The Splendid Sampler — The Beauty of Sewing With Others

Posted on February 28, 2016 by edges

I am loving the Splendid Sampler. If you’re not on board, jump in at any point, the water’s fine. So are the people–from all over the world. And everyone’s blocks are all so different! I was afraid we’d all end up with the same quilt, but everyone’s personality is shining through.

Here’s your link to jump in.

Here’s the Splendid Sampler Facebook page.

Because of recent happenings in my life, I got started a little late, and many people haven’t started at all. Some are just enjoying looking at others’ blocks.

I’ll share with you where I am so far.

I am missing one of the blocks which I haven’t had time yet to go back to, but another block came in today that I think will be fun to add. The fourth block, the vase and flowers (kudos to Jen Kingwell) probably inspired some of the most creativity so far. The blocks have been stunning and all different.

I created mine in Bernina Embroidery Software, but many others stitched theirs out by hand or did machine applique.

Like others, I am keeping a file of all the blocks and their instructions.

While I am in love with the color story of “Black Tie Affair” which I have been using, I am also adding some little touches from my own stash. As Bonnie Hunter reminded folks, a quilt is always more interesting when all the fabric doesn’t come from one collection. I agree.

In fact, I also did the little vase block in a whole other color story, just to see how I’d like it. It’s a little more ‘folksy” as I free motioned it, and I think it has it’s own charm. So maybe I’ll run some parallel blocks with these brighter colors too!

Truth is, anything can happen this year! I intend to do as much as I can, when I can.

A few things I’ve learned:

Don’t try to keep up with everyone else.
6 inch blocks sound easy. They’re not. They take more time than many 12 inch blocks.
Slow down and enjoy the process.
Enjoy everyone else’s blocks: get inspired, be challenged, but do your own thing.
Try new techniques.
Purchase the designer’s books. (Pat Sloan has 2 great books — one on applique and one on triangles)
SHARE! We really do want to see what you’re up to! On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram #thesplendidsampler

Hard Working Hands at Rest

Posted on February 19, 2016 by edges

I’m not OK.

Oh, if you ask me I’ll say I am. But I’m lying.

Sure I can go through the motions without crying at least some of the time.

But every now and then I’ll be driving along and suddenly be overcome with a panic and my mind screams, “MOM!”

She’s not here any more. I can’t call her and tell her the funny or moving thing that only she could understand. Half my grief is for me and half is for my Dad.

When you lose your mom, you feel like you lost the one person in the world who knew you best–the one person in the world who loved you no matter what. She knew your history. She gave you much of it.

It’s only been a few days, but I miss her. I miss how much she loved not only me, but my husband, my son and everyone else who needed a little mothering.

I recently read that when you lose a parent, you lose your past. When you lose a spouse, you lose your present. And when you lose a child, you lose your future.

I’m not OK with that. But no one ever asked me if that’s OK. No one ever promised me life would be fair.

No, I’m not OK. I’m sure someday soon, I will be.

But I will never be the same.

God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be.

So he put his arms around you and whispered, “Come with me.”

With tearful hearts we watched you fade away.

Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

–from Mom’s holy card

My Practical Valentine

Posted on February 5, 2016 by edges

Sssssshhhhhhh. Don’t tell my husband. He doesn’t read the blog, so he won’t find out what I made him for Valentine’s Day.

Months ago, he casually asked me if I could make him something to sit in the treadmill tray. He said he didn’t like the remotes sliding around, banging against one another and getting confused between the channel remote, the DVD remote and, of course, the Netflix remote.

First world problems, no kidding. I know it.

Nevertheless, I said I would make something and then promptly forgot about it. So many quilts and art projects to make, so many lovely fabrics, so little time for something as unglamorous as a treadmill caddie.

And it’s not like anyone has a pattern already created for our treadmill. It’s not rocket science but I did have to think it through a little.

I started with a basic pattern for the bottom of the tray.

From there, it was easy enough to measure the sides and the depth. Then I had to think about materials…what should I use as stabilizer? Would batting be enough? No, I decided, Soft and Stable would be ideal.

If you’re not familiar with the product, it’s perfect for bags and wall hangings or anything where you want more body than batting. Ask for it at your local quilt store…most of them already carry it.

After that, I had to devise a way to add compartments. I didn’t really know what size the compartments should be, if he wanted the remotes to lay down or stand upright, or just tilt out of the way. At any rate, I decide to make it flexible. The partitions can be moved around so that the caddie can hold a drink or just the remotes or different sized things.

I scanned the sewing room for an idea. Velcro! That’s the ticket!

I attached one side of velcro to the lining, and the other side to the little dividers for the inside. Then I created a lining that was the same size as the outside and attached it.

Strangely, free-standing it looks like a little canoe.

But once inserted into the treadmill tray, it fits and makes more sense.

Here, you can see a detail of how the little partitions can be moved around to support different sizes.

All set and ready to go. As you can see, the remotes fit quite nicely in their little compartments and are easy to grab. I can always add more partitions or move them around.

What would I change? Well, I used batting on the bottom and Soft and Stable on the sides. I think I would create the whole thing using the Soft and Stable if I were ever to create another. The batting is very forgiving in terms of fitting, though.

I think he’ll be happy. ssshhhh…he won’t get it til Valentine’s Day. Better than chocolate, right? hmmm…

Here’s a link to a previous Valentine’s Day post.

My Obsession with Trees

Posted on February 3, 2016 by edges

I didn’t realize it until I tried to describe some of my projects to someone, and all the ones that reflected my own art and not just a pattern designed by someone else, usually included trees.

And if not trees, then at least something that grows in the ground. I can’t tell you what it means, except that I have a deep longing to connect to the earth.

I recently pre-ordered a book that has apparently been wildly popular in Europe: “The Hidden Life of Trees — What They Feel, How They Communicate — Discoveries from a Secret World, ” by Peter Wohlleben.

An article from the NYTimes profiles the German forest ranger’s book.

I’ve always known that the natural world — birds, animals, trees, gardens — have more to teach us than we ever give them credit for. In the woods, I learned to listen, and look…much more than I ever do in my daily busy-ness.

Art is a struggle. We are reaching, reaching, always striving to capture the thing beyond ourselves. I do believe that trees (as well as the rest of nature) try to teach us something. When I break through the barrrier and discover the lesson, I will let you know.

Until then, like most of us, I continue to be a student.

Multi-hoop project is quilted, bound and finished.

photosnap-carol

Edgestitch

Sewing is life. Life is art.

Monthly Archives: February 2016

The Splendid Sampler — The Beauty of Sewing With Others

Hard Working Hands at Rest

My Practical Valentine

My Obsession with Trees