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Monday, April 27, 2020

Design Wall Monday - April 27, 2020

Thanks for all of your birthday wishes last week, you made me feel special, even during these no physical contact times.  I did get a lot done.  I finished another May Basket block, and also made good progress on the redwork quilt border flowers.

The May Basket block directions said to use six strands of floss for the French knots, but after I made a few, I decided they were too big, and took them out.  I made the knots for the flowers with four strands, which still made big French knots.  





Here is a picture of the completed block:



Long ago, one of the redwork blocks got wet during the making of it; a water bottle spilled on it.  I saw that the red Perle cotton thread bled a little bit.  So now that I am near the finish of his project, I am heating up each piece in a pan on the stove with some “color catchers” to take out the extra red even before the quilt is assembled.  Here is the batch I finished on Sunday:  First picture is of the two piles of color catchers, from soaking #1 and #2, and the empty kettle.  




Next is the border piece in the cool down water (after-bath) so it is cooler for me to pick up to lay it out to dry.




And lastly, the border piece laid out to dry on the kitchen counter.  I am glad I am doing this before assembly, as it is more manageable in pieces.  But I would think that DMC Perle cotton would be colorfast.  It turns out that it is not.  The white background looks pink in the picture, but it is not.  Amateur photographer.



What progress are you making this week?  Please link up and show us!  Just provide a link back to this particular blog post from somewhere within yours.  Thanks!







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Monday, April 20, 2020

Design Wall Monday - April 20, 2020

How are you?  I had a birthday Thursday, and my internet friends kept me in smiles all day long.  Facebook puts me in touch with people I’ve known at various places/times throughout my life, and it brought me lots of good memories.   Plus all the telephone calls from children and close friends.  It was a birthday that made me feel very blessed, even though we didn’t go anywhere or do anything very special.  Hubby made a beautiful fire and we enjoyed that while I got used to being 77.  I sure don’t feel 77, but the numbers don’t lie.  We participated in a Zoom meeting with some church friends, and that was fun.  They all sang Happy Birthday to me.      

I learned that Zoom is a meeting app that allows you to see others as well as hear them on your phone.  New app for us, and we managed to get it working without too much difficulty.  It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks!







I haven’t made much progress on the redwork borders, but I did finish a basket block for the May Baskets quilt.  


Here it is, isn’t it cute? 



I am taking the redwork borders project  with me when I sit with my sister today during dialysis.  The baskets require different colors of floss, and they are easier to work on while I am home.  Sis is less anxious with me beside her, so that is going well.

Please link up and show us what you have on your Design Wall (or are working on) this week.  Please remember to link back to this blog post from somewhere within your blog post.  I thank you.








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Monday, April 13, 2020

Design Wall Monday - April 13, 2020

How are you holding up during this pandemic?  My M W F trips into town to sit with my sister during her dialysis are going well.  She is much calmer while I sit with her during the four hour process and with my travel time 1/2 hour each way, I am doing my part to help out in this crisis for 5 hours x three days a week. 

We are out in the woods with no people for miles around us, and one day last week, as I left to go sit with my sister.....hubby was out for a walk with Penny Lane.   When he saw my car coming, he stood at the side of the road and applauded for me, as the people are doing in New York to thank the nurses and doctors.  lol. We continue to amuse ourselves after 56 years of marriage, which is a good thing when we are isolated by ourselves.

This last week I finished the 64th square of the redwork quilt, and am working on the flowered border.   Making good progress on the borders while I sister-sit. Sunday, I put all 64 squares out on the Design Wall [floor] at the cabin.  Here is the first picture of all of the squares:




A closer picture of part of it:



Yesterday was Easter Sunday, and was so strange being here, just the two of us.    I made ham and scalloped potatoes in the crock pot, a salad, and a blueberry/raspberry crisp for dessert.  But with no kids, grandkids, Easter baskets, candy, etc., it was very different.  On the positive side, I am thankful all our staying apart measures are helping the cause; so it is worth it.  We did listen to three different church services on the computer, and also enjoyed the music of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Chorus as they gave us the Hallelujah Chorus. Enjoy it Here

It is time to show us what is on your Design Wall.  I am really enjoying reading all the ways quilters are helping others during this crisis.  Thank you.  Please add your link here and add a link back to this particular blog post from somewhere within your blog post.




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Monday, April 6, 2020

Design Wall Monday - April 6, 2020

April is here, and a lot of quilters have been making face masks.  I am so proud of all of you who have pitched in.  I am without a sewing machine or fabric up north here at our cabin, and only brought embroidery with me.  So thank you to all who have pitched in and answered the call.  You really stepped up.

My redwork is progressing nicely, while I am housebound.  Here are two squares.  First is a family of pigs, and second is a nest of birds.  After the nest of baby birds is finished, I will have only ONE more square to do to complete the 64.  I am also working on the borders.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!






















So far, I’ve been staying completely away from the world, but that all changes today, as I have been asked to sit with my sister while she is in dialysis. (I don’t talk about it much here, but I am responsible for my younger sister.)  This coronavirus has made her so anxious she is unable to sit calmly during dialysis. Usually she can snack her way through it, but now they don’t allow food, and she has to wear a face mask.

I am going to drive to the dialysis site, and sit with her during the 5 hour process every M W F until this quarantine is over, and/or her process is less stressful.  She has dialysis in a town about 1/2 hour away from our cabin, so I am glad I am able to help.

I’ll take my IPad and look on the internet for some jokes to read to her, and take my Bible and a book in case she wants me to read to her.  If she falls asleep, I will have my redwork quilt borders to work on. There are no coronavirus cases in this county yet, and I will continue to be careful, and will of course, be masked and gowned myself while there.  

Please link up and show us what you are working on this week.  All I ask is that you provide a link back to my blog post from somewhere within your blog post.  Thanks.....and Stay Safe!

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