Plugging Away

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I got the border added to the Cat quilt.

I know you will be happy to see that it has been approved by Hoppy Cat.

I got the borders on the Duck Goose panel quilt.

It is next up to be quilted.

I finished the Christmas Star quilt.

It will be a fair entry.

In my quest to finish up UFOs I pulled out Jacob's Garden. 

When I searched for it to find a link I was only able to find it on eBay and Amazon. The copyright date is 2005, which is probably close to when I started this project.

I tried to figure out why I hadn't it. There are a number of reasons. One is probably the size - 52 x 52. I may have wanted it to be bigger. The second is the applique border. I like it, it is lovely, but I know it would take me a long time to do. Thirdly, I didn't love the way it looked when pieced together. I had gone as far as sewing those sawtooth borders on before I put it away.

I have now removed the borders and taken the whole center apart. I didn't really care for that red and black block on the bottom right and decided to eliminate that one and one of the tan and red ones. 

That meant I needed to make two more blocks. Then, I thought maybe I would change the layout.

I decided to go with the top layout, have made the needed blocks, and have the top row sewn together. Now I need to decide if I want to leave the applique border off altogether or find a large print fabric that could replace the applique border.

Next, I pulled out Serene Glow, another older project.

Again, this is an older pattern. I started it in 2009 and finished it up in 2012. It will be next up for quilting after Duck Goose.

I am working on a block for a fair entry. It is a 12-inch block.

I like the pattern, Hopscotch, and love the fabrics. They were a 5-yard bundle from Boline's. I'm just not sure there is enough contrast. 

I'm still doing battle with the bunnies. I was so desperate to save my plants that I covered them with whatever I could find. 

Yes, that is a rack from an old dishwasher. Hey, it worked but has since been replaced with something a little better. 

Fencing and chicken wire cloches work well, too.

This one is a tomato cage wrapped in chicken wire.

Husband had made some protectors out of woven wire fencing that work well, but aren't the greatest looking. I am using chicken wire cloches from Gardner's Supply, but they aren't always tall enough. I made a couple using tomato cages and chicken wire. They will work since they are open on top allowing plants to get as tall as they want, but I hope they lose the 'shiny' look so they aren't so noticeable. It's funny how some plants get tasted and some don't. I really wouldn't care too much if the rabbits ate the wild daylilies that are taking over my front bed.

I am still digging them out, but it is harder now that they are blooming. They are pretty, but just don't stay where I want them to.

Poor Hoppy Cat was exhausted after sneaking into the basement when I took a load of laundry down.

I didn't even know he had gotten down there until he started meowing - loudly. But, then he wouldn't come to me so he spent a little time down there. There is so much junk down there that I don't want him to get into something or somewhere and not be able to get out. Crazy cat!

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting!

A new week...

 ... a new project.

To see what other quilters are working on go to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

I am still working on finishing up UFOs. This past week I started putting together this Cat quilt.

It is a pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Co. called Pins and Paws. If you search for it you will find videos and patterns. 

My quilt friends and I made a trip to Boline's on Friday so I quickly sewed the top four rows together so I could look for a border fabric.

I found two that I think will work. I had seen the floral one on the left last time and really liked it, but I didn't get it. Since it was still there I decided I needed it, even if I don't use it in this quilt. There is a light batik with some very light yellow splotches as an inner border. I feel like the background of the floral print is too yellow so I am leaning more towards the print on top. I can't decide if I should leave the green stripe on or not. One of my friends thought I should, another thought it looked too busy. I couldn't decide what color to use for binding so I got three different fabrics. I didn't do a very good job getting them in the photo. The one on the left is the same color green as the stripe in the top border fabric. The middle is purple and the right is a brighter green. Any of them would go with either border print. Decisions, decisions. 

I am still digging out daylilies, but got the rest of the path down.

It's just been too hot and dry for the hard work of digging.

I had planted three different Brunnera plants, each a different variety.

 I noticed there were leaves laying on the ground, cut off the plant. 

This poor plant has ONE leaf left. The culprit...

...you know it was a rabbit. I have seen several of these small ones around the yard lately. So now I have to cover most of my new plants. 

I am not crazy about the look of the cages, but they do protect the plants. The chicken wire ones came for Gardner's Supply. They have these long ones that can be connected and also dome-shaped ones that have extenders to make them taller. Husband made some round ones that are really tall out of woven wire fence and fence stakes.

This week the Asiatic lily is blooming along with some roses and Monarda. 

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting!

It's HOT

To see what other quilters are up, go to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

I got to spend some time this past week with my quilt friends at a three-day retreat.  We have use of a lovely community building with a great kitchen and lots of room to spread out. 

We lock our belongings in each night and sew all day.

There were lots of projects being worked on. It's so fun the see all the projects laid out on the floor.

We are to have excessive heat for the next couple of days. I have been trying to clean up my flower beds, but I will be inside during these hot days.

Most of this will be gone. As of yesterday, I got a third of this area dug out. These are daylilies. They grow wild in the ditches around here. I don't mind them, but they are taking over this area. There are some perennials in there that I want to save so these have to go. There are several more patches around my house and those will stay.

There are some beautiful things blooming in spite of the heat.

The extra rain we have gotten has been nice.

The apple tree has tiny apples.

The raised bed gardens are doing great this year; the best they have ever done.

Onions and carrots.

Cucumbers.

Beans and another variety of cucumbers.

Radishes and a cherry tomato.

I am keeping them covered with a mesh-like cover to protect them from the wind. I have left the covers loose around the bottom so pollinators can still get in.

And, the crazy cat is still entertaining us!

Husband discovered a toy hidden in that boot when he went to put it on.

He likes all my quilts.

Usually, when he lies on the back of my chair he has to be touching me somehow.

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting!