7.3.19
This past week has been a bit off. We had unexpected schedule changes and sometimes the kids just need you more than usual.
I did manage to finish quilting the quilt that's been on the frame for several weeks. I was trying out a new pattern on it and the computer program just didn't like it. Not only was it super slow, it crashed continually and I had to keep reprogramming the pattern. Thankfully I had thought to write down the settings so that it wasn't too bad to reprogram. Each row took 30-40 minutes to stitch out and had over 12,000 stitches. I lost track at the end of just how many rows I did, but I am confident in saying that it has over 180,000 stitches. Next up will be making and attaching the binding.
I have since learned that I could have tried a different file format to import the design and it would have then perhaps had a smaller file and wouldn't have been so prone to crashing the program. While I generally prefer a tighter, smaller pattern, I think I should have gone much larger with this one. I'll try again another day.
I sewed four more book blocks while the long arm was stitching.
I finished painting the room we are working on. Next up is to replace the windows. The originals leaked at the corner seams and we got new ones under warranty.
I've mentioned before that we've had a very wet summer and how it seems to have affected things. We've had very few butterflies--still no monarch sightings. We have had a lot of birds stay longer than usual, especially the orioles. The orioles do stay all summer, but don't usually come in to the feeders after a few weeks. We also have at least one pair of rose breasted grosbeak that have stayed--those generally come through in May and stay only a week or two. We have very few goldfinches this year. Those we generally have in abundance all year. We have a much smaller amount of hummingbirds as well. Anyway, the point of all this is that we are also seeing juveniles of many of the birds. Some are easy to identify and some are a bit more challenging.
I saw this group of orioles last week. One of them was feeding jelly to the lighter one.
I also have been seeing this bird at the feeders often. I'm fairly certain it is a juvenile red headed woodpecker.
I'm really hoping to get in more sewing time this week. If not, school starts in five more weeks... I'm planning to do the binding for the quilt shown above, piece two more charity quilts, make more book blocks, and just try to be more productive than I've been lately. I'm drowning in fabrics that I really would like to use up.
Also, I'm really not a fan of people shooting off fireworks at home, especially over a long period of time, like a week or more. Some people, pets, and children do not handle the sounds well. You think you're safe in your own home, asleep, and suddenly it sounds like you're under attack. I'll be glad when this week is over.
No comments