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Saturday, August 09, 2025

Just A Bit Of Friday Sewing!


Yesterday some sewing stations stood vacant.  Deserted.

It seems some folks had decided that an hour's drive to Fancy Gap was in order, leaving projects at machines unattended...

This is my favorite kind of photography because we can SEE what things are going on - and just where quilters were when they left off.

Quilter's Still Life.

This is Beth's Pineapple Crazy from String Fling,


Pineapple Crazy blocks are being worked alongside tiny friendship stars from Dawn's Early Light in String Frenzy.

Because, heaven forbid we get bored with our current project and not have something to switch to!


I believe these are Lori Holt machines - lovely!


Bunnies on the run!


We are lucky to have Jenifer Gaston of Woolen Willow Designs with us this week, and she is working on new samples for new patterns! The wreath blocks will be added later, in wool applique!


Later in the day - basket blocks were popping up!


More wool applique to happen!


Being made in Jenifer's new fabric line!

This line includes wools as well - and they are on their way.

So pretty!


What are we making here?

Look at those campers! SO CUTE!


In the foyer - It's coming together!

Yes, it did take a bit more yardage to cut those borders with all of the campers right side up - but sometimes it's just worth it and then you have extra fabric to play with when the quilt is done.


Definitely a TaDa moment!


The pattern is called Spooky Lane, and she omitted the spiders, including a 3rd kitty instead.


There is some patriotic Fourth of July (Free Patterns tab) happening here!


What's this on the wall?

I've known this pattern to be called "Around The Twist,"


But it's never been THIS easy before!


GO die called Plaited Block.

We have a GO cutter on hand at the inn for guest use - they just need to bring their own dies and plastic overlay. It saves folks having to carry in even more stuff.  I love seeing it used.


Another one cut with the GO!

I can't remember the name of this dye, but it is going to be spectacular when it is finished.


She is using this collection of yummy solids!


Two of our retreaters are from nearby West Virginia - and there was a whole lot of busy strip sewing going on to make up this delightful quilt!


West Virginia by Karen Abrahamovich!

You have to check out her site!  She has done quilts for all of the states - how fun!
And this is where my day took a turn.

We live in the country. Bugs are wildlife. Some ants were found feasting on brownies.  Bye bye brownies!

The cupboard was completely emptied of food at this point.

And I quickly headed to town in search of ant traps. Sigh.

Evidently there is an ant epidemic in this area because the tiny town of Independence where I decided to go - population 900 with one grocery store and one Dollar General - had NO ant traps at the Dollar General which was my first stop.

They did have some spray that said "pet and people safe." So I grabbed that.

I then headed to the one grocery store and did find some Raid traps.

The spray smells like melaleuca.  Hopefully it will dissipate.

I placed the ant traps in EVERY cabinet that contains food, one in the corner on the floor between the stove and the sink.

One under the sink for good measure.

It must mean the seasons are changing if things are trying to get in?  Let's hope we have this managed.


Manic sewing happening.


And some trimming up -

Nothing like rage sewing while wishing for insects to either up and leave, or die.  One or the other.  Just pick one.


And since it's Caturday -

Upon returning home last evening I found Hubster Dave out on the gliders with the porch heater ON!

And Ivy Lea on the rail also soaking up the propane heat?  In AUGUST?!


Evidently she didn't like the judgey look I was giving and padded off to find somewhere else to laze about.

Today:  Some more step out photos for my Abundance pattern need to be retaken. Not a big deal.  I'm getting closer to having that ready.

And then I'll be at my desk with edits, alternating my time between heading for a haircut at noon and spending time with the TaDa quilters -

How about your weekend ahead?


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Evidently, my quilts need bigger labels!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone -

 

30 comments:

Debra said...

YeAh, we had to put Ant traps out on the counter too! Must be something going on.
Love that Spooky Lane quilt top.
My day is going to be much like yesterday.
Have a wonderful weekend
Blessings 🙏🌹

Kathy Rockey said...

Hi, Bonnie. We have a place in Florida and ants are a regular nuisance. The manager at the local Ace Hardware recommended Tero ant bait and I have used it with great results. Kitchen and pet safe.
Kathy from Alaska, who’s also friends with Joy. ♥️
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/insect-and-animal-control/insect-bait/7105786

Vicki B said...

I just made one of those quilts. It seemed that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I got to the point that I was working on it nonstop just so that I could get it out of my house. But really it turned out beautifully . . . it’s just . . .

Karen Markley said...

Endless ants here too (CA). Tried home remedies, safe spray, ant chalk, granules. Ant traps are next. 4 cats and a dog add to the confusion! And last night we were visited by a skunk!

