UFO reduction mode

 After the "Next Door Neighbor" semi completion/flimsy stage, I decided to pull out another project to work on. Many many many moons ago (May 2010) I started Trick or Treat by Blackbird Designs. I just love that quilt.  It's from the book When the Cold Wind Blows

I must have been in a block prep mood before I put the project way because I have lots and lots of basket prepped and ready to machine appliqué ... Bonus!

I quickly got to work and started machine appliquéing

I will admit, it gets a tad tedious machine appliquéing baskets after baskets, which is probably why I put it away. After a while, I tend to get sloppy, which is an indication that I need to pull away. In the space of a couple of days, did manage to complete this pile.

It is a gorgeous quilt and I do intend to finish it. It's just going to take some time.

For those curious to see the finished quilt ....

Now I need to get busy on the Churn Dash SAL. 

Catch you all later! Cheers!

Channelling my inner Martha Stewart

Quite a few years ago, I had purchased some beeswax blocks at a rummage sale. They were a bargain ... four (4) blocks for a song. 

Given how hard these bees worked to make the wax, I wasn't about to throw them out ... I love the smell of bees wax .... so I thought of candles.

I didn't want to invest in another hobby so I started to keep my empty tea light containers; bought some wicks and a wax melting container ... I was ready to melt.  

The thing about bees wax, it's not as easy to clean off. It's best to have it's own container and I used freezer paper to protect the counter. 

I read up a bit on the subject, didn't want to blow up my house lol ... and voila ... a lot of tea light candles.

 

I still have 2 1/2 blocks left for the the next batch.  Hum ... I could make small shapes to use as thread conditioner ... but hat would involve investing in a mold.

Thanks for stopping by. Catch you all later ... Cheers!

Churn Dash Sew A long

Donna from Chookyblue blogspot is hosting a Sew-A-Long and I thought I would join in. Heck, you must have read yesterday's BREAKING NEWS! lol

I decided to open EQ8 to work out the layout. I am not that fond of EQ8 but it is what it is. Sometimes updates are not always a good thing. I've owned EQ for numerous years, since EQ2 ... let's just say I had to update due to Apple's recent change in their system ... we'll leave it at that.

Back to the quilt. The suggested block size is 9 inches ...

I love small blocks and have been thinking about doing a 6 inch block. I'm going for the crappy look. This is what the layout would look like. 

That's a lot of blocks to piece ... but so pretty. I do like small blocks, they require smaller pieces. It would certainly put a dent in the scrap fabric stash. My bins are overflowing!

Now, this is what the quilt would look like with a 9 inch block ... less blocks to piece!

A different look, but pretty none the same.

Well, I guess I have some thinking to do. 

Catch you all later! Cheers!

BREAKING NEWS!

 Are you sitting down? Last weekend I turned on my sewing machine and actually worked on a quilt. That's right ... You heard it here first! LOL

Back in the Fibre Junction days, I hosted historical clubs. It was a gathering about The History of Women via the Needle and Thread and used Pam Buda's Prairie Women Sewing Circle (PWSC) club packets for the projects. 

There was a project in PWSC 2 Gathering 5 that I loved and had actually started cutting on August 25, 2012. The only piecing that was done were the flying geese and they still needed trimming. I love that quilt/pattern and had been meaning to finish it.

It's quite a challenge to pick up a project where you left off after so many years and more so if it has a gazillion pieces. I started by organizing the pieces. I needed to figure out what I had and perhaps what was needed to construct the block.

Once I figured it all out ... I started piecing and of course .... I was missing one block! lol Thank goodness for my stash!

After hours and hours of piecing, I finally I had a finish .... Voila!

Hum ... The photograph really doesn't do it justice. It's a pretty pink and brown quilt. The pattern is called Next Door Neighbor and measures 27 1/2 x 34 1/2.

I even have a Make-do in that quilt. I do love to make-do ... it gets me thinking outside of the box ... why run to the store or cut a large piece of fabric just for a few pieces. I enjoy using my scraps and I had just enough of a scrap piece for this block. Besides, it just adds to the story of the quilt .... I love stories don't you?

Now .... if I can only get Penelope turned on .....

Thanks for stopping by. Catch you all later! Cheers!

Blocking a scarf or a shawl

 As I've mentioned in a prior post, blocking a knitting project is my least favourite thing to do. I was not looking forward to blocking my Hap. 

To assist me with this task, I had recently bought a pack of Premium Lace weight wires by Friendly Products. (Made in the USA)

They are 3 feet in length and come in a lovely tube. If in your youth you were a baton twirler/majorette, this tube will bring back lots of memories ... asked my friends when I showed them the tube! LOL

You interfile the wire on the border edge of your work and I used T pins to hold/arrange to the size desired.

They work like a charm. Certainly reducing the number of pins you would need to straighten the edge of the scarf/shawl.

Full view of the blocking.

The pattern for this asymmetrical shawl/scarf is called La Bise designed by Espace Tricot. It is available on Ravelry as a free pattern. The yarn I used is Sunday Morning DK by wonder yarn co. It consists of 75 % BFL (Bluelace Leicester) and 25% Masham sheep. It is soft to the touch.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!