It's beginning to look....

I wonder how many of you heard the resounding "HOORAY, I'm DONE!!!!" last week when I finished the December calendar quilt.  I am pleased with these quilts, and will enjoy them for years to come, but I will not miss the monthly deadline I set for myself for all of the past year to get them all finished each month.


I changed the December one a bit.  I've never really been a red and green person for my own holiday decorations.  I prefer blue, and snowflakes.
I found this great piece of blue in my stash, and then remembered the gold star buttons!  It's quilted with  a silver metallic silk thread.  Lots of holiday sparkle!











So then I started looking around the studio, at the mess mostly.  There sat a Christmas quilt top I had hoped to have finished last year.  It's a Scrap Therapy pattern. I made this top when I taught this pattern as a class several years ago.  I doubt it will be finished before this Christmas passes.  I don't have an incentive to get it done since I don't know who I'd give it to anyway.













There were quite a few leftovers from this top, so I laid them all out and decided they look pretty good all by themselves.  I'm not sure what it's for, but it might look nice under the plants for the holidays!The read around it is the backing, but the binding will be that color.

There were a six blocks leftover, and I thought they'd make a cute baby block. I wish I knew a baby who might like it.

These pretty boys are my most recent batch of foster kittens.  They went to the shelter the day before Thanksgiving, so they would be there for "Black Cat Friday"  Two of them have found forever homes already!  I spent some time at the shelter this week to help out.  So much love just waiting for someone to give it a good home.











It's a hard season to be green, frankly.  So many holiday parties where the hostess just isn't able or willing to provide reusable tableware for her guests, or the office party caterer uses disposables.  Not to mention the blatant consumerism- where we are all somewhat compelled to buy things we just don't need.
So make one small change for the planet if you can.  Reuse some gift wrap, or use the Sunday funnies!  Cut down on the number of lights you hang outside.  The world only needs one Griswold Family!  :-)  Instead of cheap bows, add a gift to the outside of your package with fun shoelaces, hair accessories, dried flowers, a necktie...
Or just bring your own plate to the office party!  There is no act too small when it comes to saving the planet we inhabit!
There are a few more ideas to be found, if you wish to look here, or here. 

I am grateful for:
Thanksgiving- my favorite holiday!
Hot turkey sandwiches.  (not the only reason I live Thanksgiving)
Sewing days.
The dedicated folks at the animal shelter (some are there 5 or 6 days a week)
Running out of color ink on the last page of pictures I needed to print.

Moving outside for the season!

 This is my front porch- my outdoor living room in the summer.  The only time it's not  wonderful out there is late in the afternoon when the sun is shining directly in your eyes.  That's usually the time I'm cooking anyway.

 This is along the walkway to my back door and the deck.  I need more old shoes if you have some.  :-)

 Look who I found near the perennial bed out back!  If she hadn't set up a ruckus when I walked by, I'd have missed it.

 I couldn't see how many eggs without sticking the camera back in there.

 Even Mr Bunny is happy to be outside enjoying the fresh air!

 Meanwhile, here's what I've been working on in the studio- which is a complete mess these days.

Pieces for the May calendar quilt.  I cut back the number of ants.

 A scrappy donation quilt.  I love this pattern, Romantic Rosy by Kaffe Fassett in his book Quilt Road.  The nine patches use  scrap therapy size squares!!!

 At the ArtCGirlz meeting last week, Sarah Terry showed us some beading techniques. 

I've been practicing feathers, inspired by the book "Dream Feathers", on this scrap quilt- also intended for donation.










Thinking Green this time takes me to the garden. Often when I'm working out there, I find worms and larva and other yucky looking creatures- like the little green worms who ate all the leaves off my Columbine a few years back.  Before I spray them with pesticide, I try to find out what kind of creature they are.  That pesky little green worm might become a rare butterfly if you don't kill it.  So take a few minutes to learn about the creatures you share the world with before you exterminate them!

