Tile With Last Name

I found a tutorial on the MTC forum and figured I could do this.  It was so easy!  I'm wondering if I extended the name box out to the edge if it would look neater.  I'm not sure I like the cut off point up by the top of the "F" either.  I'd like to put something in between the borders as well.  The quilter in me screams that the open space must be filled.  I haven't put it on any vinyl since I'm not sure it's really "finished".  

I have been working on the center panel of "My Tweets" as well.  I somehow lost the end feathers for the peacock on the left and need to redo them before pressing everything down.

 

Cycling:

Hopefully I can get my bike back tomorrow as it's *gasp* going to SNOW!  Then I can take Muk out for a ride in the snow for the first time.  I'm so excited!!

First Tile Project!

I have always loved the idea of putting designs on tiles.  It looks elegant and thoughtful.  While I was up in civilization I picked up a couple of tiles from Menards and hubby wanted some sticky back cheapie tiles thinking he could put a frame around it and stick the vinyl to the back of the frame.

I headed over to JoAnn's but they were out of black vinyl.  I didn't have time to get out to the other stores as they are located all over Lincoln but figured I'd just order some via Amazon.

Then I remembered I have a store in town that does signs, embroidery and other stuff.  Maybe they'll have something I can buy.  Sure enough, he sold me enough vinyl to make four 12x12 tiles.  Sweet!

I came home, cut the sheet into four pieces and went online to see how it's done.  Now my Cougar cutter is industrial usage and they figure you know what settings you need but I don't.  I figured I'd pull out my Cricut as it's simple.  All you do with a Cricut is change a couple of settings, push the button and off it goes.

The idea is you cut the vinyl, not the paper, take off the vinyl you don't need, put transfer tape on the design and move the design to the tile.  Ummm...I don't have transfer tape, but I do have painter's tape and that's meant to come off easily.

I cut out the design and took off what I didn't need:

Then I put strips of blue painter's shape over the vinyl and pressed it down carefully over the design:

In order to get the design on the fake tile I did it at 11 inches, drew a half inch border around the tile, cut notches in the four corners up by the black border for placement and carefully put it down on the tile.  You can see the notch at the top right corner.  I pressed the design into the tile to get out the air bubbles and then I carefully pulled off the tape a strip at a time.

The finished project:

Now the Cricut cut the bottom flower funny and cut notches in the flowers.  I don't know how to edit the pattern to make it look neater but it was a practice piece. There are a couple of air bubbles and I crinkled up one of the corners.  Usually once it's down and you screw up, you're out of luck.

I'd love to tell you to get a Cricut for Christmas, but software no longer exists to make your own designs.  However; there are several companies that have given Provo Craft the finger and made their own.  

Quilter's ADHD and X0 Bike Shifters

Yup.  We all have it.  That lack of attention span to finish up projects and then end up with PIGS in our house.  Of course ADHD hit in with two projects at the same time; "My Tweets" and "Red December".  There's no warning either with Quilter's ADHD as it just hits hard and fast and you find yourself looking at another project.  At least this time it was a PIG.

Here's what has had my attention for about two weeks now.  I started the project a couple of years ago,  got frustrated instead of ADHD and shoved it back in the closet.  I wish I could say all of this was started two weeks ago, but it hasn't.  Cross stitch is SLOW going.  This project has a LOT of two thread strands, meaning you have two different colored thread in one needle.  Had I known this before I bought the project, I probably wouldn't have purchased it.  Also the grass threads are so close together it's easy to get lost despite having your grid marked.  This won't be done anytime soon.  The ruffles on the bottom of her dress are so intricate it's amazing how the designer even came up with it.    

