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Thursday, August 22, 2019

Adding One More to the Binding Queue -

This one!

This one is coming out SO much better than I initially envisioned, at least to my own preferences. The Fancy Baskets block was a previous Addicted to Scraps Column block in Quiltmaker Magazine, and begged to be turned into a full quilt.

Pattern to appear in my next book, so stay tuned.

Can you guess how excited I was to advance the quilt to the point where the blocks i had pieced into the backing became visible on the take up roller as I got closer to the end?

When I am piecing any kind of “racing stripe” into a quilt back as an accent – I purposely try to have it OFF CENTER.  Because if having something centered is that important to me – it will definitely end up NOT being centered.  That’s just the way it goes with any system that has backing on one roller, and top on a separate roller – it’s a crap shoot. 

Unfurling the quilt from the long arm!

Quilted with a gold-colored thread.
Edge-to-edge design is Dusty Miller Grande by Patricia Ritter of Urban Elementz.

Close of up backing blocks.

Oh, Sadie!

Binding in blue-violet!
And adding this one to the binding queue.

Yesterday I dealt with a nasty headache, and an over-all feeling of fatigue.  I haven’t made plans to see anyone this week.  I’m just feeling rather run down after a very busy week in Mississippi, and all I want to do is putter with my fabric, love on Sadie, reserving evenings for quiet hand-stitching while relaxing to something brainless on Netflix. 

This week’s binge has been Republic of Doyle on Netflix.

I told Mona during a phone call yesterday that “This week I am NOT PEOPLE-ING!”  And I think we all need that from time to time.  No visitors, no overnight guests, no lunches or dinners out, just the basics.

No one to feed but me and Sadie since the Hubster is visiting his brother in Oregon this week.

Jeff came by yesterday to do the yard care at Quiltville Inn, and it was awesome spending a couple of hours with him – or rather watching him ride the mower around the yard from the comfort of my air-conditioned Post Office, but truly, he was the only PEOPLE-ING I could handle.

Today I’m making a vet appointment for Sadie – she is moving so slowly.  She is generally happy, but not eating as much, sleeping a lot, and very stiff when she gets up.

She sounds like ME.  LOL!  But we will get her a check up and see if we can find some relief from whatever is bothering her.  I was going to do this a couple of weeks ago, but it got pushed aside by other must-do’s.  This week she is my only must-do.

These Shoo Fly Shoo blocks happened as Leaders & Enders!

This was the very last strip of my recycled Krispy Kreme pajama pants.  And yes, I fussy cut them so the labels would show.  All of my other blocks have darks in the center, but I will sprinkle these 5 in liberally for fun!  Hey, it’s fabric – low calorie, and high fiber!

Perhaps today I’ll take some time and kit more blocks up – I’m running low!  How are yours coming?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Vintage quilt top from my collection.

Knock out the self-doubt and get down to it!

Our creativity increases by DOING!

And with that, I think I’ll hit send and get on to the doing part of today –

Have a wonderful Thursday, folks!

49 comments:

  1. Sometimes the "people" you need to visit with is you, yourself and you again. A mental health check to see if you are comfortable with who you are right this minute. When it happens sometimes priorities become clear. Sadie needs you so a little time carve out for her and then maybe just rocking on the porch with a cup of tea with dome hand stitching for you. No one needs you more than you need you!

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  2. Love the Krispy Kreams!!

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  3. That sounds like you've got a wonderful week ahead of you. Hugs for both you and Sadie. Enjoy!!

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  4. Prayers for Sadie to have something easy to treat or nothing at all! It’s so hard to see the fur babies age!!

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    1. I'm right there with you. I have a 9+ year-old Rottweiler who has NEVER had any health problems... until last week. Took him into the vet, x-rays show TWO massive tumors, and at this age, surgery is not recommended, simply because of quality of life and healing process afterwards. It's harder on them. So, he's basically on hospice now, to make his final time (we don't know if we have weeks or even months, maybe a couple of years, IF it's benign, but we're not going to subject him to the biopsy procedure to find out). Rotties have a 10-year average lifespan, so we'll just make him as comfortable as possible, love on him as much as we can, spoil him, and then send him on ahead to meet us when we arrive in Heaven. All we can do at this point.

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  5. Good morning. Take care of you and dear Sadie. Be blessed

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  6. Sadie time and quilts to bind = Bliss.............

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  7. Love the Krispy Kream centers. I think you will enjoy Republic of Doyle. My sister and I just finished watching it. Funny,lots of action, and some drama. While still being about family. We now want to go to Newfoundland. Enjoy your day!

