Squirrel Moment!!

 Going off on a tangent  This is defined as: to suddenly start talking or thinking about a completely new subject; or to pursue a somewhat related or irrelevant course while neglecting the main subject.

You were going along just fine—doing what you thought was the right thing at the time.  You sit down to cut out a few pieces for a block and then it happens!!! 

Squirrel!!

 And your attention went the opposite direction!  The top of my cutting board is crammed with fabrics from various projects—just cut; don’t put away, lay them on top of each—let’s clear up the table…

 Now, it's time to do that chore,

cleared out the fabrics and found

embroidery hoop that I've been looking for!! and some squares that I cut many moons ago.

Found this bin!  Filled with blues and whites from 2019 or is it 2018–opened it to find twelve, yes-- count them 12 finished blocks! 

I'm investigating how to set these blocks--what a relief to get another thing off my table!

I discovered a bag full of half square triangles--these are portions cut from other squares.

When you sew those squares to make flying geese--I cut those 'dog ears" off and save them--

hate to throw away fabric, no matter how small.

I just need to square them up with my special ruler.  Some of the squares end up 2" 

but anything smaller, I decided to discard. 

Since I had so many 2' half square triangles, I will now make last row of Tuning My Heart pattern.

At first thought, nope! Not doing this row—look how many small half squares needed—nope!  Forget it—don’t need that last row.

When I found that bag of “dog ears”, my thinking changed—these are perfect 2” square, great for this row of baskets! Then!  My thinking went—don’t need those baskets and another row added to the quilt—that means—a finished top!!

Hurrah!!

Maybe! I need more squirrel moments in my life! 

 

This and That

 I was so ready to put these pieces together!  I just knew I had made all the flags needed to assemble...

And I begin--alas, I'm two--just two blocks (flags) short!  how is that possible?  I know I counted and counted--guess I can't count!  Now, I'm working on the two lost blocks so I can finally gather all the flags into one quilt!

There is a good amount of blocks here!  I cut 2.5" or 2.5” squares when I finish cutting and add them to the pile--as an leader/ender project, I sew together these 16 squares into blocks--I have several ideas on the quilts they will make.  Alycia Quilts had some ideas on how to set her blocks.

This is one of the ideas--spool blocks to act as a vase for my EP (English pieced) hexies--

I can't decide on how to arrange the flowers, so took several photos to get some perspective--

the flowers can be nestled with stems

Or they can be free standing 

Here's a cluster--not liking this so much

with stems

clusters without stems

 

On to a break in the week--I attended a quilt show presented by a church sewing group--they worked for two years and their presentation was just perfect for their display of quilts.  The one in front is

friend's Judy--Stars and Scraps Forever.  So many eye catching quilts!

It was such an inspiration morning!  met several expat friends, browsed the vendor section--no, didn't buy anything--although very tempted!

 

Bevy Of Hats!!

Word of the Day:  Hope:  a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; feeling of trust;

I'm not bragging--but I am!  I recently sent off these knitted hats to Linda's Hats For Hope

Initiatives   

I like knitting hats--the above hats were done over a period of 2-3 years.  I just knit and save until I find a worthwhile cause.  This time I found Linda and sent them off to her for distribution.  I'm happy!

She's happy! and the recipient is happy!

If you don't knit, yarn will also be accepted.

Another great cause is Hats for Sailors, which has collected over 8300 hats for 2022!

Our Mission The Hat for Sailors' mission is to provide deployed sailors of the US Navy and the Coast Guard with handmade 100% washable wool hats made by loving volunteers from around the world. These beautiful hats are delivered in time for the December holidays, a bit of warm love and thanks to those who unselfishly take time away from their families to serve our Country.

Knots of Love is another opportunity to donate your knit and crochet items. 

 

It Wasn:t Me!!

Word of the day!  Disclaimer: a statement that denies something, especially responsibility.

 Nope! Not ME!  I didn't do it!  Have you ever used an excuse to deny it wasn't your fault?  Of course, it wasn't your fault!!  I have the perfect card for you to pull when you need an excuse--a disclaimer card!

The other day I was cleaning out my desk nook and cubby holes and found this prize possession!

Years ago at our annual spinners conference, we had several spinners (you kown who you are!) claim they couldn't get their project finished--well, spinner, you had a whole year to accomplish that one task above all others that needed attention.  There were all kinds of excuses--"dog ate my fiber!; didn't hear the subject matter; it went down the toilet" etc. etc. etc.

One of our bright members came up with disclaimer card to use in case of charges made--"it was you"!

