Random, Wonky and Wonderful

Fun - that is what quilting should be, fun.  So, I have determined to make some fun stuff and just enjoy sewing with no expectations.  I had some scraps left from making the coasters and I rummaged around in the bins and added more.  Some of the pieces were sewn together already, but not many.  Orphan blocks can be used as is or cut into strips to add back into something else. 

This one above started with a half square triangle unit. Then I pieced  around it like a log cabin - except that some of the "logs" are pieced.  Often those small pieces were cut from the end of another strip.  Those can be sewn together to make a new strip. 

Next up- these two books were part of my inspiration. 

There is also this block:

There is some slashed piecing in there as well as an orphan piece that was made

as an experiment. 

Then this one

Two more orphan pieces and another half square triangle.  And of course a lot

of scrap pieces sewn on randomly. 

Finally this little quarter log cabin - very inspired by the Gwen Marston book. 

I followed some advice and just grabbed strips to sew on it at random - as long as there was some contrast to keep it visually appealing. 

How will all of these be used? For what?  

Figuring that out has not been fun yet.

So......

I will keep sewing or do something else until the idea says 
"Hey why don't you......."

And then it will be fun. 

I worked long enough to retire so that I could start doing things that are fun. 

There are still things I have to do, 

but I get to do more things I want to do. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Another Finish- Table Scraps

It was really a lot of fun just randomly piecing and making the set of four coasters. The recipient approved them and they are almost ready for mailing.  They still need a quick wash/dry cycle so that I can be confident that no seams will pop when they are washed.  Here they are as of today, Sunday March 28th.  (This will not be posted until Monday the 29th.)  

I have to say that I prefer the straight line quilting best on these. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Table Scraps: Placemats are Finished -and a start

There is a challenge on the blog "A Joyful Quilter"  that I discovered when she asked if I was going to put my placemats in the challenge.  I decided that the answer is "YES."  My placemats are finished although I have not done my standard practice of "washing everything I make before it leaves my hands."  

Here are the four placemats. 

And here is the back of one showing the label.

After the last post a friend emailed asking if I could make her some coasters. Her request was "green, and use some scraps to make them so I can use them. If they are fancy, I won't use them. "

So I rummaged through some scraps and pulled greens and some blue greens. But there are bits of other colors that sneaked in.  I did random piecing that is not fancy - in my opinion.   I hope she approves of these and thinks she will use them.  If not, I will still finish them and someone will use them.  Here are the "tops" for the coasters.  

I confess that I got a copy of "Liberated Quiltmaking II" by Gwen Marston and had looked at it before I started.    They aren't fancy just fun.  Right now they are 5"by 5" so they will be just a bit smaller when quilted, trimmed and bound. 

I think both of the projects count quite nicely as "Table Scraps." 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A Little Update

I have been very negligent with this blog lately.  So here is what is currently going on in my world.  

Yesterday, here in Alabama - as well as other places,  we had a very bad weather day. Tornadoes ripped across the state causing a lot of damage in some areas.   I was fortunate that my home and those of my loved ones in the area were spared any major damage.  It was a scary day.  

I have been working most recently on making a set of placemats.  These are pieced and done in the "leave a turning area open" manner.    Two of them are quilted and two are waiting to be quilted. 

But before being quilted the turning spot and the rest of the edge is sewn closed.  It is at that point that I inserted my label.

This photo also shows the backing - and the fact that my stitching on the edge is not perfect. 

You know you are a quilter when you are watching mindless video and the thing that catches your eye is a log cabin block used in decor. 

This episode was made in 1972.  The seventies were the start of the quilting revival in the USA.  I love the way these were used as set decor.  It "normalized" the use of quilted items as home decor.  You may notice that the pillows do not match. Also the one on the left looks like it was truly used prior to being on camera.  (These are the places my mind goes - sometimes I lose the plot of a show when I see quilts or quilted items. ) 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A Finish - and Almost Another

The weather has been interesting the last few days.  I have had summer, tornado spring, and today, late fall. Thursday it was sunny in the morning, then by early afternoon, the sun was hidden.  However, a bright overcast day is great for getting true colors in a photo. So I decided to get photos of the quilt top since I had finished it just before lunch. 

It seemed calmly serene and just a little cool as I put up the line and hung the quilt. Then I pulled out my camera and walked around to take photos.  The wind decided to play with the quilt. I think I took ten to twelve photos. 

And the wind laughed at me. 

I laughed back and kept snapping photos. 

As you can see, Mr. Wind had the last laugh  I even tried 

weighing down the bottom edge, to no avail. 

At least you can see what I did with the scraps and the borders. 

This quilt has a lot of movement anyway.  Maybe the wind was flirting with it.

Birds of a feather, you know. 

At Mom's house we continued to work on the latest puzzle.  Mom had made a few 

strides the night before and then on Thursday morning. 

I was impressed.  Plus, it made it easier for me to fit in some more pieces. 

Here is how it looked when I said "Enough!" on Thursday. 

All the pieces that remain are green. But I wouldn't be surprised to find it finished on Friday 

afternoon when I visit. Mom finds doing the puzzles a lot of fun. 

