Out of Sight, Out of Miind

Look what came out to play today!

Garden Mosaic quadrant (a/k/a Totally Demented per Gayle/Mangofeet)

First started in July of last year, my intention was to use the HSTs as leaders/enders so I stacked the pieces/parts on the right extension of my sewing table.  Over time, things started to pile up on top of the little box I kept them in.  Out of sight, out of mind.

In a remarkable bout of cleanitis today -- actually more of an avoidance technique I have perfected over the years (justifying NOT doing what needs to be done by doing something useful) -- the partially finished blocks once again saw the light of day. 

I'm going to keep it on the wall to remind me to keep plugging away on it in between other projects.

Some Things Defy Explanation

But I'm going to try!

Mountain Quilt Fest at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is coming up in two weeks.  It's a quality show at a relatively new venue, hosted by a couple of quality local guilds.  It falls in the "small to medium" category in terms of size, but it attracts entries from far and wide, as well as teachers with a "national" reputation.

Having missed it last year because of the move, as well as the Unfortunate Incident on a Slippery Rock, I am looking forward to returning this year.  Inspired by the enthusiasm of some S'more friends, I signed up for a class:

Jenn's Journey

As I was thinking about what fabrics I would use, I remembered I had an aborted project that involved snails trail blocks -- Of Flowers and Snails.

My fabric choices for this one were all wrong and it didn't take me long to realize that this would become a "Hot Mess" as we say here in the South. 

Several iterations of blocks

I finished the center section of Flowers and Snails which will probably become a baby quilt (sorry no picture).  The remaining blocks were all cut, some made, some partially completed.

What if ... these unfinished blocks were the same size as required in Jenn's Journey?  SCORE!

After consultation with Mr. Lakeside, we decided that I should use a light background with the dark blue batik.  (sorry, I forgot to take a pic of my mock-up.)  Not a problem.  I would just cut some light background pieces and scavenge the dark blue from those blocks already cut.  After all, I only plan to make a 4-block wall hanging ... but, wait ...

How is it that my block, which finishes at 8 inches, only has 4 rounds of triangles and Jenn's, which also finishes at 8 inches has five???

Well, my apologies to the teacher, but I'm going to use my pre-cut blocks!  I am mainly taking this class to be with my Nashville friends (and to see if the specialty ruler is worth the investment).  I still need to decide on the fabrics for the sashing diamonds ...

Stay tuned.

Seeing Green

After Wednesday's debacle with yellow, I decided to focus on green on Thursday.  So I started the day cutting HSTs for  Squirrel 2 a/k/a/ Tumbling Triangles.  It hasn't shown up well in the photos so far, but the dark green in the HSTs is one of my favorite fabrics.

I bought this at Batiks, Etc. in Wytheville, VA quite a few years ago.  A friend was needing a dark green to set some Stack 'n' Whack blocks and I thought this was perfect for her.  So perfect that I bought some for myself, too, and it's been waiting for the perfect project ... till now!

First I made enough HSTs to finish out all the 4-patch corners I needed for the remaining blocks.

I finished up the partial blocks I had laying on my sewing table ...

13 of 32 blocks needed

... then I turned my attention to Squirrel 1, 

now known as Squirrels in the Snow (thanks to Nann/With Strings Attached).  

I managed to assemble the second section ...

... added it to the first section and added the corners.  

As soon as the sun comes out I'll get a good picture of the flimsy.  

I am SO in love with this quilt.

If You Blink ...

 ... You'll miss it

Sitting in the breakfast nook this morning, it was so gray and overcast I just kept my eyes focused on the computer screen.  I had given up on a sunrise photo when I glanced up and noticed a bit of pink reflected in the water.

I stepped out on the deck to capture this shot ...

... looked up to see the clouds overhead ...

... and by the time I sat back down to write, the sky was gray again.

My plan for today includes some GREEN cutting and sewing.

HSTs for Tumbling Triangles

I need to cut three more strips-worth of HSTs (I use the Easy Angle ruler) to be leaders/enders while I finish up a couple of projects.

Wildlife and Wine

Remember this view from my sewing machine a few days ago?

Well, the subfreezing temperatures have done a number on the neighborhood daffodils.

That was how I felt this afternoon, too.  

After struggling with the teeny-tiny pieces in this week's Tiny Tuesday block ...

Tiny Tuesday #10

... I went to put it in the box with the others and thought,

 "why are there so many yellow blocks already in the box?"

Silly Girl, the RSC color this month is GREEN!  

At least there's a bit of green in a couple of the fabrics 😅

but there is NO way I am making another one.  

I'm going to have a glass of wine, instead.

New Month

New Color

I like when the first of the month comes close to a weekend so that I can bust through my projects with the new Rainbow Scrap Challenge color -- which this month is GREEN!  (I had so hoped it would be blue so that I could keep working on Dusk to Dawn.)  Whatever ...

First up was another 10-inch block to go with last year's Squared Away sampler.

I decided to go with a yellow green for this one so that I could use that background piece.  I think it will help calm some of the brighter colors in the other blocks, as well.  If I counted correctly, I just need one more block to make 12, then I can think about setting options. 

I made quick work of the chandelier beads blocks (though I had to take two apart and trim the center squares).

(Why am I always getting one sideways?)  My greens are a little brighter than they show in this picture.

Yesterday I concentrated on my three Double Shot Blocks.

Oops, that was a quick fix this morning.  Cathty/Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting noted that this block is the same as her Double X block.  She's right!  It has been called a number of things over the years, including Fox and Geese, and Geese and Goslings.  I am calling it Double Shot because it reminds me of my Dad's jigger which measured a single shot of whiskey on the smaller end, and a double shot on the bigger end.

Daddy Bill's jigger

We finally had some sunshine late this afternoon after a dusting of snow this morning.  Still very cold, though.  Spring is just around the corner (fingers crossed).

Tearing My Hair

and Another Sunrise

I was so frustrated by Section 7 of Gypsy Wife yesterday that I forgot to post my progress.  I got an early start on it this morning while waiting for the lawn guy to come.  (I was careful not to wander into the back yard with him, thus avoiding another unfortunate incident on a slippery rock like last year.)

One 4-inch block and two partial seams later ...

Gypsy Wife - Section 7

... and Ta-Da!  I know it seems like I am working out of order, but Section 7 is right below Sections 1 and 2.  I was anxious to get the first 14 strips back in circulation for future blocks. 

So, what was the frustration?  I am a visual thinker.  It took me a while to realize that I could calculate the size of a block by the number of equal-sized strips that it attaches to.  (That's especially critical for me since I am using blocks I made before I had a pattern and I am trying to make them fit in appropriate spaces.)  But the way the subsections within a Section are pictured in the pattern, the strips don't line up.  Even though I have numbered the strips on my pattern book, I am still having trouble getting them in the right place.

Well, Section 7 is done well ahead of the QAL deadline and since I am already through March with my progress, I am going to have to put it all back in the box (insert sad face here) so that I can do some house cleaning -- I know, it should do itself!  Grands will be coming for Spring Break in March and then I'm off to Mountain QuiltFest at Pigeon Forge.  (I still have cutting to do for my class!)

We had another spectacular sunrise yesterday. 

Sunrise 2/27/19

I hope you don't get tired of seeing these; I know I don't!  I don't do any color enhancement or adjustment on my pictures.  I have found, however, if I stand in the shadows and don't point directly at the sun I get much better color with my i-phone.