Going Crazy?

I have this portable heater in my studio space; it's one of my favorite things in the whole wide world! Mr. G. gave it to me a few years ago for Christmas after I had expressed a desire for one over a period of many years. One of the best features is the remote that I can use to control it from anywhere in the room: handy! So, two days ago the remote disappeared. If you know me at all you'll understand that this turned me all sorts of sideways with myself; I am, truly, a "place for everything and everything in its place" type of gal. The Container Store is my mother-ship. The search for the roaming remote was driving me to do all sorts of irrational things, like: look in the same place (the place where it should've been) 412 times, go through the trash over and over again, search random drawers and kitchen (?!?) cabinets, look in the refrigerator, weigh four newly wrapped, identical, Christmas gifts that I was ready to mail to make sure that they all weighed the same, emptied Augie's toy basket on the off chance that he'd put it in there! I knew, just knew, that I had laid it down somewhere. Or did I? My head was spinning and I was beginning to doubt my own sanity. Mr. G was very reassuring, he reminded me that I really didn't even need the remote, I could still use my heater without it. That didn't do much, though, to ease my mind. After a restless night I woke up thinking that maybe I had put it in the bin with my gift wrap ribbon; nope. I got busy with the ironing and started to think, all over again, it had to be in the cabinet located just behind this heater. (I'd already looked there three times last night!) I got down on my hands and knees and began to remove everything from the cabinet. Every. Little. Thing. Lo! and behold, there was the remote; it had slid all the way to the back behind my longarm rulers and tools! I could breathe again. Yes, I know that the remote isn't crucial to the operation of the device, that's true. But, when something is lost or misplaced it sure does mess with my head! Moving on, today's a good day. It's happy dance time!! One more thing about me: I love a happy ending! Don't you?

I'm so glad that it wasn't in the refrigerator, for many reasons!😵

Life is Good!

Making Lemonade

I'm looking on the bright side these days; if I didn't, the whole situation of living in a construction zone would drive me over the edge. I knew that I had to shift the focus to that which I could change for the better. As someone who craves order and tidiness I am faced daily with my biggest enemies: disorder, clutter, chaos and dust; piles and piles of it! My challenge is to deal with all of the above and make constructive use of this current state of our home! When the new drawers were installed, including the one that would house our silverware, Mr. G. had already outfitted that one with custom dividers, I no longer needed the cutlery insert that I'd had before! Hmmm... I thought... would it fit in the top drawer of my cutting island where I keep thread? Would it EVER!! Not only did it fit nicely but the sections were the perfect size for my small spools to be arranged by color. No more rolling around and getting mixed up with each other every time I opened and closed that drawer! SCORE! My next victory is with spices, extracts and baking supplies. Since all of the cabinets that contained those have been removed, I am now intimately acquainted with each and every bottle and tin that we have. Those that were old, dusty and of unknown origin have all been discarded, as have multiples of the same item! Now to separate those remaining into like categories and alphabetize them before they're restocked; this will be a HUGE (much needed) accomplishment! Likewise all of the no longer useful and questionable cleaning supplies that had been stored beneath where the kitchen sink used to be: gone, gone, and gone! Getting that future space under control in a neat and orderly way will be a breeze now!

We've gone from left photo to the right one this week, the backsplash has already been removed and the wall resurfaced; fingers crossed that all of the new cabinetry will be installed this weekend.

While Mr. G is working on the kitchen re-do and I've done as much as I can on that front, I've been escaping to the sewing room and a precious scrappy quilt loaded for clamshell quilting. A friend brought this to me, it has such a wonderful story: her mother had begun piecing this before she was diagnosed with a fast moving illness that ultimately took her life, it was out of the blue and completely unexpected. Following her death the unfinished quilt top sat for a long time until recently, her father picked it up and finished piecing it! It's huge: 96" X 102", entirely made up of three inch squares; yep, that's 1,088 scraps of love! My friend wanted double batting for a weightier, more substantial quilt. Sew it goes, this is destined to become a treasured family heirloom. 

Augie's been hanging out with me while I quilt lately, the sewing room is a peaceful place for him too. We're rising to the current challenges by squeezing lemonade out of the "lemons" that our construction zone has presented and making the best of it. Someone asked me the other day if this wasn't worse than moving; "no, not at all" I answered, emphatically, "I don't ever plan to move again, if I can help it! When this is over, and the dust settles, it will all be wonderful" (and tidy and better organized than it was before!). 

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the laundry room not only for doing up the dishes by hand 

but even for plugging in the crock pot for tonight's dinner. It's all good!

Life is Good! 

