A Little Sewing 03-12-21

I recently found out that one of my quilting friends has been in the hospital for Covid, but is home now.  Since the group only meets on ZOOM and there are usually 80 - 90 in attendance it is hard to know who is there and who isn't.  She is such a nice person and is always sending me cards and notes.  So, I made this mug mat for her and put it in the mail this morning.  I don't think she reads my blog, so it will still be a surprise for her.  She is fond of butterflies.

The background is not my work.  Another quilting friend doesn't save scraps or rejected creations.  In a workshop she wasn't happy with what she had done and cut it down, throwing the  already quilted pieces in the trash.  Being a confirmed "dumpster diver", I picked out the larger pieces and have been using them for fabric postcards and mug mats and...  whatever. 

 

This is the back side, not colors I would ever put in a quilt - orange and pink?  Never, never, never - nope!  But somehow this works for me.  

Here is a close up of the butterfly on the front.  I had fused a FQ of butterfly fabric previously for some cards and just cut out a few for this effort.  After I cut them out (with the fusing on the back) I outlined them with black fabric marker, fused them down and appliqued them with a straight machine stitch on the very edge using black thread on the top and monofilament on the bobbin.  So the stitching can barely be seen on the other side.    As usual with my combination of camera and laptop the color is washed out quite a bit.  

But I am so pleased with myself that I actually sewed something.  I have stacks of half square triangles and have used up all the precut triangles.  Now I am squaring them up which is such a tedious project requiring four cuts for each 3" square.   Still can't think of what to do with them when they are finished.  But, again, I am actually sewing every day for an hour.  Well, now I am just cutting, but I consider that part of the sewing process.  

The Empty Spools sessions for this year are canceled.  The State of California runs Asilomar, it is a state park, and it will not be open until (maybe) July.  The Empty Spools 2022 brochure is supposed to be out toward the end of April.   This year would have been my 30 year to take classes there.  It is such a lovely place to spend a week while sewing with like minded quilters from all over the world.  

#   #   #

Nice rain 03-10-21

We had heavy rain during the night and off and on today.  We desperately need it, but more will be necessary to cut down on the fire danger.  Fortunately KoKo and I were able to walk between downpours.  It is really hard to handle the leash, the cane, and an umbrella; almost need another hand/arm!   I could dig our a plastic pancho from the emergency supplies in the trunk.  It would help keep me dry and I don't think KoKo minds if he gets wet.  

 

#   #   #

Food for Bees 03-08-21

Yes,, they are a weed and infest our lawns every spring.  But if you possible can you should leave them blooming because they are a prime source of food for bees in the early spring.  I don't imagine that the neighbor who is growing this much cares, but his neglected yard is always full of every kind of weed.  A couple times a year he cleans it up, or hires someone to do it.  Meanwhile the bees are dining well.  

#   #   #