Update and Finishes

Ray is doing well. He still has almost 3 weeks of restrictions, so the time does seem to drag for him. We do have another interesting development here. While we were in Shawnee National Forest in May, I had a tick attach itself to my leg. At least my doctors think it was a tick. It was encased in a blood-like sac when I found and removed it - I never actually saw a tick. A week later I had a full body rash but not the typical bull's-eye rash. I was given meds for 5 days and the rash cleared. Thirty-five days after the bite, I had a blood test, the Western Blot Lyme's Disease test. All was negative. On August 20, I saw my dermatologist for my yearly body scan. He asked about the tiny spot on my leg, so I told him my tale. He found it interesting and after asking more questions, he ordered another Western Blot. And this time it was positive! More of the same meds but this time for 21 days. I didn't notice any symptoms but since starting the medicine, my neck isn't stiff in the morning, my back doesn't hurt as much and I'm not crazy tired so maybe I did have symptoms. Who knows?! Life is never dull around here! 

 

I've been putting up produce - zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and potatoes - but I have found time for finishing some quilts.

 

Take Five with Crazy Fabric uses the 'crazy' fabric that I once used for a quilt backing, along with 'plain' fabrics that coordinate.

I quilted this with a large interlocking figure eight.

The backing is a multicolor with all the right colors.

This is another donation quilt.

Size:             48" by 60"
Thread:         Glide 50-wt, Lemon Ice #80607
Batting:         Dream Cotton                                           
Quilting:        Interlocking Figure Eight

Simply Squares - Stars and Blue uses the same star fabric that was used for Simply Squares - Stars and Pink. It is also a donation quilt.

The back is soft muted colors.

I think you can see the quilting in this photo.

Size:             56" by 56"
Thread:         Glide 50-wt, Baby Blue #30290
Batting:         Dream Cotton                                           
Quilting:        Large String of Loops

Green and Orange Squares is a donation quilt that uses a green print from my late friend Colleen, and orange from my stash. This is not part of the Simply Squares Series - these are 5-inch squares rather than 8-inch.

I bought the green backing in July at Inspired to Sew when we were in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, visiting family.

Here's a closer view:

Size:             41" by 46"
Thread:         Glide 50-wt, Lemon Ice #80607
Batting:         Dream Cotton                                           
Quilting:        Interlocking Figure Eights

Simply Squares - Black with Colors and Teal is another donation quilt. 

The backing, a black multi-color print, has been in my stash for a long time. I decided it was time to use it.

Size:             56" by 56"
Thread:        Glide 50-wt, top - Lt. Turquoise #32975 

                     back - Shadow #1BLK3
Batting:         Dream Cotton                                           
Quilting:        Large String of Loops

Simply Squares - Black Crayon Print and Red is the last Simply Squares Quilt! I must figure how many I made this year. 

This donation quilt has a black and white backing that I recently purchased.

Size:             56" by 56"
Thread:        Glide 50-wt, top - Ruby #70187

                     back - Bone #17443
Batting:         Dream Cotton                                           
Quilting:        Large String of Loops

I have less than 10 quilts in the need-to-be-quilted pile! I know at least 2 are not donation quilts. Lately, my quilting is either machine quilting or binding. One of these days, when the piles are at manageable sizes, I'll start piecing again. There are a few older projects that I'll enjoy working on, and, of course, I have more ideas for new quilts.