We've been having a little dose of summer weather lately, which wasn't welcome at all.  Luckily it's changed back to normal spring temperatures, with a bit of rain, so I'm grateful for that.  I didn't like the wind throwing my pots all over the yard though, and blowing the birds out of the trees.  Sunday was such a wild day I just stayed inside near my sewing machine.

The Log Cabin blocks are all finished, and sewn into blocks of four.

It won't take much more work to finish them and then I will consider a border of some kind.  I'm leaning towards these two fabrics.  I know it would look lovely with a pieced border, but  that would take more time to design and sew.  I want this quilt ready for quilting soon, so a quick border is a good border.   I'm all about time-saving just lately.

The two big custom quilts are finished and back with their owners, thank goodness.  We did put a lot of work into them, I was absolutely knackered by Saturday afternoon.  So many people think that we just push a button on the Statler and walk away, but it takes hours of work babysitting the machine and making sure it stitches every pattern exactly where it should.  I don't leave it for a minute, which means hours on my feet.  Thank heavens sewing involves sitting down, such a welcome change.

I know I've spent too much time quilting when I'm itching to do the dishes and put the kitchen to rights.  I let it get so messy while I'm working long hours, and it's very satisfying to finally have time to do the housework.  Never thought I'd say that when I was a young'un.

The pink and cream candlewick quilt was so pretty, I loved working on it, but at 110" x 116" it really stretched Millhouse to capacity.

We worried about it getting dirty too, so every day we vaccuumed and wiped down all the machine surfaces, and the dogs were definitely banished.  I breathed a huge sigh of relief when it's owner collected it this morning; our part in that little saga is over.

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 No time for blogging lately, there's too much work to be done. 

I'm hoping that after this week we'll have dealt with most of the urgent jobs, and then I can take some time to sew for more than 15 minutes at a time.  Those little amounts of sewing do add up though, I have only 1 round to add to the last 17 blocks and my scrap Log Cabin blocks will be ready to put together.

I was watering the garden on Saturday evening when a little bird landed on the fence next to me.  Dolly thought it was Suppertime, and tried to grab it, but I beat her to it.  It was a battered little budgerigar, and it was in no fit state to leave out.  It sat in a shoebox while I went and borrowed a cage from a friend, and then proceeded to eat what seemed like it's own bodyweight in bird seed.  She was a hungry little thing.

I've put up notices advertising her, and her cage is safely on a cabinet out of Dolly's reach; now I just have to put up with Dolly re-enacting scenes from Tweety and Sylvester.  Pippi will be just as fascinated I"m sure, she's a bird dog whereas Dolly is more into small mammals.  I hope someone claims the budgie before I get attached to it....

I seem to have aquired another machine, a Benina 121 in very good condition.  It was for sale in the neighbouring town, and I couldn't pass it up, being so close and all.  I've been so busy with work that I haven't even had time to sew on it, I'm looking forward to some playtime with this little sweetie.

 The garden is full of spring flowers, but the work is never-ending. 

 Any spare time in daylight hours sees me out weeding or potting things on.  It's very satisfying, but I feel like we're racing the hot weather this year; it's going to be a hot and nasty summer I fear.

A recent trip to the patchwork shop in Jamestown saw two more FQs of batiks added to the collection.  The stash is coming along slowly.  I will have to start considering which pattern to use on my inaugural Batik Quilt.

That's my spare time done for the day, off to work on two huge custom quilts.  I'd rather be gardening, so I'd better get them finished quickly.

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24 aug 13

I got waylaid by work, and not much extra sewing was achieved.  I seem to have regular periods of lots of work and not much time to myself, and then slower times when I can get into the sewing room and sew for hours at a time.  I'm still in the work phase unfortunately, there have only been scattered minutes for sewing lately.  I need a mental health day soon, just to work on all these projects.

This is my design wall today; the strips for the plaid backing on the left,

the latest Log Cabin blocks on the right; Wild Goose Chase below, and a stray block using the 1.25" strips.  The blue Log Cabin blocks are sitting on my table in a pile, all 80 of them.  I still haven't decided on size, or setting for that matter.  Looks like I've let myself be distracted yet again.

The multi-colour LC blocks I'm working on were started many years ago, to use up spare 1" HSTs from another project.  I worked out I need 80 blocks and I have 32, and plenty of strips cut, so I will just plod along on them.  There ae so many fascinating variations possible though, I have to fight hard not to get distracted yet again. 

