There is a great picture on my good old computer that is now incompatible with Blogger of the Pink Chalk Studio's Mail Sack bag I made this weekend. Really, the tan and pink bag with is sprightly striped lining is hanging in the flowering crab and looking quite dashing. Unfortunately, my antique computer operating system is no longer supported by Blogger, so if you'd like to see my lovely new bag, you'll have to join me at Nancy's Sewing Weekend next Thursday and Friday. My bag will go everywhere I go, and if you're there, I'll certainly be happy to show it off for you.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Possibilities
Sometimes things have to sit for a bit to tell me what will come next. This quilt top, for example, seemed like a really good idea when I started it several years ago. By the time it got this far, however, it seemed to have lost its charm and was set aside to wait for further inspiration.
It's waited and waited and finally, maybe, there's a glimmer of possibility. There's not enough of the tone-on-tone fabric that alternates with the little hour-glass squares for a full border, and a contrast border just seems too heavy somehow for what was intended to be a soft-looking little nap quilt. There is, though, a yard of a lovely soft print that would coordinate well with the feel of the quilt that could be incorporated into the border. And then there are those yo-yo's made with many of the same reds that are in the quilt and some of the same or very similar greens that might work for vines and leaves. Yes, there's hope. Not a definite plan, but hope.
In the meantime, however, there are always hexagons for putzing. These, too, lack a defined destiny, but they are starting to add up to possibilities of their own. I originally thought that when I had 20 flowers made, I would devise a plan for a quilt. Now that I have 18 made, I think I'll do some serious planning when I have 35. 
Until then, which might be a while, I'll just keep stitching.
It's waited and waited and finally, maybe, there's a glimmer of possibility. There's not enough of the tone-on-tone fabric that alternates with the little hour-glass squares for a full border, and a contrast border just seems too heavy somehow for what was intended to be a soft-looking little nap quilt. There is, though, a yard of a lovely soft print that would coordinate well with the feel of the quilt that could be incorporated into the border. And then there are those yo-yo's made with many of the same reds that are in the quilt and some of the same or very similar greens that might work for vines and leaves. Yes, there's hope. Not a definite plan, but hope.
In the meantime, however, there are always hexagons for putzing. These, too, lack a defined destiny, but they are starting to add up to possibilities of their own. I originally thought that when I had 20 flowers made, I would devise a plan for a quilt. Now that I have 18 made, I think I'll do some serious planning when I have 35. 
Until then, which might be a while, I'll just keep stitching.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
To everything there is a season?
Most years at this time the all-consuming happenings here revolve around this
The woods are tapped and all the kids make it a point to come home during the few weeks of intense maple syrup production. We love helpers who will pitch in to pick up sap
And help fuel the fire for the long hours it takes to cook the sap into maple syrup. 
Even Daisy puts in her fair share of time watching the evaporator.
Even Daisy puts in her fair share of time watching the evaporator.
Most of all we love seeing the sparkling finished product lined up and ready to hold us over for another year of sales, gifts and just plain good eating.
This year, though, all these things are just sweet memories. Between March's 70-degree days and Paul's ankle that will not allow him to tramp around out in the woods, the usual highlight of our spring is just a sweet memory. Good thing we still have about 20 gallons of syrup on hand to get us through until the next maple season!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Everything but the kitchen sink
A guest post by Alyssa.
For those of you following VVG and are saddened the dearth of recent posts there, it is because I am busy working, working, working for pay - not a lot of cooking, cooking, cooking or blogging, blogging, blogging. But last weekend, I was sick of all the work and decided to take on a creative project.
I had strict parameters for this project. First, it had to be a project that I could finish from start to finish in one afternoon. Second, I could not run out to buy any supplies. You see, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree (my mom created a monster!!) and in the last year I've acquired a great deal of fabric supplies. I live in a small apartment. I don't have room for copious amounts of supplies!
But, after completing this project, I now have room for many, many more supplies.
You see this pouf?
