Down The Rabbit Hole.................................

 If you look to the side margins of this blog you will find the link to the Color Block challenge--I didn't participate in January and February challenges--then all the quilt tops popped up on my feed--wow!  It was time to think about tackling March--this challenge uses stash fabrics and Boy! I have plenty-- I  had a small box of 2.5" squares but these tops take more than I had--what to do?

Pull out the stash bin and begin to sort--and there I go!

down the rabbit hole!  You begin sorting--large pieces, pieces that could be

cut to 2.5" or 2" or 1.5" and then there are the strings.

Piles and piles and time runs together--

These could be cut into other sizes--3", 5" squares and we're off 

Each day I sort and sort--but I must stop to stitch at least one or two

of those blocks for March--I'm going for random scrappy look--

some are doing straight colors for each month--that's too much planning--

not for me.

And those strings?  Yep, easy to sew on scrap paper--these I could

plan by color.  Now, just need to find lots of scrap paper--

After I had spent a week or it seemed like a week sorting my fabric scraps,

I came across this article!  "Sorting, Saving and Using Fabric Scraps"--

really!! why haven't I been doing this for the past zillion years--

I'll tell you why--I'm a lazy quilter--just cut and throw the reminders in the bin!

Not any more! I will sort by size when I cut---

Sure!! I will.................................

Years (?) In The Making

 It has taken me many months of stitching--don't know how many, didn't keep track--

But, FINALLY!  This quilt top is finished!

I really enjoy doing hand embroidery , deciding on which threads to

use, color choices are totally yours when you stitch.

Just keeping track of the location of the blocks is another thing!

I would work on one block off and on--then lay it down

not to be found for awhile.  Then I loose the hoop--I ordered another

set and now place them in plain sight!

it has been a misadventure for sure--

Not a very good photo--soon to decide on quilting pattern and 

backing and we can truly say 'finished'!! 

Let's Knit Along

Knitlet is hosting a 19 week Knit Along--It began last week, 

we're not too far behind.  Each week you receive a small portion of the

pattern--I'm doing several knit alongs--of course, I'm behind in 

two of them--hoping to keep up with this.

in addition to the KAL, each week you'll receive free pattern

sections to branch out on your own designs.

and since it's a newsletter, you can keep up to date on the latest

trends in the knitting world!

Interweave offers this free knit along--

The asymmetrical triangle shawl is worked primarily in rows of garter stripes,

with a few mosaic colorwork motifs.  A great project for newer knitters for intro

intro to colorwork.  A relaxing knit for the more experienced knitters. Sign up

by March 31 for this FREE knit along!

 

WIPs--Works in Progress

Another month has rolled around and time to work up another block--

These are from February though--I'm just slow posting--well, we

did have a period of time with no power, no internet or cable--

that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!

This is from Civil War "Hands All Around"  Love reading the 

history behind these blocks each month

This one had lots of moving parts to assemble--

concentration and lots of half square triangles--

A Quilting Life host a monthly block of the month--

Can we say "wacky" ?  Yes, this is one of the mistake blocks I

constructed from Pat Sloan's HOME Quilt along!  

Where was my mind when I assembled?  Not even interesting!

Now!  This is the way the block should be!  But, 

Don’t look too closely—I see a mistake! 

 

TBT...................

 Yes, it's throw back Thursday!  What memories do you have that you can throw your thoughts back to?

The other day I received a unexpected package in my mailbox.  I looked it over--"now, why would she send me this package?" I thought!  The secret was revealed when I opened up the flap--

Well, what to my wandering eyes did appear--this table mat--and I had the perfect spot for it in the front hallway on top of my Singer treadle sewing machine.  The top had been bare since January one when I took down the Christmas decorations--all that was there--our mask from Venezuelan artist.

Her letter stated, " I was thinking about one of our old friends (who has since gone to the happy weaving grounds in the sky" when I was going through all my handspun.  I thought of those good times spinning and dyeing with her and you along with the other members of our guild"  She continued,

"I'm sure she used natural dyes on these handspun yarns--maybe, goldenrod, or onion skins or maybe

cochineal.  Who knows?"

Well, I'm sure that our dear friend used natural dyes and I will cherish this TB gift.  It might have passed through two sets of hands to arrive to me and a spec of 20 + years but the memories of those 'olden' days resurface when I walk past the table mat to remember those days with friends.

Then, my mind wandered to my forgotten treasures lurking in the cedar chest--

I pulled out two of my first handspun projects--oh joy!  I've learned so much in the past

40 years!  Such bulky yarns, yet the brilliant natural dyes still remain!  

We did have such fun dyeing our handspun yarn--memories are good!  

Thawing Out!!!

It certainly been an interesting 2021 so far!  We thought life would be on track for

great things after 2020 shut in times.

No, 2021 brought us other complications to overcome--

RECORD cold temperatures, iced in, no power for days on end,

broken water pipes--NO water!

Which of these can you live without for days?

If you live in the Gulf Coast states, you know the hurricanes

can give you no water, no power and lots of Heat!

But, winter time--

No power is the pits!

We'd bundle up, sit in front of fireplace (if we are that privileged!)

layer, layer, layer!

For few days, I'd use my regular everyday socks--you know those

stretchy things

Then one bright morning, my mind thawed................

dumb dumb--why aren't you wearing a pair of your handspun,

handknit socks??

Duh!!

I pulled out the sock drawer and there they were!

Sooooo many--just waiting to be worn--to warm your feet

which in turn warms your body!

OH JOY!

pick one, any pair!

There are over 25 pair of socks in the drawer--each one a

different knit pattern

Oooh, I found my favorite ones!  The handspun angora ones--

that fiber came from my own rabbits--I would wear these socks

to demo spinning at the livestock show and let the kids touch my feet to 

feel what my bunny felt like-

I'm a happy camper now!  Feet warm!

Wished I thought of those socks last week!

 

Dots and Dashes

 Yes, you say "Dots and Dashes" are Morse code.  But we can take those dots and dashes and entered them into art form--like knitting and weaving. 

Like this lovely knitted cowl by Melody Johnson--she has learned how to 

translate those little dashes and dots into interesting garments.

Here are dots and dashes in weaving from friend Charlene--

what a great pattern!  

Pinterest has some from inkle loom weavers.

Even in Quilt patterns--

look around you!  where do you see dots and dashes?

Check out famous painters who have used dots and dashes as their brush strokes?