LINEN TABLERUNNER

I decided to make a linen table runner for the altar at church using a method I did 20+ years ago!  I folded the length of the fabric in half and centered the depth of the scallops along the outside edges.

I used my scallops template and lined up a pleasing fit.

I traced the line using the Frixion pen 

so I could stitch along this line.

But here is the trick-you don't sew using regular thread!

You have to remember to use this thread in the bobbin and spool.

It's easy to stitch along this line.

And then you have to remember to trim away

 on the proper side of this seam!  

The center is what is removed!

Next, the seam allowance must be clipped 

so the seam allowance will lay flat.

Then the magic happens after you turn the piece inside out so it has the points turned nicely and everything lays flat and smooth for pressing.  I spritzed it with water 

and then gave it a hard press.

 And then the magic happens!  

Gently, you pull the stitching apart 

by pulling the two halves away from each other! 

 Another press to keep the seam allowance in place.  

Tomorrow, I will sew the next step

and finish the runner!

SHOPPED 'TIL I DROPPED!

I had a wonderful time on our shopping trip--we both bought all we needed to complete our quilts and a bit of extras , too!  

 

A DAY IN THE STUDIO!

I finished piecing the Coral Reef Quilt for my room--it is large (117" x 99") and just the right mix of corals!  Now, this is just the top layer and today I head to Daytona to buy the 3 B's I need to complete it (Backing, batting and binding! lol)  

I'm going with a friend; the one I've been teaching how to quilt 

and she has completed her top so she is in need of the 3 B's also; it will be a good time of shopping!

Since I was without a project for the design wall, I hunted through a pile and found these kid fabrics I had bought a few years ago so I could make a 'JAR' quilt.  I couldn't find the instructions, though.

So I began to dig through these two shelves 

and I really cleaned it out!  

And I found it!  

And then cut out the 'jar' fabric--enough to make two quilts!

I also found two charm packs--I haven't organized these but just stuck them on the design wall to see what I have.

This one is a tutti-frutti mix which I love! 

 I will have to buy border fabric for this one!  

What a burden! lol

 

WATERCOLOR, WOOD 'N WOOL

The latest watercolor is completed;  

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. 

 Don't you want to open the gate 

and walk to the shade tree for a picnic? 

 I will wait for you there...

I am also at a waiting place with this Hickory bowl;  it has cracks,

and no matter how deep I go into the bowl,

 the crack still goes deeper yet.  

I wonder if I should still keep on no matter what or quit now. 

 I had to go out and look at it without a decision made all day.

I did finish the second Barbie dress--aren't they sweet?!  

I will be sending these out to my two grandnieces 

who have discovered the joys of Barbie dolls.

 

MENDING WORK

I did some alterations  to several dresses that needed a bit of tweaking!  Mainly hemlines but on this dress which used to be floor length, I shortened it to knee length and used some of the cut off fabric to make a belt and some loops.  The dress was just to plain and hung too straight and needed something to break up the look--this does it perfectly!

To aid me in making the belt, I used this tube turner that is one of those tools that when you need it, 

you are very glad you have it! 

  In seconds, the 2 1/2 yd belt was pulled through to the right side and then pressed to look just as it should!  

BLUE VAPOR

My view on most Sunday afternoons;  

a YouTube how-to video and knitting 

until I fall asleep for a little nap.  

The time of quiet rest is a way for me to recharge each week.

I did finish the second sock of the waffle-legged socks! 

 I used #2.5mm needles, HobbyLobby sock yarn in the colorway Blue Vapor.  I have enough yarn leftover 

so I can start the second Barbie doll dress

which I will send to my young grand-nieces soon enough!

 In the yarn bowl, you can see the skein

 I will soon begin to knit into another pair of socks!

The next pair of socks is always ready!

STAYING THE COURSE

I turned the bowl, polished the outside with wax and a buffing pad and then began the work on the inside.

I had to level the surface and then I began the job of hollowing--I requires a lot of sharpening;  did I mention that Hickory is very hard wood?! lol

When I couldn't bear the heat of the garage any more, I came in to do some more on my king-sized quilt when Lena decided to sit and take a bath....

When she finished, I began to do some sewing and added another row and began laying out the next.

 I did go ahead and cut out the rest of the blocks 

but I will piece them on Monday.  

I am looking forward to a long knit this afternoon!

PLAYED IN EVERY ROOM

I've started a new watercolor...no tutor on this one-all on my own.  I do love the drawing step a lot.

I cut a bunch of blocks and sewed them together--only three more rows to go!  I ran out of design wall room so I put the first five rows aside to keep going!  The end is in sight!  

I had to work hard to get the 'log' onto the lathe-I  had to use a tool to get a level spot to put the 'faceplate ' screwed in place--of course, the drill's battery died midway through and I had to wait for it to charge!  Then I had to cut the corners of the log off with the  reciprocating saw because it was too big for my bandsaw and Bill wasn't home to use the chainsaw!  

