Progress on the Trip Around the World quilt.

I had a nice chunk of time on Thursday and was able to piece a backing, pin and machine quilt this hand pieced 2 inch trip quilt. I also made and attached the binding to the front. I'll work on hand stitching that down the next few days. I forgot to add the corner bits...so I decided to leave it so they have a corner edge. We will see if it works with the binding or not! I had a quilting pattern in mind, that is the hardest part for me. I had graph paper and was drawing on it and came up with a continuous line quilting so that it does a line through every other row. If I have a plan, it makes the process so much easier!

 You can see the quilting a little better in these two photos. I used my walking foot and a 3 for the length. The standard is 2.5 on my machine for sewing so it is just a smidge bigger. I started in the middle square, went to the yellow, then the dark blue, then the purple, etc. 

This is what I am greeted with after walking the dog when we go out to 'check the chickens'. All 5 come running as they know I'll throw some seed in for them to eat. 

My angel trumpet is in full bloom.

At horses yesterday, Carolyn gave me this as a birthday present. My birthday was back on Monday the 4th. I opened it and said - a crochet hook and seam ripper, neat. She said, no it's a horse! OMG! I turned it slightly and it is indeed a horse! How neat is that. 

My birthday present to me is a trip to Hammer and Stain today in an open class. I am going to make a welcome plank for the front of the house for fall. IT should be a lot of fun. Carolyn, signed up as well and picked a different project. Emily is off to school for Winter Guard try outs. We will see how she does. She is the only one left from the practices that has never done this before. I'll pick her up at 1 and see how it went. The boy is in Montgomery Alabama on his Civil Rights Field trip doing a walking tour and then visiting UAB later. 

I have Monday off from work. So... I could either piece a backing for the Chip quilt and get that ready for machine quilting.... or clear out the front two rooms and give them a much needed painting. I'll decide later today after I go play with some paints and make a nice welcome to fall decoration.