Another Bullseye Discussion, 2-5-21

Before I get to the bullseye discussion, here’s what we look like today in our very bitter cold temps.

And I finally put the notions shelf back on the wall – all cleaned up and spiffy again. Actually I just love to look at all these things as I’m cleaning them up.

And I haven’t forgotten that I’ll do the pincushions sometime this winter.

And these are still waiting for display.

From readers:

Bullseye

This is what some of my circles look like.

Sorta pointy at top and bottom – lay them straight on the square and that little pointy part will end up in the seam. Do not measure this! I think someone quoted me as saying “just slap it down”. And that’s exactly what I mean.

So I cut more last night. I’m going to replace this old applique quilt on the landing with the new bright bullseye.

I’m experimenting with a smaller block. I cut the background squares 6″ x 6″ and the first circle 5″ x 5″. The cut out backs will be the second circle and there won’t be a third because it’s so small.

I am guilty of hoarding favorite fabrics until they’re so old that I don’t like them anymore – am I the only one who does this? It’s such a stupid thing to do so last night I cut up two hoarded charm packs for the 5″ circles. One was Chance of Flowers by Sandy Gervais and the other one was missing the paper with the name. Now I’ll be able to enjoy them.

So I need 4 bullseye blocks across and I’ll see how long I want it to hang. I love playing with these fabrics that I have never used. We all have one more week to complete Step 1. Will YOU be ready for Step 2?

Becky and I are getting our second Covid shot tomorrow – we’ve been warned that we might feel a bit under the weather – it will be Super Bowl Sunday and a good day to cozy up in front of the fireplace and TV.

Love to hear from all of you!

49 thoughts on “Another Bullseye Discussion, 2-5-21

  1. Kelli

    Looks very chilly! Very windy and cold here in N.E. Ohio. Hope that your second shot side effects aren’t too bad. Snuggle in and enjoy the Super Bowl! 🏈

    Rhonda in Iowa – love the candle mat – can you share what the pattern is please?

    1. Rhonda in Iowa

      Hi Kelli, The pattern is by Buttermilk Basin and I have seen it called “Snowmen & Snowflakes All Around” and also “Frosty & Snowflakes All Around”. I really like working with the wool appliqué! It goes quite fast once you get all your little pieces cut. Have a nice day!

      Rhonda

  2. Luci

    My sister has had her second co-vid shot and did experience the nausea. She snuggled under the covers and let it pass. My husband and I are waiting to get a call from the doctor to come for ours. It will be good to get finished. Good luck with yours.

    1. Julie B from Cedar Falls

      Still waiting to get my first shot…the clinic will start calling their patients when they get doses…who knows how long I will have to wait.

  3. Vintage Quilter

    Hi Mary!

    You are not the only one holding on to favorite fabric. I do the same thing and like you I need to stop saving and start using.
    Stay warm, we have snow here in Michigan too Love all of your quilts.

  4. Rosalie

    My husband got his 2nd Moderna vaccine last Friday. He had a sore arm but less so than with the first. No other symptoms.

  5. Judy Andersen

    Oh Mary, my heart went pitter-pat when I saw your notions shield. I have a crochet dress potholder that my grandma made too. And the little crocheted hat on the shelf, does it have a wishbone below it with a thimble pocket crocheted in? I have a little hat like that. What fun to see your treasures!
    And yes, I save too much fabric also, but I am working on sewing them up! Probably won‘t live long enough to sew all though. Haven‘t purchased any new fabric this year! 😁 yay,

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Judy Andersen – that particular crocheted hat doesn’t have a wishbone but I have one in my pincushion case that does.

  6. Jo in Wyoming

    Boy! It does look freezing there. Time for Soup Supper at Six.
    Love your collection. I’m trying to use some “too good to cut” fabric also. If I don’t use it, it will go to the garage sale and the new owners won’t love it like I do.
    Those Iowa ladies are sure busy, great show today…thanks to all.

  7. Mandy Stewart

    Guilty on the old fabric….I’ll find something in my stash and my first thought is “why did I buy that”!

