Day 244 of 2020

Fireball spotted this guy flying across our yard and settling in our tree. 

From the source I checked, he appears to be a Red-shouldered Hawk juvenile.  

He is very different and much larger than the one who came to visit

 at the beginning of August. 

I wish I could get better pictures, 

but they seem to like the yard around dusk.

Day 243 of 2020

In trimming a very large and neglected boxwood hedge, 

these treasures were found.

To see more of today's treasures, please visit me over at More Curiously.

Day 242 of 2020

It seems like a good time to share a pink and orange sky.

Day 241 of 2020

I finished quilting the Moda Love quilt this evening. 

It was too dark outside for a full picture so I accordion-folded for you. 

I may wait until it's all bound to take the outdoor shot.

Day 240 of 2020

I was up and out before the sun.

Day 239 of 2020

Remember when we went through Mom's books? 

We've set up a table to do the same with some of ours. 

There isn't room or need to keep them all. 

There are decisions to be made. 

Keep, give to friends and family, sell or donate.

Day 238 of 2020

My eye allowed me to get back to quilting today. 

I have one more row of background across the bottom

 and then I can start on the color sections.

Day 237 of 2020

I had another injection in my eye today - my third one. 

I knew quilting was out of the question, 

but by afternoon I wanted to work on something. 

This remake for GB#3 fit the bill. 

He asked me if I could take these long pants with holes in the knees 

and make them into shorts. 

I'm hoping this is what he had in mind.

Day 236 of 2020

It's been almost a year since I quilted anything on my longarm 

so I was a little (a lot) nervous to get started on this quilt. 

My lines are not all straight, my circles are not all round

 and my spacing is not all consistent,

 but it is going well. 

I am improving my confidence. 

I could not ask for more.

Day 235 of 2020

Here are my three test flowers. 

They are not sewn yet but just twisted around to get an idea of how they will work. 

The first flower was way too stiff. 

For the second flower I used fewer stitches, a bigger hook and a different yarn. 

It didn't really work either. 

The third flower has an in between number of stitches, 

same hook as number two and same yarn as number one. 

I'm liking this one the best, 

so I will sew it up and test it out on the booties. 

Day 234 of 2020

My last haircut was in October. 

My neighbor needed a better way to support a board for skateboarding purposes. 

Today we made a trade. 

I built the ramp support and she cut my hair. 

I feel it was quite a fair trade. 

I think she feels the same way.

Day 233 of 2020

This evening's activities included embroidery and crochet. 

I basted a quilt on the longarm earlier but that wasn't much of a picture.

Day 232 of 2020

Today's project:

Replace zipper in friend's backpack, making it look as original as possible. 

I did go a little fancy on the zipper pull.

Day 231 of 2020

Fabric bucket number two is done.  

These occupy space in the half bath and hold extra hand towels. 

Here is the link to the first bucket with another link to more of the bathroom.

Seeing that post, I realize that it took me six years to get this done...

and I did it this evening after dinner.

Day 230 of 2020

I've worked out a test flower. 

Next test will be with a larger hook and fewer stitches. 

And does anyone know how my hook got bent?

Day 229 of 2020

Remember when I was stitching those snowflakes down? 

Pictures of them are posted here, here and here.

Well, since I couldn't find my pattern (It's in a book I can't locate) 

I drafted the pattern for the snowman arms 

and pinned them on the top to see if they would work. 

I have finally purchased some brown fleece for these arms

 and have them ready to stitch. 

This quilt will get done eventually.

Also to clarify, the masks from the other day are for Fireball and me. 

If you have to wear a mask, it might as well be fun. 

Here is the link to the pattern I used for this batch. 

The video shows you how to make it.

Day 228 of 2020

I'm so happy to see these flowers on this hosta. 

Each time it blooms 

it's like getting another gift from my friend who gave it to me.

Day 227 of 2020

More masks are in the making. 

Different pattern. 

Very easy and quite breathe-able.

Day 226 of 2020

I needed a solution to a problem regarding this collar 

which stores a hood when not in use. 

I thought this might be what I was looking for 

but now think that the ruffle might be a bit too fluffy. 

I'll finish the closure and make a decision. 

You might be seeing another version soon.

Day 225 of 2020

We stopped in at the bookstore between errands

 to see if my favorite magazine was in yet 

and couldn't resist visiting my favorite section of the books too. 

Day 224 of 2020

I tried a new dessert recipe tonight. 

This one has a crust, lemon cheesecake layer, blueberry layer, 

topped with a coconut crumble. 

In Fireball's words, "Wow."

Recipe here.

Day 223 of 2020

Way before sundown, it got very dark. 

The wind picked up and it began to storm. 

All night it has continued to rain

 with the sound of rolling thunder near and far away.

Day 222 of 2020

I think he thinks I can't see him.

Day 221 of 2020

In my effort to clean up the studio, 

I am preparing the fabric I've used for houses, mugs and masks for reshelving. 

There is so much more.

Day 220 of 2020

I need to make these booties a little more girly.

I think I'm going to try making little crocheted flowers. 

I'll let you know how that turns out.

Day 219 of 2020

Fireball has been very busy.

Day 218 of 2020

As I was looking for another item in the studio today I found this. 

It's one of those plastic zippered bags that held linens or curtains for purchase. 

I love to use these for project bags or for general organization. 

Part of the seam on this one had come out 

and I had already put it back in place and clipped it. 

Who knows why I didn't sew it up right then.

It took me about ten seconds to finish this one. 

Oh, and this time I did find what I was looking for.

Day 217 of 2020

My last prize from the Mugs Sew Along has arrived. 

This beautiful box of thread is from Aurifil.

Day 216 of 2020

Here is my official picture for today. 

It's just before midnight 

and I didn't quite get it done before my picture taking deadline.

A few minutes later I finished the puzzle. 

It wasn't nearly as challenging as I expected based on the reviews of it.

Day 215 of 2020

This big guy was right outside my window today. 

I had to move fast to get a picture so please pardon the blur and the blinds. 

Day 214 of 2020

Safety first.