I am grateful for:
Magnets and arnica
the chance to help a friend in need
sharing a private joke with a friend
gentle breezes and warm sunshine
Tiny newborn kittens

Time to Play!

Last week, I decided to push all the "have to dos" off the sewing table and play! I had been wanting to try out the techniques in Kathy Schmidt's book, _Rule Breaking Quilts_. It's a bit like the "liberated" method I tried last spring, which was a lot of fun. So, using the first pattern in the book, which I believe was called "Jaywalking", I pieced this collection of stuff to play with.












After "weegeeing"(Jane Sassaman's word) it around a bit, I decided to make a couple of changes, and add some other stuff.

I had sort of decided what shape I wanted it to be and this looked like enough to get me started. Using only the same fabrics I had cut up for my pieced sections, I started filling in the blanks. I have learned that I stink at figuring out how big things need to be to fit other things. You'd thing it was basic quiltmaking. But for some reason, I kept coming up short! From now on I plan to make them big and just cut them down if at all possible!







Anyway, this process is a blast and I am pleased with the top. Now "all I need to do" is figure out how to quilt it!

The fabric with the circular pattern, which was almost too hard to cut, and the blue were gifts from a friend. She said I should make something fun with it.














I also put the scrap sack I had partially assembled as a teaching sample together. I had fun with the quilting as well as laying out the blocks on this one.
The pocket is on the front of the bag.



All this needs is a proper home. ( I bet you wish you were on my Christmas list!)














I am grateful for:
The great luxury of being able to work part time.
The friends who challenge me to try new things.
Cream of Broccoli soup.
Family dinners.
Cozy cold weather clothes.

The Best Laid Plans

Well, SHOOT! I had planned a nice long post full of pictures, telling the evolution in my quilting life during the three years it has taken me to get this piece to a point I can call "finished". ( I may be adding some borders to it, so I'm not sure it really is finished) However, I cannot locate the pictures I took during the design phase of the project. So that will be a story for another day, I guess.
I call this piece "Princess Argiope". It was inspired by Jane Sassaman, a real spider called argiope aurentia, and a book, called "Exotic Alphabets and Ornament," by William Rowe. (One of those wonderful Dover publications!!!)
I apologize to those of you who get the willies from spiders. That is part of the story I can tell without the pictures. I was the little girl who ran from a room yelling spider and then refused to return until I knew the thing was dead. My Grampa probably tried to get me to realize they were actually "Nice", but I wasn't having it until I became a mom. I was not going to teach my boys to be afraid of "spiders and snakes" so together we read about and watched spiders and I learned to appreciate them. The spider who inspired this piece lived in one of my flower beds in the summer of 2006.
I have let this project sit for great lengths of time while I debated how to do things and learned new skills to be able to do what I wanted to with it. It has pushed me to become a better quilter and hopefully a better artist! I am happy to have something to show for my time, even if I do feel that I'd like to start all over and do it right now that I know how!
The other project I'm showing this week is called the Posey Tote, by This and That designs. I used Scrap Therapy squares to make the bag, and fabric from my stash for the handles and lining! (A fellow Guild member calls that free project!)
Scrap Therapy itself is undergoing some changes, so I have been finally doing some of the other things I had found that work with all those squares I have cut up.





We're supposed to have snow tomorrow, so I'm guessing I'll be able to sew this weekend, too!

I am grateful for:
The mockingbirds still singing in my back yard.
Layers!
Cookies fresh from the oven.
An extra hour of sleep this weekend.
A sunrise that is so fabulous you have to stop for a minute to appreciate it!

Getting back in the groove!!!

So, where was I when I last wrote? I think on the 6th round of my block from the class, right? I'm happy to report I finished that block. I may even have been getting better at this technique by the end. Now I only have to make 3 more of these to complete the project. (there are 121 pieces in each block)

As shown on the website, the completed piece has different colors in the center of the design.



I liked that, so I chose some interesting stuff to go in that spot. I got the block done and looked at it in my mirrors to see a preview of the quilt.















