Some of my old skills are returning

This is the Go Board for alida's Play with Me Quilt Along. Each month she is releasing a new board and it is made using a different needlework skill. This month I had to brush up on my embroidery skills. They are slowly returning. I used a cross stitch, a back stitch, and a stem stitch. For rows that were duplicate stitches I varied the ply I used. The whole thing needs a good press but I can't get the walker into the ironing board so that task will have to wait.
Note that I am not posting any photos of my 38 staple knee or today's definitely yellow leg as the bruises come out.  Joining up with Alida's Linky party (here)where you can see some other boards. Some decided to use the fancy stitches on their sewing machines. Piecefully, Joanne

Hands to Help progress report and more scraps turned into tops

These two quilt tops will eventually become my Hands to Help donations for this year. The one on the upper left started as some 9 patches and some 1 1/2" strips. It grew to this point, (35" x 43"). The one on the right is a bit smaller at 26" x 30". It is all 1 1/2" squares sewn together as leaders and enders. I am working on another one and will definitely make it bigger. My younger grandson held these up for me. He thought I should hold them up since I made the quilts. And he would take the pictures. I won that particular discussion.
He and I went to see the new Jungle Book movie on Saturday afternoon. That showing was 2D. His older brother said he didn't want to go. Good choice. Grandson number 2 liked it but we both figured number one would have found it a bit too much. I did close my eyes for the snake part.
Only sewing that has happened this weekend is some mending of trousers. Piecefully, Joanne

Linking with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict (here) and Cynthia for Oh Scrap! (here)

Such a busy week

Monday started with some gym time and then a trip to the hospital for my pre-surgery physio session. They had booked me on the wrong day for my original visit. A hip day not a knee day so I was able to get everything but the physio done on the first visit. So I am measured for a walker and have my starting exercise information.
Tuesday I taught a class for the local quilt shop. Our intention was to have a class that would be good for a beginner but not a total beginner. This pattern is from the book Three Times the Charm Book 2 by Me and My Sisters designs. The book has several patterns made with Charms and a small amount of yardage. they make small quilts but you can use more charms and make them bigger if you wish.
Wednesday was Quilt Guild in Kincardine. The Snow birds have returned and show and tell was worth the price of admission. So many new ideas coming from south of the border. And those of us who stay in the north for the winter had some items to share also.
Thursday I worked at the store, Shoreline Quilts in Port Elgin. I was making a store sample and testing the pattern before she made up some kits. Good thing I did as there were errors in the pattern.
Friday, today, another session at the gym, hair cut, pedicure and then a trip to the city to pick up the boys for the weekend.
I hope to find my sewing machine for a few moments in the next day or two. Piecefully, Joanne

From time to time some things do get finished

These three little scrap quilts are ready to donate to the Scrapbag Quilters of Saugeen Shores. . The pieces for the small ones with the green borders came to me as scraps in baggies. They are finished doll quilt size now. The larger quilt is a nice lap size. It was all done as off white/cream with blues. Who knew there were so many blues.  I have four more tops done but do not see how they will get quilted in the next week and a half. The optimist would say it is always nice to have something to look forward to. I will take that rather than the pessimist pointing out they are not finished.
I have enough scrappy windmills completed to assemble another top. They are such addictive Leaders and Enders. I have also been doing some postage stamp squares as Leaders and Enders. They pile up quickly. I plan to link up with Cynthia's Oh Scrap! (here)on Sunday.
It is shaping up to be a busy week. I have a return visit to the hospital for my physio session, I teach a class for my Local Quilt shop, and have quilt guild Wednesday. That is in addition to the normal things that happen around here. Piecefully, Joanne

Kristy you do good work

Kristy at Quiet Play (here) has been busy designing up a storm. I had the good fortune to test two of her recent projects. The Star Wars Rebel Millennium Falcon on the right and lower case X above. Kristy has already done an upper case Geo Alphabet and the lower case alphabet is out for testing right now.  She is also part of the Make Modern team and has a couple of small youngsters. I sometimes get tired just thinking about everything she is up to these days. Anyway, suffice it to say, I am a fan. Last week she did a blog post on paper piecing tips if you are thinking about getting started you may just want to have a look at that one.
On her Craftsy store she has several free patterns in addition to the ones requiring a modest payment. All of her patterns are tested before being posted so you know they work.
I am starting to get anxious about my knee surgery that is looming in less than two weeks. Everyone says the first two weeks post surgery are tough and then it just keeps getting better. Right now my knee hurts all the time so better sounds good. Piecefully, Joanne
Linking with Jeanine at Quilt Art Designs (here)

Joanne doesn't do well under pressure

This Month's Play With Me game board was a Backgammon board and the skill to learn was reverse applique. My board is adequate but not stellar. I have done reverse applique once before and I used felt at that time. Felt don't ravel or have little threads to deal with. Once again Alida's directions were wonderful and complete.
The board below is from one of the tables in the lobby at the resort in St. Lucia. One of the other tables had a checkers board in it. I have never played Backgammon so I still have lots to learn.




I have been trying to wrap up some of my loose ends before my surgery in just under three weeks. I have one more test quilt to work on and then my testing obligations are complete.
I left this board to the very last minute as I was nervous about trying the technique. They are due tomorrow.
Some people thrive on pressure, I am not one of those people. Piecefully, Joanne