New Year, New Perspective

So, I've got a new perspective moving forward. Less is more, simpler is better. We'll see how it goes. Christmas is taken down and stowed away for another eleven months. It took me two full days this year, one for take down and the second for cleaning and organizing what's being put away. I suppose that's a direct reflection of getting older. That second part (cleaning and organizing) triggered additional trips to Goodwill, the Shepherd's Center and our local Recycling post. I now have a pristine closet solely devoted to Christmas items that is show-worthy! During all this cleaning, organizing and shuffling I decided that I needed a much more efficient and effective kitchen towel drawer. I love the beautiful and decorative kitchen towels that I own but I rarely use them as workhorses at clean-up time. I decided to ditch any kitchen towels that can't be washed in hot-hot water, with bleach, and pressed back into service. This is the result. I now am using only white kitchen towels for clean up with linen towels in reserve for drying wine glasses and crystal. Everything's been streamlined and simplified. My decorative towels are now delegated for show and hand drying. It's all good.

Santa's gone back  to the North Pole and Mr. Snowman is, once again, guarding the door.

One item on my Christmas list this year was Sew Kind of Wonderful's Wonder Curve Ruler. I had seen some of the patterns and their Sampler Quilt Block Book advertised and was eager to give it a try. I'm not a stranger to this basic technique, I've been using their Quick Curve and Mini Quick Curve rulers for a while now; but, I'm here to tell you, that this new Wonder Curve tool is all that! There are more registration lines on the tool itself, as well as colored indicators that make lining up, and using this ruler, a pure joy. Simpler is better! I recall cutting small pieces of masking tape and marking intersecting points and lines on my rulers in conjunction with those older generation Quick Curves to keep myself on track. This new tool takes all that work out,  the needed markings are already there and waiting. As a way of familiarizing myself with the new tool I chose to try out the pattern that came packed with the ruler: "Wonder Flutters". You can see my progress above.

With the basic exercises behind me, can any of these ↑ be too far away? I think not!

With respect to time and the learning curve (sorry, too easy!), this tool is a winner, hands down!

So, what's new for you in '22?

Life is Good!

Sorting It Out

With nowhere to go, and a stash of fabric and supplies on hand, it's like being on a never-ending retreat; these are the days we quilters have been stockpiling for all those years! But-- I need to slow down and sort this out. I have always been that person who's thinking of the "next quilt" before I finish what I'm working on now. With this current situation, for me, it's worse than ever. I tell myself that I'm keeping my eye on my guiding word for 2020 (VISION); with focus aimed at using up the fabric and precut scraps that I have on hand. But, that doesn't keep me from wandering onto Pinterest and "pinning" scrap quilts galore to my visual bulletin boards. "Oh, I want to try that one, and that one, and that one... " Pin.Pin.Pin. If it stopped there that wouldn't be so bad but I find myself obsessed with pulling out my rectangles to begin a Chinese Coin that I saw pictured and organizing fabrics for a Jack's Chain quilt all in shades of blue that someone made and posted. I need to settle down! I need to sort this out. In all honesty, if this quarantine went on forever and a day I would never got to all of those quilts that I have pinned, let alone those that I've already begun. So, to start; I am not clicking on Pinterest. I am writing daily lists, (I've always been a list-maker and daily planner anyway, this wasn't a stretch) I am putting on blinders to anything else. As a way to feel much more productive and in control I am cleaning out and organizing one thing a day; this can be as simple as a drawer or as labor-intensive as a closet; for me, this helps, it keeps me busy and helps me to stay in check with something to show for my deliberate attention to one thing.

While talking on the phone with my Dad this morning my eyes went to the design wall where my partially done "Which Way Now" is hanging and all of a sudden realized a secondary design element to explore with the HSTs; that's placing focus where it belongs-- on what I am working on; I don't need to be running in seventeen different directions! I'm continuing to sort out what it means for me to have nothing but time on my hands and supplies at the ready, I'm also sticking to a regimen of walking and holding fast to reading hour. These few minor adjustments are keeping me centered and better directed. It's all good!

Adapting in an upside down 🙃world: My well-check up scheduled for next week with my PCP has been reformatted-- to a video visit; okay, that's new! I understand the reason but question the value. I assumed when the office called that they were going to reschedule, not suggest this alternative. But, we're all adjusting; we'll see how it goes. Changes are happening so fast it's hard to keep up.

Update on the standing prayer request: Quiltkeemosabe's husband is continuing to improve following surgery, thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for him, for Quiltkeemosabe and for their family. 

"For nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37

Life is Good!

Up next: RAK

New Year, New Purpose!

