Mar 31, 2006

how small is too small?

I cannot seem to find a picture right now of any of the three log cabin quilts I have made with the 2 inch strip baskets that I am currently sorting. I DID quilt this one using primary colored variegated thread in the same one I did from "scratch"

I arrived at our meeting place some time ago to find several things set in our storage closet. There is a no lock on it and no one seems to disturb our things. It is not surprising to find that someone has donated a bag or box of things they think we might use.

Wow, quilting tools and a whole pile of log cabin blocks this time. From the quilter's sketch she was planning on queen/king star like set with these. I went down to the office to ask the church secretary if she knew where these treasures had come from. She did--one of the church members was a quilter, had passed away several years ago and these were from her estate. They thought we could use them for our donation quilts. And boy, did we! I believe we got 4 quilts out of the deal. Carol, the block maker, had taken quilting classes from our co-founder Joy, as it turned out.

What led me to look for the log cabin picture is sorting out these strips we tore through recently. They are still separated essentially by light, medium and dark, of course but now I'm going for sizes. Some of this stuff is my strips but a lot of it is some that Ellen, the head of Wrap Them in Love Foundation had sent in a stuffed Xerox paper box. It is not good enough to just have strip baskets, you gotta use them!! I have made a dent in them and the Belles have helped me as well. I kept telling them to grab a handful and make something scrappy. One girl turned her head and didn't even look for colors---now that is what I had in mind!

So here is how it is going as sort through the 3rd of 3 baskets--I did manage to empty out a shoe box sized bin as I went along but only because it is moved to other spots. I know I am deluding myself into thinking it is gone rather than "gone elsewhere", LOL.
  • I have a pineapple log cabin started in 6 or 7 inch blocks so some of those smaller pieces can stick around for that. Separate pile#1 but file back as I'm not digging in the closet to drag out that bin. The 3 inch and smaller could be cut into squares for leaders and enders at some point.
  • 5 inch or a tad longer for the pioneer braid--pile #2 but then add them to the project bag. Any leftovers can go for strings--maybe another RR crossing down the line or piano key borders somewhere.
  • around 9 1/2--sashing for Pineapple Blossom--pile #3 but then add to the project bags
  • longer strips and "tweeners"---pile #4 to be left in their baskets as who knows where they will end up? I may try a project called Double Weave that Keryn of the Quilt Maverick ring shows on her quilt school site.
  • most of the pastels are already pulled out for my log cabin basket blocks. I won 12 in the participants drawing for the current raffle quilt but will need at least 8 more blocks to make a top.

And so it goes--DJ is off to the golf course. I'm still in my jammies petting and piling up my fabric bits, scheming and planning future quilts and getting myself revved up to quilt this afternoon. Two days off doing other stuff is enough for me.

Hope you have a fun quilty weekend------

Mar 30, 2006

day off yesterday

no quilting yesterday and here is part of the reason why................ Posted by Picasa

Doesn't she look comfortable? When I tried to remove her from at least the top one (which is up for quilting next) she was having none of it--bat with paws and attempted nips. Where is that sweet kitty I heard was sitting on kitty daddy's lap when I was gone quilting?? Okay, that's just jealousy on my part as she never sits on my lap---ever. She is a lot of things but NOT a lap kitty.

Here is proof that she does park on his lap occasionally. I think she was in hopes of ice cream bowl lickings though she doesn't get any and hasn't for some time. Hope springs eternal!

To the right in the upper picture is the stack of 2 inch strips that need to be re-arranged and some strips pulled for sashing two pineapple blossom quilts and the 5 inchers held out for pioneer braid. I still need to attend to that before putting them back up on the shelf.

The main problem and deterrent to my craft was all that paperwork and the unexpected things that arise--like someone's dues check bounced. I've been treasurer for 3 years and that has never happened. Plus now I need to get tax ID numbers of the two non-profit group accounts apparently, thanks to the Patriot Act. Gee thanks! I can see why I procrastinate doing this stuff. I've got some phone calls to make in that regards this morning and then off to the dentist right before lunch for a filling.

Maybe, just maybe, that quilt might get the quilting started today. If not, there is always tomorrow OR binding to work on OR strips to sort.

lchj

Mar 29, 2006

Good things come in small packages

My friend Linda S handed me a package yesterday in a plain brown wrapper. NO, not that kind of package, LOL. She said it was "just because" but there was a challenge involved. I am to use the contents for me, myself and I--any scraps can be worked into a kid's quilt but the main quilt or wall hanging is to be for "me". Well, take a look at my 2006 stats and you would see why she might make that stipulation--my personal stuff always seems to take a back seat.