Cycling:

Last post was a whine about bike shifters.  In fact I was so frustrated with the bike I contemplated selling it.  It's too big, bulky, heavy and overwhelming at times on the trails.  The point of twist shifters was so that you could use gloves during the winter as trigger shifters (you use your thumb/fingers to press on the levers) would get stuck with the cold and possibly not work.  I get that.  Given that I wanted to keep the X7 derailleurs (parts that shift the chain over the cogs and chain rings) I had limited myself to SRAM components.  I had looked at two shifter sets, the X9 and the XO grip shifts but they were expensive and I wasn't even sure if they'd be any easier to use than the X7s.

If I sold the bike, I'd need, okay, want another mountain bike and started looking through manufacturer's web sites.  I'm smart enough now to know my components and what I want.  Nada.  Nothing appealed to me.  I just kept thinking of my Mukluk.  Stupid bike.  Just sell the bike and be done with the love/hate relationship I told myself.  If you got something lighter and more agile you wouldn't struggle so much or be exhausted trying to get up hills.  This sounds crazy if you aren't religious but I gave a quick prayer of what to do and an answer/peace to my problem as I was making myself sick over this bike.  

How can you go through several manufacturers sites and not find anything to drool over?  That's crazy.      Building a bike from scratch would cost far more than buying one as well.  I went to look for my camera to put the bike up on Craigslist and figured I'd go from there but couldn't find it.  Suddenly this peaceful feeling of "Don't worry about selling the bike.  It will be okay." came over me and I felt better.

Craigslist! 

It hit me that hadn't browsed through Craigslist in a while.  Maybe someone's got a bike or some parts that might work.  I can't see someone wanting to sell X9 or XO parts but you never know.  I start reading down the listings and about halfway down saw a listing for bike parts with SRAM XO 3x9 grip shifters listed.  My shifters are X7 which puts XO's two steps up in niceness.  Pretty much TOL.

No way.   I clicked on the ad and there they were in the picture.  He had the set for a decent price so I emailed him.  Several conversations later I have a set of XO grip shifters in the mail on it's way and the camera was in front of me the entire time next to the computer.  I don't know how I missed it.

Are the XO grip shifts the answer?  I won't know until I get them on.  Dumb luck with thinking of Craigslist?  Maybe.  But I do know God does answer prayers, even mine.

Never Ask a Guy a Simple Question...

And then never ask a group of guys on a mountain bike forum a simple question and expect a simple answer.  All I wanted was another shifting option for my Mukluk and I know not all components are compatible and asked for options.  Twist grips are hard on my hands.  Fibromyalgia is a PITA which doesn't help with grip shifts.  It's as simple as that.  I hadn't expected (but should have) a "you just don't know what you are doing and twist grips are the best ever".  Which I guess is a simple answer.

Turns out my Muk has SRAM X7 components that aren't compatible with anything in the Shimano line.  I can get X7 trigger shifters or keep the twist.  I think I can move up to X9 stuff, but that doesn't mean it's any easier to use.  Or I buy different parts and spend more money on Shimano.  I just wanted another option for shifting, not buy more components.

Which leads into my thought of women really are different when it comes to bike riding.  We have smaller hands, smaller shoulder widths, and aren't as strong as men.  For me, riding a 30+ pound bike with a left grip shifter that isn't easy to use makes for some rough riding at times.  It's murderous going up steep hills.  If your bike components don't work for your needs you can't get better.  However; if you haven't learned to use the parts correctly, getting something else is pointless and I get that as well.

I've bought sewing machines that I thought were perfect but after some time realized I didn't like them.  There wasn't anything wrong with the machine itself or my skills at the time, but it just wasn't working out.  Janome machines aren't for me as I'e discovered and I love my Vikings.  Once you find that right machine that you bond with, quilting becomes more enjoyable and your skills improve.  However; buying a machine that's way over your skills will prove just as frustrating.

I'm wondering if my Mukluk is something I'm just not strong enough to use.  I miss a bike with suspension.  I miss having something light and agile.  At the same time there's that fat bike smile that I would really miss.  





