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!