Happy Monday, everyone! I hope that you all had a fabulous and relaxing weekend. Ours was very nice, although all of our plans had to be shifted around to accomodate the air conditioner repair guys coming back out to look at the BRAND NEW UNIT to see why it was not working. Well, it appears that when you install a new unit you have to set the unit to how much freon you want it to use at a time, and well, when set too low – it freezes over and then A/C no worky. So, in 106 degree heat, we were less than pleased. But, that aside, we did have a great weekend (although slightly rearranged).
As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to make a start on the next block for my Red Thread piece at the guild meeting (photo at top). This is the June block, Road Trip. Friday night I finished stitching the border, and then did the rest you can see here. I think this block will actually be a pretty quick stitch. Let’s hope so – I need to move on to July! As always, this is a fun and relaxing stitch. Please excuse the wonkiness of my piece in the photo – this is due to the block being right at the crease where I folded the fabric, and the stitching itself is not so messed up looking. I promise.
Sunday morning I was able to spend some time with my sewing machine and do a couple of things that have been piling up – like doing some mending, and then working on some quilting projects. I decided that I am going to take my Kimono quilt to be quilted as a birthday gift to myself. So, I needed to make sure that my backing fabric was ready to go. That backing fabric is now pieced and pressed and folded neatly along with the quilt top. I am hoping to drop it off next weekend. Hurrah!! I will be so thrilled when that piece is finally completely finished. I’ve had the quilt top tacked to the wall in our dining room (which is meant to be its final destination), since I finished it. So, yay! for getting that done. I did have a minor snafu while piecing the back, since the fabric is directional. Guess who pieced the two pieces going in opposite directions. Yes, that would be me. So, seam ripper to the rescue.
The second project I worked on is part of my monthly goals. I cut and pieced the binding for my $5 quilt (which I had quilted way back in November I think!!) (Photo above is just the quilt top, pre-quilting.). I pressed my binding (all 8 million yards 0f it) and then machine-sewed it to the quilt. Needless to say, I had about 7.5 million yards extra of the binding, which I may use to string up the cat if he scratches on my couches one more time. So, all that I lack on finishing that quilt is hand sewing the binding down and then making and attaching a label. Woohoo! I can almost taste a finish!! I would have loved to spend Sunday evening stitching down that binding, but I had committed to Anna that I would get back to stitching on our Mermaid SAL on Sunday nights. So, I pulled out Mermaids of the Deep Blue to stitch on.
Last update on this piece was back in March, I believe. Here’s what it looked like before.
And. here is what she looks like after last night’s stitching. Not a ton of progress, but enough to see a difference. I am working on the light brown in her hair. I do enjoy this piece, and as it is my first Mirabilia, and my first Mermaid…it deserves some attention. I am stitching this with DMC on 32ct Ocean Waves Belfast by Stitches and Spice. Love love love this fabric. It is so gorgeous.
So, that’s what I was up to this weekend. I am hoping to get Road Trip and my binding on the quilt finished soon. That would be fabulous! I do plan to work on the mermaid more next weekend though. See you soon!
I am grateful for dinner with a friend and moving the monstrosity!!
What a great productive weekend you had Michelle! Even with the AC not working 🙁 106 is too damm hot! lol
I so dearly love that kimono quilt and I can’t wait to see it finished up and hanging on your wall (because I’m sure you’ll take a picture of it and post it, please). 🙂 Your $5 quilt is going to look wonderful finished, as well. I will enjoy watching your Mirabilia progress. I think you’re further along than my Fairy Moon is and she’s my first Mira, as well. Maybe I can SAL with you guys, even though she’s not a mermaid? I need to put some stitches into her, as I haven’t touched her in over a year and a half!
You’ve been SO productive! Good for you!! It’s all so beautiful!
Your Kimono quilt is GORGEOUS!!!
What a great update! We had a wonderful cool down this weekend but will pay for it next weekend with close to 100* temps for several days in a row according to the forecast. We don’t have AC but it is a dry heat which is more tolerable. Happy Stitching!
Love everything. But, I just adore that kimono quilt! It is just amazing! Never seen anything like that before!
I *love* the kimono quilt- what a great project. Your updates are fantastic.
Hi Michelle,
Sounds like you had a most
productive weekend, air
conditioner not withstanding.
That Kimono quilt is the bomb!!
I love it so much. I’m glad
you’re getting it quilted and
finished off. It’s worth it!!
Your $5.00 quilt is lovely too.
You’ve got a good eye for
fabric and design.
Do you think you could send
us some of your heat up here??
And some sunshine too if you
have any to spare. I’m on
holidays, and I’m getting
desperate.
Would prefer to take delivery
for Sat. Aug. 16th (pool party
at a friend’s) and on Sat. Aug. 23rd. (Party here) I’ll pay shipping. Thanks.
Cheers!
Great quilts! It’s going to be nice to have them all really truly finished!!! Red Thread is looking wonderful…just a few more months to go 🙂
The kimono quilt is just lovely! And your stitching is coming along wonderfully!
Your mermaids look fantastic Michelle!
Wow, girl that Kimono quilt is just stunning and when it is finished it will be spectacular. You are coming along beautifully with your Mirabilia. There are several of us going to do a SAL starting in January. They are so beautiful when all stitched and beaded.
Awesome quilt tops! The kimono one is fabulous. Someone mentioned they’d like to see another picture once it’s quilted – me too!
Great progress on great projects!
Ooo, while I usually want everything you picture on your blog, I’m in deep fondness with your kimono quilt! Beautiful!
Congrats on all the accomplishments.
Its so nice to see pictures of your quilts. They are spectacular! I hope the A/C is working much better now – I think I would die in that heat!