Status Report!

 This is my latest fabric purchase---isn't it perfect for "Spidey".  I had been watching it for a long time and decided to take the plunge-----30% off!  I got the remainder of the bolt---more than enough with a little left over for the scrap bag.

I am working on "Make a Joyful Noise"----all my hand dyes.  I am using my new CL template---and originally even thought it would be worthy of submitting for a show---but now I don't think so.  The circles are not even---which for me isn't bad---but not good enough to submit.  This will be my practice piece but definitely I will use the template again.  I really like the effect of the circles.  I also used wool batting.  The brand I am using isn't working as well as I thought.  It is really shredding on the edges.  I don't know if that is suppose to happen or if it is specific to this brand.  I purchased it at AQS for a good price (about 50% less than regular price), so maybe the quality isn't as good.  Since I have never used wool batting before, I don't have a frame of reference.  Next time I will purchase a better brand and see if that makes a difference.  Also using So Fine thread in the top as well as the bobbin.  I really like that look, but the top shreds as well.  Oh well---as long as the tension keeps looking okay, I will deal with that.

I see where I went wrong---I didn't load the quilt on evenly so my rows are off as you can see.  I am going to have to work on that.  I am almost finished, so I will see how it looks after I am done.  Either way, I still love it!

Well---just wanted to check in.  I am spending the day looking at the Olympics and finishing this quilt.  Not a bad Sunday!

xoxo

Spidey!

I have wanted to make a spiderweb quilt for a really long time!  I love the pattern, mainly because it is scrappy and uses strings.  My husband and Grandson are at the Little League World Series (his team is playing) and since I am hanging out along with Coal----I decided I would begin one.  I went up to my fabric closet and found the perfect fabric for the center.  I remember buying it at G Street Fabrics in Silver Springs on one of my visits to my son at least 8 years ago.  I am not even sure I purchased it specifically for a quilt, since at that time I was also still sewing clothes.   I don't really know the type of fabric it is----100% cotton with a weave much like linen.  It was only 36 inches wide, so it must be very old.  I have another piece of like fabric in a different pattern.  It though was perfect---but alas, not enough of it.......so I did what most quilters do---I pieced some together so I ended up with JUST enough for the 30 blocks I need for the quilt.  It is going to be smaller than I would like, but I am going to add a border and make it a good size twin.  I would have had more fabric if I had pieced it on paper, but I am a heavy handed presser and the fabric as the foundation stops it from stretching out as much, since I have a lot of bias edges.  Anyway----I am almost half done and am enjoying the process.  Below is what a corner of my sewing "studio" looks like.  You simply cannot make a strip quilt without messing up your space.  I do try to put everything back in the bags when I finish for the day, but alas, once I get started the next day, back on the floor everything goes.

For more "order" I could have made the strips the same size---but who likes order in a quilt?  Certainly not I------I go for "movement" or more aptly---chaos----it is much more appropriate for my type of quilting!

Don't you love it!!!!  It looks like those are black polka dots, but the color is weaved in and more rectangle in shape.  I have seen this type of fabric in textiles sold at places like Pier I Imports, but again, for the life of me I can't think of the name.  I purchased it from a good fabric shop, so I guess it will hold up----I washed a small piece and it worked out okay---so all should be well.  I believe that any fabric that can be washed can be put into a quilt---this is no exception.

Please Answer---

I am a Follower of  "Giraffe Dreams" and she had a really interesting post in which she asked her Followers to answer five questions.  I am asking you to do the same thing.  The questions are:

I am ----

I wish -----

My friends think I'm ------

Books are ----------

Top (or near the top) on my Bucket List is ------

My responses were----

I am ----re-evaluating what I want to be when I grow up (now you all know, I have 5 adult children and 7 grandchildren ---my oldest granddaughter is entering her second year of college)

I wish ----I were more organized.

My friends think I am -----  self-assured.

