Progress on the piano quilt

I quilted almost two blocks last evening after I exercised. It went so much easier since the thread did not jump out of the bobbin once! I think the tension adjustment solved the problem - YEAH!

So my goal is to have this quilt finished by Monday so I can ship it to California. I have 14 blocks to quilt, plus the centers of all 30 blocks and a small section of the border. Then I will get the binding and the label on. It will be a lot of work, but I will be so glad to have it done. I will then start back on the wedding quilt.

So now you know what I am doing this weekend - what are you up to?

Have a good one!

Progress on the piano quilt

I didn't go to quilt group last evening so I could stay home to exercise and work on the piano quilt. I got one more square quilted.

I have been having problems with my bobbin thread jumping out of the tension guide. When it does that I know it. So I played around with that and tightened up the tension a little bit. I managed to finish the block last night ok - the thread had jumped out twice. Tonight I will quilt another block and see how it goes. I have accidently dropped my bobbin case in the past - that's a bad thing! If the tension adjustment doesn't work, I might have to look into buying a new bobbin case. They are not very expensive.

My ride

Well, I made it home last eveing ok. I had to walk the bike part way because the first half mile is uphill with 4 lanes of traffic and no room for a sorry bike rider. Once I got up the hill and across a very busy intersection, it was pretty much downhill from there. I only had to get off the bike once more to cross at another busy intersection. I just don't trust people are going to see me even with my bright red jacket so I would rather walk the bike across. I was tired when I got home. I sat and watched a movie and went to bed so no quilting happened.

Yesterday the fellow that delivers our copier paper is an avid bike rider and he notice that my chain was in a goofy place. He gave me a quick education about how I might not be using my gear shifts corectly. Well, he was such a big help! This morning I rode all the way to work except when I had to stop to cross a busy street! Monday it took me 50 minutes to get to work with all the walking I did. Today it took me 30 minutes! That was even with the time it took to pick myself up off the floor (pavement) when I started back on the bike after I cross the street. I had my foot turned and caught my heel on the bike frame. It was just stupid. I had already made sure there were no cars coming before I remounted my bike anyway so there was not danger of being hit by a car. I picked myself up, brushed off my bum, and started pedding again. I am not as tired today so maybe I will get some quilting done tonight.

Piano quilt report and a challenging weekend

I managed to get 13 out of 30 blocks quilted and about 75% of the border quilted this weekend.

Here is the back. You can see the lines quilted in the block and the border is done in meandering. I still have the accent centers of each block to quilt.

I would have gotten more quilted if my car didn't have a mechanical issue. I was on my way to the grocery (Marc's) on Friday and to take my half day vacation, Well, I heard a big clunk. I knew exactly what it was, because it happened almost two years ago to the driver's side - the strut broke on the passenger side rear. It took me about a half an hour driving really slow thru lunchtime traffic to limp the car 6 miles to the dealership. I tried to be considerate by pulling over to the side of the road when I could with my hazzard lites flashing waving people around when I could. I think I only pissed off one guy, but he was being an a**hole so I paid him no mine. The dealership took me home and now I had to regroup. I wanted to get some more chicken while it was on sale so I walked a mile and a half to Acme. I bought four packs of chicken. They have these nice hot/cold bags so I bought two - two packs of chicken in each so I would be balanced walking back home. The farther along I got the heavier the chicken got and the more I was sweating - and it was on about 65 degrees out. I was about a half mile from home when a neighbor stopping and asked if I wanted a ride. Thanks goodness! I would have made it but I was getting tired carring 24 pound of chicken! On Saturday I walked to the Sherwin Williams store to see if they had my favorite tape I use for taping down quilt backs.

It was 30% off so I bought two rolls. I then walked about a half mile to a furniture store that was having a sale to check it out, and then circled to the library to pick up my DVDs and use the computer for a few minutes. The walk was 4 miles and took about 2 hours out of the day. Then I had to sit down, rest a bit, and get something to eat. Sunday I stayed home, but took time out to make yogurt, mow the grass, do some laundry, and cook some chicken. This morning I rode/walked the bicycle to work. There is a long drag in the middle of the ride and I knew it was just too much for me to try. I haven't been on my bike riding outside for two years. I walked over a mile in the middle of my trip this morning up that long uphill drag. Once I got to the top of the crest, it was downhill a half mile to work. The milege is about 3.5 miles and it took me 50 minutes. Right now I am very slow, but I had planned on going slow and left the house at 6:05 a.m. so I could just take my time. I will be getting my car back on Wednesday so it will be a fun couple of days! I am just glad my car broke while I was in town and not out on the highway or out of town. I will be going to work at the quilt shop in Charm in a few weeks so I am glad this happened now.

