Binding Frenzy

cutting off excess backing and batting
June 2018

Saturday, my sewing machine was humming: I had four Quilts of Valor that needed binding. I prepare the binding when the quilt is sent to the longarmer, so when the quilts are returned, I trim off the excess backing and batting and sew the binding on both sides.

I always launder the quilts with a color catcher before sending them to the QOV coordinator for distribution.

four QOV bound and laundered

Square Dance - sneak peek

Square Dance mystery QAL
June 2018

The final clue for the Square Dance mystery QAL was revealed on Friday. I haven't had time to do any sewing on it yet, but I did lay out the units to get an idea of how it would look.

I've got lots of sewing ahead of me, but I love how this one is going to look when it's done.

'Tis the Season. . .

Last week, I spotted a lemonade stand on a neighborhood sidewalk, but to Maxine's dismay,  I highly doubt the little ones manning the stand were spiking the drinks.

Some communities are requiring permits for the small stands because they've had complaints by local businesses. Country Time Lemonade's Legal-Ade program sounds interesting, but I wonder if it's more of a PR stunt than an actual program.

I rarely stop and purchase from the young entrepreneurs. Do you?

Reading Report

June 2018

I just started listening to The Break Down by B. A. Paris. I hope that it will be a good book to listen to as I knit the Ombre Eyelet Infinity Scarf. (Ravelry link) It's too early to tell if the book and/or the pattern are keepers.

The books I've read since the end of May include:
            Loving Eleanor by Susan Wittig Albert  👍👍
            Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips  👍👍👍👍👍
            Go Ask Fannie by Elisabeth Hyde  👍👍👍
            "F" is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton  👍👍👍

Fierce Kingdom is a believable and exciting book: if I read the actual book, I'd say it was a "page turner." The story lingered with me for days after I finished it, which doesn't happen often.

Sprinkler Repair

sprinkler repair
June 2018

When the sprinklers were turned on a couple of weeks ago, two in the front yard were not working correctly, so I called Walt C. to come by and repair them. He assessed the area and discovered the ash tree roots had created a kink in the PVC pipe, resulting in limited water flow. Once the problem was discovered, Walt set to work and made the repair.

I am pleased with the work that Walt has done for me the last few years: repairs to an aging sprinkling system, winterization, and sprinkler adjustment. He is a pleasant young man, and his repairs are reasonably priced. If you need someone to maintain, repair, or install a sprinkling system, contact me for Walt's phone number: I highly recommend him.

Chameleon Socks

woman's size 10
June 2018

As I knit these socks, I was intrigued how the yarn seemed to change color depending on the lighting conditions. Under artificial light, it tends to be brown and gray, but under natural light it has more of a green tint. These are my chameleon socks -  pair #8 for the 2018 Box of Socks.

same socks - different lighting

Yarn:  Patons Kroy Socks FX (Camo Colors 1009)
            75% wool, 25% nylon

Needles: US size 2

Stitch Count: 64 stitiche - ribbed cuff, 60 stitches foot

Alfresco Knitting

June 2018

It's wonderful to sit on the deck in the afternoon to knit on small projects like socks and baby hats. Winter's cold is is distant memory, as the warmth of early summer makes itself at home.