  8. Kaye G.

    Hi Mary, hubby and I got our first shots last night! I was anxious about it all day and thankful afterward! Bitter cold near Madison, WI, too! Put booties on my English Shepherd to go out, and wouldn’t you know one fell off, so I had to bundle up to fetch it. Found it laying right on top of the snow- good thing!! Stay warm

  9. Judith Ann Jaques

    I just ran across my collection of crocheted pot holders in one of the metal picnic baskets i have stacked in the sewing room. Love seeing your collections.
    The birds emptied the feeders in a matter of a couple hours this morning.Working on the 3rd memory bear. No quilts yet but soon.
    Judy in Iowa

  10. Vicki

    I have the same crocheted dress! How interesting. Second shots can make you a bit under the weather for 24-36 hours according to my sons. My eldest said, “Just plan on doing nothing the day after your second vaccination.” I will take heed.

  11. AUDREY CHRESTENSEN

    MARY I LOVE THE HOUSE QUILT THAT WAS/IS ON YOUR LANDING. WAS THAT ONE OF YOUR OLD
    PATTERNS?? I HAVE MADE LOTS OF YOUR PATTERNS BUT DON’T RECOGNIZE THAT ONE. I LOVE MAKING
    HANGINGS FOR MY DAUGHTERS. AUDREY C.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Audrey Chrestensen- I believe it’s an old Red Wagon pattern or Brannock and Patek.

  12. Peggy

    Our yard has looked like that since November and the overnight temperatures are in the -30-38 celcius range for the next few nights. I think I spy a buttonhole scissor in you collection. Stay warm and safe.

  13. Susan Linder

    Mary,
    I love the little “BELIEVE” quilt pic from a customer. Is that one of your patterns?

  14. Sue Smith

    BRR-r-r-r….That’s all I can say about your photos. We have rainy damp weather going on, which can feel much worse than it is. Yesterday was glorious. We worked in our greenhouse, cleaning it up. I planted peas in little pots to go out in March and some carrots that will stay inside. Today I will bundle up and go to the GH again to plant onions, beets and turnips in little cell pots. All of these I will transplant later when they have good roots. We love to watch Charles Dowling on You Tube and try to copy his way of gardening.
    I love your idea of the smaller circles And using your charm packs. Just might try that later. Just can’t seem to sew (much) right now.
    Rhonda…your candle mat is Wonderful. Don’t you just love to do wool applique? Just like butter.
    Stay warm you snow people.

  15. Carolyn Boutilier

    Hello Mary, I love the log cabin applique quilt. Is this one of your designs? I would like to make it. I am still working on School girl sampler . Love your porch with all the plants.
    Carolyn b Shenandoah VAlley VA

  16. Sandra Erickson

    I am at an exclusive quilt retreat. It involes me and two cats. Working on the bullseye quilt. We’re retreatng until the cold snap breaks. Of course I cut my first background too small. Thank goodness it was only one fq or I’d be making a smaller quilt. Now I can’t find my new mini stripology ruler. Perhaps one of the other retreaters helped himself to it.

  17. Kathy in western NY

    What a nice quilt show today. Your readers do some lovely work Mary.
    Gosh your bright colors must be so refreshing to work on in snowy weather as I know I look at my fabrics different with the seasons. I do not for the life of me even know what possessed me to buy so much fabric in my life as I can only sew so fast and I end up giving some to charity quilters I work along side of.
    Hope you aren’t too down on Sunday after your second dose. I felt just like any other day after my first dose so no reaction to that one.

  18. Pat

    Mary, I just love seeing all your sewing notions. So interesting and varied to see the different variations of the same design. How will you display your scissor collection?
    Beautiful finishes today. I love seeing all the bullseye colors.

  19. Judy G

    Hi Mary, I decided to try a small wall hanging too. My blocks are 4.5, 4, 3, 2”. . I’m embarrassed to tell you how long it took me to cut my fabric. I have decided I am one of the world’s worst rotary cutter! But I did it and am sewing away. Thanks for holding our hands!

