Sew & Tell ~ 10/31/2022

What???  Here we are ready to turn the page of the calendar to a new month... Time marches on and waits for nobody!

Last week everyone entertained me quite well as I limited the use of my right arm...

Kim at the Purring Cottage shared that she was making two quilts that she was using as a leader/ender project.  

Frederique at The Quilting Patch showed us her collection of International Sisters blocks.

And last, but not least... Brenda at Songbird Designs announced her Monday Musings Linky Party.  Feel free to jump over there and link up... and spread the news!

I grew bored of binging shows and decided that I could take advantage of some of the "down time" and write some stories and posts for the future... I quickly found out that the small motion of typing was nearly as aggravating to my arm as the embroidery or hand-sewing. **sigh**

I figured that if my arm was going to get tired I should make it tired in my studio. I started with small sessions... an hour in the morning, followed by a rest and then an hour in the afternoon... again followed by some down time as I read a book.

With each session, I was slowly able to get all 12 of my Flittering Leaf blocks made for the Pieces in the Garden Row Quilt.

By Friday I had the row sewn together and added to the quilt top... AND a narrow sashing border around the entire quilt.

After staring at the top on the design wall for hours trying to decide on borders, I had decided that a very narrow strip (flange) of bright pick offered a much-needed pop to frame it along with a solid teal.  Even Dave commented on it as he retrieved something from the guest room closet (it currently resides on the guest bed as it awaits quilting...

I even managed to get it sandwiched!  

I will be doing a large-ish clamshell quilting design on it.  

My choice of batting is Hobbs Heirloom Fusible batting.  It has been my go-to batting for years.  It is repositionable so if I end up with a small wrinkle in the backing as I fuse it, I can simply lift the fabric and smooth out and re-fuse it into place.  As an added measure to make sure nothing shifts, I do pin it every 9-12 inches or so.

I am anticipating that the quilting on this will be slow going.  I'll need to set a timer to force remind myself that I need to take a break.  Or maybe I just need to quilt one row of clamshells and then take a break... go sit and read or do something that doesn't require use of my upper arm muscles. 

I think I will make it November's One Month Goal.  Watch for the finish!  

What have you been sewing?  

Time to show your Sew & Tell..  Link up or leave a comment.  

Keep Piecing!

Melva

PS... did you happen to see Patricia's Wrench blocks?

Linking with:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

Teatime with TT ~ Halloween ~ Bonus Block Flittering Leaf

Welcome to teatime with TT... Tressie Teegarden.  Today, we chat with Tressie (and Forrest) about their childhood memories of Halloween... grab a cup of tea and settle in.

Grandma, when you were a young girl, did you go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween?  What did you dress up as?  

Yes. (We would do trick-or-treating) but we didn't really dress up.  We would bundle up because it was always cold.  One year the Stone's had a party.

Did you carve a pumpkin?  Did you make scary faces or happy face pumpkins?

Yes, we always carved a pumpkin.  I usually made happy faces.

What kind of treats did you get?  

We would get candy.  I don't remember having to do any tricks though.

How about you, Grandpa?  When you were young, did you go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween?  

I never went trick-or-treating or dressed up.  We would go to parties occasionally though.  We would peel grapes and then turn the lights out and tell scary stories.  The peeled grapes were supposed to be eyeballs.  We would bob for apples too.

Did you carve a pumpkin?  

I couldn't tell you...

One story I remember Grandma telling about when she was pregnant with my Mom, who was born on November 1... 

I was handing out treats to all of the kids that came by and one of them had on a scary costume and said "Boo!" and next thing I know I was in labor.  

Haha!

Since we lived near the end of a long country road with no nearby neighbors or much of a neighborhood, we never had trick-or-treaters come to our house.  I remember going Trick-or-Treating as a child a few times.  I think my parents would take us to visit a few houses in town of family members or others we knew, and I recall that I went one year with a friend.  We were never permitted to just "roam the neighborhoods" as my husband talks about.  He and his friends would plan out their routes for hours to be able "hit" as many houses as possible.

