Sunday Sewing

All my little herbal eye pillows are tucked into my backpack. Some will go to Monday's yoga class and some to Wednesday's. There are two of all but one of these fabrics. The covers are little pillow slips so they can be removed and washed if necessary.I made 3 more covers this afternoon that are less flowery for the men.

It warmed up again today (from 34 this morning to 67 this afternoon) and I did a little gardening. Planted basil, parsley, and dill. It has really been a lovely Sunday. Hope your weekend has been pleasant!

Progress

Stylishly appareled in my new apron, I've continued working on the herbal eye pillows. Finished filling all the muslin bags with lavender and flax seed, and they do smell wonderful . Here are some of the finished muslin bags piled on the ironing board.A couple of years ago, I bought some fat quarters with Asian designs, and they are perfect for the covers since they will be going to folks in the yoga class. Chain stitched the hems. Quick and easy.
After cutting about half of them away, I realized that strung together, the strips looked a bit like prayer flags, so I taped the rest on the wall for a picture.I'll be finishing the covers this afternoon. Whew!

Missed the photo of the gorgeous cardinal, but here is Peter (or Flopsy, Mopsy, or Cottontail--can't tell them apart).

Ta Da!

My apron arrived! Have I mentioned how much I love it? Even more! The picture isn't very good; maybe I'll have Fee take one of me modeling the apron in the kitchen (now where is the kitchen?) when he comes home.

Thanks again, Marjorie (Cowgirl Goods blog and Etsy Shop)!

In Monday night's yoga class, we talked about herbal eye pillows for savasana and just resting your eyes and relaxing in general.

So...my current project is, of course, herbal eye pillows for class. I've been experimenting with different combinations of essential oils. I made one for me with eucalyptus, geranium, and lavender for my sinus headaches, but my favorite for savasana and relaxing are just the lavender or lavender & spearmint.

I'm not really sure how many to make for the two yoga classes as some people have quit coming, and we've added several new people in the past month. I'm going to make enough to cover the Monday class and have some left over, and then if I need more for the Wednesday class, I'll have time for that.

I've made 17 muslin bags and have more than half of them filled and sewn closed, but still have to make the covers for them. Really, I think that will be enough for both classes. I've used 2 bags of flax seed and need to get some more today. I'm also low on lavender (the flowers, not the essential oil), but think I have enough left for the rest of the bags.

I'll take pictures when I get the covers done. My studio smells so good!

Baby rabbits have the run of the yard right now. The grown ones are huge, but this one ise still in the cute bunny stage.We've been waiting for Holly to have her baby, and Emma Pierce Fleming arrived yesterday! Amelia designated herself as photographer and has already sent pictures to half the continent. Miss Emma is a beauty like her Mama. Congratulations Holly and Joe!

I've been doing some gardening in the last several days...and now have poison ivy on my shins. And puffy eyes from the pollen. Should rain today and knock some of the pollen out of the air.

Have decided that this is it on the spiral block. It will be a doll quilt.Playing around with piecing left overs for the back.Filling in the spaces on this piece.
Amelia loves his Chic-fil-A song, but I enjoyed this one, too.

Cowgirl at Heart

Wahoo! Look what I won!A cowgirl apron from Cowgirl Goods! I couldn't believe my good luck because I adore this apron and can't wait to try it on. It is certain to be an inspiration, don't you think? I also like this one from Margie's Etsy Shop.

I must have a good aura concerning aprons, because last year I won this one last year from Running with Scissors!
The Universe must be trying to tell me something!

Spiral Block Revisited

I've been playing with the spiral block from back in November, piecing borders to add and thinking about where to go from there.
This project would have qualified for Frugal Friday (WIP and scrap recycling); however, yesterday was not spent on sewing, but on visits to the vet, the library, the grocery store, the nursing home, the vet again, etc. Maybe next week I'll join the Frugal Friday Quilters: Finn, Michele, and last week, Paula, the Quilter.

Last night, I made Rian's Roasted Brussel Sprouts--and they were delicious! Fee's only suggestion was that I make more next time. Brussel Sprouts are an acquired taste, but one that will never be acquired by boiling them to death. RRBS are quick, easy, and delightful - thanks, Rian!

Just noticed how odd the combination of music I'm listening to: Jerry Jeff Walker; Grace (yoga mantras); Anne Murray's There's a Hippo in My Bathtub; Dance Music of the High Renaissance; and some of Deuter's meditation music (you can click on the top right hand corner of the link site to listen to some of his music).

