Saturday, February 2, 2013

Red Fish, Blue Fish

I took advantage of the bright sunshine yesterday morning to take some pictures, as the thermometer was struggling to climb to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.  I ventured just a few steps from the front door and spent about as long out there as it took to toss the quilt down  and press the camera button a couple times.  Brrr!
I've already posted about this heart wall hanging, but I think it looks better in full daylight against fresh snow than in a dark hallway on a dreary day.

I also quilted a little mini last week from some HST scraps left over from something else.  I'm calling it "Red Fish, Blue Fish."

It's mini-runner size, maybe about 7 x 21, or about the size of my computer keyboard that I'm looking at here, trying to guesstimate.

I also started cutting up men's plaid shirts for the quilt idea I had mentioned here

Also got a few of the sailboat blocks done.  They go together fast with chain piecing.

The time consuming part is cutting up each shirt, but it's a relaxing thing, even if it is sort of boring.

Something about working with thrifted shirts feels very grounding.  Maybe it's the humble medium or the soothing patterns.  And since it's not the latest designer fabric, there's no anxiety about messing up.  Maybe the simple act of pressing the shirts, or parts thereof, has me recalling another time, when the social network consisted of whoever was chatting with you in the vicinity of the ironing board (grandma, mom, sister, brothers, etc.). 

I'll probably putter away at these blocks a bit here and there, with other things happening between.  I'm considering possibly a red border of some kind when I get that far, but who knows, I may change my mind a few times by then.

I'm also thinking about other projects on the bucket list that I might like to start.  In particular, an Irish chain (single, double, or triple) and/or a drunkard's path are appealing at the moment.  Preferably from stash, although I don't know if I have enough of what I have in mind to use.  We'll see!

12 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Love those fish! That is such a fun mini-runner! I also like the hearts outside in the snow too. The quilting in both of your quilts really pops! I love the look of it!

The sailboat blocks are coming along nicely. Makes me want to rummage through Mr. Bug's closet and start something new. Or maybe just sent the ones he's not using anymore to you (the button down shirts he wears to work are company logo and are laundered by a dry cleaner contracted by the company. I couldn't love it any more if I tried! He's always freshly pressed and I don't even have to pick up the dry cleaning, much less an iron. On his off days, he usualy wears a polo, so he has tons of button-downs that are just hanging in his closet.).

One of my favorite parts of the quilting process is the cutting. I'm not sure why I like it; probably because it is the easiest part to be precise at . . . and that's only remotely related to what you're talking about with cutting the shirts up into useable bits, but I can relate.

Fun post and beautiful work, as always!

xo -E

BendingPins.com said...

Your heart mini is even more beautiful in the sunshine! I'm very excited about your thrifted shirt quilt, can't wait to see it all together! xoxo

Sara said...

You were making me cold thinking about you going outside! Brrrrrr...

The men's shirts quilt is going to be soo terrific!! Have fun P. ;)

Karen said...

Your shirt blocks look spectacular...live that red stripe so! So so so done with winter...bah!

Stella Nemeth said...

I like the sailboat blocks. It is going to be an interesting project when you put them together.

Kevin the Quilter said...

I am thoroughly enjoying visiting your blog. Your posts are intriguing with a humorous touch. I, too, am in the midst of collecting shirts for a civil war quilt I would like to make. I love your combos so far! Best wishes!

SueWis said...

Beautiful quilting on your hearts! And you make me want to make a dress shirt quilt!

Shay said...

You guys are so lucky to have a white backdrop for 3 months of the year ...Perfect for quilt pics. And yes – the snow does make your design pop. Love the colours and quilting on that piece.

Im with you on the cutting up of quilt bits out of old shirts comment. I felt a bit like I was doing the same thing over and over and over yesterday when I was cutting and sewing strips. It’s a little tedious but not something you have to put a lot of thought into . LOVE those blocks though. Its going to look fantastic as a whole quilt!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

I love that heart mini...the quilting makes it extra special:)

I like the sailboats, too, and the label you left intact. Nifty thrifty!

Sarah Craig said...

The snow does make a pretty backdrop for your quilt - and how industrious of you to cut up all those shirts! Whoop whoop!!

Diane said...

Look at you go! You are getting those blocks done... Love the snow pictures... wish we had some.

MomWaldsPlace said...

Wow, it is only February, and look at you go! You, Darlin', are on a roll. Thanks for sharing. You are inspiring.