Posted on by agilejack

A Nice But Busy Week’s Break

My last blog post was a week ago. It’s been a busy week and I’ve enjoyed my time away from my sewing room. I actually feel like I’m ready to get back in there, although not with the same frenzy as the first three months of 2024.

Since I wrote last I spent most of that week with my friend visiting as she finished up the purchase of her new home. It was a hectic week for her and, lucky for me, she was able to find time to play pickleball! We played Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, Monday night, Tuesday morning and Thursday morning. The only day we didn’t play was Wednesday since my friend spent most of the day with her new home inspection.

We had so much fun playing pickleball together! She was really excited to get to meet some of my pickleball friends and to see all the places she will be able to play pickleball near her new home. Plus, we had some really fun and enthusiastic games. It’s going to be so much fun to have an old friend here to plays pickleball AND is a quilter! Although not as obsessed as I am. But we did discover that we play well as a doubles team!

I played Pickleball yesterday morning and played terribly! Then I helped with a pickleball clinic for kids with Down syndrome. Today I helped with a clinic for brand new Pickleball adults. And those two sessions have exhausted me. It might be a break to get back to work tomorrow.

I did finally hit my sewing room after dinner and a quick trip to the post office tonight. I got my Brandon leftover blocks all sorted and shuffled …

…and up on my design wall. This is a pretty fun little quilt top! I really wish the photos could show what it looks like in person!

I’m not sure I’m going to change much with this arrangement. I’ll leave it up on the wall for a couple days before I decide if this is final.

It really made a big difference to add that extra quarter inch to the sharks teeth strips.

One last piece of eye candy…

I’m also quite close to finalizing the selection of black and white fabrics and the order they’ll appear in the quilt top in my next Interweave quilt.

I may replace the whitest one, third from the right. It might feel too white with the rest of the fabrics. I’ll have to see how I feel about it when I select my background and accent fabrics. I still have to decide what bright accent fabrics I’ll combine with these black and whites. It will likely be Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics, but I’ll have to decide if I want to go with a monochromatic approach or if I’ll mix it up. We’ll see how I feel about it when I get some time to pull some options.

The last few days have been so glorious here in Portland. I had to go into the office last night and caught a beautiful sunset.

In my yard the first set of bloomers are gone and we’re onto the next set. My lilacs have just opened up this weekend and it’s gorgeous! I love my lilac bush.

My apple tree is in full bloom. If the number of blooms is any indication I’ll have a bumper crop later this summer.

My snowball tree is covered with little chartreuse snowballs. They will be fluffy and white in no time.

The tulips around the neighborhood are pretty glorious right now.

And there was one big event on April 9. This guy celebrated his 11th birthday.

It’s so hard to believe that Bender is 11! I’m starting to notice the years on him but HE refuses to believe he’s 11.

It’s going to be a hectic week at work as my FY 25 budget is due on Friday. Budgeting is not my favorite part of my job but it’s necessary.

Luckily it’s going to be a gorgeous week and I might just spend some of my work time on the patio.

25 Replies to “A Nice But Busy Week’s Break”

  2. Sounds hectic! How lovely you have a quilting pickleballer coming to live near you.

    Love the latest design wall layout . My only suggestion ( for what it’s worth!) is to move the block with the blue horizontal ( toward the bottom) one row down and one to the right.. just a thought!

    Happy birthday to Bender, and many happy returns.

    I’m off to my sewing room ( hang the housework!)

    Lindy x

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    1. I’ve moved a few things around. it’s tough to do too much because there’s so much red. If you move one thing, you get a huge patch of red somewhere else. I think I’m close to being done.

      Anne

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  3. wow i love the quilt. the combo of shark teeth and comb work so well together. i love this more than the all shark teeth on the corner. well i always love the next one better…

    What a handsome boy Bender is. so photogenic. 11! He sure doesn’t act like he’s 77 in dog years.

    thanks for teaching pickleball!

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    1. The wait the sharks teeth and comb stripe play together is pretty fun! I agree that it’s more interesting than the sharks teeth by itself.

      Bender is very young at heart and the happiest dog on earth.

      Anne

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  4.  The top is lovely. I really like how you cut the black/white fabrics and how they came together when sewn. I’m inspired to try something similar. 
     Really like reading your posts! Vicki

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  5. Sounds like a very fun weekend. I am loving this quilt! Looks like a bountiful bloom for spring! Love the scent of Lilacs. Mine is very small, white, and full of buds! Also my dogwood is in bud as is the apple tree. Has a lot of wind this weekend that knocked out power for 42hours, thank goodness we have a generator. Bender is so adorable and youthful in appearance and spirit!

     

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    1. Our dogwoods are just starting to bloom. they are one of my favorites every spring.

      Sorry you were without power and so glad you have a generator I’m thinking about getting one this summer.

      Anne

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    1. Thanks Wanda. Nice to have confirmation that my feelings about that fabric are correct. I’m trying some options. And trying to decide what to use for a background fabric.

      I’m loving the sharks teeth and comb stripe! It’s a fun way to combine them.

      Anne

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  8. Hi Anne, I would like to ask you a question about a quilt you made. Is there somewhere else to ask so the details aren’t published ?

    Thank You! Joan

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  10. Your latest quilt in progress with the Brandon leftover blocks is absolutely stunning! I love following your quilt projects from your original inklings of what your next project will be through to completion. You are an inspiration! I love Kaffe fabrics as well!

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  11. Your quilt top is spectacular! I love all of it: the bright colors, graphic prints, the basic pattern, (I think) and the way those gorgeous and genius fabrics are showcased. You are amazing! Nothing stuffy about your quilt! Thank you for sharing, and if there is a pattern please share that, too. I adore your quilts, bags, and all I have seen of yours.

    Florida regard Cheryl T

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  12. Like Bender, I cannot believe that in 13 months I’ll be 80!!! I knew in my 20’s I’d be lucky to make it to 40’s (don’t ask/don’t tell). But here I am. Just getting ready to move into a Seniors Independent Living complex next month so I’m adjusting to my age. I’m loving your Brandon quilt and yes, I copied the tutorial of the blue one too. I’m excited to think of making it. Love your blog, your dogs, and your pickleball adventures. Thanks Anne for sharing it.

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    1. I can’t believe I’m the age I am and I’m wishing I was two years older so I could be retired! It’s a little scary how fast the years go by.

      Thanks of reading!

      Anne

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