy lady. I'll bet she is tossing the fridge and freezer but all in all is in good shape.

Friday ....

I think I took this photo a couple of days ago. He lifted his head while I grabbed my camera but put it back for the photo.

When I say we didn't get damage, this is what the back yard looked like before Aidan picked it up yesterday. Just leaves and small branches. We were very lucky. He has a nice stack of limbs and leaves in the fire pit.

We need to order a new tarp for shade for the girls. It got a little shredded from Helene. They were happy for some nibble seeds in this photo.

Emily was able to go to horses today instead of tomorrow. This is what I saw when I got home with her. The boy was doing the lawn.

I started on the triangle of cheese border last night. I feel much better after a good nights sleep. 

My MIL is still without power. Gas is still sparce, but the crew she hired had it looking great again in a few hours.  Traffic is terrible heading south, everyone heading back to their homes. Other than Greg taking Emily to horses across town today and me picking her up, we have stayed off the roads. She got to have barn time and helped groom the horses, give them some love and hung out with Kyra who she rides with. They also did their lesson today, since Lori needed to head to Winter Springs to help her Mom. She is mid-80's and just got her power back on, but the sewage is backing up in her house. Yuck. We warned her the Turnpike is closed southbound where things washed out... turns out that is the exit she gets off from but it will be a nightmare with detours! The girls had barn time from a little after 9AM until 2:30. They got all the animals brushed, fed and back out to the pastures. Loved up on the sheep that were hanging out there through the hurricane and the donkeys. I'm sure the 2 barn cats got attention as well. 

The kids complained (Aidan specifically) about my meals this week. Seems they were not happy. Monday was roasted veggie and italian sausage with penne pasta (zucchini, peppers, mushrooms and onion) with garlic bread. Tuesday, I warmed up a frozen bag of brisket and some baked potato. Wednesday I think they were on their own. Last night I made taco meat and fixings for a salad, with a taco salad for Emily (bottom layer is creamcheese/sour cream mixture, then strained salsa, onion, tomato, lettuce, mozzarella, black olives) eaten with chips. Friday is order pizza night. They will like that at least.

All good here.

 We have power and there appears to be no damage at my house. The dog had a long night. It rained all day and night - we got more than 6 inches of rain. I have not checked the gauge since about 4:30 when I was out with the dog. We finally got him to go out but had to go with him during the windy and pouring rain parts. We did have one accident in the front room. Poor guy. A little stressed from the storm.

We were very fortunate but lots of the state has had damage and it still having strong winds over on the east coast.

There are lots of people without power. We are very fortunate to have it.

It sounds like trees and power lines are down in our county so we will stay put until things are cleared. Waiting to hear on how my MIL is and will wait to check on Tom's house until Fri/Sat.

I did get the first white border on the cat and mouse quilted! Time to move onto the triangle cheese border.

Monday update

 Looks like Mother Nature sure is in a terrible mood! Milton is a Cat 5 with 180 MPH sustained winds. It should weaken tomorrow before making landfall as a 3. We will see. I hope it wobbles away from Tampa, but either way the coast is going to have some crazy storm surge. 

We are very far inland, so no worries about storm surge for me. We will get some winds and rain, but we are as prepped as we can be. I will make a few loaves of bread tomorrow as all the stores were out today when I went in the afternoon. 

The gas stations are all out as well. Hopefully a few trucks arrive overnight to refill. The highways headed north are 4 lanes of slowly moving traffic. They opened the left shoulder as a lane as well to move traffic. Millions of people need to evacuate from the coast - Tampa area. There are no available hotels.

Our county changed from having 3 shelters open starting tomorrow to 10 shelters open due to all the evacuations. The shelters are the schools. The kids have school tomorrow and they say it takes 2 hours to set up the shelters. They open at 5 or 6 PM tomorrow. 

Aidan had Academic club after school, and we texted him to pick up dinner on his way home before heading to his guitar lesson. We were picking up Emily at school after Marching Band practice ended at 6 and then heading to Lady Lake to button up my FIL's house. Greg and Emily put down the hurricane shutters and I cleared out his fridge/freezer into a cooler in case he loses power. Got everything put away and secured. They also helped the neighbor put their hurricane shutters down as well. They were quite rusted as they had not been used in a while. We stopped at Carvers for dinner and got Emily home around 9PM. She had about an hour of homework to do. 

