LeeHaven

Sallie's Quilt

2011-09-08T13:48:00.000-04:00

Click picture to visit me!

I'd love to hear from you.

A little update

2011-08-14T08:47:00.000-04:00

Just thought I'd drop in and say goodday. If you're seeing this I thought I'd let you know that I no longer blog on this platform and can be found directly at www.leehaven.com thru Wordpress.

Did You Hear?

2011-06-12T07:43:00.000-04:00

If you can see this, maybe you didn't know I'm on Wordpress now. Just regular http://www.leehaven.com now. Come visit me - maybe we're missing each other! ;)

Relocation

2011-05-22T11:16:00.001-04:00

I am now located at an updated http://www.leehaven.com hosted by Wordpress.

You may need to updated your Reader in order to get updates OR subscribe to get email updates, which you can do on my new site.

I hope you'll come visit me at my newly updated place! Let me know if you have any difficulties as I'm still trying to work out some bugs.

Refreshing and Refueling

2011-04-26T13:22:00.000-04:00

Another New "Skill"

2011-04-21T10:09:00.000-04:00

As the year progresses I continue to learn new things. Tuesday I learned a new way to make a quilt. It's kinda cool. When you make the block, it's finished - pieced and quilted and there you go.

You use a circle template, a 7 ¾ background square, 8" square of Thermore, and 8" four patches made out of scraps. The class was taught at my LQS and by the way, don't you just appreciate the effort folks put into the classes? I had a great time and I sure feel grateful.

Class Learning Block - Front

Anyway, back to the block. It's 12" finished with basting stitches left in until quilt completed.

Learning Block - Back

Sorry I don't have any pictures from class. I do have the handy dandy link to the snappy pattern called Less Than Traditional Starter Kit Medium starting with 8" squares.

I seriously enjoyed the class and time with friends. Good fun. Unfortunately I didn't "wear well" and wouldn't you know but I've been feeling poorly. Not dramatic. Just ragged out. MS and heat - oil and water.

Still, the class was great and I have a new way to create. I'm going to keep on with this so I don't forget. New methods take some time to get burned onto the memory disc, don't they?

With that bit of sharing, I'll leave you. Thank you for visiting, have a great day and try to get a bit of sew time in!

Gift Day: Stitching Book

2011-04-17T12:24:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday! What are you up to today? I need to get going on some housework but I wanted to get some time in sewing first and I did. Plus I wanted to share!!!

The middle of last week a package arrived filled with all sorts of things but this was the most special. It's a stitching book made by my friend Cathi. See the apples? That's very me. I love apples, eat them all the time. Plus, when I smile, I have apple cheeks. I probably should have an apple avatar!

What is a stitching book? Well, it's filled with batting pages where you can lay out your pieces and place them for hand piecing or machine piecing. Then keep them for later and/or carry them from the cutting table to the machine. Imagine it. Imagine it as a sort of portable design wall.

I'm currently using mine for some of my hand piecing projects but I know that when I'm cutting pieces for a block it sure will be nice to lay them all out and take them to the machine and sew. It'll go a lot faster and hopefully cut down on frogging.

And for those of you that have never seen Inklingo - this photo above is what it looks like. Stitching lines printed on the back of your fabric.

Cathi's really creative with her labels and I'm so happy she included one here.

The stitching book was made from appliqued blocks that didn't make it into a quilt. Oh gosh her applique is beautiful and photos just don't do the work justice.

And you know, when I need to put my book out of the way (or take it with me) I can just fold it up and put it any place. I actually don't place it on here, on top of my scrap heap. I keep it in the living room where I hand piece but the house is a complete wreck and there was just no way I was going to get a photo in there.

So that's it. That's my big share! I hope you're intrigued and enjoy the idea. I should mention Cathi sent me 2 Stitching Books. This one and a smaller size. Handy! Anyway, I'm off to clean house I guess because I have to do that. I mean, at some point we all have to and right now it's my turn.

Have a great day and I hope you have a wonderful start to the week and I sure hope you've enjoyed the idea/concept of a stitching book. Maybe you'll even consider making one for yourself or a friend.

Not Spectacular

2011-04-12T18:36:00.001-04:00

I've spent all day wondering why it's so hard to share blocks we're not happy with. What you're looking at is the inner piecing of a 6" Sunflower.

It such an unhappy share I guess. A real bummer. I see how the fabric combination just didn't work out. It didn't suit the incredible design. I don't know, maybe once I block it (frame it) - I'll be content.

***

This is what you want to see with the Sunflower - it's where I was heading. A 12" Sunflower.

This was made by Cathi at Quilt Obsession and if you're interested in seeing the entire creation of this block hit this link. She spent 3 days sharing on her blog. I dig how she did that fussy cut of the sunflower in the center circle.

One thing I know for sure. When I make another Sunflower it's going to have snap, crackle and pop to it!

Quilts on the Porch

2011-04-09T10:19:00.000-04:00

Welcome! Yesterday was afternoon to air out quilts and share your dogs. One of 'em anyway. Pictures of dog #2 are censored. I haven't trimmed the hair around his ears. It's long. He looks like a 70's pop icon. I'm shamed.

Sagan has his lips puffy. That means he's spying something important. Its kinda cool. He's 12. He's mostly solid with his down stays. He doesn't require any grooming.

Quilt on the left is a general quilter pattern. The classic double four patch. Someday I might want one this stunning. In the meantime, I'm happy with mine.

Quilt on the right is a Carrie Nelson pattern. Scarlet Begonia. It's made with the Civil War Classics Judie Rothermel divine-fabric-oh-yummy-I-had-to-have-it-all. I enjoyed making that quilt. I'm way too lazy to make it these days.

Finished my third Carpenters Wheel. I'm sharing two photos so you can see the fabrics. I totally dig this one! Bright chrome yellow. Yummy.

This is under the Ottlite. The reflection of the background is a killer on your eyes but at least you can see the red in the darker fabric.

***

I hope you have a lovely weekend and thank you for visiting & sharing your precious time with me. In case you're interested in scheduling sewing time for tomorrow & you're at all interested in Elizabeth Tailor here's the line up on TCM:

The following is a complete schedule of TCM's April 10 memorial tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (all times Eastern):
6 a.m. - Lassie Come Home (1943), with Roddy McDowall and Edmund Gwenn; directed by Fred M. Wilcox.
7:30 a.m. - National Velvet (1944), with Mickey Rooney, Anne Revere and Angela Lansbury; directed by Clarence Brown.
10 a.m. - Conspirator (1952), with Robert Taylor and Robert Flemyng; directed by Victor Saville.
11:30 a.m. - Father of the Bride (1950), with Spencer Tracy, Billie Burke, Joan Bennett and Don Taylor; directed by Vincente Minnelli.
1:15 a.m. - Father's Little Dividend (1951), with Spencer Tracy, Billie Burke, Joan Bennett and Don Taylor; directed by Vincente Minnelli.
2:45 p.m. - Raintree County (1957), with Montgomery Clift, Eva Marie Saint, Lee Marvin, Rod Taylor and Agnes Moorehead; directed by Edward Dmytryk.
6 p.m. - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), with Paul Newman and Burl Ives; directed by Richard Brooks.
8 p.m. - Butterfield 8 (1960), with Laurence Harvey and Eddie Fisher; directed by Daniel Mann.
10 p.m. - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), with Richard Burton, George Segal and Sandy Dennis; directed by Mike Nichols.
12:30 a.m. - Giant (1956), with James Dean and Rock Hudson; directed by George Stevens.
4 a.m. - Ivanhoe (1952), with Robert Taylor and Joan Fontaine; directed by Richard Thorpe.

Be Well, *karendianne.

Learning Applique - an update

2011-04-03T08:40:00.000-04:00

I couldn't be happier to share with you that I'm still taking applique class and we're into the second session. I didn't give up! New things are being taught and it's so inspiring. It's fantastic. I hope I end up with talent for this.

Backbasting View - center for ruched rose

From the last class, I think I mentioned we're using the backbasting technique. For this session we're going to be working with various embellishment techniques to add to our Baltimore Album blocks - if we so choose. Techniques that include some embroidery work, stumpwork and ribbonwork. We need things like wired ribbon and silk ribbon and a variety of threads including wool thread. Our teacher, Jan, brought the finished example. The ruched rose in the center was so pretty. We can thank ME for leaving the camera at home!

I am enjoying the experience of learning new things and glad I started off this year engaging w/ life this way. It's been a bit difficult with classes and other outings. I'm either out having fun in the world or dealing with that MS fatigue because I'm out too much but I sorta think that's living life to it's fullest.

As it warms up I wont be going out as much anyway and I'll be spending more time living life sorta like a mushroom. So as my friend says - go now! :) I love that encouragement. She makes me get up and glow.

Who you hang around with has such an influence on the person you are, wouldn't you agree?

Fabric Love

2011-04-01T08:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Day! Let me start off by saying thank you for the comments left in the previous post we shared. I sure enjoyed the your thoughts about what you find charming. Hand quilting, poverty patches, chopping off points and on and on. I so agree! Again, thank you.

This is one of my hand piecing projects with Inklingo although it's totally doable on the machine. A Drunkards Path variation. It's pretty simple curved piecing. The design of this entire block consists of three more of these and a center piece so actually its no where near done but I wanted to share anyway. Glad I never tossed my Kansas Troubles fabric. It's good for this one!

And I reckon you can figure out for yourself what these are. Just a little something going on. I kinda just love the addition of the stripes. I fell in love with the fabric and my friend came up with the idea.

Then this dang project. Having to frog a lot. There was a mathematical error on my part. Under normal circumstances I would have said the heck with it and bagged the whole thing and moved on but I love this setting. Plus, well, I loved this setting so much I used the last of some really special fabrics. I was brave! There's treasure fabrics in this one. The very last pieces of some real special fabrics - for real. So I'm unsewing.

That's what love'll do to a girl, ha?

**Just be you, everyone else is already taken.**

Charming Marks in Quilts

2011-03-27T09:46:00.001-04:00

I was just thinking, getting myself awake, and something drifted in my head I wanted to share. Charm. Charm drifted in. I wondered if I might be alone in thinking the occasional little marks in quilts are charming. The pen marks. The marks that don't wash out. I know that MUST really bother people but not me. I find that charming. It's like a sort of signature or a communication of sorts. Natural and in the moment.

This isn't about how to get those marks OUT or how to AVOID marks. Sometimes when I'm in working hard I end up on the other side of the room - unprepared. I just use the closest thing. That's not always the right tool for the job but I don't give it a thought. I grab what I think will suffice and keep going.

I like that part of my quiltmaking process. It's about as liberated as I get. I had to have permission to do this though. The quilters that came before us said it was okay. They did it, they used what they had to mark their quilts. But then, they always say it's okay, don't they?

I was going to compare & contrast. You know - what I find charming vs. what I don't but that became problematic. The list of things I really don't find all that charming woke the inner-critique and who needs that?! Way to ruin share time.

Do you have anything you find particularly charming in a quilt? Modern or antique? What do you think defines charming?

******

On another note, Hugo has asked that he please be allowed to leave. I reluctantly agreed. I thought he was having so much fun but I guess this was the last straw!

I'll be packing up his things and shipping him to his next home in another week or so. He's sure to have a more relaxing time. Poor little Hippo.

Carpenters Wheel #2 Finished

2011-03-23T16:41:00.000-04:00

ea. block 12" finished

***

I'm in love with this block!

I have so much fun making these. The new block is on the left. The entire process for fabric selection is a good exercise for me. I'm keeping the background fabric constant as well as the diamond placement and just let myself play with color.

I have a couple ideas for stars and one I went so far as to make but the medium colors blend too much with the background fabric. That one hit the pile of LeMoyne stars for the quilt that will be made lord willin' and the creek don't rise. ;>

On the subject of piecing, that whole area of colorful diamonds is pieced together like a snake and attached to the center in one big swoop. Then the outside shapes are added. It's really a trip. If you're interested, under Reference Links on my sidebar, there's a mini tutorial on the whole deal for Carpenter's Wheel or gee wiz I reckon you can click here.

On the subject of yesterday, I had an absolutely wonderful day. I don't know where it came from. Left field most likely but who cares? I felt absolutely great. So I spent the day out sewing at the quilt shop with a friend I felt absolutely HEALTHY. What a treat!

‎"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."

The Fabric Tree!

2011-03-20T19:54:00.000-04:00

Our tree is blooming flowers. Later we'll get the 100% cotton stuff. It's the same tree that's up in the banner. The fabric tree!

The Fickle Pickle

2011-03-15T09:01:00.002-04:00

Happy Tuesday!

I came across the pickle dish photos the other day and decided I REALLY DO like this particular setting/fabric combination after all. Maybe I should name this quilt "The Fickle Pickle." I can't wait to tell my friend that she was right and I really do like this and it really does work. I'd call her right now and tell her but they sleep in. They're never awake when I'm awake. Night Owls. Can't do anything w/ em! Can't live with 'em - can't live w/o 'em.

Too bad I removed the centers when I was having my "moment" of dissatisfaction. AT LEAST I didn't throw the centers away. I'll just have to put some work in reattaching them. Shouldn't be too bad since it's all continuous stitching.

