Backing up/reverse sewing...

Years ago when going through both knee replacement rehab, one of the tasks I was instructed to do was walking backwards on the treadmill...disconcerting to say the least but eventually the strengthening and balance results were apparent...

I can only hope I will become a stronger quilter after completing this reverse sewing and picking out endless free motion stitching that just did not please me at all...the section I stippled took maybe 2 hours and it took 5 evenings to undo everything...

A machine quilter I am not! I can follow a straight line fairly well, but anything else leaves much to be
desired. Partly due to the stiffness of my hands, even wearing those little gripper gloves, it is hard to manipulate the quilt sandwich satisfactorily. In the past, I have taken classes from some very talented machine quilt instructors but always felt I belonged in the remedial section.

When all the threads were picked out, went back to the machine and did straight lines, put the binding on and can now call it Done! (It really does lay flat despite the wonky look on the clothesline)

I thought the lines in the border fabric kind of said...how about trying mitered corners, so that worked ok. For my first venture into working with wool applique, thought the pumpkins and leaves turned out all right too.

It has been years since I made a Fall/Halloween season quilt, and this one will go up on our hallway wall for the season for a fresh look.

Here we are into September and the days go by at Taylorsoutback with visible changes taking place here ...our fields are filled with color - goldenrod is in full bloom...

...and here and there one can spot a maple tree with a few leaves turning. Crows are calling from the woods and a continuous chorus of crickets are saying summer is at an end...the nights are cooler. Mr. Outback is busy cutting up the remnants of our old cedar deck & we have plenty of kindling & firewood to take us through the next 2 winters before we seriously think about converting to a pellet stove. Cutting up 100” length logs has lost its charm after 40+ years of heating with wood although sitting by the fireplace in the evening certainly has its merits.

There have been celebrations - our 52nd Wedding Anniversary and Mr. Outback’s 75th birthday with a made from scratch carrot cake (his favorite)

... dinners out and lunches with friends. Our daughter-in-law & I enjoyed a treasured Saturday together shopping...did I count how many weight watchers points??? Nope!

My little sign in the kitchen is a daily reminder...

Wishing each of you simple things to cherish...

Pat