Squirrel... or Fox ohh my

 I feel like this week is squirrel week. I literally have been going crazy, doing about 10 different projects and starting, stopping, and doing a bit here and there. I jump from one project to another, to another, then back to the first. I have so many "things" going on that I really don't have anything specific I am working on at the moment. The main reason is I don't have any "right now" deadlines. Most I need by May, so I am slowly working on those quilts, but not showing them or if I do, I pretend they are for someone else. 

I've been working on these Twister table toppers for a lady to match her dining room table runners I made last year for her. These are 25" and 17" square. The fabric is a western theme and has branding and barbwire-themed fabrics. I have both tops done and just looking for the backing fabric I bought to put with them. 

I've been pretty regularly working on Rhododendron Trail Mystery quilt blocks. I've made 10 full blocks and the centers for 5 more, so I'm almost there making these blocks. Next, I need to cut out the sashing and cornerstones. I'm farther ahead on this one than many times, so I want to keep the momentum going and get the top finished. I use it as my "end of the night" project after I sew what I plan to work on, I sew on this until 10:30 or when I hit a good stopping point. Kind of a leader/ender at the end. 

I'm also making a quilt called Bookends and it uses Glamping Gypsies fabric. It's a leader/ender project or end of the night project as well. It's so easy and will go together quickly. 

I pulled out this purple sampler top and will make a table topper out of it to gift. It's already assembled and a bit of a hot mess, so it's time for it to find a new home. 

My friend Pat has a new grandbaby on the way and so I made this gauze baby blanket with Foxes on it for the new baby. 

I made a couple tag blankets to gift to the new baby as well. The one ribbon has the cutest Fox, Owl, and Hedgehog on it. I figured one for home, one for grandma's house. 

All of these were "one-nighters". I was able to sew them all in 1-2 hours in the evening, so small steps toward bigger projects. I'm also busy working on quilts for teachers, graduates, and a few other gifts, so I have to be more careful about showing them on Instagram or Facebook. Since so few read my blog, I feel pretty safe showing them here. Thanks for still reading Jennifer and Sara!

Hand Sewing Binding

Thursday and Friday I was busy sewing binding down by hand, so I could finish these two projects. I sewed the binding on Jungle Friends and used Mikaela's orthodontist appointment and Mathew's Parents First Communion meeting on Thursday to get in quite a bit of stitching on the quilt. I was 2" short of the binding, so I picked some up at The Sewing Center on Thursday and sewed it on to finish up the machine part on Thursday night. It turned out super cute and I was able to finish the hand sewing Friday. 

A high school classmate commissioned me to make this to give to her new grandson, due any day. The mom is my nurse at one of the clinics I go to regularly. She requested golden colors with giraffes, monkeys, and elephants. It turned out better than I hoped. I had a giraffe pattern and had planned to add an elephant pattern I had seen. When I went looking for the monkey pattern, I found a pattern online that was all three and I adjusted it to include the animals she requested. It was the same designer as the original giraffes' pattern, Sew Fresh Quilts. 

I found this panel and decided to make the giraffe to gift with the baby quilt. I think it turned out super cute. 

I have never used the lettering on my machine but didn't feel like dragging out the embroidery machine, so I tried it out for this label. It took me about 4 tried to get it right, but I'm pleased with how it turned out and I was able to match the fabric on the quilt, so it looks like it belongs. I hand sewed it down this morning and will deliver it over lunch today. 

I also finished the hand sewing on the binding for my Sakura Stars table runner. I hope to get it in the mail later this week to my friend for her birthday. It's English Paper Pieced and I started it in July of 2019. 

Saturday we went shopping in Sturgis and Spearfish. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to get out and go for a drive after the bitter cold of the previous two weekends. I worked on block 3 of the Threadology quilt-along Saturday night. I cut one of the large red squares in the wrong direction without realizing it, but I found the fabric pretty easily and was able to re-cut one and finish it up. I'm loving how these blocks look. Hopefully, I'll be able to get at least one more block set done this month. 

