A few new Tumbling Blocks

The Sacred Snake is satin stitched with size 12 double twist variegated cotton thread and outlined with thick silver passing thread thread for a little sparkle

Lily of the valley is picked out with 3 strands of dmc cotton thread 

7mm and 4mm silk ribbon leaves and glass beads

Spring and fall sheaves are picked out with 

7mm silk ribbon leftovers from other projects

Spring Branches are picked out with 3 strands of dmc cotton thread, 

4mm silk ribbon for the branches, silver passing thread for the web 

and glass beads for the dragonfly and spider

The Tumbling Blocks stitch-a-long is still on Sharon Boggins Blog if you want to partake or just go look

Rainbow scrap challenge goes on!

This months color is green,

And here are my blocks

6" 9 patch star

And the 4" square in square

 

CQ Tumbling Blocks

I am so behind on this project

Oh well, 

I'm only a year and 5 moths late in starting!

This is my latest block so far

It needs more cowbell

Here's the first block I completed

with SRE daisies 

and a good starburst seam treatment

The Tumbling Blocks stitch-a-long is still on Sharon Boggins Blog 

if you want to partake or just go look

And a cloudy moon for the full moon that just passed

I think This is going to be an ongoing difficulty with this project.

I want to do it, but other things keep getting in the way

I have 20 or so dark blocks made and a few ideas beside the 3 I've done so far.

I may even revisit some older Ideas but no theme has yet revealed itself to me 

And if I ramdomize myself too much I may not finish the project at all.

One 6"ish block a month is enough right? I don't have to finish right now, EVEN THOUGH

I started it late. I keep telling myself that, in between the times I wonder why I haven't finished yet.

Now that the studio is, mostly, finished and moved into I can start finishing projects that have been on hold for forever.

I just finished Quilt about 9 of the 14 flimsies I found in random piles some I put aside because they were too big for the space I had and some that got lost in the constant shuffle.

I also picked up 10 charity quilts for the guild I belong to, we have such a backlog of quilts that need quilting 

and as I was nominated and voted in as secretary, I feel honor bound to get as much done there as I can.

I also have my own projects here and there that I want to do, It's hard to keep myself tethered.

Flights of fancy are all well and good, but there is a limit to what one can accomplish on your own. 

As my DDH tells me all this pressure is self inflicted...... 

Rainbow scrap challenge is Red

This months color is Red 

These are the 6' stars

After moving into the studio and (stILL)trying to organize my space

I haven't figured out a good way of storing my fabric yardage

backs have a space and fat quarters have a space

but other than pilling the yardage on shelves I've got nothin'

and it maybe, that is the answer, 

it feels unsatisfying. 

 and the 4' squares

Meanwhile back at the ranch

Nothing is getting done.

 I'm moving in and everything is on hold until I find that thing I need in a box somewhere...

the disorganization is making me itchy.

I got all the furniture in and adjusted 

to where I think it will fit my needs best.

Now it's just a matter of finding a home for all of it 

Then consolidating what had been in use and in storage.

Then I can start organizing by color/size/etc.

And THEN I can get back to making fun stuff.

 Though, between all this 

I am trying to figure out how to use Beastie,        the Innova long arm.

It's a learning curve, that's getting curvier.

As of today I have emptied 18 bankers boxes!

Woo!

Studio Update

 I just realized It's been a while since I updated about the studio! 

Goodness me

The last time I spoke the studio looked like                                                                                                     the construction disaster it was

We got all the windows in

But one of the pains broke so we had to wait a couple weeks for a replacement

Meanwhile The wiring for electricity and LIGHTS

went in, January Ahhhhhhh!

the drywall went up, February, yay!

we got the flooring delivered, Whoop!

And I got to play Muddy Mudskipper on the walls

Finally!

many buckets of mud and a few more trips to hodo

As you do

I got all the walls nice and sanded smooth 

then painted primer, 2 coats

Annnnd the color is,

 a nice soft mossy green

IKR? bad enough we have moss outside?