We can all relate to "it wasn't me" at some time in our lives!

so here you go--your own disclaimer ticket to pull at any time you see fit--

BUT, you can only use it once a day!  no more than that!  

Just accept responsibility and go with pride you claim even it it’s someone else's mistake!  

Clickety Clack

 Some days!  It’s like this……….

I finished spinning a bump of brown cotton as the wheel sang to me—“Clickety clack”.     It doesn’t always sing—has something to do with which bobbin I’m using—newer bobbins are quiet and peaceful.

It’s slow going with cotton—lots of twist please, the fiber says.  Three bobbins have been plied.  One at bottom right needs the finishing touch of two together.  I’ll use inside and out side thread to ply—I do that most times.  The ball comes out even. 

To satisfy my curiosity I purchased 4 oz of “ dye-able” cotton.  As a fiber, cotton doesn’t take dyes so easily, hence, this product sounded like a winner!  Years ago we bought sliver of silk cotton blend that was dyed beautifully!  And spun beautifully!  That vendor sadly stopped production! I hoped this dye able cotton would work—not a fan though!  Guess I’ll stick to natural color cottons until I can learn the basics of cotton dyeing.

Now, it’s time to tackle this pile of white cotton—and listen to the Clickety clack of my wheel! 

Molas and Puzzles

 Recently we visited our friends who moved into military senior residence.  It’s amazing the amities they have!  I think they deserve special treatment after years of service to our country’s security.  They took us on a tour of facility, a treat. 

In each hallway, residents decorate for the season, which is now Easter—one room was their puzzle room.  There were two puzzles laid out under construction. The ones they finished are framed for wall decorations.  Here are a few examples of their past triumphs. 

Doesn’t look like puzzle, huh? 

see the pieces!

So fun to see Easter breaking out in their neighborhood!

Another one with bunnies and Easter flowers.  I always ask the question--why are bunnies associated with Easter?  Alas, I always find the same answer!

One of the residents has a nice selection of Molas that she decorates near her apartment for everyone to see and appreciate! 

They were stationed at one time in Panama and that is where she find her collection.

each one is different and unique in their own style.

This one has very elaborate stitching!

Here husband was a dentist in the army--this mola shows his status.

My daughter always shops at the mola booth during International Quilt Festival.

She likes the small ones that are fashioned into a purse

I was gifted this one and I turned it into a hotpad for the kitchen

The stitching on this reverse applique is awesome!  Wish my stitches were that small!

W.I.P—Finally!

 Time to get some works off the table and finish something.  I’ve procrastinated long enough!  Why not finish a project, then begin a new one—-NOT—begin 3 new projects instead of finishing one!  

Wonder where these dog ears belong?

Here is where the dog ears belong--on top of the heart --second clue in the Fat Quarter Shop

charity quilt along.  There are five hearts in this clue

Another clue has heart shaped design as well--definitely, Heart felt quilt along.

Five hearts also in this clue

Third clue has been released--but I'm behind......

January, February, March blocks from A Quilting Life.  April block is released mid month--

I've cut way back on the number of quilt alongs I'm doing--would like to finish those UFO's in the bin!

Ready to be assembled--Paris postcard sew along!  These are the last three rows--M, N, O

And ta da~  all finished!! Although I think I got one row backwards but who's going to know-- with that much color.  You can't tell if I miss one or not--I couldn't make out the design element==just sewed along with the pattern!  Now to decide how to quilt and what binding to finish!

One down==several more to go!

Stuck !

Word of the day:  Wend--to direct one's course or to proceed on

I love Books!  No doubt that I've read hundreds of books in my lifetime--some good, some remarkable, some disappointing--lots of words on a page have penetrated my eyes. you realize that the alphabet contains only 26 letters but look at all the words that are written on a page—words from only 26 letters!  Amazing!

Lately though...........

I've been reading books about WWII--don't have the foggiest idea how I got on that subject but it just seemed to snowball.  Maybe, it has to do with the events of this year with Russia and Ukraine War.

It began with reading "Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel--I'd not read any of her books before, so thought this would be interesting--a book of lost names can get you involved immediately--questions were asked--what names, how were they lost, why were they lost?  Soon, you learn that the names belong to people who suffered harsh journeys through the war.

If that wasn't enough about WWII, I move onto "All The LIght We Can Not See" by Anthony Dorr--starts out great--girl and her father live in a museum world; then she slowly loses her eyesight--you would think that would be depressing--no, she learned to cope with this disability with her father's help; among war teaming around her.