I also remember making popcorn balls to pass out at a school party or to share with cousins.  Here's the recipe... It's always fun to choose a gelatin color/flavor for the season.  Like, orange for Halloween, red and green for Christmas (because we always needed twice as many), red/white/blue in the summertime... you get the idea, right? 😉

I mentioned earlier this month that I prefer "Fall" or "Autumn" over Halloween... so to celebrate "all of fall with y'all", here is Bonus Block #3 ~ Flittering Leaf.  The leaf alone is 3" finished and you will need 16 to make up a row.  OR you can do as I am and add coping strips to make it a 4-1/2" unfinished block (only 12 needed) allowing for you to turn the blocks this way and that to make it look like the leaves of the trees flittering down to the ground.  

Coping strips... isn't that a cool term?  I just heard it a few weeks ago and love it... because sometimes you do the best you can and cope with making up any deficiencies or short falls in the end.  And since I am in recovery mode from a bout with shingles and limiting the use of my dominant, right arm, I am going for fewer blocks!

Follow the highlighted link above to get the pattern, but before you go... 

Tell me about some of your favorite Halloween memories.

I'd love to hear from you!

Grab the free pattern and then share your finished blocks with me!  I'd love to see them 🍁🍂  

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at True Blue Quilts

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

m

Words of Wednesday

As I have been in recovery mode from an outbreak of shingles for the past week, I have had plenty of time for reflection, assessment, review and plans.  I have come to the conclusion that...

I am meant to live a creative life! ~ Photo by Amy Ellis ~ 

I have made little progress since the weekend on the Bridal Veil... I am trying to limit the use of my right arm/shoulder some additional time to heal as that is the area of my body affected by the virus.  

I have managed to update the Pieces in the Garden page with all of the links available to each story and pattern.  It isn't something that many will notice, but I often link back to the page when I mention it in other stories/posts.  I can feel good about that and it brings me to some of my reflection and assessment...

In 2016 I participated in a quilt blogger group where we offered peer reviews and critiques of each other's blogs.  This is what was suggested...

Please focus on the look, feel, and ease of navigation more than content.  Make your suggestions positive and actionable.  Instead of “I can’t find your recent quilt finishes easily enough,” you can instead write “I really like your quilting style. Have you considered adding a tab at the top of blog that contains all of your recent finishes so that people can find them easily?”  

I am a "secretary" at heart and know and understand the importance of reviews and proof-reading by others of something you just wrote... getting some new eyes on it is always a great way to catch errors before a letter or other business documents goes out.  Since six years have passed since that initial review, I thought it would be a good idea to ask for your review or assessment of Melva Loves Scraps.    

How am I doing?

Are you willing to share some of the things you really like here on MLS?  I'll even take a few suggestions to improve.  What would you like to see more of?  Detail photos?  Overall details like quilt sizes, thread, fabric and batting used?  More tutorials? 

I asked you last week about sew alongs... 

How do you decide if you want to participate in a block of the month or sew-along event?  

Is it the skill level?  Is it a specific colorway?  Is it a technique?  Is it the story that accompanies the patterns?  The size of the finished quilt?  Something else?  

Do you like to see all of the blocks or a finished quilt before you start?  Do you mind more of a "mystery" approach with a monthly reveal?  Does a cost for the pattern deter you?  Would you buy a kit?  Would you rather use your own fabric?  Does the chance to win a prize entice you?

I'm heading to my studio for a short sewing therapy session.  Feel free to leave your thoughts about any of these questions.

One last one... Have you been enjoying the Sew & Tell Sessions?  No need to be a blogger to participate!  Did you know that you can link up an Instagram or fb post?  

Piece and Love...

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Sew & Tell ~ October 24, 2022 ~the shingles edition :'(

I don't really have much to show this week since I, sadly, have been knocked on my hiney by a case of shingles...  😖

I snuck into my sewing room on Wednesday as I was waiting for my Rx to be filled and made a small maple leaf block and got a few pieces cut for more... and there they sit until I feel better. 😢

I have moved past the skin sensitivity and only went downhill from there.  Friday I did spend time, probably too MUCH time, working on the embroidered Bridal Veil...

So for now... I sit and binge.  Heartland, The Crown, Great British Baking Show... and anything else that may seem interesting.

I really had thought that I'd be seeing greater improvement by now.  Of course, as I read about cases lasting 3-5 weeks I was discouraged and believed that with the Rx and natural remedies I have been using I would be different.  *sigh*  I guess I am just "normal."  hahaha...