Anonymous said...

The sewing machine block is actually a free pattern by Tilda.

Barbara said...

Raid never worked for me
But, Terro ant bait works every time - 24 hours snd they're gone!

cbott said...

Thank you for using the cartoon depiction, instead of a picture of the real thing going on. Ants give me the heebie-jeebies!

I can't help but think the jazz rock band "Blood, Sweat & Tears" was named by a quilter.

Carolyn (noticing the Y2K strip!)

Caroline said...

We had our yard re-landscaped this summer and nothing stirs up ants like moving old paving stones and deck posts. I've been out there daily putting down liquid Terro and they've been partying on it like college kids on spring break with a keg. I've never seen so many ants, and three different sizes! Nasty little critters that can drive you nuts. You have my sympathy. Hey maybe I should try using a Terro-laced brownie... {evil laugh}

Anonymous said...

I have heard another nontoxic ant bait is corn meal! They eat it and can't digest it. So therefore, their stomachs burst.

Miss Papa said...

Lovely projects! Can't wait to see what happens with the camper fabrics.
Hopefully you've convinced the ants that you mean business and they need to stay away. Some years we have lots of little ones that come in and other years there's none.
I giggled over the Quote of the Day today! Certainly can relate...and yet we quilt on. :-) Have a great weekend, Jenny

Anonymous said...

Love seeing all the sewing going on! The sewing machine pattern is from Tilda, free on their website.

Diane' said...

Thank you. As always a joy to be on your site

Anonymous said...

We use peppermint oil spray for ants and it works great! We spray it outside around the whole house. You can buy it in a gallon jug with a sprayer attachment on Amazon. The peppermint smell is a bit strong and lasts for a while but it's worth it to get rid of the ants!

Karen

Anonymous said...

Ant Terro is the very best.

JudyL said...

LOVE the quote of the day!! Quite appropriate most days! Have a great weekend.

Linda Gep said...

Try using dryer sheets in your cabinets. I get them from $1 store. I don’t think ants like the smell.

Anonymous said...

I live in an old house... I don't know the route how they got there, but this year the ants were in the storage area under the stairs. I make up ant bait with borax and sugar, and it works well. It's an annual event, sadly.

Lisa in Port Hope said...

Sorry, i didn't mean to be anonymous with my last comment.

Kathy Rockey said...

Oops, I misspelled Terro ant bait, but I see others suggested it and got it correct.

Anonymous said...

We have been pretty successful with using Terro liquid ant traps.

JoAnn Pennington said...

We use Terro liquid ant traps. They work very well.

KATIE M PETERSON said...

I remember one time as a kid, dinner was over and my Dad got out the chocolate/chocolate cake [made from the Hershey can my Mom made] brought it to the table to cut and serve. A bunch of ants came crawling out, us kids squealed and Dad just said extra protein and banged the pan on the table to scare them out. He wasn't going to let those ants mess with his cake, he wasn't going to let those ants mess with his sweet tooth.

sue s said...

Your quote is spot on! I just finished the "xx" quilt ever (so I don't swear)! But the recipients loved it so I just grinned, and didn't make eye contact with my hubby!!

Anonymous said...

I love today's comment. LOL so far we keep our ants outside. Since they are primarily fire ants we need to keep it that way. I would hate to have to burn down the house. ( I really hate fire ants)

Anonymous said...

I make a mixture of 4 oz, of warm water, 20/25 drops of peppermint oil and 20/25 drops of clove oil and spray around the window ledges and cabinets. It smells so good and ants are not happy and die . TY Patricia Arbuckel

Anonymous said...

The Quote of the Day is one of the best ever! Thank you for it.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful, fun quilts! Motivates me as well! Ooh ants; I lived in a house that had an ant problem (big time), and told the landlord. He pooh poohed it and said oh that's normal. Ant traps weren't doing it. After I moved out, I found out that they called an exterminator and found the house had a huge ant hill in the crawl space. It still makes me shudder.

Sandy said...

That is what I use ALL.THE.TIME...best ant bait ever!

Hot Browns Across Kentucky said...

What a fun post! So many lovely quilts being sewn! And so very sorry about the ants - hope that clears up soon! Like you said, pack up and go, or just die! Either one will suffice!

Dreamer said...

What a delightful snapshot of quilting in action! I love how Bonnie captures the beautiful chaos, the Pineapple Crazy blocks, tiny stars, wool appliqués, and those charming campers, like a still-life quilt story. The “rage sewing” moment while battling ants was all too relatable and gave me a good chuckle. Here’s hoping the traps did their job! Cheers, y2down

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