|
Post by choney2 on Oct 30, 2023 9:57:17 GMT
Good morning and Happy Monday!
All crafters are welcome here as we discuss crafting, life and our weight loss journey. Crafting includes actual hands on crafting, such as crochetting, knitting, sewing, quilting, needlepoint, painting, jewelry making, etc.....plus reading craft catalogs, craft blogs, watching craft you tubes or other crafting videos, chatting here about crafting,chatting with another person about crafting, playing a musical instrument,reading craft emails, thinking about crafting, organizing crafting supplies, going into craft stores or the craft aisle in a store , attending craft fairs,or any other activity that inspires or directs your mind toward a crafting activity- even visiting us here to join in our posts!! There are plenty of days in which the closest we get to crafting is a visit here, so even if you have no time to craft, we would love to hear from you. And one of us is never going to buy a fat quarter bundle again! We welcome newcomers to our friendly discussion! So glad you are here!! Please feel free to stop in and say hello!!
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Oct 30, 2023 10:13:31 GMT
Cold and rainy here today…..hope I can settle in and get some embroidery done today….and I also hope to go back and read the posts from Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
See ya later! Ginny
|
|
|
Post by cj59 on Oct 30, 2023 21:02:06 GMT
Hello Ginny - Hope you were able to do some embroidery today, sounds like a good day to stay inside. Ruth - Hope you are getting to do some crocheting. It was cooler here today, but still in the 70s. Looks like we'll be getting some rain later. This morning I finished the quilt top for the Fat Quarter 4 Patch pattern. I made this using 12 fat quarters from that large bundle I bought for the Chicken Salad quilt. The fabric line is called Calico (by Lori Holt), so I tried to pick some colors that went together and I think they turned out alright. This is not a color combination I'd normally pick, so it was nice to try something different. The pattern was really easy and you wouldn't need a fat quarter, any yards and scraps could be used. Here's a link to the pattern: www.fatquartershop.com/fat-quarter-four-patch-quilt-pattern-free-pdf-pattern-fat-quarter-shop?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqP2pBhDMARIsAJQ0Czq21LmKbLIO1dVVJeqgba4tUGYWAvqY6cwRheFu8-GGt_VWy2EYK9YaAsaoEALw_wcBI'd make this again, maybe in a theme fabric and maybe even a three block table runner. I'm hoping to get back to making the bitty houses next. I brought my fabric box for this quilt downstairs so I could pick out fabrics and maybe cut some up in the afternoons. Take care
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Oct 31, 2023 10:07:06 GMT
Oh, boy…..Ruth did not make it here yesterday. Hope she and her DH are ok.
CJ- gee what a cute quilt! It’s bright and cheery and you did a great job piecing it and putting it together. I see what you mean, this is not necessarily in your favorite color combination but this is sweet….I really like the teal (well sort of) that you used for the border, and the lower left corner block. What a great idea to make these blocks and use as a table runner.
Cooler temps are here…..so I am dressing for a chilly day. It’s Halloween….not my favorite day of the year….
And for fun, I had to reboot my internet router already. Grrrrrr……. Just slightly frustrating.
See ya later.
|
|
|
Post by cj59 on Oct 31, 2023 18:43:47 GMT
Hello It's finally colder here, only in the 50s, but sunny today. Still not bad weather Ginny - Hope your internet stays alright, it's so frustrating when that doesn't work. Hope your Halloween isn't too bad. I was fortunate to have bought one yard of the border fabric from the same fabric line so it worked great for this quilt. Ruth - You know we expect to see you post and check in every day or we worry - hope you are doing well This morning I went ahead and cleaned out my sewing machine, put in a new needle and replaced my rotary blade, so that's done for another month. I see people say they clean their machine after every bobbin used - but that would drive me crazy. I used 3 bobbins of thread just on that quilt top I finished on Monday! I also did some more Big Stitch quilting on my Dutchman's Puzzle quilt. There are 9 blocks in this quilt and I've finished two blocks now. I'm hoping to get the rest done by the end of November, but at least by the end of the year. It took me about an hour and 20 minutes to quilt one block. I do enjoy big stitch quilting, it's nice not to worry about making small stitches like normal hand quilting. Hope you get to do some crafting today too. Take care
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Oct 31, 2023 23:29:31 GMT
Well said CJ- we do worry about each other if it’s not possible to check in. I drop hope Ruth is ok….and do know that frequently she does not check in until the tail end of the day.
