Improv

Improv, Useful Remnants 2023

Yep, I've been experimenting again. My favorite combination of white with brightly colored remnants always makes a fun modern quilt.

This time I combined two dies to create large unequal nine-patch blocks. I mixed the skinny signature die with elements of the churn dash BOB die for a lattice-like block. It is also similar to the 1920/1930's linoleum block. I did all piecing with Laney, my Singer 301.

Quilting is simple straight stitch with white thread along seam lines, plus diagonal serpentine stitching across the signatures. Improv finished at 61” square, and features orange and white dotted backing/binding.

Puzzling out new ways to combine dies is a creative way to keep my brain active, and I am rarely bored. I could sew all day every day and never be finished.

Accuquilt dies used:
55356 Signature 4½” finished
55339 Churn Dash BOB 12” finished block
55017 Strip 2½”

Believe It Or Not...

I don't have a quilt to share this week!

It's not because I haven't been sewing...I have three quilts started and another ready to cut. They're just not finished.

Things keep getting in the way: yard work, spring cleaning, birthday celebration, appointments, delays, and odd little distractions.

At first it stressed me out, but life is too short to fret over self-imposed deadlines. So I've been going with the flow, taking care of essentials, and letting go of expectations. It's very freeing to change my routine and consider new options.

Maybe that's just what I needed. Perhaps the universe was trying to get me to slow down and pay attention.  Reflection and mindfulness turned out to be my birthday gift to myself.  See ya next week!

Gin Blossoms

I've been playing again. Some of my best ideas come when I'm cutting scraps or straightening up the sewing room. Today's project is one of them.

I like to mix elements from seemingly unrelated dies to form new blocks. Chalk that up to creative curiosity and a love of puzzles. I've never been afraid to change a pattern or design to suit me.

This medallion table mat combines three dies: kite, triangle in square and drunkard's path. I've seen a similar design somewhere before but of course I changed the layout. Shades of rusty red, salmon pink, and stone make a pleasing palette. After adding a 3” border and a chevron binding, Gin Blossoms final size is 23” square.

I free motion quilted with ecru thread using a medium wave ruler in rows 3” apart, then rotated and straight stitched across the curves.

Winter is a natural time to rest and recharge. I highly recommend letting go of expectations, responsibility, and self imposed restrictions. Play a little and see where it takes you.

Accuquilt dies used:
55254 Kite 4” finished
55409 Triangle in Square 4” finished
55739/55743 Drunkard's Path 4½” (trimmed to 4”)
55032 Strip 3½”
55017 Strip 2½” 

Fabricate

I've always been one to improvise. To change ingredients in a recipe, or mix styles in décor and clothing. It must be my curious nature to seek new ideas, to figure out how to make something. This quick project came from a blissful afternoon of experimenting.

I saw a similar table mat online, so looked through my dies to find shapes that might work. Of course, I used remnant pieces.  The side sections of Jackaroo Star fit together to form petals of a dresden plate block. I positioned the sewn quarters with a glue stick onto a 6” square, then stitched them down. After trimming off excess fabric and the points, I added a yellow piece (trimmed center piece from the Wheels die).

Once I put them together with sashing, quilting began. I echo stitched with cream thread, then used free motion ribbons around the gold. Fabricate is 18½” square.

I'm inspired by color, design, creativity, and nature. I love playing with fabric, making useful and beautiful items. If the results are pleasing to me, I'm not going to worry about what others expect or what's in style. It's my life, after all.

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6369 Jackaroo Star
6297 Wheels
Accuquilt
55006 6 Square
55017 Strip 2½”

But it's all right now

I learned my lesson well

You see, you can't please everyone

So you got to please yourself

~Rick Nelson

Tropical Breeze

Inspiration can come from just one small piece of fabric. This quilt wasn't planned, just a spur of the moment idea on a hot summer afternoon. 

I started with the large scale tropical print, cut into five 8” squares. Then I pulled fabrics of solid yellow and pink paisley to make four Windspinner blocks. Tiny coordinating stripes make a one inch border and binding, framing a 4” marbled aqua border. Tropical Breeze is 32” square.

Creativity continued with the quilting, done in bright yellow thread. I stitched in free motion on the windspinners, using curved lines to echo the fan blades. On the large tropical print, I stitched fairly densely around and inside the leaves and flowers, following the stems and blossoms. 

So much fun...like painting with thread. You can see the detail better on the light yellow back side.  The borders feature serpentine lines, quilted with Elvira ruler.  

I enjoyed this quickie project, especially playing with free motion techniques. I don't think I'll use the dense stitching on a large quilt, but you'll likely see it again on small ones. 

Never stop learning new things!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6289 Windspinner 8”
6015 Strips 1½”

Accuquilt
55058 Square 8”
55017 Strip 2 ½”
55032 Strip 3 ½”

What inspires you in this life

is what is meant for you.

~Julie Temple

Merry Trees

This small Christmas quilt is so cute! Diamond shapes and triangles are arranged to form rows of little trees.

I used Hattie's Choice Accuquilt die again to cut the red and green shapes, then added half square rectangles on each side. A bright border of red with green dots just sets it off. 

