turkey feathers

So Long Summer, Hello Fall

"Come, little leaves, " said the wind one day,"Come over the meadows with me, and play;Put on your dresses of red and gold;Summer is gone and the days grow cold. "~George Cooper

The days are growing colder, I feel that little nip in the air, signaling the change of season.  I seem to have finally fallen into a cadence with the FWYH projects around here.  There's a nice give-and-take lately as I finish one UFO and start something new.  The apron was a nice and relatively quick diversion.  Thanks, you guys for sharing your enthusiasm with me.  I still need to keep moving on things, old and new around here though, so I'm already lining up my next project for October.  This one, like the last one, is also fitting for the season.  It's an autumn quilt that I began, um--let's see, "some time" ago.  Not being able to remember exactly when I started this is a sure sign that it's been put away too long don't ya think?  I do remember though, that I started it because I wanted a colorful wall quilt to hang up each year at the start of fall.   And I still do, so all the better.  No excuse why I haven't gotten back to this one sooner.  All the piecework and applique has been done, I just need to put down the quilting stitches now.  Trying to decide how best to do that.  By machine or by hand?  Decisions, decisions.  I've got it all laid out with the backing and the batting on the dining room table while I ponder this big question.  In the meantime, I'm still getting inspired by the wonderful group members who are re-visiting their old projects, finishing them, and sharing those accomplishments.  Just some of the quilts I've been admiring: from deeprundays, lostuspetals, and maryjane55.  If they can do it, so can I. 

And a belated *thank you* to Ruby Red and Miss Paula for each acknowledging me in the Nice Matters Award.  (Awarded to those that are just nice people, good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration in the blogging community; recipients name seven others deserving of this recognition.)  It's nice to be appreciated, however, I must say, I feel unworthy here, because too often, I don't even realize I've been nominated for anything until someone sends me a note.  My apologies to anyone else who chose me for this, or any other award or meme, for that matter, and didn't get a thanks or a nod.  I have to confess too, that I find it nearly impossible to pick favorites and freely admit that I'm a wimp and a party-pooper and all chain-mail unintentionally ends with me.  So, please don't take it personally if I seem oblivious.  It's logistics.  And all this unfinished quilt-business around here keeping me occupied.  Honest.

Dottie Apron

I'm still basking in the after-glow of birthday love that keeps trickling in on this blog and I am ever grateful for it.   What we do in our lives can have a tremendous ripple effect when we reach out to others.  Thank you for those rays of sunshine. I may be getting older, but I will always be a child at heart!

Anyway. . . I told you about how I was sewing up a storm last week with the gift of time placed in my hands, and here's one of the neat things I finally got around to making.    Isn't this the most darling apron?  (see side view here)  It was a free download from the Susan Branch website.  She talked about it being her favorite apron because it fits everyone.  And it really does!  It's amazing.   I've never constructed anything like it and it's kind of weird how the pieces are sewn wrong sides together and joined with the bias binding (seven yards of it) but not all at once, so it's not like you're sewing miles and miles of trim without coming up for air.   Rather, it's sewn in an interesting succession of layers.  You have to print out and tape the pattern pieces together, but I didn't find that difficult at all, and everything went together perfectly.  Her instructions were clear and easy to follow as well.  So if you're up to the challenge to try something new, here you have it. 

It's That Time Again . . .

So, we headed up to Portland yesterday for one more PARTY before I had to relinquish my birthday crown.  It sure was a fun week while it lasted.  I did lots of fun sewing and can't wait to show you my new apron and some other things.  In fact, I hardly left my sewing room.  Well, that's not entirely true.  I did sneak off and take a peek at this happening in a neighboring town. 

OK, it was more than a peek.  I ended up snagging a duvet set and a pillow, then waited in a very long checkout line for almost an hour with everyone else that showed up.  This place was packed in more ways than one, as you can see.  The old grange hall opens its doors a few times a year when Blackberry Junction comes to town, and they stack it to the rafters with all kinds of wonderful stuff.  I really don't need anything in particular, it's just fun to look at things and get inspired.  I'll be sure and wear comfortable shoes in case something, um...just happens to (cough) slip into my basket...and I wind up in that crazy line again though.   

Aren't these dishes pretty?  I was just telling a friend that I was itching to decorate my walk-in pantry.  If I ever get around to it, I think I'll refer to this photo for inspiration.  This was in one of the "white" corners.   The overhead fluorescent lighting in the building gave my pictures a yellowish glow, and due to the crowd trying to get past me, I didn't have time to adjust camera settings.  In fact, I was lucky to get any pictures at all without getting trampled.  (I hear the first day of this event is always a little bit of a mad house, and I probably should have waited a few days before rushing in, but like everyone else I was excited to see it all.)

