Friday, January 1, 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! STAY FOCUSED MY FRIENDS!!



 It seems the older I get, the harder it is to stay focused.

Let me give you an example.

The other day:

 I decided to get busy and work on my Posh Penelope Quilt.  Haven't worked on it in months.



Above are the squares I have done.

I had most of the pieces cut out but not all.  I returned to it after Christmas and started cutting the remainder out.  To my displeasure, I had forgotten how and had to relearn.  At the risk of repeating myself, there is a ruler you use.



I am using the top one.  Sew kind of Wonderful ruler.

As I am cutting out my blocks.

My sister shows this Star of Bethlehem block (this is the block I did)


....as you have probably gathered, the Posh Penelope block was put to the side.

Jeanette modified the pattern and I took the pattern and used my Accuquilt Go 8" Cube to make this bock.

My block is 32  1/2 x  32 1/2", hers is smaller.  I was going to add two borders to it.  I wanted to do something fancy but I am running out of fabric.

Anyways, as I had one border cut out...a thought came to me ....

Yes, you get where this is going.   

The thought was, why not get my tub of scraps (should be tubs) and cut out a whole bunch of log cabin blocks.  I have the Log Cabin die, will make fast work of the scraps and will get rid of a lot of scraps.

Now this is where you are to laugh because we all know that cutting scraps create more scraps.

STAY FOCUSED!!!  


Hard concept for some of us.

Below is my Log Cabin die with the cutting blade out.  Pooey.....
I was finally was able to get the blade back in but other blades were coming out.  I didn't want to wait for a replacement (which I hope they will replace).  Waiting for the holidays to get over.

So I put them back in and now....after each cut I take this ceramic tile and place over the blades to push them back in.


I must admit, it is not the smartest idea to keep cutting and run the risk of getting cut myself but I am a gal on a mission.


My husband and I were out yesterday and I asked him to take me to Micheal's to see if I could get something to store my Log Cabin pieces in until I was ready to sew and this is what I found.

How awesome is this????  I already have it full to the brim.  I have two of these because there are 12 pieces.  The Accuquilt Go die sure makes short work of this.

I need two more of these compartments.....maybe tomorrow I will go back to Micheal's and pick up two more.

I know...some of you are asking how I went from doing a border to the Log Cabin die.  Too much thinking time?  Actually, I wanted to make a king size Log Cabin Quilt for my bed and have been thinking on it.  Thinking is over and cutting time has begun.

As you have probably guess, my sewing room is a pig sty but I will clean it up when I am done.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  

To all of you.

  Some of you have been my friend since I was in Samoa over 11 years ago, hard to believe isn't it.  Some of you I have personally met which makes it even more special.



I have just posted on Inchworm Fabrics blog if you are interested, showing a quilt project that we worked on.









9 comments:

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

LOVE your blocks! Cleaning up my mess is not nearly as much fun as making the mess in the first place - LOL. And thanks for the heads up on the die - I never realized that the blades could come out! Yikes! I'll have to watch for that! I hope you and your family have a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!! - ;))

Gene Black said...

Yes, I remember well when you were in Samoa. ((smile))
I have never seen one of the blades come out of a die. That is a bit scary.

I have to laugh about switching projects. I do the same thing but mine are not all quilting projects.

Darlene S said...

I think "Stay Focus" should be my 2021 goal. I hate it when I set something aside and when I pick it up again I feel like I'm at step 0, trying to re-learn how to do it. But I think your Post Penelope is going to be well worth it. Beautiful blocks.

Needled Mom said...

OMGosh, Barb, this sounds all too familiar to me. It’s so nice to know I’m in good company. Those loose blades look scary. I hope they can rectify it for you.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

I had that day. Cut and sew a border on a quilt. Went from sewing the border on a quilt, to cutting 5 inch tumbler blocks on a pile of fabric, to cutting out the rest of the black for a pineapple quilt to sewing a couple of strip quilts together. I did manage to get the border sewn on the original project. Oh and the satchels that you got. There is a cube you can buy that the satchels will slide into. They have the audacity to show 12 cubes stacked to make a sewing table. LOL Can't wait to see your log cabin. Happy New Year.

Vicki in MN said...

How the heck does a blade come out? Please be careful!! I am working on a log cabin quilt too. I made a few blocks several weeks ago, and a couple more yesterday. I am in no hurry 🙂

Kathleen said...

Stay focused is a good idea. You are having fun and doing a great job. I love the way your mind works...and can’t wait to see where these pieces all lead. Going to check out the other blog too!

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

That large Star of Bethlehem/Swoon block is gorgeous! Back to that border and it would make a nice baby quilt!

Snoodles said...

Oh my, I know staying focused is best, but I flit from one thing to another just having fun! Hope they replace that die soon....I've never had one do that. Love all of your projects, and the log cabin container is so cool - where'd you locate that? One of my treasured supply cases is actually from the fishing department of the store..... LOL