New Bedford Top: DONE! (And a Marinade Recipe...)

I had two borders left on New Bedford. I got it done! The sun was streaming in...

Here are two photos of the finished top - one in the shade...

...and one in the sun. You know I love to make intricate, complicated, hand stitched quilts. But there's something to be said for a machine sewn 'quickie.' And as I've said previously, I plan to make this pattern again, maybe in Christmas fabrics. You can find the pattern HERE.

And progress on my sewing caddy? Yes! I finished the painting - 4 coats in all. And I put the first coat  of wax on. I plan on 2 or 3 coats of wax before I call it complete and put the pieces together again.

Are you ready for a recipe? Daughter 2 had grilled chicken with this marinade over the weekend and raved about it. So of course we had to make it, too. Yes, it's delicious!

Chicken Marinade (also good on pork chops)

3/4 cup soy sauce

3/4 cup water

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp powdered mustard

1 tbs onion flakes

Sprinkle red pepper

Marinate chicken overnight before grilling.

Here's a shot of sunset a few nights ago - I love that bit of orange peaking through the clouds...

Hope you're smiling today!

A Bit More Work on the Sewing Caddy

Yesterday didn't quite go as planned, but that's okay. I had a little stomach bug that slowed me down a bit. I did sit at the dining room table and put the second coat of paint on all the pieces of the sewing caddy. At least one more coat will be needed...maybe two. I'm pleased with my progress, though.

Other than that, all I did was a bit of hand sewing in my recliner.

I feel better today, thank goodness! So I'm definitely having some fun with my machine - I think I'll get those borders on New Bedford this morning. Hope so, anyway!

I'll also work on the sewing caddy, because I'm ready to get it DONE! (...and off the dining room table...) I want to finish it by the end of the week. I can't wait to put stuff in it! I alway seem to have a messy table beside my recliner - I'm hoping this will hide some stuff and look good while it's doing its job.

Have a nice day!

Machine Quilting Monday!

I finished basting the big dresden blocks for my Gardenvale quilt yesterday. I've been basting one or two here and there so I didn't have too many left.

And then I moved on to baste the six half blocks. I used only batting scraps to do all this basting - and that is a happy thing, indeed. And I used all stash (black/white) fabrics for the backing. Another happy thing!

And there you go - 16 full blocks and 6 half blocks, basted and ready.

And you know I couldn't stop there. I quilted one block for good measure. I'm doing a free motion Spirograph type design on the center and stippling on the background. I'm going to enjoy quilting all the other blocks, I know. It was good to be back behind my machine!

I did get out yesterday afternoon for a haircut and followed that up with a trip to the grocery. Today I'll be home and I plan on getting more sewing done. Maybe I'll get the final borders on New Bedford? We'll see.

Have a great one!

Painting and Staining and Sanding...Oh My!

Just a bit of sewing yesterday - I finished this baby carriage flower block - love it! The flower pot is Tula Pink cat eyes.

I worked a LOT on my wooden sewing caddy though. I finished sanding all the pieces. Then I put a first coat of paint on almost all of it. I also sanded and stained two wooden cheese box lids (remember those) that are now the tops on the old cylinders I bought months ago. I prefer painting over staining, just saying...

I hope to get a coat of paint on the legs for the caddy today. Then I can do another sanding and be ready for the second coat of paint. And I may put a coat of wax on the cheese box lids. I'm being so crafty, aren't I?

 

Here's my new toy that arrived Saturday! Oh, I love it so! I listened to The Woman in Cabin 10 on cd's a few weeks ago - I had checked it out of the library. I loved it - my first book on tape - wonderful experience, EXCEPT...listening on cd's was a real nuisance. There were TEN cd's. I felt trapped because I had to play it on my computer. 

So now I'm checking out audible books via my phone and using my new head set to listen. I don't even have to be really close to my phone - I can get up and leave the room and still get reception. Yesterday I listened to a book while I walked Cooper and also while I was outside painting and staining. LOVE it! I'm not sure why it took me so long to get into the new century, but I'm glad I finally found my way here!