It took forever to get the 'log' round but I did it and even made the tenon (this is the bottom of the bowl) and I will be holding this tenon in the chuck so I can then hollow out the bowl portion.

There are some punky spots in the wood so a good coat of shellac overnight will harden these spongy spots so that I can sand the outside of the bowl before I turn it around.  The grain is impressive--I'm excited about that!  The wood is a hardwood and that means that I have to sharpen my bowl gouge often!  I'm looking forward to what I tackle today!

 

LOG PREPARATION

This is what I will be playing with today;  a large piece of Hickory.  It was also cut for firewood and given to Bill to use.  He hadn't used it and thought I might enjoy a new kind of wood to turn at the lathe!  Oh, yes, please!  It is the largest piece yet but needs some preparation before I can mount it on the lathe.

The wood has been outside so it needed some drying out.  It also need to have the bark removed so I have been chipping away the bark which has absorbed the rain like a sponge!  I will smooth the center of the flat side so that I can screw the faceplate in place which will then screw onto the lathe.  I also need to cut off the corners to on the bandsaw so that it will shape up a bit easier.  I am still working on enjoying every step of my projects...

 

EMERGING FOX!

So might I mention that painting in a loose-style was VERY HARD FOR ME!  I do like the resulting painting; the color is striking and I like the greenish eyes!  It felt good to do a painting. 

 I am already drawing a new painting;  

I will use some of the new skills I learned

 and a bit more control, too! lol

(watercolor 8 x 10")

 

SLOW DAY

I enjoyed a slow day today, not because I was sick but because it rained most of the day!  It was nice to just be.  I worked on the Casablanca afghan and completed the  requirements for the month which was four blocks and three rows of borders to the central square.  Nice to have all of the numbers right, too!

And I pushed myself to work on a new painting--loose they say, is the style.  I struggle with this the same way I struggle with random scrap quilts!  Who knew I was such a control freak in my creativity!  This is only step one-

I will work on building on the details 

and build the painting in layers-well, at least, that is the plan!  

 

FLORIDA SOUVENIR

I did get to finish the Florida Souvenir quilt yesterday!  And washed and dried it so that it is deliciously soft and comforting!  

I also put the last stitch on the latest pair of socks-I will cast on sock #2 today and get to work because I want the leftover yarn from this to knit another Barbie dress! lol  I hesitate to knit the dress until I have finished the sock-I know that some would weigh the sock and know how much to set aside but I don't think I have faith to try that!  I will have to be patient.  I noticed when I loaded these pics that the two projects are in the same color palette--if you look closely at the sock, you will see that it has little 'pops' of color that match the quilt blocks!  Pleasing colors, aren't they?!

Today is my baby sister's birthday--I was almost 13 when she joined the family so she was my very own living baby doll;  oh, how much I loved her and could hardly wait to be out of school to get back to her!  My sister still lives in NY but I feel like she is still this close to me...

 

A LITTLE BIT MORE

Being on a roll with the quilting frame work, I loaded up the Florida Souvenir quilt as soon as the backing arrived by FedEx.  

I will say, one good thing that has resulted from the pandemic, there are several companies that used to take 10 days to get a shipment to you and now only take a few days--

competition from Amazon has resulted in some efficiency!  

(I ordered the fabric for the backing from JoAnns and it came in only a few days instead of the usual 10 days!!)

I am using a pantograph called Seaside which has large shells

 and lots of tidal kind of lines in between shells.

It's very easy to stitch and it covers 16" on each row so it moves right along!  I hope to have it off the frame in just an hour

 and I hope to get it bound today, too! 

 It's good to have goals!

Here is a glimpse of the backing!  

I tried to buy some alligator fabric as suggested by Alycia of  QuiltyGirlBlogs but I couldn't find the right colors

 or even the right fabric (flannel wasn't my choice this time, thank you) and most of the fabrics were Gator fabric as in sports

 and that is definitely not me! lol  

 

THREE FINISHES

The binding was put on the purple quilt and then I tossed them both in the washer/dryer so  they are ready to mail out on Monday.

I included a hug with each quilt so they will comfort a child in need.

I then got to work piecing all of the blocks for my new bed quilt-and even the rows are seamed.  This quilt is large! 

 I am making it 117" by 99" so I am almost half done. 

 (13 blocks by 11 rows total)

I have another finish--the bowl is completed;  all of the layers of shellac applied with sanding in between each one!

I present the inside of the bowl--such a confluence of grains! 

 It is so pretty, if I do say so myself!

I like to keep some of the wood's imperfections-this is the outside of the log left as part of the side instead of being turned away.

Also, this little depression with wrinkles was carefully kept as part of the rim;

so that the whole is fascinating and keeps your eye moving from one area to the next! 

 (9" round and 6" deep)