Measure twice, cut once…

Use it or lose it.  So many skills come under that characterization.  Just like a muscle, lack of use causes atrophy.  As with the loss of muscle you loss body memory, with talent it is that instinct that makes it all come together correctly – the first time.

I’m back to sewing after my back yard farmer failure.  Truth be told, it’s far more comfortable in the sewing room anyway.  So I’ve pulled out my fabrics and begun to cut and sew.  I’m on a real roll here…enjoying the process…sewing away..DSCN2622

and low and behold

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Lesson learned:  I’m never too old to make a mistake.  The directions I was using came from a book I love, “Quilters Complete Guide”, by Fons and Porter.

The instructions were written for the use of templates, and I didn’t want to use templates.  I wanted to rotary cut my pieces.  Well, it’s rather obvious that somewhere along the line I got the math wrong for the quarter square triangles.  But, it doesn’t look like an epic fail…I’m certain that I can recover from this.  With a little trimming this looks mighty fine!

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and another…

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And a few little borders, to off set my stars, and I have success.

So I strung some stars together…

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and then a few more…

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This will make a lovely table runner.  This recovery was a stellar success!

Posted in Accomplishments, Failure, Inspiration, Quilting, recovery, simple, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Gardening Gig Fails

Or mostly so.

Beloved and I have a very generous yard for living in the city.  The back gets good sun, it’s private and things grow, weeds especially.  Virginia creeper is doing quite well this year and the English ivy is taking over.  It is my opinion that perhaps we should have a cottage industry selling this stuff.  My last trip to Lowes they were selling it.  People really want to have it in there yard.  Ahhh but I do digress.

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So after quilting retreat, I gave this gardening thing another chance.  I weeded the flower beds and planted tomatoes.  I found three different types of basil and planted them with marigolds.  I trimmed back roses.  Then the rains came.  And then oppressive humidity.  And beau coup people at work went on vacation and I was working – harder.

It thrilled me to see fruit on my tomato plants.  I’d planted them closer to the house so the varmits would not get to them.  But the weeds!  Mercy!  I’d no sooner turn my back and they would return.  Not to mention the pesky mosquitos.  Those blood thirsty suckers would attack with ferocity every time I stepped into the garden.

Then it happened.  Beloved took me to dinner one night before I had an opportunity to check on my cherished tomatoes.  He knew what had happened, and didn’t want me to get upset.  Whether it be possum or coon, the outcome was the same…demolition.   I so totally understand Mr. McGreggor in Peter Rabbit.  My heart was heavy, and I wished for no good for the perpetrators of destruction.

 

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One thing that I did notice though, they aren’t very fond of basil or marigolds.  Who knew?

Basil with the marigolds.

Basil with the marigolds.

So I’ve trimmed back the basil and made two batches of pesto using two different recipes.

 

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So, not all is lost.  However, I do believe, I might stick to something that has a higher rate of success for me.  Perhaps just basil and flowers in the gardens next year, and quilting and crafting in the air conditioning.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Accomplishments, Cooking, Failure, Gardening, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

It’s almost here…do you Retreat?

 

This weekend I’m getting ready for next weeks annual Fauquier County Quilters Retreat.  Packing for this event as an attendee instead of a coordinator is still a bit of a challenge.  The clothes are easy, just something clean and comfy for daytime sewing and excursions, and I do need to find my jammies.  Can’t imagine how my new roomie would react to my normal bedroom attire.  Ohhh and because we are at a new to us venue there is a swimming pool, that means, ah yes, the bathing suit.  Perhaps I should give it a try before packing it.  Unfortunately two of my passions; sewing/quilting and cooking are not aerobic or very physical, and it shows on my physique. Then there is that work thing, where hours are spent doing sedentary paperwork.   Just wait til gardening kicks in and things will start to even out a bit…ahhh but I do digress.

Fabric needs to be cut and packed for the mystery.  I’m thinking scrappy with glorious florals and assorted greens.

Then there are the fat quarters, and this is simple as we need to chose two colors of the rainbow.  I’m thinking golden and green.

Every year the Coordinator and planning committee chose a theme and run with it, last year it was Calendar Girls and the projects revolved around tablescapes (for everyday and holidays) and aprons.  It was fabulous.  This year the theme is “Luck”.

We are supposed to create an exchange block showing our Lucky Charm…which means I need to pick one.  Love the elephant with its trunk up, but that really doesn’t seem like something I can accomplish in the little amount of time I’ve left myself.   Hmmm, maybe stars.  I’m always thanking my lucky stars.

