Quilt Progress and a Good Run

I've been working hard on the paper pieced project, about 5-7 hours a day on the quilt.  Trying to still run three times a week too.  I changed up my running intervals today and had the best run I've had in years.  Instead of doing 90/30 (90 seconds of running to 30 seconds of walking), I increased my walk time and did 1:15/45, and did better.  Yes, better.  That walk break gave me more energy to run faster.

This is pretty much better than my best race pace, for several years.

Decided to make the quilt around 90" square so I will need 13 of the big blocks. My goal is to get one done a day until I get them done, and go back to work.  It is a lot of work, and I've already gone through 2 cutting blades and I'll need a new cutting board by the time I'm finished.  But...I love it.

Wild and Goosey Progress

I'm a little obsessed with this quilt.  I've not cooked much the last few days.  We always have lots of leftovers in the freezer so I've been pulling them out so I can spend more time sewing.  Just running and sewing this week.  I did get in two decent 5 milers, but also so much sewing.

 My sewing room was so clean Monday morning.

 Dear reader, I'm sure you are going to get tired of seeing these blocks.

 I wasn't sure I'd keep going after four, but yes, I am still making them.....

Still Social Distancing

While I am awaiting the backing for my Quarantine quilt, I decided to start a new project.  I saw this picture online and was amazed.  It is a Bonnie Hunter pattern called Wild and Goosey but Patti Aubin created this amazing setting for it.

The little blocks are supposed to measure 3" finished and are paper pieced. I've done one paper pieced quilt and thought, ok - why not?  I had to look up a youtube video on how to do it.  It had been a while since I had used that technique.  I had Bonnie's book with the pattern but I discovered when I tried to copy the template, my printer would not copy it exactly the correct size. I worked all day on the settings, and could not get it right.  I finally enlarged them to fit my printer page, which made them 3 1/4" finished and decided that was close enough.  I don't think I'll have problems improvising the rest to match that size.

So, after a couple of half days work.....

I actually have the 16 small blocks as shown in the one large block (of 18 needed), I completed 5 more.  I was thinking I'd give myself a year or two to complete this quilt, but it seems to be going faster than I thought.  And I have to say, I am enjoying the tiny little paper pieced blocks.  My points have never been this good!

Made a new yummy dish tonight.  Spinach, pineapple, cheese, chicken, and a dressing made from a little mayo and pineapple juice.  It was good.

And can't forget to post this great photo.  My DIL took this when she and granddaughter Emma went for an evening bike ride. This is a good candidate to frame, I think.

Hope you are doing ok while you are still social distancing.

Another day......

Ok, I don't know about you, but I'm getting bored....or tired....or just needing a change. I've got hobbies to do - quilting, painting, running, cooking, and I am doing all of those, but still....I long for some normalcy in our world.  I am so thankful that I have enough of what we need, I'm fed, comfortable, have things to do, and so many other things but still....I don't think I want to be retired full time. Or maybe it's just that I am not going anywhere.  It has taken me almost a month to get to this point, I guess because I'm such an introvert.  Hoping to talk the hubby into a drive this week.  To anywhere, just get out and drive around.

Still working on the "quarantine" quilt.  All 72 blocks made, now sewing up the rows.  These blocks took for-ev-er to make.  Did a little painting recently.

 Did another fish in water, a koi this time.

 And made these two littles for my littles. Not that crazy about them, might try it again.

 I glued together the scrap wood pieces (the thin one is a paint stirrer) and stained them for a little shelf for the rocks.

This was a genius idea to press out bias binding strips used for mask making. Placing the iron between the paperclips allows it to stay in one place while you slide the fabric through them.

 Trying my hand at growing celery from a leftover piece. Looks like it is going to work.

 Gave the hubby his second quarantine hair cut.

 And I'll end with this pic of my sweet grands enjoying some candy they got on Easter.

They have had some beautiful days as you can tell with Emma's rosey cheeks. The kids are doing a lot of playing outside in their little garden area.

Painting and Quilting

I've done a couple of simple rocks lately.

And in case a reader would like to know what supplies you need to paint rocks like these...

 I ordered the paint pens from Amazon and they seem to work really well.  The spray finish I found at Hobby Lobby before the Governor issued the stay at home order for the pandemic.

The spray is supposed to seal the paint so it can be placed outside in the weather.  haven't done a I lot of quilting but I am up to 35 blocks on my scrap quilt.

  I like the size.  It works on a twin, full, and a queen, and even king, if you have a solid spread underneath.  I actually prefer smaller quilts for a king bed - easier to wash and dry.  I keep a white matelasse spread on ours underneath whatever quilt I have on at the time.

I also have white spreads on the two twin beds as well.  Many times I put throw quilts on them. I like to change those quilts often.

So what are you thoughts on the pandemic?  At first I thought it was really nothing more than the seasonal flu, but it does seem to spread much quicker and seems deadlier.  We are in a stay-at-home order but a lot of folks are still out and about.  I am not working now and really miss going to work 2-3 days a week. If it drags on I hope to be able to do a little work (from my part time job) from home, but am not right now. The hubby isn't happy that I keep telling him he needs to be fishing by himself. He is very social and is missing his buddies.