I put that book down often to lighten my thoughts some--so, what did I pick up next "Betrayal of Anne Frank" by Rosemary Sullivan--thinking this is a documentary, that has to be interesting.  Gee whiz--how could a family with four other friends live in small cramped space to survive 28 months, only to be found within the last few months of the war?  Who betrayed the family and why?  And they lived in Amsterdam, not Germany!

NOw, it’s  time for something completely different--"The Last Thing He Said To Me"!  Not about WWII--thank goodness! a modern day intriguing tale, edge of your seat, can't put down the book tell.

I have several others waiting in the wings--but, first, I must finish "All THe Light You Can Not See" before the movie is released.  There is a movie in the works for "The Last Thing" too.

I'm wending my way to the bookshelf to find something really light and laughable!

Learn Something New Every Day!

Word of the Day is WORDLE--are you obsessed with this game?

 Doesn't matter how old you are--you can always learn someting new each and every day!  What did you learn today that was new and exciting?   Many are taking up the challenge of the game "Wordle"--

What I've learned is --I Don't Like THis Game!!  will not waste time on it--because, once you begin, you are hooked!  

Another thing I learned today is hexagons can be created in a couple of ways. I should have known that the technique of English Paper Piecing would be easier several ways.

 I've been printing hard copies of one inch hexie, cutting them out, stitching around the piece with needle and thread (sort of my evening tasks as we relax), taking out the cardboard hexie to begin anew--you could also buy the precut hexies as well as making them yourself.

Here are the inch ones ready to be stitched--I like to keep them contained in this bowl--easy to pick up and put down.

and here are my small hexie blooms--these are going into a spool project from Debby Brown Color Block group on Facebook and website

How about stamping your hexie onto cloth, cut and stitch each hexie?  Well, I'll be!  Why didn't my brain think of that sooner??  There are several vendors that sell the clear plastic stamps!

I'm just amazed that my brain took so loooooong to hook into that idea!

Why?? you ask?  

Answer is simple--I used stamps many moons ago to stamp different designs and stitch to create nice small quilts!  I'm like--"duh" you're certainly SLOW to remember that time in your past life.

I collected these framed pieces from mother's house several years ago--I made them as a gift to her and also gave some to my mother-in-law

This is log cabin design

Another log cabin creation.

So, another lesson learned today is--don't forgot your past lessons learned!!

And I'm still not going to play WORDLE!!

Family LOVE! Waylon Day!

 April 3rd was the baptism of our great grandson!  It was a perfect day for this happy occasion!  He's now 9 months old--I was hoping he could wear the christening gown I made for our grandchildren--which was made with handspun silk that I spun and wove their mother's wedding dress!

  Alas, the grandchildren wore the gown when they were only 2 months old but our great is a older lad and couldn't fit his arms through the sleeves!  besides, his dad, who did wear the gown at his christening--said, it looked at a "GIRL outfit!  

 I know I could alter--it would have had my eyes leaking tears to see him in that gown from 30 years ago--My eyes still leaked some as I watched a new generation pledge their commitment to raise this young one into the Lord's family.  We celebrated with a family brunch after the service--Lots of good eats and the saying goes "a good time was passed by all!"

Waylon's custom made cake!  Yummy!  white cake with fondant frosting!

Waylon on the back of Joe sitting on his new saddle!  He needs shorter stirrups before he really rides

He wanted to make the horse go--but the saddle needs a longer girth belt--he looks

like he's ready to ride like the wind!

Baptism day—mommy holding Waylon, daddy to left, The Godfather and godmother on end

Godfather, Micky holding Waylon standing with the

dad, Josh aka Boy—as he is called at work and best friends. 

Oma treated him to grassy walk! 

Oh holy day—a real treat to celebrate this special occasion! 

Spring has sprung!!

No April Fool joke here! Just pure satisfaction!

“She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head,

And whispered to her neighbor:

"Winter is dead.”

A.A. Milne - When We Were Very Young.

Yes, Spring is definitely here! I know the official date was March 20 but that day it wasn't quite spring in our neighborhood! We know spring is arriving when we see the mesquite trees turning that fantastic yellow green--and pollen falls from the trees. The sure sign that spring has sprung--pecan trees bud out! oh, joy! It's spring! The daffodils pop up, bluebonnets soar in the fields, indian paintbrush dot the roadsides with their lovely shade.

Oh new growth for new year! Lean into the feeling of happiness that Spring brings forth--new beginnings! Ditch that jacket; go forth and explore! Plant seeds and enjoy the new growth as it breaks through the soil! There is nothing like renewal--