Be*mused

Day two...check!

When M mentioned that he'd be away on business this week, I seized the thought that this would be my opportunity to buckle down and get some things done around here.  There's just something about having the house to yourself with several days of no requests or commitments that sparks the imagination.  Now, anyone who knows us will be puzzled, because M works 12-14 hours a day and is the most easy-going, unflappable husband around.  If I'm still pushing a quilt through the sewing machine when he comes in at the end of the day, he's happy to open a can of tuna.  Whoops..out of tuna?  No problem.  He'll find something.  So the whole *he's away, now I can get something done* is almost comical.  But the impulse persists, so I'm going with it.

Yesterday, I ran around checking things off of my list like a maniac, including washing & ironing all the new fabric, trimming the edges of the 48 yellow/orange blocks, pre-assembly, (that would be 192 edges...can you tell I'm getting sick of this project?) and scrubbing down this wicker chair.

Our home has a wide outside front entry area so when I came across this chair for $5 at a neighbor's garage sale last summer, it seemed like a perfect, slightly shabby *something* I'd been looking to put there. My intention from the start was to paint it, but it's sat there since, white, on a gray slab against a cream wall.  As my mother always said says, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and she's said it to me many times over the years.  But never say never!  M would be away...anything's possible!  Today was the day.

I purchased the paint on the weekend, after too much deliberation.  I knew what color I wanted and visited several dealers, hunting down the perfect shade.  (Note to self: it's a $5 chair.)  This morning, fortified with some coffee and a bit of blog reading, I headed off to find some painting clothes, settling on a slightly smallish, old, gray Gap t-shirt and my last remaining pair of *mom* jeans...the dreaded high-waisted, tapered, ankle lengths.  I'd be painting in the garage, so no problem.  Hey!  This was going to be fun!

M is the painter in our family (though I have the degree in painting...a BFA in Art Ed...he does the walls) so before he left, I asked if he had any brushes I could use.  They're hanging in the garage, he said, and I'm almost positive that he laughed as he said it, thinking, I'm sure, that I'd never get around to it.  Ha!

In the garage by 10:00 am, I planned on a couple of hours of work/fun painting followed by an afternoon of sewing.  I spread out the drop cloth, sanded the chair (slightly) and wiped it off and turned to find the brushes.  There they were, right where he said they'd be.  *Ahem*.  I considered posting a photo of the poor, pathetic specimens, but it might make you wonder about him.  I prefer to think there's some sentimental attachment there.  (Note to self: ask him about this when he gets home.) 

Loathe to accede to any impediment to my big plans, I put my unshowered self, bed-head and all (it was brushed, of course, but being naturally curly...let's just say my hair's extremely suggestible), into the car and drove to Ace Hardware (still in mom jeans) on the hunt for some new brushes.  The salesclerk practically met me at the curb to offer assistance, something I cannot get used to since our move here.  In the heartland, everyone is extremely helpful.  After my first local visit to Home Depot, I came home and told M that they must have been filming a commercial there, the way people were popping out of aisles asking "Anything special?", "Help you find something?" and the unbelievable "NIce day out there today, isn't it?".  But I digress.  She suggested a few favorites, highlighting an upgraded version.  For a dollar more, this brush had a foam coating on the handle for comfort.  Pshaw!  I'm from New England.  We'll take the standard version, thank you very much.

I sped home, mixed up that beautiful color and painted.  For 4 hours, I painted.  And I learned a few things.  First, there's a reason they suggest spray painting wicker.  (So, I ask, why don't they make spray paint in pretty colors?)  Second, when painting wicker, gravity is your friend.  I must apologize to all of those who have glopped paint on wicker and may have heard me disparage that look.  My preferred version of painted wicker is the paint-brushed-on-every-single-strand-of-reed look. (Note to self: it's a $5 chair.)

I cleaned up the brushes, took a shower and am feeling pretty good about my day, despite the fact that my hand is throbbing.  I didn't mention the necessary stabbing of the paint-loaded brush to achieve that paint-brushed-on-every-reed look, did I?  (Note to self: next time, spend the extra dollar.)  The chair needs another coat but the color choice was perfect!