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  8. Everyone needs down time. Take care of yourself and Sadie. Refresh your spirit! 💜💜💜

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  9. I'm definitely adopting the term "racing stripe" regarding accents on quilt backs! Love it! I hope Sadie feels perkier soon!

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  10. I love the sprinkling of donuts. I always try to add a little whimsy to my quilts--so much fun! (Autocorrect tried to make "whimsy" change to "whiskey"! I DON'T add whiskey to quilts. :) )

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  11. I love the idea of cutting up pajama pants! Thanks for the inspiration!!! Just when I thought I was "stuck" with ONLY plaid shirts, you opened up a whole new world to me :-)

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  12. Poor Sadie hope she’s ok, every now and again it’s important to just focus on yourself and the special people in your life like Sadie and of course your sons. Your basket quilt is so pretty love the binding you have chosen looks amazing, look forward to your new book as this looks a fabulous block. So pleased it passed the Sadie test lol, she’s adorable.
    Have missed my sewing machine these passed two weeks as we’ve been away from home on holiday and visiting the in-laws.
    Hope you are enjoying your downtime, take care of yourself
    Love and quilty hugs
    Anne xxx

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  13. Sadie does look a little sad. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong. It's so hard to see our pets age, especially if there is nothing we can do to help them. Love that colorful basket quilt! I need to make a basket quilt for myself soon. I loved making those leader and enders so much that I started doing them as the main project as well. I am making the 6" size and my blocks are adorable! I've never made shoo fly blocks before. I've got quite a few blocks made but not anywhere near enough, but I'm thinking of maybe sashing them. I am eager to see how you set yours.

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  14. Bonnie, this may be my favorite of all your quilts so far. Absolutely gorgeous, and my eye never stops moving from spot to spot. Love, love, love it.

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  15. Here's to a quiet, rejuvenating week for you and Sadie both. She's such a sweetie - can tell that without even meeting her. I hope the vet can help her out.

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  16. It is difficult to see our beloved pets age. One thing that has helped our arthritic dog is glucosomine. It is one specifically made for pets. Hope you and Sadie are feeling your perky selves soon.

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  17. I think I've got 3 blocks left in the kit bin, 3 are done and on the design wall, leaving 56 chained and ready for their last 2 seams. My current project should take care of those lickety-split.

    To my eye, being untrained in long-arm rollers and that system, it appeared in the top picture that the bottom border had been sewn on wrong-side-up! I was fervently hoping you'd notice before you got there! A quick skim through the post, looking for (and not finding) your "uh oh!" comment about it, made me go back and reexamine the set-up. I was so relieved to see that it was my eyes playing tricks!

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    1. Yes, that's the quilt top rolled wrong-side out, so that when it's unrolled, the top comes out right-side up, ready to quilt. Optical illusion, isn't it?

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  18. I've seen this quilt so many times as you were assembling it, and today is the first time I've picked up on the circular secondary pattern.

    Awesome!! There's a surprise in every quilt!

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    1. Oh, wow... I hadn't even caught that myself, until you said something about it! You have to go back and unfocus your eyes, to let the pattern come out. I love it!

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  19. Love Sadie and Love your basket quilt. Could you post a couple of pics showing how you mount the quilt on your frame. I'm sure that would show me a lot. You have so many great tips! Or email me if you have time. Thanks. Becky
    stitchmagic@hotmail.com

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  20. Beautiful quilt. I love the lattice ideas you used. Take care of your self and precious Sadie.

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  21. I kited up 10 more garden party posies blocks got 3 done already. Going to love this quilt when done.

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  22. We all need to listen to our bodies and our (sometimes aching) heads and do the right thing. Sometimes that means giving ourselves a nice time out.

    I like that you cut up your Krispy Kreme pajama pants! I have used clothing in quilts before, also, and have even bought secondhand clothes specifically to use in quilts.

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  23. I love love love this quilt!!! All the pretty colors and fabrics, the black and white sashing, the block sashing, and to top it off that gorgeous blue binding. It has everything it needs to be fantastic!

    Hope you find out what's up with Sadie and she feels better soon. Our old buddies have aches and pains just like we do, don't they? Bless their hearts.

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  24. Enjoy your “down time” and just be in the present. No worries or schedules.

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  25. Love all the borders! The Blue-Violet frames it well. Glad You have Sadie to keep you company. I'm sure she could tell stories of your wonderful life in NC and Virginia. Have a great Thursday.

