Patriotic Pineapple Blossom top - Finished Friday

 

Patriotic Pineapple Blossom
Bonnie K. Hunter designer of block
(block pattern)

T'was a bit toasty yesterday around these parts, and although piecing doesn't require a bunch of energy nor movement, spending some time in the cool basement (quilt layout prep area) seemed like a better idea than hanging out in the quilting loft.  Therefore, Dawn's Early Light was given a halting break, and...
... percolating since 2013, the Pineapple Blossom UFO was pulled out with the absolute goal in mind to give her some borders.  All of the pinwheels from the bonus HSTs had already been pieced back in 2013, so the main focus was on the white filler blocks and strips, all requiring just a lil' bit of math.

I am quite fond of this layout, having completed a similar one in my scrappy version.  With the red and blue radiating from the center, however, gives it a firecrackery look; quite patriotic.

With the blueberries already picked for the day, I suppose I should head out to the red currant patch for another annual bountiful harvest. 

Happy Friday.

Linking up with:
Alycia - Finished (or not) Friday

A recurring theme today - Bailee at rest near me

Bailee tucked under a desk behind my chair as I was piecing some Dawn's Early Light units...

Bailee tucked under my second desk as I was pressing some fabrics to prep some leader-enders...

Bailee tuckered out at the top of the loft stairs when I was piecing some borders for the RWB Pineapple Blossoms UFO...

Bailee tucked under our deck table with my evening crochet project: "Sky, Sand & Sea" seems a fitting name

She's usually never very far from me.
Happy Wednesday.

How big for a King?

 Ooooh, Alycia posted a GREAT thinkler this morning:  How big does a king size quilt really need to be?

And heaven knows I needed a little push to finish tidying "his side" of the bedroom (he'll forgive me later once I help him put everything back 😜), but truly... I've sometimes wondered how big/small is TOO big/small for a bed?

We have a California King; repurposed an old waterbed frame years ago for a GREAT deal since the lower drawers weren't salvagable.  Hubby's a tall guy at 6'6", so the extra length has been beneficial for his longer legs.  And he INSISTS on untucking the sheets on his side at the foot of the bed.  

Google gave me the following sizing:

and I'm thankful the Queen size is also included because a couple of the quilts I grabbed to test investigate this question currently rest on our queen in the guest bedroom (ie: formerly known as Caitlyn's room)

Now, interestingly enough, when I measured our mattress, it was closer to 70" x 82" and 12" deep.

So, here's some sizing for you...

Celtic Solstice - 110" x 110"
(Bonnie K. Hunter's 2013 mystery)

Celtic Solstice reside on our bed most of the time, however with the warmer summer months now, and after a deep clean of the bedroom a couple weeks ago, she's currently folded up and resting.  She fits our bed the best of all the quilts you'll see; a true king-size quilt.  She does sometimes begin falling off the end of the bed, but also that often happens due to the clothing that was lazily tossed at the close of a day.  Ya know, the clothing that isn't quite dirty, but no longer clean enough to be placed back in the closet.  Please tell me you do this too! And although he doesn't admit it, hubby kicks the sheets and quilt, and I'll often waken with the quilt draping over and off MY foot corner of the bed, dangerously threatening to slide free completely.

I digress...

Roll Roll Cottonboll - 95" x 110"
Bonnie K. Hunter's 2010 mystery

Currently, Roll Roll Cottonboll resides on the bed.  Length-wise, she's great.  Width-wise, she's certainly lacking.  And remember, when I measured my mattress width, it showed closer to 70" than the published 72", which is even more narrow that the standard king at a published 76".

Orca Bay - 84" x 93"
Bonnie K. Hunter's 2011 mystery

Wanting to see how some other quilts fit... Orca Bay was grabbed from the queen guest bed for a fitting.
Hmm... t'would defintely say "nope."  Much too small despite being 14" wider and about 11" longer than my measured mattress.  She fits lovely on the queen bed, however.

Candace's Stars (Granny's Stars) - 76" x 94"
appeared in July/August 2009 Love of Quilting

Awww, what a favorite.  I'm mean, c'mon!... what FUN to dig back through the blog to find when this one was completed:  July 2, 2009.  Candace was only THREE, and now... recently graduated and off on her way to a degree in Finance.

