Hazel

For some months, I've had a simple pieced bed quilt folded up on the back of the spare sofa; the only place it would remain safe and relatively flat.I'd even pieced yardage to make a backing for it with the intention of sending it away to be longarm quilted since there is absolutely no way on this earth, or off it, that I am attempting to free motion quilt it. Hand quilting it is out; it took a year to quilt AVF and it's smaller than 'Dandelion Girl'.

( read on )

And welcome to zopyrus, and into_the_greenwood with whom I share a love of the written word. My delving into the word-hoarde is rather like a spin dryer in that it runs on short cycles interspersed with quilting, knitting and other crafty type things. The last couple of days I've opened Word files and 'had a blank' as I call it. I like what's there but can't see how to progress it and so I feel this writing cycle is becoming the start of a quilting one. This is one reason I doubt I'll ever fulfil the dream to have a book published; it'd take me forever to write first draft, edit and so forth. Mm, clearly more EFT required. : )

That I'm moving into a quilty cycle is good as I have a new commission, which is a grand way to say I agreed to make a wallhanging for a fellow marauderphile. I have some ideas in my head already while awaiting details of the brief. *mischievous grin*

I have no idea about Pinky, or Brain, but I'm pondering the creation of a patchwork and quilting community, since one doesn't exist at DW.

But then, would anyone join it...?

There is not a single tile left in my kitchen. My garage is full of new kitchen--and I mean full = crammed. It smells gorgeous but then wood does. :D Tomorrow I have the fun of emptying all the cupboards and creating a makeshift kitchen in my dining room. Hopefully, I'll also manage to get out in the sun for a couple of hours too. Today was a gorgeous spring day; blue sky, sun, light breeze, plaster dust--only kidding! lol

I heard from the recipient of the horsey wallhanging commish and she was thrilled. Bless. :)

More writing: yesterday I had another idea for my SOC, Mike (at this rate he'll be nabbing the POC spot! Maybe that's what he's got his eyes on. Hmm... lol!) Where was I? Oh yes, writing. I got out another 1500+ words, mostly outline and dialogue but I broke out into descriptive work where the idea was 'live' in my head--well, it makes sense to me! lol

And now more picspam. Here is the 99% completed commission that I shall commit to the hands of sundry postal services tomorrow.

I call it 99% finished b/c the block with the padded hand quilted saddle requires a name, as in, X's Horses, where X is the name of the commissioner, withheld for privacy. It doesn't show but the log cabin blocks were stitched in the ditch, all the horses were hand outline quilted and other strips had feature hand quilting.

The back. Yes, those are words FM quilted on that strip. They say 'oats carrots oats'.


Oh yes. Tomorrow. Ugh, now we're on BST. So did not want to get up this morning.

Also on the 'and more' theme. More baking. Despite the Banana-and-walnut loaf cake, and Spiced Apple (and calva!) crumble I made y/day, today I made star shaped triple chocolate muffins. Want?

A little picspam for this wet and windy monday morning. Well, it is where I am.

Y seams first. Here is the first block of my current hand piecing quiltlet, all dot-to-dot sewing, inset y seams and some curved piecing. A little patience, a couple of pins and it fell together nicely. What else can I tell you? The block is 12" square and comes from one of Marti Mitchell's books. She calls it 'Hands All Around' but I want another name for it.
( let it go streamline )

A bitty day, this. Several projects advanced: the commission is almost finished--burying thread ends/label/hanging sleeve; Tri2 tied in prep for quilting, Tri1 about to join it; silk habotai painted requisite colours for Drifting:spring, Drifting:summer; 95" of quarter inch continuous bias made for vining applique on small chinese coin mat. A complimentary 95" yet required.

Dividable cake tin assembled in preparation for tomorrow's making/baking of several 4" Simnel cakes.

It doesn't feel like I achieved much at all, and yet it's my first time making continuous bias for applique (an amusing interlude requiring lots of patience, steam, the use of an unpicker and words not normally heard in polite conversation.) so maybe I'm expecting too much. Tch'est qui sait?

First blossoms on a tree close to my abode. Not sure, but I think it might be another almond. I say that b/c think it's a bit early for cherry blossom but I could be wrong.



( two more images )

A mini hex mat made using leftovers from 'Instant Sunshine'. It took longer to hand quilt this than to make it! lol 4.75" along each side, finished. 9.75" point to point.



( The reverse )

I'm still working on the square mat that goes with the other 'Instant Sunshine' items. Sore fngrs: I haz dem. And the triangles. And my commision. And my new hand piecing project....

I've had a problem with motivation over the last few days, or more precisely, the lack of it. I have all these projects to get on with, many of which I'd be keen to enjoy hanging on the walls, and yet I can not summon up the energy or enthusiasm to complete them. Ah ça!

Normally, when I feel that way out I turn to my other interest; writing, but even there I felt 'stale, flat and unprofitable' to quote his Lordship. I managed a drabble (posted) and a lot of confusion that might become one when I uncoil the involuted sentences and hammer them into shape with a red-hot pen. Clearly, my creativity had hung up the note saying 'out to lunch' but omitted the rider 'back in X minutes'.

Today, don't ask me why, I've starched some backing fabric ready for layering, pressed out the wadding, and starched a pack of charm squares into behaving. (My 'trick of the trade'--starch and lots of it!) I may even break out my Husqi, cutting mat and cutter after I start the meat for dinner! I'm back in the swing--almost like Spring! : )