This would be such a cute block; I can play with those ideas AFTER I've finished the 80 blocks I need.
I did make a block of concentric squares, just to see if it was fun.  It was, and the idea will go into the queue for later. 

It's not good for scraps, as you need specific amounts for each round; when I do get around to this block I would cut strips from yardage, not just scraps.

I've been looking through this book, and it's full of ideas for quilts using my 1.25" strips. 

I'm still cutting up bits and pieces, more than any one quilt would need, so all the ideas will help use up the stack.

 This is like a quarter Log Cabin, I love that it looks like hearts.

Another Log Cabin variation, and that border would use up a lot of fabric too.

If I ever get sick of Log Cabins I can branch out into Pineapple quilts,

or Spiderwebs.....

What I need to get done this weekend is to finish the binding on DD Seonaid's flannel quilt. 

I've done so many bindings on customer quilts lately, this got shoved to the back of the line.  It will be lovely to sit and stitch the binding down while I watch a movie; then it's only a matter of arranging a visit to Adelaide to I can deliver it.  I'm very glad to get the last of those chenille edges finished, there's purple fluff everywhere.

The panto is one of mine called Stitcherie, that I really like for modern quilts, nice and swirly and open.  The flannel quilted up beautifully, I hope it keeps her toasty warm for the rest of this winter.

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I woke up very early this morning, and couldn't go back to sleep so I got up at 5.30 and started sewing.  I added an extra round of logs to all these blocks, and decided that I definitely like them better this way.  Now I'll make enough of them for a single bed size quilt.

While I sewed I watched an episode of Dalziel and Pascoe, an 80s British police drama.  This little boy was very familiar; I was sure I recognised him, and when I checked the credits I was right. 

Check out the pictures at the bottom of the post to see who he grew up to be.

I might have gone a bit beserk on the 1.25" strips.  I will need a lot more, and I like a bit of variety, and it's just so easy to weed all the pieces out of the scrap drawers and send them through the Go Cutter. 

I may be gifting some of these to Mereth if I can't use them all up myself.

And of course, there are all the leftovers to deal with......
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 The little boy was Matthew Lewis, and he played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies.

And then he grew up some more and now he looks like this;

amazing.

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I must have known that I was going to be really busy, and that's why I did so much sewing while I could.  The last two weeks have kept me working on lots of varied projects; designing new quilting patterns, quilting and binding 4 customer quilts, fixing website stuff, judging the quilts and crochet at the Crystal Brook Show, and then arranging the exhibits afterwards, not to mention cleaning and cooking and family visits.  There hasn't been much spare time, and if there was the dogs demanded to be taken for walks.  Hopefully the next few weeks won't be quite as busy.

My sewing room is still terribly untidy, and not much has been put away after the last spate of quilts.  I'm still trying to get the backing for the plaid quilt in one piece; I have lots of spare triangles, and I'm using them as leader-enders, but I can't seem to get to the end of them.  (I might just put them in the bin and not tell anyone.)

 There are 1 1/4" strips everywhere, so I dug out the old Log Cabin blocks and I'll add another round of strips to each block to make it bigger.  That should use up a lot of smaller scraps, and then I'll decide how many more of these blocks to make, if any. 

The cross blocks are ones I made two years ago, and I'm still waiting for inspiration to strike, as far as setting them together goes.  They will probably go back in the box, because nothing has occurred to me yet.

Yesterday, in a small window of time between other jobs, I pulled out the Bloc Loc ruler that I purchased a while ago and made some Flying Geese to see if it worked. 

 It was fun to use, and the little units turned out exactly the right size, which was a relief.

Of course, I then had to made a block with the units I'd made, so after a bit of planning in EQ7, and scrabbling through the scrap drawers, I came up with this Wild Goose Chase block.

 I've been wanting to make a pink and brown quilt for ages, and this will fit the bill nicely.  42 of these should keep me busy for a while.

There's really no explanation for this then.

Except that I've been planning to make a blue and brown quilt for years and years, and I thought I could just make one or two in this colourway every now and then.

You can even use the Bloc Loc ruler to trim up the corner units in this block, that's pretty neat.