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  26. Alice Woodring said, that is a gorgeous! basket quilt. It went right on my 'to do' list.

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  27. Taking a "puttering about" break is a wonderful thing, Bonnie. Especially for someone like you who brings joy to so many.

    I found Lark Rise to Candleford a delightful series to binge on. I can't remember if it is on Netflix or Amazon, but it is wonderfully calming.

    Enjoy your evenings and Sadie.

    Loretta McGinn

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  28. We loved watching Republic of Doyle! If you haven't seen Heartland yet I think you'd really enjoy that too. It will suck you right in! Oh and I love all your quilts and have done the last 6 Mysteries. So much fun!

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  29. I am doing my leader/enders in black and orange, with a constant gray swirl for the background. Love them!

    I have also been binge-watching as I sew, but not nearly as sophisticated choices as you--I am into season 15 of Grey's Anatomy, lol!!

    Thanks for your inspiration, it keeps my thinking fresh--

    Gina in Missouri

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  30. What do you mean when you say the racing sashing is "off center"? Thanks & enjoy the quiet time!!

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  31. So glad to hear what you are doing for you. Take care of you and Sadie this week.
    Love the quilt.
    I almost want to say take a week off blogging...but selfish me, I would miss you!! But I wouldn't blame you if you did. Feed your soul.

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  32. Krispy Kreams to be found is the Pajama isle?
    Who would have guess .Bonnie Hunter Thanks for the hint I need some of that. I cannot eat them so I might as well sew them!

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  33. Bonnie I noticed that I have the same deco cabinet only mine houses my Rocketeer. Really like that cabinet and machine!
    Sorry Sadie is not up to par. Hoping she's perkier soon.

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  34. The quilt is absolutely stunning! Hope Sadie is just stiff from age and nothing serious. She is such a cutie and I know a great companion. Glad you are taking some “me” time. We all need to recharge from time to time. Have a super day, Bonnie.

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  35. Poor Sadie.
    I had a much loved elderly lady who had a hard life before us and she had arthritis in her hips. Our vet suggested that we try having lazer acupuncture on her instead of drugs. Well, she was jumping around like a puppy. Three treatments, (it was winter time). The vet suggested that we have more acupuncture in the next autumn to help her through the next winter. She had another three years of relatively pain free life and joy. Hope Sadie can get a similar relief from her doctor.

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  36. I'm so in love with your Fancy Baskets quilt! The colors a bright and beautiful, love the checkerboard border, the multicolor sashing and borders - perfection!

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  37. Love everything about this quilt. Prayers that all is well with Sadie. Karen

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  38. Take good care of you....and Sadie. You deserve me-time to simply BE! Peopling takes a lot of energy and many people do not understand that. BREATHE :-)

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  39. I have a notebook with ALL the ATS patterns . . . it's so helpful (and inspiring) to see the blocks made up into quilts. Enjoy some much-needed Bonnie-time. All of us marvel at your ability to keep going at 125%!

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  40. Hope you get your energy back quickly! LET Us know how Sadie is doing

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  41. Just take good care of yourself and Sadie!
    Love the quilt, but the maker inspires me everyday!

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  42. "Unpeopling" is very necessary at times!! I have had a couple weeks of it and it has been much needed. Take care of that Sadie gurl!! Hugs!

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  43. You have done it again -- love the basket quilt. Glad you are getting some Bonnie time. We all need time for ourselves so that we can do the people and business times. We just celebrated our 57th anniversary. My husband made me shelves as a gift for my sewing room. Because of that we have rearranged one whole wall in the room. All the fabric came out of the antique china cabinet in order to move it. I have been evaluating each piece before it goes back into the cabinet, and I find myself asking "What would Bonnie do with this piece." I will take a few things to our next guild meeting to give to others. Still have lots to do before I can get back to sewing. Today we will go to Michaels to get boxes for projects. The object is to get things off the floor:)
    Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com

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  44. As much as I enjoy reading about your travels and teaching, your current plans actually sound like a perfect week to me! Peopling is hard, y'all. I smiled so hard at your binding choice. Blue violet is my absolute all-time favorite color and it makes me happy to see it anytime, anywhere and it makes that beautifully colorful quilt just exactly perfect.

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  45. Love the quilt. Do hope Sadie is OK, poor old thing.

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  46. You take care of yourself. I hope Sadie will be fine. I love your finished quilt. The binding is perfect. It is beautiful.

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