Squaring up some rail fence blocks to go with the six blocks from last week's workshop. Every time I count the finished blocks, I get a different number. I think I need four more.

Theresa

I'm finally putting the binding on an applique project that has been sitting here a long time. It will be so good to finally getting something finished. My drawers are full of UFOs so who knows what I'll drag out next.

I may keep working on my hand quilting. I'm just not in the mood lately. :( I'll probably spend most of the weekend going through Mom's stuff that is at my house. Next weekend my DH and I will go back to her house in Lakeland and sort through more stuff.

Maybe when we finally get all the stuff taken care of and the house for sale I'll get back in the mood to sew. Right now it just kind of feels like this giant weight hanging over me.

Donna

Donna, I hope there are others who can help carry that weight. Make the load lighter. Meanwhile take care of yourself, the sewing will wait.

Theresa

I plan to sew some this weekend. I am still working on putting together my Allietare. I finished cutting up all the fabric for a Talking Turkey quilt for a friend who is getting married. I will do the string blocks and then take all the pieces with me to retreat in October. I want to get another top on the frame also.

Thanks, Theresa. My DH has been a HUGE help - he is really my rock. My brother is executor of the estate. He lives in Thomasville, GA (about a 5 hour drive from Mom's house). He had a small stroke right after her funeral and has been recovering from that. My sister is helping all she can, but she lives in Washington, DC so she's not able to help with the physical stuff.

I know there isn't any rush to get it done. I'm going to spend this weekend organizing the stuff that is at my house and see if that helps. Right now it's all piled in my quilting and sewing rooms; I think if I can find somewhere else to stash it that will help a lot! :)

Jackie, I have Talking Turkey on my to-do-someday list, too! I'd love to see a picture of yours when it's done.

Donna

Didn't get any sewing done this week,after having huge plans to get stuff done. My back went out on me and I can't sit, walk, stand for long periods of time - hate it! But it's feeling better today so may try some sewing and see how it goes.

so the Olaf window quilt will now be a Christmas present for GN. Sent her a go to a store she likes so she can pick out some clothes for back to school. Put it in an Olaf snap happy bag so she'll get something hand made from me.

Jackie, Donna - what's a talking turkey quilt?

Probably no sewing on Saturday as DD as invited me to go with her and DGD to an event in the afternoon while her DH has invited the Geezer to go with him to the grand-opening of the county's remodeled race track. On Sunday, we both will recover of daring to venture out. lol I've been waiting for inspiration to strike for making a quilt using the Frozen panel. I know what I want to do, but will need to find the fabric, or thinking of something else. In the meantime, I'm sewing rows of left-over 2 1/2" strips/pieces or a combination of them for a donation quilt to get them off the sewing table and putting them to use. It's about 30" X 48" at this time.

Donna, my thoughts are with you on settling the house. We dealt with that last year (FIL). Although DH's sister was co-executor she wasn't much help.

As for quilting, nada for this weekend. I've finally got all the denim for the sofa slipcovers and now I have to bite the bullet and do it. I pre-washed it today because I want to be able to take them off and wash them when needed. I'm anxious about it, I don't do that kind of sewing. I'll just have to go slow and measure carefully. I did do some mock-ups with muslin on the different types of cushions, they didn't come out too bad but on the real ones I have to do zippers and I don't do zippers! Wish me luck.

Unfortunately (or, fortunately), I got involved in a huge sewing machine auction and succumbed. I have to pick those up tomorrow and find some place to put them. I love old sewing machines and got carried away. This will keep me busy when I retire, but I doubt I will have time to do the refurbs until then.

I took my first quilt to be quilted last weekend. I made the backing too small, so I have to add 2" on two sides and return it them. I cut that today. I also finished cutting out my "I spy" quilt this afternoon. I hope to get that backing done this weekend and at least get a start on the I spy.

bkay

No quilting for me this weekend, either. I am painting one of my son's rental houses. I was there today until 7pm and then DH & I went out for dinner since it is his birthday! Poor guy spent most of the day alone. Tomorrow and Sunday will finish the bedrooms, and then he wants me to paint the kitchen cabinets, also. They are so old and hopefully a coat of paint will help. I have to be there for the carpet installers, too. He had to be out of town on business and his flight today was cancelled. He found another flight that gets back to Denver about 1am, so another 2 hours before he gets home. Poor kid. Anyway, he will come and help tomorrow, also. Any free time will be collapsing, I think!

Well we finally had the HVAC unit for the upstairs replaced this week, so my sewing room is almost operational. The unit is in the attic, and the installers had to go through my fabric stash sewing room closet up a pull down ladder to remove and replace the unit. Bless them, it was 135 degrees or better in the attic. Any way, all the debris from the process has been removed so I'm back in my playroom. Poor, but comfortable! If I get some time I hope to do some sewing...I've got the itch to sew! I wanted to to do the July lotto...cool block, but it was not to be...I may make a few for myself anyway.

Donna...been there done that and sooo understand what a process that is to go through. It seemed so overwhelming at times, as my MIL was a hoarder, but once through it all ...oh what a relief!

Talkin turkey...I like that block...can't wait to see your quilts!

Bkay, please tell me more about the sewing machine auction...my mom has a circa 1970 Kenmore that I would love to sell. You can email me at donnabrisbin @ gmail . com

Thanks! Donna

Need to finish a very quick table runner and still have some hand sewing on some placemats! (These placemats have been a work in progress since...wow...March, maybe???) Looking for some super fast and easy table runner patterns to make a few fall themed runners. Any suggestions??

Beth, thanks for the reminder. I've got some fall fabric that we used for runners at a square dance without hemming them. I always thought I would like to make them into a quilted runner. (I could make several.)

Donna, I feel for ya. I had to clean my mom's house and sell it. It was the house she was born in...honestly, there were hoops I think must have been from hoop skirts. LOL I had finally cleaned it out and had it ready to sell when my ex SIL's home was flooded out. She was able to move in with her two disabled siblings until her home was fixed up. What a blessing it turned out to be after such a burden for me.

Not sure yet if I'll get any quilting done. I'm busy fermenting veggies and cleaning house. DD is coming home next weekend with her BF and his daughter. She's finally getting all her stuff out of the basement. YEAH! Maybe I'll go up later and start FMQ the LOTTO wallhanging.

I managed to get all the blocks together on my Allietare. Now I will have to sew the rows together. I am in no hurry since it will be a Christmas gift to my son and daughter-in-law. I have also been working on string blocks for the Talking Turkey.

Beautiful quilt, Jackie. Love it.

Theresa

Jackie, that is beautiful!!

Sue

That turned out beautifully. How are you going to quilt it? I sent mine off to a longarmer and didn't bother with it. I'd made mine bigger so it's too much of a bundle for me. Will you do it yourself?

I will quilt it myself. I have a longarm. I usually go with an all-over swirly/curvy design on Bonnie Hunter quilts as they are usually pointy. The curves go well with the straight lines and pointy stars. After I get the blocks together, I will ad at least a couple borders.