Monday, October 23, 2017

Log Cabins--In A Quilt

My very first quilt was a log cabin--made from old fabric scraps--mostly
a mixture of cotton/poly--this is how I was led by my mother-in-law.
I had no quilt background and she had some knowledge so I 
followed her advice.  She said log cabin pattern was the easiest one to
sew up--so, I did!  I still have that quilt to this day! 
I haven't made a log cabin quilt since.........
when I saw this posting, I thought it would be the perfect
timing--

Sheri is making a Christmas quilt and she uses 
Creative Grids 8" Log Cabin Trim Tool, which can be
found on various websites.  This is a new tool to me--
maybe, this will make that perfect block you want
in you log cabin.

I'm thinking scrappy blocks--to use up my stash. 
Are you interested in building a log cabin of your own?

Beginning every Tuesday through end of November, there will be a posting on
a quilting life blog.  The strips, dark and light, are cut 1.75" wide by width of fabric.  The
center square is 2" x 2".


Saturday, October 21, 2017

Blocking...................

This lovely lace scarf has been knit for some time--I love knitting lace!
I just don't like to do the blocking--so any lace knitting waits for this final touch

We have these large foam puzzle pieces that snap together;
some folks use them for flooring but I use them for
blocking--snapping them together and you have an instant
board for blocking

it takes some time to pin to the board--hey, maybe, that's
another reason I had a painful wrist!  Anyway, pins are
in and lace is pulled to its size and spritzed with water

Let dry overnight and unpin--that takes time as well--
and you have a wonderful lacey scarf.
Grand daughter saw me knitting this months ago and
asked if she could have it--you bet! 
and there she is!  lovely, lacey and ready to gift!
Another knitted piece is being blocked=
almost looks like a fish :-}

Too long for the board, so I'll do small amount at a time--
this is mohair yarn done for Year of Techniques project


Thursday, October 19, 2017

On My Way To A Finish.................

I'm sewing along with these maple leaf patterns and
feel good--I take the blocks to the ironing board and press,
press--wait!  there is a problem!  I could not believe it!!
One of these blocks decided to look different--it's like the
game "which one of these don't belong?"
Okay, rip it, rip it and head back to the sewing machine
Okay--now, it's right and we are assembled correctly!
I guess I could have left the one block like it was--
I'm sure that is the only block I would be looking it though!

Love the colors and fabric in this hanging!





Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Okay, I did It!

Okay, I finally got around to winding that warp for dish towels that we are
weaving for an exchange.  Maybe one or two of these towels will go to a
flood victim--

8/2 cotton cones of various colors from my stash

I did have a small amount of a green so wound that till it
ran out--it will make a small pop along with the turquoise

6 yards on the board--some of this will be lost to heading
and ending, but I do have an old warp on that I can tie onto to
save some of the warp.

Pulled through the reed dents--20epi=20 ends to the inch--
I think this will make a thirsty towel.  I like the colors
and now to decide how to thread for pattern.  I'm leaning
to Bird's eye twill--I want a recipe that will allow me to 
change up the weaving pattern.  Upon further investigation,
This pattern does not allow for plain weave--now, I'm going with Rosepath-
1-2-3-4-1-4-3-2-1
Now, I'm close to being warped--but, small hitch in the plan
to thread the heddles--my right wrist went painful--think it's the
winding motion of the warping--back and forth.  I am old, as my
son said to me when I said my wrist was aching!
thanks son!  I love you too!

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Well, I'll Be...........................

I finally finished two caps!  Let's all stand up and cheer!  Knitting is back on the agenda--
This was fun knit, although I don't really like to do design work--
The yarns get all tangled and you need to stop often to let
them untwist.  On the other hand, I like that I can use
up my stash yarn.

Yelp, finished--except--for all the yarn ends that have 
to be darned in--that could take another day or two

I enjoyed knitting this cap--no extra yarns to worry about
just knit and purl--this was one of the designs from
Year of Techniques

The hat still needs buttons on the flaps--and don't tell anyone,
but I did not follow directions--shame on me; I didn't do the flaps
the way the designer designed--but it did get down my way!
and with buttons!  Who needs a warm wooly hat?


Friday, October 13, 2017

Holy Moley! It's Friday, the 13th!








It’s Friday the 13th, a day of bad luck, if you’re a superstitious person. It may have originated from the story of Jesus’ last supper and crucifixion, when there were 13 individuals present the night before His death on Good Friday.

Here are 13 common superstitions:

1. Black cats

You’re doomed to bad luck if a black cat crosses your path.

2. Mirrors

If you break a mirror, kiss 7 years of luck goodbye.

3. Ladders

They say walking under a ladder is bad luck. I say walking under a ladder is a bad decision. Nothing good can come of it.

4. Salt

If you spill salt, you’re suppose to throw it over your shoulder to avoid getting bad luck--but which shoulder?

4. Purses

You should never leave your purse on the floor if you want to avoid bad luck. If this is true, I’m doomed til I die.

5. 6.66

If a bill total $6.66 or you receive that much change you should either buy something else or leave a penny from your change to avoid bad luck

6. Umbrellas

Opening an umbrella indoors is said to bring bad luck. 

7. Cutting Your Hair

If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, legend says someone in your family will die.

8. Funerals

If a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, you will be the next to die.

9. Babies

A child born on Friday the 13th is said to be unlucky for life.

10. Floor 13

Many hotels and hospitals have eliminated floor 13 in their elevators to eliminate bad luck. But if you’re staying on floor 14, isn’t it really 13?

11. Cemeteries

To avoid bad luck when passing a cemetery, you’re suppose to hold your breath until you see a black or brown dog. What if there isn’t one around? You may have to hold your breath until you’re the next one to move into the cemetery.

12. Getting Out of Bed

To avoid bad luck, you’re suppose to get out of the same side of the bed you got into

13. Number 13

Many believe the number 13 is bad luck. Taylor Swift disagrees and says it’s her lucky number. Not only was she born on the 13th, she turned 13 on the 13th, her first album went gold in 13 weeks.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Getting Warped!!

It's about time!  I'm getting warped!  The loom has been sitting empty for some time now and it looks lonely--well, if you could see it for all the 'stuff' piled on top!  It's calling to me--although in a muted voice.................I pulled out all my 8/2 cotton cones; assortment of colors--we are going to set this day off right.................................................clean off the loom and begin.  But, FIRST.............
I need to wrap all the new fabrics I bought from 5 Bucks A Yard--
you see, they were having a sale!  A big sale and I could not resist--
They had to cancel a couple of quilt shows due to Harvey 
-some of their fabrics were
$3.99 a yard!  

I use comic book wrappers to encase my fabric yardage--takes only
a few minutes to wrap and store

I'm trying to get colors coordinated and lined up correctly..
let's see--those blues go up with those other blues--wait there are
more fabrics to wrap..........
what was it I was going to do?  Oh, yes, warp the loom--well,

Well, guess that's enough procrastinating--back to the task at hand and
those 8 cones of 8/2 cotton waiting to be wound on the warping board. 
you see, I hate warping the loom.....................


Beginnings of New Year Ideas

I'm already thinking about the new year and new beginnings--2024 was a lost year as far as new quilt starts--there was not a one began. ...