Summer Cleaning

Scrap Quilt Blocks WIP
Originally uploaded by Little Gray Dog

The past couple of days I have been on a cleaning tear. That includes reorganizing all of my fabric and craft supplies and making sure all of my scraps are sorted and ironed. Is this normal quilter behavior, probably not, but I've never been accused of being "normal".

While sorting I found a bunch of Heather Bailey and Amy Butler scraps. To make good use of them and clear out my stash a little I made up 6 12"by12" blocks. What I will do with them...not sure yet, but I'm thinking maybe add a thin green border around each of the blocks then line them up horizontally (across what would be the lower middle of my bed when the quilt is finished) and add solid cream above and below the row of scrappy blocks. I've seen a couple of these quilts and it really gives a chance for the quilting to shine. I wish I could find a photo because I just re-read that description and I'm not even sure I know what I'm taking about.

E, little gray dog and I are headed up to Maine for the weekend/week. Both of my sisters will be visiting and it will be the first time I've seen my one year old nephews since Christmas. I'm looking forward to a little relaxation, some tasty scallops and perhaps a few Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ales.

Until next week (or access to the Internet, which is doubtful in DownEast Maine)!

K-

All the Free Time in the World

And this is what happens to me...


A terribly broken sewing machine completely torn apart that I can't seem to fix. Everyone I know keeps telling me to just go out and buy another one but in the back of my head I can't help but think that it's a bad idea to make a big purchase when I'm not working. Of course I try to stay optimistic that a job will come soon, but you never know in this economy how long it will take. I was telling a fellow masters grad the other day how frustrating this process is and he sent me this text message, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about dancing in the rain". I think that means buy a new machine right?? I'm considering the Singer 7470 and the Singer 7469q. The 7470 has good reviews in consumer reports and seems to have a lot of options that would be nice upgrades. I've never worked on a computerized machine before so I don't know much about it, but am excited to learn.

My lovely mother told me to purchase a machine and put it on her credit card. Amusingly enough, my first machine (the one I'm currently using, or was using until it broke) was a Christmas gift from my her the year after I graduated from college. When I told her I wanted a sewing machine as my "big gift" she laughed and said ok, but asked several times if I was sure. "You'll never use it" was what she meant but never really fessed up to until recently. Well after 4 years she's changed her tune quite a bit hasn't she?
I think this cute little charm quilt made from Heather Bailey's beautiful Freshcut line might have put her over the edge:)

Off to read more sewing machine reviews

K