I'll try and get more pictures the next time I go.  These little nooks and corners are fun to study in the quiet of my room without distractions.  I'm seeing things I missed while I was standing there gawking.  I really like white-on-white rooms, they seem so clean and calm.  The clear vintage glass adds a nice sparkle, don't you think?

Birthday Bliss

Thank you all for the thoughtful birthday wishes and sweet notes.  I've taken them all into my heart where they will live on forever.  I am truly grateful for my family and friends, old and new, and those I've made through this blog.  It seems there are many Virgo's among us:: my Birthday Wishes to Heather, Charlotte,  Janice, and Teresa!  I want to thank Diane at Persnickety Quilts for the Birthday Tribute too.  It was so nice to be honored in that way.  Gosh, I nearly fell off my chair with surprise!  The fall quilt (she made in 1994) is a stunner, as all of her quilts are.   She's also shared her method for organizing quilt information which I think is brilliant, and I hope to get around to doing that myself one of these days.  

Well, I must say it's been a wonderful birthday week for me, sprinkled with so many of my favorite things.  Including time to relax, a little quilt-sewing,  some fun reading, a walk in the woods, dining out and dining in.  Grace and Ginger baked me the best cake I've ever had, hands down.  They worked on it most of the day.  I was told to cover my eyes and stay out of the kitchen.   I'm always so touched by how hard they try, all the effort they put into things for my sake.  That's a gift in itself.  But they had also wrapped up scented candles, paper goods, and this "jelly roll" presented with their own beautiful handmade cards decorated with cut-outs, glitter, and glue.  I tell ya, it's the gifts of the heart that mean the most. 

And just when I thought it was as good as it could get, the Mister snuck in the back door carrying a huge bouquet of flowers and wrapped his arms around me.  A girl couldn't ask for more than that now could she? 

 

Sweet Annie Quilt

We've been celebrating lots of birthdays these past weeks, and today it's my turn!  I've been getting the *Royal Treatment* all week.  The Mister and the girls have also been taking care of meals, taking me out to dine or cooking up their own specialties.  Not that I dislike being in the kitchen, oh no, on the contrary. What they're giving me is the gift of time.  What a lovely thing that is too. Especially now,  as I reach the other side of (ahem) middle, with time speeding by much faster than it ever used to.  Maybe I'm just moving slower.  Possibly it's both.  In any case, having been given the luxury to concentrate on the frivolous fun stuff of life for more than just a few stolen moments, has indeed been a gift.  A wonderful gift.  Resulting in an updated blog today (hurrah!) and the finished Sweet Annie Quilt here, which I'm wildly happy about.  Apparently so is Miss Lily, as you can see.  Give a cat a quilt, any quilt, and that cat's a happy napper. I love how she's tucked her paws underneath it.  So polite-like. 

The idea and overall concept for the quilt was adapted from a number of books by Kindred Spirits.  They were published during the 90's, but I think you can still find them.  I still have a soft spot for folk art and all things primitive.  A style-sense that always feels so warm and homey to me. I did my own thing here, having gotten much inspiration from my own garden when I began this.  I quilted it sparingly, and with abandon, using two threads of embroidery floss---mostly around the seams where I joined the blocks, to maintain the loft.   

Since it already had a lot of feather stitching and other embroidery, it just seemed right to quilt only where needed to hold it together.  This was fun to work on with lots of little scenes and pictures scattered throughout.  The fabrics, colors, and combinations of those still thrill me.   The colors of nature never seem to lose their appeal.  So it's done!  More pictures here.  Time to put another notch on my belt and pull out another one to finish.  Yes, there are more waiting in that pile.  I've had decades to build up a good supply of them ya know.  But first I need to add this one to the FWYH flickr pool along with the other amazing projects that are starting to show up there.  And I want to say "thank you" again to everyone who continues to stop by here and leave comments, those lovely gestures of friendship that are always so nice to read, that bring a smile to my face and make me wish we all lived closer.  *And now, I really HAVE to (covertly) go and check out that delicious chocolate smell coming from the kitchen.  I think the girls are baking me a birthday cake.  Oh joy!

What's For Lunch?

This is the time of year when things really start getting interesting in the garden. The bean tee-pee is in its glory now and also makes a great hiding place. I think this is the nicest looking one we've ever grown.  There's something magical about them.  A dwelling for fairies and gnomes perhaps?