Show me your stuff!  Leave a comment... I need something different to do.

As I sipped on a hot cup of (Yogi) tea the other night I liked the saying on the tag... "Breathe in peace and breathe out blessings to all."  I like the idea of changing the spelling of peace to piece... It seems appropriate for a quilter. 😉 

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

m

Thankful Thursday ~ October 20, 2022

The Bible tells us that we should be thankful in all circumstances... not thankful FOR all circumstances...

I am repeating this constantly as I sit here (Wednesday afternoon) waiting for a prescription for shingles to be filled.  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to utilize the free tele-health feature that comes with our insurance.  I'm thankful that technology worked properly and that I was able to send a few pictures of the area of rash that I have on my arm.  After a short discussion with a doctor on the phone he confirmed that my suspicions were correct.

So THAT was the reason my right arm had been aching for days since carrying and lifting our 18-month-old granddaughter while at the local pumpkin patch!  

In addition to the on-line physician and Rx he suggested, I called upon the wisdom and knowledge of my naturopath's office.  I have greatly increased the curcumin anti-inflammatory supplement that I take daily, added L-Lysine and am using a topical pain reliever for the sensitive area on my forearm.  **sigh**  I am thankful for them, their advice and natural treatments in addition to the Rx.

I am assured by numerous friends that the antiviral medication works quickly... I am trusting their assurance and experience that I will be feeling better very soon!  For this I am offering thanks despite feeling some discomfort.

I'm not sure if the confirmation and diagnosis has me feeling worse.  Or if it is just the stage of the virus.  Is it the fact that my right arm down to my wrist is hypersensitive and my right shoulder into my neck feels like a strained muscle?  Or is it a mental thing???  Whatever it is... I am ready for it to go away!

I've been feeling pretty well lately too!  Clear mind, good focus, energy and productivity, resting/sleeping well at night (except for Tuesday night when I was waking frequently with pain in my ear).  Dave and I have settled into a nice routine of visiting and worshipping at several local churches.  We feel that none of them alone are a "perfect fit" to meet our Spiritual needs, but we are enjoying the combination of all of them, and each fulfills a different area.  

By "Church hopping" we have reconnected with several families that we have known over the years. One family, who had we been attending just one church, would never have felt comfortable enough to stop by and ask for some advice regarding some car troubles.  We were happy to oblige when they agreed that it was best to leave their car in our driveway until they could get an appointment for a repair.  It just feels good to be able to meet others in their times of need. 💗

Since I have been ordered by Dave to sit and relax in the living room (and since we haven't managed to get away for camping), I will binge some shows and work on the embroidered "bridal veil" that will be the center medallion of a table topper for my Mom.  I am grateful that I am able to utilize the skills that I learned as a child and for my cousin, Helen, that taught me.

I have made some progress on it since I last shared...  The pattern indicated that all of the leaves were to be done in a satin stitch.  I have chosen to do an outline stitch and will use satin stitching on part of the center flower.  I thought it would be too much... but, I guess, if I am being completely honest, I don't like doing the satin stitch. LOL!  I struggle getting the threads to stay perfectly straight.

The slow-stitching will keep my hands occupied and allow my mind to not focus on discomfort or pain... 

I'm going to go soak in an Epsom salts bath and put on some comfy clothes and go relax and stitch.

What are you thankful for?  

How do you stay thankful in all circumstances when it is challenging?

Leave a comment... I'd could use all of the suggestions!

Be blessed and keep piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

To-Do List Tackled

Last week I had looked forward to two fast finishes...  And I was successful!  Funfetti with the pink 4-patch blocks and some 1990s era pink and green was a great practice for me with stippling.

Alycia had suggested doing free-motion hearts.  I took her suggestion and ran with it.  You can read all about the details by clicking the link above.

The Black & White quilt was a quick piecing job as well... I had the most difficult time trying to decide on what colors to pair with them.

Red, yellow and lime green were among the suggestions offered... I really, really wanted to go with some traditional primary colors... drawing inspiration from the fabric that I chose for border and backing... I insisted on it!  And I tried to force it.  After selecting red, yellow and blue fabrics I started adding them to the design wall.  I kept snapping pictures as I added a few more.  It was certainly scrappy... but unsettling to my eyes and my mind.  

