Saturday, June 24, 2017

Making Progress

I feel like have made a bit of progress the past couple of weeks.


 The pool is up and running--between Samantha and I we managed to get the pool apart, with a little man muscle from her SO---he helped get the old liner out, and the new in, but between her and I we managed to get it from start of take down to completely reassembled and filling within less than 5 hours.  We were laughing and giggling especially considering how much Jeff had struggled to put it together last year.  I even managed to figure out the filter and pump.  I am learning what chemicals to put in and when also. 

The small pond that we were working on in the side yard was completed.  I need to put a mosquito dunk in it to prevent the lovely little blood suckers, and also probably some sort of algaecide to keep it from turning too green.  All of the rocks were reclaimed from throughout the property.  I do need a few more big rocks and some more small river rocks, but it is so very relaxing listening to the fountain.

I still have a berry patch to clean up, and lots of weeding to do again, as well as a rain barrel to set up to prevent the storm drain from washing out our pool footing, but a little bit each day. 


It has been too hot for Lucy to be in and out into the sun room, and as anyone who has ever owned a cat knows, that a cat feels like you should hold the door open interminably for them while they decide if they want to be in or out.  I took some of the cut off discards from Jeff's t-shirts and made her a small pillow so she could be on top of this small set of plastic drawers to look outside.

I made some economy blocks to do another one of Jeff's t-shirts. 

I then started to make churn dashes.

For another shirt.
I tried doing a rail fence, but doing small ones seems to be a challenge for me. When it was all said and done I thought it looked quite wonky.  But I refuse to take it apart one more time!






I have another idea for my next shirt, but before starting on that I thought I should get the guild friendship block done.



I also settled down enough to try to work on my quilting machine.  I figured out how to set the tension depending on the needle and thread that I am using. 

I finished up quilting this table topper.  I think the pattern is called Rock Candy, I made it from a bunch of 2 1/2 inch strips, and a yellow fairy frost so I could test out the side kick ruler before I started a bigger project.    I even have my binding made, so I just need to sew it on. 

I have bought a few things.  I got a sweet package from Donna's Lavender Nest.  I love the yellow daisies on the green plaid and had ordered a fat quarter previous, so ordered some more.  It works great in Jeff's t-shirt quilt.  I always receive a couple of charm squares which are always too cute. 

I also saw this super cute kit, and had to have it.  Love the flag, and the snowman.  Especially when we have days that it is 90 degrees by 10 am.  I know, soon I will be complaining about how cold it is.  But right now, it reminds me that winter is coming and these sweltering days will be gone soon.












13 comments:

  1. you have been a busy girl. I love the blocks for Jeffs quilt and the little pond looks so relaxing. good job girl!

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  2. YAY for your pool success!!
    I love how all your blocks are coming along so well. I find that "little" is harder--like on your rails...but it looks great.
    So glad to see you are getting some sewing done...;))))
    hugs, Julierose

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  3. We used to have an above ground pool but we hired someone to put it together. You are so amazing that you did it yourself. Wow! Love the little pond and all your pretty blocks.

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  4. It looks like you have been busy - well done on the pool and fountain successes! The shirt blocks look great and good getting some quilting done, once the tension is sorted it's just sew sew sew!

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  5. OMGosh...you are adjusting and accomplishing so much. I need to take a page out of your book. I get excited if I get dressed in the morning...giggle...just kidding.

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  6. You are awesome. So much got done. Big pool, little pool with fountain, John Deere blocks. I have done a bit of sewing but I'm expecting company from Nova Scotia so have been getting ready. The rail fence blocks look great. Do you think you could make them bigger and cut them to size. Double or triple the measurement for the length and cut two or three out. Hope this makes sense.

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  7. ha... Winter in Washington is cute - no wonder you couldn't resist it. All Jeff's blocks look great! You and Samantha look like you have done a fantastic job on putting the pool together - gonna be great summer fun for all.

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  8. Good Morning. I'm glad you got the pool going. I like your little pond. It's about the size we started with about 40 years ago. Now ours is 20' x 30' with the deep end being 4' so fish will live all winter. I can't tell you how much time we spend out there swinging and watching what the birds, fish and frogs are doing. It's so relaxing. I'm glad you are finding ways to keep busy.
    xx, Carol

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  9. Glad to see your pool in action :) Your blocks all look great and it looks like you found some new treasures shopping!

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  10. You have been busy! At least you now have the pool to cool off in. My little dog is like Lucy, in/out/in/out, hold the door, I can't decide....

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  11. Wow....you guys did a great job on the pool. I know everyone is appreciate too. I like the fountain too. Water sounds are so soothing.

    Your blocks are looking great. You are going to be quilting up a storm on the new machine.

    The snowman flag quilt is really cute. Looking forward to seeing yours done.

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  12. You make me tired just reading what you are doing girl! Love that pool and it looks like your grands are enjoying it too.

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