Cut And Try Sampler

Cut And Try Sampler, 2023

Today's quilt is a combination of sample and experimental blocks, in purple, aqua, white and gray prints.  

Whenever I buy a new die, I immediately cut and sew a block to test accuracy and quality. I choose three or four coordinating colors for these trials. I use the same fabric when I'm experimenting with variations or new designs.

Once I get enough blocks, I'll arrange them on the design wall, then join them with a complementary sashing or background. I don't worry if they are different sizes, the variety is what makes these projects unique. It's a fun way to keep those trial blocks from stacking up and I get another bonus quilt!

I quilted 2” rows with a small serpentine stitch using light gray thread. Cut And Try Sampler ended up 49½” x 48” size. 

Now to choose a new color group for the next batch.

Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar

Strip quilts are fast and easy, but still allow for creativity. Wine Cellar brings to mind sweet sangria and crisp, bubbly spumante. 

Coordinating wine and burgundy 2 1/2” strips are sewn alternately with a subtle cream print, then trimmed into 8” diagonal squares. The same cream Sedona print is used for sashing and backing. Quilting is simply stitched in 1 1/2” parallel rows. The tranquil 43” square would make a nice wall quilt.

I had a bonus week since we came home early from camping. After unloading and cleaning the camper, I spent most of my time sewing, designing, and reading. (Who would have guessed?) I would sew all day every day if I didn't have to eat and keep the house clean. And I've found that I can't drink wine while sewing.  Too many crooked seams.  I'm thankful that my sweetie has hobbies too, so he understands my addiction to fabric. 

 

Loose Ends

I was in the sewing room last week, putting the finishing touches on two small quilts that had been sitting around for a couple of months. As I worked on the binding, I thought about how easily things get put off. I could have finished these many times and I would have benefited from the escape to my sewing retreat. Instead I let them hang there and taunt me every time I walked into the room. Why didn't I make the time?

Later on I found a group of fat quarter fabrics that I bought last summer with no particular use in mind. I picked up a quilting magazine, chose one of the patterns and began to cut. I totally enjoyed focusing on my sewing and listening to music. The next day I finished this pretty little lap quilt: Bohemian Rose.

Maybe I have a theme for 2016. No unfinished business here. Tie up loose ends. Do what needs to be done. Say what needs to be said. Use it or lose it. Embrace it or toss it. 

Make time for yourself.

I've already started.

"There are always going to be loose ends in life.  You just have to decide whether they need to be tied up, woven in, or cut off." ~Katie Scarlett

Running Like A Sewing Machine

I had just begun to sew when my Singer XL1000 started making a horrible noise. I called my resident handyman, who dropped everything to take her downstairs to his workbench for troubleshooting. Fortunately, I have a backup machine, my trusty old Singer Athena that I haven't used in several years. I pull her out of the closet, dust her off and, well, she's making an awful noise too!

OK, fine. My mama's basic Singer Simplicity is sitting under my sewing table. She will do for what I want to sew today. I set her up, threaded bobbins, and you guessed it...more growling noises! What in the world?

I check downstairs, where Jerold had my good machine apart on his bench. This will take a while, he says. So, I head back to the sewing room and start my own mission to fix the Simplicity. I found a maintenance manual online, got my tool kit and went to work. Next thing you know, I have this machine apart on my craft table. I had the back, sides, and top off; I oiled, dusted, changed needles, made some adjustments and put her back together. VOILA! She's humming right along now.

Me upstairs and him downstairs, both of us doing sewing machine repairs. Maybe we should have taped this for submission as a new reality show. The XL had a lot of lint jammed way down inside, which threw something out of alignment. After lots of tricky and fiddly adjustments, my man saved the day and fixed her. Athena had a loose wire on her circuit board, and unfortunately a cracked gear, which may eventually cause her demise.

Thankfully for now all are up and running like sewing machines should. I'll need to blow lint out of the XL after every project, and use my backup machines more often to keep their mechanisms lubricated. Any solution that requires more sewing is just fine with me.