And of course, there's the scrumptious green beans that magically appear, seemingly overnight.  Basketful's every other day for weeks now.  Fortunately, unlike the big Z, we never seem to tire of eating green beans.  I like to steam them just until they turn bright green or quickly saute them with fresh garlic and olive oil.  By now, you must know that TONS of zucchini has been cooked every-which-way in my kitchen, including something new I just tried; grilled on the panini maker. I was, maybe a little too cheerfully, calling these "zucchini sticks" trying to drum up a little excitement at mealtime.  Cooking them this way only seemed to intensify the flavor though.  Good, if you really really love squash, but the girls weren't too thrilled with it.  They like this stuff better as an ingredient and not on its own.   Can't say I blame them.  I really don't remember liking it much either when I was their age.  Especially since it's been on the table, almost every night, in one form or another for months now.  (I do provide choices and they eat a lot of other veggies so I don't worry about it at all.)  The cucumbers and tomatoes have been very good this year.  They got a late start, but are making up for it now.  I've had to freeze quite a few tomatoes and we still have oodles.  They will do well for sauces and soups later in the season.  I don't think we've had to buy many vegetables at all this summer except for maybe potatoes and onions.  I might plant a few of those next year though.  It's so satisfying to go out the back door and pick what you need.  Often times I only intend to gather a little basil or rosemary to season a dish, and come back with an armload of other stuff along with it.  Like yesterday, I went out to pick beans, and had to go back to the house for a bigger basket.  And my camera, because I wanted to remember this feeling I have when I'm standing in my garden.  And how it inspires me. 

The colors and textures are at their peak and really quite amazing right now. 

I tried to capture that garden feeling in a patchwork crazy quilt.  It's the one I started long ago, inspired from gardens past, with it's random placement of fabric patterns and subtle shades of greens, golds, purples and browns.  I'm almost to the "finish line" with it now and that is making me very happy!  I'll share it all soon.

Keeping Myself In Stitches

I'm coming in for a landing, but can't stay long.  Still have much to do.  Last week's pattern orders are finally out the door, (whew!) my desk is cleaned off, and I'm making steady progress on my email correspondence, but there's no food in the house and I still need to unpack.   Thank goodness there's still some beans, cantaloupe and tomatoes out back to sustain us.  And a zuchinni that grew to monstrous proportions while we were away.  (ha ha) I think I'm going to need a wheelbarrow to get it to the house.  Oh, and I just put the new *free-with-purchase* transfers up on the website this morning.  I've had a blast stitching these.  This owl design is reprinted from an old one, but I just had to add the spider and web.   (This owl expresses my feeling about spiders exactly!)  There's also a new page of freebie print-outs here that you can trace too.   Enjoy!

As for me, I'm happy to tell you that I finally got this unfinished quilt-top out after it sat for way too long---years, in fact---found a batting remnant and a backing fabric the right size, pinned it all together, and have actually put a few quilting stitches in it.   Woo-hoo!  After such a busy week, I grabbed it before crashing in my chair last night and hit the DVR button.  Stitching away now and catching up on some of my favorite recorded shows at the same time.   I'm totally loving that they're running Northern Exposure episodes again in Hi-Def.  I'd forgoten just how hilarious and well done the series was.  I'm also, really tickled to hear that some of you have already tackled your UFO's and have the pictures to prove it.  No slackers around here that's for sure!   For those that have asked about the FWYH button;  feel free to grab it and use it where ever a little inspiration is needed. 

Last Hurrah of Summer

Let's see now.  What day is it?  Thursday...already?  I always seem to lose track of time whenever I leave home.  We've been over on the coast since Sunday, soaking up the last golden days of summer.  There was a mix of good weather.  Long walks on the beach.  Some stitching in the evenings. 

Lovely people, and animal-watching from the deck. 

A few surprises ::  like deer trotting around on the beach.

All of it, bittersweet.  The end of a season.  We've returned home sunkissed and completely ready to embrace fall now, though looking at these pictures again, it suddenly seems too quiet around here.  Missing the sound of the sea rushing in and out. 

No hook-up or WiFi at the beach house,  so I'm just now getting back to answering many emails, returning phone calls, and printing up the PatternBee orders that were placed after Saturday.  These will be on their way very soon, pinky promise! *Thank You* stitching friends, I really appreciate your business and your patience.   And I really appreciate the renewed enthusiasm for Finish What You Have too, so let's go forward with it and see how much we can all get accomplished. 

FAQ Friday

Thanks everyone for the feedback on Sarah's peasant blouse.  I wasn't surprised that so many of you were as happy as I was to find that pattern.   I should have added that Miriam's booklet was easy to follow and perfect (as she states) for the beginner seamstress.  I keep going back to her site and admiring the Mexican dress she made.  I told her I have some lovely white linen sitting here all ready and waiting to make another blouse (for me this time).  I've been saving it, waiting for the right project, and this is it.  Sarah wants to design another yoke too, so I've given her some paper with the pattern traced onto it to experiment with.  I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Well, here it is Friday already and we're about to head off into a busy weekend.  Before I skip happily into the sunset, here's the latest FAQ from my laptop to yours.  Just some of the things inquiring minds want to know. . .