HMMMM, maybe I'd like it better with all the same fabrics as shown on the pattern cover? I turned the mirrors and decided I did like that better. So I took off those last two pieces and replaced them.



I'd place links here, but everything at the website has the same link. For the class project, look for "Twirling Logs" on the George's classes page. For the pattern, look for "Cosmos" on the patterns page.






Meanwhile, I still have to get things ready for the scrap quilt classes I'll be teaching after the first of the year. (Did I mention we'll be doing our own thing, in addition to continuing to carry the Scrap Therapy patterns?)

This is the first one I have adapted to the squares I already have cut. I saw this quilt at the "In the Beginning" fabric website and thought it would be perfect for my squares! Now that it's pieced I'm not so sure I love the black squares with my fabrics. I think it will be named "Candy Kisses". (anyone have a better suggestion?)
Notice all the pincushions made by the "pocket people"! Aren't they wonderful?







We have at least one more football game to attend before Jake's season is over. Then I look forward to long sewing weekends every week for a while. Maybe, just maybe I'll be able to finish the things on my 2010 UFO list before 2011 arrives????

I am grateful for:
Getting things done.
A bonus warm day with the windows open in the house.
80's music (it's silly, but I love it).
Playing with my fabric, even when I don't love the result.
An unscheduled week.

Getting back to "normal"

First, I have to clarify- there is no such thing as normal in life. I am like one of those donkeys from the old days- walking a circle day in and day out at the mill, then they set me in the pasture and I still walk in a circle. I'm comfortable doing it, so why change? In other words, I'm happy in a rut. This year, I haven't had a chance to create one. Doesn't look like I'm going to, either. (sigh)





The quilt pictured here was made using this picture Kathi took at my birthday party last month. MaryLee took the picture and turned it into this quilt as a birthday gift! She made one for herself, too- but I had to choose which one to keep!!They are titled BFF


So- I made it back to Guild last week, where we had a fabulous trunk show by Ina Randall, of Amherst (I think?). She has been quilting for a shorter time than I have, but she has truly found her niche! here are a couple of my favorites from her collection.
I did a "convergence" quilt, but didn't recognize this as the same pattern! The other one was made from a pillow from India!














I actually got to sew this week. I'm working on samples for the "Triple Dip" class coming up in a couple of weeks at mt Pleasant. I'm having fun playing with color placement so the students can see their quilt doesn't have to look like mine!



















I've also been knitting some leaves, since I finished the second pair of socks from my vacation. They will go on a little linen jacket I have that needs something. I'm getting better at them, but it still took me two evenings to get the aspen leaf done! They need to be blocked so the maple leaves will uncurl, although that makes the look a bit more real, doesn't it?






Ok, time for a test. WHAT IS THIS????? Seriously- what do you see? I made this pincushion for a swap- using a picture I saw and adapted for my felted wool sweaters. It didn't come out as planned, so I'll be re-purposing this wool. But I thought I'd show it and see what you think it is?
(hint- It's something you see a lot of in a sewing room)





I am grateful for:
Some MUCH cooler weather!
Football (even if it's only the Bills)
My hip has ached less the last week or so
People who "get it."
Me time.

Getting things DONE!

First, here at last is the "Mother's Day gift' from my son. Some excavation in the field next to us had revealed these lovely great rocks, which I know the farmer did not want in his field. So I pondered contacting him to have them brought to my yard. But I hadn't gotten around to it. Lucas asked his friend with a front end loader to do it. I wish I had grabbed the camera when they were doing it, since the rock was nearly as big as the loader. In a perfect world, the rocks would have been the centerpiece of the big bed. But it would have required a lot more digging up and transplanting than I could do with the half an hour's notice I had. So they are on a corner near the perennial bed instead. I'll be planting some ground covers in front of them and will place the extra perennials around them when I thin.
Last Sunday was my 29th wedding anniversary. I am most fortunate to have found a man who loves me enough to put up with me all these years. He thinks he's the lucky one. I'll never know why. Anyway, he took me to a place called "the Red Garter" in Salamanca, NY. We had to be in the area that day for a family event. The restaurant sits way up on a hill overlooking the Allegany River Valley. I imagine the view in the fall is spectacular.




