Gypsy Wife Quilt; Section 4; Courthouse Steps

Picked out fabrics for next block...

I wanted a light red for the last round; but, I did not have any fabric that would work from my stash; so, I picked out the light purple chevron fabric.

Cut and ready to be sewn

All sewn up!

I am extremely pleased with this block. I now moving onto fabric choices for the next block which is composed of sixteen half-square triangles. Egads!

Gypsy Wife Quilt, Section 3, Completed

Section 3

I am fairly pleased with the result of my efforts. I plugged away sewing everything for this section two days ago and finished it yesterday.

To recap:

Section 3 on the left; Section 1 and Section 2 on the right

These three sections will be sewn together as pictured in the distant future. After all, I have seven more sections to do, some of which are difficult and others easy.

Gypsy Wife Quilt. Section 3, In Progress

Thanks to a distant cousin who found me via giveaway and and now friends on facebook, I used a brand new tool for one of the square-in-square (or diamond in square) blocks that made my life tons easier. It's called Deb Tucker's Square². I am hoping to jury rig the ruler to make me the odd sized blocks (e.g. 4.5 inch finished) needed in the future. We shall see if I can make it work for me.

All the blocks for section 3 of the Gypsy Wife quilt is completed.

Colour Wheel, 9.5" unfinished

Square-in-Square with Courthouse, 10.5" unfinished

Square-in-Square bordered, 5.5" unfinished and Square-in-Square, 4.5" unfinished

And now, I need to pick and cut fabrics for the strips in this section (ten in all). I plan to do this today. And, I hope to sew up the section tomorrow. We shall see.

The Troubles of a Gypsy Wife

I was following a quilt along which got me excited and helped me out enormously in the beginning of making this quilt. It was the quilt along got me started on my dream of making one of these quilts. However, the host's husband suffered a horrible fall and she had to quit to focus on helping him recover. I do not blame her. Real life is a heck of a lot more important. By the way, her husband is now doing well.

After dealing with real life myself, I plodded along with the sporadic help of the co-host of the quilt along and via lots of research. I am telling you that this booklet is giving me grief and trouble. Here, let me show you some examples.

This is the latest block I am working on and it is in Section 3 (out of 10 total). The instructions are okay. But, take a look at the image on the right (above). Something is off. Do you see it? Here, let me highlight the problem (in pink).

Speaking of the Colour Wheel block, here is a partial assembly portion of section 3 in the back of the booklet.

The mistake drove me batty! Here is what I have done to "fix" it for me:

I penciled in the correction to the block and felt tons better.

On a related subject, I was cataloging all the blocks and strips I needed for each section so that I can more or less just follow my own steps to which blocks I should make or strips I should cut next since the booklet is in such a haphazard format for doing things. Below is the assembly diagram for Section 5:

The diagram drove me batty. There is a mistake. For the life of me, I could not figure out the mistake. I could not get the strips to line up with the documentation I was creating along with the images in the booklet and the quilt pictured on the cover. I ended up with a terrible headache before giving up.

I showed Dan my spreadsheet, the picture and the above diagram. He figured out the mistake after approximately 15 minutes and gained a headache for his efforts. Dan is my hero!

Here is the corrected diagram:

A strip was missing! Thank goodness I decided to do what I was doing before I got to actually assembling this section. FYI, these diagrams are the only instructions for assembling the sections of the quilt. There are brief explanations of symbols and whatnot in the beginning of the booklet; but, that is pretty much it for instructions.

Now, before I close, I need to mention a block, Old Maid's Puzzle, that almost turned me into a quitter. The full instructions is on one page.

Here is a closeup image of the cutting instuctions:

Ugh!

You have TWO background fabrics. Which is which in the cutting instructions? You also have multiple colored fabrics. It was not that simple considering this block is composed of two different blocks (times two each). I eventually figured it out. Lord have mercy upon me because I have to make another one of these blocks when I get to section 9!

By the way, I showed the above instructions to my sister-in-law who was visiting me at the time I was making this block. She also loves to sew. Needless to say, she was dumbfounded.

So anyway, this is why it is taking me eons to make this quilt. I have to be in top form/shape mentally to deal with issues that may crop up while making the blocks and whatnot. I am only on section 3. No telling what other problems and / or issues will show up down the road.

I used to consider myself an intermediate hobby quilter. However, this booklet made me feel like a beginner. I think I will be an expert quilter by the time I finish making this quilt. And, I think I will have a burning party when I finally finish this quilt. I will happily set the booklet on fire because I would not wish this nightmare on anyone else! Ha!

