Design Wall Monday This and That

 To see what other quilters are up to go to Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

Good morning! 

This is what I see out my kitchen window lately.

Those bright sunny sunflowers make me smile. 

But wait... what is that in the distance?

That is a school bus. It is stopped just past the intersection. I don't know why. I noticed last year that this bus was doing that. The drive, who I assume was new last year, turns the corner, drives just a little past it, then stops. Last year I thought it must be a new driver, or new to the route maybe, and hadn't timed things quite right. Students are not supposed to be picked up before a certain time. But it continued all year. And, continues again this year. The bus sits there about 15 minutes, then goes on up the road. Every morning when I see it I am again so thankful I am retired.

Speaking of sunflowers this is looking out and in my back door.

 

It's like a  jungle of sunflowers!

Ok, on to the design wall.

This quilt, Designer Star, is still on my design wall because I like looking at it. And if I start adding borders it won't fit there anymore. That doesn't mean that I am not working on it though. I have finished the cross blocks for this border...

... and the two different blocks for this border...

 

... and now I am working on the last pieced border. 

And because there are a lot of those flying geese units (they measure 1 3/4 x 3") and they are a little tedious to make (and I got bored!) I have moved on temporarily to another quilt.

I had the fabrics already cut for this 5 yard quilt, Windmills by The Quilt Factory.

I am using a lovely 5 yard bundle. 

However, once I started sewing and cutting the HST units I realized that the HUGE selvage on two of the fabrics was going to affect the size of the HSTs. I must have noticed this when cutting. I don't remember but there must have not been enough width-wise to remove the selvages. 

In order for the selvage not to show I am having to trim the HSTs to 4" instead of 4 1/2". That means I have to adjust other pieces but it's ok. I will have a slightly smaller quilt but it will work. I thought about adding another border. I even looked on-line to see if the fabric is still available. It is, but I decided to wait until it is pieced to see what size it turns out to be. It may still be ok for a lap or small throw quilt. 

I finished the Fading Charms quilt. 

But, as I was looking it over before folding it up I noticed SEVERAL spots where some of the fabric bled. Grr.

 I was planning to donate this quilt, but now it will stay with me. I don't care so much that the fabric bled. It will still be a warm snuggly quilt, but I don't feel right donating it like this.

My Covid friend is still improving. He sounds better each time Husband talks to him. And, most importantly, he is determined and working very hard to become strong enough to get back into his own home. 

Stay safe and well.

A finish

To see what other quilters have been up to go to 

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

 This quilt is finished.

It's cloudy today so the photos don't show the colors as vibrant as they really. It has a few threads to tuck in and then it is ready to be donated.

Next up is Fading Charms.

The tutorial makes a 72 x 72 inch quilt and uses 2 1/2 inch squares. I needed it to be longer so I added a row three squares wide at each end. It gives the length needed and I think it looks fine. I wanted to use up some scraps, which this did, but not nearly as many as I was hoping.

Stay safe and well.

I'm Blessed

 and I know it.

Monday there was a big storm. A derecho. As I stood at the door I watched the wind blow.

I worried - about the crops, about possible tree damage, possible house damage. I wondered if we should head to the basement. 

I watched one of my railing planters blow off.

Then I watched it get blown around the ramp, most of the plants falling out.

The next day I took a walk around my yard to see if there was any damage.

This little planter had been blown off it's block and there were many sticks/small branches in the yard, but no real damage to the trees.

The sunflowers on the north side of the house took a beating, some of them broken.

The tomato plant doesn't look too good, but it is still producing lovely little tomatoes.

But the last few days have been calm, sunny, quiet.

We suffered no major damage. Others around us have not been so lucky. Towns near us have been without power since the storm. Some have damage - to crops, trees, homes, vehicles. Iowa got hit pretty hard. I am blessed. The sticks have been picked up, the plants replanted. The crops are still standing although Husband says the soybeans are so tangled by the wind that he can't walk through them to get to the weeds that need pulled. It could have been much worse.

I finished quilting this quilt

and am sewing down the binding.

I made my block for the Quilter's Exchange. 

Her fabrics are lovely. I always try to use some of the fabrics that haven't been used much in the other blocks. Sometimes it's hard to choose! We met in July and will meet again next weekend, unless the library has to shut down again due to increased Covid cases. The numbers are going up in the state and the county I live in. School starts on Monday for staff and Wednesday for students. I am so worried for all of them. I am so thankful that I don't have decisions to make regarding work or a child in school. I am blessed.

Husband spoke to our friend with Covid today. He was able to talk longer, but he will suddenly say he needs to go because he is so worn out. He is getting therapy daily. He is only able to take four steps with a walker before he needs to stop and rest. He is still on oxygen off and on. The only meal he has been served that he is able to taste and enjoy is the oatmeal with cinnamon sprinkled on it. He says everything else tastes terrible. At least he is eating. He was told today it will probably be another four weeks before he will be released. He also says his legs are like sticks, so thin, no muscle and they just aren't working the way they are suppose to. He was able to have outside, socially distanced visits up until a day or two ago, but the rehab facility he is in has locked down again which means no visitors at all. He is sad and depressed.

Stay safe and well.

Monday

 To see what other quilters are up to go to 

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

I got this top together - 

Waiting on backing.

On my quilt frame -

 

It was bought as a kit, I can't remember the name of the pattern. I LOVE the colors.

I am sewing together more 2 1/2 inch squares -

to make this quilt longer - 

The place I want to donate it to requires twin size and this is only measures 74 x 74 - wide enough but not long enough. 

Over the weekend while Husband had the truck out of the garage I decided to sweep out all the old leaves and dirt -

When I retired I brought home my small library of kids books and stacked them were the tubs are now.

I knew the garage was not the best place for them so I carried them into the house.

Six crates of books. I love these books. I bought all of them myself through the years.

I had some .... disappointed, I don't really want to say hard .... feelings about work and I just didn't want to leave my books. I am hoping to have at least one little at some point in my life to share them with.

I had a driveway visit with three of my closest quilt friends on Saturday. While I was waiting for them I walked around the yard and took some pictures.

Surprise!

 

I love how these lilies just 'show up'!

These sunflowers - 

They are so tall! They love being on the east side of the house. The ones on the north side are half this size and not blooming yet. 

Something to look forward to.

The Hibiscus that broke - 

It's blooming!

And is loaded with more buds.

This bee - 

likes this coneflower.

And the butterfly bush has more blossoms.

Husband talked to our friend with Covid yesterday. He sounded better, but said it will be a long time until he is strong enough to go home. He is working hard to get his strength back. He thinks his legs and feet will never be the same. He has regained some sensation in his legs, but none in his feet. He is able to walk a little with a walker. He has lost 30 pounds. He still needs oxygen sometimes.

Stay safe and well.