The experience was challenging but extremely fulfilling. I'm lucky to have a husband who's willing and more than able to work on nearly anything. I'm thankful that I'm mechanically inclined and capable enough to fix a few items on my own. The down side to fixing them is that I missed a chance to buy a fancy new machine...

“If we all did the things we are capable of doing,

we would literally astound ourselves.” 

--Thomas Edison

“Never underestimate the power

of a woman with a sewing machine.” 

--Unknown

A Great Excuse To Be Late

I'm late posting today's message, but I have a great excuse...I've been hanging out with my mama, Sam. This morning we had coffee on the back porch, and sorted through some of her clothes. She's staying with us while she recovers from a recent illness. Actually, we almost lost her, so I am very happy to be able to spend time with her now. It's good that she's here since she would have no help or anyone to talk with at her place.

It is occasionally a bit stressful to have another person sharing the house, but the fun times make it all worthwhile. My sweet husband is helping a lot, joking around, and doing nice things for both of us. Sam's always been feisty, so she's determined to recover enough to go back home and drive her car again. Whether or not that happens, I think she's doing well with her home physical therapy. She's still weak and gets tired easily, but we did have a short outing last Thursday to get her hair highlighted and cut. A sassy new do is a wonderful pick-me-up! I'm getting mine done this week.

I'm grateful for this opportunity, even if it makes me late, or keeps me from other tasks. The ordinary things will get done eventually. What's important now is Sam. After all, she's my mama and she made plenty of sacrifices for me.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. 

– Cynthia Ozick

Experience Today

Today is one day in your life, and you have twenty-four hours to experience it. Make a conscious effort to really be present in each moment. Observe your surroundings and be inspired by them. Enjoy the ordinary and marvel at the extraordinary things that happen around you.

Listen to others with an open mind. Use your intuition to respond to opportunities and challenges. Don't assume anything, just experience the day as it develops. Forget should be, should do, should have, and shouldn't have. Instead, focus on how you presently feel, what you want and need in your life today.

Yesterday is gone and tomorrow will come soon enough. Today is yours, so live each moment of it.

Resilience

Merriam-Webster defines resilience as an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Some people are naturally capable of managing the stress associated with significant change. Others struggle to adapt as they work through life's challenges. 

Whether natural or learned, resilience involves maintaining flexibility and balance in life. It is definitely a personal journey. Asking for or allowing others to offer help can bring support and focus. Taking time to rest and reflect will energize and strengthen. Going forward with plans for today will create the first step toward a positive path to the future.

“The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.” 

      – Japanese proverb

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive,
nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

     – Charles Darwin

Let Go To Make Room

Toss these things:

• Old ideas
• Distractions
• Difficult people
• Guilt
• Perfection
• Negative energy
• Clutter
• Others' expectations

to make room for these:

• New possibilities
• Simplicity
• Calm focus
• Increased creativity
• Happiness
• Renewed passion
• Serenity
• Positive momentum
• Personal satisfaction

Let go of something now to make space for new and amazing possibilities.

“We must learn to let go as easily as we grasp
or we will find our hands full and our minds empty.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

Flowing With Life's Rhythms

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 of changing just when you think you're on the perfect path.

Having basic routines can help you feel more in control of your time. And that's less stressful, too. This isn't to say that life should be a strict, boring and monotonous set of rules. If you make a habit of scheduling necessary activities, you can easily respond to anything else that comes your way. Following routines can actually help you become more flexible, which allows you to enjoy precious free time.

You shouldn't have to rush wildly through every week, cramming in more than you can possibly handle. Set your own itinerary, whether you like a fast pace or a more leisurely journey. Filter out what really doesn't matter. Simplify your home and your schedule to fit your expectations, not those of others. Fill your time with the things, people, and activities that make you smile.

Useful Notion: Find the best rhythm for your life, then roll with the flow.

Adjust. Adapt. Stay Calm.