And just in case you're bored with the same old business, here's something new…

A draft setting of the snowballs to get the gist of how it'll go. Those are 5" blocks with that new Ty Pennington fabric line. There are a lot more fabrics in that line that would be ohhhh so fun but this is what we're working with. Watch Karen being restrained!

**{updated. First draft sounded like I had this happen. I didn't personally experience this and the first draft was early morning writing so this is better…}

So I think I'll leave it at that for now. Remember to watermark your pictures if they're important enough or you think about it. And add a copyright statement on your blog. People lift photos without asking and while it may not bother you -{ it didn't ever bother me } - it sure doesn't feel nice when a person eventually find out its happening. You can't totally stop people from being unkind but maybe they just don't know they need to ask first. Plus, I suppose it depends on what they're copying. In my case, if they wanted to lift a photo of the dogs… have at it. But lifting a photo of the something like the AB quilt or even the Indian Paintbrush… well that kinda wouldn't feel good. People put lots of work into their quilts and would appreciate at least being asked. Just sayin'...

Have a sewful day, *karendianne.

Creativity Here!

2011-03-12T18:53:00.000-05:00

Because sometimes, seriously, you've gotta see what's under all that business on your table. You just do, dontcha ya?

Then you can stand back and sorta just stare at the clean space at your cutting table and maybe grin because the space allows ideas to flourish. And you know those ideas turn into fun.

I have some ideas. A lot of ideas. I had to clear the table up and get organized so I could start playing with those ideas and see what fun I can make.

I think I do better when the cutting table is cleaned up. Now, I don't maintain a rigid system to keep the table clean but every so often I have to do this. Some folks clear their table off after every project. I think it's the in-between-project-playtime that gets me into a mess.

Alabama Beauty Quilted, Bound & Finished

2011-03-10T10:16:00.002-05:00

Welcome to LeeHaven! Today I'm sharing my most recent finish. I hope you enjoy viewing as much as I enjoy sharing. Do let me know you stopped by & feel free to share any thoughts.

Detail block

w/ backing

Size: 54.5 x 65
Fabrics: Civil War Reproductions
Pattern: Evolved naturally
Block: Alabama Beauty with Inklingo Orange Peel Deluxe collection.
Secondary Pattern: Butterfly, Circles, Tip of Trumpet
Piecing: Hand pieced blocks. Machined rows together.
Quilting: Custom by Deb Geyer.
Binding: Scrappy
Start to finish: 10-12 months

*****

Kay, a friend of mine, has this way of sharing reflective thoughts on the creative process when a piece is complete. I'd like to attempt to do a little of that (with her in mind) and see what you think.

The learning curve for hand piecing this particular block w/ a new tool - Inklingo - wasn't really hard (not easy) but it took some determination and it took Cathi.

What surprised me the most wasn't that I tried something new although, at the time, that was a big deal. No, the attempt wasn't the big deal. What surprised me the most was that I had a tool that allowed me to create this amazing block. All of a sudden I could make that?! Hand piecing/inklingo is a whole new world for me.

Now, color placement was the most difficult thing I came up against. I'm glad I chose the off-white backgrounds but I think this could have been so much more dramatic had I chosen just a handful of colors. I think I might have gone with red and apple green! ;)

Yet, oddly enough, what I found the most difficult is somehow what I like. The variety. Creativity isn't always so clear cut. It's "I love it, I like it and yet…" At least for me. I guess I like the variety and the effort. I can see where I truly made the effort to balance out the blocks. You may not see it but I can tell.

And Green. This was the first quilt where I became aware Green needed to be in my quilts. I have a good stash of green but I don't use it a lot. Lynn did that for me. Brought the green blocks into the quilt.

Finally I'd have to say one of the most treasured things I experienced from this long term quiltmaking is how much you make a difference. I've had so much fun sharing each new block and you've been so wonderful supporting me. I feel like we did this together. Gosh, and I realized we made this quilt together in the middle of the AB quilt. How did we do that? Well, hand piecing is one of those after 6pm activities.

So there we have it, final thoughts. With much gratitude for all your on-going support and kindness, *karendianne.

(ps: if you would like to see what Inklingo looks like w/ HST's you can click here )

Carpenters Wheel Block Finished

2011-03-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

12" finished
Click for close up

Carpenters Wheel block is done. Probably going to do another one. Hand pieced with my needle and thread long with a couple other things. (1) The LeMoyne Star Inklingo collection and (2) help from my friend Cathi because success isn't something we achieve all on our own.

The pile on the left is my Broken Dishes project. I've started sewing those into blocks so this is coming along nicely. The fabric pile is... well... you know. It either has to be turned into something or filed back in its proper place.

I'm in my proper place. Waiting for Hugo to arrive. :) And you, you are here which is nice since we're never alone when we have our friends to keep us company!

Have a sew day, hour, minute or moment.

*karendianne.

Sneak Peak

2011-02-26T13:10:00.001-05:00

Hi my friends. Nice to finally have a few moments to sit and chat with you. Are you up for a little sneak peak of the custom quilting Deb Geyer did on the Alabama Beauty quilt?

The quilt arrived on Thursday. Yesterday I made the scrappy binding and sewed it down. I MUST share this is fastest I've ever completed that step. We're working in record time. I am ready for my Gold Star now!

Click and double click if needed to see close up

For me, there's something about a hand pieced quilt - probably the same with appliqué - that makes this quilt so personal in a way that other quilts aren't. This is just my experience but it feels very different.

***

My previous Carpenter's Wheel hit the trash. I like the idea of hand piecing this block so here I am with more www.inklingo.com and diamonds. When this is complete it'll be a 12" block.

Will I make more? I love this block so it's possible but hard to tell. So much available to create.

Like how about some Pies & Tarts? I've been chomping at the bit to make these even if they previously were only available with EPP. Until Now! Now we can get them with Inklingo. Click here to read more.

I was getting groceries this morning and a color placement idea for these popped into my head. I might have to move ahead an see what happens.

And gee wiz it was only yesterday I was thinking about a Feathered Star because my pals are doing some lovely work and I'm getting inspired.

***

Kanga-roni-bucket-O'-cute thought it was extremely unfair that Kipling got center stage on the Blog this past week. It's very hard being a cat and she wants everyone to know that.

Wait until next week when Hugo arrives from Julie's. Ha! Then it's really going to be hard to be a cat.

***

Thank you so much for spending a bit of time with me and I hope you'll forgive me for not visiting this past week. I've been busy learning how to use my Mac and taking a couple sew days with one of my friends.

***

“Buy the ticket, Take the ride.”

- Hunter S. Thompson

*karendianne.

Computers

2011-02-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

Kippy Cat

Whew am I tuckered out. Setting up a new computer and learning all the cool new things about it.

The time came. The old PC gave up the ghost. I've been planning since October for this and had the cash stashed to switch to a Mac. I was able to purchase a nice refurbished Mac with all the stuff and a full warranty that was totally affordable.

What a blast! Especially when you have some friends that are able to help you so I've been on the speaker phone most nights this week learning and doing things with my Mac. It's a whole new world.

...and it's a world with no stitching going on but sometimes other things take priority. I'd love to hear from you and your thoughts about the Mac. Do share!

Have a happy weekend and hopefully now that I'm up and running I can get around to visit you. Yippie!!!

*karendianne.

PS: The Alabama Beauty quilt custom quilting is complete and should arrived sometime next week.

Look What I Found!

2011-02-15T18:42:00.000-05:00

1932 was a very good year!

Click or double click to enlarge

There are 8 pages to this including paper templates. Really old paper. I found it between various and sundry pattern papers that Daphanie (Mentor. 10/10/47 - 12/04/09) had and were passed on to me. Now that I'm learning applique so much of her quilt life is opening up to me and this box is full of paper treasures. Anyway, I came across this and had had had to share!!!

Here's the back page.

I was of course happy to see the Carpenter's Wheel on the back as I'm working on that. See Cathi's tutorial with Inklingo. That's the way I'm heading. ;) What interested me was the name of the block. "Star with Diamonds." Okay. No Naming Convention was held there. I like "Naming Conventions." You know, like when you're trying to name a quilt and ask for input. That's a Naming Convention.

Also of interest to me was the bottom left block which is sometimes referred to today as a "Whirlygig" but back then it was definitely "Swastika."

I think this sort of thing is really neat. What about you? Does this interest you? Wanda has some old, 1970's quilt books she was talking about recently. I hope they end up in a good home where they'll be saved and treasured and passed along so someday, someone like me can come across them and, like this item, be in awe of the quilters that came before us.

Not everything has to be digital.

Carpenters Wheel and Updatings

2011-02-10T08:11:00.000-05:00

I've got a couple things going on to share so I hope you'll stick with me here. I continue to work with the Kaffe fabrics, which aren't in my comfort zone. I'm hanging in by feeding the reproduction monster.

I've been itchin' to pair up some chrome yellow and brown for some time and I found a block I wanted to try. Sometimes I like to just give a block a shot and imagine what it must have been like to make long ago.

Carpenters Wheel/Star

I think it must have been difficult and my respect continues to grow for quilters of old. I think it's easier to piece a Pickle Dish and I'm serious about that.

Speaking of Pickle Dishes, I found some nice added magenta made a significant improvement. So much so that I could remove that limeade from the scene. I still haven't found a fabric for the centers that I like. Bummer.

And how about an Alabama Beauty update? I'm having custom quilting done. In this photo you can see the added borders that aren't in any previous photos. Deb does some amazing work but I don't think she's moved all her photos for you to see. She's so creative and talented. I'm looking forward to sharing the outcome.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and sharing your thoughts. It's always nice to know you were here! I hope you have some great quilting plans for the weekend and stay warm. I have it on good authority that we wont have to worry about this "staying warm" business for too much longer. :)

Sew Long, *karendianne.

Applique Attempts to View

2011-02-04T15:52:00.000-05:00

I hope you'll get a kick out of seeing my progress thus far with applique. It's fun to share if only because you can see the improvement from the first to third attempt. I think that first attempt, that blob, is kinda punkin' like a little kid would do. It makes me giggle. That third attempt I got the stem just as I was hoping for. That made me smile!

I missed the first class so my efforts here are from directions. The next class is in a week and I only have a couple more leaves to do. I should be ready for the berries, flower and bow. (I am certain we're doing the bow as regular applique and not ribbon as you see in the picture.)

It's mostly nice to have this project in the rotation and moving right along. Applique is not my favorite thing to do but it certainly is nice to see progress in the learning department and I have two more classes to go so there's hope for me yet.

Hope you are staying warm and looking forward to a nice weekend with some sewing! Thanks for visiting me and again, I hope you get a little giggle at my little applique project thus far. ;) Gratefully sharing, *karendianne.

The Improved Pickle Dish

2011-02-02T09:39:00.001-05:00

Now were cookin' with gas!

I'm planning a consistent center fabric that doesn't dominate the scene. I'm asking my fabric collection to provide me with this. Somehow. Now I reckon I can go off and work on something else. There's peace in the land.

Pickle Dish Number 2

2011-01-31T20:09:00.001-05:00

As I piece this block I can see so many more options. I imagine you might see them now as well. Here are some stats re: the make up of the block.

Click & dbl click for close up

The main, foundational pieces consist of 1 center and 4 melons
The arc, which builds upon the melon - top & bottom - is created by triangles. They consist of:

5 skinny triangles on ea. side of a melon (mine are white)
6 larger triangles on ea. side
2 corner pieces at ea. end
a needle and some thread.

I could decide to swap out the placement of my off-white and my color triangles. I've thought about it. I'm at that "now or never point." Wonder if that changes the whole look of the thing or if the effort wouldn't really be worth it?

By the way, I'm not really liking this particular block so Cathi and I chatted and I followed her advice by not attaching the melons. I might come across a better arc unit combo that goes nicely with this as I go along with this Kaffe fabric. I thought that was a brilliant point!

...and there are surely any number of colors that can only improve here!

Up! *karendianne.

A Death in the Family

2011-01-30T10:54:00.000-05:00

No matter what form, death has a wavelength that moves through you. It's takes you away, uproots you for a bit. I experienced that unique feeling yesterday when my Mom called and mentioned my cousin Dana passed away. He's her age and we weren't close and we all knew he was dying so I don't think she expected me to ask her to please be quiet; give me a minute!

Dana w/ Grandma & Grandpa
(probably just back from Military Service c. '73)

I needed that moment though. He was a member of family. He was the brother to my cousin Debra and I am definitely heart-close to her. I was sad for her loss. And Dana was around from time to time over the years, he was a part of the large tribe. He held a seat at the table.

And for me, Dana will always represent this photo below:

Grand Canyon c. 1975

This photo, and Dana, are a paragraph in my childhood history. My parents took a motorcycle trip to the Grand Canyon and "left me behind." Occasionally I think I wanted to hear about this story. At some point I quit asking because the only thing I really remember is they left me with my grandmother and that wasn't unusual and they went on a motorcycle ride from San Francisco to the Grand Canyon. ...and I loved seeing this photo.

So goodbye, Dana. May your heart be settled now that you're surrounded by peace and love.

