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Post by choney2 on May 21, 2020 11:24:39 GMT
Ruth, what kind of bush is it that you and Dh gave a major haircut to? That is so common- that the plant comes back whether you wanted it to or not after being severely pruned. As a smaller plant it will be easier to shape or trim to keep at a size that you like. That is a lot of work, hauling those dead branches off to the roadside for pickup. You have the right strategy for yard cleanup....little by little. Outside projects are overwhelming because of their magnitude and of course that weeds and plants we even like just continue to grow. (To me, the yard work just seems endless) So it does take the place of workouts and walks....counts as good activity. All the color changes in DGD’s lapghan will mean a lot of ends to weave in...by now you must be really good at that, and because its a project that you enjoyed designing for her, it will go quickly. I cannot believe how quickly you get your projects done. Hope you have good weather to get more yard work done- just don’t forget to take those much needed crochet breaks!
Gotta take the car for inspection this morning. It was due last month (which they extended due to the Covid shutdowns) but I want to get it done before it goes too long. I already spoke with the mechanic and he is expecting it. Yesterday was the second time I had to remind the cashier that I got a senior discount (my store discount card has the senior sticker on it and I always present the card sticker side up). Well, it saves me 5% off my bill....enough to buy a yard of fabric. (Ha ha ha). I will continue with my limited gardening a bit later today. I finished off the partial gallon of stain on the shed yesterday- well, that opened up Pandora’s box and the shed really needs a whole fresh coat of stain. Guess that will go on my list for this summer. Think today will be a quiet day- once I get the car taken care of. Ginny
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Post by phyl on May 21, 2020 14:41:43 GMT
good morning,
trying to decide to clean or play in my playpen.even if I put off cleaning till tomorrow still have 3 days to play. we are not going anywhere.
I would love to go to the dells and have lunch at cracker barrel. that is a tourist place.so will wait.maybe labor day.
Il is just across the state line so probably be alot of people from there wanting to do something with their kids. I can't blame them.
well the cleaning is on hold. yippee. told Don clean or make masks. he said make masks. he has somethings he wants to do. more planting in his garden for one.
I have been in the local small quilt shop the last two days.first day I found some fabric for boys. then yesterday went back and got the matching fabric. bought thread both days. so now I am stocked up on gray thread also.
bought some fat quarters that look like stain glass. one is blue and white one is brown and white. would make a pretty wall hanging or quilt if I knew what I wanted to do.
the fabric is made by wwwstudiofabrics.net was playing around with the site yesterday. phyl
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Post by gramma15 on May 21, 2020 16:54:32 GMT
I don't remember what kind of bush this is. We've had it for nearly 30 years. There were a bunch of them but the area was not sectioned off so some got killed by the lawn mower. Dh built a low barrier around that whole area. I'd say at least 12 feet long. This bush was near one end and used to have pretty blossoms in the spring and then red berries, One of The two surviving ones at the other end had orange berries but after I pruned it a couple years ago it died off.There are a lot of plants and small bushes between those ends but the soil is not good at all. It's way too rocky so not much will grow there. I had some beautiful dianthus plants in one section. They bloomed wonderfully for a couple years but this year it doesn't look like there are going to be any. I don't see much growth. I've found that dianthus does that.
Phyl, I'm glad to hear you got your fabric and thread you needed.
Ginny, I do spend a LOT of my time crocheting. You don't get that much time to craft with your family visits and all. Good luck with the inspection. It's great that you have a trusted mechanic.I'm so glad we don't have vehicle inspection here!
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Post by gramma15 on May 21, 2020 18:16:25 GMT
ok my ends are all woven in so now the edging.I'm going to make two rows I think and they will be the same as the blanket patterns except for going around the whole thing instead of just rows.