I'm eyeing that bench back there for my kitchen...hmmm.

You didn't think I was going to do the big reveal before it was finished, did you?  It's not all pretty pictures all the time around here, you know.

Flitting around

 

My June began with lists of plans and high hopes, a clear calendar and the best of intentions, all of which have somehow disintegrated into a lot of flitting around.  False starts and diversions.  The month's not over yet, however, and I'm determined to get back on track and salvage things.  This morning, actually!  So a quickie post now, with luck, to be followed by several more soon.

Yesterday afternoon I spent a stupid amount of time (I intensely dislike the word *stupid*, but it fits here) trying to photograph several things for upcoming posts.  Nothing was working and I was wasting time, camera batteries and patience when I heard the mail truck pull up.  Ahhh...saved by the mail!   

Glorious color, indeed!

I ordered these new Kaffe Fassett prints last week when I saw them first pop up on the Glorious Color site.  I limited myself to a few colors of each of these 3 prints because sometimes when selecting from a computer screen, despite visual cues, the scale and colors turn out to be different from what I had expected.  Look at how large the paisley print is.  Large and luscious!

Half yard cuts...18" end to end (click)

Truthfully, I probably would've ordered more colors if I hadn't wanted to replenish some of my Kaffe stash that I've been using up.  I've noticed that some of the older prints are being discontinued, just as I'm falling in love with them.  Alas, there is a limit, despite how it may sometimes look here.  And for the foreseeable future, the limit's been reached.

The washing machine awaits...

As does the sewing machine.  Which is where I'm headed now.

Cross off another

 

Today's our anniversary and these arrived a little while ago.  I love how they look sitting on my rag weave, obi-turned-table-runner...so Japanese.  (I may have to replace that taffeta ribbon.)  For years on this date, M would send me long-stemmed, red roses.  And often I would complain.  (I hear the sound of hands slapping foreheads reverberating around the world.)  The roses were so expensive and more often than not, after just a day or two, the heads would droop and start to wither.  This became more of a problem in recent years, no matter what expert floral care advice I followed and I suspect it's some industry problem because in the early years, my bouquets routinely lasted a week or more.  Though I do miss that intoxicating rose scent, I don't miss my irritation at  rapidly decaying blooms.  And I love a surprise like this arrangement!

I can hardly believe it's already Wednesday.  I've been pretty busy the last few days attempting to cross long procrastinated but necessary tasks off a mental to-do list...scrubbing the deck, cleaning the garage, filing, filing, filing.  Black bags were filled, some for the trash and several which were dropped off at Goodwill.  Phone calls were placed, packages were wrapped and sent, postcards were made and mailed.  Check, check, check!  It's looking a lot better around here for the effort and now I can get back to the fun stuff without all that nagging at me.  Speaking of which, I've been playing around with the scraps a bit.

 

Our anniversary always coincided with strawberry season when we lived in Cleveland and it was our family tradition to celebrate (after a modest dinner) with heaping bowls of homemade strawberry shortcake.  If schedule and weather permitted, the kids and I would head to Rosby's Farm to pick our own.  With that in mind, on Monday I googled *pick your own strawberries Indiana* with the intent to make it tonight with fresh-from-the-farm berries.  I was surprised to find that, being several hours south of our longtime home, I've already missed the season!  *sigh*  So we'll have to make do.  This morning I picked up some berries and heavy whipping cream at the market and am heading to the kitchen to bake some shortcake now.  It won't quite be the same as in years past...store bought berries, two bowls now instead of four.  But after 31 years of marriage, we've gotten used to a little compromise. 

A colorful detour

Last night, I spent the evening on the porch with a glass of pinot grigios and my new book, Collaborative Quilting, by Gwen Marston and Freddy Moran.  A perfect combination!  I've been a fan of Gwen's quilting philosophy for a long time and had been looking forward to this book's publication.  At a hefty 250 pages, chock full of photos, it doesn't disappoint. 