  20. Nikki M in Tx

    Elated to hear you got Covid vaccine& 2 nd shot so near!!!
    After signing up in 9 counties & over 20 pharmacies across those count got my first shot yesterday.. had to drive to Tarrant County ( Ft Worth ) but I got my shot, very organized & speedy process, much better than Dallas from what have seem on the news.
    Working on Bullseye, first one so much fun couldn’t resist doing another. I like idea of 6 inch blocks, I sees third in my future!
    Appears as winter finally arrived for you. Stay warm & be safe.
    Love all of the DD, such a talented group of women in this gamy. Yes, I feel like your blog followers are a family.
    May all be safe, be warm, & as you say Be Still.

  21. Jackie Baumhauer

    Mary, I bought half yard of each fabric from the Wuthering Heights line from Moda. Most of us at
    your retreat fell in love with it. I even bought the upholstery fabric! I needed that special pattern to use it.
    Well, it is still in my closet.
    Love your wall hanging with houses. I still like the primitive patterns from Jan Patek.
    Stay well and safe.
    Jackie

  22. Linda Baker

    Mary, your snowy yard looks just like ours here in Michigan. It has been snowing hard all day, but the wind has finally died down. The birds have been busy at the feeders all day, waiting their turn at the suet. I think you have all of my Aunt Elsie’s crocheted potholders! Some of them look very familiar-I’ll have to hunt mine down and display them instead of packing them away in boxes. Good looking finishes and a nice variety of projects, love them all. Working on the Bulls Eye and hopefully, will keep up with the rest of you.

  23. Kim J LeMere

    It looks like a crisp cold day in Iowa and lots of snow to move. I must admit I don’t miss all the extra clothes and the mess that snow makes but it sure looks clean and crisp. I have only a few blocks ready for round two so I may end up making a smaller version, say a table runner. Hope the 2nd shot doesn’t bother you to much.

  24. Susan K in Texas

    Brrr! It’s supposed to be cold here next week. I am not looking forward to it! I’d prefer the heat of the summer.
    I like your shelf and all of it’s treasures. I will clean a shelf like that and think I’ll make it less full. As I pull each item off to dust it, it goes right back on because it is a treasure. Thanks for sharing your treasures with us.

  25. Shirley

    Your quilt will be lovely. I need to order the VOTE pattern. I better get on the ball.

  26. Diane in Maryland

    I have my bullseye blocks ready for step 2! Am putting the binding on DD#12, and working on DD#9! Sure am glad you are keeping me focused on getting things done…haha

    I love your collections! The bowl of scissors looks great just like that to me.

    Such nice finished projects! The quilting on the red and white is gorgeous! Loved each one! The snowmen on the candle mat are adorable.

    We are still trying to get the first vaccine shot. A 90+ yr old former quilt guild member got her second shot and didn’t have any reaction to either. Stay warm and hope you make out fine with the second shot.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Diane in MD – wow! You are really working right along, aren’t you? I figured I’d better get my bullseye in order by next Sunday or nobody would follow me anymore! Haha!

  27. Janice Hebert

    I love admiring all of my things as I dust as well. So fun remembering where they came from (if I can, haha) or who gave it to me. Is that a punchneedle design on the wooden box directly under the hanging strawberry? It has a chicken on it, would love to see it better or know if there’s a pattern for it. So cute. Love your fabrics for the bullseye quilt, so bright and colorful. It’s so gray here in MA lately. I am drawn to pretty bright colors and look forward to spring. I’m going to take Sue Smith’s advice and watch the videos from Charles Dowling. I’m so jealous of your greenhouse Sue! Would love to have one. Where are you located I’d love to know. Stay safe everyone, hoping the vaccine will be available to us 67 year olders soon. Jan in MA

  28. Diane and Squeak in in Central Ohio

    Cold here, too, Mary. We had our vaccines yesterday with no problems. The CDC recommends taking Tylenol after the shot. We did and had no problems.
    I have heard the second one is like a light flu— achy, stuffy, tired.
    Remember the cat , Buckeye, that comes to our house from another area? He is still out in the cold. Sometimes he will come in the garage where it is warm, but mostly he just comes and eats. I talked to one of the owners and also wrote to them about keeping him in because of the coyotes and when it is cold out. I’m trying to find him a warm, loving home.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Diane and Squeak – oh, that poor cat! If he gets into your garage, lock him in until it warms up. What kind of owners are these?????

