Off to the Great White North! Brr!

I'm packing you see, for a trip to Boston, Mass this weekend. The only thing that could get me up there this time of year is the birthday of my dear friend, Miss Eileen. She has played the birthday card, so I am forced to endure 15 degree high temperatures (why, oh why wasn't she born in August???).

There will be quilting. Eileen's college roommate, Loy, will be joining us, and Eileen uses these little weekend get togethers to practice what she calls "learning by doing". Ostensively an opportunity to learn new sewing and quilting skills, this is really Eileen's chance to get us to piece some quilt tops for her so she doesn't have to. Eileen's not really a sewer, she's more of a hand quilter. This usually works out for me in the long run, however, as I can get her to hand quilt something for me as payback. I get the better end of that deal.

And as the weather will never break the freezing mark, I anticipate that as long as Eileen provides food and fabric, there will really be no reason to leave the house at all.

Parting shot: Eileen and me in the Lake District, England, in May 2007. Look at that sunshine! That hardly ever happens in the UK for us!

Let's Try Something New

It was a day of trying new things. I received my workbook and templates from John Flynn for the Double Wedding Ring Quilt, and I decided to give it a try. Now, normally I hate doing test blocks. I feel the same about muslins. Just seems like a lot of work, but it doesn't get you any closer to a finished product. But given that I have never made a Double Wedding Ring Quilt block, . . . well, actually, since I have never made a quilt block with a single curved seam, I decided the test block would be a good idea. Mandatory, even.

Especially after I read John Flynn's instructions. I'm sure he has simplified the process quite a bit. But I really wouldn't know since I've never attempted this quilt block in it's traditional incarnation. The DRWQ block pattern is not for the faint of heart.

My plan is to use black/white medium fabrics for the arcs of the rings, and black and red solids for the corner blocks. All on a white background, of course. Since I was testing, the last thing I wanted to do was to purchase more fabric for just a little test. And the stash came through, and I had all I needed; there was no reason to venture forth to the LQS on a Sunday. (Think about that next time you contemplate stashbusting!)

Here is my first arc all done. I was very proud:

And here is my first arc with the center - my first curved seam for a quilt block:

And these are my first "footballs" as John Flynn calls them (he is a man, so I expect sports terminology in a quilt lesson):

And here is my first finished "block":

I would only have to make 19 more of these for a quilt!

It was difficult. I'm certain if I decided to go forth on this project, I would get better at it (I'd have 20 opportunities). The directions only made sense as I actually constructed the block, so a test block is desirable. This block is made using John Flynn's templates for the 15 inch block. The workbook has fairly extensive directions, but the templates also came with directions. They differed in detail in certain sections of the process. Sometimes I found the workbook instructions more clear, sometimes I found the template instructions better. So I would suggest you get both if you also decide a DWRQ is in your future.

Other things I decided: I'll need a smaller rotary cutter than the 45 mm I was using. A smaller cutter will get into those curves better. And a cutting mat that rotates will also make cutting out and trimming a more pleasant experience. Finally, my "ring" fabrics need to be more medium to light in value, rather than dark. The dark arc fabrics take away from the black corner square, in my opinion. Something to think about when I am choosing fabrics for "real".

I'm going to let this sit with me awhile before I decide whether I want to actually do this. But I can't let it sit too long, otherwise I'll forget everything I learned from the test block. I seem to see-saw between difficulty in quilt projects: I'll do something complicated, then I'll want to do something simple, like the Strip Gift Quilt, and then I'll want the challenge again. I think I'm reacting to the simplicity of the Strip Gift Quilt!

Parting Shot: My New Year's goal of breadmaking is coming right along. I got the book "Artisian Bread in Five Minutes a Day" and followed the instructions. Absolutely no problem. And it was delicious!

Asian Strip Gift Quilt Top Done!

Despite my injured hand, I was able to get the borders on Tammy's Asian Strip Gift Quilt and it turned out very well. It's hard to photo because it is so big (82.5 inches by 97 inches) and I am reduced to taking pictures in the backyard grass, but here are a few:



I can't wait to see what it will look like after it is quilted. I am thinking gold thread for the quilting, so of course I need to find the perfect backing fabric. Which I don't have. Another excuse to look at, and shop for, fabric. Good thing my New Year's goals don't include reducing fabric purchases.