 

 

Any Runners Out There? Sore Feet?Neuroma

I saw a podiatrist a little over a week ago about my feet being so painful.  He said that the soft tissue around the balls of my feet are swollen and it's irritated the nerves.  He called it a neuroma and gave me an anti-inflammatory med and some insoles.  I've just dealt with the pain all summer until recently when it's hurt so bad I figured it I probably should see someone.  I've just figured it was part of fibromyalgia so never really questioned the pain.  Doc said to keep doing what you do and don't rest or you won't know if anything is helping.

I did just fine with the weekend trip and did three miles of walking yesterday and had some pain, but nothing torturous.  Today all I could do was half a mile and my feet said no more.  Again, not as painful but it's hurting.  I did try running which didn't help.

I've been looking at some different shoes, but don't know what to look for.

Anyone else deal with this?  I love riding my bike but it's hard to pedal with the pain and obviously walking/running is just as bad.

Doc said the other option was to get shots and the last resort was surgery.  



 

Global Fat Bike Day!

Today was Global Fat Bike Day and all of us with fat bikes headed out on our trips.  Jamie and I met up in Lincoln, Nebraska for our ride and had a great time.

About two miles in I thought I'd be cool and try to make it down the ravine, cross the creek and make it back up the hill.  I've been wanting to do it for awhile and after doing Tranquility, I figured I was good.  I sat back, planned my path of destruction and possible bale-out plan if necessary, and headed down the hill.  I made it across the creek and started up the hill when my back tire spun out, lost traction and I fell backwards/sideways into the water.

Cold water is just that.  COLD.  I stood up as fast as I could, checked out my bike and myself and asked Jamie to take a pic. I probably scared the crap out of her as she was behind me.  No worries, my head is just fine.  My back pack took most of the abuse which is partly why I use one.  I saw a video once of some guy who fell down a mountain after he lost his balance on the bike.  The back pack saved his life and I've just had one ever since.  I also ride in more remote areas so I need the pack for water and tools.

After cleaning myself and the bike up (always have baby wipes in your pack) we headed back to the parking lot to get some clean clothes.  After my concussion I now carry a set of clothes in the car for emergencies as I wished I'd had some clean clothes while in the hospital.  Only thing I didn't have was a band-aid as I'd scraped my hand when I used it to brace for the fall.  I landed on my arm and wrist as well.

We kept riding and finally headed out on to the limestone trail.  Jamie had never ridden her Pugs on limestone and was surprised at how easy it was.  Now she knows how versatile her bike really is.  I ride my Muk everywhere.

After she left to go home, I did a quick check of my left arm.  It's got a lump, scrapes, bruises and is swollen.  My left leg is picking up a nice bruise as well.

"My Tweets" Top and "Seam Fix" Ripper

I'm sorry for the bad picture, but it's the best I could do.  Here's the top for "My Tweets".  I'm still cutting out the center pieces but hope to have a finished top w/o the borders soon.

My LQS happened to have some new fancy seam ripper that is supposed to clean out the threads after you rip out the threads.  It's called "Seam Fix" and I figured "What the heck" and bought one.

This product has two obvious major flaws that the person designing it should have figured out before mass production.  Flaw one is that it's entirely round and rolls off the table.  Flaw two is that you can't put the cover on the end of the ripper so you don't lose the top.  Highly annoying.  The seam ripper part isn't any different than the ones I already own.  However; the top and end of the handle section do a pretty good job of getting the threads out of the way.  Is it worth the purchase?  That's up to you.  The design flaws drive me crazy so I don't really use it.  I figure I should tape a toothpick or something flat to the ripper so it doesn't roll around.

Easiest way to rip seams?  Your rotary cutter.  However; if you are prone to cutting yourself or don't feel comfortable doing that, get a seam ripper of some kind.  Masking tape works just as fast or faster to get rid of the frayed ends.    

Charity Lake Ride

Happened to find a park locally while looking at Google Maps and the website said it had bike trails.  Obviously I had to check it out.  It's overlooking the Bluffs in Missouri.  Well, they sorta lied, but it's a nice lake with some beautiful views.  The "trail" is a grassy road that goes around the lake and is about a mile long.  It does have some hills to it, but nothing spectacular.  The Bluffs are basically straight up and straight down which makes for hard riding.  Indian Cave Park is the same way even though it's on the Nebraska side.  