Again, I digress...
Most certainly too small for a king, and she sometimes rests on the queen.  Decently comfortable on the queen bed.

Smith Mountain Morning - 80" x 89"
Bonnie K. Hunter

This is one of my more recent finishes (2022!) ((Have I said how happy I am to be BACK in action now?  Back to blogging, back to quilting dedication, just.... back!)). 
I was shocked at how SMALL she looks on the king!  I thought for sure she'd be a better fit, but clearly... nopers.  However, she'd probably work well on the queen, however she was lovingly folded back up for... shrug!  I dunno.  But she's folded and ready for... whenever.

Those are the only larger quilts I grabbed for this little experimentation.  
So, Alycia...yeah.  I now can quite literally see why quilts are pushing the 100+" dimensions for king size.  I mean, even Roll Roll extending by ~25" beyond the measured width of the mattress still barely fits.
If I had to choose the perfect size for our bed/mattress... hmmm..... I wouldn't design it smaller than 100" square, nor larger than 110" square.

Meaningful morning, for sure!

Tiny Tuesday - the Return

A blast from the past!
The last 4.5" midget block post made was 11 and a half years ago! - December 12, 2012

Last night was spent perusing my own blog, rereading many of the very first posts made, and as I fast-forwarded, the #TinyTuesday posts -- wow -- they certainly took me back!   to a time of patience and dedication.  Is anyone still working on yours?  Or hibernating like mine?  Did anyone actually COMPLETE yours??? 

Well, not allowing the ol' me to be outdone, my surprisingly organized folder and stack of completed blocks were taken out with an absolute plan of gauging the progress.
I recall at one time hearing that Sentimental Stitches was going to retire the first 50 blocks, so all of those patterns that had been published were printed and placed in this folder.  And apparently, I actually saved the first 116 blocks SOMEWHERE back then, according to this post from 2010.  I still have my old laptops; I wonder if I can fire them up and dig around for them... T'would appear that the block patterns are now part of a monthly BOM deal.  

Anyway, so... I looked over the next couple of printed patterns with the whole OCD/Type-A in me needing to complete blocks in order.
Pshttt!
Ummmm

Nope

If I'm gonna give this a true devotion again, I need to ease back in!

Therefore, the printouts were strewn about until two were selected as the final winners.

Amidst the stack of fabrics I had set aside with these blocks in mind, I was reminded of the sashing units I had brainstormed SOMETIME back then...

So before even starting on any blocks today, a section of the design wall was cleared away for some playing and admiring... and reminiscing of the 40 blocks completed so far.  All the while placing them on the wall, thoughts lingered on simply 'calling it good' and setting them into a 5 x 8 layout.
but, eh... not very pleasing... tall-n-skinny and not close enough to the 'golden-ratio.'

However the 6 x 7 layout has some promise here.  Specially considering I had chosen two of the patterns that would be a good easing back in!

Block #60 - French 4's

Although paper-piecing was the recommended method of piecing this block, the math-mind was given a workout during this summer break.  A little measuring and a little fraction scribbled-addition later, the 4.5" midget blocks are back in action.

...and it felt good to be back in the action of the volleyball gym last night too.  I was left with a skeleton crew of athletes after all of the basketball athletes departed for a 3-day multi-team tournament, and although MOST of my attackers are on the basketball team, this lil' team knows how to hustle and finished 1-1 on the evening.  Just a few more moments like this left for me as I elected to resign from coaching after completing 17 years on and off over the past twenty-six.

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Hoping you have an amazing circle too!

Design wall Monday - Dawn's Early Light sees some formation

My view from the pillow this AM didn't keep me slumbering much and was up to make some coffee by 5:30, awaiting the waking of DH before he needed to head to work.  Another beautiful morning which slowly evolved into a day of patchy rain clouds, and despite thinking that today was going to be reserved for cherry picking, I (guiltily) headed to the quilting loft after DH and child #3 left for work.

I dare say that Bella and Bailee both enjoy the summer schedule when I'm home to let them in/out as they please.  Bella was absolutely content by the door as I clambered the stairs to the loft.