Pretty nice, huh?
You'll never believe what's inside.
I used Butterick 5230 for my pattern, but after reading the construction methods, abandoned ship because the finish would have looked, well, awful. Luckily, I found this post from Better Homes and Gardens about how to finish the pouf more to my liking. Aside from the better construction methods, step #10 came in particularly handy when I was stuffing my mammoth pouf.
You see, the Butterick pattern did not specify how much poly-fil to use for the project. So I bought 3 -20oz bags thinking that would cover it. How wrong I was. I stuffed all three in, and barely filled half of this pouf. So, upon the suggestion of BHG, I went digging in my closet and found two - not one, but two! - 18" down pillows that I wasn't using. I wrestled those, much like this cowboy wresting the calf, into the pouf via an 8" hole. Yee-haw!!
Still, not full.
So, I went digging again. I found some old long underwear from my college days and stuffed about 8 shirts and pants into the pouf.
Still, not full.
I put in all the scraps from any project I've done in the past year, including a couple of muslin dresses and skirts.
Still, not full.
I dug up two old queen sized sheets and crammed those in.
Still, not full.
I found an Elmo Halloween costume and added that to the pouf.
And finally, the pouf was full. With pretty much everything except the kitchen sink.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Piles of progress
Here it is -- a week's worth of progress (mostly early mornings before getting ready for work) on this flying geese quilt. All the light geese are finished and sewn together in groups of four. All the dark geese are pieced, paired in twos and waiting patiently to become sets of four. Once those sets are done, the lights and darks will be paired to make 12" blocks that will be easy to maneuver for the best color and fabric distribution. 
Not only will the layout be easier, but since I absolutely hate working with long strips, the piecing will be more to my liking as well.
Karl and Alissa were here for a short visit today. In the back of my mind, this quilt was for them. When Alissa expressed her agreement to that notion, my excitement over its completion grew even more. Another week of early mornings. Maybe an evening or two, and some weekend time, and I'll have this pieced. It is such a thrill to let quilts happen!
Not only will the layout be easier, but since I absolutely hate working with long strips, the piecing will be more to my liking as well. Karl and Alissa were here for a short visit today. In the back of my mind, this quilt was for them. When Alissa expressed her agreement to that notion, my excitement over its completion grew even more. Another week of early mornings. Maybe an evening or two, and some weekend time, and I'll have this pieced. It is such a thrill to let quilts happen!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Leaving it to destiny
Do you ever have an idea that seems not to let go? Keeping fabric around as long as I do might explain that to some degree, but that is beside the point. This wonderful leaf print - about 2 yards of it - has been with me longer than I care to admit. In all those years, I've tried a couple of ideas with it, but never to my satisfaction. I knew, all along it seems, it should be part of a flying geese quilt. But flying geese were always so putsy, I never wanted to commit. Now that I've learned to make flying geese in a much more efficient (and much less wasteful) manner, it seemed time to finally get this wonderful fabric into a quilt.
Unfortunately, a few sample blocks set on the fabric in the manner I've envisioned for all this time, left me sorely disappointed.
Not be be deterred and convinced that the contrast between the blocks and leaf print was too stark, I made a few blocks substituting a dark background for the light. A step in the right direction maybe, but still not all that impressive.
And so I let the idea simmer while I made a pot of coffee and threw some clothes in the washer. With a fresh cup in hand, it occurred to me that dropping the long-held notion of having the leaves serve as dividing strips might be the answer. Covering that one row of leaves with flying geese provided my answer. The leaves weren't meant to be stripes -- they were meant to be a frame.
All the pieces are cut for a throw-size quilt. (I had a day of vacation on Friday and managed to get a ton of cutting and marking done.) In fact, all the light background geese units, as well as a good portion of the dark units, are completed. I'm not kidding you or myself: this won't be done in a week. But what's the rush? These leaves have been waiting a long, long time to meet their destiny.
Unfortunately, a few sample blocks set on the fabric in the manner I've envisioned for all this time, left me sorely disappointed.