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Post by cj59 on May 21, 2020 22:09:25 GMT
Hello Crafters Phyl - Glad you were able to get out to the quilt shop and get some fabric and thread. Thanks for the link to that website and went and downloaded a few of their free quilt patterns. Ruth - I'm glad you got your ends woven in and are ready to finish the outside of the afghan, I'm sure it's really pretty. Ginny - Hope your car inspection went well. Sorry you have another job added to your summer work, but I'm sure the shed will like good with a new stain job. Meg and Sue - Hope you are crafting. I finished up the Nine Patch quilt last evening and it sure is pretty with those three fabrics all in the same line - just in different colors. I would make this pattern again. It will make a nice Christmas quilt. I almost had a disaster though when I was putting on the last outer border. I thought there were enough strips (5) that I only needed to add 3 of them together and then the other two would fit on the top and bottom of the quilt without having to piece them. I got the top and bottom borders on, and one of the sides and then thought I'd better measure just to make sure before I sewed on the last side border and it was about 8 inches too short There is not a lot of extra fabrics in these kits so I didn't have enough to cut another strip, but fortunately I had the two cut off pieces that were longer than the top and bottom borders and I pieced them onto that last strip and it just fit! It's not that noticeable either since I put that part of the strip at the bottom of the quilt. But I learned a good lesson, don't make any changes to the pattern - follow the pattern I've already cut my pieces for the next quilt and I went ahead and pieced the border strips first - since I seem to hate that part of these patterns. So at least that is done and I'm ready to start assembling the quilt. This one is pretty easy too and has Christmasy/Winter fabrics - a pretty cream with red cardinals and green leaves is for the lighter blocks and then a pretty red with berries and leaves that is sashed by a green fabric that is kind of a sage/medium faded green. This quilt pattern is called Square Dance and here's a link to it (my quilt looks pretty much like the first picture - just imagine cardinals instead of red flowers): www.fabriccafe.com/Square-Dance-3-Yard-Quilt-Pattern-p/091023.htmWe've had a cloudy and windy week here and tomorrow we are supposed to get rain and some thunderstorms possible. Of course this always happens on Fridays which is my trash pick up day. I had something very exciting happen today too - my remote control that was broke started working again - yeah!!! I was so happy that I didn't have to get a replacement since I didn't want to have to go to their store or deal with mailing one back. Hopefully it will keep working - I'm not cutting the TV off until bedtime just in case Take care everyone!
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Post by gramma15 on May 22, 2020 0:23:26 GMT
CJ, I'm sure glad you found a solution to the border problem!! Now Ginny said I'm fast with projects, well I have to say that you're faster. You got that whole 9 patch all done and so much done on the others. I'm glad your remote started to work. I though I had a problem with my remote so called and was sent a new one and didn't have to return the old one.But it turned out to be the box not the remote but it works ok most of the time, it's just slow. Now the one upstairs, different story. Still only watching local channels that we get via antenna. I hope your remote will continue to work.
The blanket is all done and I'm so glad. Blankets take so long and this one is larger than a baby blanket so took even more time so I did get a little tired of it but I knew I couldn't stop because I'd never finish. Now to decide what I want to make next.
The trash people didn't take the branches. I called to ask about it and they said they had to be under 5 feet and tied in bundles. Well they are under 5 feet but I started to tie them into bundles but my cord keep breaking so will have to find plan B before next week and plan B is going to be ugly yarn.
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Post by choney2 on May 22, 2020 15:58:14 GMT
Good morning!
Phyl- sounds like you have had a fun day or two getting to that local fabric store. Nice to have matching fabric and thread for sure- the supplies you need for a good couple of days sewing. Think the designer is called Escher- he/she has some beautiful patterns that look like stained glass...Surely you will find something to do that that pretty fabric. Like you, I wish I could get to a Cracker Barrel. LOVE CB- Dh and I used to make an effort to get to one every few months. Think that the last time I was in one was last fall. Obviously this is not a good weekend to go to one- here in NY I am sure they are only open for take out.
Ruth, I had the same experience with dianthus- they are so pretty but only last a few years. Indeed that is good news that you have finished the afghan. Its so easy to get tired of them- even though they are so very pretty. I wonder what your next project will be. That stinks that the branches did not go out with the trash. My mom’s area had similar guidelines.- I used to joke with her that they wanted the silly branches bundled and wrapped for Christmas- it seemed so silly that they dictated the size of the branch, its length and the way they were bundled. What about if you double or triple up on the cord?? And yes, ugly yarn works too.
CJ-I loved that 9 patch pattern- and am so really happy that you are so pleased with how it turned out. Gee you are a magician, getting that border fabric to turn out the way it did! No one will notice but you- and it sounds like it looks great. Now you have the pattern and can have more fun with it with other fabrics.
