Mixed Nuts

I went on a cutting spree several weeks ago with my hexagon die set and a big pile of scraps. This colorful quilt is the final result.

The brighter the better, I say. I used a cream and beige swirl print for the hexagons and equilateral triangles making up the background. No real planning for color placement, other than trying not to get the same prints too close together as I slapped them up on the wall.

Quilting was done with medium beige thread in a straight stitch, criss-crossing the quilt along the design lines using a ruler to keep everything neat. Mixed Nuts finished out at 49” x 53” in size, good for snuggling.

Sewing is my stress relieving relaxation activity. We're still doing home improvements and I miss not being at the sewing machine every day. Although I've found that other power tools can be just as satisfying to use when all goes right. Drills, staple guns, hammers, mini chain saws, jig saws, and sanders have been in action here.

My man and I make a great team. No matter what project we're working on, there's a nice sense of accomplishment when we get things done.

Blue Wren dies used:

6808 Hexagon Set 3” sides

6566 Equilateral Triangles 6” sides

Flying Circus

 

Color. Stars. Action. 

This quilt has it all.  It started with two 5” charm packs of Tula Pink prints and solids that I bought last year. I've pulled them out several times but never found the right project.

This time, I hit on the perfect design and layout to showcase these bright dots and stripes. Depending on how you look at it, either the navy stars or the bright squares appear to float over the gray background. And sometimes I see the stars as latticework behind the squares. This one's open to interpretation.

Flying Circus is 45” x 52” size. I cut gray print rectangles and added small navy triangles to each corner to form the star sashing. I don't have a narrow signature die that size, so lots of trimming was involved but it was so worth the time. I always try to use what I have to make what's needed.

And it's cat approved.  During quilting I stepped away from the machine for a moment.  Callie likes to take my chair or the quilt I'm working on for her nap.  

Using gray thread, I quilted ¼” away from each side of the sashing. I didn't quilt inside the squares in order to feature those fabrics. Backing is a navy and gray tiny print with a solid border of navy added along one side for width.

Accuquilt dies used:
55059 2 ½” squares
55159 2 ½”x 4 ½” finished rectangle
55769 1 ⅛” finished half square triangle
55017 2 ½” strip (binding)
and if you don't have precut charm squares
55010 5” square

Sometimes

all you need

is a

SPLASH of COLOR

Fresh Start

The soft shades of this quilt are fresh and relaxing.  I found peach, pale green and aqua fabric in my stash that matched the diamond print to create four 18” quatrefoil blocks.

Using larger pieces makes for quick work.  I quilted using peach thread in a decorative stitch along seam lines. Backing and binding are the same peach print. Fresh Start is 37” square.

Accuquilt dies used:
55000 square 6 ½”
55005 rectangle 3 ½” x 6 ½”
55006 square 3 ½”
55456 flying geese 3 ½” x 6 ½”

Side note: During this COVID pandemic, I have had an opportunity to reflect, evaluate, and make positive changes in my daily life. I don't mind staying at home; I like a simple life. I enjoy the peace and quiet of my cozy house. It's ironic that I don't really like grocery shopping, yet that's one of the few places I've been since March. I do miss eating out, especially breakfast omelets and catfish.

I wear a mask when I venture out for supplies – for my own health as well as those around me. Apparently most people that I see do not, so I'll choose to stay in a while longer since cases and deaths are still rising.

I don't like negativity. I turn off the news and avoid the endless sensationalized blather about the virus, politics, and other inflammatory topics. A lot of things are happening that I don't think are right or even make sense. If something or someone offends me, I will not watch, listen, or support their efforts. I've got better things to do.

Do what you can, 

with what you have, 

where you are. 

Theodore Roosevelt 

Windswept

Have you ever had fabric beg to be used? Those leftover pieces from last week's quilt did just that. It kept telling me that all I had to do was cut some squares and center sections in white and I had a new quilt. Well, maybe it was just voices in my head, but I couldn't resist.

I used two Crossed Canoe sections and two 5” squares in each block. I tried several arrangements and settled on diagonal bands of color. Backing and binding is a tiny lattice print in pale lavender. I quilted with white thread in straight stitch rows 1 ½” apart.

The old fashioned prints work well with the modern tone on tone white print. Windswept is a sweet snuggle quilt, 45” square finished size.  The best part is that it only took 3 days to finish since I already had most pieces cut.  A bonus quilt!

Accuquilt dies used: Crossed Canoes BOB 55181 and 5” square 55010

Always listen

to your inner voice

💬

The world is giving you

answers every day.

Learn to listen.

Domino Effect

I have a new layout for my creative space. It started with 
buying myself a new quilting tool. I wanted to use it right away but because it requires a bit more room around my sewing machine, I needed to clear off and rearrange my tables. Normally I'd shove stuff around, stack things in corners, and get busy quilting. I resisted the urge.

Instead, I took a day to evaluate my space and figure out the most efficient placement for everything. First, I took out all non-sewing objects that had found their way into my room. (Not sure how that happens, probably brought in by gremlins.) I shifted the tables around on paper first before actually moving them. I tried one setup, actually sewed a few pieces, but that seemed cramped. This roughly 12 x 11 room can fill up quickly!

After settling on a final layout, I reworked drawer and bin storage with similar items together, close to where they are used. That led to a lot of consolidating and eliminating. I tossed old magazines, untangled power cords, moved a pegboard to the end of my cutting table, dusted, and swept.