I have two traditions for New Year's Day: The first is to gather all the Christmas cards and disassemble them. Fronts are carefully removed from the backs, unless they're photo cards, and neatly stacked. The insides, with the card sender's name(s), are punched and threaded onto a ring where they will reside with our Bible and devotional material at the kitchen table. 
Each morning, after breakfast, we have our devotions and then pray for the person or family on the top of the stack. We rotate through the stack throughout the year, flipping the card on top to the bottom and so forth. For us, this keeps the senders close all year long. This is not an original idea, I have blogged about this before. The idea came from friends years ago, Helen and Marv. They have both gone to their Heavenly home now, but we carry on in their spirit; we don't have cards in the stack from them anymore but they are always on our minds and in our hearts as we keep this tradition alive. So, what becomes of those stacked card fronts?

They are re-purposed into gift tags! I trim them into shapes, punch a hole and tie a ribbon for attaching to next year's gifts. I realized as I was doing this that this is a great activity for children. I should have done it over the weekend when the grands were here. Little ones love cutting, punching and threading the ribbon ties. I will remember that for next year, but I was on a mission to finish up the project up yesterday.

The second New Year's tradition is to transfer all dates and data from last year's calendar/planner into the new one. For the last five years I have given our daughter a planner for Christmas and she gives me mine. We let each other know in the fall which one we would like to receive and how we would like the cover to be personalized. Now, we both realize that we could order our own planners, but where's the fun in that?  It's exciting to unwrap our planners together each year! One year we both chose the same design; this year our daughter suggested three different designs and asked me to choose for her. 

These planners are big and roomy with pockets and folders too. I use mine incessantly, all in an effort to keep my life orderly and organized.  Some days I'm better at that than others. But, hey, it's a new year and I'm ready for it now; I'm always up for doing better than before and I can dream big too! 

Life is Good!

Project Bags

These are Project Bags, made from the pattern of the same name. I have made lots of them; as gifts, and a few to keep. They are pretty to look at and straight-forward to construct. According to the write up on the pattern, they are: 

Great for organizing everything you need for each of your projects, these handy totes in four sizes have sturdy quilted bases and fun fabric details. A zippered closure keeps everything safe and secure and a see-through vinyl window allows you to see at a glance what is in each bag.

I concur, although I have only made the large (13" X 13") size. For me, they are especially handy to place chosen fabrics, supplies and the pattern or booklet for any given project all in one tote for workshops or retreats.

If you haven't made any bags by Annie this is the perfect one to start with. 

Fear not the zipper-- the instructions are easy-peasy; go forth and get yourself organized!

Life is Good!

The Closet That Keeps On Giving

The quilting is done on "Red Hot Summer", the binding and label have been attached, the handwork to see it through to completion is ongoing; in the meantime the next oldest flimsy from the stash closet is up, on deck, and ready to go. Quiltkeemosabe reminded me this morning of the year that this block-of-the-month represents: 2008. Nine years old, not bad. This one will be custom quilted, no pantograph this time. The pattern for these blocks came from Quakertown Quilts; I decided on the linear, on point, setting.  No name has been assigned yet; any ideas?
And so, I set to work; feathering everything in my path!

Each block will get it's own variation on the theme.

Meanwhile this is going on. Needless to say, it will all be worth it in the long run. However, dealing with this mess, dust and chaos on a daily basis are sorely testing my anxiety level. The kitchen is done, the dining room and foyer are currently under assault. Next week, the studio. YIKES! I may just break out in hives thinking about being banished for days on end. I have a BIG project planned during the painting session in there, clear down at the other end of the house, it's one I have been putting off and welcome the forced eviction (at least that's what I am telling myself today); a complete cleaning out of my dresser drawers and closet! 😲  That should take a while and keep me out from underfoot. We'll see... 

Life is Good!

Quilting By The Numbers

After~ Pantographs, arranged numerically with accompanying directory on top.

As I mentioned in yesterday's post I chose to use a specific pantograph for quilting the "Red Hot Summer" quilt that is currently loaded onto Snowbird.

Before~

That very action: searching for and locating the chosen pantograph was a completely frustrating and time-wasting activity task chore. Up until yesterday the pantographs were arranged in the unorganized jumble as pictured above. The method for selection was haphazard at best; pulling rolls out of the repurposed, expandable wine rack that is housed in the bottom section of the sewing machine cabinet, until I got lucky and found what I was looking for. "There has to be a better way", I thought.  I already had a computer file listing all of  the pantographs that I own, created for potential quilting customers a few years ago. I decided to print it out, assign a number to each entry, and subsequently create matching numbers to attach to each paper pantograph roll. The whole project took me approximately two hours; it will pay for itself, time-wise, in short order. The feeling of accomplishment in taming this jumble is, to me, priceless! Keeping the directory up to date on looseleaf pages allows for future entries to be logged in and added, page by page, over time. It's a good system.