Let’s not forget about the Exchange Gift for Saturday nights Chinese Gift Exchange.  My thoughts are to give something to inspire the quilt artist instead of offering up a piece I’ve made.  Most of these ladies have very specific tastes and skill sets that mirror mine or give me something to aspire to. DSCN2427

No table treats for me to do this year as I’ve been too  distracted.  Table treats are wonderful little creations that are made either by and individual or a team and given to each attendee at mealtime.  We have had some very creative things;  pin cushion and string catcher, iron cover, spa bag, beach “tiles”, mini totes with sewing kits, scissor holders, spools of thread, mini strip rolls and the list goes on.

Ohhh, I should also get my lil Singer Featherweight out and make certain that she is ready to purr her way through.  This was a gift of love from my Beloved for my birthday a couple of years back.  I’m truly grateful to my sister Terry for suggesting it to him.  Some fellas are at a loss when it comes to gifting.  I’ll have to cover that subject in another blog.

Hmmmm, Looks as if I’m going for a month…DSCN2429

Til next time, do what you love and love what you do!

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Pinterest…it’s not all lost time

My constant complaint is that there are not enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do.  And then I sit clicking  through Pinterest and swooning at all of the lovely little projects and things I would like to do if I had the time. Some might suggest I get off the computer and do something, but I must say, there is a lot of inspiration out there. If you are like me, you are motivated by projects that inspire you. One thing I’ve figured out over the last few months is that if you have a computer, you have the inspiration and ideas at your fingertips.

The second project I had finished (the top that is) for March was this sweet baby quilt.

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The idea and method came from…the internet.  Pinterest actually.  The exact post is: http://fabrictherapy.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/strippy-scrappy

This quilter is awesome!  The directions are clear and easy and this project is a great scrap buster without the added chore of cutting each and every piece to a specific size.  That being said, what I would have done differently;  I would have been more consistent with the width of my dark borders containing my strata, as well as the depth of color.  I continued with the strippy theme in my border but when I got to the corners I wanted to turn that corner more creatively.  It isn’t perfect, but I like it.  Considering the quilt is a utility quilt and will be dragged around and thrown in the washer and actually used, I’m not going to fuss over it.

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Now I’m not too sure I can actually count this as a fine finish.  This was not a UFO to begin with.  And to add insult to injury, I enjoyed this process so much that I dug through my floral scraps and started this!

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So, this was going to be a table runner, then a bed runner, and well, now it is going to be a UFO, because I just don’t “get” the bed runner concept, and need to move onto other projects that are calling to me.

It doesn’t matter where you get your inspiration.  Just find muse and follow where it takes you.  Sew on you sew and sews!

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It has been a long journey as March marches on…my big UFO finish.

One of my favorite things to do is work with scraps.  Generally speaking the fabric is “free”, as more often than not the scraps are left over from a project already cut, or long forgotten, or maybe even complete. Using these little random pieces is a wonderful exercise for me to help stretch the way I think about color and pattern.   The thrifty block is the perfect instrument for this as it is simple (straight line sewing), takes very little fabric, and works up quickly. Once you get started making these little darlings, they become addictive.  The block pattern for Thrifty can be found at http://www.quilt.com/BlockOfTheMonth/1998/Thrifty.html.

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During the times when I may feel creatively “dry”, I can bang out a few of these til I get my mojo back. Once started they will pile up and before long there are enough for a pillow, but that was so fun and easy more get made, and there is a table runner.

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As the scraps start to call and dozens of these blocks magically appear before you know it there is enough for a quilt. And then what became of that dry time, well it really wasn’t dry at all was it? And while I’m doing this type of sewing I’m pondering and thinking creatively of other projects I may like to start or finish or do differently.

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Often I’ll do a couple when I am working on another project.  Using the scraps from a current project on something that will get finished down the line.  Several of the blocks in this quilt were completed over five years ago.  Little then did I realize what a magical project I was working on at the time.

Has this even put a dent in my scrap box?  Not really, so stay tuned to see what else I’ve gotten out of the box.

Ohhh, and this is my March UFO.

Posted in Accomplishments, Pinterest, Quilting, Resolve, Scraps, Thrifty Block, UFO's, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

February Finish & Fundraiser

I’ve been sewing up a storm!  One of the finishes for February was the binding on this wall hanging or table topper that I pieced several years ago.  My sissy Terry quilted it for me and it’s just been waiting for me to finish it up.

