How Quickly We Forget..

..the simple pleasure of a new rotary cutting blade. I finally changed it today, and wonder why it didn't occur to me to do it before now? See the old blade? That brown ring is RUST. I do live by the sea where everything rusts, but I think I let this go a bit far.

In retrospect I could've done a better job on the fabric with a steak knife!

I have been sewing all afternoon in the airconditioned comfort of the sewing room. I set the temp to 22 deg C, the dogs got on the spare bed, and I have shocked myself by finishing 99% of the blocks for the Girl Guide raffle quilt. I ended up doing the Bricks and Stepping Stones as per Daniel's quilt, as I really just wanted something easy that I could do pretty quickly. Having just finished the last one I knew exactly how many blocks I needed to make it the size I wanted etc, so I just went for it.

I have used a bit of the lime green, but the rest are pink and purple with a touch of lime and aqua. I even cut into one of my Amy Butler fabrics (not my favourite ones, mind). I will try and finish it tomorrow when I will post a photo of the progress. Then I will have to quilt both of them... It's the pinning and carrying on that I don't like.

Double Pink

When I think of a double pink I think of something like the fabric on the left in this photo. It is fairly bright, but still pink. I wouldn't even mind something like the fabric on the right for the setting squares of my 4 patch, but I can't seem to see anything I like that I can afford. I think the pinks must be very popular and rarely make it to the sales.

Is the one on the left what would be called a double pink? I suppose too that the old quilts we see in books (like the one that inspired me to start the 4 patch) are faded, and we get a feeling for the paler look, even though the quilt probably didn't start out that way.

Anyway, it isn't going anywhere - I'll just keep looking and one day I'll see something.

Pink Fabric

What about this one for the squares?

Addit: sorry that wasn't very clear. I am looking for a pink 1800s fabric for the setting squares of my Repro 4 patch.

I have been out to dinner tonight at the home of another nurse that I have met going to night duty on the boat. Another nurse who lives near me also went with her husband, the hostess' neighbour and SIL were also there. It was nice to get out (she lives on the next island), and nice to meet new people. It isn't too easy to meet people when you are a 42 yo single shiftworker, who really prefers to stay home with her dog and her computer!

It was very nice, but I tell you - when I get home I'm so glad to be home. I really am a solitary person, but I'm constantly forcing myself to connect with other 'real live' people (well ones that are actually in the same town) because I know it's good for me, but really I feel much more comfortable with people's dogs and cats. But I will soldier on and invite them here soon. I'd better start cleaning up the house and sewing room now. Well, in the morning maybe... off to bed.

Stash Enhancement

Well, didn't that last post bring the Brownies, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts out of the closet? I believe it was Lord Baden-Powell in England that started the Boy Scouts, and then Lady B- P started the Girl version, but correct me if I'm wrong...

I have had a heap of coins lying around the house for many months, that I always mean to take to the bank. Some of them made it into individual plastic bags, others were just lying around. Last week I finally got them all together and counted it up - $60! You beauty!

Today I took it to the bank, then promptly went and spent $60 on some stash, or as Karen would say "Collection" Enhancement. It felt so good, as I have been trying very hard not to spend any money lately (mainly cos I haven't had any to spare). I went to about the only shop around here that I buy from any more. They get in a limited assortment of fabrics that are often 2nds, at approx 1/3 the normal price here. Sometimes the white of the selvedge is a bit wider than it should be, or occasionally there is a repeated spot where the pattern is a bit lighter, but many of them have no visible fault.

I found some Michael Millers, some black and whites, a few odd ones, and this pink one (separate photo) which is a Judie Rothermel Art Deco range. I have been looking hard for a reasonably priced Repro pink or double pink for the big squares in my Repro 4 patch, but have had no luck. I was even thinking of just using shirtings, but then I saw this today. I suppose if it's called Art Deco it is 1920's, but then it looks like an 1800s design to me. Try and click on it and see if it will give you a closer look.

I only bought 0.5m so will try it out with some of the 4 patches and see if it looks any good. Thoughts please from the Repro fabric Fans. Off to fondle my fabric...