CJ- your temps are a bit warmer than mine….but not all that much. Sunny is good and no winter storms in the forecast. Guess I am wondering what your definition of cleaning the sewing machine is. Do you just replace the bobbin or deep clean the machine? I have gotten to the point where most of the time, when I do change a bobbin I take that entire bobbin apparatus out and brush it clean. I have just found (for me and my machine) that it’s easier that way and my machine is happier. Think on Monday, when you went through 3 bobbins, I would have cleaned my machine out at some point during the day…may be cleaning it only once or twice. I just found my receipt from when I had my machine serviced and was shocked to see it was done in August of 2022. Guess it’s due again - but I have to finish the baby quilt first. I am happy that you had another yard of the border fabric for the quilt - it’s so pretty and I like the way that looks for that quilt. And it does sound as though you will be finishing that Dutchman’s puzzle quilt by the end of the month or year.
I told DD that I will not be able to babysit tomorrow….and will be driving to the cable office to see what they have planned to remedy my internet issues. It was so frustrating to have to reboot the router at 6 am. I have to drive there because they are impossible to get through to and I think I can better make my case if I show up in person. The bad part is that I have a bit of a drive to get there…my DD uses the same cable company and I was surprised to learn that the office I have to drive 7 miles to get to is also her “local” office…but she lives another 15 miles from me. Somehow over 20 miles does not seem “local” to me.
It’s been a quiet evening here for Halloween…but then I have not had my front light on at all and have no desire to give out candy.
Ruth, hope you are doing well
|
|
|
Post by gramma15 on Nov 1, 2023 1:55:52 GMT
Yesterday I didn't feel like being on the computer or doing anything. I didn't even crochet. I hurt my back on Sunday while getting organized to wash dishes and have been having painful spasms. Now I know I'd be telling someone in that situationthat they should see their doctor but when it's more painful to put in the effort to get to, wait around in, and get back home from the doctor I understand fully why they don't. I didn't.From previous experience I know what they'd tell me to do so I'm doing that.Most of the pain is in my ribs...intercostals muscles.
Ginny, internet companies are a huge pain in the neck. We don't even have an office anywhere within 100 miles or more so have to do everything related to internet on the phone and, as you said,, that's a super hard chore.
CJ, I love the quilt. I also admire how diligent you are with the cleaning your sewing machine and changing it's needle as well as the rotary blade each month. I don't even know how to clean a sewing machine so when I feel better I'm going to look that up and do it. I haven't used my machine a lot but I have used it some and I'm sure it needs cleaning and oily or whatever it is a person needs to do.
And yes, we are a family so we do care when someone is missing for even a day
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Nov 1, 2023 12:14:43 GMT
Ruth, many years ago I pulled my back and went into spasms. I remember calling my doctor and insisting that he prescribe something for the pain and something to arrest the spasms…..the office told me to come in, and I told them that it took me an hour to get to the bathroom and I could hardly move…in other words call in for a prescription and I will come in for the follow up office visit when I was able. Fortunately they did prescribe something to help me..and the pain did eventually subside. I will pray for you that the pain subsides but also that there is nothing more than a muscle in spasm….nothing more serious. Glad you were able to check in…let us know how you are doing when you feel comfortable enough to do so.
|
|
|
Post by cj59 on Nov 1, 2023 20:19:45 GMT
Hello Ruth - I'm sorry to hear your back is hurting, I hope it gets better soon. Ginny - I hope you were able to get to the internet office today and get things worked out. It's funny how different areas where we live are. For me, 20 miles would still be considered local. The kind of cleaning I do on my sewing machine each month is taking out the bobbin area and the plates over the feed dogs and getting all the lint out from inside the machine. I do dust out my bobbin area when I change bobbins, I just don't do all the internal cleaning. My machine is very basic, it doesn't even require oil. I should probably do a thorough cleaning twice a month when I'm doing a lot of sewing, but I'm lazy This morning I went out for groceries so I won't be doing any quilting today. The new Pat Sloan block and the ModaBlockheads blocks came out today, so I hope to get to them this week. The Moda one has a bunch of pieces, so I'm going to have to take my time on those: www.robinpickens.com/I sure give those quilters who make the 6 inch block a lot of credit, there is no way I'd attempt that - the 12 inch block will be enough of a challenge for me. Pat Sloan's block is much easier and she gave a pretty layout for making multiple blocks, which I'd like to try (you have to look at the pattern to see it). I think it would be pretty in a tablerunner too: www.ilovetomakequilts.com/2023/11/block-wed-and-lots-of-monthly-celebrations.htmlTake care
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Nov 1, 2023 23:01:32 GMT
Ruth, how is your back doing today? I pray that you are improving and able to be a bit more comfortable.