And now, the Finished Objects!!!!
The green and brown one is called "Grasshopper Pie with Butterfly Garnish". This is an original design using Scrap Therapy squares. I will be sharing the pattern for it with students in my summer classes at Mt Pleasant. I had a lot of fun machine quilting this one. I couldn't decide what design to use, so I used a bunch of different ones. I like the way it came out and am actually looking forward to the next piece I plan to machine quilt!






The blue one is a Scrap Therapy pattern, called Stargazing. It is a sample for the shop, but not yet on the class schedule. I used a plain border rather than piecing as shown. I have included a close up picture of the quilting, since I also had a good time with this one. I may go back and put the vine in the plain sections between the stars. I did a fun chain of square spirals in the outer border. I'll have to do that one again where it might show up. Thanks again to Leah Day for sharing of her talents, and giving me the confidence to try all this quilting!






















I am grateful for:
The weather cooperating now that planting season has arrived.
Time to spend indulging my creativity
My husband's patience and love
Chocolate chip cookies
Time with my son this week

Dark Brown Days

It hasn't been a good week for me. Nothing major. Just all the small stuff that guy told us not to sweat. (I say he got it backwards, by the way- Life is ALL about the small stuff!)
I am taking small victories where I can, though. I managed to get my blocks done for a flower block swap. I'm not actually in the swap, but a friend of mine had to drop out, so I made blocks in her stead. She will still get to play with the ones everyone else made- and hopefully that will cheer her up a bit.



I got the binding on the shop sample for one of my summer Scrap Therapy classes. This one is called "Fly Away". Remember the fabric I was painting with "shiva" paintstiks way back when? I used some of it in this project. I'm not really sure I think the paint adds that much to the overall beauty of the quilt. It's such a large block that almost any fabric would make a statement in those big patches. I was thinking the next one might even need a fabulous Kaffe Fassett print!




I also did another "Iron Quilter" project with my online friends. This time the theme was "Visions of Spring" You had to use earthy colors for a background and then add a picture of something yuou have seen- or wish to see- this spring. It had to include at least one "found object"- something that would otherwise have gone in the trash. My piece is called "Plastic bags Blow" and was based on the field across the street from a store parking lot I saw recently. It includes a real plastic shopping bag and some thread trash- the ends of yardage washed in the machine.











I'm making slow progress in the gardens. Yesterday I worked on cleaning out around my cactus. These came from Wyoming and, although they look pretty sad right now, they will blossom soon and are one of my favorites! Weeding around them is a challenge, though. I found a wonderful tool at the sporting goods store. This is for pulling the hooks out of large fish!







While I was working, I was able to watch these Tree Swallows swoop and soar. Then they'd sit on this house for a while and chatter at eachother- or me, I wasn't sure! They are one of my favorite seasonal birds. Watching them chase bugs on a summer evening is just fascinating!















I am also enjoying the indoor "gardens". Most of my flower seeds have sprouted, so I am envisioning loads of blossoms very soon- well, by July anyway. And the cactus in the house are getting in on the season sending out blossoms with merry abandon. I'm not sure the species of this one. The "Silver Torch" is just beginning to bud. That one is an odd blossom, so I'll get a couple of pictures to share.











I am grateful for:
Friends who will get silly with me!
A patient husband, who really does try to understand my moods.
Chocolate and wine!
I have a job, and it is really not a bad one when I am honest with myself.
Fresh air, sunshine and time to read on the porch.