Have a lovely weekend!

Orange You Glad It's Friday?

New fabric from Pink Chalk Fabric. Mmmm. Now what to do with all of the new fat quarters etc. that I've ordered lately?
Notice the tendency toward orange? I love orange, but didn't realize the bias in choosing these fabrics until they arrived.

I googled orange symbolism and found the following (from various sources):
-Put some orange in your life when you want:

• to spice things up when you feel time is dragging
• to become more involved in something
• to increase creativity
• relief from things becoming too serious

• Orange is energy, enthusiasm, get-it-done and balance.

• Orange, though very inspirational, is not going to be favored in general.

Hinduism, Buddhism, happiness energy, balance, heat, fire, enthusiasm, flamboyance, playfulness, aggression, arrogance, gaudiness, overemotion, warning, danger, autumn, desire, Sagittarius (star sign), September. Orange has less intensity or aggression than red and is calmed by the cheerfulness of yellow.

-Orange is a power color. It is one of the healing colors. It is said to increase the craving for food. It also stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. Orange means vitality with endurance.

-Warm and Cool Colors in Healing Art
The colors used in healing art can also have therapeutic value. Warm colors (red, yellow and orange) can be used to alleviate depression and to stimulate metabolism.

-Orange is the color of joy and creativity and promotes a general sense of wellness. It provides emotional energy that you can give to others, including compassion, passion and genuine warmth.
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When young I had a favorite color, but for years, I've found it difficult to name a favorite anything. It is as if by choosing a favorite (book, movie, color, etc.), I'm rejecting the rest. (I don't want to hurt green's feelings?)

In the last 10 years or so, however, I've noticed a definite fondness for certain shades of orange.

What are your color preferences? (for individual colors and/or for particular color combinations) Do your clothes or quilts or walls reflect your preference?

All Done

after two years of sitting around! The binding is done, the quilt washed and squared.As usual, I forgot about a label, which may or may not ever be applied.

I've been playing with a few things and have still not finished organizing my new sewing room, but in another two years...who knows?

Bright Spots

I put this design board over my cutting table. It is a little difficult to get to, so I put some cheerful pieces on it just to brighten things up. Slowly, but surely, the room is coming together.

The little pennant in the middle of the top row is from Marie of ZQuilts, who sent me a wonderful bunch of gifts in the mail last year, the rest of the are some of my small pieces.

I didn't notice the shadow when I took the picture from the door to the hall. The larger, messier, more frequently used design board is behind the door--easy to access.

A little embroidery that I played with last night.
I read about the Orbital Rotary Cutter Blade Sharpener over at Ginny's Quilts. What a great gadget! Do any of you have one? I have saved a bunch of blades, and I plan to get one of these gadgets to sharpen them up.

Frugal Fridays:

Paula, the Quilter has been busy with her Frugal/Creative Friday sewing and has busted 6 yards of polar fleece. Love the project of dog beds for her local no kill animal shelter.

And Michele of With Heart and Hands made a Frugal Friday Finish of 4 UFOs.

Finn has also been busy on Frugal Fridays (I think she is the originator); I especially like the Frugal Exchange.

And remember when I posted about The Orphan Trains documentary? Michele pointed me to Finn's other blog (Riding the Orphan Train) about her Orphan Train Quilts.

I'll be checking in with the Frugal Friday bunch Frequently.

Rainy Friday

Karoda has a terrific guest post here on Fiber Focus about her quilted poetry. Good on you, K!

It is rainy and cold here, but nothing is stopping spring.
I'm still moving slowly through the organization process in the new sewing room. Things have definitely slowed down, but I'm pleased with what I've accomplished so far.

Reading update:

• I've finished and reviewed Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear, Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin, and a wonderful new book, Saffron Dreams by Shaila Abdullah. Reviews are on my book blog.
• Finished The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge, M.D. Excellent! Haven't reviewed it, but a fascinating look at the neural plasticity of our brains.
  

Treasure Hunt

Sunday saw some progress, but no work got done yesterday as I was gone all day. At least no work on my room because I was too tired when I got home to think about it.

I'm finding all sorts of things I'd forgotten about and re-connecting with ideas as I sort through and organize.

Folded up among finished projects, I discovered this quilt from almost two years ago. All finished except for the binding. I think I should get that done!
Organizing threads.View from my window yesterday morning. Not only does it provide wonderful natural light, but it will be a pleasant view of the garden.