Isn't it cool! Cats from Timeless Treasures . Of course, she knows how much I like cats! I've got a few ideas here but may need to get a bit more of the contrasting fats depending on that pattern decision. No time stipulation, thankfully as I do have some other things that need done first "for pay"

I got distracted when I started to open it though. At a meeting-- what else is new? I can get like a kid with ADD with so much going on. Like, did we have enough batting to pin my last quilt top and was there a big enough piece left somewhere, I think at the time. I am sorry, Linda, that I didn't finish ripping into it and took away some of your surprise element. I don't tear into my mail or packages I get at home either though DJ would like a kid at Christmas. It is wonderful-- I appreciate it and more so, you.

This morning: paperwork. This afternoon/evening: quilt the heart memorial quilt. That will go pretty fast as I have "ghost" hearts marked in the alternating blocks that makes " ditch" work in the hearts and quilting in a zig zag effect in horizontal rows. Any time leftover: binding but I doubt it, LOL. I have to set some goals for the day or I could (and do, far too often to suit my DH) stay in my jammies till noon and play on the computer far too long.

Mar 28, 2006

Technique of the month

Here is what we were working on today as our "technique of the month" rather than the block of the month. Of course, I never did get my machine out though I started to several times---that's the way it goes. Pinning, trimming, xeroxing, etc.

Both Ginny and Lois had a band done by the time they left. Ginny's colors were so distinctive that she is going to make a strippy version with 2 or 3 bands so I don't have it here in the picture. Lois trimmed hers down to see what it would look like in a quilt.

Others of us have bits started (me, for one) that will work into a quilt top at some point. I'll put it together after more sections are done. I laid it on the backing fabric of the heart memorial quilt top I will be quilting tomorrow just for some contrast. The ladies at the church had recently made new table cloths for a smaller tables using a forest green and burgundy fabric. Antoinette said she put the leftover fabric aside for us to use--for backing, borders, whatever. I think that broadcloth will work great between these strips, much like Jan Mac showed on her 3rd UFO finish.

Good day today. Some quilts pinned though the batting roll ran out just as we got to the heart quilt--the last one on hand to pin. Thankfully, there was some bits left in the closet that could be stitched together. I didn't catch Judy in time to ask her to bring one of the three rolls she is storing at her house. It worked out okay in spite of that though.

Well, DJ wants spaghetti with meat sauce tonight so I better start thinking about shifting gears here and start supper. Catch you later!

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Linda S Pineapple Blossom

In my now non-existent blog I had written about our trying the Pineapple Blossom block last month. Linda S took this block to heart and made me enough blocks for a whole top and made this one for a friend's child. She added her own personal touches and had a great time making it, she said. She used some red bandana fabric on the back which is similiar to the black paisley print that she used for the center square and geese. Can you tell I am proud of her? She has not been piecing very long.

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Dogwood


I had said earlier today that I had not seen much dogwood out yet. The drive over the "mountain" to our meeting place this morning showed me that there is more out there than I had thought. The meeting locale is about 12 miles from my house in the fellowship hall of a local Presbyterian church that one of our members attends.

It has a been a bit warmer the past few days so that may have helped the trees progress a bit more. I took this up close picture at the church when I arrived this morning. One the way a house that I pass has a ton of azaleas that were just starting to burst open. I also saw quite a bit of wisteria out in spots where it normally grows.

Now if I could just get my own little tree to bloom---my pink ones died and I have such high hopes for my little white one.

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UFO 10 quilted

Except for two personal projects that will remain on the back burner and top I think is too small for our immediate group needs, I am officially caught up on my quilting----but only till I come home from my quilt group meeting, LOL. That's they way it goes though.

The Jewel Box Redux is showed you in Hot off the Press was finished up last evening. I got smart and quilted diagonal lines through the four patch chains. Every once in awhile I'll have a good idea like that--normally I just let the quilt tell me what it needs.

It has warmed up a bit here but now it is raining. We have been about 15 degrees below our normals for this time of year and even got an unexpected frost after the official start of spring. It appears our azalea bush that was starting to look so pretty got zapped. DJ thinks the camellia is done blooming as well but it has been at that for about 2 months now--loaded with blooms. I'm waiting for the dogwoods to come out though the native redbud is out in full force. Gotta love the spring.

No pics this morning---maybe after I get home from the quilt meeting? A pile of paperwork will need attending so that's probably where you will find me.