I was on a mission yesterday to make a couple of potholders to replace the one that mysteriously disappeared through the portal to another dimension, located in my kitchen.
I also needed to get back into the sewing groove after a couple-week hiatus. Simple projects are good for that.
Since my scraps and strips were overflowing their drawers, I cut a couple muslin foundations, opened a drawer, and started string-piecing. I love string-piecing. It's relaxing and has that element of surprise (usually pleasant) when you get a block done and trimmed.
I made these a little bigger than your standard potholder (a) because they fit my hands better, and (b) so they can double as hot pads on the table. Pot-hot-holders? Okay, maybe not.
I just quilted random lines, which kind of remind me of the Nazca lines in Peru.
I stumbled upon this video last night and...just...wow. This is Gretchen Wilson (country singer--who knew she had those rocker pipes?) absolutely nailing the vocals on the Heart classic, Barracuda. That's Nancy Wilson, original Heart co-founder, on guitar, and the band is none other than Alice in Chains.
If you're looking for the Sunday Sundry post, go back one. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.
A little Monopoly humor, folks. Does anyone still play Monopoly? Remember the little metal game piece that looked like a shoe? That was my favorite. You don't remember? Well, never mind then. I am over 50 now and prone to reminisce about things that might not make sense. Feel free to tell me about your iPhone apps and I'll glaze right over too.
My husband and I laugh about one day telling our future grandkids (should we be so blessed) that when we were young, we had to actually GET UP and WALK TO THE TV to change the channel. And in my case, that may have involved a needle-nose pliers to turn the dial. Because that was before the invention of Super Glue to fix broken plastic things. What was a dial, you ask? Oh, never mind. Hey look over there, it's a brand new app!
Anyway, I ran out of blogging mojo last night but wanted to mention that Betty from My Mink Betty gave me this fun award!
Thanks, Betty! I am honored. I am also all about the versatility.
The award did come with some rules, which are meant to be broken:
Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award. (Check!)
Share 7 things about yourself.
Pass the award to 15 blogs you enjoy and let them know they've been given the award.
Okay, here goes.
Seven (more) things about me:
1. I taught myself to type one summer when I was in junior high, using my mom's old typing textbook and her Olivetti manual typewriter. Yep, I was just honing my inner dweeb.
3. I wouldn't be able to eat a lot of the food on DDD because I'm gluten and dairy intolerant. A girl can dream, though.
4. Favorite meal - What I had for my birthday dinner: Petite filet mignon, done medium, with a baked sweet potato and cinnamon sugar, and steamed broccoli, summer squash, carrots, and snap peas.
5. Favorite drink - Iced tea with a slice of lemon and a packet of Truvia.
6. I was not keen on learning to drive in high school. Now when my husband and I go somewhere, I drive 90 percent of the time.
7. I used to sell vintage fishing lures and tackle boxes on eBay. I know a Vamp Spook from a Hula Popper.
Now, please don't feel obligated to be a rule-follower on my account if this seems like too much work. After all, it's that time of year where we should be kicking back and enjoying life to its fullest. But I do appreciate the shout-out, Betty, and cheers to all of you!
Where to begin? I'm going to let the pictures do some of the talking today on Sunday Sundry, my miscellaneous post of the week.
There was a birthday to be had on Tuesday. My Dad treated me to lunch, which was very nice. Otherwise, Tuesday was pretty much a normal work day for me. Norm and I did go out to dinner Saturday, finally, to celebrate. Mmm...steak.
We had replacement windows installed in the basement this week. After the caulk fumes dissipated, I finally went down and started setting up my sewing room again.
I rearranged some things.
Made room for more music too.
I unearthed some old photographs that will become blog fodder soon.
Sometime last week, I lost my one and only potholder. I think it fell through a portal in the back of my kitchen drawer into a parallel universe. A universe in which I probably will find it and think, "Dang, this thing is filthy." Hopefully, it'll get laundered in the other realm and returned to me via the auxiliary portal located in the washing machine. You know, the one the socks use when they disappear.