Backing is a holiday print of nested squares. Using green thread, I quilted in serpentine stitch horizontally and vertically.  Nice for a wall hanging or table mat, Merry Trees is 23” x 35” in size.

Accuquilt dies used:  

Hattie's Choice 55220

3 ½” x 6 ½” half rectangle triangle 55411 

I'm enjoying a simple, quiet Christmas season. No parties, no nonsense, no drama. We haven't wanted to shop (except a bit online), so we avoided the pressure to buy just for the sake of a sale. It's empowering to ignore others' expectations and satisfying to do what you like.

Remember, it's your Christmas,

so march to the beat

of your own little drummer boy

Milestones

After a relaxing week at the campground, I'm staring right at a significant occurrence in my life. Yep, my 65^th birthday is here; I have a Medicare card to prove it if you don't believe me.

I have officially reached that milestone. I am OLD. Senior. Elderly. Antique. Mature. Over the hill. Maybe even wiser. I have learned at least three things in this adventure called life:

1)  If it makes you happy, do it

2)  If it doesn't, then don't

3)  Go your own way

Turning 65 isn't so bad, really. I'm not yet senile, ancient, a doddering old crone, or ready for the nursing asylum. I have added a few extra pounds but they smooth out wrinkles and might give me a bit of a cushion if I fall down. My bones are occasionally creaky but isn't that what Aleve is for? I am still sassy, curious, and eager to learn new things.

There are nice perks to getting old. Senior shopping discounts save me a few bucks. I can eat early and get home in time for the news. Medicare costs less than my previous insurance. 

If the weather is bad, I can stay in and read. If it's pretty, I can play outside. I can sew all day if I choose to. I don't have to drive at rush hour or care what anybody thinks. I have plenty of time to enjoy my home and the world around me.

So what if I'm 65? It's just another milestone. Senior life is good. I've quit saying someday; instead I'm asking what about now? I'm looking forward to many more years of following my own path.

Now that I'm old,

I don't want people thinking

“What a sweet little old lady”

I want them saying

“Oh crap, what's she up to now?”

Shattered Chambray

Shattered Chambray

I love this soft blue quilt! I finished it last month as a gift for my husband. Broken dishes blocks in chambray and blue prints are laid out in diagonal rows and bordered with chambray.

Backing was cut from an upcycled 100% cotton sheet that I found at Goodwill for 99 cents (no stains or rips, perfect condition). I used blue thread in a serpentine stitch across the blocks in both directions. At 56” square, this one is just right for a nap in the recliner.

I read a lot when I'm not sewing. Recently I finished How To Stop Time, by Matt Haig. This quote from that novel seems appropriate to consider for the new year.

“You have to choose to live. Everything is going to be all right. Or, if not, everything is going to be, so let's not worry.”

Here's to a year of optimism, of choosing to live life as it comes.

Maple Syrup

I've been waiting to share this quilt until it felt more like fall. I mixed several dies to create four leaf blocks in rich autumn colors. 

Sashing is a coordinating vine print; backing and binding are a yellow and brown scalloped stripe. I quilted in straight lines with a creamy yellow thread. 

Maple Syrup is 27” square and could be used as a table mat or wall décor. It's hanging in my dining room now.

Autumn is a wonderful time of year. The crisp air is invigorating but relaxing. Brilliant leaves, cooler temperatures, hoodies, boots, camping, and fall festivals are my favorites. For the record, the pumpkin spice flavor craze in hundreds of foods and beverages is not for me. I love pumpkins as decorations but I can't stand the taste.

This year I plan to embrace the glory of fall by slowing down, taking it all in, and enjoying every moment. My life, my decisions, my journey.

autumn
shows us
how beautiful
it is to
let things go

Follow Your Path

I've been thinking. Yeah, I know that's dangerous. It usually means something is about to change. Around here that could be anything from moving furniture to planning an adventure.

My thoughts are that there should be an easy rhythm to daily life. When everything is going smoothly, you feel in sync with your surroundings. There's a sense of peace, joy, accomplishment, and satisfaction with yourself. That comfort level isn't easy to maintain, however, because circumstances have a knack for changing just when you think you're on the perfect path.

Managing change is crucial to keeping that balance. Change is how you learn. You have to decide whether to get back on track or head off in another direction. It's important to set your own itinerary. Try to filter out what really doesn't matter, what can wait for another day.

Structure your life to fit your expectations, not those of others. Fill your time with the things, people, and activities that make you smile.  Remember, it's your path.

“From anywhere you are, there is a path that will lead you to where you want to be.”  – Ralph Marston

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.

Catching Up

On Friday, we came home from camping, and are still catching up. I'm thankful that we left before the holiday because Dale Hollow Dam Campground was beginning to fill with barking dogs, screeching kids, and rowdy people. 

I like it much better when it is a quiet shady retreat populated with old folks like us. We're done for the summer; happily abandoning campgrounds so that families with kids can enjoy them.

Obey River: Dale Hollow Dam Campground

Our weekend was spent doing laundry, yard work, and unloading the Sabre. It's nice to settle into our regular routine, although I do enjoy taking a break now and then for impromptu adventures. 

