Valerean

To use up the two-patch blocks and narrow strips from the dark/light scraps, I sewed them to make some little coaster tops: Since it's the last day of National Sewing Month I'll probably bat and back everything tonight.

Got a lot done last night, thanks in part to my new Black & Decker steam iron ($19.99 at Target): Pressed the whole pile of scraps and then took a look at what I had to work with: Not a lot to make big blocks, but plenty to cut up into 2" strips. The light and dark prints and colors made me think of log cabin blocks, which I haven't made in a long time, so that's what I went with for the sewing: I think I'll end up making these ten blocks into a table topper, and the rest of the scraps into matching coasters. My Halloween fabrics arrived yesterday, too, so I'm ready for October.

I was all ready to do some sewing last night, and plugged in my trusty steam iron to press all the scraps. I love this iron because it's simple and always gets the job done. Only the iron wouldn't get hotter than lukewarm, and even began leaking water all over my ironing board. I don't have a spare, and my scraps are all too wrinkly to sew without first pressing them, so no patchwork last night. On the plus side, the latest batch of photos just arrived, so I spent my night finishing up Oliver's first scrapbook for his parents. Here's one of our boy with his other grandmother that is super cute:

Thanks to your comment, Theo, the first scrap from the box turned into this: Not too spooky, but fun to stitch. Tonight I'll be working on the sewing machine with these scraps and blocks to make something:

There are four days left in National Sewing Month, and after taking a break from quilting marathons at night I'm feeling better. Theo, the twenty-minute timer idea has been the biggest help in keeping me from going overboard with hand sewing. I ordered some fabric to make Halloween bags, which should be arriving in the next couple of days. In the meantime I have a big box of interesting scraps that I thought I might try to have some fun with before October arrives. Tonight I'll see what I can do with this scrap of linen, and post the results tomorrow.

I have a story for you today about an art quilt, Robert Frost, and a moment in time. For the last little quilt in my mini series on Winter, I started stitching a piece of hand-dyed silk: I wanted to do a scene from memory. This was a moment back in January 2013 when I took my daughter to see snow for the first time in the Smoky Mountains; a trip that also changed me forever. I wasn't trying to recreate the scene exactly, just the feeling from that moment that has stayed with me all these years. A feeling of finally facing the ugliness in my life, and the blessings, and choosing my path accordingly. Literally, choosing hatred, or roses. I never truly understood Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken , until this moment in the mountains. Today I can tell you that I made the right choice -- one that made all the difference in my life. On that day, I chose roses, which is what I named this little quilt. If you want to know more about the moment of inspiration, you c...

I did cut up that plastic dollar tote to make into something stronger, but got caught up with work and set it aside. Then last night some hand-dyed silk and pretty threads called my name, and, well . . . Felt SO good to do some handwork, except my neck began hurting about an hour into it. I tried changing the way I sit and work, but it's pretty obvious that the doc is right.

Just got the notification from the folks behind National Novel Writing Month that they've redesigned their web site, and now want to prod me into participating starting like right now. Since I still hang onto some fond memories of NaNoWriMo before they became a huge soulless money-making machine and major pimp for every bad overpriced how-to writing software peddler in the universe -- not that I'm bitter or anything -- I went and had a look. The new version is okay, I guess. It looks like a giant bunch of cell phone screens (and weirdly, kind of like Twitter), which I assume was the point of the revamp. The youngsters will probably love it, but there's zero appeal for me. Less than zero. I kind of hate them now. Also, and this is the old lady in me for sure, I'm tired of having to relearn how to use a web site when there was nothing wrong with the old version whatsoever. I think I can actually talk about writing here on the secret blog, as no one has found it ...

Baby scrap book stickers and decorations are expensive, so I stopped at Dollar Tree to see if they had anything I could use for the three I'm making with Oliver's first pics. Found a couple sticker books of critters and owls, which will help. On the way to check out I saw this pretty reusable tote: It's all plastic, and on the flimsy side (the tag said it can hold up to 20 lbs., but I'm thinking nope). For a buck I thought it was worth it as a little challenge for me. I'm going to take it apart and see if I can line it with batting and fabric to make it a little sturdier. If I end up ruining it, then I'm only out a dollar. Stay tuned to see the results.

After giving me the bad news yesterday my doctor recommended I wear a brace, and take a long break from hand sewing to see if that helps with the neck pain. Long as in a month. It feels like a punishment, honestly, but I've got to give it a try. That means making any more hand-sewn quilted gifts for the holidays is probably off the table. On the upside, I don't hunch over when I use the sewing machine, so there's that. Maybe the little ray of sunshine in this is that I learn to become a better machine quilter. I'll try not to glut this blog with pics of my grandson, but here's one with his eyes open:

Yesterday I went to see my doctor to get the results of my neck studies and find out what's been causing the pain I've been having. Turns out I have cervical spondylitis, which means arthritis in my neck. Some bone spurs have formed, and three of my discs have slipped a little. There's nothing they can do until it impairs my body functions, which we hope won't happen. Since it's in the beginning stages I can do some exercises and work on my posture to hopefully keep it in check. But for now, no more hunching over my hand sewing (of which I am absolutely guilty.) Good news came in the first batch of photo prints of Oliver, so last night I sorted them and started working on some scrap books. I'm making three; one for me and Oliver's mom, and also one for his other grandmother, as she lives on the other side of the country and won't get to see him as often.

Here's another small project I made last night using a confetti technique from an article in Art Quilting Studio magazine: Basically you take all your little scraps, cut them into tiny squares or rectangles, fuse them over batting and muslin and then run a wavy machine stitch back and forth to tack down the edges before you machine applique a couple of focal patches over them. This one was easier to do than the hand-stitched project I tried yesterday; I have a commercial-grade Singer with a heavy duty needle so it ran right through it. Probably should have used an ecru thread to match the patchwork. It's an interesting technique, but all those raw edges make it impractical for anything but decorative/non-washable use.

In honor of National Sewing Month I thought I'd try some small art projects using new techniques (also gives me a bit more time to plan out what I can make before the holidays.) Last night I got out the fusible web to make a little stacked landscape piece from an article in Quilting Arts: Basically you fuse ragged-edged fabrics of different weights and textures to a rectangle of muslin and add various simple embroidery stitches to make the illusion of a landscape. Here's how my patch turned out: The one problem I have with fusible projects is that it's hard to push a needle through two or three layers of fabric plus the melted glue holding them in place. But I liked trying the technique, and that's the whole point.

Although I don't have much year left, it's time to start planning what holiday gifts I still want to make. For inspiration I purchased these three Friendship Star blocks and some matching yardage from Jen over at KnJ Studio ; I think I may end up making them into a lap quilt: As a surprise Jen also sent me a couple of orphan blocks. These will likely end up as gift totes:

During the rather stressful last week of waiting and watching I was able to make a few small projects; the first was the tote for Oliver's quilt: I also got in some stitch practice with a couple of small art pieces (and I need more practice embroidering lettering):

We made it safely through Hurricane Dorian; a bit of wind damage to our trees and some very minor flooding on our property from a night of endless rain. The power flickered a couple of times but never went out. We're very grateful, especially after seeing pictures of the terrible destruction the storm caused in the islands. In the midst of all this our grandson also finally arrived via emergency C-section -- a very tough delivery for his mom after going through two days of labor, but she and the baby are doing fine now. Say hello to Oliver: He's really cute, and a very good baby. When we met he cuddled up to me and slept in my arms for about an hour. My guy is also continuing to recover brilliantly from his surgery, so all is well here. I'm just going to need a few days to catch up on all the sleep I've lost. :)