7/29/17

Taking Stock

We're back home again. It took forever to get from Vancouver, Washington, and through downtown Portland. Try as we might, we did not get off from Lake Mayfield as soon as we'd hoped, and so we ended up in early Friday afternoon rush-hour traffic. Oh well. It reminded us how glad we were not to be contending with that on a Monday through Friday basis any more. On the way home, we saw a few more barns. It's pretty hard to get very good pictures of them as we speed by. Also, I've noticed that too many people plant trees and build houses, which obstruct my camera's view. The noyve.




There wasn't a lot of time for stitching while we were gone, but I made good progress on the 4th of the Summer Holiday quilt blocks. This morning, I finished up the remainder. I love that the bird is wearing swim trunks.


It still needs its little pieced border, but I'll probably wait to do that until I've finished the last block. Since I finished up the previous block with gold floss, I just continued on with the same gold floss on the 5th block.


You might recall that I was considering how to make the embroidered picnic basket cover the red-checkered tablecloth in this one. I'm doing a basket weave satin stitch, and I think that will get the job done nicely.


And I stopped when I finished with the length of my floss. I'll pick it up there again tomorrow morning.

As for today's activities...there isn't a bite of food left in the house, and so we're heading off to the grocery store first. There's also a ton of cardboard to take for recycling. Then, we'll need to unpack the camper. The camper doesn't take very long since we barely take anything along on these trips. Most of the food is eaten as well. After that, I can get back to my sewing.

First on the sewing agenda is to sew the binding on Mumm's the Word. Nothing will give me more pleasure than getting a start on hand-stitching the binding down and calling it finished. High on the must-do-it-now list is to sew hanging sleeves and labels on the two quilts I'm entering in the Oregon State Fair. Those are my highest priorities in the sewing room for now.

Also, I've been thinking about our big trip starting in September. I'm in the very enviable position (enviable to me, at least) of finishing up three of my four embroidery projects in the very near future. That means I get to start three new ones. With that in mind, I'm planning to cut all the backgrounds and backing pieces to size before we leave. It will mean carting along less fabric and reducing the size of the bins they'll be stored in. Tracing the designs can be done on the road. Also, Wine Country's blocks are all iron-on transfers. Of the bunch I've been working on, it's the only one that isn't going to be finished in the next couple of weeks. It makes sense to make up those blocks as well so that I can continue working on them while we're traveling. That should be enough embroidery to keep me busy for the entirety of our journey.

So that's today's agenda. I doubt it will all get finished today. Nevertheless, it makes for plenty of dull moments, which is the way I like it most of the time.

16 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I have enjoyed traveling along with you on such a relaxing outing. I'm sure the furkids were glad to get home. That big trip is getting closer and closer!

Sandra W said...

Are you looking for embroidery projects to take on the road? You should have a look at Sublime Stitching online, if you don't know her. Also, have you ever considered doing a Sue Spargo project? They can be pricey (especially for Canadians with the $ rate and the outrageous shipping) but you do get a wonderful quality item. There are also some UK embroidery kits online (co.uk). Or perhaps you aren't looking for any more projects!!! Just thought I'd let you know.
I love the photo of the two cats' ewae wns on the catio. They are a great pair.

Lyndsey said...

Thank you for taking me along for a few days R and R. I enjoyed the trip especially the boating bits. I can't wait to see what your new embroidery projects will be. I hope Smitty and Sadie enjoyed the rest of their trip as much as they were when they wrote the post.

Kate said...

Glad you got home safely. The biggest advantage of living in small town America is the lack of rush hour traffic. We had enough of that in Houston. Happy stitching this weekend.

Olka said...

Wow! what a great picture! I cant't make hand sewing pictures, but I tried cross stitch some time ago, it seems to be easy, I made 2 pictures for charity auctons :) Have you ever tried cross stitch?

Quiltdivajulie said...

The nerve indeed - you still got some good barn images! Have fun getting ready for the big trip.

WoolenSails said...

At least your husband stops so you can take photos of barns, lol. Bill doesn't get hints like, that would make a great shot, haha. Today we passed the lotuses and after I mentioned them 5 times, he was still going forward, l luckily they were still open when we came back.

Debbie

piecefulwendy said...

Glad you are home, sorry that the grocery elves didn't come and stock your shelves before you got home! Sounds like you have some fun stitching planned for your upcoming trip! Can't wait to hear where you'll be heading during your trip! Were the kitties happy to be home from the lake?

Margie said...

We will be making our yearly trip to eastern Oregon next month. I hate the Portland traffic and always try to leave home, time wise, to miss most of it, but seems like from Salem and onto 205 is worse every year, or maybe it's my age! Once we get on 84 I start to relax. We will be dry camping for a month so am also trying to pick out projects to take. Do have a hand crank machine so some quilt squares will be made, and for sure my tatting will going along. Stay cool as the HOT stuff is coming.

DeeDee said...

That satin stitch picnic basket is excellent. Well done!

Sarah said...

What a cute little block, great fun!

CathieJ said...

I love how you are stitching that basket. It is going to look great! I do like the bird in swim trunks. I liked the barn pics too. You did a great job getting those pictures.

Quilter Kathy said...

Such adorable special details on these blocks!
ENjoy!

quiltzyx said...

And home again, home again jiggity jig! Sorry about having to brave the grocery store so soon, but what can you do, right?
Sounds like you're planning some good kits to take along on the BIG TRIP.

How big is Mum's the Word? I don't remember and am too lazy to go back & see. Bigger than lap size or?? Congrats on getting down to the last of it!

Dawn said...

Welcome home Glad you had some relaxing time. The kitties did well with their condo and their special quilts. They live the life of Riely!

Brown Family said...

I like the basket weave! You should have enough hand work for 6 months!