A little progress or one sorry post!

I had an errand to run after work and after having a light dinner and exercising next thing I know it is 7:30! I did sit down and wind bobbins for the piano quilt. I know sad, but at least it is something! I am taking a half day vacation today and I plan on concentrating on quilting all weekend. I will throw in some exercise too, but I need to focus on the piano quilt. Here are the wound bobbins.

Beside my machine I have all the threads I am using for the wedding quilt. I need to get them moved out of the way, but keep them together. I have an old plastic spool tray that will fit the bill.

Have a great weekend!

Cooler weather - somewhat

The weather has finally cooled of a bit so that I feel that I can go walking at lunchtime without the heat making me sick. I still got red in the face and sweated a bit, but I didn't get totally overheated. I took a couple of pictures to compare the water height since it had been so dry and we finally have gotten some much needed rain. Here is a shot from underneath the bridge 8/22/12

today

along the river 8/23/12

along the river today

The water running over the old lock today

There isn't a drastic difference, but the water is somewhat higher. Maybe I will get some quilting done tonight. Last evening after laundry and exercising I was just too tired. I went to bed early so no quilting happened.

The piano quilt

I finished pin basting the piano quilt last evening - YEAH! So tonight after work Iwill start quilting. I know I am going to have to take a day of vacation to try and get a big chunk of the quilting done. There is just not enough time in the evenings to as much done as I think I need to accomplish. It will be worth it to spend a little of my vacation time to work on this piece.

Pin basting the piano quilt

I had to stop at the library first thing after work and then I had to make yogurt. I finally got down to the studio about 5:45 p.m. and then it was onto assembling the piano quilt. I have it a little more than half pin basted.

Tonight I will finish pin basting and maybe start quilting. Since my brother, his wife, son and I are not going to N.J. this upcoming week, I guess I will take that vacation time off to work on this quilt or I will never get it done in time.

Day 21 wedding quilt quilting and a change in plans

Ok, they have gone in and change the blogger layout. I hate that when this happens! Who knows what this post will look like! I had a busy weekend - hair color and cut, grocery shopping, and cleaning house. One of the groceries had fresh chicken breasts on sale. I picked up two packages on Saturday to try and the chicken was really good so I went back on Sunday and bought 10 more packages. Each package had 4 halves in them. It took me about an hour to pull the skin off, wash and trim all visible fat off the breasts. They are all tucked in the freezer for future use.

I only got two blocks quilted on the wedding quilt since a change in plans happened. The wedding is still happening, but my brother was in town yesterday. He said if I could get the piano quilt in three weeks he was going to see the person the quilt is for and would like to give it to them then. So I switched gears yesterday. I had to clean off the big table, wash and press the backing, and cut the batting. So here are the parts ready for assembly and pin basting.

Fabric.com was having another sale - they have one every day - and I found a few pieces that fit into my stash.

Well, I am going to push the publish button and we will see how it goes!

Day 19 wedding quilt quilting

I have been in a bit of a blue funk for the last couple of days, but I'm ok. I made myself quilt a block on the wedding quilt last evening. So this is number 26 out of 42 done.

Yesterday at lunch I walked across the steet (a very bust 4 lanes!) to a antique/junk shop to look at a quilt that they have had hanging outside. Here is what the place looks like from across the street. I can't believe I got this shot without a car in it.

Here is what they had on display:
one made with a variety of fabrics - I think it was marked $40.00

This funky top that I love - $45.00

This one I like very much also. Looks like large scraps just sewn together - $75.00

I went inside to see what else they had and there was this top - $35.00. Hand pieced and nicely made. I really, really liked this, but I didn't buy it for me. This top and the other funky top are finding a new home in NYC. These quilts looked like someone whose blog I read and get inspired from. I emailed her just to show her these two tops and I said that they reminded me of her. Now she wants to buy them. I ran back over to the shop, bought them, and they are going in the mail this morning to their new home. I can't wait to see how she finishes them!

This shop also had lots and lots of linens. Here is one section and they had two more sections packed with linens.

I could have spent hours digging thru this shop!

I may have quilting company tomorrow. I have not heard back from them so I am not sure at this point. I will be spending as much time as I can on the wedding quilt. I would like to get it done and move on to the next project. Have a great weekend!

Day 16 wedding quilt quilting

After work I watched one espisode of Sex in the City, exercise using a DVD I borrowed from the library (a fat burning routine from The Firm - brutal!), and then quilted one more block. This is block 25. Only 17 more to quilt! I really need to add some bike riding or walking to my evening routine on top of the exercise DVD routine, so that will be impacting the machine quilting time.

