Done!

After three loooong weeks, and amid many interruptions and distractions (Olympics, much?) I can proudly announce that my quilt studio is now clean and ready for me to sew.  Whew!  That was tough to get through.

The worst/best part, besides just slogging through it all, was all the discoveries of unfinished projects both recent and ancient.  Very distracting for me, because I want to finish them all NOW.   The photo above is the only (very ancient) project I let myself finish when I found it.  And I got it done in time for Valentine's Day.  Yay me. It only needed a bit of sewing on the side seam to close where I turned it right side out.  Oh, and then I decided that I really hated the tan hearts.  Why did I use tan??  I hate detest tan.  So the buttons seem to help.  It only took me one hour to pick out just the right buttons.  *groan*  See why I let myself only finish one older project?  But, done is done and that is a Good Thing.

So, in the area of distractions, I spent a little time in the pottery studio with The Potter.  I made some little trays for myself.  I like to use leaves on my pottery, but since it's the middle of winter there aren't many leaves available.  So, cedar tree to the rescue!  I'm really pleased with my cedar plate.  It's just the right size for some apple slices, or cheese and crackers, or whatever.

The Potter has a new square mold that I wanted to try.  It's just so little and cute!  So, I did find some violet leaves in the yard, although it was tough to find some that hadn't been chewed half-to-death by slugs.  The leaf impressions have been stained with green but there is no glaze on them.  I really like the look of the bare clay, and it is totally food-safe as it is high-fired.  I like to run my fingers over the clay to feel the impressions.  And this is my fave blue glaze.  It was fun to play in the pottery studio for a little bit, but I'd really rather be playing with fabric.

I went to a quilt show last weekend and as soon as I have some time to process those pix, I will do a blog post with quilt-y pictures.  I know you're all waiting with bated breath!

Now, off to the quilt studio!  There's fabric to be played with!

It's My Blogiversary - but I'm Stalled

Wednesday was my blogiversary - 6 whole years!  I can't believe it has been that long.  That seems like a lot of blabbing going on here in my little corner of the internet.  Thanks for following along on my sewing/quilting/blogging adventure.  I never would have guessed that so many folks would be interested in what I had to say and show.  I really appreciate all your comments too.  Thanks!

Not much happening at the Threads household this week.  No sewing is occurring, due to the quilt studio being cleaned.  Poor DH is under the weather with a cold, and has been feeling pretty puny.  So far, I'm just having the sniffles.  I sure hope it doesn't degrade into worse.  My fingers are crossed.  This is always a bad time of the year around here - seems like someone is sick every year.

I went to the quilt studio last week and tried to do some sewing.  The "stuff" level has gotten so deep and thick I just couldn't function.  So, I'm trying to get things down to a dull roar.  Unfortunately, I really don't want to clean it up AND I've been so busy this week that I haven't had a chance to get in there at all.  So, no forward progress is happening.  There is sewing I want to do, and I'm still trying to get that tutorial done, but there's no room on the cutting table to work.  So I really need to get it in gear around here.

On the bright side, after much stalling, I'm finally making some progress on getting my corduroy quilt tied.  I have the middle section all tied and just have the top and bottom borders to do.

the obligatory quilt picture!

As you can see in this photo, I still need to trim all the ties.  I have all kinds of lengths going on, mostly because I didn't make up my mind early on as to what length I wanted them to be.  

I'm tying with Perle cotton, and I'm a little worried.  I'm nervous that the ties won't stay tied.  I wanted to use wool yarn, but I couldn't find any that was affordable.  Have you ever tied with Perle cotton?  How well did it work?  I made each one a square knot as well as a surgeon's knot, but still I'm wondering if I should put a dab of Fray Check on each tie when I trim the length?  I'm open to any suggestions or information.  I'm hoping to finish this up while watching the Olympics for the next 2 weeks.

I had a guild meeting Wednesday and got to see Bill Volckening (his blog is Wonky World and you can find it on the blog list on my side bar) showing and talking about his collection of New York Beauty quilts.  If you ever get the chance to see him and his quilts, go!  He's very personable and amusing, and the quilts are just stunning. 

We got a little snow Thursday night.  Only about 1 to 1 1/2 inches.  When I went out to fill the bird feeder today, I found all kinds of tracks around the back yard.  I found birds', and I think rabbit tracks.  Probably some squirrel tracks too.  This track, on the deck, was the only one that wasn't too melted to tell what it was.

I think this is a raccoon track.  I know we have a bunch in the neighborhood.  Any one know for sure?  I think the little bugger was looking for more of my bulbs to eat - they have gotten most of them so far.  They are NOT my favorite visitors.

Well, back to the salt mines quilt studio to see if I can make some progress in there.

I hope you are having a creative weekend!