Stormy Seas - Tension Issues

After much procrastination, I finally started quilting on a quilt I'm calling Stormy Seas.

It's living up to it's name!   Tension issues yesterday - large section had to be removed.

Today the first bobbin went fine and I thought all was well.  I received a call from a friend 

and as I was sitting talking to her,  I could see the underside of the quilt.

GRRR - more  unsewing.  

Even the pictures are worse than normal.

I will be changing thread, needle and making a large test sandwich to try and figure out what is going on here before I quilt any further on this.

These tension issues are causing too much tension around here!

Table Runners

This is a table runner that I started when I went on the Missouri Star Quilt Retreat in July.

There was no pattern available but I had purchased a template for the trees so I just made it up as I went along.  When I was finished with the top - The trunks of the trees weren't all centered.  Sunday evening I took off the borders and redid them.  I quilted it with an allover design on my Bernina. Backing is green with trees on it.

This is a top I made for Ladybug from fabric she had at the shop.  May do a workshop for it later on.

Made this using template from MSQC.  Finishes 14.5 by 38"

This on is using a Kaleidoscope ruler.  The trees are about an inch shorter.  Fabrics also from Ladybug.  This finishes 13.5 by 34".

I took some hand made things to church for our Family Community Day a couple of weeks ago.  Our Woman's group had a crafty- art sale.  The table runners and toppers were popular so I am going to try and make a few for next year. 

 Good Intentions!!!! 

Now for some other good intentions -  I need to get the wedding gift quilt on the machine today.

After Woman's Club this afternoon. (Excuses always excuses.)

Crossed Canoes Quilted

An unusually cool day  for us here in NC for early September.  Temperatures in the mid 60's when the mid 80's is the norm. A perfect day to quilt.

I went out just before lunch and finished up the machine work on this quilt by late afternoon.

The back is a batik that I've had for sometime.  I rarely use batiks for backings as they are more tightly woven than regular fabrics.  I feel that the machine or maybe the needle has to work harder to piece the fabric plus they are not as soft.   

Now for some trimming and a binding.

Quilting Time

This is the quilt top I made last year and started quilting back in June.  I had quilted only the top border when indecision set in and then ----------- it has just sat there all summer.

I really need to start quilting a different quilt so..............

 This afternoon I quilted three rows of blocks.

It looks like our area will be spared any effect from Hurricane Irma - other than a little wind and rain so perhaps I can finish it in the next couple of days.

I have been trying to trim and spray weeds in the back yard.

Just the minimal amount but it helps a little.

I think I pulled at least 100 false sunflowers from this bed.

It looks some better now - as long as you stand a few feet away.

August in New York 2017

A picturesque farm.

End of a rainbow from Barb's porch

Dawn from "my room"

Taking pictures of farms in the area.

Heading home  - early morning fog 

Stratton Farm 

Amazing how fast the fog fades in and out.

I was so attracted by the fog and flowers  - I had to turn the car around at the end of the lane and take pictures from both directions.  This farm is on the edge of town.  

Balancing

Since coming home from visiting friends and relatives in NY and CT - I seem  to think I am still on vacation.  Veery little has been accomplished around here - but I have enjoyed reading many books and catching with friends and family here.

The floral blocks are some I started in Missouri - I got 4 done there.  And the striped ones are ones I made back in January and abandoned.

 

I did sew more blocks last weekend.  I am a little disappointed

 in them as I know that when I put them together points will be blunted.  I am not used to sewing with precuts.  My jelly rolls came from different manufacturers and they are not cut the same width.  The white background  is a perfect 2.5" but the florals are  nearer 2.75".  I have finally figured out that I need to trim each piece a bit before I sew the block.  TEDIOUS!

We have had lots of rain this summer.  View from my kitchen window.

Coming up the back steps is a little ticklely.

 One tub of weeds and trimmings is about all I can accomplish in one session.

That's better!

I have been trying to keep this Autumn Clematis cut back as it tends to take over  - but this year I will enjoy it and cut it back later!