But see how nice it looks!

With a little bit of pink for accent on the doors

It will be lovely to work in

Now for the floors

I took 2 days to get this far

And my back hurts

These Are easy to install bUt

There is a bit of a learning curve 

and the first 2 or 3 rows are a pain in the ass to get started

This is after the 3rd day

of scooting around on my butt, hammering

not bad for an old lady ya?

Adam finished putting in all the outlets and covers

And once the electrician comes back to finish 

the floor outlets and wire in the outside light, 

heat pump And the exhaust fan

I will get working on all the quarter round to finish up the floors

But wait!

We still need to frame in the windows and fit up the windowsills, It's always something......

I just want to move in........now!

I am so bored with these people

 I try not to post too much on political things, since many out there have few places to avoid what it going on in DC, but things are not well in this country and have not been well for a very long time.

I fear the course correction that is coming will be devastating for many in our fractious country.

I have stated before I don't understand where the, cruelty for cruelties sake, streak comes from in humans.

How can you live with yourself when you know you have caused harm? 

How can you enjoy the causing of harm?

How is undermining the safety and stability of others beneficial?

We have seen through the lens of history that Slavery, oppression and inefficiency causes more instability and costs more in money, effort and time to perpetuate, than happy productivity in society and yet here we are.

Clawing back time, destroying a working, if flawed, government and causing harm to not just us but the world. Why? so a few bazillionaires can make more money they will never use? So they can feel even more superior to the rest of us? why? for what reason? To stroke an ego so small and fragile it needs to step on others to feel better about it's own inadequacy? How banal. How disappointing. 

How white supremacist.

I'm superior and yet so afraid I have to carry a gun everywhere, but I'm rich enough I can hire others to do it for me and i'll use my infant son as a shield to protect me from sharpshooters, is the height of frighted white manbaby. The orange puppet is no better.

Tell me your mother didn't hug you enough as a child, that you must destroy everything better men and women than you, built over 2+ centuries, to feel like you've made your mark on the world.

How inadequate. How flaccid.  How boring.

I put it out into the Universe,

May they all get what they deserve.

May they all get what they deserve.

May they all get what they deserve.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge stars

continuing on with our Yellow scraps I give you 10 scrappy stars

made from 2 1/2 inch squares and 1 inch squares 

sewn from point to point for the star arms 

to make 6" blocks 
 

RSC-Rainbow scrap challenge is yellow for march

 Good day sunshine!

Happy Yellow scrap squares on my table

Nice and bright for this months gloomy weather

16 opposites attracting my attention this week

These 4" squares will be a nice addition to the TBA pile!

Goldwork Finish

 At least I think I'm done.

I added 2 more leaves and several more new berry stems

but It still felt empty

what to do?

I intend to add a dragonfly in that upper right-hand corner

But there is a small hole, to my eye, 

between the big gold leaf and the snail

I need to think on that one

A Bee maybe?

It's feeling off balance somehow.

Time to finish the leaves and dragonfly and figure this conundrum out.

Here's the Finish.

It feels more balanced now.

Annd now I see 3 holes and they've gotten bigger.

How is that possible?

RSC the blues

Rainbow scrap challenge color for this month is Blue

that's my Blue scrap round up for this month

The stars do look better in the darker fabrics

 

Stay at home round Robbin update (SHARR)

 Second round for the SHARR was 

use the Half square triangle  in your quilt

So I framed my block for this round 

in 2" HST's

Goldwork Update

 

So I got to the point that I thought I was finished the last time I used this design

Aaand it didn't look finished.

So I'm adding more leaves

and shoots and berries

maybe a Dragonfly and a Bee.

A Studio update

You might like to see how the studio is coming along

I am still packing and the garage is starting to run out of room to, put the boxes.                                                                                                                        I have decided to stop until the studio is done,        as there is nowhere to fit the furniture and still fit the car.

