Piecing, Gardens, and Scottish Life

Piecing.  I have 31 of 90 blocks made.  Yippy, one third of the way done.  I worked all week but I snuck up to the quilt studio a couple of times during the week "just to get one or two blocks made."  Normally I don't sew on work days. This evening after a long day of running errands, mammogram, etc., I was trying to get a couple more done and after sewing in a little piece wrong, twice, I figured it was time to quit.

I finally got my herbs planted this evening.  I am trying to put things closer like in the Square Foot Garden, so I have plenty of room to plant a few more veggies.  I'd like to get some peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I planted rosemary, green onions, basil, thyme, and parsley.

My son and his family traveled to the Scottish Borders last week and enjoyed visiting an old abbey that was founded in 1118 A.D.  Amazing, isn't it?

I mean seriously, how did they build these magnificent structures without the aid of electric tools, cranes, etc?

My baby girl is getting so big!  Can't wait for my next trip to visit her in June, oh yeah, and her parents :)

Piecing and Woodworking

I am currently heavy into piecing my new project.  I like to think of ways to make things faster.  I know many quilters say they love the process. Me, I love the finish.  One thing I started today that seems to speed things up a bit - used my wooden iron for the little pieces.


Each 9" block has 30 pieces to be sewn together. I know, crazy design (but it is my crazy design). I hated getting up and ironing each. little. section. Now, I use this small tool until I get each of the four rows together, then press them and sew them up.  I've got the time down from about 30 minutes per block to about 16-18 minutes.

I can't help but wonder.....does anyone else time how long it takes them to make a block, then figure up the time it takes to complete the project?

I'm liking the way it is coming together.  So far, I've made 17 blocks.  I am shooting for 20 this weekend.

As I was figuring up my finishing time, I was reminded of something I told myself years ago.  I was working full time and contemplating going to night school to get my MBA degree.  I knew it would probably take about five years. I was 38 at the time. I told myself in five years I would be 43, so I might as well be 43 with a master's degree.  It helped me to think like that.  I worked on the classes a little at a time, and in 5 years, I finished - on my schedule.

So, this quilt may take me 4-5 months, but if I make it, in 4-5 months I'll have a nice, big, beautiful, king size quilt of my own design.

Did something else today that I've never done.  Used a miter saw, a brad nail gun, and a Kreg jig.  I am learning how to use tools so I can make that king size bed, this quilt is going to cover. I was thrilled to learn some new things. I don' t need another hobby, but I have this insatiable desire to learn.

I worked on some practice pieces.  Thank goodness for Youtube videos.  I still have a lot to learn but I am feeling more confident that I can actually do it.

So tell me, do you figure out how long it takes to make a block? a quilt? do you give yourself goals for finishing? Inquiring minds want to know.

Catching up

Lots to blog about this evening.  Let's talk about customer service.  I ordered some fat quarter bundles from Craftsy recently.  In one of the fat quarters I found this.
Yes,  a couple of holes.  In one fat quarter, only one.  I've never had that happen before.  I emailed Craftsy and tonight I received a response.  They are sending me a whole new bundle of fat quarters!  Wow. Incredible customer service.

I've started the massive king size quilt.  It is amazing how much better top quality fabric sews.  I used some cheap black and white I had for a wall hanging in the same pattern I am making for the king size.  I had trouble with my 1/4" seam, it was not fun.  I am using Moda for the black and white in the King size and started it tonight.  It sewed up like a dream.  Made 8 blocks.  Only 82 more to go.  Oh my.



One of the cats brought in the sweetest little rabbit last night.  He was precious.  He acted like he enjoyed me petting him.  Thank goodness the cat didn't seem to harm him.  Isn't he cute?



Do people still polish their leather shoes?  I remember as a child polishing my dad's on Saturday evening.  I bought a pair of low boots in the fall, that I love.  I wear them almost every day to work with jeans.  I have a long walk into the office so they get a lot of wear.  very comfy.  They have been looking pretty bad.  I took one of the hubby's oil sponges to them.  Wow.  I am not convinced that is as good as polish but it did make a big difference.



