A Bit of Sand & Sunshine -

About that Sand & Sunshine - were you thinking BEACHY?

Not so, unfortunately.  

But there has been much progress on the pathway across the back yard at Quiltville Inn running from loading zone to back porch.

It's much more than just plopping concrete pavers on top of the grass and calling it done.

First - Things were marked so we've have nice even and strait runs.

Tben, just the sod layer was shoveled up, leaving the exposed soil below.

From there, that heavy clay-like soil had to be broken up and about 3 to 4'' removed leaving a much deeper trench.

It's back breaking work for my menfolk who shoveled large loads of dirt into the tractor bucket.

And that dirt isn't going to waste - it's being used to fill a sloping area that is near a wire fence making it hard to mow - 

We had no idea how many yards of sand we needed to fill the pathway trenches, but we definitely ran short so more sand will be picked up at the quarry today.

They really worked hard to get this far - My main job?  Providing a hearty lunch, prepared in the Quiltville Inn kitchen and doing all of the clean up so they could get back to work.

It seemed like a fair trade to me!

Evidently this is what Lola thought of everything.  LOL.

More string blocks have been made.

This is either going to be the ugliest quilt on the planet, or turn into something amazing and so super cool - I haven't decided which yet, but we will see.

I'm going to have to grab more neutrals from the neutral string bin as I've about depleted the number of neutrals that are in the cabin string bin (Which is one mix of EVERYTHING.)

Evenings are spent still working on this.

How can you tell a hand stitcher from a non hand stitcher?  Just look for the pin pricks and callouses!

I admit I don't have pretty hands and have no use for them.

Here I am folding the trimmed backing in to meet the turned under edge of the hexie on top.  Tiny whip stitches just catching a few threads at each fold are in progress.

Last night I turned a corner and am on the second side.

As I said before, it's fiddly!  The hexies are only 3/4'' per side.  The point of my seam ripper has been my friend in helping to turn those edges under and keep those corners as crisp as possible.

It's been trim-a-little-stitch-a-little, repeat, repeat, repeat but it's getting there.

Will I have it all done by New Years?  Who knows.  Does it matter?  At this point, not really - I'm just putting in a couple of hours every evening no matter how much gets done.

This is the texture I see in the morning light -

There is just something about hand quilted texture that can't be duplicated by machine, no matter how much I love long arm quilting.

It's a different beast all together, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to experience both for as long as these eyes and hands hold out.

How are you coming along on your Rhododendron Trail Part Four?

I know it is a BIG clue with many units, but I have heard that some are done already!  WOW!

That is so fantastic, and I know that you were working to clear out time to enjoy your families over the coming week.

We are planning on just a small gathering here for Christmas Eve dinner.  Just The Hubster, myself, son Jeff & Ashlyn, and yes Casden of course, which has me so super excited.

We just may have to have a cookie decorating activity while he is up here.  Who cares if it spoils his dinner?

What is left for your holiday preparation?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Worry is going on the back burner.

⁣

Today I choose JOY!

Have a joyful Monday, everyone!