Things are progressing around here! The physical therapy that I'm doing is starting to pay off. I'm finally off those darn crutches and am now using a cane. (I should feel dapper, maybe, but I don't.) And I am starting to wear a shoe - well, a sandal. My ankle is still swollen and the shoe hurts, but I'm very tired of walking across parking lots and public restrooms in a mostly-bare foot. (I still have to wear the brace) The worst was the floor in the movie theatre - ick! I'm starting to get around pretty well, and actually went to the grocery store by myself yesterday for the first time in 2 months! Who knew that going to the grocery store would be something to celebrate? hee hee! It was a short trip, and I was pretty tired by the end, but I did it! Just as an aside here - a cane and a shopping cart are an awkward combination, especially when the thing doesn't fit into one of those cute little carts. The whole thing with this injury has been a lesson in patience, which I've never been known to have in abundance. I think a little humility was thrown in there too.
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| "Vienna Melody" 53 x 74 inches |
Here is a quilt that has actually been done for a while, but I don't think I've ever shown it here. This was a charm square project. I bought the charm squares and all the companion fabrics years ago, and finally got this finished. The fabric was "Vienna Nights" by 3 Sisters for Moda, for those who might care. Charm squares were a brand new thing then, just to give you an idea of how long ago it was!
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| the quilting |
It's not my favorite quilt. It's lovely enough, and there's nothing wrong with it at all. I just feel like it's got no "soul". There was none of "me" put into this quilt, if you know what I mean. No creativity. I made two quilts this way, and I learned my lesson. (you'll get to see the other one as soon as I finish the binding!) I don't think I'll ever make another quilt just from one line of fabric. I guess I'm a scrap quilter at heart!
I'm actually going to be trying to sell this quilt at the quilt show next month. No one in the family is interested in it, I don't care, and maybe I can make some money to use towards a new computer. (Mine is an XP, which is pretty much a dinosaur.) I've never sold a quilt before. Have you ever sold a quilt?
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| "Leftover Lemons" 15 x 15 inches |
I'm starting to put the finishing touches on my things for the quilt show. Putting on bindings and labels, etc. I have to have my quilts turned in by Oct. 1st, so the heat is on!
I thought I would share a little trick I use for putting on the binding:
After the binding is made, I do a fan fold with it. Hopefully you can see what I mean from the photo. I used to wind it onto a small ruler, but it always got all twisted up. So I tried using the fan fold, which doesn't twist it at all. My DH fan folds (instead of wrapping) all his electrical cords before he stores them, which gave me the idea.
Then, I take the fan folded binding and put it into a zip-lock baggie. I close the opening of the baggie except for a hole big enough to feed out the binding. Then I drop the baggie onto the floor between my feet and start putting it on the quilt. I've never had it hang up or twist on me, and it works a treat! I don't know how others do it, but this is my way. Anything that makes it easier to do is good to know. Let me know if you try this and how it works for you.
It's been pretty warm here for the last few days, but I think that's just Indian Summer. Leaves are starting to turn, and the nights are getting pretty chilly. We were down in the 40's the other night. The geese started flying north in mid-August this year, which to me seems really early. Everything seems to be starting earlier this autumn, which to me says we just might be in for a bad winter this year. I didn't seem to get enough summer this year, just because I couldn't get out and enjoy it so much after mid-July, when I had my accident.
Hopefully I can post more often now. I've got more to show you!
Oh so glad your getting out, cabin fever is not good either!, even if it was to the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteI love your little quilt, oh my! its just wonderful. thanks for the tip, thats a great idea !!!
hope you do post more and hope your quilting more now too
Kathie
I'm not a "one line" quilt maker either. You hit it on the head when you said it has no "soul".
ReplyDeleteI like your binding tip. That would keep me from stepping on the end of the binding while applying it too.
It is very humbling to have to accept help from others. My appointments are in Chicago where I'm not brave enough to drive, and with my eyes dilated at the appt. I wouldn't be able to drive home anyway. I was always so independent so I had to learn to sit back and relax. I'm glad to hear you are making good progress.
Soooooo glad you are mending, even if it has been slow. My sewn is all upstairs so I don't know I would have done for 2 whole months in your situation!! I'm feelin' your pain sister! It's a shame you had to endure so much just to get out of going to the grocery store!! ha!!
ReplyDeleteYour Leftover Lemons quilt is a real sweety, hopefully it will bring a premium price at the show, fingers crossed!!
That top quilt of yours looks like a great one for fall. If your not just in love with it then use it and use it and let others use it and then you won't worry if it gets messed up. I find the quilts I really put my 'soul' into I get attached and then it's hard to share them! LOL! Yeh, it's hard to part with them.
The main thing is to get some of them finished and trying your binding tip when I get that far with my next one. Thanks for sharing this!
Enjoy where you're slow moving life right now and take care!!
Wonderful that you're doing better! So glad to hear about that and the fact that you're still quilting a little.:) I have a very hard time with one-line fabric quilts and/or kits. I feel like I'm making somebody elses quilt!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a pretty quilt but either it makes your heart sing or it doesn't. I have managed to sell a few of my excess quilts, mostly baby quilts, via Etsy. Priced super cheap, in my opinion, but it feels good to part with extras and I've made back what I put into them and a bit for my time.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are making good progress with your injury. I know how a little trip to the store can be so exhilarating, and so tiring. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteEek - no electric sit-down shopping carts??? I've been getting them at the stores for my aunt for 5 months. They sure make it easier. I'm glad you're using a cane now! I like your charm square quilt! Really like the triangles, they give the quilt so much movement. And your fan-fold method for your binding is AWESOME, I can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteI love the Leftover Lemons! I may be inspired by that one. I agree about lines of fabric. I hate to use them. No soul, as you say. I much prefer scrappy-on-purpose.
ReplyDeleteTalk about slacking, I totally missed this. I adore that lemon quilt. Glad you are getting out too!
ReplyDeleteWe have a bit of snow mixed with rain tomorrow night. Did you make the deadline?
I just commented, and then it all disappeared, so I hope I'm not repeating myself here. Great job on the finished quilts. I especially love the "Leftover Lemons". Way to go, using up your oldest charm pack. I have a UFO from about 1997 that I plan to work on as one of my next projects.
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