But the borders were the only things I managed sewing-wise. My hand absolutely would not allow any cutting out; I can't put any pressure on it, so I satisfied myself with getting this quilt top done and not pressing my luck.

To further my goal of making a double wedding ring quilt and to occupy myself, I ordered an instruction book and a template from John Flynn's website today. I'll take a look at it and see what I am in for when it arrives. Apparently, he has a strip piecing method for the rings. If you have any experience with this method (or any other advice for a double wedding ring quilt!), please let me know.

Also, inspired by Judy over at Patchwork Times, I asked Santa to bring me this book "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" so I could learn how to make bread. I made my first bread dough, ever, tonight, and it is the refrigerator waiting to be baked tomorrow. I'll let you know how my first bread baking experience unfolds!

Parting Shot: My Christmas gift from VickiW! I love it, and it is hanging in my sewing room/former dining room where all the magic happens. She saw it on Etsy and thought it was "me". She was so right:

Sewing is a Dangerous Sport

Happy New Year! I'm back from Cotton Creek, Alabama and I was all set for a day of sewing, when the leaf of my sewing table crushed my left hand as I was setting up to sew on the borders of the Asian Strip Gift Quilt. It was caused completely by operator error, so I have no one to blame but moi. My hand is bruised and swollen on both sides north of my wrist, but I have decided that it is merely a sprain and not broken, because I am completely into self-diagnosis. I've done my best to keep ice on it, but my ice therapy is sporadic at best because 1) ice is cold, and therefore uncomfortable, and 2) I can't type with ice. It hurts to type, but this won't be long.

While at home I couldn't stand not sewing anything, so I made Mother some new curtains for the bathroom. No photos of course, but they were nothing but rectangles with a pocket for the curtain rod. I keep my first sewing machine (bought at Sears) at Mother's for just such an occasion. They turned out pretty, but I felt like I was sewing in primitive circumstances. I used my father's engineering/surveying rulers for measurement, and without my rotary cutting mat, I was reduced to ripping the fabric to get a straight line. Let's just say I got in touch with my family ancestors' sewing methods.

On the day before I left, I visited the Front Porch Quilt Shoppe not far from Cotton Creek. I love this quilt store. Melanie has a beautiful shop located in an old refurbished farm house with high ceilings and wood floors, all the better to show the numerous quilts hanging about. She mostly deals in Moda fabrics, but the selection is outstanding and she has lots of quilt books and patterns. She was having a sale on many fabrics for just $ 3.99 a yard, and I bought lots of fabric with quilt backs in mind. I hope to use them soon.

I don't do New Year's resolutions, but I do make goals. I note that last year my goal was to sew 20 garments. I just checked my list and discovered that I made 18, as far as I can tell. If I had known I was that close, I might have squeezed two more in. I do remember that I made two jeans skirts from some old pair of jeans I wasn't wearing anymore, so I'll count those two as garments made, and declare my goal met.

So my goals for 2009, sewing-wise, appear to be more quilt related this year. First, I want to make a quilt for myself since I have had the fabric for more than a year. It perfectly matches my bedroom decor, so I have been itching to get at it. If I don't make it first, all my other projects (and work) will interfere. Also for 2009, I want to make one of Mary's Heartstrings quilts, which I think will be fun. I've already started cutting my strips from leftover fabrics. And finally, I have always wanted to do a double wedding ring quilt. I think I'll start researching patterns and techniques to make this happen.

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year - and I can't wait to see what y'all create in 2009!

Parting Shot: Anne (right) and me at Anne's New Year's Eve party. Mother gave me the dress for Christmas, although you can't see much of it. A great way to ring in 2009.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Cotton Creek! No photos today; I am at home in Alabama with no photo capability, and no sewing has been done anyway. The past few days have been a flurry of tree decorating and present wrapping. Dinner is cooking, and all is peaceful and bright. Today is my father's 72nd birthday. He has declared that he is actually 41. Which is a real trick, because I am 44. I've made his birthday cake (German chocolate, his favorite), and he has spent the day making his famous peanut brittle and giving it away as gifts.

I wish everyone a very merry and love-filled Christmas, whether I have ever met you or not. May the peace of Christmas descend upon your family, and may the new year bring you good health and happiness.

It's A Placemat Christmas!