Books ---  helped me to dreams and strive (for better)

Top (or near the top) on my Bucket List is ----  to attend the Houston Quilt Show.

Thanks for participating!

July Finish!

I finished the "Zig-Zag" quilt.  It isn't trimmed yet, but I will do get the backing ready and try to stat tomorrow.  I plan to quilt this and several other quilts for myself and Diane, so the next two weeks will be spent at the LA.  I really like how this quilt came out, but I must say it is a little confusing.  You really have to pay attention but if you do, it comes together nicely.  It is an interesting way to make a "zz"---this was made from two jelly rolls.

Now to figure out how to quilt it.  I think probably just a nice tight stipple will do.  I really don't want to take away from the graphic nature of it.  Sometimes simple is best!

Well on to more quilting---my Mo-Jo is coming back!

A Lazy Saturday!

So----this morning I got up really early!!!!  It was expected that the temps would reach a high of 104 degrees, so I was up, planting some new flowers, weeding and watering the plants.  I was done in a couple of hours, just when it started to get warm.

I didn't clean the house, although I did was a load of clothes---instead I did some quilting!!!!  I worked on my zig zag, and am now finished with 50% if it.  To give me some variety, I started working on a new "Spontaneous Combustion".  This time, I am even more "spontaneous".  I have strips, and some wonky blocks, some triangles, etc.  I am not following any course, but instead just letting things "fall as they may".  I am liking what I have at this point---essentially only one block---but who knows what will happen next.

Of course, this is going to be a large quilt-- so who knows when it will be finished!

It is interesting how my preference in quilting has changed.  Although I still love brights and batiks, I am liking solids more.  I really prefer my hand dyes though but I am beginning to like solids.  I also am enjoying the "modern quilting" phase, although quite frankly, I don't think it is so much modern, as returning to the spontaneity of such quilts as the Gee's Bend, and other like quilts.  Again this supports my husband's contention that nothing really goes "out of style", but that everything comes back around.


Wonder if calico's will come back?

Almost Ready for Harvesting!

My "crops" are almost ready for harvesting!!!!!  I am so proud of myself!  I read somewhere that gardening is such an empowering hobby.  I also think that it is interesting that there is a large percentage of quilters that also garden.

I was up early this morning, watering, pulling and fertilizing the vegetables as well as the flowers.  It was nice and cool, although it is my understanding, it is going to be about 100 degrees today with a possibility of rain. No fireworks, much too dry---but I don't think the kids will mind.  We are going to grill, but not start until later.  I am going to use some of my spices I got while in DC---they smell wonderfully so lets hope it taste as well.

Well, I do want to quilt a little today.  Have a great and safe 4th!

Vacation is Over!!!!

I got back yesterday afternoon!  It was 110 degrees here!!!!!  My goodness, but it was just as hot almost in DC, AND without electricity!!!!!  My son's home was in one of the areas that is without power due to a relatively mild storm.  The issue is however, there are thousands of trees---old trees---so it doesn't take much to blow one over.  He said that if history repeats itself, they will probably not have any power for about a week.  They and their pets (a dog and a cat) have gone to a friends to wait it out!

I am getting myself settled in.  My "Mo Jo" feels like it is coming back, and I know the restful time I had really is helping.  I have posted pictures of my fabric I picked up.  The first pictures is how I packed it (and my clothes).  I didn't know they had these bags for packing, but they work wonderfully.  You can get so much more in your suitcase!  I really did a juggling job since they weight limit is 50 pounds.  One bag weighted exactly 50 pounds (even though the bag itself probably weighted 40 pounds)!  I had to borrow a bag from my son for the fabric to use as a carry-on.  Next time I will use these "freeze dried bags" as my Grands call them, and carry a much smaller bag!

The two pieces on the left are designated for quilt backs.  The other's are 3 yard lengths that I have no idea what I am going to use for.

Well, just wanted to check in.  I am back to reality---washing, cleaning and getting ready for work!  I so enjoyed myself and I am going to try really hard to not wait so long before going back for a visit!

