A Finish and Another Sew-Along

This finish has been a long time in the making. This small quilt is the result of the Temecula Quilt Co. 2015 Summer Sampler Sew-Along. I was diligent (in the beginning) about keeping up with the blocks as posted on their blog.  I decided to do mine using the black and white scraps (generously sized leftovers!) that I fell heir to after my mother finished her own black and white quilt. 
She passed the bin off to me, I sorted through its contents and set right to work. I decided to use flax colored Essex linen for my alternate, plain, blocks. This project stalled a few years later and was relegated to another bin and stashed underneath my cutting table; out of sight, out of mind. Late last year I unearthed the project, determined what was needed to complete it, and did just that.

I chose to quilt it with a custom-sized (4") Easy-Peasy Baptist Fan pantograph by Urban Elementz. The blocks in this sampler quilt measure 4", finished. I also decided to round the corners. 

Additional leftover scraps combined to form the backing.

I don't often round corners, mainly because I was afraid of bias binding; I'm not sure why. The binding went on flawlessly and smoothly. I hand-basted it in place before doing the handwork to join it to the back and was pleased with the results.

I'm going to do this again, I love the appearance of the rounded corners. I conquered my fear! There's no stopping me now.

Ultimately this quilt will be utilized as a table quilt on our breakfast table in the kitchen. 

Sew, what's next? I have decided to join in the fun with their latest Sew-Along; this one is called Temecula's Scavenger Hunt, this is block #1. I am using all my scraps-- I haven't lost sight of my guiding word for the year: VISION. I'll use up what I have already cut and stowed. Wish me luck!

On Thursday this week out youngest granddaughter, Lynnleigh, turned seven years old! What she really wanted for her birthday was to get her ears pierced. But, she explained to me that she "wasn't quite courageous enough, not yet". However, undaunted by the fact that her ears aren't pieced, she came to her birthday dinner wearing clip-on earrings. She was very proud of these! I couldn't help but stifle a giggle. She's growing up very fast, but sitting at the table with her wearing these earrings (like the type that my own grandmother used to wear!) was almost too comical to believe. She is precious. 

Life is Good!

Up next: Strawberries and Cream

New Tools = Happy Quilter!

I'm all set for tomorrow's Bible Study at Quiltkeemosabe's home. Ten more blocks done this past month, we're 43.5% done (88 out of 202 blocks).  Working out of Rosemary Young's Quilt Block Bible has been lots of fun as well as challenging when it comes to writing up all of the piecing instructions. I've put some great tools to work this time: Studio 180 Designs Corner Beam and Corner Pop tools have proven invaluable in working out the blocks in chapter two, Pinwheels and Windmills, shown in the photo at left, the bottom four blocks. I'm glad I happened to have them in my tool arsenal, as well as the E-Z Tri Tool. I have added Marsha McCloskey's Feathered Star Ruler to my bag of tricks, Quiltkeemosabe had recommended it to me and boy, am I ever glad that she did! It is a ruler marked for precision cutting 1/8ths and 1/16ths. I now find that I can tackle these impossibly small-seeming cut sizes without fear! I am still loving Creative Grids Itty-Bitty Eights ruler, but this new one (to me) opens up yet another way when it comes to precise 1/16" cuts. YAY!! All of these blocks shown are 6", finished, to give you some perspective.  So here's the deal: I'm certainly not suggesting that you go out and buy all of the rulers that I have referenced here. What I am thinking, though, is that you may have some of these rulers in your sewing room, they may even be collecting dust; get them out. Dust them off. Familiarize yourself with them and their capabilities. These are precision tools; they're designed by really smart people who've already done all of the hard math for you. Use them! The results will show up in your piecing. It's a definite win-win.

Panning out from the tight shot, above, you'll see what's growing from the bottom up on my design wall. It's the tumbler challenge thrown out earlier this month as a Leader-Ender project by Bonnie Hunter. I'm calling mine, a charm quilt, TMX2 (The More The Merrier). It's totally mindless piecing which, sometimes, is oh-sew-necessary after precision sewing for accuracy.  Whatever you're piecing in your sewing room, I hope you're having fun... remember, after all, why we do what we do; this is (or should be) our happy place!

Life is Good!

Accepting the Unexpected

I'm a planner. I don't like surprises; my ideal day skips right along from one scheduled and anticipated event to the next. Yesterday wasn't that ideal for me. It all started out okay... but then, when I plunged my hand into the freezer to remove what I needed for our dinner (pre-planned and on the calendar, of course!) something wasn't quite right; there was no icy blast of air, no rock-hard piles of carefully wrapped steaks, chops and fish... in fact, I was greeted by the exact opposite. Warm air, not good; thawed meats and prepared-ahead casseroles, they weren't even slightly cold... the contents were a complete loss. This refrigerator-freezer is probably 25 years old, it has served us well as a kitchen back-up; in all honesty, it is used almost as much as our primary one. It was dead. I had not planned on this.

In the mid-afternoon we lost our power. It was back on within an hour later; I have no idea what happened, but the day's plan was eroding... and fast. What next?

Now, imagine if you lived without weather forecasts (in a cave?); you would just wake up in the morning and deal with whatever the weather gods have in mind for you that day. Welcome to my world; this is what we awakened to today... surprise! I don't like surprises. I need to work on my flexibility.