Not be be deterred and convinced that the contrast between the blocks and leaf print was too stark, I made a few blocks substituting a dark background for the light. A step in the right direction maybe, but still not all that impressive.
And so I let the idea simmer while I made a pot of coffee and threw some clothes in the washer. With a fresh cup in hand, it occurred to me that dropping the long-held notion of having the leaves serve as dividing strips might be the answer. Covering that one row of leaves with flying geese provided my answer. The leaves weren't meant to be stripes -- they were meant to be a frame.
All the pieces are cut for a throw-size quilt. (I had a day of vacation on Friday and managed to get a ton of cutting and marking done.) In fact, all the light background geese units, as well as a good portion of the dark units, are completed. I'm not kidding you or myself: this won't be done in a week. But what's the rush? These leaves have been waiting a long, long time to meet their destiny.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Anniversary Waltz
The Anniversary Waltz, a flannel quilt for Kit and Violet is finally finished. I picked it up from the longarm quilter last weekend and finished the binding this morning. After taking Paul to the doctor where his cast was removed and replaced with a walking cast, I was excited to have a lovely winter day to catch a few quilt pictures outside.
You may recall the mention of following a couple quilting blogs. Those blogs have artsy photos of quilts. Lately many of those photos have been outside, even in the snow. If they can do it, so can I, right?
Did I mention that this quilt is flannel? And big? And heavy? Giving it a good shake to have it billow out before gently fall to the earth in a perfect fashion didn't work so well.
Not factoring in this morning's brief snow didn't help. Fresh wet snow. A heavy flannel quilt. Big old footprints all around the quilt to disturb the pristine (at least in my imagination) setting.
So it's settled, I am not a photographer. But I am a quilter who is very excited to give her son and daughter-in-law a quilt made with lots of flannel ... and lots of love.
You may recall the mention of following a couple quilting blogs. Those blogs have artsy photos of quilts. Lately many of those photos have been outside, even in the snow. If they can do it, so can I, right?
Did I mention that this quilt is flannel? And big? And heavy? Giving it a good shake to have it billow out before gently fall to the earth in a perfect fashion didn't work so well.
Not factoring in this morning's brief snow didn't help. Fresh wet snow. A heavy flannel quilt. Big old footprints all around the quilt to disturb the pristine (at least in my imagination) setting.
So it's settled, I am not a photographer. But I am a quilter who is very excited to give her son and daughter-in-law a quilt made with lots of flannel ... and lots of love.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Warning
That opened bag of marshmallows in your cupboard ... the marshmallows that are probably from last summer, but you tell yourself no, it can't be that long ... belong in the garbage. They will not just puff up nicely when you think you'll finally use them up in some some Rice Krispy treats. They will turn into a clump of marshmallowy glue. Adding butter in hopes of transforming the gooey mass into a pliable, even suitable marshmallow base for the the snap, crack and pop will not work. Aggravating your already tender tennis elbow by stirring in just a cup or two of Rice Krispies will not be worth your while. You will not be making treats. You'll be making gluey sweet glop. I'm just saying ...
Sunday, January 22, 2012
It all takes time
This may not look like much, but it is a week's worth of English paper pieced hexagons, all basted and ready to inspire the next batch. I'm not really sure what direction these will take in the end, but it will take a lot more of them to get very far.
These, too, are not going very far just yet. 
The orange cast will probably go this week and be replaced with a longer-term version. I'm going to try my hardest to keep working on the hexagons for as long as Paul is laid up. It really is nice to sit with him in the evening with my handwork while we watch a movie together. He's turned down my offers to teach him to knit. So, it's just me with needle in hand and both of us hoping this healing thing goes well. After all, the past week's subzero temps and tonight's freezing rain will fade away in due time and make way for maple syrup time. And crutches in the woods simply won't do.
These, too, are not going very far just yet. 
