A Do Over

Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find tomorrow on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, If I had my life to live over again. Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again. 

Og Mandino

Sometimes in life we get the chance to do things over again.  Not very often. Perhaps as quilters and sewists we do.  The seam ripper is a great tool sometimes for eradicating mistakes.  Sometimes things turn out better the second or third time around.  Words and actions in relationships are a bit harder to correct.  Hopefully you don't have to correct many of those situations in your life.

This week I changed the hem on a pair of pillowcases.  I made these for my Mother a few years before she died and gave them to her with a new set of pillows.  After she died they came back home to me.  They are made of a wonderfully silky feeling lawn.  It might be a Liberty print, I don't remember.  Since I have a king size bed I decided to take the hem out and add an eyelet edging that I had in my stash so they would be long enough for king size pillows.

  

There are still a few creases that would not iron out but that will disappear in the wash.  They will be a nice memory for me when I use them.

I was so excited that the hand dyed fabrics I ordered from Vicki Welsh arrived.  They will be used in part for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2015.  I spent some time yesterday looking at the patterns I had planned to work on for the year.  Now to get up the courage to actually cut into these beauties.  There will be no chance of a do over when that happens so I want to be sure of what I want them to become.

I also figured out that I need 5 more of the checkerboard blocks I showed in the last post.  I got the strips sewn for them and now just need to make the blocks.  Then I can play with the layout on the design wall.

Guess I need to get on with it.  Hope things are going well for you without the need for a do over.

Fabric and Ideas

We live in a web of ideas, a fabric of our own making. 

Joseph Chilton Pearce

Ahhh!!!  New fabric!  The smell, the touch of it, the ideas and possibilities it ignites within our soul.  Is there anything like a little retail therapy to a quilter or sewist?  If you can't make it out to a store even petting the stash will get your brain firing with more ideas than you can find time for.  But then if I didn't dream up new things to keep me going I would be very, very sad and bored.

So I went to this show for a day.  I usually go for several days but not this time.  There were some really wonderful quilts there and enough vendors to significantly lighten my bank account.  I think it would have been a better show if they had accepted entries of quilts for judging and prizes.  The ones there were wonderful but I like to see what regular non-published quilters make too.

So what did I find to buy?  Many things but not some of the things I had on my list.  This little hedgehog potholder pattern was just too cute to pass up.

This Sew Together Bag has been featured on many blogs this year.  I think I might like to try my hand a one or two of them.  I have a huge stash of zippers that I should put to use.

I haven't made my granddaughter anything to wear.  These two patterns look like they would fit her style.

This bag pattern includes three different bags.  It called to me for some reason.

If you have been reading my blog for very long you know I have a thing for owls.  The fabrics on the bottom are a heavy linen/cotton blend that will be just right for a bag.  The top one is a cool Alexander Henry print that I think would be great for the lining.

This collection of prints really appealed to me!  It's full of art supplies and quotes.  Maybe it will end up as the art supply tote.

Then there were these that jumped into my had just because...

I'm sure you can see the appeal!  These are all one yard cuts and they got very heavy to tote around the show.  I also picked up a few kits and baubles for making jewelry on my Kumihimo loom.  Can you believe there aren't any batiks?  I will have to remedy that oversight in the near future or maybe I already have.

I should get off the computer and into the studio.  I have things to get done there and more projects to plan.

Linking with:  Freemotion by the River

Random Gratitudes and Complaints

Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory. 

Robert Benchley

I am an avid reader.  I have been since grade school it is an ongoing obsession.  When I was young I daydreamed about how it would have been so great to live in a previous era.  As I grew older and faced some of the harsher realities of life I realized that I wouldn't have lived very long if I had been born in a different time.

It is very likely I would have died from the pneumonia I had at age 6 or the appendicitis I had at age 10.  Modern medicine has saved me several times and I am grateful even though I complain about the number of pills I take daily.  I am thankful for all the great modern conveniences we have too.

Here are the pictures of a few from the good old days that I'm glad I don't have to use.  I do remember helping my Mother use a wringer washer when I was very young.  I wasn't allowed near it most of the time but the turning of the handle fascinated me.  The tub was electric but the water had to be drained and filled with the hose.  No automatic cycles just an agitator.  I saw one very similar but didn't get a picture at one of the Antique Malls on vacation.  