Gypsy Wife Quilt: Section 2, Completed

Old Maid's Puzzle block

Section 2
Note: Partial Seam will be involved between section one and 2 (far right strip)

Section 1 & 2

Weekly Recap #25

{June 20 through June 26, 2016}

General

• I managed to get out of the doldrums in the latter portion of the week. It was a relief to feel more like myself. However, I did crash a little Saturday. Fortunately, I recovered by dinnertime. Usually, when I crash, I am down and out for the rest of the day and not doing great the following day.
• I am pleased as punch with the new ceiling fan Dan put up in my room (studio).

Quilting; Crafts

• I picked up the Gypsy Wife Quilt in the latter portion of the week. I cut fabrics for the Old Maid's Puzzle block {Section 2). I need to document the difficulties I have and this block is one of the extremes.

DIY Cat Playground

• We finally put together some tree limbs we managed to get for free from a ranch where the land suffered damages from storms in the area. Abby Gail has already gained confidence on this "gym" and needs no encouragement on climbing the thing. However, we need to cut a branch (on the left in picture) that is in her way when she wants to get on the horizontal branch that is between the two support structures. We also have to get some longer screws as it is temporarily attached together with a bunch of zip ties at the moment. I would love to find two more nice branches to add to the support structures.

When you’re a kid, they tell you it’s all… Grow up, get a job, get married, get a house, have a kid, and that’s it. But the truth is, the world is so much stranger than that. It’s so much darker. And so much madder. And so much better.

~ Elton Pope [Doctor Who: Love & Monsters episode] ~

Gypsy Wife: Section 2, In Progress

I have slowly and steadily working on the Gypsy Wife quilt. There were days when I just did not feel like doing much. But, hey! I am making progress and that is all that matters. All measurements are unfinished.

1. Courthouse Steps Block, 7.5"

   

   

2. A Bordered Square-in-a-Square 4.5' and two 3.5" Square-in-a-Square blocks

   

   

   

3. picked out fabrics for the Old Maid Puzzle block (8.5")

   

Weekly Recap #18

{May 2 through May 8, 2016}

Gardening

• I have been dehydrating a bunch of parsley. I have way too much growing and hate to see them go to waste! The dehydrator I purchased works fairly well and I am pleased with my efforts.

  By the way, I see pickling cucumbers coming forth. I need to find a good dill pickle recipe soon. I found a tip to add a grape leaf to each jar which will help the pickles themselves remain crunchy. So, I shall give that a try as we have tons of wild grape vines growing along the fence out in the backyard. Speaking of which, I spied green little berries on the wild grape bushes! Just maybe, maybe we will have a good crop later this summer! I just hope it continues to rain periodically because this is what prevents grapes, berries and lemons to just shrivel up and die before maturing. I am watering our lemon and grape bushes when it has not rained in awhile. But, the wild grapes and berry bushes, I let nature take its course.

Quilting; Crafts

• I sewed up the Bordered Square-in-Square block. I also picked out fabrics and sewed up two Square-in-Square blocks. By the way, I ended up paper piecing the square-in-square portions. All of blocks are for section 2 of the Gypsy Wife quilt. I picked out fabrics to make an Old Maid Puzzle block. I just need cut the fabrics and sew the block. I also hope to sew all of the blocks and strips for section 2 together this week. We shall see – slow and steady wins the race.

DIY Shed aka "The Barn"

• I was sick Saturday with migraine, stomach and even nausea / dizziness troubles. It has been a long time since I felt this way. I discovered one of the reasons why Sunday morning – TOM (Time of Month) came. I am sick of TOM. I wish there was a switch or a pill I can take to get it to stop completely. In the meantime, Dan built a bunch of trusses for the barn. I felt bad as I wanted to help him out.

  I was feeling much better Sunday and helped Dan finish building the trusses. We ended up having to run around to find more nails for the barn. I thought we could get it locally; but, stores were closed on account if it being Mother’s day and / or Sunday. Silly me, I forgot. So, we ended up making a run to the city for supplies.

  We attempted to put up a truss Sunday afternoon and failed utterly. It was tough because I have a fear of heights and ladders. As long as I feel safe, I can overcome that fear. However, I just cannot climb a ladder while simultaneously hauling something. We made scaffolding out of a ladder and it just was not high enough for me to hold a truss up. Dan is taller than I and even he failed. We eventually did figure out a way to get a truss up and even nailed it down; but, we could not secure it properly. So, we had to admit defeat and call it quits.

  Dan researched online for ways we can build the roof with just the two of us and discovered many possibilities. It is just a matter of him deciding which method is best (and safe) for both of us to us before the weekend comes. We may be defeated; but, it’s only temporary. We will not be down for long. We will find a way and we will succeed.

Some Links to Share

• Free Sewing Tutorial: Beside Pockets Organizer.

A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.

