Almost December

The schedule for this entire week is a bit up in the air. I am expecting the processor to call and say the pork is done. They prefer that we come get it as soon as possible so it’s not taking up space in their freezer. It’s more than I can carry in the station wagon. I could take one of the work trucks and go by myself, but it’s easier if we both go. I’ll also have to make arrangements with the customers to get it delivered that same day.

And the owner of the quilt store called yesterday to tell me my machine had come in. Again, I might need the husband’s help for that one. The machine will fit in the car, but I’m also getting the hydraulic lift table, which probably won’t. I’m going to stop at the store this morning and assess the situation. Getting the machine home is only half the battle; I also need to clear out the space in the spare bedroom and move some things to other rooms or out to the storage container. Hopefully, though, everything will be set up for quilting by the weekend. I need to baste a couple of quilts this week so I have something to practice on. The white/cream Candy Coated top is done AND I have a backing for it. That might be a good one to start with. I want to expand my free motion quilting techniques beyond loops.

The husband is still working—they are pouring concrete today—so the schedule might require some creative juggling. We’ll have to see.

This is my first Squash Squad block:

This may end up being my only Squash Squad block. It’s supposed to be a spaghetti squash. I still have a few little embellishments to add to this one. (I might also take that vine out and re-do it with two twists.) I don’t have any guidance other than Instagram photos—and some sparse written instructions—which means that every time I have to add something new, I need to pull up IG on my phone or tablet and search for a picture. My patience for that is wearing thin.

I have other embroidery projects I could be working on.

I’ve also got the Noon and Night pattern open in InDesign so I can finish getting that written. The bulk of it is in there; right now, I’m fleshing out details like measurements, yardage requirements, etc. I am still aiming for a January release.

I was out working in the woods with the husband yesterday afternoon when he pointed to the road and said, “Aren’t you expecting a FedEx delivery?” We can always tell when it’s a new driver because they drive back and forth past the house. I walked out to the road and flagged down the driver and showed him which was our driveway. (There are metal street numbers on the garage, but sometimes it’s confusing.) He pulled in and handed me a small package from the front seat, and then said, “The system says you have two packages—could you help me find the other one?” He opened the back doors to the van, which was piled from floor to ceiling with dozens and dozens of boxes.

I expressed my sympathy that he was having to work on a Sunday to deliver all those packages, but he was very cheerful about the whole situation and said he was just glad to have a job. After a few minutes of searching, we found my other package—a box with Accuquilt dies—and he wished me a good day and I wished him safe driving. I hope he wasn’t out until midnight delivering all those boxes.

I ordered a 3” strip die, the Bear Paw die, and a triangle die, all for the Studio cutter. I can use the regular Go! dies, too, with the adapters, but sometimes I want the beefier dies.