I decided I like fewer things sitting out on my tables. It looks spacious, neater and I don't have to move stuff out of the way to work. I borrowed a plastic drawer unit from a closet and tucked it under the cutting table to store projects in progress. The desk area does double duty, for either my laptop or another sewing machine.

I'm pleased with everything I've done so far. I have more to do: the closet shelves and the white cabinets need attention, plus I'm considering different under the table cabinets to replace the plastic ones.

Next time I'll tell you about my lovely new quilting frame, which caused the domino effect and led to a two-day reorganization of my space. It was definitely worth the effort. I'm inspired to create!

Unfinished Tasks

I am taking today off. 

I need a day to reboot, to tackle some of my unfinished tasks around the house and in the sewing room.

Though I'm usually fairly organized, I have gotten off track and it makes me feel unsettled. I can't think straight until I get a few things completed.

Know When To Fold 'Em

This is a late blog post because yesterday we broke camp and headed home from what was supposed to be a two week relaxing escape. Six months ago we made reservations at Dale Hollow Dam Campground. We envisioned bright fall days and crisp nights sitting around the campsite with nice breezes blowing through open windows. That didn't happen.

Our trip started great, an easy pull and smooth setup in our favorite site. We kept getting a whiff of something, maybe an RV needed to go dump or the wind was coming from the dumpster area. Nope. By the next day we realized that it was coming from the river, every time they let lake water through the sluice gates. Rotten sewer smell, enough to make you nauseated. Whatever was in that lake bed was extremely nasty. Be very glad photos don't convey scent.

So, windows closed, air conditioner on. OK, we can deal with that for a day or two, surely it won't last long. And it was ok at night, except for mosquitoes. But then rain came, making it hot and muggy and stinky. We explored around Celina, ate exceptional Mexican food at Los Primos, shopped the Roller Coaster yard sale. Campground was nearly full because it was fall break for several surrounding counties. Kids, dogs, noise.

We kept thinking it would cool off and that smell would go away. It didn't. Then yesterday morning, the power went off for several hours. Now it was hot and smelly and no AC. Enough already. No peaceful fall days, no crisp nights, can't sit outside, might as well go on home. Life's too short to waste time being miserable. At least we got a refund for the rest of the week. And Callie cat was happy to be sprung from the cat spa at Critter Clinic.

You've got to know when to hold 'em

Know when to fold 'em

Know when to walk away

Know when to run.

The Gambler, Kenny Rogers/Don Schlitz

Recipe for 2017

A toast to the new year!

Leap Day!

I'm taking today as a bonus. The sun is shining and it's warm outside. I'm going to accomplish just three things on this extra day.

What three things? 

1) something fun; 

2) something I've put off; and 

3) something kind.

After that, my day is free. I'll go with the flow and see what happens. No expectations, no plans. Maybe I'll flip a coin or roll the dice (like Sheldon) to make decisions. Or just follow my thoughts wherever they lead. 

This beautiful day might give me insight, help me relax, or allow me new experiences.  Leaping out sounds like fun, don't you think?

Sewing...and More

Lately I've been spending my spare time doing what I love...sewing! After my last project, I freshened up my work space, put away scrap pieces, cleaned the machine and changed needles. Beginning a new project in an organized space helps me engage more creative brain cells. Several more designs are already awaiting my attention. I'm looking forward to a retreat to my own sewing room several times a week. It may be cheaper than therapy.

Once I finished in the sewing room, I focused my efforts on the kitchen pantry. New shelf liner and a couple of graduated racks for canned goods make it look nicer. Labels keep things organized and easy to find. Soon, I'll work my way through the rest of the cabinets—laundry room, bathrooms, hall closet, office—to sort and purge.

What's the upside to all this organizing? I'll have more time to spend living life, doing what I enjoy!

Useful Notion: Being organized isn't about getting rid of everything you own or trying to become a different person; it's about living the way you want to live, but better. ~Andrew Mellen

Practicing Patience

patience [pey-shuh ns]

• the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like
• an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay
• calmness, stability, and persistent courage in trying circumstances

After sixty-one years, you'd think I'd be pretty good at being patient, but apparently I need more practice. I want to focus on the without complaint, loss of temper part. 

Maybe yoga, meditation, or some kind of diversion would help. 

There's always a big glass of wine or a margarita.  Yeah, I'll take that. 

“Sometimes the fastest way

isn't always the best way.

Sometimes the best things in life

take a while.”

--Emily Beth

Patience is a virtue,

except when I'm the one

who has to put up with 

unnecessary crap.

--Unknown

Communication Breakdown

The world would be a better place if all of us could improve our communication skills. It's not really that difficult: just say what you mean and mean what you say. Simply and tactfully, of course. Then, listen.

Communication shouldn't be a one-sided activity. The goal should be to share information and convey ideas. Assuming that “everyone knows” something or dropping vague hints instead of directly addressing an issue only causes confusion.

Lack of communication can cause simple situations to explode into major difficulties. In this information age, we have more ways than ever to talk, text, and get in touch with others. So let's do that!

I hope these quotes make you laugh and inspire you to consider how you interact with others.

“If you expect me to read your mind,

you're going to have to think more clearly.”

--Spuds Crawford

“The single biggest problem in communication

is the illusion that it has taken place.”

--George Bernard Shaw

“I sort of kind of said something

a little like that but maybe not

clearly enough to sound like that...

But it's what I meant.”

--Mary Eva Swatek

A Day Off

I'm taking the day off 
to conduct some 
important business.  

See you next week!