Binding

I Get Crabby When I Don't Sew

There.  I've said it.  I am not saying it's right or wrong:  it just is.  John's had a complication with his second cataract - we are hoping that tomorrow's procedure will correct the issue.  So, John does everything in the house.  And when he's unable to, I have to do all these things.  And I'm exhausted.  I can sew or I can take care of the food and house.  Clearly I cannot do both.   John really does do it all.  Meanwhile, I sew in little bits and snatches, which just isn't enough.  And do you believe we ran out of the little cloth Mors bags.  So I have found my too ugly to live batik pile and am making several of those.  They are simple - just haven't been able to get to them.  Meanwhile, I dream of the projects that I want to do and projects that I must do.

See?  Too ugly to live

But perfect  to keep in the car or back pocket for those little trips to Walgreen's and Trader Joe's

Shades of Grey for an October Wedding

These Marcia Derse fabrics are out - perhaps for another October wedding present

All Together

Not me.  This t-shirt quilt top!  Just delivered it to my favorite long armers Terri and Frank (actually, they are the only long armers I use...).  Now I can go back to my Trapezoid Tote! 

Guess what time it is?

It's Graduation T-Shirt Quilt Time!  These 30 shirts are all 12.5" x 12.5".  Ready to go!

I Must Be Getting Ready for Next Winter

 With the leftover wool batting from the quilt I just basted, I am now ready to baste this panel of Yoshiko Jinzenji fabric that has two strips of appliqued circles a la Carolyn Friedlander's Aerial Grove inserted.  This panel is 44" x 44" and ready for some Sashiko work. 

And my Trapezoid Tote by Indygo Junction is all ready to go together - straps, pockets, lining, outer panels. 
Now, where are those photos I said I was going to edit...

Two Hockey-esque Finishes

There are two quilts just like this. They are my nod to the Blackhawks and their Chicago origin. Google the Flag of Chicago for an explanation of the Chicago six-pointed stars. There are only four on the Chicago Flag, but there has been talk of a fifth star since 1940. Besides, the math worked out better for five rather than four stars.   These quilts are 60" x 80" and for the fathers of my brother's granddaughters, my great nieces.  Jim is the father of Amelia, Olive, and Elle.  Chad is the father of Isla.  These men are terrific fathers and beautifully parent all four girls.  Jim was interested in having a nod to the Bears on his quilt, and Chad wanted a nod to Notre Dame on his.  Meanwhile, I am still having a hard time believing sports is a still a thing.  But I did what each dad wanted - see pictures below.  Chad's birthday is this week, so I am passing this off as a birthday present.  Jim will be marrying Katie soon, and this quilt will be their wedding present. 

The back of Jim's

The back of Chad's

Meanwhile I keep eying the Trapezoid Tote by Indygo Junction using this feature fabric -an Art Gallery fabric called Hello Bear.  Perhaps this week.  Getting over jet lag and the 17-hour time difference has been difficult.  I am still in my head and ears.  Long walks have helped some.  So did a planned sewing day with a couple of quilty buddies. 

I still need to edit my pictures from New Zealand and do a post.  Now that I have this quilt top basted and ready to sashiko-quilt, perhaps I will settle down a bit...  Perhaps...

Hi Ho Hi Ho...

It's off to New Zealand we go where apparently the lambs are the real thing and not made from pound cake batter. This year was 9 lambs, 8 of them with both ears, and 2 more to make when we get home. I'll study the real thing the next few weeks and see exactly how many jelly beans the New Zealand lambs wear. This is Henry, an honorary grandson!

Tweaking What's On the Wall

It's so hard to be random.  The 120 blocks have been sewed into pairs, so I still have the ability to tweak and move around a bit.  I have taken various bits of advice and have left both the light light blocks and the dark dark blocks in.  And I have tried to scatter them both about.  My goal is to get this together and off the wall before I leave.  Neighbor/artist/friend/quilting protege Cristina will be using the studio and the design wall while I'm out of town.

Studying the Design Wall

Gotta decide whether to get rid of the light blocks and some of the dark dark one.  Or whether I like the combination of the lights and darks with this fabulous feature fabric.  This picture will help.  A lot.

A New Bag...Just Because

When I have so many lovely bags,

why would I need another? 

one that has an interior flap pocket AND a zippered pocket

with a nice sturdy false bottom? And the answer?  Just because...

As I was making the Petrillo Bag above, guildster Sarah S gave me this piece of fabric that I've been coveting ever since we did Holly H's quilt.  Had I seen this fabric first, this might have been the above bag.  Hmm, maybe I should make another...

I have new projects to start.  But first a cleaning and organizing...

Much better