The dog has had play time and lots of snuggles. He is not happy when everyone leaves him... which is a good thing I work from home! 

Laundry is done. Dishes will be all done tomorrow night and I'll refill up water containers with water for drinking and the tub with water as well. We do have the full pool as well. We have a well, so no power means no water.  We did grab a generator from my FIL, so we have that for the fridge and freezer if needed. 

That's the Monday evening update.

Slow Sunday

 Well, day 3 of migraine. The meds did not help this time, but the Advil did for the win! 

I had hubby take Emily to her Gold Planning Session so I could sleep. The Advil kicked in and I was able to pick her up. She was kind enough to plan my meals for the week so I didn't have to on the way home. I hear she is making fried rice tonight for dinner.

I stopped at the UPS Store to get a form notarized for Aidan's out of state trip next month. Juniors in the AICE program can do a trip on The Civil Rights Movement. They go to Montgomery, Birmingham and Atlanta with lots of stops at key spots in the Civil Rights Movement with hands on learning. They have their 4 for their room at the hotels picked out and coordinated. It is a 5 day trip next month.

We just got a call from the Marion County schools. They are closing school Wednesday and Thursday this week, with all after school activities cancelled on Tuesday due to the incoming storm Milton. Depending on damage will determine if they have school on Friday or not. They are opening shelters in 3 of the schools to allow a place for people to go in mobile homes or who live in non secure areas with projected hurricane winds. We live in a poured concrete house, so pretty secure with no trees close to the house. We are all set still from the last storm, just need to take down the cover over the carport on Tuesday and remove my fall wreath from the front door. 

I moved onto the borders for the hand quilting and have 1.5 sides to do in white before I move onto the triangle of cheese (for the mice) and the butterfly's (for the cats) in the outer two borders. Linking up with the Slow Sunday Stitchers.

Let me hold this down for you Mom. Now take my photo!

Since Emily needs to have a Journey completed before she can submit her Gold Award Project for approval, I also printed off the Think Like a Programmer meeting plans and notes in case we lose power/internet. I'll work with her on it when I am done work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday is my day off. I might hand off to her Dad, who just finished his BS in Computer Science last month. She is good in math and science so this one should come easy to her. I am a computer programmer so it should be an easy one for me to guide her through. I hear her Gold will be concerning Bees and why they are important. It should be a fun one for her to research and educate people about. She is expanding on her report she did on this going into High School last year. I'm sure you will be hearing more of this as she dig in to it after marching band season ends.

RSC - prep work

This was the dog last night. It's a tough life having a fight with Lambie. Lots of shaking and destuffing happened.

I left the 'crime scene' in place for Emily to see when she got home at midnight. I did manage to restuff Lambie and stitch him up. Turns out, once stitched it is not as fun since the dog can't unstuff him at will! 

I was to ride with Emily today, but the headache I had Thursday came back last night. It is a cross between a migraine (no issue with light or sound), a headache and spinning head when I bend or lean down. I did walk the dog this morning. I was going to bring Emily to horses, but hubby got up and when I mentioned a migraine, he offered to take her. I let him and took a nap.

I did get the Accuquilt out and the 2.5 inch die. I had not used that one yet. I pressed some fabric and got some 2.5 inch strips cut from scraps and fabric on the shelves. I then sat in my chair and sub cut into 2.5x4.5 parts. For each potato chip block, I need 6 lights and 12 colors. I tried to get a good variety. I'll cut more but this is a starting point. Linking up with the RSC.

It appears Florida is set to get another hurricane mid week. Milton has formed. This could be very bad for Tampa, which was hit from Helene last week. We will be watching the weather here in Florida and will see what happens. I have a feeling the kids will be off school one or two days this week. It is homecoming week, so that will be messing things up pretty well.  We are so glad that my FIL's tree is all taken down and won't cause any damage with this next storm.