(Okay,  I am enjoying it, too. I confess. Mom and I make a pretty good team.)

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Trimmings and Pieces

The center of the quilt top is sewn together in the design variation that my friend and I decided on while zooming.  I don't have a photo as I sewed it on the last sunny day.  The weather now is rainy and gray and today we have a potential for some severe weather. 

But while making this pattern you do a lot of block trimming that leaves you with all of these pieces.

Trimmings

Those are perfectly good fabric. As was shown in the book they can be sewn together 

and used in the quilt as part of a border.  So I have a plan to use them. 

They are all sewn together and while they were still in pieces when

I took this photo they are now in two nice strips, ready for my quilt plan. 

In other news, Mom and I have been working on a new puzzle that my brother bought. 

This one does NOT have a poster to look and find where the pieces go.  

I find that poster so helpful with my "old eyes." 

For this one we are having to use the little picture on the box top as our guide. 

But we are still making progress. 

Pieces

There are 500 pieces in this one -although I know that it is also made in a 1000 piece 

variation.  I found it online as 1000 pieces but it was out of stock. 

This puzzle is made by Cobble Hill.  I don't really like they way it is cut.

The pieces are not "exact fit" like the Buffalo Games puzzles. 

But, we will finish it. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Blocks Made - Layout Under Consideration

The Wonky Nine Patch Passion quilt is still in progress.  The blocks are made and I have done several layouts trying to find one that "sings" to me.  After a lot of moving blocks around I came upon this layout. 

When it is sewn all the seams will (hopefully) line up for a more cohesive design.  The layout that I was wanting to do just didn't read well with these fabric choices.  

That one looked like this:

I didn't have all the blocks made when I took the photo of that one. 

What surprises me is how many different layouts I can do with this block. 

Actually it is one block and its mirror image. 

After talking with a friend on Zoom, and looking at the layout. 

We decided on a variation on the first layout. 

I think it adds some consistency to the placement of the fabrics.

So that is the one I am sewing together. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Puzzle and Bear and Blocks -OH MY!

Did the title get your attention?  There is a project that I have been working on but have not mentioned.  But first,  let me show you what Mom and I completed today!!! This puzzle was a tough one.  We knew from the start that one piece was missing and another was damaged.  What we did not know was that some of the pieces will fit in other places reasonably well. (more on that but first the photo.) 

We were correct about the missing piece.  I was sure that piece of sky was the one missing.  But we messed up the big house in front by fitting one piece that joins it to the sky into the place one spot right of where it belonged.  It really did look like it fit. Today with only 22 pieces left, I figured it out.  Then we got it finished. 

Thursday night I started a project I have been looking at for a while.  I got a book by Marlous Carter titled Wonky One Block Quilts.   The cover photo makes me happy, so that is the one I chose to work on. I am starting it as a baby quilt - but I may have to expand to lap size to be happy with it. 

Here are the fabrics I chose to start with. 

This is an Island Batik collection named "Little Sir, Little Miss."  The three at the bottom are yardage. I needed lighter fabrics to make the design pop.  The fact is that I probably will not use all the fabrics in the line.  I may use the white numbers fabric as a neutral on some of the blocks - I am undecided. 

I have made two blocks - but the project I haven't spoken about is also in the block photo.  You see, I made a "Calico Bear" from the Funky Friends Factory collection.  Pauline, the pattern designer had a sew along and gave the pattern as an intro to making soft toys.  

So when my doll needles finally arrived, I sewed on the arms and legs. Then that crafty bear started playing with my quilt blocks.  I think Calico approves. 

Isn't that just the sweetest smile. 

I know that you can't tell much about the blocks yet but when I have

a few more of them sewn I will post a layout photo. 

I must keep creating!

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Puzzled by it all

Mom and I are working on a 500 piece puzzle.  Wait, actually it is a 499 piece puzzle.  This puzzle we got used from the Public Library.  There was a note inside saying that one piece is missing and another piece is damaged.  We think that we have found both places.  There is a spot in the sky on the left side of the puzzle that has a piece with four "innies"  or as I call them "holes" that is missing.  You can see it in the progress picture below. 

The damaged piece is placed in the place we think it goes.  It is on the lower right, under the leg dog's head which is two or three pieces above it.  It looks like a pet or a toddler tried to eat it. 

Here is the photo "map" that came with the puzzle.  I do like having a photo that is bigger than the box to use for reference. 

And we have the pieces sorted on pieces of cardboard. When we are working on it, we have them placed around the puzzle like this. 

The red edge you see on the right hand side also has pieces placed on it.  As you may can tell, the ground, sky, and leaves on the trees are the harder parts.  But we will eventually get it all put together.  

I have a sewing project that I am working on, but it is stalled as I had to order some special longer hand needles to finish it.  Then USPS  conveniently  sent them to the wrong state- Georgia - for some reason. 

When I get them, I will finish the project and then show it to you. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A Finish and a New "Start"

I have my first finish of March 2021.  After diligently  sewing on the facing, while watching (sort of watching) a video, I got the little quilt completed.  

