Attempting to hand quilt last night....

This is what happens when I get the hoop and quilt out. Meet Maxie and you can see Sophie the white cat laying on the end of the recliner.

Mommy put the quilt down for me!

That hoop is in my way Mom!

Fine. I'll make it work but it is not the most comfy pillow!

I timed it and it takes me 1.5 hours or so to do a block! I am probably just slow and there were some breaks for some cereal and reviewing insurance policies on-line (Greg did all the work I just review the two and select the best one after some discussion.). I did have three needles going and that was a big help for not having to turn it so often and disturb the poor cats from their naps. I have nine blocks completed and one block just needs some quilting on the inside of the four peels. 40 blocks to go.....and the borders =).

Slow Stitching Sunday......

I'm trying to put the house back together (putting xmas away and pulling out my snowmen) while trying not to reinjure my back. Somehow on Friday I did something to it and boy did it hurt all day yesterday. It was fine when I got up today but after doing dishes and putting away the dishwasher... I guess it was a little too much bending and lifting. I did manage to put away my snow globes but now it is time for a break with the heating pad and some prep work.
I'll be drawing the lines on my white squares to add a round to the Trip around the world block.

Trip around the World block - hand pieced 2.5 inch squares.

Edited - The white round is on.... time to select the next blue color for this. Quiche is in the oven - spinach, scallion and cheese - with a salad on the side and dinner is done.

After a rest - I plan to head into the sewing room and pull from my bin of sorted scraps and prep some Midget Appliqué blocks. Those will be my Tiny Tuesday posts this year and if things are all prepped in advance it is so easy to grab a bag as you head out the door and get a few stitches in while waiting on the kids or even at night in front of the tv relaxing. I printed out a bunch but will only prep 4 or so... unless I am really on a roll and do more =).

Later tonight - or as my back yells at me - I will be putting a few stitches in something - either the TATW or Hugs and Kisses (in the header picture) while I sit against the heating pad. I have a feeling there will be some movie watching time this afternoon with that heating pad on my back. Greg took the kids for a bike ride and made breakfast this morning. The kids have been playing doggie and are entertaining themselves good so far today. So nice to just run outside to play (84 degrees today!) instead of bundling up in winter coats, hats and mittens up in VT last week.

Emily came down with the fifths disease on Friday (rash that appears 4-21 days after a fever) that was going around school before Winter break. It is not bothering her at all - no itching and no fever or aches so I don't think she needs a doctor visit on Monday but can go to school as she is not contagious once the rash appears. I will call her pedi on Monday just to make sure. It is making me itch just looking at her though.

Head on over to Kathy's Quilts and see what other slow stitching is taking place today. I figured I'd show a picture of my rose bushes out front as of Friday. Just something bright and flowery for all those getting a freezing chill or winter storm today.

RSC 2014....

I decided to finish at least ONE of my RSC quilt tops so the sampler got some walking foot attention this week and just needs the binding to be sewn down. It feels so good have an almost finish at the end of the year.

I've also made some progress on the Hugs and Kisses RSC hand appliqué project from 2013 - I have hand quilted 9 of the 49 blocks. I decided to add a few more stitches in each block by stitching on the inside of each orange peel (to make sure my appliqué stitches stay put!) - I have 3 more blocks to add those final touches to. This is my first try at using a hoop on a hand quilting project - I decided I don't care for the PCV square or the large oval hoop. The smaller round wooden hoop is feeling comfortable and nicely puts my 9 inch block inside it so I can quilt it. I still have not figured out how to get the cats off the quilt  while I am quilting but we have come up with a compromise so I can continue stitching and Max can be on the quilt at night. =)

I'm linking up Saturday morning with the RSC Challenge and on Sunday with Kathy Quilts for the Slow Stitching Sunday. Head on over and visit the links for some wonderful inspiration.