What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Ah -- the weather! Yes -- it's pretty amazing how different the weather can be, even in nearby locations. Those different weather conditions have given our sewing group a chuckle from time to time. Because we all live in different locations but are somewhat close to each other, we can forecast what is coming to the others! It's especially neat during a thunderstorm! OK -- that's when we are on a call. 

Most of our snow disappeared yesterday, even though it was only zero. The sun was out for a bit, and that sun is mighty powerful! One had to ...

 I had a couple of finishes this week.

First is the latest Bonnie Hunter mystery, Old Town. I changed the colors a little, but otherwise followed her instructions.

Old Town, a Bonnie Hunter mystery 78" x 78"

Old Town (back and binding detail)

I also finished a string hourglass. No pattern on this one, I just needed to use some of my many strings!

String Hourglass 60" x 85"

String Hourglass (back and binding detail)

I'm working on a couple more. Then, I hope to get back to my Sunflower One-Block Wonder.

Happy Quilting!

For once, that (title of the blog) does NOT refer to me and some crazy deadline. I'm so relaxed that - well, it's gazebo time!

Even in the heat, I was in the gazebo (with a sweatshirt on) and happy as a clam. It was glorious with the trees and the breeze until the sun came around the roofline and shone into the gazebo. 

I was supposed to be reading, but I had a nap instead. The scent of the lilacs and the tingle of the windchimes put me to sleep. 

Lilacs are in bloom

 I caved! I turned on the laptop to watch a couple of The Great British Baking Show episodes. But I was productive while I watched and got a couple of the tasks done that needed to get done. I wish I could have done more, but that's the way it is. We always think we can do more than is possible in a day. 

For me -- it's the darn admin work that kills me. I did get one homework assignment finished up, and there's one more follow-up handout to work on. At least it's less time-consuming ...

Yesterday was Monday Sewing. However, from my point of view -- it was more like Monday searching. 

I don't know how many times I went on a quest to find something for someone. I'm not sure if this was the first thing or not, but we got to chatting about the Piecemaker Calendars. I'm missing ONE -- the very first one that came out in 1988. Hmm --- the collective group has spotted it on eBay. But do I want to pay $40 US for it?? OK -- so I caved and sent an OFFER to the seller. Let's see ...

Thanks for the suggestions on the topics for the basic sewing machine class. I'm going to put that agenda together and find a time slot. It WILL happen as I think it's terribly important for everyone to know the essential functions of their machines and how to make them work as they should!!

Yesterday was a bit of a topsy-turvy day. I had to get M and Bear to the airport by 10 AM. That was after spin class, and well, the girls never did get a walk! Now that the company is gone, we can get back ...

WOW --- what a crazy day, but I feel so accomplished! 

It's a long story about me getting my third shot, but it finally got booked for yesterday at 10:45 at the local pharmacy, so I could walk. Hey -- if I don't need to use my car, I won't, and I got lots of extra steps in the day. I arrive at the pharmacy and see two people ahead of me in the line. The guy's appointment was for 11, and his wife was for 12:45. 

The pharmacy wasn't giving the shots until 11 ...

It was exciting to get downstairs and do some sewing, but not as much got done as I would have liked. But that's OK. What's important is that I completed the master task list for February, which was a job in itself to finish and get everything on one list. 

My master list for February with the patterns

The list contains the sew-along assignments, documents to write, and quilts to quilt. This is something I should have been doing a LONG, LONG time ago instead of scrambling the night before trying to figure out what to do. 

Now ...

Wow --- I'm running out of time, and I've just started to write this morning. 

What a fun time we had at the Virtual Retreat last night. When I left at 9 PM, quite a few were still on the call. I was tired and had to get to bed. Then I slept in a wee bit this morning and still had to prepare the last presentation for this morning, so I was a wee bit behind. However, ALL is good. 

I started two new sew-alongs yesterday, so that's pretty exciting. I'll share those with you later ...

Torry asked a question about the size of the plastic containers. OH -- I'll get those sizes for you tomorrow. But I mainly use two different plastic containers. The flat ones are designed for scrapbooking, which are large enough to put a 12" piece of scrapbook paper (quilt block) in. They are about 3" high. I saw them for $6 each at Micheals the other day, and sometimes they go on sale. 