Day 15 wedding quilt quilting and what a weekend

Saturday I went to visit my son and stopped at The Material Girl quilt shop to see what was on sale. I picked up a couple of pieces that were in the $3.99 group and some others that were 20% off. From left to right: 1 yard purple flannel for my sister's flannel quilt, 3 yards cream/green/blue at $3.99 a yard for stash, 2 yards text fabric for stash, 1 yard guitar fabric for stash, 3.88 yards yellow and gray at $3.99 for yellow and gray quilt I need to make for Peg's room, 2 yards of white/black polka dot for stash, and 2 yards of hot pink for baby girl quilts.

Here are a few shots of the inside of the shop. This is Wendy the owner.

After my visit I headed back to Akron and it already after 3 p.m. I stopped at the library before heading to the house. I sat and relaxed for a little while until I headed out the door again to go see my nephew's band play. I now have an official job with the band! I am in charge of selling t-shirts and fridge magnets. His mom did this along with taking photos, visiting with people and everything and anything else that comes up. So me handling the t-shirt sales takes a big load off of her. I sold 13 shirts and one magnet. Here is a picture of the band

Michael's mom, my sister-in-law, dyed those pants he is wearing. Michael's has a vintage soul! Both of these photos were taken by my sister-in-law. This picture shows Michael's intensity. He really is having a good time despite the look on his face.

The band played from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. so I didn't get to bed until 12:15 and I was still tired when I got up around 8. I only managed to get 3 blocks quilted on the wedding quilt. Part of the problem was being tired, but the other thing is that I am watching Sex in the City on DVD. I have only see episodes here and there and I wanted to watch the whole series in order. I get watching more that quilting! I think there were six seasons and I am 2/3 the way thru season four.

I had to stop quilting and fix my son's rain pants that I have had for at least 2 or 3 years. He needs them for work. I will see him again today so I promised I would get them fixed. I needed to shorten them and replace one zipper at the ankle. Yeah they are done!

I had taped Ingorious Bastards and started watching it on Friday. I could only watch so much at a time. That movie was so intense it was hard to watch! I ended up watching it in three sittings because it was such a mentally hard movie to watch, BUT somehow I didn't program the VCR correctly and didn't get the end of the movie! My recording stopped at the part of the movie where Marci was standing in front of the pile of film behind the screen at the cinema after he had locked all the doors. I don't know how much more of the movie there was to go, so unless someone can answer all my qustions I will need to borrow the movie from the library so I can see the end.

Day 12 wedding quilt quilting

I am now halfway done! I quilted block 21 last evening which is the yang block to yesterday's block post. Note: I just looked and realize I took a picture of the wrong block for yesterday's post. The block should have been the ying block to this one. Oops!

Saturday I am going to visit my son, stop at the quilt shop for their anniversary sale and go watch my nephew's band play. I will try to get at least one block quilted, but it all depends on the amount of time between the visit and the band. Here is the poster for the concert.

Sunday I plan on staying home and quilt. I do need to mow the grass sometime this weekend. We have had enough rain and dew that the grass really needs a haircut! It is still to hot to weed, but I feel a change in the air is coming!

Have a great weekend!

Day 11 wedding quilt quilting

Block number 20 out of 42 is done! I am almost halfway done!

Day 10 wedding quilt quilting

I know this is not very exciting, but it is what I am doing right now. At my current pace I should have this quilt quilted by September 17th so please bear with me! Here is the 19th block quilted.

Last evening there were two doe and a large fawn having dinner in my backyard. The one doe is hard to see. She is on the right near the trees. This is one really bad picture! I had one knee on the washer while I was leaning toward the window to take the picture with one hand. It was also taken thru the screen and the post in the middle is for the deck above. At least the pictures blurs the mess my backyard is in right now. Until this heat and humidity breaks I just can't go outside and get it cleaned up and mowed. Maybe the timing of the weather will happen as I finish the wedding quilt.

Day 9 wedding quilt quilting

I didn't get as much done as I thought I might on this quilt. Saturday I went for a 3 mile walk and the heat and humidity wiped me out! I stayed indoors the rest of the weekend except for a quick trip to the grocery store Sunday morning. I did ride my bike on the trainer on Sunday and Monday.

I now have 18 of 42 blocks quilted. I am almost half done. There was a slightly off white color I was using of Sulky and used all of that spool. I decided to spend some time straighten up my quilting thread and found another small spool of the color I thought I had run out of. I am not sure it will be enough, but at least I can keep moving forward.