After letting it sit overnight (can you say time out?) I returned and took down all of the colored blocks.  The quilt needed something to offer more consistency and calm down the B/W... I pulled out a scrappy assortment of red, yellow and teal fabrics to replace them.  

As I placed these blocks on the wall I felt better about it, but still not thrilled. Again, I left it (in time out) as I focused on the "well behaved" child and quilted the pink & green quilt.  Each time I would enter or exit the room I would stare at it (glare at it?), move a few things and return to quilting.

When I finished the confetti binding on Funfetti, I turned back to the "troubled child"... THAT was when I decided that it needed less scrappy and went with a dark teal blender, a red stripe and solid yellow.  At last!  I was pleased with the look...  it was ready for a border and quilting.

Vivian had offered several wonderful quilting suggestions... I chose a double line grid that gives a plaid like look to the quilt.   

And that red stripe binding?  PERFECT!

It needs a name!  What would you suggest?

Well, all of that was fun! What should I do now?

Focus on one more (final - Bonus) row of the Pieces in the Garden row quilt and get borders on it! We are getting so close! I have noticed that there has been a significant drop in pattern downloads. It's not too late to catch up! Last week the Wrench block was published.

The house block ~ a bonus block ~ is still available at no cost for a short time... 

As I was looking through some older photos last week, I found this photo of a Bride's Quilt that I made using 12" blocks.  You will notice that some of the blocks for this sew along row quilt have been modified so that all of them are not as difficult as that Wedding Ring block.  That one had a whopping 25 pieces and they are were ALL small, TEENY-TINY, really... the block finishes at 3 inches square.  

I applaud each of you that completed them!  👏  If you happened to pass on that block, you can always use the Love block in place of them. 💟 

As I have considered the size and complexities of the Pieces in the Garden row quilt, I have wondered...

How do you decide if you want to participate in a block of the month or sew-along event?  

Is it the skill level?  Is it a specific colorway?  Is it a technique?  Is it the story that accompanies the patterns?  The size of the finished quilt?  Something else?  

Do you like to see all of the blocks or a finished quilt before you start?  Do you mind more of a "mystery" approach with a monthly reveal?  Does a cost for the pattern deter you?  Would you buy a kit?  Would you rather use your own fabric?  Does the chance to win a prize entice you?

Leave a comment letting me know your thoughts.  I love to hear from my readers!  If you happen to be an anonymous commenter (or if you are unsure if you are) and would like a response, please leave your email address with your comment.  Or send me an email directly - MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com).

Keep piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

m

Fun Finishes

Welcome to Sew & Tell!

I have two finishes to share...  Funfetti was finished on Friday.  If you want details, follow the highlighted link.

Here is a quick, informal shot of my second! it still needs to be washed and dried to get the comfortable, well-loved look that comes with using Hobbs Heirloom Fusible batting.  It needs to be named!  Do you have a suggestion?  Leave a comment. :)

Vivian had a bunch of great suggestions for the quilting of this one... I settled with a double line grid which created a sort of a plaid look.  I'll share more details and pictures of this one at a later time.

Be sure to stop by to look at Vicki's adorable snowmen that she shared last week!

Your turn!  What have you been doing lately?  Leave a comment or share a link!  💗

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

m

A Friday Funfetti Finish

This baby quilt, that I have dubbed "Funfetti!" was as fun to make as it is to look at!  Since the 4-patch blocks were already pieced, it was simply cutting a few setting blocks and sewing it all together.  

The quilting details...

Free-motion "posies" in the pink printed blocks and hearts surrounded by FM stipple in the pink & green blocks.  I chose to use three thread colors... A light green in the pink blocks, darker green in the green blocks, and a lovely rose color for the posies as well as the bobbin thread for the back of the quilt, which stands out nicely and matches the print well.

As I sandwiched this quilt, I recalled that when I cleaned and organized my stash closet, I had a small confetti print fabric that had been cut offs of a customer's quilt backing.  It is perfect!

Funfetti! is ready to wrap a sweet babe in love & prayers.