Finished Flimsy

I'm very happy as I have just finished the Flimsy of Daniel's Quilt. It is pinned up sideways in the photo - it is about 50" x 74". I'm very pleased as I haven't been able to get motivated to do any real sewing for ages - just the hexagons.

I'm planning to put the remainder of the lime green homespun on the back. I just hope he likes it, and doesn't think it is too young for him. He is 7. If he isn't too keen on it I have another plan for it, so we will see.

I was talking to one of the other nurses on the boat going to work the other night, who is also the Girl Guide Leader on Russell Island. Do you have Guides in the US? I think you have something similar but with a different name. Anyway we were talking about it as I was a Guide back in the Dark Ages. It seems they are always short of money and have to do fund-raising to keep afloat, so I thought I'd make a quilt they could raffle. If Daniel isn't too keen I'll give her this one, or else I was thinking of a String Quilt like the String-X on Quiltville, as I have a lot of pink fabric that I can't see me using in the near future. I don't think this Bricks and Stepping Stones would work, as they are mainly light toned fabrics, not mediums. I do have 2 x 1/2 yard pieces of cute pale pink fabric; one with bikinis, and the other with fashion-type motifs on it which I could use for the triangles. I'll think about it. Apparently the girls in the group are mainly 9 or 10 yo, so I suppose it would be better to do something a bit girly.

Otherwise not much happening. "Don't mention the cricket" is the motto around here. It is amazing how many South Africa fans have popped up this week - one that doesn't even live there, and one that is really an Aussie. Gail and Ruth you know who you are!

Australia : CLOSED

I'm sorry to report that all followers of the Cricket have declared Australia CLOSED to the Rest of the World for a suitable period of Grieving, and for some Squirming in Shame and Horror.

Australia will reopen eventually...

Scary Photo

I can't imagine that you are all too excited to see my right foot, but you may have noticed the lump on the ankle. Yes this is my foot pedal foot, and it is rather sore. I twisted it on a bit of uneven road this morning, and at the time it felt ok, but a few hours later it was very swollen and sore. So after elevation, ice and drugs it is feeling better, but I'm going to baby it as I am due back at work in under 48 hrs.

Now the good news is that this gives me a really great excuse to sit on the couch tomorrow with it up watching the cricket, doing more bloody hexagons. I know I don't sound too in love with the project at the moment - I even had an evil thought about starting some in 1930's colours tomorrow... But I think I want smaller ones for that.

The Aussies MUST WIN tomorrow, or we will have to close off Australia to the Rest of the World while we squirm in shame for being beaten by the Poms. So if you don't hear from me or Tracey for a while, you will know that the worst has happened...

Speaking of which, there is a message on Clare's blog saying that Jen (Hedgehog) is fine, just hibernating as apparently Hedgehogs do in the winter.

I've Turned a Corner

Too corny for words, I know, but...
I haven't been doing too much quilting so I'm excited when 'something' happens. I'm still plodding along with the hexagons, but I have to admit I'm not as keen as I was. But I can't stop, or start a new hand sewing project til I'm finished.

I've had a cold, so have been laying low, but I have been reading other people's blogs - there are so many to look at now that it is a real effort to keep up with them all. I know I keep saying it, but I think some small quilts are next on the agenda. I'm a bit fed up with myself starting all these great big ones, then struggling to finish.

I'm inspired by all the lovely quilts on Karen's blog Sewprimitive, and want to try something similar. I also love the customer's quilt Patti has on Quilting is My Passion. I'd like to try some applique too, but that is hand sewing which totally goes against my promise above . I also saw a little string quilt on someone's blog (can't remember who - Dawn's Quilts and Pieces), which would be a perfect way to use up the scraps from the hexagon quilt. So much to do, so little gets done...

But boring things beckon - I'm going to hang out the washing, iron my uniform for work, have some lunch, then go to bed in preparation for work tonight. What a drag, huh?

Adit: in response to questions - I have 'heaps' of projects on the go, but I'm afraid with the hand sewing project, because it is so time consuming, that if I stop I'll never start again. I'm trying to have some discipline (dirty word for me) and keep going with it til the bitter end. I have about 5 other quilts in various stages, not to mention the flimsies that need quilting!