quilting — Page 20

A handy gadget

September 16, 2008 at 6:10 pm by Claudia

I’ve been sitting at the sewing machine, once again piecing my quilt. My iPod is playing Diana Krall singing “Dancing in the Dark.” This CD was arranged by the legendary Claus Ogerman, who arranged lots of Jobim’s music – most memorably on Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim. I love Frank Sinatra singing most anything, but that particular recording is my favorite of his because he’s restrained, beautifully taking us on a journey through sexy bossa nova rhythms. I think he’s at his best, along with “Fly Me to the Moon”, and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Back to Diana Krall: I recommend this recording highly! “Dancing in the Dark” has the most wonderful arrangement with a Brazilian samba-like accompaniment by a full orchestra. It is on The Look of Love.

Thought I’d share this handy (at least to me) gadget I found at my local quilt shop. I believe the owner said it came from Japan.

The left side is a mini cutting mat and the right side has a sandpaper/emery board-like finish.
I can cut and trim pieces that I have sewn on the mat and the other side is terrific for marking fabric before sewing.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always want to get up and walk to my larger cutting mat. I work in a small space and after the initial cutting of fabric is done, I can put away the large mat and work with this little guy right next to my machine. It folds up and looks like this:

I assume Cotton Boll is the name of the manufacturer. It has proven to be invaluable in my little, little space.

Autumn is in the air, and after my initial sadness about my garden, I am now happy that Fall is here. Funny thing about the seasonal changes – I always think I’m not ready for the changeover, but when it is time, I’m absolutely ready. Mother Nature knows best.

More later.

Reading and Quilts

August 6, 2008 at 4:23 pm by Claudia

Just getting over my second cold of the summer. My husband got it first, then I did. Thank goodness this one was much shorter in duration than the last! So I’ve been taking it easy. Today is the first day I’ve been perky enough to do some chores around the house, other than the daily swiffering and vacuuming. While I was down and out I read Fractured by Karen Slaughter. It was so engrossing that I polished it off in a little over a day. If you love mysteries, especially gritty ones, you will love her books. She’s written several. The first time I read one of her mysteries, I was on a plane to Florida. When I got there I had finished it and couldn’t wait to get all of her books so that I could read every one of them – in order. Every time my sister and I were out I had to stop at a bookstore and look for more of her books. Don’t you just love it when you discover an author and can’t wait to get your hands on all his/her books? I was that way with Anne Perry, also. My mom had read her Victorian mysteries and recommended them to me, but for some reason I had resisted them. When I finally came to my senses and read one, I was hooked. “Catching up” on all Anne Perry’s books involves a ton of reading as she is very prolific. But it sure is a pleasure. I’ve now started The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen – another mystery involving a female police detective, apparently the second in a series. I haven’t read the first, so we’ll see if I have that “I’m hooked” feeling at the end of the book!

The photo above was taken in the upstairs hallway of our cottage. The large quilt hangs on the wall right above the landing – you can see it from the living room. At certain times during the day, the sunlight from our upstairs skylight hits the quilt and it is beautifully illuminated. I made it from a pattern by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes. Its a pansy quilt. (By the way, I believe it is hanging upside down, but by the time my husband and I were finished wrestling with it I was in no mood to do any re-hanging. I rather like it this way.)

The other quilt is made out of 30’s reproduction fabrics and is a basic nine-patch. It was one of the first quilts I ever made. One of the first things I did when we closed on this cottage was drape it over the railing and there it has stayed.

Another view of the Pansy Quilt.

More later.

Stitching on a windy day

March 20, 2008 at 5:55 pm by Claudia

As you can see, I am stitching some blocks for my quilt today. I worked at the store this morning and finally got to the sewing machine this afternoon. We had a front move through and it has turned very windy. I always find very windy days unsettling. I feel restless, and a bit edgy. My adored dogs are right on top of me, so I cannot move from the machine without stepping on one. I love them but sometimes I need some breathing room. Our “cozy cottage” gets a bit too cozy at times.

As you can see, I succumbed to the lure of chocolate. I have to say, Dove dark chocolate bars are pretty fantastic. If you haven’t tried one, you should. In the upper right hand corner of this photo is my Lambchop puppet. (I grew up on Shari Lewis.) A couple of years back I was down in Florida for an extended time. My Dad was recovering from serious surgery and my sister and I ran into a Cracker Barrel restaurant to pick something up and, lo and behold, there was my beloved Lambchop. She was purchased immediately and much to my mother’s chagrin and my sister’s laughter, began to talk to everyone. A lot. This went on for a few days until Lambchop and I got it all out of our system(s). I’m still crazy about her and I’m glad she watches over my sewing area.

A belated Happy First Day of Spring to everyone!

A handy gadget

Reading and Quilts

Stitching on a windy day

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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