Left-overs and crabapples

While I am waiting for the next Step of Bonnie Mystery #2, I hope I can finish machine quilting this little "doll" quilt made from left-overs of Mystery #1. First I stitched in the ditch on the straight seams, then I did the diagonals through the nine-patches, then I put on the darning foot and wove back and forth along the seam lines in curves, hoping they would turn out looking like circles. Now I am cogitating on the borders and what to do with them. Seems like a curvy feather--but I have practically no experience with them!

So I go outside for a walk around the circle drive. WOW! the crabapples are at their most floriforous! Son Peter gave me one of those trees for Mother's Day when we moved in here, now 16 -17 years ago. There are two dark pink and two white crabapples in the circle, all supposed to be dwarves, but not so. Across to the right are two truly dwarf crabapples, named "Beverly". Since I have two relatives named "Beverly", two was the right number; Beverly Grace Hobart Schwab and Beverly Diane Thomas. One leans quite a bit toward the other. But these two relatives are not related to each other at all, and don't know each other. Just have the name in common. And me.

Sara

Gratitudes:

Last GRWC rehearsal went well for concert Sat.

Blooming trees all over town

Wore my socks and they didn't fall off!

White quilting

Exercise today: 40 min "walking" in the pool and 10 min swimming
Steps = 3197

Whew! By sitting down to it two different times, I got the white squares marked and quilted this afternoon. My test of this blue marker on a scrap of white fabric washed right out, so I trust these marks will all be gone after I spritz with water. This not an adventurous quilting pattern, however after much thought I felt more confident using a purchased template--and it was hearts, which was what I wanted.

HOORAY! This gift is done two whole days early! Now to discern which of the many White Elephants in my sewing room will be wrapped for the SpoolSpinner party gift exchange.

After dinner I worked some more on the 9-patches for Bonnie's Caroline Crossroads mystery quilt. I thought I had enough of the 3-patch strips to get the 80 blocks made, but I had miscalculated on the dark-light-dark ones by about 25 out of 160. Made those. Got 40 blocks all put together, pressed and squared-up. Bonnie sez she doesn't square-up, but I don't think my workmanship is a good as hers!

Suddenly agitated about clothing for the trip to Costa Rica, and shoes, and a JACKET!

Sara

Gratitudes:
Sensation of water on my body in the pool
Mouse (wood) in the creche stable
Laughing with Charlie

Third Week of Advent

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent started "Rejoice. . .", hence the name "Gaudete" Sunday. Today our Collect has changed, but we still light the rose candle, not quite so penitent as purple.

Our book discussion group is reading Toward Holy Ground, Spiritual Directions for the Second Half of Life, by Margaret Guenther. Today's chapter is entitled, "A Good Death".
The end of the year, the length of these dark nights, and my increasing bodily aches -- all make this a appropriate topic. She says that preparation for death is a life-long project! Hmmm, I've put this off for a many years. Her recommendations include a daily examen of conscience, acknowlegement of our pain and loss, holding onto hope. Old words, but difficult to follow. I guess one really does need long practice so the process becomes "natural".

Yesterday I did all the Stitch-in-The-Ditch quilting on the Secret Sister quilt. Today I "screwed my courage to the sticking point" and started free motion quilting the red and white fabric. It has a very concealing pattern, which I really need. Now that I've finished that part with loops, I am looking at the outer, red fabric and trying to imagine that it too will hide the vagaries of my stitching, Probably NOT. However, I am using red thread at this point, so it will be a little hidden. Since I want this quilt to be useable for Valentine's season as well as Xmas, I am conjuring Hearts for this border. But now the corners that I liked are causing a planning problem----anything the right size for the border will be too small for the corner. Need to "put on my thinking cap". [Shades of Brownie Scout Troop #556 in 1950!]

Sara

Gratitudes:
No trouble driving to church (snow)
Choir practice for Christmas Eve sounded good
Lunch with Kathie