Well here we are....end of February.....another whole month, a twelfth of a year....a leap month....you get the picture!
These little circles of mine are counting down my year, and its quite a process now. I have read the wonderful blogs of the other participants of this challenge and the wisdom and varying styles is wonderful to observe.
I am not preparing my circles ahead of time, but I did spend a day cutting and preparing the background squares so I could just grab a square each day and hunt for the fabric that speaks to me in that moment.
I did fall behind for a day or two as life got in the way of the routine, but I made it my job to at least select fabric daily even if I didn't sew it on the day.
I am writing the date on the back of the squares and I don't cut the fabric away from behind the circle as some have told me that essentially weakens the quilt.......now don't all talk at once, I respect each and everyone of you and what ever method is best is the one you will swear by.....this is mine....smiley face....:-)...smiley face!
I have also managed to start another project that I was itching to try, the rope bowl.
This has been a whole lotta fun. You know all those slim strips of fabric that we get when we square up fabric before cutting? I saved these as they were often the full width of fabric, and then proceeded to wrap them around the clothes line rope. No particular pattern or design in mind, just wrapping the fabric around the rope.
Then I whacked it under the sewing machine, and with a zigzag stitch, (set to the widest setting) I coiled the rope and sewed it down.
There are many tutorials and youtube videos to illustrate. Its a little like a cross between potting and sewing, you angle the bowl up as you want to create the sides. You can do it gently and get a shallow dish, or more steeply and you get a bowl shape.
I am seeing more of these in my future, I have a thing for baskets and bowls. I also want to try other methods and styles. In fact once I did contemplate joining the basket weavers guild to learn more about that magical art.
You know what? Nothing to stop me now, I think I will do it!!!
And like my sewing, I am lagging a little behind but linking up now with Quiltyfolk for the February review.
....well more like rummaging in my own kitchen bin.
As the title of my blog suggests I like scraps and they can be pretty small and still useful in my book.
My darling daughter has, over the years, discovered her sewing skills and with the explosion of pretty young things making craft groovy she is motoring along and sewing a great wardrobe of simple tops and pants for her working life.
This girl of mine has simple but expensive tastes and being single, not owning a car and still living at home as a student she can afford to indulge a little.
Thus she has purchased yardage of Liberty to make a few tops, and being an awesome person passes on her left over scraps to me so I can add them to my stash.
Imagine then my surprise when I open the cupboard to ditch the soggy teabag in the bin when I espy colourful fabric scraps IN THE BIN!!!!!!!
Luckily there were no soggy tealeaves or indescribable meats thrown on top of these precious pieces, and yes I may have still dived in and washed them later.
I retrieved the fabric and later told my daughter what I had done and "why did she throw such things away nilly willy?"
She sighed.....and said, "Mum you are officially bonkers!"
Yes, yes I am! But I am hooked now on small pieces of precious fabric, the possibilities, and Liberty scraps are worth the indignity of being discovered head down, bum up scrabbling around in ones own rubbish.......are you with me? Anyone?.....No just me then?
I mean anyone can see these are still usable.
And this is the standard that determines whether or not a piece is thrown out.
I collect them in a pretty glass dish.
...and this is one I prepared earlier.
A small purse made from 1/4 inch hexagons. Loved making it and I have several purse frames to make a few more.
This scrap quilt is on a slightly larger scale, its the 365 quilt led by Audrey from her blog "Quilty Folk"
I started on New Years Day, and this is the result for the month of January. So far so good.
I have found this routine has focused me and given me permission to be a "creative being" Its been an adjustment but I am getting more and more relaxed as I look forward to the next phase of life.
I am seeing both my Mother and my Father In Law dealing with their advancing years, and their examples have made me more determined to finally live life on my terms.
My Father In Law is a true example of grace and determination, he never moans but sees each step along the ageing process as a bit of a challenge. He recently had a bad fall and broke his hip and wrist, he was frail to begin with and we were very concerned as to how this would play out.
He is just getting on with it, he is almost energised by the rehabilitation, he knows he will never be the same but he does what is required with his diminished physical limits and still has a sharp and enquiring mind. A man I admire very much.
My mother on the other hand has become petty and very demanding, she is not above using guilt and manipulation to blame her ageing and ill health on others, especially her daughter.
Such a contrast!
So I will play with scraps and love what I do, I will seize my life and love deeply those who love back.....the rest can just please themselves.
Phew who knew a blog would be so cathartic?