The lake at the parking area:

I thought this was the trail, but it's a short trail overlooking the lake:

 View of the lake from the trail I found:

The actual trail..wide enough for trucks and is mowed grass:

"My Tweets" Blocks Ready To Go

I have almost all my blocks done.  I ran out of green thread on block four and have to wait until she orders more.  Oops..forgot a leaf on the block under the layout.  I made the strips finish at 1 inch, but I haven't sewn the blocks together to see how it looks.  If I make them finish at 1.5, which is how wide the strips are in the picture, would it look better?  Center panel is still questionable.  Part of me wants to take the extra white fabric off, add blue and then add white fabric around it.

Swanson and Tranquility Park

Saturday was beyond fun.  Since I had gas to blow a trip to Omaha for the bike parks was in order.  Two teenagers, myself, food to feed them and three bikes in tow headed up to Swanson and Tranquility.  

We unloaded the bikes and headed out on the trail.  Swanson was a blast because of all the roots, hills and dips.  This was the first trip with the Mukluk and she did amazing.  I did my first skinny bridge without the railing (you better decide which side you'll fall off of before you cross), made it up hills I hadn't been able to before, and hit some serious speeds on the downhills.  The hills aren't steep, but there are a lot of them.  

Since we finished up Swanson and the kids hadn't been to Tranquility we headed over there.  I've been there once on a Monday Night Ride so I was familiar with where I'd been.  Somehow I managed to find myself going on trails I hadn't been on before with longer, steeper hills and lots of twists of turns.  It wasn't until I hit the pine trees that I knew where I was.  

Again, Mukluk rocked the trails.  I hit the berms (curve with high sides) going down the hills with ease and was able to do turns without braking the entire time.  The only thing I wouldn't do is a steep mound of dirt with a tight turn back up the mound.  I don't have the physical strength or turning ability on the Mukluk to do it.  I wasn't about to try the top of the hill stuff either.  

My cardio still sucks as I'd have to stop and catch my breath for about 5 minutes at a time.  If it wasn't for the stops, I'd have some serious time put in.  

The only thing that has totally baffled me is how I had the strength and flexibility to do all of this.  I went out Wednesday and practically cried the entire way back to the car.  Friday I got my Fargo fixed and headed up to the LQS.  I was in agony going up the 1/2 mile hill to the store.  Friday night it hit me that my fibromyalgia had flared up and took an Aleve and a muscle relaxer.  Muscle relaxer had to be why.  I'm always stiff on bike rides and never thought that it could be the fibromyalgia causing the setbacks.  I think you get used to the muscles being sore that you forget how bad it really is.

Had a great time with the boys even though they left me but my confidence has improved immensely and so have my skills.  Get out and ride a bike!  

Wilderness Trail Ride

Here's my trip to Wilderness Park:



I did 10 miles of single track and this trip it was physically exhausting.  I lowered my psi to 5 instead of my usual 25psi for road.  The lower the psi the more grip your tire has but it means you have to work harder to keep the bike moving.  The handling of the bike was improved, but my legs were protesting.

I still chickened out on this part of the trail.  It's much steeper than it looks and if you don't cross the rocks just right, you'll probably end up going over the bars.  I just have more to live for at 37.  Now if I was close to my death bed and it didn't matter, maybe.

From Drop Box

By the time I crawled back to the beginning of the trail I realized I just had to get across the other creek bed.  I've done it once, but nearly fell off the bike when my legs gave out going up the hill and nearly landed on the top tube.  The bike really is too big.

Here's the other creek:

From Drop Box

I came down from the back, sucked up the leg pain, prayed I would make it, crossed the creek and almost cleared the hill back up.  I was so close.  I'm not ready to cross from where I was standing when I took the picture because of the last two rocks in the back.  They stick up and I have horrible visions of the front wheel bouncing up and getting knocked off.