Briefly, the first two chapters are individual profiles of Gwen and Freddy and their quiltmaking histories...how they started, where and how they work, what most interests them.  The rest of the book is devoted to their collaborative experience, color philosophies, Gwen's liberated quiltmaking instructions and, finally, a gallery of collaborative quilts.  Color photos on every page.

Things I particularly liked about the book:

• The individual profiles and histories of the quilters.  (Freddy made her first quilt at age 60!)
• Their workspace photos.  I always love to see how and where people do their creative work.
• Gwen's ten top design guidelines.  (You'll have to read them yourself.)
• Color, color, color.
• The book lays open nicely.
• The price. (Quite the bargain!)

Things I didn't like was lukewarm on:

• The cover design. (*eh*)
• The sameness of the color schemes of the collaborative quilts.  Given that Freddy's signature is explosive, bright color, this wasn't a surprise.  However, I found it distracted me from being able to focus on the quilt construction and designs.

All in all though, I'd definitely recommend it.

Since I'm for the most part finished with my April Project Spectrum quilt top, I headed up to my sewing room this morning to refold and re-stash all of those yellow & orange fabrics that had been strewn across my workspace floor.  It felt good to tidy up and I had every intention of spending the afternoon cutting into the greens & blues to get a (very) delayed start on my May/June PS quilt project.  Until I came upon these.

Ummm.  Despite my huge stash of fabric, when I work along on projects I'm hardpressed to discard any scraps of fabric larger than an inch square.  I usually deposit them in a little container that sits on my cutting table and then, as it fills, move them to boxes and drawers to await their eventual disposal at my estate sale.  Chalk it up to the whole New England background...nutty frugality...whatever.  But today I decided on a bold move.  To heck with future scroungers and thrifters!  I'm using these babies!  And I got to work on some *parts*.  (You'll have to read the book.) 

Really.  Get the book.

The joy of socks

Tabi

I love striped and patterned socks.  Although I don't have lots, I couldn't pass these up when we came across a sock kiosk in a Tokyo train station last winter.  There were dozens of color/pattern combinations and I remember Molly being incredulous over the amount of time I was taking to choose from the array.  Could.not.decide.

Finally did

When I started knitting again a few years ago, a friend's revelation of her obsession with sock knitting prompted me to try them.  Although I may have tried to match up the striping pattern on my first pair, I've since abandoned any such inclination, satisfied to just wait and see how things evolve.  I happily embrace the quirkiness of all of my fraternal socks!

Where am I going with this?  Here.  Is this great or what!??  They only sell mismatched socks, in threes, not pairs.  The designs and colors are fabulous and they sell adult, kid and toddler sizes.  I definitely need to do more poking around on this site, but just a glance at these few pages has me thinking of gift possibilities.  I love the concept!  (Thanks to QuiltersBuzz for the link.)

I have socks on my mind this week.  Do you know of any yarn shops that actually have sock yarn displays at the checkout counter?  Like gum and magazines in a grocery store, sock yarn is often a last minute impulse buy for me.  They don't have what I came for, but this Trekking is so pretty! And just one skein will make a useful* pair of socks.  (*The New England girl in me.)  I recently came across this sock at Kathie's which caught my attention.  Another project to add to the summer knit list. 

Chuggin' along

I know said I had finished these blocks several days ago, but a few were jumping out at me and not in a good way.  So this morning I made a few more and rearranged.  And then rearranged some more.  I think now it's ready for its borders.  I know I am!  The mail just arrived and with it, this and this.  So I'm going to go sit on the porch with a cold drink and be inspired. 

Color on a rainy weekend

When I came across this selection of Sugar'nCream for under ten dollars (total) last week, I knew that that some Mason-Dixon washcloths were probably in my future.  After seeing a number of their knitted pieces up close and personal on Saturday, there'll be even more Ann & Kay designs queuing up on my to-knit list soon.  The circle-of-fun rug/chairpads are on the needles now and the bubbly curtain looks like the solution for my troublesome back door window.  (Euroflax...must try.) 