Since making placemats for Anne, I have been on a placemat making craze. Many friends are getting placemats for Christmas and in the end, I made fourteen in all, from Laurel Burch fabric. I really enjoyed making them, but it is time for a break. After the holidays, I think I will make myself some placemats, maybe from 30s reproduction fabrics.

I leave tomorrow for Cotton Creek, Alabama to spend Christmas with my family. My time will be spent decorating the tree, shopping and wrapping the gifts, and cooking (there is probably another batch of cookies on the way). Christmas vacation has begun, and it didn't come fast enough as far as work is concerned! I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, with much peace, love and joy.

Parting shot: Postcard from VickiW. I tried to capture how the tree glistens, but my camera just couldn't get it. I love it:

7 Quick Takes Friday

Happy Friday! Jennifer over at Conversion Diary has started a Friday tradition she calls "7 Quick Takes Friday". I'll give it a go:

1. My obsession with the television show "House" knowing no bounds (in my defense I just started watching it about six months ago - what have I been doing with my time for the last four or five years?), I headed over to the show's website and clicked on an interview with Hugh Laurie. Hearing Mr. Laurie speak in his natural English accent for the first time was a jolt, to say the least. It wasn't just the accent though, the entire pitch and timbre of his voice was different from that of Greg House; lower, I think. It was as jarring to me as if my own brother suddenly one day started taking like Daffy Duck. Weird.

2. A friend of mine who is a mother of three called me this week and left a telephone message. At the end of her voice mail, I heard her three year old daughter screaming as if she has fallen into the seventh level of hell. I returned the call, getting my friend's voice mail, which didn't surprise me; she obviously had her hands full. When she rang me up, she apologized for the delay.

Me: "Don't worry about it. I heard."

Friend: "What?"

Me: "The yelling? The screaming? The wailing?"

Friend: "What are you talking about?"

Me: "At the end of your message - your daughter sounded like she was being murdered."

Friend: "Oh. Yeah. The kids were playing 'Monsters'. I had forgotten that."

Me: "You are kidding, right? That was a noise that would have split my spinal nerves. And you didn't notice?"

Friend: (Laughing)

This exchange explains why she has the vocation to motherhood, and I, apparently, do not.


3. My plan is to leave next Friday to fly home to Cotton Creek, Alabama to be with my family for Christmas. The universe has discovered my plan, however, and therefore everything is blowing up at work. I can't get people to make a decision on things I need them to make a decision on. People who HAVE made a decision, have made the WRONG decision, and not wrong as in, "I disagree with you" kind of wrong, but objectively wrong. So then those messes have to be righted. I so don't have time for this. What is the saying? "All stressed out and no one to choke."

4. The gingerbread cookies I made last week for my sewing guild were wonderful, but the cookie swap is THIS weekend, not LAST weekend. So I had to make more. I'm starting to wonder at my mental capacity.

5. Erin at dressaday.com is raising money for a charity that buys books and dictionaries for women in prison. If you donate (doesn't matter how much), Erin will enter your name into her drawing and if she picks your name, she will name one of the characters in her next book after you. The charity fund drive lasts until the Feast of the Epiphany. Pretty cool, huh?

6. My PBS station is running "Celtic Woman" during their fund drive this week. My favorite songs are the traditional ones sung in Irish Gaelic, like "Mo Gile Mear". I don't know what they are singing about, but the music enthralled me so much I was possessed with an intense desire to learn Gaelic, just to sing the songs. This lasted for about 20 minutes, fortunately. Tá mé ar buille.


7. My wonderful loving friend Eileen, sends me a beautiful Advent calendar each year. It is of St. Mark's in Venice, and I hang it on the door of my office. One of my co-workers just loves opening each little window with me every day of Advent, which surprised me last year. He's nearing 60 but his enthusiasm is heartbreakingly childlike. While I have worked with him for several years, he only told me a couple of weeks ago that his mother died when he was a baby. He and his sister were raised by his aunt. Now when he shows up at my door each morning to open the next Advent window, I am aware of the blessing God has given me to do this simple childhood tradition with him during this wonderful season.


Parting Shot: My re-done cookies for tomorrow. I was going for a delicate blue color to remind us of snowflakes. Instead, I got a garish Walt Disney technocolor blue. Doesn't matter, they will taste the same!