Actually I can see that I am not quite finished. I need to go back and push out those corners a bit better. That is the nice thing about this type of facing, the corners are still easily accessible. So I can get a point pusher in there and finesse it a bit.  Overall, I am very happy with this piece.  I love the way that the threads show on the black background.  It really makes the quilting stand out.  Although I do wonder if I should go back and fill some of the circles on the right side so that it balances the checkerboard on the left side. What do you think?

As for the new start - it probably isn't what you are thinking.  You may know that I love music in many forms.  Earlier this year, I took some music classes online in a "dulcimer festival."  I did not take any dulcimer classes, but in the big group sessions, I became enamored with them.  They are such a simple instrument, with only three strings.  In fact, my autoharp was made at "The Dulcimer Shoppe" in Arkansas.  When I saw that they were making a different kind of dulcimer (read 'much less expensive') I was intrigued.  (Quick backstory - ages ago I almost bought a dulcimer at a festival in Tennessee.  But I had no one to teach me to play it, so I didn't.)  
I checked with the shop for the price and decided that at my age, I should just get it and scratch that itch once and for all.  I am now learning to play it- with help from YouTube and a few other sources. It is slow, but I love learning new things.   Here are photos of the front and back of my new musical acquisition. 

The two woods are walnut (dark) and cherry (light.)  The awesome thing about this model is that the pieces of wood are "off-cuts" from making the shops teardrop and hourglass shaped dulcimers. Because of this the side pieces are "book matched" - meaning that they are mirror images in grain. 
Of course I had to take the photos on a quilt - playing up two of my passions: Quilting and Music.  When I get better at playing a tune I will post a video.  

So now you know why I am posting less these days.  I am expanding my abilities in other areas and spending more time with Mom. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A thimble, A threader - and time

What are three things that start with "T" ?   What are three things that I am using in my current "project"?

Yes both of those are the correct question to the title  "answer"  - A thimble, A threader - and time. 

I have pulled out an older project and I am sewing a facing onto it.  This necessitates hand sewing, thus the need for the thimble. 

I love this type of thimble as it is comfortable and it stays on my finger. I have several of these.  They also can be used as finger picks for playing the autoharp.  I know a couple of other autoharp players that use them. 

Since having  cataract surgery, hand threading a needle is a bit more of a challenge.  But I have had this nice little green contraption for a few years.

This threader is a real life-saver when I need to thread one of those tiny needle eyes. 

Now, I don't have a picture of time.  I did try to capture a photo of time, but I discovered that it is far too fleeting to stand still for a photo. 

As for the project, it was started in a class with the Gee's Bend Quilters in 2013.  Then in 2016, the original was cut into pieces and the black was added.  I am not sure exactly when I did the quilting on it.  But in March of 2021 I am finishing it.  So it took me slightly less than 8 years to complete (if I finish it this month as planned.) 

In  "mother news," we have finished yet another puzzle. I left one evening and came back the next day to see that mom had done quit a lot.  We worked together for a bit longer and it was complete. 

This one, called Confection Street, was 300 pieces.  The next one we started yesterday.  It is 500 pieces and may try my patience (and mom's patience too.)  

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Some "Just Because" Sewing

I decided to take some strips and sew log cabin blocks with them.  No reason, no plan.  Just to be sewing. I said to myself, "Just a few minutes."  Then I got going and it was more than a few minutes.  Here are the results -at one point. 

I did all the cutting with scissors as I sat at my machine with a bag of strips. 

The iron was set up for quick pressing so I did not have to get up. 

Meanwhile at Mom's - I had helped her start a new puzzle. 

It is 300 pieces. These pieces are a bit larger. 

We sat together and put the outer edges together.  I noticed that she did much better with 

the larger pieces.  We put together some of the inside. I worked on the sky mostly.

Then I sorted pieces by color/subject.  When I left, she was still working on it. 

What a surprise when I came back the next day- It was all finished. 

She said that my brother had brought her supper.  

He helped some "but he didn't put in much" she said. 

I have not asked him yet, but I believe her.   She started  looking at the

picture and using it as a map to find where the pieces go. She learned that

from watching my brother and me working on it.  That made me really

happy - because it means the synapses in her brain are working well 

enough to still learn new tricks. 

What are you doing to improve the workings of your brain?  
I am working on learning to play a few musical instruments. I am 

also trying to memorize the songs that I use for practice. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Another February Finish

Of course this February finish was a collaboration with my Mom and (on the last day) my Brother.  We finally finished the puzzle.  

At one point I was certain that at least one piece was missing.   Every piece was there. My brother put that "missing" piece in on the last day when we completed it.  I had just told him "I am sure that piece is missing." Less than a minute later he put the piece in place and said "Yes, I guess it is missing!" 

 Sometimes it surprises me how much alike we are with our sense of humor.  He is a really funny guy at times.  

Mom was super glad to get this one finished.  We will start a new one soon.  But it is only 300 pieces, so it should be more "do-able" for Mom. I will just have to sit back and let her have some moments of success.  At 84, she deserves it. 

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.