I'm still running.  Got in a great five miles tonight.  Cool. Windy. Perfect for a nice long slow run.  5 miles.

More projects than time...

Received some goodies in the mail today.....


You know that feeling? When you have this great idea for a quilt? and you pick the perfect fabric?



...and you just know this one is going to be awesome!

 

I've got that.  Can't wait to start on it.  This design has been percolating for a few months now.  It is called White Nights.  I've made a variation that will be published in Fons and Porter's Quilting Quickly this fall., called Sassy Sister. This one is a little more time consuming (smaller pieces) but it has a neat, dramatic visual impact.  And....I am making it for the king size bed I plan to build. So it is a biggie.  More projects than time!

There is always something to learn.....

I am amazed at the information we have available to us at the touch of a keyboard.  The hubby and I have been entertaining the idea of selling our home and building.  I'm not convinced that is the right thing to do yet, and am trying all I can to make our home as comfortable and efficient as possible.....I am the frugal one in the marriage. Building just doesn't seem too frugal to me.

Anyway, he has been wanting a king size bed.  I mean after all, we have two 17 pound cats that like to sleep with us.  I get it, but I've been reluctant. I didn't think I'd be able to make a quilt big enough on my machine.  Silly reason, I guess.  I did the measuring and I think I can.  I haven't found a bed I like except this one....


(photo courtesy of thebumpercrop.wordpress.com)

This is a DIY by Ana White.  I want to make it so bad.  I am going to try.



Here is our current bedroom with minor changes to make more room for a king.  The bed will come over in front of the windows about 8 inches on either side.  I don't think I'll mind. The room is plenty big for a king, but the windows are perfect for a queen, not king.

All this yapping to say, isn't it amazing that you can get the plans, see how to videos, and read all the comments from folks who have made this bed -- all on the internet?  There is always something to learn. I love learning how to do new stuff......

Tie Quilt

Our little quilting group at church got some publicity recently with the Legacy Tie quilt we made.

We asked for donations of ties from church members and used them in a strip quilt pattern to make the quilt in the picture.  It was hung in the new atrium at our church.

Busy Weekend

It has been a busy couple of days.  I was invited to submit a block to Quiltmaker magazine for one of their next 100 block issues.  I've had fun creating one that I've been thinking about for a few weeks.  It took me three tries but I finally got it the way I want it. I wasn't sure how to make my little arrow heads but rather than youtube it, I just winged it.

They also suggested submitting a quilt made from your block, so I did that too. I learned a few more things in EQ during the process.

Got in a good run today......

Did a little work in my herb garden.  I neglected it last fall and the weeds had taken over everything.  I practically rolled up the weeds to get them out. I think I still need to till it before planting.

Sure enjoyed seeing my little violas, or mini pansies, (whatever they are called) perking up with the warm weather.  They are so happy!

Pixels

Finished the quilting on Pixels. I used a new pantograph called Calliope.

Found some stripe in my stash for the binding. The backing is chemistry notations, which I love. I believe that fabric line is Moda's Modern Background.  This one will probably be a donation but could go to a new grandson.  Did I tell my good news??  A new grand baby is on the way!  We don't know if we are having a boy or girl yet.  Even if it is a boy, I may make him something else. This one didn't turn out quite like I planned. I wanted to use the chemistry fabric on a quilt for the new baby because his Daddy has an undergrad degree in Chemistry.

From Rags to Riches

Well not actually rags to riches, but you know what I mean.  Amazing that you can turn a pile like this.....

into this....

I wouldn't even be confident telling anyone I crochet.  I can only do the single crochet stitch. But I LOVE this rug crocheted from selvages and tiny strips of fabric.  Love it! I made a knitted one a while back but I like this one so much better.  It seems thicker and sturdier...but I'm gonna need some more selvages.  Guess that means I need to buy more fabric.  I can do that.