My morning goal was to piece together the sub units in order to have at least one Dawn's Early Light block on the design wall before needing to close up shop for an evening of volleyball coaching.

Awaiting me on the ironing board were my organizers of DMC floss I had loaned to daughter #1 a year or so ago.  After mentioning my wish to organize my cross-stitch area and knowing that all of her belongings are stored downstairs for the time-being as she's between places, she found the box of her crafts yesterday afternoon when Paul and I were off together for his uncle's funeral.
Hmm... next up: to see what's in my cross-stitch area; perhaps a goal for Sunday's Slow-stitching day.

As for yesterday's Sunday slow-stitch, another 10 rows were added to the ongoing at-my-leisure ripple afghan using up some spare yarn from previous projects.  Generally, my stash is filled with Red Heart yarns, but hmmmmm, I was reminded yesterday how much I love working with Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn yarn.  It's truly rightfully named.

I don't foresee much else getting completed as the afternoon turns to evening since I'll be departing shortly for some summer league VB coaching; my last hurrah before the reins are completely handed over.

Happy Monday

Linking up with:
Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - Design Wall Monday

Dawn’s Early Light progress and a lil’ crochet

💪 - yes'm. 
HSTs - ✅

Naturally, had to at least piece up one of these...
Cute blasted blocks too 😍

... pretty much 🙌

We're off shortly to Paul's uncle's Celebration of Life; one of 13 siblings in my MIL's family.
Therefore, with six hours of riding ahead of me, and with slow-stitch Sunday in mind, I'm packing up the crochet project that's been hovering in the corner for a few months.  

Short n sweet update today.

Full summer days as an emtpy-nester! Gardening, grooming, and quilting

This is the first summer of true 'empty-nester' life.  Although child #3 still remains at home before heading off to school in the fall for Finance, she's working full-time at the bank literally makin' bank 🙌 .  Last summer was a bit similar, however since I was still coaching and she was still an active athlete heading into her Senior year, we had athletic events from time to time that filled the schedule.  

#3 heading to say bye to Dad before heading out, with beau 💓

 

Although a few more than a handful of years remain before retirement can hit, these summer days give a pretty good insight to what many say about retirement: "the days simply are full and fly by."  Pre-sunup to post-sundown lately, there hasn't been much downtime.  And trust me when I say: NO COMPLAINTS! The days have been filled willingly!  The weather played so nicely these past couple of days, so spending time outside with hubby, organizing and expanding the garden, was where you could find us.  Together.

Miracle Grow gets a bad rap on many gardening sites, however it's what we've used for years in the garden (any my houseplants).  The tomatoes, peppers and beans were 'fed;' Paul fertilized the corn with nitrogen; I watered and weeded the rows.  He then worked to relocate some huge heavy-tread rug/tarp/thingies away from the torn-down softball batting cage to a spot that has had a heavy growth of thistles.  Naturally, the hope is that the thistles will get choked out by the end of the season.

When moving tarps, we all know to look down nowadays! 🐍

I was faced with an Eastern Hognose last week when moving a tarp while mowing, and this little guy was who we spied under a tarp by the garlic.  It wasn't very big.  If he would have uncoiled, he may have been 10" long or so. 

Red-bellied snake - our best guess.

 

Then this morning, after chatting up this idea with Paul last night, shortly after 7-bells, the outside tasks took over.  A couple swipes were tilled up-n-down the previous batting cage spot, and then the area prepped for the plan to transplant a row of raspberries.

It's not much to look at yet, but let's check back in a year after these transplants have a chance to grow.

And yes, yes... yet again, this is NOT the ideal time to transplant raspberries, but we are patient and have additional plants up top in our overgrown location in which we can always 'borrow' a few more to fill any bare spots.

The red currants are nearing readiness, so I'll have to add that to Tuesday's todo list; maaaaybe Monday.

And theeeeennnnnnn there's Bella girl.
Bella will be turning 14 in August, and YES, that is how she sits!  