  29. Deb E

    Wow, you have a lot of snow! This year, we only had a sprinkling and its feeling like spring here now. We need lots more rain, though, so luckily most of that comes between Feb and the end of April, here in Northern California (in the Sierra foothills). My hubby had his first covid shot on Jan 23rd and the second happens a week from tomorrow (Feb 13). No effect from the first one, but we’ll see with the second. His was from Pfizer. I am hoping I can get one by May – my 65th birthday is the end of April, so will have to wait pretty close to then judging from how the vaccinations are going here. Good luck with yours – and which one are you getting?

  30. Sherrill

    I got my second shot a week and a half ago. It was a little sorer and was a tad more swollen but not bad at all. I’ve heard 2 wks after 2nd shot you should be at approx. 95% immunity..woohoo!

  31. Jeanie S, Central Illinois

    I really enjoyed this post, Mary. Your notions take me back; I remember so many of those same treasures from my grandmother’s house. I love your appliquéd wall hanging, especially your piecing of the three buildings.
    Julie D, your projects are lovely, as well as the adorable cat. 🤗

    1. Lynn in Scottsdale

      I agree the kitty is adorable, and the projects are lovely.

      Mary, sometimes I take a picture of fabric I love before I cut it up. I can use the picture as “Wallpaper” on my phone occasionally.

      Stay warm.

  32. Debbie B

    Oh, that looks like really bitter cold weather. That part of Iowa winter I don’t miss. I finally got an appt. for my 1st covid shot. I’ve been on the computer for weeks trying to get in. Some days I’m up at 5:30 am just to get in line for an appt. I got in with another county but that’s OK with me. Finally some progress. I like the idea of making bullseye block smaller. I may give that a go. Thanks for the idea. I think that will be cute. Take care and stay warm.

  33. Mrs. Goodneedle

    That photo just looks FRIGID! I love the idea of your brights combining with a smaller block size for your Bull’s Eye. Good luck with your vaccination, I get dose #1 on Thursday. Stay warm, my friend~

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Mrs Goodneedle – it IS frigid! It hurts to breathe! I’m thinking I may not want a second circle – I’m still experimenting – I will post

      1. Jeanine

        After I made my first two bullseye quilts, I used the smallest circle ( the last one cut out) and made a small table runner with them. I really like it and plan to do the same with the last circles on the one I am working on now. I can’t remember what size block I sewed them to, but this time I am going to use a 5″ block and then cut it in fourths. Can’t waste any of the fabric. I am a scrappy quilter!

  34. Diana Stanfill

    The quilts are all beautiful. I love the bowl with all the small scissors. Are they useable or for display.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Diana Stanfill – they’re probably useable but I’ve never had the need. They’re all old so I’ll try to display them somehow

  35. Betty Klosterman

    After reading the comments about getting groceries and COVID shots, I’m feeling that I live in a very nice place. I’ve heard others coming to Rapid City think that they are at least 2 steps past next to Nowhere. That could be close to the truth, but we kind of like it that way. There is a big Super Walmart about 6 blocks east of my house. They don’t always have what I want, but I haven’t starved, and finding it can be interesting, plus seeing live people. I made 1 phone call for my COVID shot and got it 2 days later. I did have to drive 5 miles across town to the hospital, but the 2nd shot will be just across the interstate from my house. There are 3 quilting stores within a 2 mile or less radius of my house. And I have an appointment on Wednesday to get my driver’s license renewed. I really am fortunate.
    Sue, who wrote in the 2-3-21 blog about hip pain, please go back and read the comments. They might be worth a try.
    And when everybody is watching the Super Bowl tomorrow, for the opening, the first plane to fly over is a B-1B Lancer from our Ellsworth AFB located about 8 miles east of town. It will give you goose bumps. They are impressive.
    We are having a cold spell with below zero temps, but it will pass and we’ll be back in the banana belt.
    On Tuesday it was 55 and 6 of us Project Warmth ladies had lunch in the yard of the church in the next block! We were there 2 hours.
    In the meantime, be thankful for what we have. It could be a whole lot worse. Take care.
    Betty in Rapid City

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