I like them because if my pattern is large or I'm using a book, it fits easily into those containers. I mostly buy clear ones, but you ...

Well, I don't seem to have a lot to show for all my work yesterday. And there are days when I think back to what I did the day before, and I have to search really hard. The days, especially when it comes to decluttering and sewing, can run endless one into the other!

I did some puttering during Monday sewing, and I had a few more hourglass units to trim. Speaking of hourglass units, here's an update in that area. 

So you saw these units that I stitched at the retreat. 

Hourglass units created at the retreat ...

 I MUST remember that what happens at the retreat stays at the retreat; however, last night, the conversation of our current pandemic arose as we all sat in the living room, and these conversations drive me crazy. 

All I can say is that common sense does not prevail even in our group! Why? Well, the future of our world is going to be riddled with epidemics, pandemics, and such. Even the common cold and flu can be a hazard to many people's health. 

My suggestion is to get more rest, drink lots of water, don't use antiseptic wipes ...

I got up yesterday, looked out the window, saw my tunnel through the snow was intact - YEAH! I gave the dogs a quick walk, and we were on our way. My car is small, but Kathy and I managed to get all our stuff in the car. I don't think we could have put anything else in there, but it doesn't matter -- it all fit!

The roads were fine, and we made good time getting here. Yep -- we're at a sewing retreat! And we're here until Sunday!!!!!  Yippeee!!!!  I really like this new house that we ...

I have been cutting and sewing this scrappy project.

I am using my own method for making these Hourglass Units,

sometimes also called Quarter Square Triangles.

These are the first of many as you can see by stacks of cut pieces in the top photo.

This method requires little trimming to achieve these sets of hourglass blocks.

These are for the 

Click Here for Grassy Creek Mystery Info

As this is a mystery 

and it is not my pattern,

and we have been asked not to post sizes and numbers of units by Bonnie Hunter,

I will not be sharing ...

I am re-recycling part of an old post.  Right now is the time to replenish your stash of yard signs.  Clean up the landscape and put those signs to good use.

Mini-bolts!

  About 4 years ago, I began using the mini-bolts for storage.  When I first  began this, I was using a thin plastic insert.  Later I switched  to using  foam core board.  The foam core  can be purchased at the Dollar Store in the 2 foot by 3 foot size usually.  I cut the size-- that works best for me-- 11" to 12" high by 8" wide.    It's ...

  I finally decided I had enough spool blocks.  I am beginning to join the rows.  I did the arrange and re-arrange thing on the design wall, got tired of it, and just began to sew.  When it is so scrappy, you can spend a decade moving things around to make it perfect.  Not happening here..... I just need to see some progress here.

   Did you read the post at Cluck Cluck Sew?  Click here for the post and her great tutorial and pattern for an Hourglass project.     I loved the idea to make a set of hour glass blocks each day.  Keep it easy, make it fun.  It reminded me of the Quilty 365 Circles project from a few years ago, which I really enjoyed making.  So I thought I could add it to the list of on-going projects.  

  And then I discovered these large HST units!  A large stack already begun for a similar pattern.   They will be easy enough to turn ...

What's with the weather? Not only have we almost been blown out of this country by the constant winds which, with the lower temperatures, makes for some chilly walks but this morning? The cars are dusted with snow! I suppose we should be happy that we don't have to shovel, but really? I'd like one nice WARM morning for a walk. At least there is no wind this morning and the sun is out.

Another crazy, wild day around my house! OK - so not crazy at all, but still, lots of stuff got done. I'm happy ...

What I love about quilting is the sheer volume of potential patterns that can be used in a top. I have seen quilts made from photographs, from graphic artist’s designs, and from landscapes. If you can see it or even imagine it, you can create it in fabric. The longarm machine renters who come in to the shop often bring us imaginative and beautiful creations. Some are new patterns from up and coming quilting stars, while others are from patterns decades old recreated from pictures of quilts in museums. Regardless of where these patterns come from, the results are ...