I imagined that Mr. Goodneedle and I would shop for a new refrigerator-freezer to replace the one we've lost, I was looking at the planner to schedule a time to leave with one eye on the now snowy roads... perhaps we'd have to wait. He had another idea altogether... he thinks he can fix it! Oh. I hadn't planned on that. I should have... what was I thinking? After a string of suprises it's comforting to recognize that this handy husband will most definitely take the time to try and fix what's wrong before we hastily schedule any appliance shopping trip; that's a behavior I can always plan on. I had almost taken leave of my senses; reacting to too many surprises all at once, I can't be held accountable. He's got the back off of it now and a volt-ohm meter in his hand, all is right with the world...

almost!

...There was that light and fluffy, smooth loaf of bread I expected to remove 

from the breadmaker to serve with our spaghetti and salad this evening... 

 I'm going to go do some stretches... I'll jot that down on my calendar!

Life is Good!

A Roller Coaster Ride

Getting Mom transferred from the hospital to rehab was a roller coaster ride. There were quick twists and sharp turns, exhilarating ups and devastating downs; but, she's there. It's not easy, and it won't be rapid, but the recovery has begun. We've got our seat belts fastened as I'm sure this ride is going to be bumpy for some time to come. I feel protective of her, I find myself wanting to do the hard work for her; I'm reminded of taking my children to their very first days of school and working to convince myself that they would be fine, that they would find their way. This time I'm praying for Mom to find her way back. As a dear friend so kindly told me, she'll get there: "one day at a time, one step at a time, one prayer at a time". Thank you, so much, for the prayers and kind words.

I am reminded constantly that
Life is Good!
...it really, really is.

Making The Best Of A Bad Break...

Thanks to everyone who has expressed get-well wishes and prayers on behalf of my daughter following her fall and resulting broken foot. We're establishing some routine in what was an otherwise well-oiled machine of a household. A patio chair has been placed in the shower for stability, it works great! The newly appointed cook and housekeeper takes at least twice as long as normal to do each and every little task; the child-proof cabinet door locks, doorknob and outlet covers really slow me down. I fold the towels differently and put the dishes away where I think they should go, but so far my daughter hasn't sent me packing for home; she is patient with me and I am sympathetic with the situation of the patient. Our outings consist of those where there are motorized carts for transport; so far Target and Harris Teeter are tops on our destination lists. She will visit an Orthopedist on Monday for a more definitive diagnosis on the fracture and weight-bearing. Right now our prayer is that the baby will stay put for as long as possible, the best scenario is that Mommy will be walking on her own two feet when the little one makes her entrance. In the meantime we're coming to grips with what has happened, counting our blessings and enjoying some unplanned mother-daughter time together!

Life is Good!

Have You Seen My Glasses?

It's a frequent question around Chez Goodneedle, I can never find my glasses! It all began innocently enough, approximately ten years ago. I remember cursing the needle manufacturers... "what's wrong with these needles, you can't even get the thread through the eye, so much for quality control"! My husband smiled knowingly and laughed under his breath. It was a gradual process from there, I continued, however, to be in denial. I well remember that Sunday morning, sitting in church when my own bulletin appeared a bit fuzzy (church office printer on the blink, low on ink?) but I couldn't help notice that the bulletin of the woman sitting one pew ahead of me appeared to be sharply in focus. Hmmm... Yep, a pair of reading glasses followed, from the pharmacy, they did the trick; for a while. A second, third and fourth pair made their way into the house and occupied every room over the next few years. I found I needed them more and more, not just for reading or sewing; ironing, peeling potatoes, folding clothes all were preceded by the glasses-hunt. Well, you guessed it, the "have you seen my glasses" question won't be asked around here anymore, in a week to ten days they should be on my nose! The eye doctor confirmed my suspicions yesterday, I need full-time glasses. My close up correction is significant but I was also told I need a slight distance correction as well. It was a little hard to hear; "you're officially old now", that's what my inner-voice was shouting in my ear! Looking on the bright side though, I can't help but think of the time I'll save without searching for my glasses, that must mean I'll get more quilts done, right? Oh, and yes, by the way, the needle manufacturers can breathe a sigh of relief... they're off the hook!

Life is Good!

How Could Anyone?

Both my husband and I love listenting to the relaxing New Age music on this CD by Shaina Noll; Songs for the Inner Child. The first track is a song called "How Could Anyone"... the lyrics follow:

"How could anyone ever tell you
You were anything less than beautiful
How could anyone ever tell you
You were less than whole"...

I think about this piece of music and ponder these questions when I flip through the channels on the television looking for something worthwhile; channels filled with broadcasting devoted to plastic surgery. I am appalled at the abundance of these shows promoting surgeons promising physical perfection! I have reached my breaking point when it comes to anything that even resembles tolerance on this subject. With New Year's on the horizon we are also about to become inundated with ads for Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and diet pills and potions, programs and products devoted to helping one carry out their resolutions to regain the body and waistline of their youth. This is a very sad commentary on our culture and our confidence. Yes, God wants us to be the very best people that we can be, He also wants us to love the perfect YOU& ME that He created. In a world where 14-year-old girls seek breast augmentation and liposuction perhaps we need to be reminded that a great resolution for '07 might be to love ourselves and each other for just exactly who we are... to count our blessings and to thank God everyday!

"...How could anyone ever tell you
You were anything less than beautiful
How could anyone ever tell you
You were less than whole"...

God loves you--
YOU love you too!
Life is Good!