*karendianne.

Finished Pickle Dish Block

2011-01-23T12:46:00.000-05:00

Well it's finished. The very first pickle dish block. Whew, what a learning experience. As a matter of fact it wasn't until last night that I realized how these will eventually go together. Obviously you're working with circles so you'll need some partial circles to link up with one another. "Obviously" not to Karen! hee.

Today it's just fun to see I made one though, I tell ya. I used to freak out when I looked at this block. Now I understand it a lot more and I can admire it with sympathy. (no. I'm kidding!)

Click once or twice to enlarge

Made with Inklingo. Pickle Dish can be found here.
There is one arc unit I sewed on the machine. For me it didn't work well and came back to bite when I was putting this block together. Unfortunately the camera is kind and I can't really get that to show up.
I had a nicer, smooth effect when I hand pieced.
I finally learned how to continuous stitch. Yeah! It's only taken about a year. Sometimes I'm a really slow learner.
The size of this block is 12.5" across.
I had so much dang fun with this I can't wait to make more with my Kaffe stash. The colors are really fun. I'm a happy girl.

I'm going to rest though today. You know how it goes when you're all "into" something inspirational. You can't freakin' do anything else. All your energy is on the block so I'm going to create some semblance of balance and chill out the rest of the day.

In friendship and with much warmth, *karendianne.

PS: I'm really enjoying watching everyone working on Lori's latest quilt-along. Y'all are doing some beautiful work! It's fun to watch. Love the fabric choices, too.

Started: Pickle Dish & Applique

2011-01-19T08:53:00.002-05:00

Hi friends!!! You might recall I'm doing and learning new things lately which is pretty cool because I've had a few down days - not feeling well. But Life is Good so here we go...

Click twice to fully enlarge

My first go at Applique. I spent all day yesterday with this. Stems and leaves. The work on the right is supposed to be three leaves and a stem. I obviously missed the stem. Oops! Learning curve. On the left though, I've got the stem. I only have one leaf that looks like a leaf but it's coming along.

One the left is the start of my test block Pickle Dish (done with inklingo.com). I totally dig this one. A Kaffe pickle dish. Right on I'm sayin'!!! Unique, eh? There are a lot of ways to do a pickle dish. If you study the varieties at Quilt Index.org you can really get a handle on that. I hope I can get back to working on this soon.

I am holding out on you with my Wool work. I want to get a few more penny's made before I show you what I'm doing there. I really enjoy stitching those with that lovely pearl cotton! Next post, eh?

And on the not feeling well part there's just too many things, too many outings and I've been worn down but it's amazing what a few consecutive days of rest can do. I have packages to get out and notes to write and a few other things I'm probably forgetting but never fear, I'll be catching up!

Be Well and thanks for visiting. *karendianne.

Kaffe, Color and Learning

2011-01-12T20:07:00.000-05:00

Sunday was the first meeting of the Kaffe Fan Club at the LQS. Most everyone is working on a Kim McLean project with just a handful, like me, doing something else.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do for my Kaffe project but the group meets only once a month so that shouldn't be difficult. I'll play some more (see below) and see if the spirit grabs me. If does, it'll become important. If not... well.

There is some method to my madness here if you're interested. I'm learning how color works together and I'm letting the pattern in the fabric work rather than the color. The one I like the least is the forced contrast on the bottom row, second from the left. That was a trip to note since I'm so used to working with the contrast of light and dark. Playing with this fabric, well, I totally enjoyed this!!!

And just so we don't forget... there's applique soon. Do you know just the idea of learning makes my creative self just burst with light! Of course, I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself even though I already have ideas of what I want to do and I can hardly stand it!!! It's hard, embarrassing practically. What if I fail? Oh my. You know. I like to keep myself controlled and contained as much as possible. Even if sometimes it's got to be in a jar with a tight lid. When you have MS they let you skip the whole "vacuum sealing" process since your brain is already compromised. (...and that my friends is just one of the ways you make the whole disease process work fer ya.)

hee!

*karendianne.

Announcing Applique

2011-01-09T20:17:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to share that I've signed up to take my first ever applique class in February. The technique Jan teaches (I'm told) is backbasting. I think I'm gonna love it. I need alotta stuff for the class. I'll share that another day.

Bonnie Blue Quilts is going to be selling only kits, have you heard? Personally, I think this is a great idea!!! They have such fantastic fabric choices and if you decide not to finish the kit you have some lovely, unique pieces to add to your stash. (not that I've had that experience because I finish everything, right?.) Quite clever in my opinion.

***

Thanks for the feedback on the little Tumbler we (Jennifer and I) named "Half Full." I didn't get around to working on it, you know, trimming it up on and all that but when things settle down I'm sure I will.

Thanks for sharing your time with me and I hope you had a great weekend and all the Christmas is finally put away (if that was your goal).

In friendship, *karendianne.

Tumbler Flimsy

2011-01-07T11:38:00.003-05:00

You must know I have such a feeling of gratitude to you all for sharing your thoughts about the Alabama Beauty quilt. Thank you so, so much!!! Soon that quilt will be off to the quilter but first I have to decide on the borders. I'm leaning towards an off-white bit to continue the floating effect. I need to get on with it though and make that happen.

Half Full
28 x 19 1/4"
Tumblers @ 3 1/2"

***

Allow me to intro you to my little tumbler totally inspired by Kathie that I've been working on this week. Poor little thing doesn't have a name yet. I've been too busy to think. Update: name is now "Half Full" Lots of outings to sew with friends. All these outings are new to me and forget the fatigue - the house is a total wreck and laundry is almost at Three Alarm status.

I could take on this house and completely slay myself or I could just chill out & do the best I can and leave it at that since really the Universe decided to give me a gift. A gift of time out sewing with friends. So kind to be invited!

***

My new favorite color is the sort of Chrome-ish yellow in this piece. Top row - 4th tumbler in. I love it. I decided it would play great with brown and I'd enjoy a mostly brown and yellow quilt. Just an idea. My shirting placement isn't what I'd like and there isn't enough green not to mention fabric variety BUT I did have fun. With the exception of the yellow, this was all out of my scrap collection. I'm kinda proud of that. Will I make a bigger, quilt size? I have no idea. I'm still not really ready to move on into a big project. Maybe I need an infusion of Aurelia's Journey to get me going. hee.

***

Thanks for visiting me and I hope you have time to sit and sew! Warmly and with much kindness, *karendianne.

An Alabama Beauty Finish?

2010-12-31T12:23:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year. I'm right under the wire here and still in a bit of transition with this quilt but I think it's close enough to call pretty much finished, eh? (click on all pics)

Alabama Beauty
46 1/2" x 57 1/2"
blocks - 8" finished

Created with Inklingo
Orange Peel (Deluxe)
http://www.inklingo.com/shop/orange-peel-quilt/17/product/orange-peel-quilt/54
blocks entirely hand pieced

*****

I have some border fabric picked out and on hand but I'm muddling through ideas on that now. Seeing this quilt at this stage is shifting my perspective a little bit. It's going to have to cook in my head I think.

What do you think? Border or no? My favorite idea was a nice appliqued vine but of course I don't know how to applique yet and timing is everything so no go there! I'm not waiting for me-self to learn before I send this off to Deb Geyer to quilt for me. Why not hand quilt you ask? Ummm, because I'd like to have this finished and displayed on my wall before I turn 50!

So, true to my word, here's the AB quilt generally finished and shared! I've surely missed y'all and thank you for the notes you've sent to let me know you're there and thinking of me. I've been watching and peeking in on all the delight you've had this holiday season. So much creativity and joy! I'm very happy that everyone is doing so well and has had so much to share. Thank you for your enduring friendship and constant support.

Yours in friendship, *karendianne.

(ps: This was the most difficult quilt I've done to date. Inklingo is fantastic but that doesn't mean you don't have to learn how to nicely hand piece or how things work for your own creativity. That is to say, you do have to do the work. There were times when this was intimidating. I'm not afraid to admit that. Others might not find this quilt challenging but it certainly was for me. I've learned so so so much from creating this quilt. For that I thank Linda Franz of Inklingo for creating such a great way to quilt but mostly I'd like to thank Cathi Godwin of Quilt Obsession. She taught me an awful lot and spent a lot of time with me. I couldn't have made this quilt without her enduring friendship. Thank you, Cathi.)

First Things First

2010-11-29T07:58:00.000-05:00

This would be it. My creativity expressed.

A favorite block in a favorite section of the Alabama Beauty quilt.

Then my mirror. Not my design wall but my mirror. A reflection of me.

The 16-patches are my current favorite. They represent what's on the inside. That's what I'm learning about the creative process. You can really see where the you comes out if you invite it.

Creative Quilty Mirror

I still need time to begin listening and watching for the first and best thought when I begin my day.

I hope you'll consider looking for the "first thought, best thought" whenever you can and if you do, that it might work as it's worked for me.

I hope this continues to work for me as I take a blog break. That is to say, I hope this is the right decision. I think it is. So many things require attention I think it's time I took a step back. All of these things I'm doing are so wonderful but more than anything my health needs the most attention.

So with that said, I'm simplifying my life for the time being and hoping you'll have a wonderful holiday season as I myself pay a little closer attention to my health and a little less attention to things that aren't first on the list.

With much kindness and gratitude, *karendianne.

(ps: if I get the Alabama Beauty quilt finished, I'll post it)

First Block, Best Block

2010-11-22T09:13:00.000-05:00

When I started my practice of "First Thought, Best Thought" I knew I was doing something beneficial for myself. I wanted to share. I started this post to see if anything came back for FTBT and Google returned approx. 381,000,000 results. Apparently it's Very philosophical. I didn't know. I just thought it was a good mental practice that put me in touch with my spiritual side.

All I know for sure is what I've been doing and the benefit it's had to myself and others.

When I started my practice of "First Thought, Best Thought" I considered it a spiritual one and set my heart to focus on the best I had to offer. Of course, when you're feeling less than your best and burned out this is a powerful tool but you can't expect miracles. (well you can pray)

But it works. It works for the moment, allows me to see what I have on the inside to give and sets my path. I can dwell on higher ground. I've been able to give more, share more and simply get thru the day with a bit more strength.
But to take the quilting turn...

As I'm struggling with health and quilting burnout I thought I might apply this concept a little different. What about "First Block, Best Block?" I just wanted to see what came up, what I wanted to toss out. Just ask myself the question on the spot: First Block, Best Block - Karen?

Over the past couple of days these blocks have been in my heart. They're the First Block, Best Block. I love the fabrics and I love the block. I love seeing there's a light still there even if it feels dimmed.

I think this is exceptionally cool. I like how I can take a thought that I'm working with in my personal life, such as "First thought, best thought" and flip it around and focus it on another area in my life. I'm so completely over this NOT FEELING WELL business... it's pissing me off. I'm done with it. For.the.record.

So, I don't know. Maybe you might want to try it first thing. First Block, Best block? and see what comes up? Dwell in the possibility of what's there? Maybe you'll have a foundation pieced star or something really snazzy.

*karendianne. who is about ready to feel snazzy because this current state of affairs is so done!

Time to Make a Quilt

2010-11-19T16:05:00.000-05:00

When you see setting triangles you know something is coming together. In this case it's the Alabama Beauty blocks. Yep, it's time to pull blocks together and make a quilt top.

And when you see a rigged up situation like this you know I'm still working at my border with the best of intentions.

And when you notice me blasting off a post quick as I can before I edit it or change my mind you know I'm not quite myself. I'm not. Not quite myself. I'm not someone else's self though so that's good! Whew. THEN we'd really have problems.

Thanks for the visit. Let us all be real Well. *karendianne.

In Baseball Terms...

2010-11-07T07:45:00.000-05:00

The Bullpen

In the bullpen we're handquilting. I'm near finished with the cable border for the Cheddar Cheese and Crackers. I've had slow-me-down issues but I think we'll make it. I consider this a warm up for my red, white and blue version. That's what I tell myself.

***

The Dugout

Still cleaning out the dugout color by color. We don't need any brown. As a matter of fact I noticed something not so funny. That stack on the left side is stacked with anything more than 1/2 yrd and needs to be cut down for use. When I'm working I bypass anything that has to be cut down. Consider all those choices I've missed out on. No. Wait. Don't.

***

Base lines

Following the paper lines my machine quilting with this paper method seems to work. Well, it probably will work for some little quilts. At least for now. I have at least one or two little quilts that this will work on. It's easy to see the imperfections here but I think in the quilt we should be just fine.

***

And how about a cute little puppy to wrap things up on a Sunday? This is a puppy my friend and I sent out West to my Dad. Just a short little video of a little 12 week old wigglebutt (aka: Australian Shepherd)

In friendship and with much gratitude for your visit, *karendianne.

I'm a Camera

2010-11-05T20:57:00.000-04:00

***

I'm a camera and this is what I see.

A little double pink inspiration out of the Sew Scrappy magazine. If you like double pink I'd have to say this is bubblicious and looks like a fun stash dive.

***

I'm a camera and this is what I see.