Dd and her family are here....BBL. Yes, the car passed inspection. My mechanic is very reasonable.....this was the junker that passed.
BBL Ginny
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Post by choney2 on May 22, 2020 17:40:50 GMT
CJ- hope you got your trash pick up before you had to face rain and that the wind did not blow the garbage over either! Its great news that the remote for your TV miraculously works. Who knows what its problem was/is and i just hope that the problem does not return. Had a nice but short visit with Dd, DSIL and the grandkids. DSIL mowed the lawn while they were here- which I was going to do this afternoon before the rain. So now I will go for a walk to get my steps in. I sort of overdid it yesterday getting the front mulched and cleaned up. My body does not like weeding either, so I am a bit achy today. I did get a DVD on yoga for pain relief (its meant for seniors I guess). Will have to give that a try in a day or so.
Ginny
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Post by gramma15 on May 22, 2020 18:34:23 GMT
Ginny, it sounds like you have a very reliable and trustworthy mechanic. A good honest mechanic is a true blessing. I'm glad your dsil mowed your lawn for you. It sounds like you've already had too much exercise adn your body needs a rest. I've decided on my next two projects which may be done at the same time maybe. I might take turns on these. One will be Sid that I promised dgs and the other a reallypretty blanket I will make for my ds' oldest who may be going to college in the fall. Here's the link to that one www.acrochetedsimplicity.com/on-the-bias-square-afghan-free-crochet-blanket-pattern/
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Post by choney2 on May 22, 2020 21:54:01 GMT
My mechanic is wonderful and has never steered us wrong....if it ain’t broke he does not fix it or charge you for it! Gee Ruth, that is a pretty afghan. It calls for our favorite- POL yarn. Hope that its an easy pattern and well written pattern to follow.
I did get a short walk in with DD#2. As always good to see her...as it is with all my kids.
BBL-Hope Sue is ok. Have not heard from her in a few days. Ginny
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Post by snowsaint on May 23, 2020 2:06:48 GMT
I'm not sure where the week has gone! I can tell by looking around that I haven't spent it putting things away or cleaning! It seems like I'm running endless loads of dishes and laundry.
The crabapple trees are about ready to burst into bloom! I've been enjoying my short walks in the backyard, cutting tulips and daffodils for bouquets and lots of sitting.
Montana had another seven cases in another county, all related to travel. I know people are restless, but a little common sense would be good.
hb had a series of medication problems, and I had to untangle everything. The short story is that I will be taking over starting immediately. He finally didn't have any objections. Same old story, different outcome.
We're supposed to have some snow in the morning and ran for the rest of the day.
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Post by cj59 on May 23, 2020 20:07:04 GMT
Hello Crafters - Hope you are all doing well today Meg and Phyl - Hope you are getting some crafting in. Sue - Snow! It sounds crazy but I'd prefer some snow over the 80 degree weather we are getting here this week. I'm glad you can take over your DH's medications, they can be very confusing to sort out. Ruth - That is a really pretty blanket you shared the link for - what color would you do it in? I'm glad you finished the other afghan too. The people that pick up our yard waste are very specific too. If we don't put it into those brown bags, or tie up the tree branches at a certain length, they just drive right them Ginny - You are fortunate to have a good mechanic. I have a good one that I was using for my two old cars. I'm not sure that I'd need to go there with the new one. Hope you are feeling better after the yard work - I'm sure the lawn looks nice after being cut. I finished the other Christmas fabric quilt on Thursday and it's nice, but not a pattern I'd probably make again. It had 56 - 5 inch blocks that had to be sewn together, so lots of rows. Then yesterday I started and finished another one of the Simply Blocks quilt pattern - using the other 3 yard fabric set I had. I didn't care for the pattern that came with that one, but the material really looked nice in the Simply Blocks pattern. The main fabric had an ocean blue background with bluebirds and pink flowers. The other two fabrics were a solid bright blue and pink floral. The inner border was in the pink floral and a smaller outer border in the blue. Just a pretty quilt and an easy top to make. This morning I went though some things I'd stacked up on the chair in my sewing room and also pulled out all the extra fabric from these last four quilt tops I made and I organized all of that and put things away into my bags with strips, fat quarters and any larger pieces. It felt good to get that organized. Now I have just 2 projects out to work on when I feel like it - the Tumbler blocks and the Canning Jar quilt. I looked at the other kits I have and I just wasn't in the mood to follow a pattern like that again right now. I may pull out some of my embroidery and work on that. I was really pushing myself to finish those quilt tops before it got too hot because my sewing room is upstairs and that part of the house is the hottest. I may not be able to finish any projects this summer and just work on my monthly Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks and do a few tumblers and canning jars. Take care everyone and have a good weekend!
