Orange segments

I'm trying a different way: instead of cutting the block and sewing each strip separately, I've done it like this.....bad photos!

I just LOVE this orange fabric, I'm so pleased I found a use for it-it works really well as an accent.  It would be overwhelming as a main fabric, I think.

Seems to be easier, and quicker.  I'll press and trim the edges before the cross-members go in to get a flatter finish.

I need to plan the kind of sashings I want-at the moment I'm thinking at least three rows with cornerstones in orange. It may need five rows as the blocks are so strong. It seems to be moving fast-as I have almost run out of white, I need to stop for a few days until the next batch arrives in case it is slightly different, I want enough of the new 'white on white' distributed throughout the quilt so as not to make it look odd, and have it tie in with the sashings. With any luck it will be the same!

Starbucks update and 24/36, 25/36

They are in the news this evening, Starbucks has exploited a tax law that allows them to pay no UK tax for the last three years.  I sense a nationwide boycott! 

 This one is probably too wibbly to use, even though I was careful with the seams.  Using the made fabric on the edge of blocks causes problems!  Shame, as I like this one.

I have been browsing the patterns on quilters cache: they all have cutting instructions, which saves me brain ache.

The demise of Starbucks in Horsham

Not that I'm fond of coffee particularly.  I use it as a drug for when I have to face anything other than food shopping ('cause shopping is wasted sewing/reading/chilling time, right?).  I do most of my buying on the Internet (somebody stop me!)

The above mentioned franchise had my local Bookcrossing zone shelves, where I took a lot of my releases. Of late, I have generously been given boxes of books on a regular basis for release onto the shelf, I need to find another zone that's active and not too far away. And also has an interesting stock of books! 

There was a good atmosphere in there early on a Sunday mornings. I always went on Sundays as it stopped me buying books in the charity shops as they are closed on Sunday.  The music wasn't intrusive, you could read and sip and relax.  Take a look at my Bookcrossing shelf on the link.  You will see my issues!  In fact, join the community-unless you have already joined, in which case tell me your tag!




Change of topic, if memory serves, this is how being 9 months pregnant felt.....

Sewn Up: 19/36 to 23/36

These were deliberately simple blocks to show off hunks of the made blue fabric. I used wider orange segments for this batch, so I needed bigger blocks to stop everything looking too orange. I need to do some star designs and some pinwheels to balance out the look of the whole next.

Errr.  Spot the deliberate mistake? Not until I uploaded the photo!  Agh!  I'm going to leave it though. ~{;¬?

Kitting up

I have kitted up 5 more blocks for 'orange and blue'.

Now it's cooler in the evenings, I am pressing on with the hand quilted project I need to finish by Christmas as that's when the happy couple come back from traveling. I am not quilting this too heavily in the brown areas as I need to get it done. I am learning lessons already-the hearts mean lots of maneuvering of the quilt! And I didn't really need to quilt the blue squares as they are small, but now I have started.......!

I took it away last week to do in the evenings. 

I took 'pattern' photos, they are everywhere if you look.  Of course, quilters always provide the best inspiration.....

This was in a shop window. Mixed media by local children. 

 

Block pattern.....

 I liked the blocks above the windows....

Quilting pattern in the polished concrete floor at the Turner Contemporary (the exhibition was uninspiring!)

16/36 to 18/36

More orange and blue. I got the strip width right today!

Japanese inspired blocks.....

I am running out of white fabric, I have had to order some more from the 'buy a bolt' section at Lady Sew and Sew!

Off the rails and 11/36 to 15/36 of Orange and Blue

I went from a few evenings of crazy crumb piecing..............

 ................to  'orange and blue' It didn't go well!  This was OK, 11/36, simple shapes and measurements.  

 This was to use up the strips I cut the wrong size!!  But it came out all right, even though I still had to cut the centre twice.  Oh dear.  I should have left it there

This one was to use up those strips and showcase the 'made' fabric  It's a bit wibbly.

 I cut more strips, THEY WERE STILL THE WRONG SIZE!  Aghghgh!  I came up with this original design, which I'm calling OFF THE RAILS.  Its the theme of the day!

This one is another original, to show off the made fabric.  I quite like it: it needs developing as an idea, with yellow and dark blue. I'm going to call it 'Open the Door'.  It's using up triangles I cut the wrong size!

I didn't get to do the block I was aiming for with the strips!  Next time......

The air is turning autumnal....mmm....quilts and books!

This weeks quick read (I could only face a short book after Dombey and Son!) is by Chuck Palahniuk, one of my top five favorite authors.  As for the next book, as I will be away from home, do I take my precious Kindle? NO! I will take  Bookcrossing books I was sent when I won a sweepstake: about 30 arrived!  I need to move them on in the community.

I think I will take two....

Heaven

I made these yesterday. A big trimming session ahead.

I still have all these 'twosies' to sew up.

And all this on the machine!  I am so glad I didn't throw these crumbs away.

I have an idea for a design to use these.  Drawing it up later........

And finally.... I'm not much of a food blogger, but this really hit the spot for tea tonight.   Home made gluten free drop scones with three spoons of fat free yoghurt-blueberry, raspberry and Greek-and a sprinkling of vanilla sugar on the strawberries. Oh. My. Word. And best of all, there are two more for breakfast!

The best laid plans.....

... have morphed into mindless relaxation sewing, its working!

I started by inserting some strips into 'orange and blue' blocks.  I wasn't relaxing into it.



Next I picked up some strips from the crumb project, trimmed and sewed them up into 13" squares-better!

 I pieced the scraps from the crumb bin into strips for a couple of hours.

I have run out of separated chain pieced scraps, so now I'm stopping sewing, putting on a film and snipping for a while. After I have put the chicken soup on to simmer for tea. Numnum.

I had pieces left over from cutting 12-set hexies for 'project 29'-they have been sewn together to add movement to the strip piecing, with bigger pieces cut into spare hexagons and diamonds.  I just can't bear to throw it out!

I finished this one last night.  The bag is sorted out again after the dropping incident and stowed away for now.

1K

No sewing done this week, I had the big push to finish this little 

 read at almost 1000 pages-it took three weeks!    

I picked up project 29 yesterday, mainly because I dropped the bag and the bits got mixed up. It will go back to work under the desk soon for lunch time sewing.

Kindle shopping-instant gratification!!

I have given in, and bought a Kindle.  

I like to get into long books but have trouble holding them up close enough to read with the new glasses that were bought for hand sewing. At over 1000 pages, Dombey and Son was the final straw!  

I am trying to read 10,000 pages this year, as I have so many books, I'm planning to calculate how long it will take to get through them at that rate.

All the classics, which tend to be tomes, are free on Kindle: I had a sort out this weekend and have a box to donate to a teacher friend who is setting up a shelf in her classroom. I lowered the bottom shelves on  my units and have almost managed to get all the books on the shelves now! 

I sleep under these shelves! I have avoided charity shop book sections for about 8 weeks, without counselling, I am very pleased with myself.  Kindle shopping could be a replacement. Oh dear!

I have been logging my reading for about 5 years now and seem to read less from now until Christmas, so I'm determined to make the effort this year, as it really relaxes me to zone out with a book.

I haven't done any sewing for a month or so, since my holiday.  I only did a few 1/2" diamonds whilst I was away.  I have the urge to do more 'orange and blue' this week......

 and I need to work on the hand quilting for when the recipients come back from traveling!

 It has got cold here in the last couple of weeks and I need a curtain for the back door. 

These blocks will be it. 

I am not too happy with the accuracy on these so a curtain is the best use.