It was a great day.  I know for some people crossing those creeks would be so easy, but for me it's a feat of courage.

Bike Shops Are Evil

After getting most of the "My Tweets" blocks fused and almost satin stitched, I finally got out on my fat bike the other day up to Wilderness Park in Lincoln.   Just like quilt LQS, I had to check out my favorite LBS.  Sigh.  Too. Much. Stuff.  Good thing cycling crap is all overpriced so it was easy to walk out except for this temptation:

But I already have a fat bike right?   

My problem is my bike is too big.  I've just dealt with it and tried to tweak it as much as I can to "make" it fit.  It's not a huge problem on the road, but it is on a mountain bike trail.  The hardest part is the stand over clearance.  I just barely fit over and that's not really safe.  The reach becomes a problem on hills.

The 9:zero:7 has a much lower top tube and I can get the frame (comes in frame only) in my size.  Then I can move over all the parts on my Mukluk and have a bike that actually "fits".  The problem?  The frame and fork (not the one pictured here) are 800 dollars.  I could sell my Fargo hoping to get enough, but I like that bike too.  In reality it isn't happening unless some kind of miracle happens.

Yup.  Bike shops are evil.  

Still Cutting Out Pieces

I haven't done any riding as I've been wanting to get the blocks done for this quilt and get the top done if possible.  I'm so sick of cutting leaves especially as they disappear when you go to press the pieces together.  I don't have every piece on, but have all twelve blocks up and ready.  I had to make and redo about 5 blocks. 

I've lost some leaves AGAIN and I need to get the flower centers done on the left one. 

I've got one block done and the others in various states of finishing.  Hopefully in the next few days I can get them completely satin stitched and then work out the center. 

"Fatterday"

Couple of guys at the MTBR forum have come up with "Fatterday" where those of us with fat bikes spend the day riding and posting pics of the trip showing off where we'd been. I think it started with the UK fat bike guys all getting together but quickly exploded to include the rest of us.  Genius idea really.  Some are going in groups and others are braving it out on their own.  I think the NE guys that have fat bikes are planning something, but whether or not I can make it is another thing.  I'll plan something else if I can't.

Wilderness Park

Spent last Saturday with my son and his friend at Wilderness Park:



My son has never been out there but the trail is twisty and flat.  I knew he'd leave me in the dust since he's so much better and it's really easy.  The only thing I told him was that there are two ravines that are steep and the "bridges" are rocks.  Walk them as I don't want to take you to the hospital and they took off.

I come up around a corner and hear my son yelling at Greg over something.  Turns out Greg's chain came off and Josh was struggling to put it back on.  I set my bike down, take a look at Greg's bike and within a few minutes get the chain back on.  I'm a pro at chain suck as you can see from the scrapes on my bike so getting the chain back on wasn't hard.  Pulled out a couple of baby wipes from my pack, handed one to Josh and cleaned up our hands.

I gave Greg a quick lesson on shifting so the chain doesn't come off again.  Once he figured it out, he yelled back at me "Thanks!  This bike is awesome!" and took off behind Josh.  The bike is my daughter's, a Trek 3500, and she likes him just enough to let him borrow it for the day since he doesn't have a bike.    

I come up to the second ravine and the boys are waiting for me.  They both agreed that I was right and walked that section.  It's not that it's hard, but you'd need some serious speed to get back up the other side of the ravine and I'm not strong enough to do it.  I've made it over the rocks of the first ravine but stall out going up. 

I kept lowering the pressure on my fat bike as I went along hoping to find that magic "sweet" spot.  I came really close as all of the sudden the bike started handling so much better and I wasn't sliding out into the bushes or trees.  I would have gone lower, but I worried about the tire coming off the rim.

The advice from the guys on the MTBR forum really helped about tire pressure and how to do cornering.  This bike is truly amazing when set up right.  I found myself struggling with physical strength because of the lowered pressure but when I looked at the Strava results, I was going the same speeds I was before.