I had heard of Coleman Irons but never seen one.  This one was in great shape and a pretty blue.  Have you known anyone that used one?  I have a couple of the old Sad Irons that my Mother used before she had electricity.  The were just heated at the fire or on the wood stove.

 This is a tabletop wringer.  It clamps to the table.  These things were very hard on buttons.  That's why Grandmother always kept a button box.

This contraption unfolded on each side to hold a wash and rinse tub.  The wringer is in the middle.  It was the smallest model I've seen.  There were some that were much larger.

Just think of having to pump the water at the well, heat it at the fire or wood stove and then move it to the wash bucket.  Scrub the clothes.  Rinse them, then hang them to dry.  There would have been a lot of children to keep clean.  Having baby diapers to deal with in the winter would not have been a small chore either.

Aren't you glad for modern washers and dryers?

This display reminded me of some of my all time favorite commercials.  Do you remember the ones from the California Raisin Commission?

Are you singing 'I heard it from the grape vine' yet?  I think these were in the McDonald's kids meals for a while.  I know my kids had a few of them but I'd never seen this many.  My other all time favorite commercial is the Taco Bell chihuahua saying "Lizard, Lizard".  I had hoped that they would do another round of those with the new Godzilla movie but they didn't.  We went to see it last week.  It was good, it lasts over 2 hours so I felt like I was getting my monies' worth.  ( I feel cheated by the short ones! )

You'd think that a major chain would have a proof reader check the spelling on their packaging before thousands are produced.  Even spell check should have caught this one.

Just to prove I am a normal quilter here is a picture of the stash enhancement that found it's way home with me.  Batiks and black and white prints.  Alas there has been a few more purchases since these were made also.  I need to get back on the fabric diet.  There was also a Hoffman Batik strip pack that I didn't get a picture of.  The rainbow stripe will make a great binding.  

I have been doing some sewing and got a top together this week.  I share it soon as well as some of the other special things I've been working on.

Exciting News!  I went over the 100,000 pageview mark this week!  I'll be announcing a Giveaway for my followers in the next few days.  I've also written over 200 posts now and went over the 300 followers mark on Bloglovin.  Thank you all for reading my ramblings!

Learning to Change

Change is the end result of all true learning. Change involves three things: First, a dissatisfaction with self -- a felt void or need; 
second, a decision to change to fill the void or need; and 
third, a conscious dedication to the process of growth and change -- the willful act of making the change, doing something. 

Leo Buscaglia

I took some time in March to step back and look at how things were going in my life.  I know I haven't been blogging much but the time away gave me a chance to think about what I want from blogging, quilting and other areas in my life too.  I was surprised that my blog continued to get a number of hits even when I was absent.  Thank you, my readers, for the support!  I am approaching the 100,000 hits number and would have probably been there already if I had posted a little more in the last couple of months.  I will be having a drawing for my readers when I get there.  It will probably happen in June but could be in May.

I have not been idle.  I have been working in the studio and will share more about that later.

I don't intend to stop blogging, I just want to make sure I am doing it for reasons that are important to me.  I have always enjoyed sharing my skills by teaching quilting and the blog is a great way to do that.  I want to get more tutorials and tips posted but that does take a chunk of time.  I have one of those big, ending in '0', birthdays coming later in the year.  Those always make you do a little navel gazing about the important things in life and how time is so fleeting.  I'm trying to get a little smarter about how I spend mine. 

So what have I been doing?

Last month I took a few classes at the Sewing Expo.  I once again took a class from Dustin Farrell.  I have taken a number of his classes and this one was a repeat but I enjoyed it anyway.  Here is some of his work.

Dustin Farrell's thread work

Dustin's quilting

Dustin's Spiro Quilting and Feathers

More Spiro Quilting

I'm hoping to play with the Spiro Quilting soon.  I couldn't get in that class but I bought the DVD and tools.

I also took several classes with Gina Perks.  She was a delightful teacher!  She is a very talented quilter and has written a book.  She also is a very good photographer and pastry chef.  She has a blog that shows a little of her talents HERE.