The orange cast will probably go this week and be replaced with a longer-term version. I'm going to try my hardest to keep working on the hexagons for as long as Paul is laid up. It really is nice to sit with him in the evening with my handwork while we watch a movie together. He's turned down my offers to teach him to knit. So, it's just me with needle in hand and both of us hoping this healing thing goes well. After all, the past week's subzero temps and tonight's freezing rain will fade away in due time and make way for maple syrup time. And crutches in the woods simply won't do.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Oh hex
The day started out with intentions of cutting a few dozen hexagons to try out these 2-inch hexagon papers I found at Antoinette's quilt shop in Plover. The papers are printed freezer paper pre-cut shapes. (Yes, I could cut my own shapes from freezer paper, but I know I won't.) Just press them to the wrong side of fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance around each, cut and baste for perfect hexagons. The shapes are can be used repeatedly -- until they no longer stick.
As I was saying, the idea was to cut a few dozen hexagons just to have a handwork project available for whenever the mood strikes.
I had just finished ironing the shapes to fabric when the kitchen door opened and Paul yelled for me. So much for the hexagons. So much for his farm chores.
The next five hours were spent in urgent care (without any handwork) while Paul went about the business of having his fractured ankle treated.
There will be another trip to Marshfield later this week to see the orthopedic surgeon. Paul will be on the injured list for a couple of months. The poor guy is going to go crazy. Our sons will do double-duty with their jobs and the farm. I'll go to work. When I'm home in the evening with my uncharacteristically housebound husband I'm going to do handwork -- piecing hexagons -- while dreaming up ways to help him stay on this side of the sanity line.
As I was saying, the idea was to cut a few dozen hexagons just to have a handwork project available for whenever the mood strikes.
I had just finished ironing the shapes to fabric when the kitchen door opened and Paul yelled for me. So much for the hexagons. So much for his farm chores.The next five hours were spent in urgent care (without any handwork) while Paul went about the business of having his fractured ankle treated.
There will be another trip to Marshfield later this week to see the orthopedic surgeon. Paul will be on the injured list for a couple of months. The poor guy is going to go crazy. Our sons will do double-duty with their jobs and the farm. I'll go to work. When I'm home in the evening with my uncharacteristically housebound husband I'm going to do handwork -- piecing hexagons -- while dreaming up ways to help him stay on this side of the sanity line.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Oh, so close
The finish of Kit and Violet's flannel quilt is finally near. The final borders are going on today, but you won't see the quilt until it's all finished. I'm hoping to get it to the long-arm quilter next weekend, and then, at last, to the happy couple.
On the way to the finish line, there were a few bumps in the road. One of those was the backing fabric. This quilt measures about 92x108" -- no small little lap quilt indeed. A quilt this size requires about 9 yards of backing fabric. If you've been to a quilt shop lately, you know that's a tidy little investment, so I opted to shop for a bargain that would still meet my fabric quality standards. My quest took me to Connecting Threads where I found a small floral flannel in what looked like a suitable color to coordinate with the top. I should have trusted the color description, which was mint. Instead I went by price and a hunch that it wouldn't be a bright mint. I was wrong. It was a bright, springy mint. Fresh as toothpaste. Definitely wrong for this quilt. Nine yards of wrong. Even at the bargain sale price, it was still nine yards of a terrible color for this quilt.
Welcome Rit Dye (I find it in the grocery store's detergent aisle). Rit Tan is a miraculous little box of fixing that I've used it on several quilts and fabrics that were just too bright for my purposes. It took two boxes this time, but 9 yards us a lot of fabric.
The original toothpaste-fresh color is obvious in the strip here. The background fabric is the mint flannel after two rounds of Rit Tan. The foreground is the border fabric for the quilt. You'll probably agree the the new subdued mint is a pretty little print that will coordinate nicely with the mood and color of the quilt. I've said it before; I'll say it again: I love Rit!