She was new to us two years ago when we rehomed her from an elderly gentleman needing assistance with her, and his family wasn't able to help out.   Never having had a German Shepard before, we had NO IDEA how much they shed 😱
She hadn't been brushed in a while, so the de-shedder was grabbed and outside we went.

The yard showed the Bella-snow aftermath

She has been slowing each year we've had her, and recently has shown signs of deafness.  She no longer responds to the normal speech of voices, but she'll alert when I break out my whistle.  The vet is surprised she's given us this last year because of her deteriorating back legs, but... we assist her and keep her as active as she allows herself to be.  Every now and then, a little hop-in-her-step will surprise us all.

And NATURALLLLLY, there's been progress on Dawn's Early Light.  Ironically so, most of my active time on it truly has been at the break of dawn lately before the rest of the day unfolds.

Prepping HSTs doesn't require the machine, so while awaiting Candace to wake yesterday, the scrap bins were pretty much emptied of neutrals and reds.

I think this will be the last of the Cars fabric received from Nancy, a fellow quilting-blogger from years ago.

And now, with the day warming up, I came inside for some lunch, to upload this post and to catch the Indiana Fever while allowing myself to take a breather for a bit.

Still on the todo list (sometime in the near future):

 - transplant questionable plum tree

 - transplant volunteer pines to create a windbreak

 - keep tackling the wood pile

 - figure out a plan to net the blueberry patch

 - pick cherries (?)

 - finish the red/neutral HSTs for DEL

 - get rock-tumbler up-n-running

POV: putting the sun to bed on the mower last night

Happy GLORIOUS Saturday!

 

Dawn's Early Light progress; a perfectly groomed pooch; some gardening and a cherry pie

Lots of little putterings these past few days...

Since much of my time has been dedicated to Dawn's Early Light, it makes sense to post my finished neutral strings first off.  Whoooowieeee, a dent actually WAS made in the bin!

Then, when I peered at the directions for the next part... Oh that Bonnie!

Laughing and shaking my head even now.  

Imma be here for a while with these considering I'm not even halfway done yet...

...so the big guns were pulled for the duration.  

Good ol' classic VHS movies where every line and song could be recited

-- perfect, mindless background noise --

This morning, however --> gardening!  These FREE plants from the local hardware store's clearance rack needed to find their home in the garden.  With yet again some glorious morning weather, all my tomatoes were trimmed, tied and some bare spots were filled with the free goodies.  By quick math calculation, 4 rows of 12, additional bonus row of 5 (or 7???, I can't remember and too tired to head down to verify), plus the tomatillo row that also houses 6 volunteers = 59-61ish.   OH YAH, and the bonus plant that sprouted at the end of the bean trellis, so... 60-62ish, give or take.

We haven't had a strawberry patch for a good strong handful of years, however, I spied a few isolated plants along the edge of the garden weeds.  Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle!  We all know the saying: when there's a will, there will definitely be a way.  The three were dug up and moved to an empty spot.  Gardening patience has certainly struck in recent years, so I'm actually looking forward, excitedly, to see what these three lil' plants may result in a couple of years down the line.

Ugh!  Let them GO already, Amy... 
I reached out one final time to local friends and family to see if anyone is interested in some well-rooted rescue tomatillos.  I'm sure I could rig up some simple trellising for some potted plants if they go unclaimed (??).

Last night, Paul had mentioned that the birds were enjoying the cherries, and sure shootin'!  There were cherry pits strewn all over the garden.  There aren't any plans to complete a full picking, unless Paul says otherwise, but enough were harvested for a pie; this afternoon's project.

By far the FUNNEST project I had planned for the mid-morning was to
meet Peaches and give her a little sprucing up.

Oh.
My.
Preciousness!
Seriously!

Peaches is 10 years old, and lemme say -- she was SO well behaved!!! 

Her grooming lasted roughly an hour and a half; the easiest customer to date!

Saw this the other day and chuckled.  Working on it!  Always a work in progress.

Our quaint little town celebrates with fireworks on the 3rd annually, and with the evening looming, I'm not quite sure where it'll lead us.  We aren't ones to travel the 5 miles into town to catch the fireworks; we enjoy the quiet, people-free tiny little show we can view from our deck.  

Happy Independence Day, one day early.