A bunch of Alabama Beauties with only 5 more to add. What the camera misses is endurance. I enjoy the block but what I'm really learning is the knowing that comes from any committed project like this. One learns to know and accept some quilts just take time. (I'm still a student of this)

***

I'm a camera and this is what I see.

Fall in Florida captured for a moment by rich, luscious, glorious socks from Paula.

***

I'm Karen and this is what I'm thinking.

"____________"

I know, ha?

Settings and Sizes in your Sleep

2010-10-23T05:01:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was so done before it even left the building! I thought I had the Broken Dishes situation all worked out. I didn't. This is what a lack of sleep is doing to me:

Cracks me up. Come on, y'all. You gotta laugh. What was I doing here? I have something like 8 of these, too!!!!! I really need to get some rest and step away from the quilting. I did, too. Stepped away from the Pfaffster.

I repositioned the Improved Nine Patch and set it on-point. This repositioning was a collaborative effort between myself and Cathi. The play with background fabric is all me.

This pattern is generally seen with a single solid background. I like scrappy but I'm not at all sure I'll be able to make it happen off w/o pulling out my hair. Whatever I decide to do, I love this setting and the blocks are improving.

I've added a new block to this quilt. A little Jo Morton up there. 2nd row, 1st in on the left. :) I had to unsew that block no less that 3 times in various places. Again with the lack of sleep.

At this point I'm seriously considering the LeMoyne Star as an outside framing element for this quilt. I think they'll work very nicely. I could change my mind. I've got 11 more Alabama Beauty blocks to get up on the wall before we go there. Definitely I could change my mind. We'll see. We have time.

***

My daytime hours have increased by about 4.5 hrs. I did have another convo with my Doctor yesterday and after we discussed my endurance (thank you for that) it was agreed that we might as well eliminate one more med for pain mgmt that I was on. I mean, while you're suffering, might as well just get it all over with at once.

I agreed to this? I did. You'll understand this. Let's just get this business over with and over with now. I'm not interested in another round of "party all night" like I've been doing for almost 2 weeks. I wasn't that sort of person in my youth and I'm certainly not that way now!

***

May all your stitches delight you, *karendianne.

It's Time, It's Necessary!

2010-10-22T07:19:00.000-04:00

I woke knowing it's time for a separation. It's necessary after the fight we had last night over math. Ms. Broken Dishes-quilt knows I don't like math so why she decided to do this to me, pick at me when I wasn't feeling well, I'll have no idea other than it must be time for a separation.

She looks fine in her mock up (above) and the progress with the green gradation colorwork below.

Fine enough but last night I picked her up cold. That is to say, I haven't worked on her in a few days. I couldn't exactly remember what size HSTriangle I was working with. No, I didn't write it down. I thought I could depend on the magical powers of my powerful memory. Ha! Why in the heck did I think that? It's math and I have a fair number of projects going on. Still, I didn't think it would be a big deal I guess.

Well it was a big deal, I couldn't recall the details, I couldn't figure out the math and I realized before bed I had 44 Broken Dishes that were all off by the magical quilter number of .25."

Isn't that special? You might just sew with that and work it out. It's certainly possible but I'm not all for that approach. I need it to be the correct size. All 44 blocks. So I'm dealing with that realization and all the while I was ready to work on the next set of Civil War purple gradation you can see below. I was really looking forward to working on this color. (Red was a bust this week - my stash doesn't have much range in the reds...) Aww friends, I went to bed disappointed.

And I went to bed ready to bag this one up for a while. Yep, a separation. That is until I got up this morning and checked my block size again.

Did I mention I was nauseated yesterday and had a headache? Okay because I was clearly compromised when I did this last night, this checking! These blocks, all 44 of them, are just fine. That is to say, they measure correctly and I don't know what happened yesterday. So it's time and it's necessary to get over the argument I had with Ms. Broken Dishes and press ahead.

Reunited Love, *karendianne.

Sometimes on Saturday...

2010-10-17T08:32:00.000-04:00

Sometimes on Saturday, if I feel well, I allow myself to play. I planned to work on a few more Klosjes that are ready to be pieced but instead I played with this design (thanks to a friend and 7.5" templates).

These flannels are my very own personal gift from Daphanie. It's a bundle she gave back in the very beginning of my quilting years. She knew just how to spark my inner quilter. I've saved this bundle all this time (well "all" = 4 years) until I could find just the right thing to do with them. I think we've got it!!!

Starting to make some progress on these denim/woven blocks. I'm just making a few when I can but what is it that's said? "On stitch at a time."

It's been a good week of sewing for me. I'm really grateful to have something to do when I wake up at these early morning hours. 3-4am. Uh. I'm told that's a really good time to write, that God often speaks to you - meaning that your best ideas are within reach. Me? Apparently I prefer to use blades and sharp knife edged implements at that hour. I KNOW!

Be Well? forget that. How about Be Safe?!

Cat Toy?

2010-10-14T05:37:00.000-04:00

Murders Among Us?

*(if you're uncomfortable seeing a poor, dead little lizard skip this one)

They seem so harmless, don't they? Kanga so cute and Kipling (Kippy) chilled out on the couch. But it looks like it. Looks like they're murders.

Looks like they wanted to leave this one out especially for me.

Two days ago I had a little dude in my purse so I had to let him loose and leave him to his own devices. Is this him? Probably not because another little dude raced in the back door in the afternoon. I think that's who this is. I tried to catch him, save him but he was a swift one and there was no catching him. Had to out run me and hide.

Show Off!

(ps: I've been up since 3am and waking to this, well, sheesh. Better than a little Kermit the Froggy though. I reckon. Oh who am I kidding? Don't like picking up corpses at 3am!)

Worn Simplicity

2010-10-13T12:01:00.001-04:00

It's that peel shape that I really love. It's the same shape that makes up the petal in the Alabama Beauty blocks, which are moving right along.

I still haven't decided what to do with this block - I just enjoy making them when I have the time. These are inklingo machine pieced. Not everything has to be hand-pieced. It's very handy-dandy in that way. :)

I'm playing, too. I have a couple HST's that I'm working to making into gifts. Gold is the next color. Then there are these denim 4 patches. First time I've ever done anything with denim. It's thrilling. Something about the worn simplicity of it all. Ahh....

And to think in the hidden areas of LeeHaven I have a dupioni silk gift piece I'm quilting, too. Well nurtured, well challenged quilter I should think. Happy quilter. :)

Stuff your eyes with wonder and Be Well, *karendianne.

Just About Ready (Alabama Beauty)

2010-10-11T07:53:00.001-04:00

Just needed time to dwell with these blocks and clear my head. Replacement blocks almost complete. I finished an important replacement block which means there are now two lighter purples. I'm comfortable with the full array of blocks. Really comfortable with all my blocks. I'm at the point where I sit in this room, hang out, look and enjoy where I'm at. I've realized there is so much interest in these blocks that (to my mind) no matter how I place them (w/ a couple of exceptions), they'll be eye-catching and they'll steal my heart.

There's one more particular block to piece, one or two that need repositioning, and my favorite to go in the middle but once that's done I'll be ready to pull this together.

What I hope to express with you is my feeling of peace, a lack of concern and an overall sense of comfort. To my eye there's a good showing of variety.  This top is feeling so very ME!

I'm not anywhere near done of course. There is size to decide and border work to consider. I talk to myself regarding the blocks themselves and if I really want to stop. I truly contemplated this over a few days but I came to this conclusion and I think you might agree: When you hit the point of overall comfort with your work, where it's at, that's a good place to define a milestone, to stop.

So we'll get those setting triangles added and then we'll see where we're at. Of course, an appliqued border would be fantastic (I think) but I haven't learned how to applique quite yet.

Be Well, *karendianne.

Sometimes I...

2010-10-08T17:18:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I crochet. I use what's on hand because I've already made the trip to the yarn store on a day when I didn't need to. I crochet to rest, like hand piecing. It's a good practice in present-moment living.

This photo is neat because Duke's being excellent. The xcrappy neighbors have xcrappy dogs that aren't managed and allowed to bark, bark, bark across the lake at my dogs. I obviously don't allow that. Duke is on his "down stay" but kinda ready to run along the lakes edge like a fence run, which I also do not allow. He knows it. The folks across the lake know it as well. I imagine if they knew how to train their dogs they'd probably like to have the control. I'm sure they're not all that xcrappy. It's not easy to train a dog. And lets get real, you'll notice SAGAN is NOT in the photo.

When the weather is nice I take to the outdoors with the dogs every morning and afternoon to get some sun. Lately I've noticed this fella eat bugs on my Red Rocket. This takes me away into the present-moment as well. I can sit here and just trip out watching him for lord only knows how long. It's cool.

Sometimes I sew. I know, ha? hee. Those dishes you've already seen and you know they're there to hide what you know is underneath. The strip of HST's though... doesn't that feel good? So nice and clean and pretty in their stacks. I love INKLINGO HST'S.

So much so that I thought I might make this one with my stash of killer shirtings. Wouldn't that be fun? Oh it would just be an assembly line.

And sometimes I get way the hell ahead of myself because I can't really start this. It's just that I have always despised triangle paper and having Inklingo for the HST's has lifted a burden off my back. I have so many new ideas/options.

Reckon I could start a list, ha?

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy your stitching time. :) Be Well, *karendianne.

Grradation

2010-10-06T17:50:00.000-04:00

This is process, effort and thought. Couldn't be simply Stinkin' Cute broken dishes. Noooo. It had to be a practice in color gradation. Not just color. Color gradation. Black was in the plan but it's out now. I've got nothing in my stash to work out of black. Golds are in my mind to add. Setting goes lower left corner to upper right corner and if I have duplicate fabrics, well I'll have duplicates because golly this is a practice in color gradation (aka: challenging with stash and eye and taste and...) and I have a feeling it's gonna be stinkin' cute and I'm gonna love her!

Really, I'm learning a lot so it feels really good to see the pieces come together.

As you can see I have quite a bit more work to do here but the plan is coming along nicely.

*

Then there are a few Kaffe spools. My favorite one that came together with a nice bit of fabric cuts from you know who! Dontcha? You do. I was Exuberant when the cuts arrived. I super love this spool. Super duper. Magical how it came together. I just dived in and didn't plan because that's the way I quilt. Then this happened. I made 7 and this is the keeper.

Sweet!

Gradation

2010-10-04T08:49:00.000-04:00

I think we're getting closer to the goal.

I'd like to do this with each strip of color in this quilt top although I've found that challenging with all the colors, especially browns. I'm probably going to have to dive into my golds there I think. Anyway, for some reason the pinks are falling right in step. Reminds me of an old acquaintance, Susan, from the quilt shop. She taught me pink. :)

In the pink, *karendianne.

Keepers of the Blogrolls

2010-10-01T19:00:00.001-04:00

I was thinking it might be nice to share a couple things. I keep meaning to share but other things get in the way.

I sure appreciate all you ladies out there that maintain a blogroll. I have so much fun when I'm visiting your Blog and see all the neat places you have linked up. Thank you to everyone. To the Julie's and Janet's and Terry's and Nancy's and Karen's and Sue's and Michelle's and on and on and on. Just thank you everyone. It's a real treat to head off into a whole other place in Blogland from your place. I really enjoy that!!!

I really extra appreciate the comments/feedback you share with me, too. If you're anything like me (which I imagine you are) it's a challenge to keep up so thanks for including me in your priorities/rounds.

I'm having a busy week and although I'm getting some work done I can't share it. Ahh. That's hard. The work is hard for me, too. Gifty item with a totally new type of fabric. I had to reach out to my handy-dandy talented all-around quilter friend Kay to get some quick help before I continued on.

So that's all. Just mostly wanted to let y'all know I was thinking I appreciated how you do what you do. It brightens my day.

Block Placement Process

2010-09-30T10:03:00.001-04:00

Alabama Beauty in draft

Of note: Red in four corners - Pink block in the center and yellows spread out.

Alabama Beauty in 2nd Most Draft

Change: Dark blocks in the corner - Karen's favorite block placed in the center.

I wanted to share these changes with you, this re-work of my top with you because it's been a significant lesson.

Feedback is so important. I took this with me to my first ever Quilt Retreat and got some great feedback/assistance regarding how to place these blocks. I needed that help; it was really difficult to do on my own.

Then I got home and changed setting design. I put the blocks up, worked with them and shared w/ y'all. Got some great feedback and once again ran into a frustrated wall. I just couldn't set my blocks in a way that worked.

I called a dear friend that gave me probably 2 hours of her time reworking this. Darks moved to the corners. Reworking the colors a bit and mostly got the message "it's yours to do with what you like."

I was so caught up in what YOU would see that I completely skipped the part where I came in. For example - my favorite block is that Red and Green block. Why not place that in the middle? I'd like to see that smiling back at me in the center.

This part of the process, when your working with a variety of colors, is NOT easy. I rapidly got lost in what others see. One doesn't want to miss something. But this "One" was forgetting all about what made her happy then working out from that point.

So at this time I'm making a few more A.B. blocks to swap out what I want to replace and giggling because this is one good way to draw out the finish line. I was so ready to get this pulled together, too darnit. Now, well, we're back to making blocks. It's part of the process.

Be Well, *karendianne. who read this and thought she'd share: "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think."

