The Final Block

As our democracy finds itself on the chopping block, I sew to escape.  Today I needed a lot of escape, so I sewed the 12th picnic block of Pat Sloan's design called 'Waterworks':

I had already cut my sashing strips, but still need to decide on a cornerstone color... I'm thinking maybe a bright yellow or a bright gold.  ... and looking at the picture, I obviously need to move some blocks around. 

 

 

A Little Sewing Therapy

Being stuck at home so much, I think a little therapy isn't out of order... We each have our individual and different needs, wants and necessities, but among those, for most of us, is a basic need to connect with other people.  Self-quarantining, even with family around, feels a bit like being in solitary confinement, albeit with a few extra perks.  I rarely leave the house except for the rare shopping trip to Costco or the market, or a doctor's appointment. 

During all this, sewing is a bit of therapy - whether alone or together with sewing friends via Zoom, it's all a way of connecting with something outside myself.  This week, managed to make the next block (#11 of 12) in Pat Sloan's Picnic quilt, as well as the second 10 (#11-20) of the Tula Pink City Sampler quilt.  Here are my blocks:

'The Spread' - block 11 of the Picnic quilt.  Need block 12... NOW!  I want to put it all together!

 This month's Tula Pink City Sampler blocks (#11-16).  This is going to be a fun project!

I also wanted to show off what my husband made me on his new 3d printer... a new tool holder!  It wasn't really meant to be that, he was just testing printer capabilities, but as soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted it!

I still have to put some applique on the scarab blocks for the Murder Mystery quilt but that will have to wait til much later today.  I think I need a little morning nap now.

Quilting Through the Night

 It's been a long time since I pulled an all-nighter in the studio... oh, sometimes there's a late night here and there... sewing til midnight or one or two... but the all-nighters are rare these days.  Last night, I got so wrapped up in what I was working on, I didn't realize what time it was til 4:45... and then I figured, why bother going to bed?  

It was at least a productive night!  I finished (all but a little applique, which is optional anyway) on the two September blocks for the Murder Mystery 2020 quilt.  I love paper-piecing, so this month's blocks were perfect for me.

As you might guess from the blocks, it is an Egyptian-themed quilt (and an Egyptian-themed mystery too).  Fun to make, and the wings of the one on the left are not white... they are actually gold lame' fabric.

This morning, after a short (15 minute) cat-nap, I finished up the round robin block for my guild (we started these before quarantine, and have been holding the April blocks all this time)... Friday is going to be the reveal (in a park with masks and social distancing), tho I won't be able to attend - I'll be mailing mine in later today.

The first border was to add a triangle, the second border was to add negative space, and the third border (mine) was to add a border that repeated one or more colors from the starting block (the small appliqued square in the middle).  I used a light blue background fabric for the border, and there are small turquoise and royal blue pinwheels in the center block as well, so I made pinwheels of turquoise and royal blue.  I left the cornerstones empty to a) give the eye somewhere to rest and b) leave it open for the owner to applique or quilt something special in the corners if desired.  I hope she likes it (whoever the owner is).  

 My Tula Pink City Sampler fabrics arrived in the mail today (a block of the month I'm working on).  I think I'll let that one wait til tomorrow... I'm beat.

No more masks!... Except for... sigh

I keep saying 'no more masks' but then family and special friends keep asking for something special or personal, and then I just can't say no... But right now, I've finished the last batch.. which I forgot to take pics of before mailing most of them.  I did keep 3 for me and my husband... will need pics of those I guess.. 

I did make a couple more of Pat Sloan's picnic blocks since my last post... One was 'Summer Fruits' (last Weds.), and today's block was 'Fun and Games'.  This first picture is my Summer Fruits block:  green for grapes, pink for peaches (I know, it doesn't look at all 'peachy', but I didn't have anything closer in my stash), orange for oranges and purple for plums:

This is my Fun and Games block for the picnic quilt:

Also, I finished selecting my fabrics for the Parallel Universe Mystery Quilt.  I'm SO looking forward to this one... I've never done a mystery quilt with a modern vibe before... Can't wait to see what we do!

Speaking of mystery quilts, I also sewed my starting sections for the Morewood Mystery quilt by Meadow Mist Designs...(that's a lot of M alliteration!):

Making Masks and More..

 I find, as time progresses during this time of Covid-19 and sheltering in place, that I need sewing as therapy more than ever.  It gives me something to do other than veg in front of the tv and compter.  Sewing also helps the time pass more quickly.  I really can go to the studio and come out four or five hours later not realizing how much time had passed... often missing other obligations because I wasn't watching the clock.

On top of the actual progress I'm making on my many projects, I'm keeping myself happy and contented to be at home.  

Here's block 8 of Pat Sloan's 'Out West' quilt:

The theme of the block was 'Western Music' so I used some boots and guitars fabric, with flowers that give it a sort of Hawaiian feel vibe, despite the cowboy boots.   

And I got a commission to make more masks, so now I've got to turn my thoughts to those.  I started them yesterday, and have the ties made (I don't do the elastic over the ear type)... the masks themselves are all pleated and now I just have to attach the ties, which is kind of like doing machine binding.  Hopefully will have them done soon... but I do have a convention this weekend and not sure when I"ll finish them...  

Tomorrow (Thursday), the first sewing clue for the Morewood Mystery is scheduled for release.  Looking forward to that as well.. though with the con starting on Friday morning, I'm not sure when I'll actually MAKE the pieces.  But it's all good... I'll have gaming therapy all weekend and sewing therapy next week too!