What a crazy week!  I had several things planned, but life decided to throw a few extra curves my way. Nothing serious or life-altering...just not exactly what I had in mind. A delayed appointment resulted in a long wait in a loud environment. A family member lost something important, which required immediate action to avoid problems. A couple of other unexpected annoying situations changed my schedule.

And you know what? Overall, the disruptions actually turned out all right. Staying calm helped me adjust my focus and adapt to the current situation. I didn't lose my temper or get too frustrated. I was able to help someone; offer support and encouragement to another. Maybe my horoscope and biorhythms were positive. Or perhaps good karma favored me. Could be my resolutions to practice patience and awareness are working subliminally. Whatever the reason, I was able to handle the challenges with a positive attitude.

Looking back, my week was mostly full of fun and productive activity. I found time to enjoy a nice lunch date with my sweetie, visit with my mama, run errands, do a bit of housecleaning for mama-in-law, and meet friends for lunch on Friday. I read a mystery novel and even logged several hours in the sewing room piecing the new wall hanging for my living room.  
Here's a sneak peek ->  

Useful Notion: Life happens. Schedules change. Problems arise. How we react to each situation is what makes all the difference.

“Today, I remain calm, no matter what storms may come my way.”

– Anonymous

Taking Advantage of Warm Days

In January I normally plan lots of indoor activities like sewing, cleaning, organizing, and reading. It's a good time to implement some of those resolutions from last week. However, since Thursday we've had unusually warm and dry days with highs in the upper 50's and low 60's. Being an outdoor girl, I scrapped my previous plans and headed outside to take advantage of the nice weather.

I love the woods in winter. I made a few photos of moss on the creek bank...it shows up so brightly against the brown leaves and roots. There were a couple of trees down in the woods, so out came the chain saw. He cut and I stacked. We'll have enough firewood for our campfires this spring. This lumberjack work is great exercise! So is climbing the steep hill up to our back yard. 

 

While taking a break, I found a cool retro green enamel tea kettle in another creek. It was a bit rusty and full of silt but I rescued it to use as a flower pot. There's a small junk pile at the bottom of the hill, filled with jars, pots, rusted metal and other castoffs from years gone by. I've pulled out some unique old jars that are now vases for my wildflowers. I noticed a few more unbroken jars and a metal pan were uncovered by the recent rain, and I'll go digging for them next. This is the perfect time of year to scrounge around since the snakes and spiders aren't active.

Being outdoors gave me energy:  Friday's laundry was hung outside on the line, sidewalks and porches were swept, and leaves raked off my flowerbeds. Then Ruby, my Trailblazer, got a desperately needed bath. We capped off the day with steaks on the grill. All that was much more fun and invigorating than staying inside!

Useful Notion: While focus and schedules are excellent tools to accomplish your goals, sometimes you have to be flexible, recognize opportunity, and make last minute plans to truly enjoy a fulfilling life.

“Remember to be one with the nature of change. Be flexible.” – Fred Tracy

“Be infinitely flexible and constantly amazed.” – Jason Kravitz

Mixing Things Up

It's been an unusual Monday, windy and quite warm for November. So, instead of writing this morning I decided to enjoy the outdoors before the predicted rain arrives tonight. It was nice to change my routine even to take care of a few errands and chores. I realized that being flexible and adapting to change made my day more interesting. I'll still get most everything done that's on my list, just in a different order than normal. And, if I miss something, so what? I can do it tomorrow.

I read somewhere that routines are good for you. I know they are comfortable to fall into and give you a sense of stability. But I wonder if it could be important to consciously stimulate your brain with change now and then. It mixes things up, causes you to stop and think, adjust your schedule, and consider options. 

Life's all about change. It's inevitable. Maybe if you challenge your brain with new ideas, it might keep you from being so afraid of change as you grow older. I think I'll try mixing things up a little more often and see how that works out.  It's sure to be more fun!

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” - William Somerset Maugham

“The less routine the more life.” – Amos Bronson Alcott

^^^^^^^^^