March Round 2

  I mentioned fabric browsing and giving in and buying.  I really liked this paisley print I saw online at the J store site.  I envisioned it as rich pillowcases!  Not my usual but I thought a nice set would update the bedroom look.  We have queen size pillows and those regular cases are just enough too small that I usually remake pillow cases that come with a set of sheets.  And a good cotton fabric gets so soft for snoozing.  

   I got the fabric cut and set to sew last week.  Then spent the weekend pinning my quilt tops.  I had plans to machine quilt a couple of hours each day and work my way thru both tops.  I went ahead and cut up binding even.  Monday morning was still sunny and warm.



  I also started on a set of place mats.  I liked the fabric, it was on big time sale, and would be good for the sun room.  I got 2 sewn, and 2 ready to go.  I will do simple straight line quilting to finish them off.

   On the way to the store for groceries, I noticed how many trees were showing leaves!  And then a couple of hours later, I noticed a headache.  Right over my eye, then behind my eye, I figured it was a sinus headache as the pollen count was rising.


   Tuesday was not very productive as the sinus headache hung on. By that night my face was swelling, and  I could not sleep lying down as the pressure was so bad.  To the doctor asap, and by then my face was showing bruising under the eye.  Major infection, steroids and antibiotics, and on day five I am seeing improvement finally.   The scariest thing was how quickly this infection developed with absolutely no cold or virus before.    My stamina has taken a major hit, and so I am back to working in shorter spurts.  You would think I would quit trying to overdo when I feel good.  Lol.



   But I did manage a bit of sewing therapy yesterday.   I know some people hate string sewing, but it is mindless and relaxing for me.    The bin for floral strings is quite full.  And they are quite small---only 4'' square.  I had a stack of shorter pieces and strips of the foundation shirting I use for string foundations......the largest size I could get out of most of them was 4''.  So that was why the odd/small size is being used.  It is pretty random right now with no design plan.  I figure they can be turned into a small table runner, or wall hanging, or even the base for a tote bag.  For now they are a stop gap for me. 
Happy stitching.   

Missing March

  After a call last night from a friend, I realized I had been missing for  a month.  I found a draft of this post I began the first of the month with just a photo of a test block.  No words, just the block photo.
   I vaguely remember trying to figure out something I saw or that someone asked me about, yet the rest is blank.    I think it was a response to a question after the last post in Feb. about the Scrappy Rails  layout using squares instead of the rectangles.  So, yes, it can be done with the same or similar design effect.



  The winter weather has factored a lot into my energy level, along with pain level.  We went thru almost 3 full weeks of rain, more rain, and then more and a series of low pressure systems that rocked my world.  I had ordered backing fabric for 2 quilt tops to work on this month.  But before they arrived, I had an attack of sciatica nerve inflammation.  That is to say from the small of the back and hip area, over the buttocks, and down the leg.
  One morning I could not even roll out of bed and I was locked into this pain for 2 weeks.  If I found a position I could tolerate, I did not move.  You can guess how little I moved. 
  Let me preface this with some background.  Much like MS, the Pernicious Anemia I have is a demyelinating nerve disease.     Thousands of miles of nerves are sheathed with myelin in our bodies, for protection and aid in conduction of nerve impulses.  Trust me....things go haywire without this protection.
 
   Anyway....I went onto OTC ibuprofen alternating with Tylenol and dug out the physical therapy stretches  for sciatic nerve.  The stretches are simple, and easy, but very painful at first.  Several days passed before I could do more than 2 or 3 at a time.   The weather cleared and I woke up one morning and could walk!
  I can't really say what did the trick, but for the first time in 12 days I walked down the hall to the sewing room!  I took it easy for a few days to be sure I wasn't dreaming, but made plans to get something done this month.   The weather predicted 9 straight days of warmer temps and sunny days.  I could go for that.