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Post by gramma15 on May 23, 2020 21:42:58 GMT
Sue,my week has gone by rapidly too. I can't believe how time passes so fast. I,too, don't have much to show for my time except in my crocheting. I'm glad your hubby agreed to let you take care of his meds. It seemed that awhile ago that he was not doing well taking care of it himself. No snow here. I don't know what the temp got down to in the night but tonight they forecast that it will go down to 34. We've had an increase in cases also but it's all been in citizens of our state not travelers. I think we just have hit the peak now.
CJ, you are amazing! You have finished so many quilts! The fabric you described sounds absolutely beautiful and you're right, it's best to get that type of work done now if the sewing room is too hot in the summer. As for my blanket, right now I'm doing a practice one in pastel pink just to use up the yarn.This one will be to donate andI will use antique white for the one I'm making for dgd who is not going out of town to college right now after all but she still will have this afgan made by Grandma for when she does leave home and, of course, can use it at home too.
It's a beautiful day here. Nottoo hot,not too cold. Made dh a nice "breakfast" of mashed potatoes with creamed corn on them and some pork tenderloin. I'll have mine later at a more traditional dinner time.
Ginny, I bet you're having a nice day with your dd#2 visiting and doing her laundry.
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Post by choney2 on May 23, 2020 22:13:47 GMT
Good evening!
Sue- good that you stopped in. I am surprised that you had not already been taking care of his meds- which is a confusing job for sure. ( i well remember taking over my mom’s meds and having to call her twice a day to make sure she took them!). Mom’s house had a Crabtree in the front yard and they are so pretty when blooming. It sounds delightful for sure. Newsflash to these idiots....just because you can now leave your house, its still required to socially distance and wear a mask. Sorry cases have gone up by you- but we know you are staying home anyway..... Seems odd to have snow this time of year....hope that it was not too much- nor too much rain either.
CJ- you are a quilting machine for sure. Your new simply blocks quilt sounds tropical.....so nice!!! (Ocean blue is breathtaking). Glad it worked up so nicely for you. Nice job getting so organized also- whenever you decide to quilt again you will be all set to make what you like. It’s hard to believe that you only have 2 quilts left to make....so I sense another road trip or some online shopping???Quilting is tough in hot weather so its a good thing you are all set for now and can take a breather if you like. The rainbow scrap challenge will keep you going also- I wonder what the June color will be??
Ruth, seems odd to me that you are just peaking in covid cases now, I have been anxiously waiting for our cases in NY to finally start coming down...... of course who knows what will happen when things open up a bit. How is that new pattern going? Is it difficult?? Seems like you will end up using my favorite POL color, antique white. Has DGD decided to take college classes online?? Even at that, when she studies (if she does take online classes) there is nothing better than a nice warm and so pretty from grandma to keep her snug and warm....a real comfort while working hard. Stay warm tonight.....34 is cold for late may.
Yes DD was here- we got her car inspected and had a really nice day outside under the gazebo watching the birds. She got her laundry done too and we just chatted a ton.
Think I am going to finish straightening up the kitchen. Ginny
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Post by cj59 on May 24, 2020 0:20:14 GMT
Ruth - I'm glad to hear you are having a beautiful weather day. The pink sounds pretty, someone will enjoy that donation. I think Antique White for your DGD going to college is wonderful choice too Ginny - I'm glad you had a nice time with your DD and that she got her car inspected and laundry done I'm laughing here that you think I only have 2 quilts left to work on, those are just two projects that are in progress. I have 3 gigantic storage totes full of fabric and a 4 drawer plastic cabinet full of fat quarters and more fabric I could make quilt tops the rest of my life and never use it all And that doesn't even include all the embroidery and hand quilting projects, and yarn, I have At least having all this fabric, with the kits and patterns, has come in handy during this time of staying home. I just go shopping in my own stash of fabric for projects
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