I can't decide whether to make the blue or the pink blocks first, or both at the same time, or.... Maybe I should go clean up the sewing room while I think about it.  There's not going to be much sewing time in the next few days either, I have lots of other things to finalise, so I should have come up with a decision by the time I get back to them.

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My gadgeteering continues unchecked; I don't have to have new fabric from every range, but I do tend to succumb to things that I think might make quilting a bit easier.  Soon after I discovered how much fun the Log Cabin blocks were I decided I would always have a Log Cabin project on the go.  THere are so many variations, like Courthouse Steps, it would take a long time for me to exhaust all the possibilities.  I love the 3/4" finished strips, but cutting them is time consuming, so I purchased a die for the Go cutter. 

It cuts 7 1.25" strips at a time, and with up to 6 layers that means 42 strips in a single pass.  I immediately cut up handfuls of scraps, and it was so much fun,

I had to restrain myself from sending a couple of FQs through too. 

 I'm very happy with it; I got mine from an Australian stockist here but she doesn't have another one listed just yet. 

I've also bought a few speciality rulers too, for when I can drag myself away from the Log Cabin blocks.  I want to make a Flying Geese quilt, but wasn't looking forward to keeping all those units the same size.  These little Bloc Loc trimming guides should make things easy, but I haven't had time to try them yet.  I can usually keep my Geese around about the same size, but I like the idea of rescuing the bodgy ones by trimming them down to size. 

I bought this ruler on a whim, it's to cut different sizes of triangles-in-a-square.

 I haven't had a chance to use this either, but I have a feeling that it will be used to cut a dogtooth border very soon.  I like these units, but I've never had any luck getting mine to stay the right size.  Hopefully this will do the trick.

The Log Cabin blocks are up to 70 completed, and I'm going to make another 10, lay them out on the design wall and see if it should be one quilt or two.  I have had so much fun with them, I really don't want to stop; it will only take an extra 16 blocks to make the two single bed quilts, and I could do that in a weekend.  Decisions, decisions......
I have no idea what my next major project will be, I'm being drawn towards my pink and brown fabrics, but the blues are clamouring for attention too.  Not to mention all the old UFOs that should be tackled.  We are having a family get-together this weekend, so I don't imagine I will get any sewing done at all, which gives me lots of time to think about it and make an informed, rational decision.  Or maybe go off on a tangent and start something unexpected; who knows.

I have four bindings to do before the weekend, 3 on customer quilts and one for my daughter.  That's not going to leave much spare time; I won't ever be bored, there's just too much to do.

Last weekend we went to Telowie beach, and it was the first time we've been there just after high tide.  There was still no water, but the sand was really soggy, and there were puddles quite close to the parking area. There was also a small channel flowing strongly, right at the entrance to the beach; for some inexplicable reason these two teenagers tried to drive their car across it. 

Kids!  

What amazes me is that someone always shows up who is willing to help.  A man in a 4wheel drive pulled them out backwards with a rope, while John and another guy pushed to get those front wheels unstuck.  It would have been easier if the girl driver had realised sooner that she had the hand brake on...sheesh!

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The plaid quilt is in one piece now, and I reeeaally love it.

 I made the corners that way because I didn't want to have plain butted corners and I couldn't be bothered mitering them, so I added those little HSTs.

I'm working on the pieced backing, trying to use up scraps left over, and once that is done the plaids will be packed  away in a much smaller box; when I've collected a new lot I'll make Plaid No2.

It's back to the Log Cabins this weekend, I'm getting sick of the material for that lying around in untidy piles so I cut out enough pieces for the next 20 blocks. 

I have 50 finished and 20 in various stages, and the end is in sight for this project too.  I daren't think about what to do next, in case I get sidetracked and abandon it again.  I'm so flighty.

On Monday we went to Jamestown to get a backing for a customer, and pick up some tablets from the vet.  We walked the dogs on the oval, where some other people were playing with their dog.  Dolly had to be persuaded that stealing an English Mastiff's soccer ball was not such a good idea.  She was convinced she could take on a dog five times her size, and I would have taken photos except I had my hands full of a defiant little madam at the time.  She's so obsessed with soccer balls, she would run through fire to get one. 

The batik stash is growing slowly, I don't have enough to fill even a small basket, but it's a beginning.  I will enjoy choosing each piece over time, and eventually the time will be right to start a quilt.  It won't be for a while yet, which is a good thing; I have plenty to be going on with.