Guess I'd better get busy...

Friday Progress

When I finally got home after a meeting and lunch downtown on Thursday, the third day of painting awaited. I got to work and finished the ceiling--with frequent short breaks as my arms got so tired. Reaching overhead really worked on my shoulders, but the room is all painted and worth it!

It is now time to begin moving in and this presents the most exhausting part--decisions, decisions, decisions.
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Saturday Morning
I worked all day yesterday moving into the room, trying various arrangements, and finally getting to this. It will take much longer to finish trashing stuff and organizing.

Fee couldn't believe I'd move it all myself, and he has no idea how many times I moved it once I got it all in the room.If you click on the pictures, you can see how much still needs to be done.I plan to put the closet doors back on, although I know they will be open most of the time.
Geez! I'm not sure I will ever be finished! This is the fifth day, and I can no more estimate how much longer it will take than I can sing an aria.

Derailed

Yesterday, I did some cleaning and organizing, and sure enough, in the process decided on what I wanted to do next.

I made a list of 3 things to work on and was about ready to begin working on them-- when Fee arrived with 2 gallons of paint, a drop cloth, and all of the other painting paraphernalia necessary.

He deposited it all in the room to be painted and told me I could get started. And left.Well, that settled that. My original plans were derailed, so after getting into my painting clothes, I got busy and got the molding painted and the first coat done by about 6:30 PM.

Fee came home, complimented me on how much I'd gotten done, fixed a delicious supper while I cleaned up, and told me that obviously we didn't need to hire painters for the rest of the house because I was that good! Huh?

What a warped sense of humor. But I am glad that this will mean that my new sewing room is getting closer . The room will have a little more natural light and the white will help reflect the light, which is all to the good because my eyes appreciate more light in general and my attitude responds to natural light.

During breaks yesterday, I read How the Brain Changes Itself; I've got about 15 places marked with page pointers and sticky notes already. Our brains are just fantastic and the idea of neuroplasticity, the fact that our brains can continue to change, grow, and become more efficient is so encouraging. While this is especially wonderful for victims of strokes, brain trauma, and for those with certain learning disabilities, it applies to all of us.
Above is my latest stack of books to be read. I'm also enjoying Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin and Yoga as Medicine.

Hmmph! Guess it is time to get started on the second coat of paint.

One Last Block

One last wonky star for the Bush Fire Project--quilts for those who lost everything in the Australian bush fires.Actually, there are only 5 blocks; one appears twice. I didn't notice when I made the collage because I was in a hurry.
These went into the mail yesterday with the baby quilt for Debra's Pregnant Teens Project. It feels good to complete something.

Because I'm a procrastinator (and afraid of failing), I don't always announce my intentions to join or take part until I'm already well into the process. Oh, Fransson is having a Quilt-a-long that sounds like fun, but I'll just wait and see if I can work that in before making a public commitment.

Mac was able to come home yesterday afternoon. He isn't completely well, but is eating and drinking his water and feeling much better. Thanks to all of you who gave him good wishes!

Although I no longer have young children around, I do have grandchildren, and so I read several parenting/child-oriented blogs. I love the activities that are posted, so many of them look like such fun. The Artful Parent has posted possible activities for each day in March. Lucky Maia!

I have so many projects I want to tackle, but (as with my reading) sometimes the sheer number of things I want to do (or read) becomes almost paralyzing. Maybe a clean and organize session will inspire to get started on something!

More Stars, New Floor, & Give-Away Link

Friday's purchases: A new surgical seam ripper (this baby is a result of all the quilting I recently had to remove), fabric grips for the ruler that still had none, and thread.I read about this seam ripper on someone's blog months ago, and when I saw it, I couldn't resist. The removal of all that quilting the other day was such a chore, and this little gem should prove useful if a similar, awful incident ever happens again.

Busy week-end:

*Fee finished putting down the wood floors in the guest bedroom that will eventually be my new studio. The room still needs to be painted and more lighting installed, but it will be fractionally larger than my present room. This room will be the guest bedroom when I finally get moved.

*He also put can lights in the living room. What a mess! Everything covered in ceiling dust... good thing I covered the furniture with sheets.

*My role--clean up after him. Delighted to do so; a small investment in some big improvements.

*Two more wonky stars for the Bush Fire Project. Great Give-Away over at V and Co.! Moda Honey Buns!