Where Is Patricia?

First I want to say how much I appreciate the comments. I did take your advice and just put everything aside for a while. I sorta had to since I left town to attend a meeting. I am in Washington D.C. at a nursing conference. Our oldest son and his wife live in Maryland.


This young man and his wife is a mother's dream (not that my others are not). He is an artist (although with 2 Ph.D's he is a philosophy professor by day) and felt my "Mo Jo" had a better chance of returning if I were pampered so------
When I got off the plane he and his wife had made reservation for me to receive a massage!!!! Not just any old massage, but one with hot stones, warm towels, aromatic oils, birds singing and soft music. I woke myself up snoring a couple of times.

Then it was off to dinner--and a tour of a wonderful aromatic spice and tea shop. I did something unusual, spent money on something other than fabric.



We then had a big cup of yogurt and home to bed.


On Saturday I went to a wonderful African fabric shop, to walk the aisles and invite my creative muse back. My son waited in the car so long he went to sleep---but not once did he come in to get me or act upset that I took so long. 32 yards later....well we will see. Just to clarify, about 20 yards were for quilt backs. The other will end up hopefully in a masterpiece. My justification is the fact that it is hard to find authentic Africa fabric in middle Tennessee.

I checked into the hotel last night and went to sessions all day. So I am in my hotel room and will leave for dinner soon. I go back to my son on Wednesday and return to reality in TN on Saturday. For now I am trying really hard to relax and enjoy the moment.

Thanks again! I know I'm acting like a baby and whining, but I promise I will "get it together "

My MoJo is on Vacation!

I know that everyone has gotten to a point along their "quilting adventure" when you find yourself sorta aimless.  Like you are a piece of orange pulp floating around in a glass of water that has just been agitated!  Well that is how I feel!  I can't seem to focus or settle on one thing.  I sit at my sewing machine and it takes me an hour to sew one strip together, I get up, and another hour to set and iron the seam and then I have lost interest.  There are so many quilts I want to make, so much fabric I have to use, but no creative energy to get started.

I am leaving on Friday for a meeting in D.C.  Our oldest son and his wife will pick me up and then have told me I have an appointment at a Spa for the afternoon!  Maybe a bit of pampering will bring MoJo back!  I sure hope so.  On my itinerary while there will be to visit a wonderful African Fabric store and additions  to an already large stash----but my justification is, there is no where around Middle Tennessee to purchase African Fabric, so I am pretty safe to get it when I can.

Another point of contention, or concern is this blog!  I read so many others that are so interesting, full of fun reading, and then there is mine.  I am again wondering if I should continue with this endeavor.  I keep telling myself it is actually a journal, and should meet my needs not the needs of the blog community, but still it is nice to see lots of followers and comments.  Thank goodness for Lane and Diane who are often leave comments and the visitor count that appears to indicate people are stopping by (if that count is real)  Maybe, I need to share more of myself----who knows!

Anyway----clearly there is nothing new on the quilting front.  Still working on the zig zag quilt hopefully to have it done soon---how soon---don't know!  When I get back from DC I am going to dye more fabric.  I got two great books---We Love Color compiled by Susanne Woods and Elizabeth Hartman's new book Modern Patch Work.  Both great books, that are totally opposite to my usual quilting style (in a way), but certainly ones that are relevant in my progression.

Well, I have lots to do before leaving, so I will wish you a great Tuesday!

I am BACK Again!!!

My "crops" are doing pretty good as you can see.  I am not sure if you can make them out, but I even have some pepper's that are starting!  Before too long I will be ready for harvest!!!!!

On the quilting front---it is pretty stagnant.  I have had to deal with a lot of some family challenges, but everything is straightening out!  I have gotten back to my quilting and so I am getting back to normal!  No new quilt pics, but soon!!!!  Just wanted to check in and let you know I am still "around".

xoxo