    I had 2 quilts to pin and ready for quilting.  So that was my focus for a couple of days.  They are stacked by Hot Legs....soon I hope.
   It was also time to change out a couple of wall hangings for something  little more spring time.  I found this one from 2012, made while participating in an early version of Project Quilting.  I don't remember the challenge, but know this was based on a photo of a Pasque flower I took in Alaska.  The colors make we happy so I hung it in the office for some springtime color.

   I spotted some fabric while browsing on line.....held myself back for a day.  Then gave in and ordered it.  No sooner than it arrived and I cut into it, did the second round of my March  madness happen. 
  And that's a story for the next post.    Because today I need some machine time.  Therapy for me.  Happy stitching.

Scrappy Rails info update

  Just a quick update to the idea I shared yesterday about what I am calling the  Scrappy Rail Fence block and design.  We all know there is little under the sun that is new, and so it proved to be with this idea. 
  Within a few hours of posting Linda at Art in Search blog, sent me a link to info on this.    She had a file from It's a Stitch Quilt Guild from 2016.  They have a challenge each year for their show and provide a pattern sheet called a "Seed Packet" pattern. 
   Click here for the link to the pdf called Cabin Steps.    Scroll down the page to the listing for 2016.  You can then save or print out the pattern.    The only difference I noted is that they used a square for the light rail fence units. 
So now you have options.....buy magazine and pattern, or print the PDF.

  Many thanks to Linda for her sharp eyes to catch  the similar design.  And be sure to check out some of the other patterns provided on the guild's website.  Great to have those PDFs handy.
Happy stitching. 

Adding applique

  It's cold, with a little sleet here....so soup is on and it is warm inside.  I worked on the border applique yesterday.   First part of one corner done.....I need to make more stem pieces today.   And cut more leaves.  I am not going all the way around but plan on at least 2 corners with trailing stems.  I'll do as much as I like or as much as my achy fingers will allow.






  New idea brewing......
I took the time to play around in EQ7 after seeing a different use for small pieces.  The quilt is done in a log cabin setting using small rail fence units.    This link is to my Pinterest save, and the original quilt is from American Patchwork and Quilting.

Scrappy rails in 16 patch block

    I was fascinated by the idea of using the 2 patch rail fence to create units for a log cabin setting.  This would be an awesome leader ender project for scraps.  A perfect donation quilt too. 


  Basically you are making a log cabin style  block of 16 units of the 2 patch rails.  Each small 2 patch rail is alternated in direction--horizontal or vertical.    Each block requires 6 light units, and 10 dark units arranged as shown. 

  I have a lot of 2'' strips....so my cutting would be 2'' by 3 1/2'' log.  16 of these would give me a block that finishes at 12''. 
  If you work with 1 1/2'' strips, then cut 1 1/2'' by 2 1/2'' logs.  The block would finish at 8''. 
   If you elect to sew longer strips together and then cut, use Bonnie Hunter's tips to get variety.  She sews shorter lengths together, say 12'' and then cuts them into her desired size. 

   Happy stitching. 

Border progression

  The leader and ender project from Bonnie Hunter this year has been the Jewel Box Stars.  I decided to use floral fabrics for the blocks and have enjoyed watching them come together into a very flowery show.   I did not want a  large quilt so I stopped and joined them into a small top.    And now, the blocks are together and it is border time.

  My plan had been to use a 4 patch border on point around it.....but yuck!  I found it so distracting that I did not even take a photo.  But I wanted a enough border for soft quilting.  So here, you can see the progression my thinking took.

    I started with a plain wide border .
 I cut a mottled beige/tan into 6'' widths.
 A little too plain and sort of looks just as it is ---an add on.
    On to the next idea.

 

   I found a dusty rose tone with a gray paisley design in the closet.  I liked the rose tone and it blended well with the blocks.  I cut 1 12/'' strip here and put it between the wide border and the center blocks.
  I like the separation to stop the design.  It also helps define why I want more border.   Alas, it also is sort of lacking.  It needs help.