Surprisingly I'm able to keep up and we finish up at the bridge about 5 miles from where we started.  Josh is panting and wants to go back to the car.  Huh?  This is the kid that complains that we only went 4 miles on the last trail that was far more technical because I was dying?  Even Greg told Josh to "Shut up as I don't get to do this very often".   We head back out via Old Cheney and the Jamaica Trail to the car.

Later that night I found out why Josh was so put out and why I could keep up.  Turns out the twisty parts were more technical than he thought and he kept sliding into the trees/branches and had to slow down making him mad.  Yup.  I've taken out my share of trees/bushes on this trail and have patches on my inner tubes to prove it.  Just because it looks easy doesn't mean it is. 

At least Greg had a great time and can't wait to go back.  He did great for his second time on a trail.  Josh, on the other hand needs some cheese with his whine.

"My Tweets" Layout

Still working on blocks but I found some fabric that will work for the wings.  As long as it "looks" like the fabric belongs there, it's all good.  Now to fix the center.

Here's the layout:

I have a couple of problems with the center panel.  When I got the pattern, I missed the directions to make the background fabric larger.  I then added a white border to fix that problem.  When I realized cutting down the 16 inch blocks to the size on the pattern wasn't going to work, I figured I'd just redo the center panel.  

If I redo the center panel, the proportions of the center design are off making it look too small.  Yes, I checked.  So my plan is to add some inside borders.  The same blue print goes around the center panel as the blocks with a center border. Any other thoughts?

Do You Happen To Have This Fabric?

I'm going to be sick.  I can't find some of the fabric I need for "My Tweets".  It's called "Hungarian Blue" by Clothworks and of course it no longer exists.  I've scoured the internet looking for the piece I need to no avail.

It's so frustrating when fabric companies create a fabulous line of fabric but don't keep it or make enough of it to go around.  Indigo fabric is hard enough as it is to find making it worse.  It cam out last year and was gone before you know it.

Here's the fabric I need.  It's the light blue print in the feathers.  If it's truly gone, what do you suggest I do for the five blocks I need done?  I've only used it for the feathers so it's not like I need yards of it.  A fat quarter would do it.  If you happen to have some and willing to share, I will find a way to exchange for something or pay for it.  

Only thing I can come up with is to rearrange the birds and find something similar to it to put in with the new blocks.

 
And of course, the red fabric I've been using for my "Red December" isn't in my LQS.  She has no idea where she got it or what brand it is.  I know it's called "Turkey Red" and the closest I can come to is Marcus Brothers Centennial Fabric line as they have fabric called turkey red.  The Fat Quarter Shop has some in stock but have to wait until next week to order it.

Again, gorgeous fabric, but without a company name I'm guessing.

Lesson learned.  Always write down the manufacturer and color/number of the bolt.  The only reason I didn't was that she had a huge bolt of it and figured it was something she'd keep in stock.

"Red December" Blocks

I'm sick of stems and pointy points.  I'm so ready to toss this quilt in the "never ever going to get done" pile.  I have two more stems to add to the final center block and I'm tired of fighting points.  Even the leaves/flowers are killing me.  I figure this ever won't get to a quilt show as I can't keep the points in when I sew around them.  The fabric is just too bulky and the points are too steep.  Any amount of trimming just makes it worse.  So much for nice, neat finished edges.  Maybe I should leave any kind of appliqué work to those who truly love to do it.  Just keep me moving along.  Some encouragement would be great.

"My Tweets" Layout

Finally got my heater up and ready for winter.

I decided on 1 inch finished strips and started out on my quilt.  It's going to look fantastic if/when I get it done.  I'm torn between green cornerstones or a light blue.  Or even yellow.  Once I get the final measurements done, I'll do the center panel.  I have the pieces cut out and need to fuse them down.

