Here's a little taste of what I've been up to the last few weeks. Just a quick grab shot, but I think you'll get the idea. Click the small photo for a larger view.
Found on the way to somewhere else, I was reminded of this lovely hymn
I Vow to Thee, My Country Words: Cecil A. Spring-Rice, 1918. Music: “Thaxted,” Gustav T. Holst, 1921
I vow to thee, my country—all earthly things above— Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love; The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago— Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know; We may not count her armies, we may not see her King; Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering; And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.
When you're glad you're making a big quilt, for the sheer pleasure that quilting the outer borders gives you
When the thrill of being in the flow is tempered with a little fear of running out of thread
when you know exactly where you are on the quilt and how it relates to your starting point
when you fear running out of top thread (it's more than a little fear)
when you're quilting along and realize you're thinking about the next quilt and the quilt after that
When you're thinking about what thread you'll use to quilt those quilts
when you finish the quilting, you quickly change machine feet and top thread and sew all the way around the edge 1/8 inch from the edge so it's all ready to start putting the binding on - tomorrow
when you finish that last line of quilting (one that doesn't show at all but is very helpful in putting the binding on) and you give a little whoop, jump up and do a little happy dance before turning off the sewing machine and calling it a night.
It's done. 29 bobbins worth of bobbin thread, which is two large spools and some. It's done. Until tomorrow night, when the next part begins.
First off, a heartfelt hip hip hooray for good old Blogger -- the fine bloggerites just launched a new interface that's very user friendly, well organized and apparently without much in the way of hitches. Applause Applause! If you're using Blogger, I encourage you to send your applause to them directly. I sent them a note via the only email route I could find on a short bit of time and got back a truly appreciative note. It's easy to throw bricks when things are going not-so-well, so please remember to send along the compliments as well.
Second, making progress in a number of things. Found and arranged for trash pick up. Up there with the lawn mower minor miracle. Made an appointment for my sewing machine to go in for maintenance. Slow but sure going through the list.
When I came home tonight the new trash receptacle and recycling bin were at my driveway as promised. whooooooooo. Hey, I don't get out as much as I probably should.
Finally - despite some glimmers of entertainment found in the season finales on TV, I'm making progress in the quilting. My carrot at the moment -- I have my next project hung where I can see it -- just finish this and you can get down to business on that. Go Go Go!
It's a minor miracle, but I managed to start up the lawn mower tonight. Long story, but I'm short and have NEVER been very good at things like this. So I guess the neighbors will have to wait awhile before running me out of town, LOL.
In other news, I am all done with the feathers in the border and am just filling in the edges. Looking good.