We stopped at the opshop in a neighbouring town, and I bought this canvaswork picture for $1. 

It's professionally framed, with a double matt and thick glass, and on the back it has a 1959 date. 

The stitching is beautiful, very evenly done  and in perfect condition.  I know most people don't value this sort of thing, but a dollar?  All that work and artistry, for $1.  It's going to live in the workroom and be admired from now on.

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It was a busy week, followed by a busy weekend.  The highlight of the week was Wednesday, when we went in to have tea with John and Liz, and then watched the State of Origin rugby on their TV.  Neither Mereth nor I have TV, and don't often feel the lack of one; we've watched the two previous games at our friend Deb's place.  She was away though, so we pleaded with Liz to be allowed to watch it there.  Their TV has never had sport showing on it, so we rather sullied the record that night.

Go Queensland!!!!
 
It was a brilliant match, resulting in lots of screaming from us, which startled Khan so much he took refuge with John.  I don't know that we'll be invited back there.....

 Sorry Khan.

I spent nearly all the weekend sewing, and sewing and sewing.  I was enjoying the plaid blocks so much that I just couldn't stop.  I stayed up till 4am on Friday night, which was really silly, but I loved every minute of it. And then I sewed all Saturday as well.  The top is in one piece now, and just needs the borders attached, sometime today, and then it can go in the pile for quilting.

I'll make a strippy backing for it, and that will be the plaid drawer emptied.

 While I was piecing I  realised the main reason why I didn't include more of these fabrics on my quilts.  The ones from the early days, in the 90s and early 00s, were a very loose weave, not good quality at all.  I bought them because there was nothing else available, and I loved the effect of them , but it was really hard to use them with normal quality quilt fabric.

The green fabric is nice quality, the gold one is pretty dreadful, very loose weave and lots of flaws in the weaving.
 The red and green plaid was the worst, there were actual holes in it; I used the best bits, as the colours are nice, but a lot of it went in the bin.

It's not that I won't buy plaid in the future, but it will have to be good quality from now on.

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Plaid Explosion

First off, let me say that I have never been so glad to be wrong about something.  Telstra DID connect me to ADSL-2, and it IS working, and I am so relieved and happy about that.  It is such a relief to be able to get my email and answer it, without my connection failing several times.  And now I can watch YouTube videos, and download stuff, and upload lots of photos in my blogposts.  Happy Happy.  I still have to wade through 1500 emails that built up in my absence, but I'm getting through them slowly.  What a coincidence that my Word of the Year was Connect; in the internet sense, I'm well connected.

I cleaned up my sewing room, packed away the madder scraps and fabric drawers, folded the quilt top and hung it on a clothes airer; I'm not ready to put it away in a drawer just yet, I love looking at it and admiring the colours.  Also, I have to find a backing for it, so I'm leaving it out to remind me to do that.

An empty design wall makes me slightly delerious with all the possibilities;  but I was strong willed, and faithfully put up all the Log Cabin blocks so that I could Work On Them.  Make Some Progress!

But then I thought, hmmmm, maybe I don't want this to be a big quilt.  I like the look of those 12 big blocks, just like they are. Maybe I want this to be two single bed quilts, with pieced borders; not the same borders, maybe squares on point for one, and triangles for another? So I was instantly paralysed with that decision, and needed to think on it some more.

To help me make up my mind, I cut up all my plaid material.  Sigh......
It seemed like a good idea at the time.

I blame Accuquilt; the Go cutter made it so simple, I was hypnotised by how quickly the piles of FQs became piles of pieces.  I didn't attempt to minimise the waste, or save anything precious; I just cut it all up.

All I wanted to do was feed more fabric through, and add to this snowstorm of triangles.  The blocks are so cute though, I just had to make some, and then I went and cut up even more fabric.

I think I overdid it a bit, but I really wanted to just get rid of all the plaid I'd been storing for years, and never used.  All this time I've been promising myself a plaid quilt, and this it IT.  Once it's done, I won't have much left at all, and that's OK.

 Some of these lengths will go into the backing and border.

These scraps will be chopped up for the scrap bins.

These are a few FQs that I didn't think would look wonderful in the quilt I had in mind, but I just may include them anyway; or store them in the main stash drawers.
 If I can survive all this time without using the plaid I have, then I'll survive just fine without any plaid at all.

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