Ideas with scrap therapy....

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new quilters at the local quilt shop on Saturday. Pleased too that I was able to get some scraps cut. Now to carve out 15 minutes every day to keep tackling that scrap basket.
Joan Ford of Syracuse, NY created this idea and has been marketing 2 patterns each month to help eliminate the scraps you cut with this process. The idea is to cut
2", 3-1/2 " and 5" squares, and by sewng these sizes together as four patches, nine patches and/or half squares triangles that you can intertwinethese sizes and units to make a quilt pattern.
It was good to sit and cut from my scrap basket. While there, I met some quilters and lucky for me that one of them came with a bag of fleece scraps for dog bed fillers. I ooohed and awed over some of the scraps and she kindly offered them to me. I have some fibers in stock to make some little "bootie" slippers for the almost 1 year old grandson.
I should get to those right away too before he has a size 10 DD foot and then I'd have to run out and try to match more fabric to finish his slippers. I know, I know, I need help. LOL!

The idea is to cut 2", 3-1/2" and 5" scraps and by incorporating those sizes into sewn units which become larger patterns because they play so well together. Loose Threads Quilt Shop had many nice examples. Here are some of the samples they showed.



They are so nice and great quilters, so if you are ever in Plattsburgh, NY stop by their shop.

My Mom and I have been working on my scrap basket for awhile. Earlier this spring I had 3 huge containers of scraps. Now I have one huge basket left and many containers of cut pieces ready to be used. Many I have already implemented into quilts and many more ready to go. On some previous postings you have seen me using some of my scraps cuttings. But I do have so many sizes in my own system, that it was good to have a simplified system explained at the class. I have 1-1/2", 2",2-1/2", 3", 4" and 5" squares. Strips are cut in 1-1/2", 2" and 2-1/2" widths, and I think I may start a 5"strip width too. If pieces don't fit in those parameters then I do also save a 1"x5" string, weird strings pieces not parallel, mile a minute scraps and selvage strings. At this rate I'll have enough scarps to last 9 lives.
Here's alittle snap shop of an embroidery they had in a quilt they had in the long arm. It's too cute! If you know who this designer is, please let me know. I'd love to get this for another little stitchery for the holidays.

Afterward shopping for a gift for PGD#1 speech pathologist whose last visit is happening on Monday, I met DH out at a function. A friend was having a surprise 35 years in business celebration that we wanted to attend. There were many people there that I hadn't seen in quite awhile, so it was good to reconnect. Didn't stay out too late since being so emotional lately with the loss of a friend and a friend becoming a widow so young, that I was very tired. Home by 7pm and in bed by 9. A record for me, I guess I'm more tired than I had at first imagined. Stay Well and wish me luck finishing the surprise gift for the Speech therapist, Heather. She'll be missed. She has been a wonderful friend to our whole family.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

Oh Santa, come back!!!!!

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.

I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.

Could it be a pattern, a fat quarter or lace?

Or a quilt kit, I said with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him,

"Hi Santa" I said.

"You know..good little girls should be in their beds."

"I know I should Santa and now I've got caught,

but I was just so excited to see what you've brought."

"Well, let's take a look at the room where you work"

He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk,

I heard him explain as he put it in gear,

"You've got enough stuff, I'll see you next year!"



Authour unknown









Stay Well,

Jane

LOL ain't that the truth!
But if I'm really good, may I please get a Bernina 820 or 217 next year? A girl has to have some goals! LOL

First week of December,

Today is a cooking day while watching PGD#1. Sugar cookies done this am, turkey soup fixings all finished up for lunch and then onto a French Onion Soup with Roast beef for dinnertime.


While visiting all the doctors appointments lately in town and in Vermont, we were able to get some of the Christmas and Birthday shopping done. I also was able to add to my stash while traveling to RI last weekend, so now all I want to do is find some time to stay home and play with my fibers and toys.
The Alphabet sampler I started last Friday in my nephew's driveway is all done and I love that it's only been 1 week from start to finish. (Another little happy jig going on.) The colors recommended for it were Linen DMC threads and I did go with one linen -L223, the other 2 colours I used selected on my own. I'll share what I did when I get it framed and photographed. I was able to pick up another 8" square frame in VT on Wednesday, but I think a larger frame would be better since they look so much better when framed with a mat. I'll have to check out what is available at Michaels tomorrow when I go into town for a class I'm taking. I'm taking the scrap therapy class offered at a LQS.