The original directions had 14 inch finished squares but when I cut down block one, I cut off part of the design.  There isn't any way these blocks will finish at 14 inches.  I cut 16 inch blocks when I started and they'll finish at 15.5 inches.  I have to redo block one and three and then do the last three blocks.  

The final border is going to kill me with all those leaves.  That's the "if/when" part of this quilt.

One Inch borders or 1.5 Inch Border? Add Green Cornerstones?

I have been busy doing stuff, I just haven't had time to post.  My heater went out and it's taken 2 weeks to get the part.  Thankfully it's not cold yet and we discovered it now instead of the middle of winter.  The same sensor goes out every year so go figure.

My dryer hasn't been heating right and when the guy checked he said it was all the lint backed up in the vent.  We got all that pulled out but the dryer still wasn't drying.  Guy said it was probably plugged up at the outside.  The problem is that the vent is covered by a deck.  I had to cut out part of the board by the deck yesterday and pull out more lint.  Of course I didn't have a saw and couldn't afford one.  I ended up using my drill and the biggest drill bit I could find and drilling holes down the board.

The previous owners had put a board about 4 inches in front of the vent as well.  It was a pain trying to get into the vent and wondered if I should cut out part of the board.  The guy came today and said it was probably good.

I finished up my stitching project though.  It's simply stunning and it needs framed.  I just don't know how to do it.  Guess I need to Google it and find out.

Over the past couple of days I've been going through projects and pulled out my "My Tweets".  I got frustrated with the piecing as I'd screwed up the block sizes.  I figured I'd just put the blocks together and get the measurement for the inside panel and redo it.

I need your help.  The first picture has a 1.5 inch finished border and the second has a 1inch border.  Which works best?  I plan on putting green cornerstones in, but this might work better.  So, add in green cornerstones or not?  I'm hoping I have enough dark fabric for the top.  

I haven't given up on "Red December".  I just need a break.

PIGs And Thorns

I was cleaning out some stuff and organizing PIGs when I realized I hadn't finished this project:

I stopped because I messed up the border and wasn't in the mood to redo it.  I stuffed it back in the bag and forgot about it.  I still have the corners and the sides to finish up.  My eyes started crossing after a while so I had to stop.  This has been a pain to stitch out, especially if you've never done this type of work.  I've ripped out so much of the yarns, cursed the counting and while it looks amazing now, I don't think I'll do another one of these.

Still working on the "Red December".  My back has been acting up and it hurts to sit at the machine for long periods of time over a half hour.  

Cycling: 

The Biking Gods truly hate me.  I went out for a ride the other day and did about 25 miles.  It was a gorgeous ride with the fall colors (forgot to take pics) and I made it up the steep hill that goes down to the Missouri River on the way back home so I figured it was all good.  Until this afternoon.

 

I hate thorns.  These are all over the tires and I'll just need to buy some more inner tubes on Wednesday.  I'm wondering if I should buy some Slime and hope for the best.  I'm also wondering if tubeless is the way to go.  It just seems like a giant pain with getting the tires to seal to the rims.

Block Three and Bike Fenders

I finally got block three glued down today and put the three blocks together for a pic.  One more block to go for the center.  Then to put the cornerstones in to make it a square.

Cycling:

Went to Lincoln yesterday for my birthday and picked up fenders for my Mukluk.  They had a 2013 yellow Pugsley that I drooled over and DH had to pry my fingers off of it before we left.  I really loved and wanted the shifters and the Marge Lite tires.  It will be okay though.  Really.

I'm not sure how the fenders will work as they appear rather flimsy.  Still cool looking and I hope they work.

Christmas Plans

After doing most of my applique shapes for my 3rd block I started messing with my Cricut and MTC software.  Christmas is coming up and I'd really like to make some cards and/or Christmas boxes as gifts.  I'd also love a 3-D Christmas tree.  After doing some searching I found a couple of trees I liked but will have to wait until payday to get them.  The other thing I'd like to try is putting vinyl on a tile, like a quilting design.  There are some fabulous ladies out there with stunning results with wood and tiles.