~ Ruth Bell Graham ~

Weekly Recap #16

{April 18 through April 23, 2016}

Gardening

• I harvested the first strawberries Wednesday (the 20th) – three in all! The lemons, tater (potatoes) and the peas all have flowers. I need to weed the garden areas as it is rapidly getting out of control.

Quilting; Crafts

• I picked out, cut and sewed up fabrics for a Courthouse Steps block which is in Section 2 of the Gypsy Wife quilt. I also picked out and cut fabrics for a Bordered Square-in-Square block.

Red Poppy Festival, Georgetown, Texas

• The Red Poppy Festival in Georgetown has been marked in my calendar for months. We decided to just go on April 22nd and use this event to celebrate our 22nd Anniversary a week late. It was a lot bigger than we expected and reminded me of Huntsville's Fair on the Square that is held every October. There were lots of things for kids to do along with tons of arts and crafts booths. The biggest event was the car show which is a judged event; so, there were a lot of a cool looking vintage cars! I did not take any pictures this time around as I did not think there was anything picturesque to take.

DIY Shed aka "The Barn"

• We had just a partial weekend as we took Saturday off to celebrate our 22nd Anniversary a week late. We did work Sunday. We managed to get all the siding put up on the remaining two walls and Dan got the door openings cut out. It is beginning to take shape.

Miscellaneous

• I had the permanent crown put on my broken molar last Thursday and am so happy that is done and over with!
• We had an electrician come out and wire up a ceiling fan box for us in the Studio. I am getting real excited about putting the cute little thing (ceiling fan) up in that room!

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

Charles H Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Weekly Recap #15

{April 11 through April 17, 2016}

Just an advanced warning. I am real tired from not getting enough sleep overnight on account of pain. So, please excuse any spelling and grammar mistakes that I have not caught via editing.

Gardening

• The gardens are still sprouting. The tater (potato) plants are huge and have sprouted tiny flowers. Yes, I buried them quite a few times until I felt I ran out of room in the tater box to keep filling with dirt. The peas have shot up practically overnight. And, we got a few strawberries. I am pleased.

Quilting; Crafts

• My first attempt (left) on the Pershing block for Section 2 of the Gypsy Wife Quilt was not great. It is badly skewed (not squared). So, I made a second block with the help of tips and notes off the interwebs including one from a facebook friend. I am real pleased with my second effort. This is all I did for a week! I do not think I will ever make another Pershing block as it is very difficult to make!

  I am saving the block I scrapped for the backing. I tend to use leftover blocks and fabrics to make the backing. So, we shall see.

DIY Shed aka "The Barn"

• I never did post pictures of the progress of the barn, did I? Oh well. We now have all four walls up in spite of threats of storms. In fact, at one point, when a flash of lightning appeared a ways off, I yelled "I'm out of here", dropped my hammer and nails and ran for the door. Dan laughed; but, he calmly picked up the tools and headed for indoors too. I may laugh about it now; but, thunderstorms make me extremely nervous.

  Anyway, I am thankful the gardener (neighbor) helped us put the second wall up because we failed on our first attempt. We had no troubles with the "side" walls as they were much lighter. We put up the last wall after the thunderstorm passed through. Another one was brewing while we were finishing up securing that wall.

  I plan to post pictures of the progress soon. Key word is “plan”.

Heaven is not for good people. heaven is for forgiven people.

~ Greg Laurie ~

2016 Finish-A-Long Q2 {List}

I utterly failed at accomplishing any of my Q1 Finish-A-Long goals. I almost did not do this because I am embarrassed. But hey! I am only human with many other projects (e.g. the shed and gardening) going on in my life. Also, I got sidetracked with the Gypsy Wife Quilt. One of my biggest weaknesses is that I really enjoy piecing above all the stages of making a quilt.

I am just going to narrow down my list to two things this time around.

The Green Quilt

1. Finish Hand Quilting Dan's Quilt

I have been working on this and just got completely sidetracked. I think I have made good progress and just need to continue working on it here and there in my down times.

top left: extra square-in-square block and an Unpieced Pershing block for Section Two
top right: Section 1 completed
bottom left: saved selvages for documentation and use later
bottom right: strips cut and ready to go per the Quilt-A-Long tips and whatnot.

2. Gypsy Wife Quilt Top

I am not exactly doing the quilt-a-long (QAL). I mean, I am following along and using the tips and whatnot; but, I am doing this at my own pace rather than with keeping up with the others participating in the QAL. I believe they are now putting sections 3 and 4 together whereas I am still cutting fabrics and piecing blocks for section 2. At the pace I am going, I am not sure if I will be finished making the top by the end of this quarter. But hey, I am going to plug away at making the top and enjoy the process.