Greenway

In this hot August weather, I've been staying inside working on something cool, green, and fresh. I saw a photo of this design online, done up in different colors, so I sewed my version of the pattern.

My Greenway quilt was fairly quick to stitch up. The ten inch blocks are set on point, alternating each block design. The simple cross is made of squares and rectangles in neutral tans, aqua, and white on cream vine print. For the green blocks, I added a small cream half-square triangle across the corner of finished HST squares.

I sewed partial blocks to fill in the corners and sides for this 43” x 57” snuggle quilt. Quilting is a straight stitch in cream thread along both sides of the seams. For backing, I used a large scale stripe in green, aqua and cream with an off center ten inch wide strip of a green tiny print. Green binding frames it up nicely.

Accuquilt dies used:

55031 Half Square 4” finished
55159 Rectangle 2 ½” x 4 ½”
55018 Small Value die 4 ½” square and 2 ½” HST
55017 2½” strip for binding

Side note: This week's our 47^th anniversary, a low key celebration for sure. No elegant restaurant meal or trip to the beach; still too much COVID around for us to venture out. That's ok, all we need is each other. We're not fancy people anyhow. We'll be happy to enjoy a simple grilled steak, salad, and baked potato dinner, a bottle of wine, and a movie. Sounds like a perfect night in the home we've created together.

Easy Pieces

Here's another multicolored scrap quilt made from my stash box of 2½” squares. Quick work, since all I had to cut were the cream/white pieces. I designed the basic layout in EQ8.

Sewing straight seams in batches was a breeze. I tried to keep the colors balanced but didn't fuss too much. Perfection can be stressful and I only wanted to play.

I quilted with white thread in straight lines on the strip sections and in a crosshatch pattern on the eight and sixteen patch blocks. Easy Pieces is 42” square.

I really enjoyed those three mornings stitching away in the sewing room with smooth jazz playing in the background. The thing is, I hardly made a dent in that scrap box, plus I have more remnants to cut. Don't worry, I've already designed another fun project for those.

Accuquilt dies used:
55017 2½” strip
55059 2½” square multiple

Some days 

are simply meant 

for playing 

Spring Sewing Ideas

I love spring sunshine, and despite this crazy pandemic, I am enjoying myself at home. With windows open and a glass of sweet tea at hand, sewing is right at the top of my daily to do list.

I've finished up several small projects. The first is a dust cover for Rockette, my Singer 500 Rocketeer machine. I found an embroidery sample of sewing notions that I had set aside several years ago. With it as a focal point, I pulled out coordinating fabrics in grape and white, and whipped up a quickie tie-on cover. No pattern, I just used what I had to make it fit the machine.

The flower block on the back is a test block for a quilt currently under construction. I played with several decorative stitches to quilt in purple thread. After adding binding and ties, Rockette is now dust free.

Another day I stitched this wildly colorful Boho style bag called Feelin' Sassy. It's made from a test piece that I used to practice free motion quilting with the Squiggy ruler. 

No pattern, just fold in half, seam up the sides, add a band at the top, and a strap. The hot pink tab is the same fabric as the lining. I can't go anywhere yet to use it; maybe by summer it will be safe to go out! 

Now you see why I named my blog Useful Remnants. I love fabric so much I just can't let any of it go to waste unless it is too tiny to sew.

Sweet Talk

Sweet Talk

I like to experiment with designs, colors, and stitches. Today's little quilt was so fun to play with, and I used up a few more remnants.

Drunkard's path blocks in pastels and gray are set with colorful polka dots in two sizes and tiny black and white stripes. Borders of blue gingham frame it up nicely. Sweet Talk is 28” square.

Quilting on this is the best part. I've been practicing free motion ruler stitching on my Janome Memory Craft 9400. I used the Squiggy ruler by Angela Walters, aligning along the seams. Using gray thread, I created two different designs.

I enjoyed this project very much, and that's what sewing is all about for me. Relaxation, enjoyment, learning new skills, playing with fabric: my retirement dream come true.

Accuquilt dies used:

55107 2 ¼” x 4 ½” rectangle

55395 2 ¼” squares

55743 and 55739 4 ½” Drunkard's Path

(in 9” Companion Set)

55032 3 ½” strips

The key to retirement 

is to find joy 

in the little things. 

Scrappy Spring Stars

You may not remember, but back in October I started sewing randomly sized star blocks from my collection of scraps.  In January I put some of them together to create this 44" x 54" quilt called Scrappy Spring Stars.

I used white fabric for background, arranged them in rows by size, then bordered the quilt and each row with an aqua cross print.  The backing features sweet little bouquets of flowers in pink and aqua.  The binding is made of remnant strips in coordinating colors.  

Scrappy Spring Stars

Quilting was a free motion experiment in triangular patterns with white thread, done on my Flynn frame.  It's not perfect but was great fun to stitch.  

I like learning new skills and count this one as a success even with a few flawed stitches.  Sewing for me is all about enjoyment of the whole process: design, layout, color, sewing, quilting and seeing the finished product.  

Beautiful things 

come together 

one stitch at a time

+++

When you love 

somebody, or something,

it's amazing 

how willing you are 

to overlook

the flaws.