A good friend passed away suddenly this afternoon so my dinner plans went amuck. But friendships are such a powerful thing, that you have to honor and cherish when needed. Say prayers please.

Be Well,
Jane

Small family gatherings

My Thanksgiving Holiday was wonderful. All my children and grandchildren came home except for PGS#1 for the holiday. A wonderful feast which I know I contributed the least amount ever in my life. Only had to make 4 pies and some of the condiments like cranberry sauce, pickles and stuff. All other dishes were provided by my daughter and my son and his wife. The menu was wonderful. Ham stuffed with collards(thanks M), Deep fried turkey(thanks S), roasted turkey(S), parsnips and carrots(M), squash(S&DH), green bean casserole(M), stuffing(S), mashed potatoes(DH), gravy(S&DH), celery with cream cheese(T) were the items at the table. Besdies all that comraderie and family fellowship.
With so many entries, I only took one tablespoon of each and felt totally satisfied and blessed. We have so much to be grateful for and feel wonderfully blessed with living in this country so with a umble heart I wish the people throughout the world to have enough. Enough food to elimuinate starvation and disease. Enough liberty to enjoy their family fellowship, religious beliefs, and political freedoms. Enough peace without feeling threatened by bullies to provide for their family. Enough joy to be able to look forward to the next day. As well as Enough love to know that they matter in this world. Namaste.

As for my UFOs I am currently stitching an alphabet sampler I mentioned in this previous post. Working it with DMC Linen thread L223, DMC Metallic-Jewel Effects E316(5288), and I still ahev to decide what the third color will be yet. I'll audition it more after scompleting these 2 other colors first. Using an Aida 14 count white cloth. While traveling to RI to visit with Mom and a couple of brothers this past weekend, it was the perfect transportable project. It was a Quick trip, but it was nice to reconnect with them. This was the last year that my eldest brother will be hosting it. He's offering the "torch" onto a younger sister to host since she has been wanting/offering to have it.
As for the angel doll blanket, I now have to quilt it and bind it. The embroidery part is finished, and I found some hot-fix crystals that will be perfect for it that I'll probably adhere in the waist band area after it's done.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

Thankful!

Have a gratitude attitude!



I do and am glad that I was able to finish the Thankgiving Patchability last night. Phew! Just in time for the Holiday and then I'll be taking it down. Here's a close up of some of the detail.


Recently I've seen this you tube production and it makes me feel glad and grateful. You have to take a look at this video that was created to raise awareness of breast cancer. Once it reaches 1 million hits Medline will make a big contribution to Providence St.Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon and will be offering free mammograms to their local community. Way to go Emily MacInnes Somers for choreographing and getting so many hospital employees to participate in "The Pink Glove Dance". Many of us have been touched by the effects of breast cancer in some form or fashion either directly or through a loved one.
Awareness is a beautiful thing.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jane

Son's passion....

Check it out. My son loves his swift water rescue, ice water rescue, high angle rope rescue, technical animal rescue and is certified to teach world wide through the Rescue 3 International Inc. Check out his slides on you tube. He teaches all parts of this technical rescue and can be reached at saranactechrescue@yahoo.com or leave a message here and I'll let him know.

Enjoy!
Jane

Have you ever wondered...

I love shopping for fabric and textiles, but probably really should say anything to do with my latest obsession or focalized hobby. When I visit quilt shops, I could be there for hours, checking out all the new fabric lines, looking and learning the manufacturer and designers on the labels. Of course feeling the fabric and imagining how I could incorporate this "new" gem into my stash. Now with being on the next no-buy challenge through the stashbusters group I belong too, I have almost stopped any frivolous purchases. I still love to go into the shops though and just browse. BUt I seriously never thought about how those lovelies get on the bolt. Surprising!
While visiting a blog I frequent, I saw how fabrics are placed onto the bolts. If your interested, check out this posting on Beth Ferrier's blog.
Interesting how the machine puts the fold in the fabric when wrapping it onto the bolts. You'll see the rolls waiting on the shelves, followed by the bolts stacked and waiting on the shelves. I wonder how many steps it takes from start to finish.
Excuse me while I'm pondering. Well, I'm off to get to some things I need to attend to.

Stay Well,
Jane