A Fast Finish

I wouldn't call this quilt quick, with all it's little pieces, but I did finish it in only a few days.  That's because I am pretty much a workaholic.  The hubby is on a fishing trip so I spent  all...day...long....working on it today, and Saturday, and Friday evening, and Thursday evening....

The best thing about having my quilts published is....well, having them published.  The worst thing is not being able to share them with you for months.

Next project

There is a lot going on here at Around the Blocks.  I'm just not at liberty to show my work yet.  Started a new project in these yummy fabrics by Zen Chic, called Flow.

I've cut up 48 of these jelly roll strips, and have ten of the blocks made for my next quilt.

Tension Troubles

I began having tension troubles on my long arm right in the middle of this little quilt.  I think I warped my two bobbin cases.  Ordered a new one and still had problems.  I was about ready to load up the machine and drive it to the dealer's in Atlanta.  They thought maybe I had gotten it out of timing and suggested I review the videos on the Gammill website, then they would try to walk me through correcting it.  Well, I did watch the videos.  Lots of them. And one showed me the error of my ways.  I feel kind of dumb even saying it....lol.....I had the anti backlash spring in backwards on the bobbin case.  I still had to do some tension adjustments back on the machine once I got the bobbin thread flowing freely.  That appears to have been the problem.

Anyway, here is the little donation quilt finished....

Scraps....and yes some creamy whites along with the white whites.....that may or may not have been intentional.... :)

I used a little pantograph called Filagree.  I also machine bound it.  I think I'm getting better at it.

'Yarn' ball

My quilting machine is down.  Something went wrong with the bobbin.  Weird how both of the two bobbin cases I have are not working.  I don't know if it is as simple as the no backlash spring wearing out or the cases are somehow warped.  Neither is working.  I put the bobbin in, and no matter how I loosen the tension spring, the thread will not flow freely out of it.  So, I've ordered a new bobbin case and extra spring -- $$$$.  Man, those things are expensive!

In the meantime, I've taken my skinny scraps and selvages and made a 'yarn' ball.  I just need a large crochet hook to make a rug.  I knitted the last one and really like it, but I'd like to try crochet this time so I can see the difference in the two and decide which I like best.

Do you cut your selvages off before you start cutting out a quilt?  I usually just cut them off each piece as I go.  Not anymore.  I am going to try to remember to cut them off first so I'll have some more nice long pieces to use in rugs.  It's a great way to use something normally tossed.

Our tie quilt was up today at church!  It is what our quilting group made from members' donations of ties.

It is hanging in one of the hallways in the upper atrium of our new addition.  The plan is to add some vinyl lettering above it, "Blessed Be The Tie That Binds."

Table Runner

Sneak peak at my newest design.  I used some Amy Butler scraps.

This is one of a series of "White Nights" quilts I am designing.  All will have a punch of black/dark in them.

Machine Quilting

Trying a new machine quilting technique on my little table runner. Why does it always look so easy on Pinterest?

I keep telling myself the only way to get better is to just do it.

In other life news...I have been training for a 15k.  We traveled to Nashville last night and had a nice dinner with my husband's twin sister and brother-in-law.  At race time the temp was around 18 with wind, a 'feels like' of 10 degrees.  They had initiated their cold weather plan where they asked all the slower runners and walkers registered for the 15k to do the 5k.  My pace wasn't quite as slow as the cutoff but by mile 2.3, my fingers and toes were so numb I just decided to do the 5k too.

There must have been a lot of walkers my age in the 5k because I finished 18 of 108!  I'm usually about middle of the pack.

 Four layers on top, two on bottom.  Still cold!


They gave those of us registered for the 15k our finisher's medal, but I feel like it was cheating. I'm sure I'll do my own 9.3 soon just so I can feel like I earned it.

We ended the day well.....stopped at the Premium Outlets on the way home and I had an epic shopping adventure.....

Happy to be spending some time with my valentine today.  He's a good sport.  Takes me to some of my races, and let's me, no, encourages me to shop!