Have- to-do's

I have two lists tacked up on the wall in my "studio". (it's also the guest room) One of them is projects I have seen and have decided I would love to make. That list is titled "for me". The other list has the projects I am more or less obligated to do. Things like the Scrap Therapy samples for the quilt shop, a baby quilt for my niece who is due in two weeks, and even some of the projects I started for fun, which have now become odious chores.
This week is filled with obligations, and next week isn't going to be much better. Warning: Be careful of volunteering lest they change the rules on you midstream. (just ask Elaine!) For the next two days I'll be doing demos at the quilt shop during the winter thaw sale. Ironically, the thaw ended Monday and today is rather blizzard-like. Monday we are setting up the display of Challenge quilts at the library, then Wednesday is the judging. So Superbowl Sunday might just be my next free day. (I'll be wearing black and gold)

So, when I finished the "In the Pocket" bag- made with the fabric I stenciled a couple of weeks ago- I decided to reward myself by allowing myself to play a bit. I took the piece I started in the class with Jane Sassaman last spring off the design wall and have been working on that. Another couple good days and I'll have it finished! So hopefully a photo soon. It was a pure delight being able to work on a project purely for the joy of doing it for a change. When I am stuck, I refer to Jane's book for inspiration. For me WWJD means something else entirely!



I did enjoy working with my beads last week as well- in spite of the fact that I dumped some of them and will be cleaning them out of the nooks and crannies for the next six months! The pin I always wear on my hat broke, so I had to make a new one. While I was at it, I made a couple of extras. Never make one of something, you know.



I am grateful for:
The gift of time when I can find it
A job, even is getting here this week hasn't been easy
The silly emails my friends share with me
A good night's sleep

Try it, you might like it

Last weekend was filled with things that are different from what I usually do. Not necessarily new but things I more or less had to do in a different way than I am accustomed to.
First, my son discovered some time ago that his suit pants had moth holes in them. He hadn't worn the suit in a while, and I didn't know it wasn't in the closet with the rest of the woolens. So it had two tiny holes in the back of one leg. Just big enough that you could see there were holes. Poor kid. So, it's Mom can you fix these? I have patched many pairs of blue jeans and elbows of flannel shirts. Those are easy! But you can't zigzag a patch on suit pants. My Grandmother knew how to do reweaving. How is it she never taught me this ancient lost technique???? I did find a guy who does it, but a new pair of pants would be cheaper! So, not one to give up easily, I decided to give it a shot. Having never seen it done, I could only guess, and sat there staring at the patch and the hole for a very long time before deciding I had no idea how to accomplish it. So I decided to try the next best thing; something in my quilting skill set: reverse applique. It had to be done with the raw edges, though as a turn under would show, right? So I found thread that matched pretty well, basted the patch inside the pant leg and went about weaving the new thread into the good fabric and sort of over the hole. It will pass most inspections, I think.

The next thing was stenciling on fabric. I did this once, and didn't particularly care for it, to be honest. It was not my idea to do it now, either. I am a "Scrap Therapist"- I teach classes in the Scrap Therapy series at Mt Pleasant Quilting Company The next project in the series is one that allows you to make a custom background fabric before you start using Shiva paintstiks!
At first I thought why do I need to do this when there are so many wonderful fabrics in the world? But once I got the fabric painted, I really liked it and can't wait to see how the project looks when I am finished- hopefully this weekend.
This depends on me being able to find the tool to apply grommets. That guy got it completely backwards when he said "don't sweat the small stuff" It's the small stuff that gets to me!!!

The online quilting community has a goal this year to finish things and use up our stashes. Toward that end, I have unearthed an old BOM I purchased in kit form several years ago. I don't know why I did it. I never buy kits because I like to choose my own fabrics. But there they are- a year's worth of wall hangings for every occasion, just waiting for me to open the bags and put them together. I opened the first one and found these fabrics. Not me at all, but some aren't bad. Pull out the yucky ones, and add some of the stuff in my scrap bins....
Ahh, much better! Now maybe I can find the enthusiasm to make this one! (if only I can find the time!)
OK, somebody needs to explain to me how to get the damned pictures where I want them. ( This is why it used to take me so long to update the Guild's blog)