Welcome back to the deep freeze version of Sew & Tell. I've heard that something like 75% (it may have been 90%) of the United States is below normal temps. I also heard that in the wee hours of Friday morning our region (Southeastern Colorado) entered into a predicted 90 hours of below freezing temperatures. ðŸ˜
No fear, we are prepared. Our pantry and freezer are well stocked as is the propane tank. Since I have nothing to be overly concerned about, I have been happily sewing in the studio. But before I show and tell let's take a look at our featured quilter. Kate at Life in Pieces has been "stitching to her plan" and moving forward in turning quilt tops into finished quilts.
She shared that she also went off script and has a fabric pull ready to participate in a stash busting quilt along. Her choices of fabric/color will be eye catching! Head over to her blog to find the link for the quilt along. Tell her hello and that Melva sent you. ;)
I've been working on using fabrics that were passed on to me by an acquaintance... not quilting fabric, but it was heavier duty fabric that I could use for the file/tool holders that I make twice a year. The winter/spring semester is underway at the local college and the gunsmithing students will need these to protect their very expensive metal and wood files from being damaged in transport to and from classes.
As one would expect, most of the students in the gunsmithing program are male. Surprisingly, though, they are not afraid to purchase file rolls with floral prints or girly colors because they are less likely to be stolen and more easily identifiable across the room.
Because of the large donation of fabric I had received, I am able to keep the price as it has been for a few years, despite the increased cost of the materials. I like to be able to pass those savings on the students.
I am nearly done with the pattern writing and blocks for the Little House Sew Along. The formal announcement is coming at the end of this week as I fill the role of TGIFF Hostess. I have the post written and ready to go and I think I have all the important information for you.
What sort of questions do you want answered before committing to a new sew along?
Leave a comment... I'll be sure to get those answered for you.
As a break from the LH quilt, I decided to pull out my blue scrap bins again. I decided that I would create some "negative" scrappy, wonky star blocks to go with the blue blocks I already made. Negative meaning that the stars were in blue with scrappy neutrals to make the blocks.
I listened to two books this week. The Peacock Emporium was a long book and I honestly had a difficult time keeping track of characters and times. It was "meh" to me... I did enjoy portions of it, so it wasn't a total loss, and I can say that I stuck with it and finished it. Earning me the "right" to make a block. ;)
I needed something lighter and familiar, so I listened to Charlotte's Web. The edition I listened to offered an interesting afterward that told of the writing process and notes by the author. I found it interesting to see/hear how the initial idea of the story morphed and changed to what it eventually became.
Here they all are together.
I am currently listening to Breaking Free by Lauraine Snelling.
I have several more books in queue but will leave those for a future post as I summarize my January bookish journal next week when January is complete.
My goodness! January is nearly over. It hasn't felt rushed and chaotic and I've enjoyed the pace. I'll be glad when the deep freeze is over and gone. That's all for this week. Stay warm... and
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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What fun additions to your blue block pile! Regarding your question, How long is the sew along? When does it begin? How often are clues released? How much fabric is needed? What skill level is involved? Do I have the time to join?--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteCharolette's Web has always been a favorite of mine. Your blocks look wonderful , Melva. So many cute fabrics in the wonky stars and nine patches.
ReplyDeleteWe got quite a bit of snow this afternoon - lots more than we expected, actually. At least it's good sewing weather, right?! I really like the 16 patch stars you're making - especially the ones with neutral squares and blue stars. How wonderful to get that donation of heavy duty fabric for the tool holders, too. Looking forward to hearing more about the QAL!
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about gunsmithing so I had no idea what you were referring to -- now I've looked up "gunsmithing files" and I understand. I smiled when you wrote that floral prints make the holders stand out in the workshop!
ReplyDeleteThank you for featuring my projects from last week. I did get a couple of new visitors last week. The negative space blocks for your wonky stars blocks will be a cool addition to that project. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThe feminine looking holders for the guys to carry their files is so interesting, very cool. I like your 16-patch stars an the Bookish Journal blocks are really pretty.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've anticipated any questions I might have and that all will be answered in your SAL post.
Your RSC blocks are so great - Love that block!!
ReplyDeleteglad you stuck with the book so you could make a block - this is going to be a fun quilt
Stay warm!!
I like your negative blue blocks - they look really cool! As does the weather as we swelter through one of the worst heat waves in history... it's a crazy world we live in! xx
ReplyDeleteThose negative star blocks sure are pretty! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2026/01/28/wednesday-wait-loss-469
I look forward to seeing about your Little House sew along. Hoping I can take part.
ReplyDelete"Snowmageddon" has been a real kicker but I agree it makes for great stitching time! A new QAL you say? Looking forward to hearing more about it! I think you've probably already prepared answers for the questions I would have: you've already hinted at the theme ("Little Houses") so next questions are fabric colors or values needed and amounts, size of finished project and if making variations on that are possible, duration of the QAL and how often updates will post, if there are any special blocks, techniques or tools that will be highlighted or used during the project and will there be a finish link-up when it's over (and define "finish" -- can it be tops or have to be a completed quilt). Even if I don't/can't actively participate, I will definitely be following it!
ReplyDeleteLove your star blocks, Melva! It's really cold here. I hope you are safe and warm. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great weekend.
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