I can see that my FM stippling has improved... AND I didn't even get all nervous and break into a sweat over it as I have in the past.  

Admittedly, there are several places that I could criticize because of one reason or another, but I refuse to focus on those and say "Look over here!  This one is so much better."  

Personally, I like the pink blocks shown above way more than the green one... and that one green block is just a small 4" section of the entire quilt.  I have come to accept that it is simply one of the things that comes with free-motion quilting... it has more of an "organic" look to it.  If I wanted perfection, I would get something that can be programmed in and let the computer do the work... but I want to do the quilting... Don't be like Mrs. Bobbins' friend, pointing out her mess ups... Focus on the better parts...

And remember that to any non-quilter... they will be impressed with ALL of it anyway. 😁

I'll be working on a second finish with the black & white 4-patch units...  Come back for next week's Sew & Tell segment to see what colors I decided to add to the quilt.

I have made a concerted effort to focus on the goods and wins in life after the rough weeks I have had... AND I am happier in doing so!

Do you tend to focus on short-comings or faults?  Or like me, are more interested in the good things of life?  What sort of things do you do to help yourself stay laser focused on these things?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Favorite Finishes Monthly Linkup at Meadow Mist

m

Pieces in the Garden ~ Wrench ~ Block #10

 

 “Bride’s Quilt”

Once upon a time, there was a little girl, who wore a bow in her hair. When she grew up, she began a friendship with a young bachelor. As the hours and days passed, they began to look at each other with stars in their eyes, and as their love grew, they thought about taking steps to the altar. So, the young girl got out her spools of thread and made clothes to get ready for their wedding ring day.

After they are married, some of their times together will be bright as noon and others will be dark as night.  But they will try to share their happiness, their miseries and their chores – she grabbing a wrench to help with household repairs and he grabbing a towel to help with the dishes.  Sometimes they will have broken dishes, but they will try to remember that “things” can be replaced, whereas harsh words, possibly spoken about the broken dishes, could chip away love.  They will try to follow the Golden Rule as they are learning to communicate openly with each other.

They will also try to keep in mind the symbolism of Jacob’s ladder – “steps of communication” between themselves on earth and God in heaven.

*********************

Won't you get yourself a cup of tea and enjoy as we learn about Forrest & Tressie starting their family?

When did you start a family?  How many children did you have?  What are their full names?  When and where were they born?

We started our family in 1937. Forrest Ralph was born in 1937 and Carol Ann was born in 1940.  

I don't remember much about Forrie being born.  They gave me ether and I was out.  Little Forrie wasn't getting enough to eat and he was very small until Margaret Duling, a trained nurse, told us to give milk from a bottle.  He did much better after that.

Tell me about when you had my parent... what were they like as a baby, child, teenager?

I had ether with Carol too, but I remember a little more.  Carol liked to eat, but she threw up everything.

They were typical children.  They fought and picked on each other.  Carol rode her tricycle, walked on stilts, jumped rope and played guns. (Carol, Forrie and Joan {a cousin} shown here being "typical children".) 

I remember that as a child I was impressed when I learned that my Mom knew how to jump rope, play jacks and helped me learn how to twirl a baton, play hopscotch and more.  I also recall that my brother and I were "typical children" and fought and picked on each other as older children.  When we were young, I remember that we would play together (as did Carol & Forrie playing "guns" but we called it playing "cowboys & Indians")... until I became an annoying little sister getting in his way or insisting that he play dolls or house with me.  

If you had any siblings, how was your relationship with them?  

Were you close and like best friends?  

Or more "typical"?

What sort of activities and games were some of your favorites as a child?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear about your memories. :)

This row of blocks ~ the Wrench ~ is representative of the wrenches and challenges that come with life and relationships.  Working together to overcome them with a compromise by all involved, by the way, will bring about the most successful relationships... You will need make 16 blocks to complete the row.  Now is the time to grab the free pattern over on Payhip and make your blocks.  

You may want to go check out Cornerstone Tea Company too!  Use WRENCH as the discount code and get 10% off your order.  Valid through November 9th.

Don't forget to return here for the block parade and a chance to be entered for the Cornerstone Tea Company prize package!  Link up opportunity will be open through November 9th.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at True Blue Quilts

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

m