A Diversionary Tactic Guaranteed to Work

Whether it's hand piecing or machine stitching, I much prefer working on projects when they are small and relatively close to 'block-sized'. As they grow larger and approach the flimsy stage I tend to get a little antsy, despite the fact that continuing to work on them would get me that much closer to a finish. Just don't like dealing with all that fabric!

Sooo, rather than stick to finishing up what might be on the design wall, I often go into squirrel mode: let's start something new! Works every time. 

That would explain this lovely star. It would also help explain the number of projects that I have on the go at any one time and the mess that is my sewing room.

I have a Happy flimsy on the design wall waiting for the sashing to be finished, and more recently a second star flimsy that needs 2 - 3 more blocks made (I'll share that in a bit) but instead, I scratched an itch and started digging through scrappy neutrals and creamy pinks to try out a block that I've been eyeing from afar. Luv, luv, luv!

Originally, I thought that this one would be for Quilts for Survivors, but it turns out I'm really not that generous after all. This one is hitting all the right buttons so me thinks it's going to stay with me. The idea of digging up and incorporating the last remnants of special fabrics to make this work is so much fun.

I haven't cut any more piece or made any more stars but that doesn't matter right now - I'm loving staring at this one. I think it's going to be called Strawberries & Cream....M

Not Quite According to Plan

Sadly, the big plan to see some real progress on my Good Day Syre Christmas cross stitch went a little sideways last week. Thinking it would be the perfect small stitching project to pack for a getaway was all well and good, until I came down with a cold on day two of our trip. Things continued to worsen as the trip progressed so any potential quiet stitching time turned into nap time really quickly.

We were home again by Friday but that's when things really went south; I spent much of my long weekend either sleeping, trying to breathe, or coughing up a lung (okay, maybe a little exaggeration, but it wasn't good). 

For whatever reason, half way through the weekend I decided to pick up my stitching. Not the best decision as this snowflake just about got the better of me. I feel as though I ripped out just about every stitch that I put in. Surprisingly, I did end up with a little progress but I can't say it was the most enjoyable time I've spent with a needle in hand, so I put it down again.

A day or two later - after better drugs - things went better. Good thing, as I was starting to wonder if this pattern just wasn't for me. I'm now well into the snowflake doily and it is moving along nicely. Happy to have things back on track and hoping that this cold is on its way out the door soon....M

Playing Chicken With My Stitching

I'm slowly picking away at my Syre Christmas cross stitch but will need to pick up the pace now as I've just heard that the shop where I like to get my framing done is closing at the end of June, so I've got some motivation to finish it up, and quickly.

I've been working on the large snowflakes, all the while keeping an eye on my supply of white floss as it's coming to an end. 

I thought I was in good shape until I looked at the pattern; I'll never have enough to do the large snowflake/doily that sits near the upper right corner, regardless of how good I am at stretching it out. 

The floss that I had came with the pattern but it wasn't in town, so I thought I might be stumped. Not so - I found some today! No excuses now....M

My Green Stars Are Fini

With everything cut, sorted and stacked, it seemed like a shame not to continue sewing the scrappy green stars, and with a few unexpected windows of opportunity opening up I now have them all finished.

They are 16" squares so I only need a dozen to make a lap quilt, which is what Quilts for Survivors prefers.

There's a little bit of everything in them, including a hit or two of turquoise.

And I'm happy that I included a few prints that had a pop of red, like these roses.

It wasn't until I was close to finishing cutting that I decided that a few checks would be fun too.

Now it's time for sashing. I'm thinking of staying with the scrappy neutrals and maybe something on the narrow side, just so that it doesn't get too clunky. Time to cut!....M

Sewciable

A few of us got together this week for a Sewciable, prepping and sewing Quilts for Survivors projects, a perfect opportunity to start a green scrappy star quilt that I have been wanting to make for some time now. 

I got everything cut and organized the week before, including making all of the necessary HSTs, with the intent that it would make for pretty straightforward sewing. It was, but when you are hosting you never get as much done as you think you're going to. And to think that I wondered if I should have a second one cut and ready! Ah well, it's a good start.

Rather than sewing, Jane opted to be our Girl Friday, spending her time running to the ironing board for us and designing creative layouts for boxes of blocks that were already assembled.

Anne spent the day focused on getting her Second Hand Clothes assembled and did a good job of it; all that's left to do is add the corners and an outer border.

And Linda. Well, she started work on beautiful Log Cabin blocks with teals, browns and dreamy creams, and by the end of the day I think that we had her convinced that this one should be for her.

The centres are cut from a soft collage of birds and plants. The homespun plaids were driving her a bit crazy though. Because the fabric is so soft it's difficult to cut and sew them perfectly straight, but we assured her that it just added to the charm of the quilt.

When she saw a few blocks together on the design wall she realized that the white strip was just too white so there was a job for Jane - rip it out!

We even auditioned borders for it. This is going to look beautiful in her living room. I'm certain that another Quilts for Survivors project will take it's place some day....M