Stars over LeeHaven! (do you remember those?)

2010-09-28T09:11:00.002-04:00

Can you see yourself in these blocks, do you remember? Your blocks have been pieced into a top!!!

~*~

The photos (click to enlarge)

Stars over LeeHaven - Julie's pieced top: http://quiltdivajulie.blogspot.com/2010/08/stars-over-leehaven-flimsies.html. I think most of us know how talented Julie is with her creativity but this blew my mind. I feel so fortunate to have a piece of work by Julie. Click the link to see how she pulled together the signature pieces.

I asked for Wool Batting. It's cold at the hospital and I decided that was the purpose for this quilt, to come to Mayo on my IV days and keep me warm, so Debbie dived right in. She shares her experience with wool thru the link below.

Stars over LeeHaven - Debbie's quilting: http://strawberrypatchquiltworks.blogspot.com/2010/08/stars-over-leehaven.html

If you're new to my blog, back in 2008 Nancy started something for me where friends contributed stars. I think that could have been around the time I was having problems with my vision. Extreme emotional trauma/drama. Ack. Anyway, that's how it all started. Nancy did it and it was fit that she should apply the binding. The final finishing.

Nancy and Blackberry binding it all together:

The quilt arrived last week. Here it is in use.

Headed to Mayo for a quick infusion with my friends support. Note the great bag (by Debbie) for my quilt. (that got due attention at the Clinic) Also seen in this photo is a purple humbag Anett made for me a few years back. And my orange and pink batik bag by Liz. It carries my change of clothes, apples and a diet coke. All my friends supporting me.

In use. Karen warm and crashed. It was very warm, very snuggly. Wool is the thing, ladies. Wool batting is really perfect. The medical staff really loved the quilt, too.

When I finished my treatment and was getting dressed my nurse took the quilt up front to show off all the detail. I met them at the nurses station when I was leaving. Debra, the head nurse, tilted her head to the side and something like "Somebody sure likes you." It wasn't that exactly but it was sweet and kind and made me bashful and hide my face that felt red and blushing.

~*~

What to say to something so loving, so special? A thought acted upon generates so much loving-kindness. I receive this gift with overflowing gratitude. I deeply appreciate what will forever be with me, representing all that is good here, together, with y'all.

In friendship and in healing,covered and wrapped in love, *karendianne.

Stinkin' Cute Setting of Dishes

2010-09-22T18:23:00.002-04:00

Stinkin' Cute!!!
Can you see it come to life? I think to add rows of red and black and we'll see...

Found this pattern in 101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts by Judy Hopkins and Nancy Martin. I read this pattern is turned incorrectly but it's still cute so I copied it. Can't take the credit. In the book this pattern is filed under "Broken Dishes."

Good and fine and not that I thought I was a purist but I'm not at all sure this is a proper Broken Dishes pattern. Do you read Ann Champion's blog? I had a link up that was supposed to search for Broken Dishes antique quilts on her blog but folks are getting a bad warning so I took that down. Sorry about that. There are variety in the settings however, each block contains 4 pieces of you see on my DWall. It seems to be the same on the Web.

Whatever it is, it's stinkin' cute! and I absolutely had to share so thank you for visiting.

Simply Pieced with Love, *karendianne.

Broken Dishes and HST's w/ Inklingo

2010-09-21T08:11:00.001-04:00

Broken Dishes

To everyone that Shared your Joy for the past weekend - thank you! That was so much fun. Reading those comments was like going to a deep Well for inspiration.

Myself, I played with HST's among other things. There were other things. A lot of other things. Most of it was a bust and what you see is about all that I could save of my quilty joy. I tried playing with my new idea that's cooking in my brain but my creativity never caught fire, couldn't grasp anything symphonic, nothing worked and I was tired. I sure tried though, I sure did.

That said, I did try some HST's with http://www.inklingo.com/ and man I'm so hooked. I was already hooked but I hate triangle paper and this was so killer!!! I mean, to have your "triangle paper" printed out on the back of your light fabric, layer then sew. Sweet! There are 12 sizes with the one collection. 12! It goes from .5 to 3.0 - options galore. I probably should have started out with this collection but you know the Alabama Beauty caught my heart and that's all she wrote.

The A. Beauty is being re-worked a bit due to some color changes I'd like to make so I'm not quite done and not quite ready to sew rows together but it's still on the wall as it's very close to pulling together.

...in the meantime, what do you think about the HST's and the Broken Dishes? Any ideas for playing with these? Do you have a favorite thing to do with these? Come one, come all - share your HST ideas - they'll be greatly appreciated.

*karendianne. on day 2 of a headache from neglecting to wear her reading glasses over the weekend. Unwise and now paying the price.

Share Your Joy

2010-09-17T20:52:00.000-04:00

How will you spend your weekend?

Alabama Beauty Coming Together

2010-09-15T17:22:00.000-04:00

Friends, look! The Alabama Beauty quilt is coming together. The middle row of seven is sewn. The rest are up for your feedback. Final design to include: setting triangles in background color. Stop border then larger border. I'll try to stay away from a black stop border but you know how I am about that. We'll see but you get the general idea.

They're hung on-tilt. What can I say? I have someone coming by later this evening but I couldn't wait! I want to see what's happening. As I mentioned to Cathi yesterday - I'm really missing piecing these blocks. But what I found today as I was sewing this middle row together is the hand quilting options. The 2ndary patterns in the background are delightful. The petals put me back on my heels but we'll deal with that when we get there.

For now it's all about arrangement. This block is something else!!!

Healing in Hand Quilting

2010-09-06T20:35:00.000-04:00

Peace in hand quilting (especially when it's my favorite piece of all my work to date). It's helping to take my mind off the fact that there have been way too many days of UnWellness around here.

Oh I'm still getting some piecing accomplished and the house is fairly picked up. The dogs are loved and the cats are spoiled and even the parrots feel extra special but I'm moving around with a little less spice than I'd like to admit. It's not fun to share the unwell stuff. It's just not fun!

But I'm having some fun laying down some stitches on this piece that I'd like to finish. And I did have some fun in Blogland last night. I have no idea where I was but new quilting places I haven't seen before. Beautiful work.

To think - I was going to quit blogging. I was. I'm not. It's the friendships and the beautiful work and the inspiration. Just going to have to be okay with the fact that I can't do it all.

When you look like you're just fine and you actually aren't "just fine" it's kinda difficult to maneuver in the world. This is true face-to-face or in the virtual world.

Ahh well, back to stitching. Thanks for being here to share with. It wasn't easy. I don't know why. I guess I'm out of practice (and I'm thankful for that).

Be Well, *karendianne.

Clamshell Pickle Test Block

2010-09-03T10:41:00.000-04:00

I couldn't resist testing out the new Clamshell Pickle so this was my test block at 11" - with green because that's the theme this week I reckon...

For more on this block see:

Barbara Brackman's blog here: http://bit.ly/a4acBC

Cathi's blog here: http://bit.ly/c7BNjo

I machine pieced the triangles and hand pieced that to the clamshell. Not smooth but good enough for a test block. At 11" I can see getting something done with this block although I'm unable to start right now.

It isn't that I feel pressure of finishes holding me back. Nope, fortunately nothing negative like that. Simply, I'd like to move a couple current projects along a bit more before I go off on a tanget.

Testing this block, creating it... that's good enough for me - for now!

Be Well, *karendianne.

The Color of Green

2010-09-02T10:04:00.000-04:00

I popped my recently finished Alabama Beauty block on the Wall and the green color lesson hit me between the eyes. I see how it all comes together with the Belle Meade blocks and I see how I've been avoiding it.

I like green, too. I'm not averse to it but I reckon no one could tell, ha?

Alabama Beauty
First Green Block!

***

I'm glad Lynn gave me a couple pieces of Repro greens to add into the mix for my AB project. I'm silly happy I popped this block up with the others since the greens played together just fine and I was way off base with that last post/commentary on the color itself.

There is so much to learn about color and fabrics which is a good thing because when I feel like I have some money, which definitely isn't right now, but when I get that feeling, I'll need to purchase some fabric in various colors to assist with my learning/quilting degree.

Education is really expensive these days. I'm just sayin'...

Be Well, *karendianne.

cock-a-doodle-doo (Sagan Style)

2010-08-29T07:52:00.001-04:00

Sagan, buddy, what the heck was that?

Sagan 2004

4:40 this morning he wakes me up howling. Not barking - howling. Howling in a mid-range tone. Of course I went out with him in the dark. Of course. I mean howling isn't normal so maybe he's got something going on with this 11 year old elder self.

Nope.

Just a casual tinkle.

What a cute elder story. What a funny life thing to have happen. A million possibilities to imagine. He's a buddy!

Be Well, *karendianne.

The Trend at LeeHaven

2010-08-28T16:24:00.000-04:00

Belle Meade by Bonnie Blue
Robyn Pandolph fabric

At this rate I should be finished with this one sometime in the timeless future. This UFO has called me for days. Yesterday I pulled the original blocks (not seen here) and boy are they shabby. I think they'll work but I am considering placing them in the pile of un-sewing. I have a whole pile of blocks from another project that must be unsewn due to my ability to flake out entirely during the quilting process. I'm saving this pile for some evening soon.

Looking at it up on my wall makes me think it just might turn out pretty. I know that when I started this one I wanted pretty. I can see it. I love fabric. It's so, so pretty! And this project has pretty floral buds in it. Oh so pretty.

I think the green makes it a little trendy and I don't like that but I guess I let myself "go." One of the reasons I like Reproductions so much is they're meant to be old, Antique and not current or trendy. Of course I can get caught up in trendiness.

***

Check out my Klosjes from the Quilt Retreat on the right of Design Wall #2. The Klosjes are a trend that started oversee's and I'm thrilled I joined in. I'm continuing on...

I learned when at retreat piecing is shabby, sorry and messy! I did my cutting before I left but there's no help for it. My spools are a wreck when I'm out having fun. I'm using them anyway but I'll quarantine them so I know what I'm piecing when I pull that quilt together.

Progress continues on the Rob Peter to Pay Paul blocks. They can be easily hand or machine pieced. Mostly I machine. Goes quicker and it's a good skill builder.

***

A Brief Guide to Life

And as always, these rules are meant to be broken. Life wouldn’t be any fun if they weren’t.

the brief guide

less TV, more reading

less shopping, more outdoors

less clutter, more space

less rush, more slowness

less consuming, more creating

less junk, more real food

less busywork, more impact

less driving, more walking

less noise, more solitude

less focus on the future, more on the present

less work, more play

less worry, more smiles

breathe

***

Be Well, *karendianne.

The First Quilt Retreat

2010-08-18T09:07:00.001-04:00

Alabama Beauty Blocks
Olde Green Cupboard Quilt Retreat

I was almost going to drop in without a photo to grace the page but thanks to Nancy and Lynn I have one handy. We worked on setting these at the retreat. Nothing is final except "green is lacking" and "where's cheddar?" I was given some really pretty green to use so I'm looking forward to adding that.

The retreat was everything I could have imagined and then some. I had time with my friends and made some new ones. While walking the hall to get coffee I was able to see some lovely and flat-out fun things in the making. Oh the magic people can create with fabric. I'm always amazed.

I learned from watching others at work. I noted the skill people have to turn out blocks, to just go! Things work out and look lovely. I'm a slow quilter myself so this ability to Go! intrigued me.

There were a lot of happy ladies there, getting away from it all and doing there thing. It's a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by that sort of energy. My own energy held up pretty darn good I'd have to say. I even worked on my Klosjes and I'm happy about that. I'd like to pick up where I left off on those.

Perhaps today I can try for some sewing. This big outing did it's number though with the MS business and while I am recovering rather well, my legs and hips are shot. I'm considering placing them up for Sale! I've been sleeping and hanging out but I think we're done with that. I'm done with that at least. It's been 4 days now. I think the fatigue can go away thank you very much.

I have plans, a life to lead dagnabit!!! And part of that life includes sharing with you which hasn't been happening but of course priorities are shifting in the sand lately and we've touched on that. I just wanted to drop in and let you know what a good thing that just happened.

So thanks for listening and sharing my first retreat with me. And before I leave I don't want to miss this chance to say how grateful I am to my friends. They toted me around, carried my things and did the general full-support duty so I could attend. Very kind.

Be Well, *karendianne.

(ps: The food was fabulous, the accomodations were great, the Hall that contained us was perfectly huge and it was all top rate! Thanks to the Olde Green Cupboard for that.)

Time [for a] Clamshell Update

2010-08-08T10:39:00.001-04:00

Of course! the path to heaven

doesn't lie down in flat miles.
It's in the imagination
with which you perceive
this world,

and the gestures
with which you honor it.