Caroline Knapp

Rainy Monday List

What to do on a rainy Monday? 

✓  Sleep late 

     (thankful to be retired)

✓  Enjoy hot coffee and a good book

✓   SEW!

✓  Shop online

✓  Light housekeeping

✓  Make homemade soup 

     (I REALLY want brownies)

✓  Update blog

🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀

Some people feel the rain.

Others just get wet.

What You See

Something to think about...

I Don't Have To...

follow the herd.

impress people.

fix everything.

tolerate fools.

get frustrated.

feel obligated. 

 

explain myself.

listen to lies.

keep everything.

pretend to like someone.

seek approval.

always say yes.

wait for the perfect time. 

 

agree with everyone.

offer excuses.

be perfect. 

 

act my age.

    ...if I don't want to.

I'm just trying to be me. I didn't ask for anyone's opinion.

“Don't put the key to your happiness 

in someone else's pocket.” - Unknown

Potential

po·ten·tial

: capable of becoming real 

 

: a chance or possibility that something will happen or exist in the future

: a quality that something has that can be developed to make it better

: an ability that someone has that can be developed to help that person become successful



Everyone has potential for something: Achievements, personal satisfaction, talent, success. Have you looked for yours? 
 
Clues are all around you. Discover what you do best by seeing what comes naturally. Look within to find who you want to be. Develop your talents and achieve your potential.



Useful Notion: You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.


“Potential is a priceless treasure, like gold. We all have gold hidden within, but we have to dig to get it out.” Joyce Meyer

So What If It's Cold?

We've been camping at Defeated Creek. We made the reservations six months ago to get a choice spot on the lake. Yeah, weather after the first few days was predicted to be cold, with rain and wind and snow flurries. So what? We went anyway.  

We packed hoodies, thermals, and quilts. We had firewood and a comfortable, well heated fifth wheel camper. We had plenty to do inside: TV, movies, internet access, library books, hobby gear.

One day we drove the scenic route up Highway 70 to Cookeville for lunch, some shopping and the required stop at Ralph's Donuts. We rode our bikes, hiked around the campground, took photos, sat by the fire, and even fished a little bit when it wasn't raining. 

I started and finished two new crochet bags. We made homemade soup and chili. We saw seventeen deer grazing together right behind our campsite.  

We watched a lot of people leave. We could have come home early, but we didn't. So what if the weather wasn't perfect? If we waited for things to be perfect, we might never start anything or go anywhere. 

So what if people say we're nuts for camping in winter conditions? We were cozy and warm, relaxed and happy. And that's all that matters. Life's too short to wait...so what if it's cold?

Bits, Pieces, and Blarney

I routinely jot down funny, random or interesting ideas so I can expand on them later for this blog. As I looked through my notes to begin writing, I realized that some of them don't need expansion or explanation. They are good enough on their own.

So, enjoy!

When a friend needs duct tape, don't ask questions and don't offer advice...just deliver her the roll with a smile. And be sure to wipe off your fingerprints just in case.

Life would be easier if everyone came to the realization that you just can't fix stupid.

If the stands at Bristol are less than half full for a Sunday race, something is very, very wrong with NASCAR. There was once a waiting list for tickets and it was only used if someone died.

You don't always need a reason to give someone a hug, a hand, or a call.

You might be a redneck if you've used Channel Locks or Vise Grips to pull the cork on a wine bottle. (guilty)

Children should be taught to stand on their own two feet and be independent. They are not entitled to indefinitely live with or be supported by their parents.

It's not denial...I'm just very selective about the reality I accept.

Signing off with this belated St. Patrick's Day quote:

Soft Kitty

Welcome Callie, the cute little calico stray who has adopted us. We haven't had a cat for over four years, although we had talked about getting another one some day. Evidently Callie decided now was the time. She made herself at home on our back porch and proved her worth by catching three voles and two field mice in the first five days.

She is still cautious with Rowdy dog, who initially barked at her but now ignores her like he did all our other cats. After she'd been here for a week, we took Callie to the vet for shots and checkup. She's a healthy nine month old, so next week she's scheduled for surgery to make sure there won't be any kitty surprises.

Most of our beloved pets found us by showing up on our doorstep, and I believe these things happen for a reason. It's serendipity, an accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it. Even though someone tossed her out, I'm guessing Callie cat knew we wouldn't be able to turn her away, especially after we saw her sweet face and heard her purr.

“Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.

Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr.” 

sung by Sheldon and Penny, Big Bang Theory.  

Original lyrics by Edith Newlin 

 

Enjoy Little Things

You might not realize it or take the time to notice, but the little things in life are special. A hug, a smile, or a kind word can make someone's day. Watching the sun rise or set, seeing a hummingbird feed, walking in a field of wildflowers, hearing rain on your roof. The breeze in your hair, the delicate smell of a rose, the call of a whippoorwill, the lapping of waves on the beach. Sitting on the porch, cooking a simple meal, sharing a peaceful moment with someone you love. A glass of wine, a favorite movie, a good book. So many images, scents, tastes, sounds, and feelings come to mind. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, think about what brings you joy.

“Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.” ~ Frank Howard Clark