Mikaela got her expander put in her mouth on Thursday morning. She's doing well with it so far and is figuring out what she can and can't eat. The biggest struggle is pop and chips. We've had a few meltdowns over pop, but otherwise, she's been loving it. 

Yesterday I cleaned my closet. I took out a bunch of summer clothes and all of my "too big" jeans. I've lost 19 lbs and so far have been keeping it off. I'm really happy with my progress, but it was time for all the clothes to go. It gave our room a nice refresh as I re-organized. It felt so good to get so much done. I look forward to cleaning up my sewing area next. 

Last night I was able to work on my Thread Dispenser. I modified the pattern a bit, so I am hopeful it will work. I just need to put the binding on next. 

 

Remembering my mom Delia

Last night I had about 30 minutes and quickly made this wrist wrap for my friend Mitch to match the other one I made him. They are quick and fairly easy. 

Today it has been 10 years since my mom passed away. I still miss her a ton, but I know she's watching over me. 

I pulled out one of her cross stitch kits and I organized the thread. Now if I start it, it will be a miracle. I think I might still have some of her skill left in me. 

Today at lunch I worked on a table runner for my friend. This is the missing end piece. I need one more gray star and then I can put it together I think. I'd like to finish it before her March 1st birthday, but we'll see if that happens. I'm going to give it a try this weekend to see if I can get it to the quilting stage before Monday. 

 I also busily cut out my Grassy Creek Clue 6 at lunch today. I'm not string piecing, so it was time to get them cut and ready to sew. I'll finish cutting the corner triangles tomorrow. 

Last weeks sewing progress

My friend Pat and I have been talking about supporting local businesses. So I sent her a mug from Prouty Pottery for her birthday and she sent me goat lotion this week for my birthday. I love the cute goat picture and note from the shop owner. 

Threadology quilt along is my APQUFO for February. I've had it cut out for 2 years, so if I can get the blocks done, I will be happy with my progress. I finished block 1 last week. 

I'm not a huge fan of Ohio star blocks, but I really enjoyed making these. I'll be making block 2 as a leader/ender tonight when I work on the baby quilt I am making. 

I attended the virtual SDHEA (SD Higher Education Association) conference Friday. It was a great day with some amazing speakers. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also presented for the conference. 

Friday was also Go Red for Women Day for the American Heart Association. This year it's especially important to me as I deal with a heart beating at 15% compared to the 60% it should be at normally. Since red is our opposing schools colors, I couldn't wear it at work, but I did wear it that evening to take hubby to Urgent Care. His knee popped and he couldn't put weight on it. He's now been to Orthopedic Urgent Care (who knew there was such a thing?), MRI, and just saw the Dr. He has a meniscus tear and will see if heals on its own. 

Sunday we watched the Super Bowl as our Chiefs were playing. It didn't have the outcome we would have liked, but we're still fans. Our sports caster loves the National Anthem. 

Monday I worked on the monkey blocks for the baby quilt I am working on for a customer. It's going to be so cute, but boy they are tiny pieces. I'm hoping to get the 4 blocks together tonight and then figure out how to piece the blocks into a quilt top. Quilting day planned for Monday. 

 

This weeks sewing

I've been busy making more masks. I made the dog one for Mikaela and then I made myself a Bernina one. While I was at it I made a few for my sewing friends as well. A FB friend liked the pins, so I made her 3 more and sent them out to her this week. 

Then I made Mikaela another dog one and another Bernina one. 

I made my friend bags and just showed the inside. I'm not a bit orange fan, but I think she'll love the outside fabric. 

These are the bags on the outside and since her last name is Fox, I hope she will get a good laugh out of them.

I threw in a mask as well. 

Mikaela got her hair cut the other night and her stylist did a 5 strand braid. It turned out so cool. 

I made her a bag out of leftover fabric. 

A mask for each kid last night rounded out my week. I have a bunch more masks, but I'll have to work on them this weekend. 

I'm working on a baby quilt and it's coming together pretty well. 

Today I laid out this Hope quilt and hope to get it sewn together this weekend. I think it will make a great teacher quilt.