Gina Perks

Gina is holding the class sample of applique done on the longarm.  That was a really fun class and I will have to share my version of it later.  I still have a little more to do on it but it was a great class with a number of techniques in it.  

One of the things I did make progress on during March was my NewFO from February.  I had shared my dissatisfaction with the jelly rolls when I was cutting them in this post.  I did get the blocks sewn now I need to find some time at the design wall.

Nothing complicated about these blocks for sure.  Just two seams.  You can't get much faster than that!  Here is the link for the Falling Charms pattern.

I did manage to find a few new black and white prints at the show also.  I will be using some of these in my Soul Searching quilt blocks soon.  I have this month's made but will have to get a picture made to share.

That's a little of what I've been up to.  There is more to share but I'll save that for another day.  I have a quilt calling me from the longarm ;-)

Fab 4 Quilt Along Fabrics

I get by with a little help from my friends.  

Ringo Starr

I am hoping that some of you out there are looking forward to this little quilt along.  I've been working on my samples this week and I wanted to let you know how much fabric you will need.  I also thought I would go ahead and let you know what it looks like since it is not a mystery quilt along.

Here is a couple of versions of the wall quilt or it could be a table topper size.  I played around in EQ7 for different colorways.

As you can see there are a couple of ways you can set the blocks shown here.  There is one more I'll be sharing.  You can make any size project you like.  How about a lap quilt?

If you want to go for it here is how a queen size quilt could look.

FABRICS NEEDED:

The Wall Quilt size can be made from a few scraps and fat quarters.  I chose a focus fabric and background to use there.  The rails can be of colors pulled from the focus fabric.  An analogous color scheme or one from light to dark looks good there


SIZE               2 FABRICS                         4 FABRICS                          BINDING
                         for 4 PATCHES                 for RAILS

WALL                  1/4 yard                            1/8 yard                               1/4 yard
20" x 20"

TABLE
RUNNER            3/8 yard                            1/4 yard                               1/4 yard
20" x 40"

LAP                      7/8 yard                            1/2 yard                               5/8 yard
50" x 60"

QUEEN              2 3/8 yards                      1 3/8 yards                           7/8 yard
80" x 100"
0r 85" x 95"

I haven't included any yardage for borders but you can add them if you like.  I will on at least one of mine.  Yes, I am making more than one size.  

So what does this Quilt Along have to do with The Beatles?  Absolutely nothing other than it occurs during the 50th Anniversary of their American debut.  I thought it would be fun to name it that since there are 4 of them and the units in the quilt each have 4 pieces.  If you want to make it associate with them I will be sharing a few ideas for that.

So if you are looking for something to sew on during the Olympics this is a nice easy project!  I hope you will join me and make at least a small one!
Please spread the word if you will be joining me and leave a comment too!

Bits of May Randomness

O!, many a shaft at random sent

Finds mark the archer little meant!

And many a word at random spoken

May soothe, or wound, a heart that's broken!

Sir Walter Scott

I've been trying to go through my old posts and make a list of things I've said I would share with you.  There are several new tutorials coming, please be patient.  I thought I'd share some of my recent fiber acquisitions with you today.  I'll start with my favorite batiks, of course!

Somewhere in the future there is a quilt with greens and neutral batiks that will spring forth from the depths of my brain.  I've quite a stockpile of the necessary ingredients now.

These butterflies flew right into my hands.  I don't buy too many large scale prints but this one had some of my favorite colors.  The butterflies are huge, hand size or slightly larger.  The folded ones on top are half yard cuts.  The one on the right is more blue than the photo shows (the gold is reflecting too much) and looks like a microscopic view of butterfly wings to me.

This might look nice on a door in my studio.  I haven't done many 'just for the fun of it' projects on this scale.  

Then there are all these little ladies that followed me home from Maryland via Massachusetts.  Did you guess right?