   So I spent a little while making some vine/stems, and applique shapes from different scraps.  The stem has the backing paper on it still from the fusible, so it doesn't lay nicely.  And I only put up a few leaves and floral shapes to get the effect.  Sir Old Man wants the vine to extend into the blocks over the inset border strip.  That I can do.

   I will be playing around with this for a while.....getting the parts cut, and the borders attached to the quilt blocks.  I think it will be what I want.
Happy stitching:)

Happy Hearts today

Celebrating a happy heart today for Valentine's Day.  This was an art project from 2012.  I loved using up all the leftover bits this way.  

• Cut the batting and fusible web to desired size.  
• Apply the fusible web to the batting.
• Decide on design/shape like a heart.
• Lightly pencil shape onto the batting.
• Begin placing background pieces down first.
• Then place the shape last, and allow the edges to extend over the background so all is well covered.  
• Use a pressing cloth and fuse well.
• Then stitch it all down....lots of stitching....meander or straight lines work well.
• I then added the backing, stitched the edges and then turned inside out.
• The edges got a decorative lace added for a finish.  My piece finished at 9'' by 12''---or close to it.  

   I came thru the procedure with flying colors.  All those prayers and thoughts made a difference.  From the scary abnormal screen to a clean examination with no problems seen......the anxiety riddled week or two.....a higher hand took it all away.  The anesthesia caused no real problem---except for the crying jag that befell me as I was coming out of it!  I scared several nurses with my wailing, to say nothing of Sir Old Man!  I don't remember why I started crying, but I had a tough time stopping.  So we put it down to stress related to the anesthesia.  

  Some food, and a long nap at home helped.   I feel much cleared headed today. Big sighs all round.    I am done with big medicine tests for now, and that's a good reason to celebrate.  On to the sewing room.....happy stitching.  

Bargello comfort quilt

    About three years ago just before I had my extended hospital visit/stay/endurance time....lol....I had lunch with a friend.  Jennifer brought along some "quilt blocks" she had been given by a friend.  The story goes that the friend's Mom had recently died, and the daughter discovered this unfinished  quilt.  But no directions or anything with it.  Jennifer brought it to me for my "expert" opinion.
  She had several width of fabric sections of strata that had been sewn.  The  fabrics blended nicely, and I knew what was intended.  It was the beginning of a bargello.  I attempted to explain it over our meal, but how to you tell a new  quilter about bargello?  Once home, I found an article and instruction for a small bargello wall hanging, which I passed on to her.

Made by Jennifer

 Fast forward to this week.
 I had a call and note from Jennifer and she wanted to share the finished project.  The friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer and Jennifer wanted her to have a comfort quilt at this time.  Want to see what she did?

  Her friend recognized it as the one her Mom had been making, and now she sleeps covered in love each night.    Jennifer said it was worth the 3 days of quilting and 6 hour trip to deliver it to her.
  This was an amazing job.  She got wonderful flow and movement in the design.  A supreme effort and amazing quilt!






  In the sewing room, it has been quiet as I have been going thru rounds of doctor appointments.  I survived the bone density tests, and the mammogram but came home both days tense and in need of a long nap.
   I also went thru the appointment for the colonoscopy......I tried my best to talk them out of it, but with an abnormal screen no one would listen to me.  The ordeal is next week with the liquid diet beginning Monday.   I put up two days of meals  in the freezer for Sir Old Man  since I don't want to cook when not eating.  We bought the extra drinks for electrolytes, and etc.  The doctor's concern is my blood pressure dropping, and I am concerned about the anesthesia.   I just have to put my  warrior face and armor on and get thru it, right?
 

  I have these projects to work on---

•  Jewel Box Stars  project, sewn into top and ready for a border.  
•  The Chandelier Bead quilt---ready to pin for quilting.  
•  The Scrappy Trips project---still making blocks.  

 And that makes three...my limit, or self imposed limit.  No new big project until I get one of these done up.  I selected a tonal fabric to work into the border for the Jewel Box Star, so I hope to work on that over the weekend for some quiet sewing time.
  Sew on until next time.  Happy stitching.