All the windows are in and we found basic shop lights at Costco for general lighting 

and a track lighting fixture for specific spots over the work areas                                                                                                                                          Those will be installed later after the drywall is up.                                                                                The closet has been framed out, and we are just waiting on the wiring and boxes for electricity.                                                                                       Just need our electrician to come back to run and hook up the wires for lights, switches and heat pump.

We are working on the insulation in the walls and ceiling now. 

once the drywall is up, we will install the flooring

                                                                                                                                                                     It's starting to look like an inviting place to go!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I am awaiting, with baited breath, the day I can start painting and move in!

 I have visions of a small porch with an overhang and stairs!

Starting the new year

Starting my first "Stay at home Round Robin (SHARR)" experience!

If you want to join me, the rules are,

#1 go find a 12" block in your UFO pile to start with.

Mine is the star in the center.

You build up your quilt by adding rows to your center block by following the prompts.

The first round prompt is the "kings crown" block

or a block named for the first initial of your name.

I chose the "kings crown" there are 4 variations, (see here,

https://kathleenmcmusing.com/2025/01/2025-sahrr-first-round/ )

to choose from, I chose to make one big block around my center block instead of maybe using the
"Kings Crown" block as corners, a companion block, or a surround.

How else would you use this block in a quilt?

I'm also joining in on the "Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC)"

January's color was Pink, did you know Pink is not a color in the rainbow?

First set are the 9-patch stars, made with 2 1/2 squares in a 6" block.

they are a little hard to see as the contrast between the pink and white is difficult to pick up with the camera.

The second set are made with 4" alternate squares

in pink and white and white and pink

The center square is 2" and the surrounding layers

are alternating strips of 1" to 1 1/4" scraps.

Starting the new year with enthusiasm is simple

It's trying to sustain the enthusiasm throughout the rest of the year

as the mundane home and family stuff start to demand attention away from sewing, But I make the attempt every year.

Happy year of the Wood Snake everyone!

Sewing room update

 Ever begin to feel like you have too many hobbies?

me neither.

I'm in the process of ripping apart my sewing space in preparation for

moving into my new Sewing room, soonsometimeinthenextmonth 

that should all be said together in a hummmmmmmm!

in which there is now a floor, 2 windows and a door!

 woo!

I'm trying to be methodical in my sorting and boxing

but my squirrel brain keeps running amok

She's finding all the buried nuts of old 1/2 finished projects, she was going to do. 

Sounds like my lost tribe no?   Princess allthehobbies of the Wasgonnado tribe

Anyhow a week of boxing up aaaand.

I've run out of boxes and all that's moved is fabric and books.

I've barely made a dent.

Awwwe..........

This Years Wrap up

 This post is just a reminder to myself that I did manage to get some things done this year

All the way back in January and february I finished my frog sized frog

This is also a reminder to try one in a smaller size

And I also made this tiny "Casket toy" glove of flt ribbons and gold passing thread

I also finished this Chatelaine Purse in January, Though to be fair she was started in november

All the Tarot cards were begun and done during this year

I have in my head to do more of these

They were fun

Started and Finished My youngest daughters Crazy Quilted Ellie 

Helped put together costumes for a play in march

Not these ones, I somehow managed to forget

to take any pictures of the ones I worked on

Though it's understandable we had the usual 

2 weeks to complete 3 Robe a la Frances dresses for men from scratch including underpinnings!

It'll be fine!

Went to our quilt Guilds Retreat in the mountains 

just so I could finish this one!

She was my first foray into making an entire 

English Paper pieced Quilt with scraps from my pile

I'd say that was successful!

Finished 2 Rainbow Scrap flimsies

And a Quilt for my SeaStar (Step-Sister) 

As a gift for when we went to visit family in April

After the Eclipse

Plus a couple of silly little projects 

The ongoing garden Cleanup 

Numerous Quilt group things

The shophop quilts I just posted about 

and the studio renovation backadagarage

I got a lot done this year!

So whenever you start feeling like"ungh! why can't I get anything done?"

go through you're photo roll and take stock

You'll be surprised at how much you actually did get done!

No wonder you're so tired all the time!