2.29.16

Monday Mantra

2.28.16

Keeping up with my homework! Pat Sloan's Splendid Sampler block 5 is called Simple Simon and is designed by Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods.

2.26.16

Still working on Pat Sloan's Splendid Sampler. I think of it like an online class that meets everyday and has homework due twice a week. I showed my first two blocks last week; here are blocks 3 and 4. The blocks are 6.5", unfinished (that means just before they go into a quilt) and there are to be 100 of them. The link above will take you to the page where you will find links to the block directions. Join us! Its free.

This is Lots of Love designed by Melissa Corry, made by me.

This one I just finished is Happy Happy designed by Jen Kingwell.

2.23.16

TEA TIME TUESDAY
Since I have Elephants on the brain, how about this?

Its in keeping with my yoga practice, too. Get it HERE, at jillatay etsy store.

Namaste.

2.22.16

MONDAY MANTRA

My primary sewing machine is in the shop, right in the middle of all the classes and online events I have involved myself in. I set up the secondary machine, but it has some sort of power issue. The last three times I had it repaired, the wiring was checked and a new (expensive, yet seemingly pointless) power supply was put in. It wiggles off and on when I step away to iron. Finally, the wiggling got so frequent, it was dangerous to continue.

Luckily, I pick up my primary machine this afternoon, and QuiltyFriend will lift it upstairs for me. I will have to wait until this evening if I want to sew on my Splendid Sampler. I also have a Second Saturday Block and two Modern Quilt Blocks to do. I can get some cutting done, in preparation. But, the Elephants from Laundry Basket Quilts are calling me...

2.20.16

Splendid Sampler #2 WINGS

Sewing and listening to music. I never used to listen to music, everyone else in my family had definite tastes in music and we listened to a lot of music. A LOT. 

I started listening to Pandora regularly while on the treadmill--marches and theme music to epic westerns.

I had some channels set up by FartherAwaySon, which I listen to via my television screen. Mostly Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

Recently, I added some of my own. I like the Quick Mix option, but it doesn't really mix ALL of my channels. I work best with Sea Chanteys, Irish folk music, and Scottish folk music. I also like Medieval and Renaissance music. But when I want to feel POWERFUL, I listen to bagpipes. 

It took a LOT of skirling of the pipes for WINGS, the second block of the Splendid Sampler.

2.16.16

 
I got distracted, then amidst my distraction, I was distracted again. Twice more, actually. This is Splendid Sampler Block 1, Hearts Aflutter, by Pat Sloan, as interpreted by me. It is a 2-block a week study. You can find out about it HERE. It caught me in the middle of Elephants.

Here a little once a week thingy from the Temecula Quilt Company, called Circa 2016. Go HERE to find the first block, which were the pinwheels. Unfortunately, even after dying the background fabric, it was still unsuitable. I like the color, but the hand of the fabric does not work with the batiks. I am trying to use only stash fabric for this, but I may have to break down and buy something tomorrow at Country Stitches. This was what I set out to do when Elephants came and got me.

Laundry Basket Quilts Pattern, available on their website.
Mine are so much fun. I am only planning to do three but they are very entertaining.

2.9.16

TEA TIME TUESDAY

This LINK is where you go if you have a spare
$67.00 and like this AnnaKraitz  cup.
I like it, but I spent my money on fabric.

Flakes are falling, but we seem to have missed the predicted storm. Still, a day inside sewing and knitting with a nice hot cup of tea is a thing to be enjoyed. My tea of choice today is Cocoa Tango because it makes me smile inside and out.

2.8.16

MONDAY MANTRA

Perfect. Great idea to start the week.

2.3.16--WEEK 16

DEJUNKIFICATION WEEK 16

Upholstery type fabrics--Not sure how much they weigh, but they are HEAVY. Not marked yet for porch sale in the spring.

2.2.16

TEA TIME TUESDAY
Birthday tea for me! Delicious!

2.1.16

MONDAY MANTRA
I can keep going if I just keep going.

Treadmill has been #1 on my daily goal sheet for a month. It just moved off the list because it has finally become a habit. 

In a few days, I will find another to replace it. 


The number one spot is for those things I need to work into my daily routine, with the goal of becoming habits.

I began with 15 minutes a day, increasing one minute every 4th day. When I got to 21 minutes, I switched to distance. I can do 1 mile at a pretty fast clip (for me) because I have a Pandora Station called John Philip Sousa. There are some pretty fun marches on there, not just Sousa. Today I had one of the Star Trek marches as well as some wonderful Western ones.

I finally got the incline worked out. It was stuck on a steeper grade than I could comfortably walk--it was killing the backs of my knees. I found I could adjust by number instead of the up and down arrow and that seemed to work just fine.

The hardest step is the first step. Right now, the second hardest step is right at 7/10ths of a mile.

But if I just keep going, I can keep going.