CJ- I live in a small town which is surrounded by farms….and most major shopping is at least 15 miles away. This company used to have an office in my town, and they moved it to another a few years ago. Honestly, I cannot get much done here in my town, there is a grocery store and hardware store…but if you hear that I have gone to Joanns, HL, Walmart etc….its at least a half hour drive- which is why I shop online a bit or only go to one of those stores if I can combine errands. I wonder if you would benefit from buying a vacuum cleaner attachment kit, that permits you to get in tiny crevices. It’s meant to fit onto a vacuum hose attachment. Guess my cleaning is sort of in the middle, I do dust the bobbin area and usually go into where the feed dogs are. I do not think my machine needs oiling either…but will leave that honor to my serviceman when I get it in for servicing after Christmas. I saw that some quilters made table runners from the Autumn wonders blocks. What a great idea!!! Thanks for posting the link. And I am sure you will be up to schedule on your Moda block even if it has a lot of pieces to cut.
I did get to the cable company….and what should have been a 15 minute errand took an hour. It’s a very ineffective computer system and took way too long for her manipulate the system to accomplish what I want. at least for the beginning, it should save me some money each month too. Then I went to the store to stock up on a few items. I also raked some leaves….its a massive job here but I did make some progress. I also got about an hour of machine time in…..which was good to get back into quilting mode. Think I will embroider a bit this evening before I get to bed.
|
|
|
Post by gramma15 on Nov 2, 2023 1:09:39 GMT
CJ, thanks for the links. That Christmasblock shown on that site is very pretty and some of the blocks on the other site are also. I'm glad you were able to get your shopping done and I like that you don't have a pattern that someone could use to know when you'll be out.
Ginny, it sounds like you got a lot done today.Hopefully you'll be able to sleep well.
When I got up this morning my back and ribs felt worse actually but I too some ibuprofen and just sat crocheting all day and it does feel a little better.
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Nov 2, 2023 9:55:29 GMT
Ruth, I will continue to pray that your pain goes away…are you able to sleep with the discomfort?
|
|
|
Post by cj59 on Nov 2, 2023 17:49:57 GMT
Hello It's a sunny day here with temps in the 50s, nice without the wind of yesterday. Ruth - I'm sorry to hear your back and ribs are still hurting, I hope they feel better today Ginny - I'm glad you were able to get things done at the cable company, hopefully that will take care of your connection problems I made the weekly Pat Sloan quilt blocks today and that was a nice easy pattern, like most of her block Wednesday patterns are. We only have two more blocks to go and then I can put the quilts together. I think I'll take the Moda Blockheads blocks one at a time over the next three days. There are so many pieces to the pattern this week, that I think just piecing one a day will be enough. It's going to be difficult enough to pick out the fabrics and cut all the small pieces. Hope you are enjoying your day and that you get to do some crafting.
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Nov 2, 2023 22:27:51 GMT
CJ- sounds like a good action plan for getting the Moda blockheads blocks done. With a lot of pieces, well it can be confusing or overwhelming….one a day sounds like a good plan for sure. Hope that you are feeling confident with and feeding good about your fabric choices!!!! Bet you are looking forward to putting the Pat Sloan quilt…you do enjoy working on her projects.
I worked a few minutes later than I had planned and literally walked into my house to a zoom meeting that was set up for me. I got a chill this am from working..it was cold here. So a zoom meeting was not really what I was looking for. But I had to get that done, glad it’s over with. I did bundle up later on in a nice comforter and think the chill is out of my system. Think I will embroider a bit this evening and then - hopefully- sleep well.
Ruth, just hoping your spasms are decreasing and that you are feeling better.
|
|
|
Post by Ruth on Nov 3, 2023 21:16:28 GMT
Good afternoon all.
CJ, you always have a great plan to work on your quilts. The ones with small pieces have to be difficult, especially when trying to get more than one done per day so great idea to do only one. Thank you so much for your kind words on my back
Ginny,I'm glad you were able, at least eventually, wrap up in a blanket and warm up after being outdoors in the cold. I do hope you are able to sleep well tonight
My doctor refuses to prescribe over the phone.I was fortunate when in Indiana that a different doctor in that group heard the message I left about my UTI and IC and did prescribe antibiotices for my. Mine absolutely refuses.As you said, when you have a back injury you can't even get to the bathroom without being tortured so how in the world would a person get out to their car and get in and out of said car to go in and see a doctor. Then there's all the waiting time. Until last night I didn't have much of a problem sleeping but last night I could not lie down without pain so waiting until time I could take my ibuprofen and tylenol at the same time and waited for it to work. I did get some crocheting in.
Speaking of crocheting I found that I made 10 hats last month while also working on my Christmas gift blankets.I'll try to keep that up using leftover yarns
|
|