Some much needed quilting time is ahead for me, beginning today. My backlog of projects has grown since I sewed more blocks and designed five new quilts on this trip.

Whether you're catching up, taking a break, or staying with your routines, have a meaningful Memorial Day!

What You See

Something to think about...

Waiting...

It seems like we wait a lot in this life, which can be very frustrating. We can’t rush waiting and we can’t wait any faster. We can only wait.

We wait for phone calls, wait on hold, wait for decisions, and wait for information.

We wait in traffic, in checkout lines, and in waiting rooms.

We wait for people to come or to go. We wait for them to be responsible and we wait for them to fail. We wait for them to DO something.

We wait for things to happen, for the weather to change, for an opportunity, for time to pass, and for that big moment.

Buddhists believe that waiting and doing are equal and essential parts of living. Maybe the key is how you manage the two to create balance.

"...but if we wait until we're ready we'll be waiting for the rest of our lives.  Let's go.”  ~Lemony Snicket

Sometimes, no matter how much you want for things to happen, all you can do is wait. And usually, waiting is the hardest part.

I've Learned...

that you should be very careful who you trust. Not everyone who smiles at you is your friend.

The way people leave tells you everything about their character.

Honesty is much better than sugar-coated bullshit.

People lie because telling the truth takes courage, and liars are cowards looking for the easy way out.

When customers are treated badly, they will eventually take their business where they receive courtesy, honesty, and respect.

On a positive note, while the world seems full of fake people, thankfully there are still some genuine, caring ones around. Kick the fake liars out of your life, so there's more room for nice folks.

And, finally, I've got to stop asking these three questions:

     “How stupid can they be?”

     “Who would do THAT?”

     “What's wrong with people?”

Some idiots are actually taking them as a challenge.

-----------

“Never do anything that you can't admit doing, 

because if you are that ashamed of whatever it is, 

it's probably wrong.” --Ashly Lorenzana

Independence

What a concept.

Independence means freedom from control, influence, support, aid, or interference of others.

In other words, standing on our own two feet and being proud to do so.

This includes not expecting handouts from the government, our parents, or our grandparents. Independence isn't easy, nor is it guaranteed. The world doesn't owe us anything: not a place to live, an inheritance, a job, or an education.

Too many people think they deserve to have everything provided, so they feel disrespected or offended if things don't go as they wish. They just don't get that we have to actively pursue and earn our independence.

Independence is being responsible for ourselves: learning, working, bringing home a paycheck, using these funds to pay bills—on time, and putting some aside for the future. It's planning, making decisions, using common sense, enjoying life, and finding our way on our own.

I believe that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. I'm proud that our forefathers fought for our freedom and our right to pursue happiness and independence.

“Freedom cannot be bestowed — 

it must be achieved.”

Elbert Hubbard

Adjust Your Sails

Life isn't always a smooth ride. There are bumps, wrong turns, and detours along the way. Oh, life's journey isn't meant to be perfect. Some unexpected experiences bring amazing joy; others cause significant frustration. Everything that happens to you is an opportunity to learn and grow.

I believe Albert Einstein said that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. On the other hand, plunging ahead into the unknown might not be the best alternative.

Sometimes it's best to stop and assess your position. Ask yourself where you want to go from here. Which direction is best for you? What do you want to do along the way?

Check your compass. Adjust your sails. Follow your own path.

I am the master of my fate.

I am the captain of my soul.

~William Ernest Henley

Don't adjust your sails

for people

who aren't riding with you.

~Tony Gaskins

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?

Expectations

We all have expectations; whether they're high or low depends mainly on our current situation. Sometimes they give us a false sense of security. Other times we are pleasantly surprised when the outcome is better than we thought.

As we wait for the groundhog to appear tomorrow, enjoy a few of my favorite quotes on this interesting subject.

Coffee has given me unrealistic expectations of productivity.

This is not a bakery. I don't sugar coat anything. If you ask for my opinion, that's what you will get. Don't get mad when it's not what you want to hear.

People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point.  The glass is refillable.

It is a mistake to set high expectations for people who have already let you down.

Too many people miss the silver lining because they are expecting gold.

I wonder if my expectations are too high, or if I am just expecting things from the wrong people.

Follow the trail of your dreams, not the highway of others' expectations.

Lessons Learned and Things Remembered

It's been an interesting year. As I reflect on 2015, these thoughts come to mind.

The only person that you can really change is yourself.

Things don't always turn out like you planned, or the way you think they should, but they mostly turn out like they are supposed to.

When you focus on what you want, everything else falls into place.

There's a lot of beauty and joy in ordinary things.

Some fools aren't worth the breath needed to cuss them out.

There are people out there who pretend to be nice, honest and compassionate, but ultimately their words and actions prove otherwise.

Surround yourself with the things you love; discard the rest.

It's ok to say no to unnecessary crazy.

Choosing to be happy is good for your health.

Life is better when you're laughing.

In the end, only three things matter:

how much you loved,

how gently you lived, and

how gracefully you let go

of things not meant for you.

--Buddha