New and Selected Poems
Mary Oliver

~~~

Happy to report my wrist is improving although not ready for hand stitching. I'm actually not ready to get back to much of anything. Surprisingly enough, I haven't been feeling well. The heat, MS - whatever. I don't have much control over things but I do choose what I can do when I'm having a spurt of wellness. Like now. At this moment. Feeling much better than yesterday.

Mostly I find I have almost nothing to share because my soul is focused elsewhere. My time is so carefully chosen. You've been here, in this place where priorities are constantly in need of evaluation - I know. I know this because it's a part of everyone's life from time to time, isn't it? One certainly doesn't need an illness to make this happen. Shifting priorities I mean.

I do have one thing to share. This is where I left off on my Clamshell project. It measures 29" point-to-point and 22" square.

I'm letting this sit for a while because I'm out of both fabrics. I need to think and hunt. And anyway, I'm not up for much of this. Clamshells don't exactly fall in the realm of easy. They sure are pretty though.

Enjoy your day, thank you for your visit, your time and your kind heart. Be Well, *karendianne.

Priority Thank You's

2010-07-29T08:57:00.000-04:00

Returning to the wrist because, well, I have little choice for the moment. No quilty things. Finished a book - more on that later. PC time is pretty much limited to check-in's and priorities. Y'all are that. Priority. I wanted to ensure I got to this. To take a moment out to tell you...

for leaving a kind note about my slight injury. I'm unable to reply individually. This injury is asking from me rest, ice and Aleve. As I said, no quilting activities although I did get a killer pattern in the mail yesterday and I am reading that. It 's one of those that requires reading and more reading. Plus, I'm grateful I can walk around the 115 million degree heat to get fresh air and I can see to read. The body isn't completely shot.

I wanted to share with you what Anne-Ida sent me. She was the driving force behind finishing my Cheddar quilt. "Just plow on through" she'd say (or something to that effect) and I reckon I did. And shucks, I don't know how I can be so lucky sometimes but she did send this great bag. I'm a grateful girl and darn sure ready to use this baby right away! So darn excited.

I just love things made. Ohh, I do, I do, I do. Especially things I can't make myself. I hope you can see the stitching on this side (below). Inspires me, makes me see what I could do with my machine stitches. When my wrist is better.

You know, I am attending my first Quilt Retreat in a couple weeks. True. My first. Never have been to one. Sure would be nice if my wrist would heal before then. I'm going regardless but it would be nice if this was well improved. I'm just sayin'...

Iced Over, *karendianne.

It's all in wrist...

2010-07-27T15:19:00.000-04:00

I gently fell on my wrist first thing this morning. First thing! The position of my wrist was exactly like the one on the left below. I used it for leverage on the sofa in that bendy backwards way by accident. It was one of those "how did I manage that?" things.

Nothing that a bit of ice and Aleve and rest can't fix. I reckon. Rest the wrist. Maybe if I get off this darn machine, read and rest the wrist I can be back to normal tomorrow. And won't we all be happy about normal. Whatever that is. I forget. It's so hot.

Cooked & Bent, *karendianne.

Waking up to Blocks

2010-07-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

Ain't I quick?

Don't I wish! Actually they date back to the late 90's (I believe). They're Swap Blocks. Daphanie had just a few of these in a baggie that I brought home.

Last night I put them on the Wall to see how they worked.

No eye towards placement - I simply wanted to see how they looked together.

I woke this morning to see very little that didn't fit and starting developing options.

Thinking borders for a little quilt (replacing a couple of those blocks) or maybe starting a stash of bowties?

No idea really but it's fun to wake up to a wall with playful blocks.

It's also fun to wake up to my new favorite Alabama Beauty block.

There are enough of these to get started pulling them together into a quilt.

I think I'm still short on the lights for even balance with darks but I haven't done a setting in a while so I think it'll be worth a try to see how they set.

Maybe it'll work, maybe it's ready?

I'd like to know because then I could start to consider layering and quilting.

Hand Quilting.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and I do hand quilt (when encouraged).

Design Walls

2010-07-22T19:11:00.000-04:00

It looks like June 12 was the last time I posted updated Klosjes. I don't see any duplicates here from that June 12th post so this might be a fresh batch. I like the new upper left purples in this batch. I have more purple in my stash but I remember day. Ahhh. There were 1/2 yds that needed to be cut down. I didn't have the endurance that day and put them all up!

Then I switched to black since I needed to built up that color. Enjoyed that. All fats. I must have been feeling poor when I was purchasing black for my stash.

Can't go by without my latest project inspired by Wanda. I'm getting ready to take down this set and start another batch of these blocks with the killer scraps from Julie. There's someone that already wants this. I'm not in the giving mood here quite yet. I need some space!!! It's a story not worth your time which makes me wonder why is it worth mine?

There often isn't much worth discussing going on around here but I did grab my keys and head on over to a friends house on Tuesday for some lunch and some stitching time. I had a delightful time, truly delightful. It was so nice to get out and share some time with like-minded folks.  Lunch was great, too! A yummy spinach salad with killer dressing and the best dessert. It was a sort of cobbler type treat with fresh, fresh peaches.

Got me thinking. We so often stop to say "thank you" to our Local Quilt Shops for being in business & we work to support them but I wonder if we thank the kind souls that open up there homes to us? Do we thank them for giving of themselves in this way to help make our craft a continual part of our life in an enjoyable, peaceful setting? I'm surely thankful and appreciative.  Makes me wonder if I had a lovely home, would I open it up to friends like this? I'm kind of a hermit by nature so it might be hard!

Oh, and one last thing. I did come home with the absolute perfect backing for my Cheddar quilt and you're going to ask me "where's the picture?"  darn. Sorry about that. Next post. ...or when I get it quilted with the cute Baptist Fan because I'm such a BF junkie!

Thanks for taking the time to sit and share with me for a couple minutes. Now that I'm sitting here I could share so much more because I guess a few things do come to mind. Oh well, maybe next post. I better make a note so I don't forget!

Warmly and with a big huge smile, *karendianne.

Clamshell Update

2010-07-17T09:36:00.000-04:00

Gosh sharing that last finish was a lot of fun! Thank you for contributing to the rush of it all. That quilt was difficult to pull together. Not to mention finishes are rare around here. I did buckle down with that one and it really shows. That extra 1/2" and all.

~~~

My first piece of my clamshell [whatever-its-going to be] now with some 30's fabric weaved into place. I should be able to ease into scrappiness from here. The red 30's pieces I weaved in here really provide a good transition. I needed options since I don't have much of the ivory dot fabric or the holiday red. We'll see how it evolves.

I have some unsewing to do here yet. 2nd red row from the top, one clam on each side needs to be unsewn. I sure am glad I used some restraint and didn't use those cute little pieces flying around on the bottom right hand side. I almost did. I mean to say that I almost started sewing without checking out how far along I'd come.

You know, if I just would took the time to draw out what I was doing, I would save myself a whole lot of anguish.

My table is cleared off and it feels really great. I could work on anything I want. I don't though. Yesterday I tried to start a couple things but my quilter-self simply wouldn't settle. Not until I began work on current projects and/or finishes.

That's new!

Usually I like to play and start new projects as soon as I finish something but I guess I didn't have anything in mind when I was wrapping this one up and so there's no where to go. I'm sort of in the desert when it comes to ideas and inspiration anyway. It happens.

~~~

Thanks for listening, sharing and Be Well, *karendianne.

Finished - The Autobiography of Cheddar!

2010-07-14T15:49:00.000-04:00

In her note she said "Sometimes quilts like to design themselves." That was a plum precious piece of information. Why, it's right up there with "Don't worry, they're printing new fabric as we speak." A thought that can just make you chill out!!!

I have one of those really good ones. "Don't blog when you're tired." Actually, there are a lot of "states" one must be in when blogging. Half-asleep and angry come to mind. I'm breaking one of my rules. I'm tired but I'm simultaneously thrilled. My cheddar quilt is finished. Blocks are 6" finished.

My cheddar quilt is now hereby named: The Autobiography of Cheddar.

A quilt that came out bigger than I thought it was going to. Boy you sure can see the extra half-inch in the border. Glad I worked that out. Boy it sure made a difference. Yeah. I can see that made a huge difference. Those larger borders really were just the right thing though. hee!

Oh, I'm cute. My mommy loved making these blocks and look... She used a red stop border instead of a block one. Black would have been better.

Pretty border fabric.

Thank you Linda for your help.

Thank you everyone!!!

Border Blunders?

2010-07-13T18:32:00.000-04:00

Would you do this, remove a border that was off by 1/2 inch?

I think you might in this situation.

I cut and sewed the red stop border then cut & applied the first floral border. Suddenly then I realized the cut was 6" as opposed to the 6.5" planned. I had to take it off.

The blocks are 6" finished. The border really did need to be 6" finished as well. That little bit of difference - it would have bothered me - OCD like.

If one of the main elements in these blocks wasn't the size of the pieces (within the blocks) I don't think it would have been an issue for me. Would it have been an issue for you? Let me know if you have any thoughts on the matter. Tomorrow I'll work on applying the final floral borders w/ the correct width. I'm going to "plow on thru."

~~~

Oh and guess who made a new friend? Lisa sent him. Lydia informed me they met one morning when I wasn't feeling well with the Multiple Squirrels disease. She's so darn cute!!! Happy she made a friend but I thought maybe I shouldn't have introduced her to tree climbing. She's kinda getting up there.

I did inquire as to "Mr. Squirrels" name but Lydia tells me she's still learning Squirrel lingo so she's not quite sure.

Rob Peter to Pay Paul

2010-07-10T10:35:00.002-04:00

So it was to happen at last. Inspiration! Quilt Index got me all fired up. I just love me some antique quilts! There will never be enough time. Sometimes I think I'll just make a bunch of little quilts but I've had non-quilter friends mention that those aren't really nice for handing down when I croak. They're saying "whose going to use 'em and what are they going to do with them?" It's a thought.

Quilt Index can move me into inspiration though. They post various quilts on Facebook which keeps the site in mind and the imagination fresh. Then, sitting here just zoning out, dying from the heat, I think hey, Quilt Index and next thing you know I'm checking out the Rob Peter to Pay Paul quilts. Of course they're all two color quilts.

I get so bored with two colors so my version is going to be two color but scrappy on the blues. I pulled quite a few fabrics for this but this block takes a lot of fabric and I hope I don't run out of just the right shade of blues.

These are made with Inklingo Orange Peel Deluxe and mostly machine pieced.

Setting 1

Setting 2

Blocks Setting 1

Blocks Setting 2

I like these settings quite a bit.

A nice way to show off your favorite fabrics!

I haven't actually been feeling all that well with the heat and MS so there hasn't been much time for Lydia. She hasn't been able to get out much so I let her set the Hexagons for the photo and sit with them, too. She's a happy girl!!! Inspiration for this African Flower Hexagon is from Julia, of course. Pattern is here at Ravelry.

I'm not thrilled with these colors but they're all I have at the moment so we make do. I guess. Julia's hexagons aren't as scrappy with the colors so I'm going to try that - less color in the hexagon. That'll help I think.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit and that you have a most wonderful weekend. Be Well, *karendianne.

Clamshell Weaving

2010-07-03T20:01:00.000-04:00

I got a lot out of Belinda's [Brown Dirt Cottage] Clamshell tutorial. After I read it I thought I'd look to see how I'll weave in additional fabrics.

Now that I can think of working in groups of 3 or 5 at a time (groups: that's what I learned from the post) my mind suddenly understood how to add in/weave different fabrics. This was a critical issue since I don't have much of these two fabrics left. Before I read that post I just couldn't see how to get out of this two-color situation without having strong demarcations. Now I can. Now I can do some flowing arch's! I might also have a flowing arch of these fabrics reaching downwards as well as what you see here. I should have enough for that.

Then weave variety in. The possibilities are endless don't you think?

Mostly I'm here though to share a friend and fellow blogger with you. I'm not exactly sure if she wants to have company but I thought maybe to drop by a leave a calling card? I don't know. Perhaps I should ask her first, eh? Well, too late now. The cats out of the bag so to speak so please meet a new quilting blogger and friend at http://crazyoldecatlady.blogspot.com/. I'm not even sure what ideas she has for her blog, if any. Again, probably should have asked first but... like I said, too late. The cats are out of their bags!

Be Well and Be Creating...

The Patriotic and the Stars

2010-07-02T17:58:00.000-04:00

Hey hi, howdy! I thought I pop my head up and chat for a few. Looking at this patriotic quilt is perfect for the weekend I think. The chevrons for the left side were applied since I last shared. The strip for the right side is in a holding pattern. Life got in the way. It does that, doesn't it? But while I was lost in that place where life is getting in the way...