I did find a Christmas tree and cut it out with my Cricut.  My Cougar isn't needed for simple projects and I like the ease of the Cricut.  The Cricut no longer works with 3rd party software of any kind so don't rush out to buy one thinking you can do what you want.  The Cougar would have cut the small openings much nicer, but not worried since it was a test cut.  I wonder how this would look in vinyl.  I do have white for a test try.  I think the top star needs opened and two more stars added at the bottom of the tree triangle.  

 

I also decided to try a tutorial from MTC.  I did an aperture card with "Thanks" on it.  I have done several of the tutorials from beginner to advanced, but never get to the cutting part.  I wish MTC worked with a Mac so I didn't have to switch over.  Someday...

Well, somehow the "a" didn't cut right and my settings weren't perfect for the cutting as parts are torn, but at least I got it mostly right.

MTC is like EQ7 quilting software for paper.  

Quails And Another Block Done

After something petty happened yesterday, I figured I deserved a pick-me-up today instead of sulking.  I haven't been to a LQS in months and figured I'd find some solace in fabric.  Of course there are tons of fabrics that I loved, especially the oriental lines of fabric that she just got in, but I ended up coming home with just a pattern.  It was just great to chat with the owner and talk quilts and the latest quilt gossip.

It's "Quails Table Runner" by Pearl P. Pereira and I fell in love with the sample on the wall.  It was light, airy, quaint and simple.  I don't know when I'll get around to it, but eventually I will.  Forgive my cell phone camera, my camera battery pack has disappeared.  It's probably with my lost "Perfect Circle" bag.

I got block two almost stitched out except for the circles.  This pattern is going to look so fabulous when done:

Woot!  After 2 weeks of not getting a real ride in, finally made it out.  The group ride I did a couple of weeks ago wiped me out, then the weather changed aggravating my fibromyalgia and on Friday I picked up a nasty cold.  Sunday I messed up my ribs while reaching over and had to have my chiro push them back in yesterday.  Probably shouldn't have put a 10lb backpack on, but I needed it.

My Mukluk just loves this trail.  I just glide along over the bumps and tractor wheel tracks.  Vehicles aren't permitted, but they use it anyway.  By looking at the map I realized the trail went further south and headed out.  A couple of miles in there were warning signs were everywhere threatening to make your life miserable if you trespassed and I wondered if I was supposed to be out there.  Up ahead was the nuclear plant and realized why the signs were posted.

All of a sudden shots were fired and I about hit the ground.  I halfway expected a truck with sirens to show up, get dragged off to a security office and detained for hours while they go through my backpack.  I looked over and realized there was a shooting range across the field and it was being used.  I figured it was a good time to go and headed back up the trail.

It's been a great ride and my physical/mental health has really needed it.

Design Wall Monday

After getting a bill of 350 dollars (after insurance) for three stitches, next time I'll do it myself via YouTube and a Google search for supplies.  Health insurance is nothing but legal extortion for everyone in the medical field and no one wins.  Sorry...rant over.

Quilting:

Before I got my cold I finished one block with the edge stitching.  I cut out circle templates with my Cougar cutter since I never found my "Perfect Circles" that suck anyway.  BTW, painters tape works wonders with heat resistant templates especially for circles.  At first I was going to give up on the circles, but they bring out the best and unify the block.  I have a LOT of circles to do.  My camera battery died right after taking this so I can't put a close up of the stitching.  

Cycling:

Was looking into winter clothing for riding the other day.  They make all kinds of stuff for your hands which I hope to order sometime soon.  I also need some fenders.  Winter riding sounds like a lot of fun, but I don't want to invest too much in case I decide I hate winter.

Even though the Strava app on here says I haven't done any miles, I've put about 15 miles in the past week or so.  When I checked my Mukluk's computer it read 117 miles done this year.  Wow.  I've got a lot more miles on my Fargo, but I was surprised about the fat bike.