This week had a super slow start... and then it took off like a tornado. For this reason, I am extending grace to myself and skipping the weekly feature. I just don't have the energy to put into it, and I certainly hope that you'll understand...
I started writing my thoughts for a post for later in the week on Monday... explaining that I was in the market for some new quilting rulers - 12-1/2" and 6-1/2"... and asking for personal recommendations. I plan to use some of my credit from Connecting Threads for the purchase... therefore, my options are Omnigrid and Creative Grids. What are your thoughts? Leave a comment with your preference and why. Thanks!
The rest is explained by what I wrote on Wednesday as I sat with no power... the upgrade in power service is happening today (as I type on my phone). We are using the camper fridge and freezer as a backup as it operates on propane.
Taking advantage of the vacancy of food in the refrigerator I have cleaned it as it probably hasn't been cleaned in years!
What do I do next? I had a few eggs that were loose and difficult to store/move so I am cooking those up and when those are done, I will be making gf sourdough pancakes on the griddle on the grill.
Yesterday was a warm one and I am thankful that today is cooler. Especially since I can't have any fans to offer any relief.
The basement is in chaos. We have moved everything out of the way in preparation for the installation of a new furnace. We asked for 3 years to get a quote for a new HVAC system... they finally "worked us into their schedule" and now want to start next week. 😵💫
I'm feeling overwhelmed and keep reminding myself to take one day at a time and trust the Lord's timing.
I selected fabrics for the 9-patch block that represent this book in my Bookish Journal Quilt.
And it has only been 2 hours??? How much longer? What's next? Why not pull out a few cards for paper embroidery?
The paper embroidery never happened... I went for a walk and then it was time to make lunch. The power was back on by noon! Whoop! Whoop!
As soon as the electrician was gone, we removed ductwork and drug the furnace out of the way until a friend could help to haul it out of the basement. What a dirty, messy job! The work continued on Thursday as we poured concrete in a small area of the basement... it was under the furnace and when we moved it out of the way we discovered raw dirt! UGH...
It was better that WE discovered it and were able to remedy the situation rather than the professionals. The days all blurred together, and I won't bore you with more details of the entire thing but say that I am bone tired. However, the hard labor on our part is DONE! We are ready for the pros and hope to be pleasantly surprised to find that several thousand dollars were saved by our doing the demolition work when the final bill is delivered, in comparison to the quote we received. Praying for God's favor!
Thankfully, I was well prepared with Lala's Irish Chain steps, photos and stories! If you're following along, you should be getting the patchwork blocks together. Of course, last week I made the suggestion of making a much smaller quilt such as a baby quilt and heard from many that they were going to join in! I loved hearing that! The breakdown of the number of pieces needed for each unit can be found here.
I did manage sometime early in the week to get my second Lala's Irish Chain quilt basted and partially quilted... all of the patchwork is outlined. I'll have a video on Instagram at some point showing how I did it.
That's all I have the energy for... It is naptime! As I was reminded at church this morning... so I will rest. 💗 Matthew 11:28-30 ~ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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Well, you have had a week! It's no wonder you needed a nap - maybe more than one! I remember really liking Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, so I'll have to try Sunflower Sisters, too. I did get started on some Irish Chain blocks this week - have made one chain block and one alternate block. My "aha" is that the scrappy squares that go in the chain block can't overwhelm the chain squares - so there is a technique to picking out and placing them! I'm hoping to share the ones I've made so far in my Weds post.
ReplyDeleteHi Melva. Great job doing some of the work yourselves and saving some money. I got rid of all my Omnigrid rulers and just have Creative Grids, since they are less slippery. But since then, Quilters Select rulers were invented and they're the ultimate best non-slip ruler. We have them at our church quilt group and they are so good. I'm not trading up at home though as they are paid for and I bought them all at half price when I worked at the quilt shop.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly did have a struggle this week, sorry about that. I hope this week goes smoother and you get sewing time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a week you had! I admire how you continued on making life as normal as possible yet, making the necessary accommodations with no power! I hope that the work you did to prep for the professionals will lower your cost at the end of the job. A new furnace is so much more efficient! I will have to put the Sunflower Sisters on my reading list. I thought the Quilter's Select ruler was the way to go. It is awesome considering the non slip quality; but, that coating wears off and then you can't read the markings on the ruler. It took more than five years for that to happen to my 6 1/2 inch square ruler; but, it happened. I replaced with a Creative Grid ruler. I have a 3 1/2 x 24 1/2 inch Creative Grid ruler that has held up well so that is my ruler of choice.
ReplyDelete3 years - as my daughter in law would say, "Unacceptable". :-) They have insurance on all the household things like washers, dryers, ac, etc. They dragged their feet on the ac forever...so glad you're on your way to a new system. And saving money is a good thing ;-) I have no thoughts on quilt rulers - all mine slide a bit so I have to be really careful. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOh my! What a week! Hope you got in a good nap on Sunday. Surely this week will be much calmer and you can get back to a normal routine.
ReplyDeleteWow Melva, you've been through it! Kudos to you for saving some $$ on the demo yourself. I hope the results of all your efforts will be beneficial to you.
ReplyDeleteLast year I replaced my 12 inch Olfa ruler (that I had since I started quilting in 2010) with a 12-1/2 inch Creative Grids ruler, and I love it! It sticks to the fabric and no sliding! I eventually want to replace my 24 inch inch ruler with a Creative Grids.
What a week! Hope all calms down in the days ahead! :)
ReplyDeleteWow Melva. Busy week. Glad you could hang in.
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly had a week, Melva. I pray you have your power back. We would be dying with our heat and humidity had we not had AC the past few weeks. Glad you were able to pour the concrete you needed and are getting a new HVAC system after waiting so long. As for rulers, several years ago I decided I needed one brand so that my cuts would be consistent, so I've gradually changed everything over to Creative Grids. I really love their rulers and I have many sizes. I'll be interested to see what you decide to go with. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Hopefully your week gets better as it goes along.
ReplyDeleteI have the 12 1/2" omnigrip and its very good, but I have the 4.5 inch creative grids and it is awesome, so easy to read and the frosted texture makes it easy to handle. So if I were to buy a new ruler I would likely look for creative grids.
ReplyDelete3 years to wait for an estimate.....I don't even know what to think about that. We had so much trouble with our new units but they are finally working as they should.
ReplyDeleteIt can be super stressful to have your HVAC replaced--we did that this year. I'm glad you have your power back. After a good nap I'm sure you'll find time to get back in the sewing room. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss. https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2026/08/24/wednesday-wait-loss-499
ReplyDeleteWhat a week! Your question about rulers is a very interesting topic and I loved reading all the comments. I agree with everyone as I own several Creative Grids rulers and they are fantastic, better grip than Omnigrid. Thank you for sharing and linking up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the party Melva. I sure hope that your new furnace will be up and running soon!
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