 
Sadly, no photoshop skills like somebody we know

I'm not sure why my few shots from the event are all blurred (or how I didn't notice it at the time), but I felt compelled to post this one to prove to Kay that I could.  (Hands shaking. Breaking out in a cold sweat.)  Quick...look down here!

Cindra's version of M-D log cabin knitting.

Since I sewed all day yesterday, when I sat down to watch the Tony Awards last night, I put the hexagons aside and cast on a washcloth for fun.  Clever little pattern!

Waiting

I've been waiting for someone to try the Circle of Fun rug from Mason-Dixon Knitting but although washcloths and log cabin blankets seem to be multiplying like rabbits, I've yet to see a comment about the rug.  We could use some fun around here, so I decided to dig out some Lamb's Pride and cast on to see how this swirling design is put together.  If Ann and Kay had held a contest to name this project, they couldn't have come up with a better one.  It is fun...and so easy!  After only a few rows, I had the pattern memorized and it's one of those projects that's hard to put down.  Just a few more rows!  One more color section!  I'm thinking of making folky, circle-of-fun chairpads so this is just a practice piece to give me the info I'll need to adjust the design and materials.  I can't wait to get going on them.  Fun, fun, fun!

These blocks are piling up and I think it's about time to start bordering them with the solid black.  The yellow Project Spectrum quilt top is just waiting for borders.  I'm all ready to order the fabrics for both but I'm waiting for this new line to arrive in the online shops (any day now!) so I can snatch up a few at the same time.  Just a few.  Really.   

Speaking of Kaffe Fassett (you didn't click the link?), I stumbled on this wonderful, glowing fan quilt on his site last week.  And from my list of things-to-mention-in-a-post-sometime, I came across this KFassett book when I was in Japan in January, but haven't seen it anywhere since.  As showcased in the link, it features mostly smaller projects.  If you're a Kaffe fan, scroll down the page for the ISBN.

Finally, I'm waiting for the weekend, which is shaping up to be a lot of fun.  Hope yours is a good one, too.

I can dream, can't I?

My escape reading

I started quilting many years ago to satisfy the powerful urge to play with color & pattern while making beautiful, useful items.  However, I've always wanted to eventually get back to my drawing and painting.  It hasn't happened yet.  Not for lack of time, space, materials or desire.  Blank page paralysis?  Maybe.  In the meantime, I read about it. 

These are two of my favorite periodicals and surprisingly, one artist, Moira Huntly, is profiled in each of their current issues.  A British painter, she has a wonderful color sense and I found myself closely scrutinizing several of her featured pastels. 

From Artists & Illustrators magazine, May 2006

A lightbulb moment.  Or, rather, a flash of memory.  Years ago, I taught a quilting class which focused on design & color.  To move students from the same tired color schemes, one exercise I had them work on involved developing a color palette based on a favorite painting, advertisement or wrapping paper.  The results were stunning and most students were quite surprised at the fabulous combinations they came up with using pictures and photos from their everyday lives as inspiration.  How could I have forgotten?  Off to the stash! 

Click

This was really fun and definitely shook me out of my May/June, green/blue Project Spectrum doldrums.  The same approach could absolutely be used with knitting as well as quilting.  Pay attention to color combinations that catch your eye outside the realm of cloth & yarn and take note.  I'll bet you come up with some exciting mixes that you never would have considered if starting from scratch.

So, what shall I do with this now?  Mulling that one.  I've come across some great quilts-in-progress recently...Kristin's green PS top, here & here, Jeanne's graphic pink & black and Brandy's fabulous scrap top.  I sewed 6 more blocks for my yellow/orange quilt this weekend but still have a dozen more to go (plus borders) and I'd like to get that top completed before I dive into another project.  Not much on the calendar this month though, so I'm expecting a lot of progress.  And some knitting!  Is painting too much to consider?   

In...

...just under the wire!