Happy 87th Birthday to my sweet mother today!

Have a great day!

A TINY Bit of Sewing

I think a few days off from stitching did me a world of good - a nice little stay-cation. But I did do a bit of hand stitching yesterday. I finished another Bring Me Flowers block - the second of the two double pinwheel flowers - and I started a new one. This one has 'baby carriage' flowers. Sweet, aren't they?

I'm thinking I may redo my schedule - I think it's gotten me discombobulated a bit. When I look at it and see two, or even three choices of projects to work on in one single day...it's just too overwhelming. I think I may re-think today. Ha! I'll figure it out. But I know something may have to be put aside for a bit. 

Yesterday afternoon we went to the pool. We didn't swim, but we enjoyed sitting in the shade and watching kids in the 'family pool.' We saw some of our neighbors and visited with some nice hotel guests.

And then spent a few minutes in the hot tub before we came home and grilled burgers. A nice day.

Later today I plan to work on my sewing box. I bought legs and knobs for it yesterday. I'm almost ready to paint - just a bit more sanding to do.

Have a relaxing day!

Another Day Off...

I had a little headache yesterday and ended up taking yet another day off from sewing. And I think it was probably good for me. Who knows...I may not sew today...we'll see! (But I'll bet I will...)

I did get out for a bit to our local quilt shop to visit and buy a pattern - yeah, I know what your thinking...don't really need another pattern...but I now have another pattern. Haha! I also made some cookies that didn't turn out so well - but Cooper loved them - he stole SEVERAL!

And in the late afternoon we took Mickey for a golf cart ride - one of his favorite activities. We don't take him for walks in the neighborhood because he's too yappy - he barks constantly at everyone we see. So this is his occasional treat.

And we spent some time battling these little bugs. They are the size of ladybugs, but their backend is squared off a bit and they are a mottled black/green color. They are EVERYWHERE outside our house, especially in the back. They seem to be attracted to light colors as they congregated on the light trim of our house, hubby's white car, and the white shorts I was wearing - UGH! Hubby had his bug spray and went after them with a vengeance. They seem to be mostly gone this morning.

We are going for breakfast this morning at an open house around the corner - it's the first 'smart' house in our neighborhood - our last house was 'smart' though we decided we like unintelligent houses better. 'Smart' houses (we found) can be a challenge. And if something doesn't work correctly, it can be the devil to find someone to fix it. Ha!

Have a great day!

Chuck Nohara

Today was supposed to be hexie day. And I DID get the hexie box out. But my left hand was a bit sore and stiff so I decided I needed to give my hands a day off. But I did lay out the pieces and figure out what to do next. I've decided to make this into a table runner. Even though it won't be a full quilt, there is still much work to do. I hope to get back to it soon.

Since I didn't stitch, I decided to work on another project. I made a trade for this sewing caddy while at retreat. My friend had gotten it in a box of other items at a garage sale. I've been wanting one of these! Yes, it's seen better days, but no worries there. Today I took it completely apart and began to sand it down. I'm planning to paint it and add new knobs. And I'm going to see if I can find some little legs to screw in the bottom. 

Have you heard of Chuck Nohara? I had not until today. I saw a post on Pinterest that led me to look further on the Internet. I've been behind the times - Chuck Nohara has been a THING in the quilt world for quite some time! And now...I'm afraid...I might...be...obsessed. I found this blog post from a few years ago and became even more intrigued. Oh dear. I think I'm trouble. 2001 blocks. Two thousand and one! 

I think this book will be my birthday present to myself. (My birthday is not until July...but I've already ordered the book.) 

Today is another hand work day - and my hand feels great! I did the right thing by resting it yesterday. I plan to stitch a bit, but I also want to get out of the house - I've been home for too many days in a row and I know I need to get out a bit. 

Enjoy your day!