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Aren’t the colors lovely?!  This was foundation pieced a few years ago, and has been in my finish basket for a while.  I’m pretty proud of it.

Because I had sort of forgotten about it, and I had no specific plans for it, I have donated it to a good cause.

A couple of weeks ago a motorcycle officer made a routine traffic stop, he was shot in the head.  Through the miracles performed by the medical staff Officer Peter Laboy has not only survived, but is making a recovery that no one dared to hope for.  Quite often we forget that there are those out there that protect us and put themselves in harms way every day.

That being said, I’ve donated this forgotten piece for a cause to help raise funds for a man that does a forgotten job.

Arts Fundraiser  For Officer Peter Laboy

Sunday, March 24 – Murphy’s Irish Pub, Alexandria, VA – 3:00 p.m.

Bid on some beautiful art pieces, and help an officer down but not out.

Posted in Accomplishments, Fundraising, Quilting, UFO's | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Snow Day!

I’ve been waiting all winter for this!  The weatherman said it would happen.  I’ve been anxiously looking out the windows.  It’s official!  We have a snow day!  Jumping up and down and planning way too many things to accomplish in one day…dare I wish for TWO!

What do you do on snow days?

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Creative Environment

Lately, I’ve noticed a trend in crafters and quilters tidying up their creative spaces.  Last time I did that it took weeks!  When I read Pat Sloanes blog a month back about getting UFO’s done she suggested getting them all together and prioritizing them.  Listen, it is a wonderful idea, but if I do that no one will be allowed in the front door for months.  Really, it’s frightening how chaotic the place gets when I get into one of my creative bends.  And it gets worse when I try to clean and organize it.  Does this happen to you?

Perhaps it is because I try to work on two or three projects at any given time.  And then there is always one gnawing to get out of my head and onto my machine.

That being said, who among us has a 24 x 36 cutting board and is only ableDSCN2376 to use 12 x 12 of it?

 

 

 

 

Or press fabric, and have no flat surface to put it on, only to put it on the chair, and then sit on it?  DSCN2377

The day will come when walking into my play room will not be an embarrassment. I dream of a day when everything is in its proper place and I actually remember where that place is. It would be marvelous to go looking for a certain piece of fabric or paper, a button or needle and know exactly where it is.

No matter what your creative work style is, enjoy and revel in you creativity, let it flow through you. Until next time I’m going to roll around in my mess and make something beautiful!

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Every accomplishment begins with the first step…

DSCN2371It’s good to feel a little success.  I have completed my first UFO of the year.  There are several bloggers that I follow (Passion for Applique & Pat Sloan) and this seems to be the year to get it done.  With a wealth of projects to chose from, I too will get it done.  It took a few nights, but I completed the binding on my “Winter Garden” quilt.  This piece was created for a class at Quilters Confectionery at least a decade ago.  My sweet sister Terry Burris, (the Terry Burris from Terry Burris Quilting) quilted the piece for me for my birthday.  Her work is extraordinary on this piece.  She used a wide variety of fill techniques that make the piece really shine.  I’m proud to bring it to show and tell to the Fauquier County Quilters and then it will have a place on my bed.

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The other pieces I’m working on are a totally scrappy piece for the Green Quilting Lecture on the sewing machine, on the cutting table is denim, on the design wall are Thrifty Blocks and hand piecing is another lovely binding.

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Rocks to pebbles…

When I work on my Best Year Yet plan, I resolve to get everything done on all of my lists.  And for about a week, maybe two, I’m productive, enthusiastic, awesome even.  However, it doesn’t take long to see the list as daunting, intimidating and frustrating.  Considering that I have at least 30 projects on my UFO list, and then the myriad of little touches I’d love to create for my nest, I could work at this for a very long time.

My thoughts this time around is to break the year down into quarters.  First off, that smaller window of time gives me less of an opportunity to procrastinate.  The other thought is I probably have a better idea of what I can accomplish in 90 days as opposed to a year.  Then there is also the ability to actually see the deadlines looming, and truthfully, who doesn’t work well without a little deadline pressure?

If I remember correctly is Stephen Covey that advises us to break the big jobs into smaller ones.  Rocks to pebbles.  If we concentrate on the smaller tasks before us and accomplish them it brings us one step closer to seeing fruition on an even bigger project.

The other thought I had, after dusting off last years list, is that I’m going to keep a second list this year.  One of things I did finish, things I saw through to the end.  Things I succeeded at.  My accomplishment list.

So I’m excited now…happy stitching!

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