On the way to the finish line, there were a few bumps in the road. One of those was the backing fabric. This quilt measures about 92x108" -- no small little lap quilt indeed. A quilt this size requires about 9 yards of backing fabric. If you've been to a quilt shop lately, you know that's a tidy little investment, so I opted to shop for a bargain that would still meet my fabric quality standards. My quest took me to Connecting Threads where I found a small floral flannel in what looked like a suitable color to coordinate with the top. I should have trusted the color description, which was mint. Instead I went by price and a hunch that it wouldn't be a bright mint. I was wrong. It was a bright, springy mint. Fresh as toothpaste. Definitely wrong for this quilt. Nine yards of wrong. Even at the bargain sale price, it was still nine yards of a terrible color for this quilt.
Welcome Rit Dye (I find it in the grocery store's detergent aisle). Rit Tan is a miraculous little box of fixing that I've used it on several quilts and fabrics that were just too bright for my purposes. It took two boxes this time, but 9 yards us a lot of fabric.
The original toothpaste-fresh color is obvious in the strip here. The background fabric is the mint flannel after two rounds of Rit Tan. The foreground is the border fabric for the quilt. You'll probably agree the the new subdued mint is a pretty little print that will coordinate nicely with the mood and color of the quilt. I've said it before; I'll say it again: I love Rit!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy Mess of Memories
I'd be very happy to take another year like 2011 (without the lousy governor), thank you very much. Having a real Christmas tree again was the the start of the happy ending. Since a real tree was a health concern the past few years, having one this year became a symbol of the happier, healthier times we hope will continue.
When our kids were young, each one was allowed to pick out one new ornament for the tree every year. Of course a few tree-crashes and years of use means not all have survived, but the ornaments still hold plentiful memories for me. Even better, the kids were pleased to find some of their favorites when they were here for our Christmas celebration over the weekend. After seeing some beautifully ornamented trees in other people's homes, I briefly considered changing my tree-decorating approach. The themed trees are lovely indeed and ever so tempting -- especially those color controlled schemes. But once I started hanging one memory after another, I knew there would never be one here.
I love our happy mess of ornaments that reflect each of our different tastes as the years went by. All the cows Jane sent for years ... the "baby's first Christmas" ornaments ... my personal favorite: Mama Bear, Papa Bear and five baby bears all lined up in a bed ... the nursery rhyme ornaments Mom sent when the kids were little ...the crocheted satin balls Grandma Ruesch made ... the 4-H projects made by Alyssa ... the sometimes reluctantly made projects by the boys ... the single surviving red ball from our first ever tree ... even the angel the kids selected many years ago ... all of them combine to make one happy mess of a tree.
Our Christmas tree .. and the passing year ... leave me feeling just as pleased as the jolly snowman Jeannine stitched on the cutest-ever pillow.
Happy New Year!
When our kids were young, each one was allowed to pick out one new ornament for the tree every year. Of course a few tree-crashes and years of use means not all have survived, but the ornaments still hold plentiful memories for me. Even better, the kids were pleased to find some of their favorites when they were here for our Christmas celebration over the weekend. After seeing some beautifully ornamented trees in other people's homes, I briefly considered changing my tree-decorating approach. The themed trees are lovely indeed and ever so tempting -- especially those color controlled schemes. But once I started hanging one memory after another, I knew there would never be one here.
I love our happy mess of ornaments that reflect each of our different tastes as the years went by. All the cows Jane sent for years ... the "baby's first Christmas" ornaments ... my personal favorite: Mama Bear, Papa Bear and five baby bears all lined up in a bed ... the nursery rhyme ornaments Mom sent when the kids were little ...the crocheted satin balls Grandma Ruesch made ... the 4-H projects made by Alyssa ... the sometimes reluctantly made projects by the boys ... the single surviving red ball from our first ever tree ... even the angel the kids selected many years ago ... all of them combine to make one happy mess of a tree.
Our Christmas tree .. and the passing year ... leave me feeling just as pleased as the jolly snowman Jeannine stitched on the cutest-ever pillow. Happy New Year!
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