Meanwhile, that Waterworld quilting is coming along quite nicely.

Life is Good!

Buried and Busy

It had gotten to the point that I couldn't pull open the file drawer in the studio anymore, no matter if I'd had my Wheaties for breakfast or not! It was time, long past time, for cleaning out the files. Do you ever have looming jobs that seem to be so much greater in scope, in your imagination, than they actually turn out to be? I do; this was one of those tasks which seemed too big to tackle... almost! I started yesterday morning, one file at a time. The waste basket became my best friend. Pounds upon pounds of paper were carried to the trash can outside. Quilt sketches from the 1980's, quilt judging critique forms and quilt show programs that were also decades old; did I need to keep any of these? NO! This afternoon I can open and close the file drawer with ease, it's one fluid movement again, with room for more files if the need arises. A job successfully completed, such as this one, always makes we wonder why I waited all this time to begin. A huge sense of accomplishment is my reward.

Digging out from all that paper was cause for a celebration. For me, getting organized is like throwing a party; so, how better to commemorate the occasion than by getting busy making pencil cases for the grands. This was fun, I trimmed each with their individual favorite colors and filled them with a few treats to celebrate the end of school; who knows what treasures and treats they may come to hold over time. Another pattern byannie.com.; this one is a free download. And to think, I was once afraid of zippers! 😉 What needs organizing at your house? Attack it head on, you'll be happy that you did!

Life is Good!

What's Nesting?

What's nesting at your house? It's almost spring, are there any birds eyeing your birdhouses yet? I haven't seen any here; but, there is nesting going on-- nesting baskets! You might remember that last month I posted about my LQS and its monthly "Let's Get Organized" club using patterns by Annie. This is the latest club project. I had a feeling that my oldest granddaughter might like a set of these in which to keep some of her little toys, trinkets and treasures. I took the pattern for her approval and she suggested the fabric colors. This "Dream and a Wish" line by Sandra Workman for Riley Blake designs fit the bill perfectly.

This was a fun project, it took me a little bit of practice to get the hang of it. My first attempt at a lid, on the smallest basket, ended up looking more like a popover than a flat-topped  basket cover. I persevered and quickly realized that if I stitched with the outer lid band "ring" on the top, to the round cover piece, flat against the sewing machine bed, s-l-o-w-l-y, it was possible to achieve a perfectly flat surface and a smooth seam at the same time. As stated in the directions! (Those wise words from the poster hanging in my seventh-grade home ec. room prove true once again: "when all else fails, read the directions!") In the end, I did remake a second lid for the smallest one. The results speak for themselves.

I learned a lot and enjoyed every step! I will definitely make more of these.

 I love the look of the little handles and the clear vinyl 

pocket on the fronts for labeling each basket's contents.

So, what's nesting at your house?

Life is Good!

Getting Organized

Stash and Dash Organizer - 8" X 5" when closed, as pictured.

 2017 is the year for getting organized at my LQS; they launched something new, a "Let's Get Organized" club featuring a pattern each month from patterns by Annie. The shop will highlight twelve different bags and/or organizers to make quilters' (or anyones') lives easier and more orderly...not to mention CUTER! This is last month's pattern: "Stash and Dash". The hardest part, for me, was choosing the fabric to use! I will make more of these, it is a great pattern with a wonderful finished product, but I will choose a busier fabric for the contrasting binding. Live and learn. This one worked out perfectly fine, but there's always room for improvement; since one is attaching binding and sewing through the layers, front to back, I did find that using an almost-solid did nothing to hide stitches that didn't align perfectly on top of one another. This isn't really a big deal, but I did make a mental note for next time (I am already planning my next one!). The first step was quilting the main body fabric and lining, using Soft and Stable inside, it made a wonderfully stable foundation and was easy to quilt through, I loved the process and was happy with the cross-hatching.

The inside of the Stash and Dash has three roomy, zippered, mesh pockets; perfect for filling with any treasures you want to grab, stow securely and take along. Who couldn't use one (or two) of these?

The pattern has easy-to-follow instructions for binding and zipper insertion, I felt like a pro with these results! The nice thing about the mesh pockets is that they are stretchy and can be over-filled as necessary, the sliding strap on the outside will adjust to accommodate whatever is contained inside.

The back of the Stash and Dash has a vinyl see-through pocket for including any necessary, accessible items you might need without opening or unrolling the organizer.

I couldn't wait to share this cute project with you. I highly recommend the pattern (the tips and techniques are terrific!) and feel more organized already, WOW; by the end of this year my organizational skills will should be epic. 😉

Life is Good!