Monday, January 26, 2015

Many Things Monday

Brother Everett and I have been kicking the can further on up the road, metaphorically speaking, moving incrementally forward on a few different things.  Namely, a couple of backings for two quilt flimsies which have been on the design wall for a long enough time.

Here is a peek at the backing for the Tea Towel Challenge 2014 quilt.

The next step on the Tea Towel Challenge quilt is to machine applique around the fused feather/leaf shapes.  Now that I've gotten a little more comfortable with the new machine, I'm ready to get started on that job.

The backing for the improv quilt (above) is from a vintage fabric found at the thrift store sometime in the last six months.  Since it was only 30-some inches wide, I needed to sew two lengths of it together to make it wide enough.  

The next step on that quilt will be to machine quilt in the ditch, and then I may add some hand quilting in perle (pearl?) cotton.  I've never done that before, so it'll be a new experience for me.

Sarah is having a 16-patch quilt-along (see link on sidebar).  I've been unsure what kind of quilt I wanted to make with 16 patches, so I've dragged my feet a bit on getting started.  I did find some 2-1/2 inch olive and brown squares in the scrap bin, however, and just for kicks and giggles, I sewed what was left of those onto a variety of brown scraps, ending up with two 16-patches like so.

I love bright colors, but I'm also very compelled by earthy tones like this.  These are orphan blocks for now, but you never know when inspiration will come along and carry them away into another project. 

As I got to looking around the sewing room, I spied the lovely stack of hand-dyed fabric I'd won recently in the Crossing the Drunkard's Path quilt-along from Vicki Welsh.  Aren't they gorgeous?

I started grouping some of the pieces into light/dark (-ish) pairs and, in the process, hit upon an idea for the 16-patch blocks, to be arranged in a 16-patch and X's quilt (a/k/a Good Night Irene).  I just need to decide on the background fabric, but I'm leaning toward a light gray low-volume print in the stash, assuming I've got enough of it or can find more, if necessary.

I decided it was time to change up the office space Pyrex display.  So it went from this fall-like aggregation:

To this:

This seemed especially appropriate as Valentine's Day approaches, but really it's true all year round.  I *heart* Pyrex!

Here is something else I *heart* lately.  This will definitely make your taste buds tingle.

And your lips burn.  That's a good thing, right?

8 comments:

beth s said...

Ooh! I love that tea towel quilt! Gorgeous. And....the pyrex display is wonderful! Thanks for linking up with monday making today. ;)

Hazel said...

I think you've been a very over achiever bunny lately! I particularly like the vintage fabric that you got from the thrift shop for a backing.

Sarah Craig said...

There's lots of great things going on with you today, but I love the idea of your pretty hand dyes in a 16-patch quilt! Looks like you and Brother Everett are quite a team!

Lara B. said...

I am loving your improv quilt Paulette! And the deep green and brown 16 patch - that color combination is beautiful and so woodsy. It will be fun to see what you do with those lovely hand dyed fabrics.
What a great thing to do with your pyrex! Ours is tucked away in the cupboard and only comes out when we use it.

Marei said...

Still loving the tea towel and now I'm in love with the back! Very cool. 16 patches....how I love them....the always make me smile. And just how much Pyrex can one girl have? I wouldn't have space to store what you've got, nor space to display it, but I sure do enjoy seeing it when you post the "changing of the Pyrex".

Kaja said...

Quite apart from your lovely quilts - I keep coming back to look at all that fabulous Pyrex! (Any food that makes your lips burn gets my vote).

Elizabeth said...

The back for the tea towel quilt could almost be it's own quilt. Love the fabrics & colors.

xo -E

Vonlipi said...

That is a nice new Pyrex display (I know I am a bit late...hihi)

I have never seen sriracha microwave popcorn anywhere! it is supposed to be on of 2017 must eat things (sriracha)