I'll have to make a new one or two in the meantime. I guess the Universe wants me to actually sew something this week.
We did some thrifting today, and boy howdy, did we find some stuff!
A fabulous end table, or maybe it's a small coffee table. It's kind of low. Love that George Jetson-esque shape.
Zippers, a quarter apiece. I want to make some of those cool gathered clutches I've been seeing a lot of lately.
Pyrex. Blogged about over at The Pyrex Collective. Click the link to check it out.
Mugs! Fugly-fabulous!
But the bomb--which weighs about as much--was this blue beauty.
An all-metal, portable Royal typewriter. It came in a sweet case too.
The thing is pristine. From what I can determine, it's probably a late '60s model.
Did you know that on old manual typewriters like this, there is no exclamation point? You have to type an apostrophe, then backspace and type a period under it. Also, there is no number 1. You use the lower case L instead.
Sweet ride, huh? Not mine, unfortunately. It was parked at the bank. I hopped out of my Toyota to snap a pic.
Seems like there was more, but I think I've probably meandered enough on this Sunday Sundry drive today. Thanks for being along for the ride. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Since my sewing room has not yet been returned to functional status after Monday's window installation, I thought I'd talk about one of my previous quilts, and its very special recipients.
After I'd finished piecing the Smoky Mountain Stars quilt, I pondered what kind of quilt I wanted to try next. Another scrappy, traditional quilt or something different? One day while browsing for ideas, I came across a pattern called City Scapes by Cherry House Quilts. I was immediately drawn to its modern feel and use of color. Lots of gorgeous blues and greens, a splash of lime--loved it!
This went together pretty well, except I had a little trouble sewing the rows (columns) together, as far as getting them all to match up properly lengthwise. The long rows are sewn vertically, and there are no seams to match or use as guides along the way. As a result, I was off a bit on the bottom edge, but hey, that's why rotary cutters were invented, right? A whack here and a zip there--close enough for rock and roll!
The pieced top then languished on my sewing room shelf for a year. I did other things. For any non-quilters visiting, this is how something becomes a UFO, or Unfinished Object. During this integral stage of quilt-making, the piece is frequently unfolded, inspected/admired, refolded, and placed carefully back on the shelf. I like to think of it as the critical aging process, like a fine wine. Of course, I hadn't thought of it that way until now, because I totally just made that part up. Except the languishing. That really happened.
Along about the latter half of 2009, I found out my friend Joe was getting married, which was very happy news indeed. He and I had worked together at a law firm for 10 years. Technically, he was one of my bosses, but in reality he was and still is a good friend and almost-brother. He quit the practice of law and moved to Montana several years ago, and I still miss the goofy guy like crazy. But he has found his bliss out there in Big Sky Country. Life is good.
Anyway, I thought the City Scapes quilt ought to be a wedding gift for Joe and his lovely bride, Stanette. I had it long-arm quilted with an allover design that I thought would look like wind blowing (through the cityscape, get it?). I was a little late in getting it to them (they were married in December 2009), but I finally finished it up in February of this year and sent it off.
Well, they loved it. So much, they sent not one but two sweet thank-you cards, one from each of them. :) I didn't know prior to sending it that Stanette is actually quite a quilt lover, which is awesome.
I'm so glad they're enjoying it, and enjoying married life together. I wish them all the best!
Leslie, Katy, and Paiges12: Please contact me with your mailing address, as I do not have an email address to contact you. My email can be found above by clicking to view my profile.
It was such a blast having these giveaways! You all were very enthusiastic and kind in your comments, and I truly enjoyed visiting your blogs and learning a little bit about each of you. Thank you for making the week leading up to my 50th birthday so special and fun!
I made these a little bigger than your standard potholder (a) because they fit my hands better, and (b) so they can double as hot pads on the table. Pot-hot-holders? Okay, maybe not.
I just quilted random lines, which kind of remind me of the Nazca lines in Peru.