      Q.  You mentioned the cute Japanese craft books that you get a lot of ideas from? Two questions: 1) where do you buy/order the books? and 2) how do you figure out the patterns and instructions if you don't read Japanese? ~Teresa A.  Lots of people still wonder about this I hear.  Obtaining Japanese craft books and magazines is somewhat of a challenge.  They're usually not readily available in bookstores and shops outside of larger, more ethnically mixed cities, so shopping online is usually how I find them.  Check out this site and another here.  Both have English versions, but you will have to do your own currency conversion to figure out how much things cost.  If you aren't up to that challenge, check out Super Buzzy and this auction site for the best selling titles.    Aside:  Crafting Japanese is an excellent site for finding books and getting a peak at what's inside them.  It's mainly a collective forum for sharing book information with a corresponding handmade project.  The site is currently in flux and in need of a little revisional TLC and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to live on in any form, because it's been a valuable resource.   Very much appreciated by me anyway and I assume by many crafters. As far as "reading Japanese", no one I know does!  But fortunately, most of the craft books have detailed drawings of each step.  Some even include printed pattern sheets.   With others you have to guess at the size specs, but for most things it's not that difficult if you have a little sewing knowledge.    Even if you can't figure it out, sometimes they're just nice to have around to inspire creativity.  Photos shown are from one of my favorite books from 2006,  and contains an excellent variety of tote bags:  ISBN4-07-246480-5.  (It's the book in the lower right corner of the top photo.)

Q.  How do you stay motivated to finish all the things you start?  I have so many half-finished projects and can't seem to stay focused on any of them.   Any advice you can give me?  ~Liz

A.  Well, keeping it real, I don't always finish everything I start.  For example,  I've been pulling this quilt out and putting a few stitches on it for eight years now.  It's been a WIP way too long and I really should finish it, but I never seem to get around to it.  This is a problem I think we all struggle with and for various reasons.  I blogged about it last year when I got fed up with all my UFO's (unfinished objects) and called for a month of Finish What You Have.   That in itself was very motivating, especially because a lot of crafter's were also on board with the idea and we kind of inspired each other to push on.  A flickr group formed and the finished projects started materializing. I find that if I have too many things started, I get overwhelmed, lose all ambition, and get depressed from inactivity.  I also find that when I finish things and/or just clean-up my workspace, I feel rejuvinated and inspiration has a place to grow.    Maybe it's time to re-visit that idea again.  Anyone else ready to meet the challenge?

Wednesday Wonders

There's been a parade of deer through the yard today.  One group after another, mostly does with fawns trotting behind.  They're always wandering through, but usually not this many in short succession.  I'd already counted eleven before anyone else was out of bed.  Three were grazing in the grass outside my office window a few minutes ago.  I love watching them.  One of the fawns wandered away from it's mama and starting digging in a huge pile of shredded landscape bark that we have sitting at the end of the driveway.  Yes, I said digging with his little hoof.  It reminded me of a cat using a litter box, and I thought, surely he's not going to do THAT!  I kept watching.  He continued digging for several more minutes.  When he was quite satisfied, he curled up in the hole he'd made.  Apparently, even deer have their own particular creature comforts.

Deer are such scatty things and will bolt at the slightest movement.   Somehow I managed to get a decent picture of him through window blinds and the screen, using a zoom.  Look at that face.  OK, I guess I can forgive you for chomping the Lady's Mantle we carelessly planted out in the open and didn't spray.  The only thing we forgot to spray with the magic concoction---that's still working btw.  Alright.  Enough about the crazy deer...

Back to fun biz here... I want to talk about this pattern.   I've always wondered how these traditional peasant style garments were made.  Searched around for years in fact trying to discover the secret behind them.  So I was really excited when I found this website from the Mexican Dress Lady herself, with a download for $5.  Can you believe this is constructed from a square and four rectangles?  Well, it is!  It's so simple, it's brilliant.  Maybe I'm the last to know, but after I made this, I was amazed.  You can make a blouse or a dress.  It's all measured out to fit your size.  I made a little blouse for Ginger, (who is ten) to start with, just to make sure I was on the right path.   I just couldn't believe it was that simple.  She designed the yoke and I did the embroidery.   It's a project I'm pretty sure she can do herself next time, with a little help, but I wanted to make one first, before she put forth all the effort, just in case of disappointment. 

We're both really happy with how it turned out though.  I used a good quality unbleached muslin.  The only thing I did differently was to cut out two yoke pieces, instead of roll-hemming the neck edge.  I used one as a facing to hide raw edges and cover the back of the embroidery, which finished it quite neatly and made a nicer edge for the blanket-stitching.    There are going to be a lot more of these in my future.