I haven't been able to get a full shot of it that I like yet.  I'll wait till it's quilted.  Why did I buy it?  I'm not too sure.  Pink is NOT my color, I've never been overly fond of Sunbonnet Sue, (I could tell you a tale about a guild quilt of one I helped put together once, shudder).  It is in really good shape.  There is a number stamped on one block (auction stamp?) that I hope will wash out.  It has only a few spots and they may come out in the wash.  The applique edges are all neatly turned under and then stitched around with a black outline stitch.  The setting is unusual, 5 blocks across but only 4 down.  The price was a little more than I'd have liked, $79 but compared to some of the quilts I shared HERE it was a steal. 

I think this might be the Dutch Girl version of Sue.  She has pointed wooden shoes.

I shared a close up shot of this on my Quilter's Favorite Post.  Did you notice it or guess what is was?  When I saw it in the Mass MoCA gift shop it just had to come home with me.  It's the perfect prop for a presentation about color!  I just love it!

Does the shape look familiar?

How about the other side.

This was the outside of the Seneca Cannery Antiques shop where I found the quilt top.  I just love old stone buildings like this one.  The round object is a gear or cog of some sort.

Happy Birthday Misty!
I know, it's time for a haircut.

Karen, over at Sew Many Ways has been having a Birthday Linky Party for her dog Annie.  May is Misty's birth month also, I don't know the day.  I think she is 9.  I have it written down somewhere.  The years pass to fast to keep up sometimes.  LOL  She was 7 months old when I got her.  I'll have to post another prettier picture after grooming next week.
So, Happy Birthday to Annie and Misty!  I hope you have many more!

What do you think about my Suebonnet Sue top?  Would you have bought it or do you hate the pattern?  Did you know that was an umbrella in the earlier post?  Would you have bought it?  Do you use a Color Wheel when selecting fabrics for quilts?   

I'm sharing my Randomness today with you and linking with Really Random Thursday and Sew Many Ways.

Stash Enhancement

I am taught the poorness of our invention, the ugliness of towns and palaces. Art and luxury have early learned that they must work as enhancement and sequel to this original beauty. I am over instructed for my return. Henceforth I shall be hard to please. I cannot go back to toys. I am grown expensive and sophisticated. I can no longer live without elegance: but a countryman shall be my master of revels. He who knows the most, he who knows what sweets and virtues are in the ground, the waters, the plants, the heavens, and how to come at these enchantments, is the rich and royal man. Only as far as the masters of the world have called in nature to their aid, can they reach the height of magnificence.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays Nature 1850

I must agree with Emerson that there is no substitute for the beauty and elegance of nature.  However, I can not or will not go to the woods to live and enjoy it like he did.  I could be easily persuaded to go live in the mountains on a permanent basis as long as it was inside a house with all the required creature comforts to keep me comfy.  The idea of a studio filled with my quilting essentials and large windows looking out over the mountains... ahhh.  I've seen a few pictures of several that have that on the web and I seriously want my own.  Maybe someday.

A couple of weeks ago I so this fabric and had to buy it for my bird loving sister.  It will probably become a lap quilt and a couple of pillows.  I'm undecided if I will use the mottled piece with it or not.  It does match very well.  It is by Springs.

Large Panel

Pillow Panel

Robins and Bluebirds

Chickadees and Yellow Finches?  Not sure of the names.

All over birds and extra fabric

Then Friday I went to the Sewing Expo.  My knee held up very well from all the driving and walking.  I didn't have any pain in it. Yeah!!  I did find some batiks.  The two large pieces are 108" wide.  There is a 2 yard border print and a 3 yard all over.  This will be for the back of a quilt for my bed I have been planning for several years.  Now I just need to get it designed.

Border print on the bottom left and allover on the rignt

Seven half yard cut jumped into my hands for some reason

I also found a new seam guide to try.  The machine I'm using upstairs and travel with has a slightly larger 1/4" than my Janome 6600 and I'm hoping this will even out the difference.

I did get started on cutting some of the plaids I showed last week.  I also got a little strip sewing done to.  Here are the results.  Can you guess what it will be?

Strip Sets Sewn and Pressed

There is one other purchase I made at the show.  I'm VERY, VERY excited about it!  Can you guess what it is?  No pictures yet but it will be here soon.  I can't wait!!!

Linking with Sew Many Ways , Patchwork Times, Freemotion by the River, Let's Get Aquainted Mondayand Quilt Story