A whopper of thing happened! Right outside my garage door. Blooms on my Crepe Myrtle. I was brought back to center and loved Nature and God right then and there. You see, I've been working for well over a year to bring this hybrid into bloom so this was pretty darn special. An unblemished moment in the midst of the hard knocks of life.

~~~

And whew, I've been really tired with all that's going on, too. Not getting all that much done but I do have a little bit because it's hard to keep a good woman down. The color is a little funky from the camera but this is the current state of my Inklingo Stars.

...and the back of the stars pressed because I find that fascinating.

My next question is becoming, now what? I have no idea where I'm going and please do remember these are old test blocks used here simply to display options. I was most-draft playing...

Or I can go this direction and take on another round of stars. I do like green and this is a pretty color. I'm not entirely sold on this either but I have to admit "all them stars is per-tie."

So there we are. Life at LeeHaven has been a bit much.

Whew, the weekend is here and I can rest! I am so, so thankful for that. I've shared the progress on my (1) patriotic quilt which actually I am pleased with but just have to be fresh and up for the effort on that one. The blooms on my (2) Crepe Myrtle really lifted my spirit one particularly difficult morning. Heaven sent. (3) The stars are fun but I gotta tell you, it's a bit of work when you have so many intersecting seams. The fabric can fray and that's a bummer. Gotta be more careful. Naturally I didn't share photos of that; frayed knot! And finally (4) the Repro fabric for "Death by Cheddar" did in fact arrive. Yes, that's right! It's "on-site" as it were. As soon as I can get some energy under my skin I'm going to tackle those borders. I'd like to have a finish!

That really about wraps it up. Thank you for you visit. Your comments make me smile and sometimes laugh super loud, which startles the Parrots and makes it all the more memorable. Y'all are sparkling! ...kinda like those stars I reckon. :) I do hope you've enjoyed your visit and that you're off to have a lovely weekend.

Exuberant Collar

2010-06-25T17:24:00.001-04:00

Exuberant Collar

Duke taken 10/2009

Some moments are so distinctive they are difficult to put into words and if there's no photo/video of the actual moment it's even more of a challenge. I had a two such moments in the past week.

Cool morning air is such a rarity these days so when it was still nice at 7am and Sagan the Elder dog wanted to be left alone in the garage Duke and I went for it. I tucked Sagan in, fresh water and some snuggly love then took that Duke dog and went out back.

Ohhh that Duke and I started working together and it was - oh my gosh - just amazing. Shaping his behavior, building on what he was providing. It was thrilling, just thrilling. He's a blast. The way he works the yard and does his "run out" to scan/work the yard is really coming along but then the way he immediately responded to his "call back" was nothing short of spectacular. It wasn't the response to his call back but the self control and ability to stop the intensity and focus of his work. It was a trip to see that. That was a choice he wouldn't have been able to make 1 year ago.

Another day this past week we were out after a cooling rainshower. This time I went for a string of "exercises" I've been working on with Duke. Most of these exercises need refining to one degree or another. Going out there and asking him to pull these together wasn't exactly wise but sometimes things just happen. The string of exercises kinda goes like this (if you're interested):

Duke Sits. (by my side)

Wait.

I toss ball/object - it goes flying but dog waits by my side. can't move.

Mark. (spot object with eyes where it hit the ground)

Get it. (ball of fire to retrieve object)

Duke Come. (spin on dime and return with object)

Down. (drop into down while in the middle of the recall. stop and drop where I tell you)

Duke Come. (sitting in front)

Give. (give the object back. don't drop it on the ground. No exceptions. It's hard for him right now.)

While he's not refined with his skills he sure did make me proud. He did everything I asked to one degree or antoher and didn't even drop the ball when he returned to my feet.

I thought to myself: "Look how much he's been learning." And I remember thinking how special this all was. It was really just a moment between me and my dog alone, but you know, it's was also me out there training my dog and even now, as I jot this down, I continue to feel, well exuberant!

As for Sagan, he continues to get his out time, his ball time, his play time alone with me. He's elder but when it's just the two of us he loves to show off his exhilaration. Mostly though, mostly he likes to hang out in the garage in the morning. He doesn't want to deal with Duke at all.

The Young and the Resting, *karendianne. who hopes you've enjoyed a glimpse into another aspect of Life at LeeHaven.

(ps: Thanks to Wanda of Exuberant Color for inspiring the name of my post!)

Scallops, Cheddar and Spools

2010-06-24T10:16:00.002-04:00

The repro fabric I was looking for, the President's line by Nancy Gere, was magically located by Nancy in WI. This border fabric for "Death by Cheddar" should arrive by next week at the latest. What is it with that name, ha? Ever seen those chocolate desserts when you got out to dinner called "Death by Chocolate?" Oh I have. Yummy. So that's what "Death by Cheddar" is rooted in. Really just a play on words.

Up Against the Walls

[Click to Enlarge]

Red Cheddar people. I think those blocks finish at 7.5" but I can't recall. Matilda brought the additional fabric from Australia.
Clamshells. No clue what I'm going to do here. No direction. No plan and I'm about to run out of the primary red print. Not displeased but not exhilarated either. Ambivalent and addicted. What a mess of mind to be in.

[Click to Enlarge]

I finished up the last bit of sewing Tuesday from last weeks Klosjes. My stash needed pinks and greens. Made some progress on the pinks but not so much on the greens. Additional cutting is required for the greens so it'll be a bit.

That's not all I have going on but all that's worth sharing at the moment.

I hope you have a lovely Thursday and enjoy whatever time you may have being creative. Thank you for your time and visit whether or not you have time to leave a comment - it's appreciated. Somehow it all works out, doesn't it? *karendianne.

From Quiltsalott, a Spy is Born

2010-06-15T08:22:00.000-04:00

Hi Birth Mom, Janet!!! I made it to the United States of America.

I came from Australia in case no one knows.

I don't know my name yet. Embarrassing!

I like it better at my old house. Quiltsalott is a quieter house because it doesn't have so many pets indoors that are supposed to be out-of-doors.

There is a mid-sized loud green bird here. Inside the house. In a cage. She even comes out.

Those are supposed to be outside with their bothersome noises.

Not inside.

Certainly not in a cage.

My new Mom likes to be out with the dogs. I enjoy this time. I get to be the Tree Climber I've never had the chance to be. Tree Climbing was on my Bucket List.

I'm having a grand time. Look at me. I'm waving to you back home. Do you miss me?

Ahh, fluffy bushes! My new home does have some fluffy bushes.

Great for kicking back after a good tree climb.

My new Quilter-mum thinks this is a funny picture.

One-eyed Susan!

Is that my new name, Susan?

I don't think this is a funny picture but my new mom is really cracking up.

I think my new mom is sometimes a dork!

Still, it's wonderful to be in this new land seeing new things. I'm looking forward to sharing with you all I can get away with. I want to be your little spy! I've got no loyalty yet to to this woman.

She hasn't even honored me with a name yet! Imagine.

Death by Cheddar - Flimsy (no border) Finish

2010-06-12T17:18:00.000-04:00

"Death by Cheddar" continues to live up to the name. It was hot outside so the photo is what it is. Probably needs more blocks but I doubt anything is going to happen except borders so I can be done here. I'm going to push on through and get some borders on this baby and be finished with it. It's kinda small, too. That's a bummer. Too baddd, sooo saddd.

I had nothing but problems getting the sashing together. One thing after another. The stupid little things that happen. The placement of the blocks/rows is not what was planned. Had to re-work that plus get the seam ripper out. I really messed the placement up!!! But...

Anyway, I pushed on through and got it this far and I'm going to push on through and get the borders going. It's not that I don't want to have a cute quilt but I'm ready to get this baby done.

This week's batch.

3 with centers not pieced. A little variety...

The Shipping News

2010-06-08T19:07:00.000-04:00

I first learned about mail when we moved from the Bay Area, California to Northern Nevada. I was 6 or 7 at the time. A stamp was fifteen cents. I never gave much thought to whether it arrived. I just knew it did.

Lately I can't get a package out to save my life. I want to ship out - they don't pick up my packages. Twice. Huh. I think. "This is new." Usually shipping out from LeeHaven is smooth. I talk to my carrier and he tells me they aren't pulling my requests off the printer and giving them to him. GREAT. I call the local Postal Office and I'm on hold for 20 minutes. I had to hang up just because I was starting to get a little ticked off.  I submitted a note via the USPS website and you can imagine what I received in return. Form letter. Naturally we wont be speaking with a human.

Why did I think I'd get a human?

Today I was expecting a package from UPS via expedited shipping from Amazon. I luv Amazon. I have a great relationship with my UPS guy. I don't know what happened but they forgot to stop by my house. I just think something dark & misaligned is looming over my house.   I'm bummed about this. It's not a big deal but I was patiently peeking and seeking Brown all day and evening.

It wasn't even fabric. It was just a little something for me to listen to while I'm quilting so I don't have to have the unsafe television on. That's all. A little CD series. I guess I wasn't meant to have it yet. What a letdown man.

A minor letdown but still a let down and in the mailing area of my life. Something cosmic trippy is going on there. At least my Netflix arrived. The Duchess of Duke Street. I'm loving this old 1976 series. Perfect!!!

No Packages for Goddessa Binx though. :<

A Straightforward Thing

2010-06-05T17:22:00.000-04:00

Klosjes! And I thought "why waste your time?" With words I mean. Except to say I quite like this batch. Stronger colors, better backgrounds.

Clamshells

2010-06-02T19:48:00.000-04:00

Click to enlarge

3" Clam

~~~

It's nice to sit and share some clams. Clams that don't have BP spOil on them yet. I'm on the East Coast of Florida but I'm still "Florida." Oh wait. Forget that. I'm an American Citizen. Wait. Bag that, too. Better still, how about I'm a member of the Human Race. Caretakers of the Planet. Continuing to do a fine job of it.

My Clamshells though, my test block, it's kinda pretty and nothing flashy. Just simple. Made me really happy though. Joyful. I read today that joyful is a pretty good state to be in. Healthy: "It turns out that the emotion that feels the best—joy—is also best for our health and the survival of the species." - Laurel Mellin.

My Clamshells are courtesy of Inklingo. When I heard these were out I didn't need to be sold on the idea. I mean, really! Are you kidding? I was on it that very evening and the next day I was "all in." My Clamshell is just a test block. I was thinking this combo would make a pretty "small" holiday treasure, don't you? Imagine how it would take on the quilting, too? Oh that would be so pretty.

My Clamshells were nice to practice and play with today as I was out in the heat quite a lot today. It was unavoidable and for the record - MS does NOT like the heat. Rough day but it was good to sit and work clams. And now I'm kinda rested and spunky and joyful. Joyful to share with you my Clamshells!!! Thanks for being here to share with! Again.

The reason for going out in the heat so much. Custom Tree Service. Super tall pines close to the house. Every hurricane season it's scary! Scary as in fall on the house scary. Now, they've been there forever and they were healthy but all it takes is one strike of lightening and you're in bummerville. I left the stumps here since they're holding the ground in place. This spot is near the pond and erodes terribly. Plus they'll make a good sit spot.

The Oak is healthy but needed to be lifted off the house. All that Spanish Moss - ick! I can't stand it but it's a losing battle. Before this photo the tree was completely hanging on the house. This is a significant improvement. It was hot.

The Winter of our Discontent

2010-05-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

[This is kind of a Process focused post with a top 10 at the bottom.]

Just so happens I have an Inauguration Quilt. The start date is kinda obvious. :). The quilt almost finished up in this skinny state which, if you're familiar with Civil War history, I'm told was definitely seen. This size I mean.

Naturally that wouldn't do for me. I didn't want to explain to folks why the size was so odd - so I kept going and eventually got tired.

This setting isn't hard but it requires some attention to detail - it's tedious.

I also think I started to express fits of frustration. There was a lot of counting. Count 67k times then sew and apply and "oh damn..."

Obviously all pieces had to be Chevron'y correct and I had heavy sighs when same colors landed next to one another. I worked to keep that from happening. I can see I didn't necessarily attain that effect but I'm way over that. I do know I was tired and my cutting got a little sloppy so the pieces didn't snap into place. Heaven forbid! But that did make the piecing difficult and stirred up all sorts of distressing feelings about how things were starting to look. Sloppy. I don't think it ever occurred to me until now that I was just tired and needed some rest.

Sometimes my standards are impossible so, in case you're wondering, rest wouldn't have crossed my mind. I simply wanted to give up. I started into the I really hate this quilt deal. That's part of my process. A little bit of frustration and disdain about 75% of the way through. I've seen it happen a million times.

~~~

I bring this up because I'm back into that cycle with Slice O' Cheddar, which is creating such discontent that I'll be re-naming this quilt at some point to clear the air!

You see, I awoke with a much better idea for setting these blocks today. I tried to talk myself out of it but the truth: "anything worth doing is worth doing right" set in so naturally I can't leave it as is. I'll be unsewing the sashing and starting over again on the setting. THIS time I really do think I've got it.

The Winter of our discontent is part of my creative process I guess. Ending up in a state of frustration that mutates into I really hate this quilt. Fortunately I'm learning its just part of my quiltmaking deal and during this time when I'm so utterly discontent I have a tendency to play with elements. Perhaps next process post I'll touch on elements and what that's like for me. It's kinda fun sometimes.

