Crimson Crossing

I've gone off the reservation again, experimenting with quilt blocks. I clearly don't always follow the rules. This time I added a few elements to the Crossed Canoe die to create a double canoe pattern.

Four blocks together make an eight pointed star. There's a bonus secondary canoe design where the small triangles meet. I used EQ8 software to draw a new block and preview color placement. 

Here's how I laid them out. I pressed the center seams open to reduce bulk, then pressed toward the corner triangles.

I chose fabric in shades of red to contrast with neutral cream and stone prints. So many little pieces to make those 64 small blocks. I did a lot of moving around on my design wall before finalizing the layout. 

Crimson Crossing is 48” square and features double picot stitch in tan thread, quilting in a 3” grid with a walking foot. The backing is a dark red print, binding is red and cream stripe.

Crimson Crossing

Sewing this took up most of my week, but I loved every minute. Yesterday I took a break and cleaned the sewing room.  Neat space is all ready for my next creation.  

Accuquilt Dies used:
55181 Crossed Canoes
55009 Half Square Triangles 3” finished
55017 2½” strip

Doing

what you like

is freedom.

Liking

what you do

is happiness.

 

Simple Spools

What better wall art for a sewing room than this bright, inspiring quilt?

I love to display my quilts so I rotate them often. This one has sixteen 8” blocks, made with four-patch squares and half square triangles. The background fabric is a cream and black Moda print scattered with positive words. I chose a different bright color for each spool. On two corners, I set squares of grape with white dots, creating a secondary design.

Simple Spools is 32” square and bound with a black swirl print. The backing is a colorful crazy quilt print in purple, black and yellow. Cutting and piecing was quick and easy with the Accuquilt value die. With this one, It's important to stack the fabric so that the words face the same way in each block. I quilted in cream thread, swirling across the center of each spool, about a half inch apart. 

Putting together a quilt is kind of like working a puzzle...all the pieces have their place and have to fit together in the end. Of course, puzzles have a set design and you have to have all the pieces to finish it. Quilts give you more leeway because pieces can go together many different ways to make unique designs. If one doesn't fit or doesn't look right, you can just make another or rotate the block. That's why I like designing in EQ8 software or manually on my design wall. It is fun and challenging to create new arrangements with the same basic pieces.

If you don't like 

the rules,

make new ones

Break Some Rules

Life is short. Too short to follow every rule or trend that comes along. 

Sometimes the rules just aren't right and the trends are idiotic.

Who makes all these rules anyhow? 

And why are we compelled to follow them?

I didn't break the rules

The rules were already broken

when I got here. 

"They're more what you'd call 
guidelines than actual rules."

 - Jack Sparrow

“I try not to break the rules but merely

to test their elasticity.”

- Bill Veeck

Let's do some 
“We shouldn't be doing this”

things!

Say Yes Or No

When someone asks you a yes or no question, answer it simply.

Yes.    No.    Maybe.

Then wait. 

If there's a need for additional information, let them request it. You decide whether or not to share any more based on who's doing the asking.

It isn't necessary to volunteer details, embellish, make excuses, justify, describe your history or list reasons behind your decision. Most people don't want to hear them anyway. They probably just want the simple answer.

The people who matter most will likely be satisfied with the answers you give. Who cares about anyone else? Many are just nosy and only want the drama, the gossip, or the juicy details of your life. Giving extra information makes them think they are entitled to know everything about you. And it isn't their business.

Keep it simple. Resist the urge to offer explanations. Be confident in your decisions. You choose what to share with others. Be a little mysterious. The only person you have to prove anything to is yourself.

“Don't underestimate me.

I know more than I say,

think more than I speak,

and notice more than you realize.”

--Unknown

“Don't try to explain yourself to stupid people.

You aren't the jackass whisperer.”

--Unknown

Favorite Quotes From Garfield the Cat

Garfield is a wonderfully lazy, lasagna loving fat cartoon cat created by Jim Davis. He's sassy and funny, and his cynical outlook on life always makes me smile. Here are a few of my favorites from his many nuggets of wisdom.

“I'm not over-weight, I'm under-tall.” 

 

“Never trust a smiling cat.”

“Eat every meal as though it were your last.” 

"I can...but I won't."

“I'm not messy. I'm organizationally challenged!” 

“The most active thing about me is my imagination.”

Five Life Rules

I'm outside enjoying the sunshine on this beautiful Monday in September.  

Have a great week!