Getting A Handle On Things

I stitched this carrier up yesterday afternoon after church. I didn't have any measurements to go by, but I did have some leftover canvas duck from making tote bags and some cotton clothesline to stabilize the edges. Mr. G approximated the dimensions and I set to work. 

He needed a sling to carry the firewood up to the woodstove from the pile outdoors. I doubled over the handles, added more of the cotton clothesline to give them a substantial hold and filled in between the sides of each with two layers of soft and stable to cushion the grips. It worked great!

Oh, and one more thing: the floor stays neater and cleaner 

with each trip from the woodpile to the hearth, too. 😉

I'm getting a handle on a new project that's wandered onto my cutting table. I have this much done. Guesses?

Life is Good!

Developing A Plan

It's a great thing when a plan comes together... this sneaky project tip-toed in before one was even developed! I've got one now though, "Jackstones" will ultimately finish to be 63" X 84".  This photo represents  the left side of the top row; I'm happy with the integrated pieced border, I like the effect.

Now I can get back to the work at hand... where I was before that project snuck in and took over my brain and cutting table! Somedays it's just hard to demonstrate self-control and ignore those pesky creative distractions, I have to remember who's the boss.

Life is Good!

On Starting A New Project...

"Little Letters"  ~ Temecula Quilt Company

A few weeks ago I was alerted by Quiltkeemosabe to a new tutorial, an alphabet quilt, beginning over at Temecula Quilt Co.'s blog (linked below photo).  Yesterday the first letter, and installment of this series, was published; this will make up as an adorable little quilt!  I'm in! I love letters, I love old-fashioned samplers; what's not to love?  The only decision here is what fabrics to choose.  Why would I consider starting even one more new project right now? I was puzzled by that myself... and then I read this quote, on creativity:  "The excitement, the true excitement, was always in starting again.  Nothing's worse than an accomplished task, a realized dream." - Marilyn Harris  There you have it. I've finished up more than a few long-standing projects recently. I NEED to start something new simply to acheive balance; my creative spirit demands it! Who am I to argue?

Life is Good!

Weekend Retreat Report

 Sweet Sherbet Strips  ~ 40" X 59"

I was on retreat this past weekend with my quilting buddies, it was very quiet and low-key; and, from my perspective, quite productive! I pieced this quilt for some friends who are expecting a baby girl next month. It didn't come out quite the way I expected! I followed this pattern. I expected the little bits of color to be squares but as I sewed I realized I was creating rectangles instead. I had purchased a kit with precut strips and had set right to work cutting those. When I investigated the discrepancy in appearance I realized that the pattern (and picture) used 1.5" strips and the ones included in my kit were 2"; hence... rectangles! I'm fine with that; this baby quilt now has the appearance of woven ribbons and, I think,  it's visually pleasing. This detail shot shows a true color represntation.

I will probably quilt it with some kind of swirly all-over pantograph. It is a sweet quilt.

"Mountain Day"  ~ 60" X 42" (half done)
Finished size to measure: 60" X 84"

I made progress on "Mountain Day". Half of it is now pieced and set together, it will remain borderless. I figured I needed to get this one together before next month when I take another class from this same teacher at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival; it would be nice to have something to show after a years' time, and before I add yet another UFO to the pile!

I stitched up quite a few star-flowers and tried my hand at setting some together, too; happily, that was much easier than I had imagined. I have decided to name this quilt, a keeper, "A Whiter Shade of Pale". It is very soothing to look at and to work on. This uses up all the leftovers from my low volume fabrics... time to collect more!

Thanks one and all for your comments and encouragement on my last post. I appreciate all your kind words and encouragement, I am taking very good care of myself and that is paying off. I am doing just fine.

Life is Good!

Betcha Can't Stop At One!

I've been following the newest quilt-a-long (QAL) at Crafty Fox; I was intrigued by her choice of  pattern: "Star Flower". As far as I am concerned this one might as well be called "Potato Chip Stars" because once I started I simply couldn't stop! I chose the scrappy option using these soft, low volume, prints; they will be set alternately with pale solid hexagons giving the whole thing a washed, faded look. I figured I had time to stitch up of few of these while quilting this, and while cutting out and and binding other projects; after all... who can stop at just ONE? Not me.

Life is Good!

Need More Time?

Nothing like a trip to the local discount department store to reveal products I didn't even know existed, (imagine that, apparently this is an "as seen on TV" product, too!) and time saving products, at that! Just think of the mere moments you can shave off your morning routine by not having to actually bend to clean your feet while showering! Just adhere these suckers to the bottom of your shower (don't miss this safety tip, particularly if you're accident prone like me) and you're good to go! Who knew? What will you do with all your new-found time?

Life is Good!

Potato Parts And Pieces

So where do you keep your potato parts and pieces? This has become a problem for my grandson... okay, so maybe not so much of a problem for Mason, but it was a nuisance for Mason's mom. She requested a simple drawstring bag for the bits and parts associated with Mr. Potato Head. I thought I could probably whip something up that would fit the bill. I made some preliminary measurements and got to work. A little spud fabric, some embroidery and...voilà , this was the result! We're off to the Capital City today to put the new bag to the test. Hopefully all parts and pieces can be successfully stowed and will no longer be underfoot! We wouldn't want any mashed potato pieces, now would we?

Life is Good!

The Quilting Is Done!

I have binding yet to apply, and a sleeve to attach, but I couldn't resist sharing this one today now that the quilting is complete.

Is there any phrase that
elicits more joy than
"the quilting's done"?
I daresay only one.
When new fabrics
and pattern beckon,
my gleeful reply:
"I've just begun"!

...and sew it goes...
Life is Good!