Progress on the drum and piano quilts

Friday evening I decided I needed to trim and mow the grass before all the rain hit us - at least according to the weather people - Saturday and Sunday. We got some rain early Sunday morning, but that was it. Not enough to soften the ground for pulling weeds or as much as they predicted. I did take the weed wacker to some of the weeds in the flower beds when I was trimming, but since I didn't kill them I have a feeling this will only make them stronger!

I finished sewing together the drum quilt top.

I then began to work on the piano quilt before I added the borders to the drum quilt. I wanted to make sure I have at least enough fabric for the blocks for the piano quilt. I figure I could always not put a border on either quilt if I ran out of fabric. Here is the piano quilt top all done.

I then put the drum quilt back up on the design wall and the borders are just pinned to the wall. I was getting tired Sunday and I wanted to get the studio straightened up and the table cleaned off before I drugged the drum top around to do the borders.

I had the Olympics on while I sewed all weekend. Tennis was on and I watched the men's double. Bob and Mike, the Bryan twin brothers, won. They are friends of my brother and when Bob (the one on the left) had a baby this year, my brother wanted to give one of my quiltsto him for the baby. Remember this zig zag quilt?

Busy evening

I did my volunteer bit at the museum last evening. We were fairly busy since there was a big crowd for the Numbers Band. Here is a shot of the crowd from the parking deck across the street from the museum.

After intermission there were no customers at the beer concession stand and since we had plenty of help I took off to go see my nephew, Michael, play with the Jammin' Paul Band for open jam night at the Main Street Saloon. Michael's drummer friend from the Retro band was going to play along with Michael and others in the second set, but I left. It was already 9:30 and I needed to go home and go to bed.

This weekend it is all about being a hermit! I don't plan on leaving the house any farther than the front yard. I want to finish the drum quilt top and get the piano quilt top made. I plan on doing some serious weeding in the early mornings since the mornings are cooler now and we are suppose to get some rain this weekend which will help soften up the ground. My front yard and flower beds are a disaster!

Have a great weekend!

Turning blocks into rows

I had a busy evening so not much sewing happened. I did get the blocks sewn togther for row 2 and 3.

Tonight I work at the art museum - second to last Downtown at Dusk event for the season - so probably no sewing will happen tonight.

More progress on the drum quilt

I got the last three blocks made yesterday evening and managed to get the three bottom rows sewn together! I will be adding a border, but not until I make the blocks for the piano quilt. I can't believe how I have used up so much of my fabric with musical notes on them. I want to at least get the blocks made for the piano quilt and then I will use what I have left for borders. Guess what I will be buying at the next sale in October at Miller's Dry Goods?

The McDonald's next door - not a problem for me. I have been there maybe three times in the last 8 years. I think we bought ice cream sundaes once or twice and one smoothie just this summer. I wouldn't walk over there by myself - too many unsavory characters in the area.

Progress on the drum quilt

I made four more blocks last evening even though I was very tired. After I finished the fourth block I went to bed. Here are the blocks - only three more to go!

On my way home from work the blimp was floating around. I took a quick picture thru the car window. My office is beside a McDonalds so thus the top of the arch on their sign.

What a weekend!

I managed to get the house is order before Peg showed up. We decided to tackle a Jane Sassaman quilt. I had some pictures from the recent giveaway for her new book and we just went from there. Here is the top taht we made out of a cone flower print.

All the patches had to be fussy cut and ended up on the bias. The pink and green inner border added some stability to the piece. I don't know how many yards of fabric we went thru, but it was a lot! We could only get three patches out of the width of the fabric. The flowers on the outside edge could not be used. We did end up using the leftover edge pieces for piecing together the backing. The top ended up 52" X 52". I am going to quilt this for Peg.

Sunday morning we finished the Jane Sassaman quilt and then Peg worked on some tote bags while I sewed more of my drum blocks. I need 7 more blocks.

We left the house about 6 p.m. to go and see my nephew's band play. This worked out great as we were both ready for a break and the venue was right beside the interstate. Peg stayed for the first set and then headed home. I went back to the stage and helped sell t-shirts and pack up after they were done. The crowd was wonderful and everyone seem to have a good time.

I was told that I was not allowed to miss anymore gigs because at Saturday's gig my sister-in-law was so busy selling t-shirts and fridge magnets that she could not keep up. She keep saying "Where's Patty? We need Patty!" At Saturday's gig the venue supplied and air conditioned trailer for dressing rooms, food, and drinks. Michael got to meet Nic Fortuna from the 60's band The Buckinghams. They had a long conversation about the 60's, recording, and touring. We have another fan turned volunteer for the band, Ed. My brother just can't take care of Michael's equipment and run the video camera so Ed is now going to the the camera. He is also another pair of hands to tear down and pack up after a show. The Michael Weber Show machine is rolling along! I didn't get to bed until 10 p.m. last night - which doesn't seem that late for some, but I get up at 5:30 a.m. and I am a bit tired today.

I am looking for a source for some good prices on African Dutch Wax fabrics. I am now committed to making a series of these quilts.

I can't reveal all the details yet about what is going on, but it is special! I just don't have the funds to go and buy pieces of lots of different prints - I like to use lots and lots of different prints. I am proposing that if anyone wants to contribute a 1/4 yard or more of one or more pieces of African Dutch Wax I will make sure that they get their name on a very special quilt made with this fabric and send them a picture of the quilt. I totally am out of blue fabric and my stash of light colors are next to none. If anyone knows a source where I could get remnants or at least really good prices on Dutch wax fabric please, please let me know. Thank you!

The weekend's activities

Last night I worked at the museum and despite the pouring rain (YEAH!!!) we had a pretty good crowd. The band, Speedbumps, was very good. Much of the crowd was there to go to the lecture being given by Al Bright, an artist from Youngstown. He is the gentleman in the suit and tie. After I served Mr. Bright a beer, I got to talk to him awhile - very nice man! I wish I could have gone to the lecture, but I had to man my station and sell beer. The lecture was suppose to be a half hour, but after 55 minutes the doors to the auditorium were still closed so there must have been a lot of questions!

I did get two more blocks done for the drum quilt.

This is going to be an action packed weekend! My friend Peg is coming to quilt. This will be the first time she will see the bedroom that I fixed up last year for her. So tonight is all about making the bed for her, food prep, and straightening up a bid in the studio. Here is a picture of the room before I installed the bed.

Early Saturday morning I have a haircut appointment and Peg will be coming around noontime. We plan on going to the Akron Art Museum so Peg can see the El Anatsui exhibit. Sunday is all about sewing and then we will head over to Cuyhoga Falls about 6 p.m. for the Italian festival so she can see my nephew's band play. The venue is right next to the interstate so it will be easy for Peg to jump on the interstate Sunday night to head home.