~~~

Klosjes - I didn't make any yet but I did cut some new fabric strips for additional variety!
Little Red Cheddar People - you'd think I would swear off cheddar for a bit but I was kindly given some additional cheddar so I can work on those blocks. Thank you Janet! (more on this in another post)
Alabama Beauty blocks - got some of those going but I'm out of backgrounds so I have to print a few of those off today. We'll see how the legs hold up.
Gifted a quilt.
Started binding on another quilt. Yeah!
Collecting estimates for multiple tree removal. Hurricane season never feels good but the trees are right up against your house, it just adds to the distress.
On a news diet. The tragedy in the Gulf is really hurting my heart and I kinda need my heart for my own healing. A little selfish but that's the truth.
My iron died. I replaced it. The replacement was a dud. Sending it back. Using an old one now. New one should come today.
Halloween anyone? One of the ladies at the hospital where I get my IV is not a quilter but wants to start sewing again. She's looking for any patterns that are Halloween wallhangings or dolls??? Anyone have anything like that you'd be interested in passing along? As for me, I'm carefully nurturing that relationship so perhaps she might get into quilting. She seems like the kinda gal that would like it. Quilter worthy! So evangelistic of me, ha? Shhh. Don't tell.
I wasn't going to post today because I'm getting ever-so-close to 1000 posts and I'm not quite ready. I'm trying to keep myself under wraps though. I don't want to jinx it.

I hope you're having a great weekend!!! Did you notice me visiting? I was out walking by your place and noticed the lights were on. I waved but I could tell you didn't see me sometimes because you didn't wave back. I looked like a dork out there waving by myself with no one to wave back at me. Kinda strange. I guess since I didn't leave a note you have no idea I came by ha? I only brought a few calling cards with me when I was out and about. Please forgive. Next trip out I'll be sure to bring more so you'll know I was visiting.

Strippy Geese

2010-05-25T19:56:00.001-04:00

Ahh my friends, thank you so much for the warm welcome you gave "Slice O' Cheddar." I was surprised to tell you the truth. The comments that y'all left were just fantastic and Chris, when she said how she just sighed when she saw the quilt - golly that's the sort of thing I wasn't expecting. Quite the warm welcome.

Since then I've been resting my shoulder and staying out of the heat although it hasn't hit 90 here lately - that helps. By late morning I returned to sashing and rows then decided it was time to listen to that inspiration that's been in my mind. Flying Geese. Flying Geese that might go into the border for this or just might turn into a Geese quilt. I don't know. Just playing. I love these particular blocks though!

They landed by the cheddar quilt since I didn't have much room but who knows. I just enjoyed the afternoon making these stinkin' cute flying geese. A day to be grateful. I was so infused with that feeling I recall making mental note of that while I was in the middle of making these. What a cool day.

How fantastic to have friends to share days like today and little Flying Geese like this with. I'm a blessed woman. Thank you for being you.

Slice o' Cheddar in Setting

2010-05-23T08:33:00.003-04:00

Trust me, the Cheddar is less overpowering when you see it in person. Otherwise I wouldn't think this is so darn cute that I couldn't stand it. I generally have good taste. As taste goes. And this top is coming together in a way that's just... oh I can't stand it!!! I wanna pinch his cheeks he's so cute!

I'm amazed I pulled this together. It was unpleasant, difficult. Much effort went into the right setting. Proof of effort is here. I enjoyed and appreciated you're input on that. Someone special walked with me on that path for a good 50 mile slog. I sure appreciated your effort there, friend. It's great to have all of y'all to work with to tell you the truth. I'm kinda not into designing. Feel free to share how that's your favorite part. I know so many of you enjoy that but I'd prefer to follow a pattern any day of the week. This was a slog, this designing part.

At the end of that dern 50 mile slog, my passion morphed into frustration and the blocks were set aside. I gave up on setting them in any fashion.

[click to enlarge]

Never far from my mind though. I needed a few more blocks anyway and this 16-patch is darn fun to make so what the heck, eventually they told me "make us into a top."

Had to dive into the stash for the sashing since I'm not buying new fabric. I had nothing that would work (that I liked) and I'm not exactly short on variety. I just have a WIDE variety of a certain tan and a certain beige and a some good golds and reds and blues and browns. I don't have a variety of everything under the sun.

Funny how it looks like you have two tons of fabric until you start hunting for a suitable fit. But I didn't give up. I decided if this quilt top had to look funky then that was just how it was going to be. I'm not buying fabric. Determination won in the end when I dug this out of an old bundle.

Surely not a flannel brown like that?! I know, ha? It worked though. There's a place to rest your eyes and... there's a place to see the little magical 9 patch.

I'm totally partial but I think I'm not far off when I say this works. I love how it fell together. Goddessa Binx cannot contain herself. I'm not going to fret about the borders either. I know my process. I know how I go. I get the main top done then off in the closet it goes until I feel like working on the borders. It'll need some borders. Not quite enough blocks to be more than a little lap quilt.

It worked out. Doesn't look dorky. The 16 patch blocks finish @ 6" and the sashing is 1" finished. I think the cornerstones might have been better in a variety of fabrics as opposed to the cheddar - possibly. But I'm not about to change the flow now. On the design wall in my house it looks great.

I was going to wait until I got another row sewed before I shared but my left shoulder is shot. Meaning, sore. So I won't be making that effort for a few days and I couldn't stand it! I had to share. Dang me, dang me, they outta take a rope and hang me... hee.

Just a little ps: I wanted to let you know I'm at 991 posts. I'm not one for giveaways and all that although I do think I've done one or two in the past. Anyway, I don't need to tell you - 1k posts is a milestone worth celebrating so when we get there we'll party! There will be givings...

Klosjes Tossed with Gratitude

2010-05-22T07:39:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure if you'll recall but my klosjes are representative of the Great Recession. You see, as with other items, thread is rationed. That's why we have such skinny centers. However the thread color this week is a display of Va-Rie-Ty! The black market was good to me! ;) *wink*

I was nice to work with the black market instead of being on the couch. Felt fantastic yesterday. Sewed with absolute abandon. It was a full Gratitude Day! I'm mean. I'm sayin'. Everything aligned. I made a decision. I trusted myself on a fabric and setting for the Slice of Cheddar blocks. A different setting from anything else I've tried to date. I worked almost two rows together and my friends, oh, oh, oh you know what? It's so stinkin' cute I can't stand it. As a matter of record, I sorta strained my shoulder in the process!

Creatively injured, *karendianne. who is definitely channeling her inner Goddessa Binx-self.

(ps: I'll share a picture after I get at least three rows together)

Strawberry Fields is Finished!!!

2010-05-20T17:59:00.000-04:00

Feeling better today so I thought I'd finish up Strawberry Fields. My navy version worked out just fine but I think it's a little dark for my preference. I loaded the full size so you can take a close up look at my work. I did.

I'll keep the critique at bay but just so you know - I'm so happy I had fun and I love this little quilt else I might like to focus on my piecing, which is just fine but kinda sloppy in some areas.

Not that it'll keep me from adoring it. No way. It's cute, cute, cute. Just love little reproduction quilts. Lori - you rock! Every time I look at this I think to myself how darn cute this is. That's two Humble Quilts I add to my hot little hands. Well, three really. Two patterns. Three quilts. Lots of fun!

Blocks are 4.5" and, as I've mentioned previously, I totally dig the zigzag effect. Oh, and one other thing. I got cornfused and switched columns when I was sewing as well as mixing up blocks. I laughed and kept on going. This isn't a new thing. Confusion happens often enough that again, I laugh. I should do something to ID my rows and blocks better but, well, this little bit of confusion made it more relaxed and less controlled!!!

A delightful hug to everyone that sent me a nice note the other day. Helped to lift me up while I wasn't feeling at my best. My vision is a little sketchy this afternoon but I'm tired so we'll leave it at that. I see this was a great day!!!

Updated Red Cheddar Peoples

2010-05-18T20:01:00.000-04:00

Well now - here's a perfect reason to avoid saying "I have all the fabric I'll ever need!" I don't. We don't. I wanted to make 9 blocks. I have enough of this cheddar to maybe get 2 more blocks. There's not a stitch of cheddar that will match in my stash either. What I have will clash unless I work into this a border and some additional piecing which I did not have in mind.

I searched for more cheddar. It's from the Colonies: Cheddar and Poison Green, 1830-1860 line but my initial research left me empty handed. I'm sure I can do something with this but not right now.

Not right now because I don't happen to feel well. The heat is getting to me I guess. Still had to get groceries though and boy that didn't help. What a day on the couch it's been and I'm just in the best mood ever (facetiously speaking here). It's hard some days.

However, I am here typing so that's a good sign I'm recovering and tomorrow I'm certain to be feeling better. I don't have to go out for anything at all that I'm aware of so I'll be happy here inside with the A/C and maybe working on my Klosjes. I did have some to share but I put them in the box before I photographed them. Now I'm just gonna make more and have a better photo for this coming Saturday.

Strawberry Fields set in Draft

2010-05-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

Strawberry Fields in draft. Oh I'm thinking this is just so darn cute. I do have a few thoughts. One most important point to critique (personally) really stood out. Lack of fabric variety. But gosh darn if this isn't just a great layout and I loved playing with the zigzag setting. Cool in the Extreme!!!

There was the challenge to me. A challenge I created for myself because my life doesn't have enough challenges. Try to set without using red. Not a big deal, right? Gee wiz that was painfully difficult. From red to brown. How I ended up at Navy is a secret I'll never know but it works!

I'm going to rest now and see if I'm still pleased with the controlled setting of my blocks (note the pink blocks at the top) after my nap. If so, I may just start sewing this delightful cuteamous doll quilt together. If I choose to let it sit another day or so - fine by me. Have some other things to dive into.

I'm considering the thought: "Will I make another Strawberry Fields?" It really is fun to make and I enjoyed it. I'm seriously mulling it over but of course I'd like to make some progress with my Red Cheddar People, which I am working on. Goddessa Binx is a silly cheddar freak I think. I even tried to set Strawberry Fields with Cheddar. It worked but it was a bit over-powering, too. Silly me.

*karendianne. who definitely decided she will to start calling herself Goddessa Binx when the occasion calls for it. It's just a cool name. Don't ask me why, I don't have any reason for it except I'm a silly girl and I just wanna have fun. Really any day and time is good for Goddessa Binx!

Fabric Find: Little Cheddar Peoples!

2010-05-10T19:33:00.000-04:00

So when you're fairly imperfect look what happens when you try? Dang if I didn't find the cutest fabric in my new-to-me stash. The phone rang. I ignored it. I was in the midst of finding this and I could hardly contain myself. Cheddar people and ducks and pails and oh oh my!

...and now you might be thinkin' I'm a 30's convict/ I mean convert now, ha? Besides, Nanette. I mean she's really just such the person for reelin' a girl in. Isn't she? I try not to look when I visit. hee! Anyway, what's a girl supposed to do with this red fabric cuteness?

I mean it was 5:30 in the afternoon, there's sunlight. Why not? Of course now I can't decide on diddly! But those red setting squares just have to be there for me. What do you suggest? If you say Half Square Triangles know that I've got a pile of those that didn't work out. This is a 4.5" square so if you suggest a 9 patch please be kind and know I can't figure out the math for that, k? I do think a 9 patch would be cute maybe though, ha? I just don't know how to get there from here.

Anyway, this afternoon find and burst of inspiration has left me nice and happy and tired and it should be a lovely evening for some hand piecing and a good rest before IV day.

Oh wait. One more thing. There are now 57 blocks for "Slice 'O Cheddar" and it's possible that I could start to sash these babies. I'm really giving it some thought although I have to admit I'm still terribly addicted to this block. You know the feeling. Anyway, I do think it's time for a bigger quilt to come to a flimsy state without borders and I'll call it a Finish like I always do.

*karendianne. who thinks she might want to start calling herself Goddessa Binx! It's just a cool name. Don't ask me why, I don't have any reasons for it. :)

...and Strawberry Fields Update

2010-05-08T17:01:00.002-04:00

You know what? Life is fairly imperfect right now but I'm going with it, doing what you do when things are fairly imperfect. Play with fabric being one. Fabric that you've not seen from me, ha? 1.5" Hexi's, too. The flower we haven't seen from me either. I'm just playing. Inklingo shape collection #3 which has so many options that I had just dive in and start printing ---- with no plan at all.

It's good for the fairly imperfect life to dive in and just go for it. I really want to make something super pretty with that Collection. I do, I do, I do. Alas, I'm still in love with Beauty and starting something new requires a little too much thought. Fairly imperfect Karen isn't up for too much thought.

A couple of you helped me to see how very much the pretty blue's are missing. Wait 'til we see that. It'll be fun to share! I printed out 3 lovely blue Peel's today. Just have to make some backgrounds up.

Of course you know when life is fairly imperfect it's good to set a goal which I did. A loosely set goal. All the main blocks for Strawberry Fields. Oh I was happy as can be until I realized "whoops! one short." It's a fun block to make so missing math was okay and normal.

Speaking of math, I had an idea. I'm getting damn tired of having problems with Math. Note above I said" okay and normal. It's really not okay. I'm ticked off. Come on. Basic math. So I'm going to figure out which workbook might be good as a refresher on Math and order that baby! I've about dang had it. I mean REALLY. Quilting is NOT the hobby to trip over math all the time and I'm frustrated. So we're going to take that Math by the horns and take it down! Dangit.

Add, subtract, multiply - I'm good. After that... It's painful.

I sure enjoy these little Quilt-a-longs! It's a great way to get into the stash without stopping other projects in the works. Quilt a long with other quilting projects. :)

Sure enjoy y'all. Nice to have someplace to share the better things in life and the fairly imperfect. It's all Life at LeeHaven. Be Well and Happy Mother's Day.