Routine Stuff

We're in a routine around here as we've settled into the month of June with some much-needed rain. Several days worth. It's very good because we can see the yard greening-up, and the area ponds filled again.

Dan turned 65 years old last Tuesday. He's thrilled about being on Medicare now! We celebrated his birthday by eating out, which we seldom do. We went to Oakwood Barbecue, a place that serves decent barbecue. But our favorite barbecue is from Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas, just outside of Austin. OMG!

This week saw me at line dancing, dance workout, Big Cypress Quilters, and Ukulele Player Club. I was even quoted - very poorly - in a brief article in the Daily Sun newspaper: "I made my own case to protect it," Hungerford said. "It can be hard to find a case that you like, so me being craft, I cut out my own pattern."
😳
At home, I'm sticking to my vow to finish quilt tops that have languished for too long on hangers in the guest room closet, and have made some forward progress.


First: Last week I pieced a quilt back from my stash - the most satisfying way to come up with backing fabric.

Then using that backing, I sandwiched and pin-basted this string-pieced scrappy half-square triangles quilt top that I finished last December! It's now about one-fourth quilted.

I'm going with quilting designs that travels so I can make this a quick finish. I plan to donate it to Project Linus.

Second: Making another quilt back. After specifically going shopping for backing fabric that coordinate with the Urban Trek quilt top, I found this half-priced yardage (I finished the bolt) at our local shop, Sharky's Vac and Sew. The fabric is a Robert Kaufman print called "Mod Tex." Can you see the seam where I matched the print pattern?

Third: I'm ready to sandwich and pin-baste Picket Fence. This 98" X 112" quilt top has quite a history now! I started it when I went on a sew day with my Kansas City friend, Carla. That was November 8, 2011! (Check out my long hair then!) I continued to work on Picket Fence with West Des Moines quilting friends on a retreat with Hope Quilters in January 2012, and finally finished the top in February 2016!

To buy a king-sized Quilter's Dream Request Cotton batt, I patronized a new local quilt shop, The Quilting Palette in Lady Lake. I now have all the parts together to pin-baste this ginormous quilt that will fit our king-sized bed. Finding a place to pin-baste this is gonna be a real challenge! 

This was my second visit to The Quilting Palette and my first purchase. While the owner carries a few solids - mostly Moda Bella - she doesn't carry modern fabrics. She's apparently catering to traditional quilters. Still, I'm always happy to buy locally whenever that's possible. 

That said, to get Painter's Palette Solids (made by Paintbrush Studios) I had to shop online. When PineappleFabrics.com had their 20 percent off sale over Memorial Day weekend, it was a good opportunity to stock up on my new favorite brand of solids. These are absolutely fabulous - the hand, the colors. Can't you see how satiny they are? My stash has grown by 17 yards!

I've always been a pre-washer, so when I washed these I was very happy to discover that Painter's Palette Solids do not run! The color catchers came out as white as they went in. In a odd sort of way, I find it relaxing to press and fold fabric after washing. I labeled every piece "PP" with the color name. Yep, I've got a PP color card now too.

A little diversion has been crocheting. For a reason. My dear friend Patty (@iowagrammy on Instagram) has asked me to teach her how to crochet by making dish cloths. I've knitted all my own dishcloths, so I'm attempting to find an easy crochet pattern on Pinterest.

This one, which is crocheted on the diagonal from corner to corner, is really pretty, especially with variegated Sugar and Cream.

But it's a little complicated for a newbie. If you can recommend a simpler dishcloth pattern, please do!

Now, back to the routine -  making progress on finishes, practicing the uke (Can you overdo that? My left wrist has been sore) and generally appreciating good health and a good life. Linda