Sock Monkey Business

It was a dark day yesterday...lots of rain and dense cloud cover. It was a perfect day to stay in and sew. My first task was to check the size on the first Tiny Tuesday block. A couple of you have asked me about Tiny Tuesday, and so I've linked to the Tiny Tuesday posts back there. You can find it on the Soscrappy blog, and it's a part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for 2019. Click on the tab that says RSC19 Sampler. I mentioned yesterday that I thought I'd trimmed it too small. As it turns out, it was right where it was supposed to be, and so I added on the square setting.

I'll be using that white on off-white star fabric throughout. It's a fabric that's been in my stash for a very long time, and I'm determined to work from my stash as much as possible this year.

After that, I got to work on the second block. This one was supposed to be applique, but I decided to make mine an inset circle. It was good practice using the method I learned a few years ago. You can read my blog post about it at that link I've given you. Every time I try this, I have to refer back to it to remind myself how to do it. The second block is set in a diagonal setting.

So that didn't take long, and I was ready to get busy quilting the Going Bananas quilt. Sadie really likes this one. Monkey is one of her favorite foods.

There was a partially used spool of a slightly variegated red on my spool rack, and so I used that.

It's a YLI machine quilting thread. Here's the color name if you're interested.

In the bobbin I had a Bottom Line white thread. And then I got to work sewing a straight line diagonal grid on the interior blocks. I stitched in the ditch on both sides of the inner border.

Smitty is thinking of becoming a vegetarian. He doesn't care for monkey, but he does like bananas.

When I left it yesterday afternoon, it was trimmed for a machine binding.

Today I'll fold and press the backing over, stitch the binding down, and then I'll probably run one more line of straight line stitching in the outer border. This quilt is for donation to Quilts for Kids, and they request quilting in both borders. I think my quilting is good enough as it is, and the machine stitched binding will hold the batting in place. Still, just to be safe, another row of stitching can't hurt.

Also on tap for today is grocery shopping. Fortunately, my list is fairly short. And here's the deal: We're switching cell phone providers after decades with AT&T. AT&T is forcing us into a more expensive plan, and so we're moving to a new carrier. We've heard that national coverage is better with the new carrier, and so it's better for traveling. We've talked about making this move for years, and so our thanks go to AT&T for kicking us in the behinds about it. And all of that to say that Mike has to take my cell phone today in order to make this change happen without losing our current numbers or needing to buy new phones.

The only reason this is important is because I made up my grocery list yesterday, and I use an app on my phone. Oh. My. Gosh. Now, because I live an unconscionably difficult life, I must put my list on PAPER!!! Can you even begin to imagine the indignity? All I can say is that my fellow shoppers better run for cover because it's going to be a dangerous outing for everyone involved.

Also, since I won't have my phone, what am I supposed to do if I get in an accident? What if I slip and fall on the way out the door and break my ankle? What if I get a flat tire? What am I supposed to do then? Huh? And don't even talk to me about pay phones. Do they even exist any more? And how do you even use one these days? When I was younger, during the 14th Century, there were pay phones on every corner. And not only that, but they cost a dime to make a call. That's right...one thin dime. I used to have a special card in my wallet where I could fit a dime, so I was never out on a date with...you know...the Resident Engineer without having a dime to call home and have someone come pick me up. Mad money, you know. Well. Honestly, I don't know how I'm going to get through the day without my phone.

Don't worry about me though. I've done worse before. I have cats. Don't even get me started.

Before I finish off, I wanted to direct your attention to the link I've placed near the top of my right side bar. There are a number of patterns in my sewing room that I've already made and won't make again. I'm selling them for half the price paid originally. Take a look there and let me know if you're interested in anything you see. Keep in mind that these are used patterns, and so they aren't perfect. They are, however, in good condition and so you'll have everything you need.