In-House Transport

I tend to move from room to room with my hand sewing, so I was looking for something that would serve as transport and then as a worktable.

I thought of a handled basket, but the handle would be hard to work around once I was seated.  What to do....

Right after Christmas the grocery store had trays on sale for under $1.  Cheap enough to give this idea a try.  

The rim in deep enough to keep everything in place, but low enough to allow me to work directly from it.

I have a fabric dish with/for Wonder Clips, thread, pincushion and pins, needles, scissors and my project.  I now have a portable workstation that can go upstairs, downstairs, even outside (but not tonight; too cold to sit on the porch.).  Mine is about the size of a dinner plate.

I have finished two table runners which I will share over the next couple days.  Busy, busy fingers!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry.  I had forgotten one of the reasons I so like his books--he combines history and fiction, but at the end of the book/CD he explains which parts were real and which were not.

Success!

Have I mentioned that I'm weird?  Here's proof.

Usually I just load used bedding into the bucket of the tractor and sometimes I actually dump the bucket into the manure spreader.  Today I got to do that...and more!

I successfully hooked the tractor to the manure spreader AND got the Power Take Off correctly attached!  First.  Time.  Ever!

I refuse to get a selfie stick, so this was the best I could do.  I wanted you to be sure that it was actually me who did this feat of daring-do!

I have been appliqueing this week, but nothing to show quite yet.  Let's just say there are a couple new classes in the works.

That's it for now.  How was your Saturday?  

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to The 14th Colony by Steve Berry, and just finished Pirate by Clive Cussler.

First Finish of 2017

I started the day working on new class handouts.  One thing led to another and... Voila!  

A mug rug or candle mat...whatever!  I hand pieced the thimbles and hand stitched the binding to the back.  The rest was done on the machine.

Yes, machine quilting again.   Don't worry, hand quilting is still my first love!

Plus, this evening I have cut, marked and arranged 42 more thimbles for another sample.  These smaller pieces are just so much fun.  Did you know that I originally started out making minis?  Right after my first quilt, a king-sized log cabin!

Still cold and snowy here.  Into negative degrees with the wind chill.  

So, once again, brrrrrrrry hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to another John Hart book, Down River.  I have to say he is an excellent writer, and I have a hard time turning the CD player off to go to bed.  

A Couple Updates

January 2 and I already feel like I am behind for the year!

I have updated the schedule here and on my website. And I have added several new sites to my blog list.

In the midst of this changeable weather, I thought I would share this pic.  It's in the summer, during haying season.  That's me, Lacey (30+ years old) and Luna, one of the barn cats.  

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Gone Again by James Grippando.

More Progress

From yesterday:  A bit more hand piecing. Along with snowblowing and groceries. Three full days of sewing and reading and just staying inside--what a gift!

Today was spent with family and friends.  And I added binding to three small pieces before leaving for the festivities, with one more on tap and then the hand sewing can begin.

There is so much to be thankful for--a loving family, great friends, loyal blog readers, a full and busy life.  And the list could go on into infinity.  Thank you all for being a part of my world!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blissful hugs,

Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to The Obsession by Nora Roberts.  

Listening

Here are four audio books I have finished over the last few days. All are excellent.

Got snow? We do!

Ahhhh...Bliss

What will it be?  Stay tuned!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I have listened to Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline and Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult.  Both were excellent.  Thanks, Rose, for not telling me the end! (I begged her big time--she's tough!)

More Smiling Faces

Just a few days ago, five ladies joined me for a Big Three class.  We used precision rotary cutting, machine piecing and pressing techniques to create the Providence block.

 Pat A, Cherie, Susan M

Sharon N, Gale

What a great time, and we laughed lots!!!  Your chance to join us is coming again in December.  I've updated the schedule pages both here and on my website.

I'm busy horsing around, and quilting, and doing some other fun stuff.

Blissful hugs,

Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to The Games, A Private Novel by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan.

Who Knew???

Today was spent in the company of my best friend.  We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and then went to see the first showing of a brand new movie.  Let me just say that I have never been to a first showing of any movie!  The movie, you ask?  Florence Foster Jenkins.  It is superb!  We laughed, we cried, we laughed and cried some more.  Meryl Streep was spectacular.  We had what we call "a spa day"--just the two of us doing whatever.  We are always just glad to be together.

Here's something to peak your interest!  The purple circle is already appliqued to the turquoise.  Both are now correctly positioned to be added to the flower.  I am working on an unusual coloration of a very traditional applique block.  Prepare to either love it or hate it when it is done!  Almost every piece has been fussy cut (I know, what a surprise!).

Stay cool.

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Boar Island by Nevada Barr.

One of the Greatest Inventions Ever!

As you know, I am now the proud owner of a smartphone.  The biggest problem with a smartphone?  How to carry it!  My flip phone slipped in my pocket or a small belt holder; easy peasy.  The smartphone, not so much.  I hate it in my pocket (we'll just say that I took many inadvertent photos of the inside of my pocket).  What to do?  I didn't want to get in the habit of just laying it down (and forgetting it).  So I went on a search for a holder.  Not just any holder, mind you.  It had to satisfy my picky criteria.

And I found it!  On Etsy!  It's an original design, made of leather or vegan felt, by Karin in Indiana.  She custom fit it to my phone, I picked the color and texture of the leather and she shipped it promptly; it came yesterday!  OMG!  Check it out!

Beautiful blue pebbled leather.  Silver fittings.  The belt clip is sturdy enough to just go over a pocket and hold tight.  It swings freely by your side so that it is never in the way.  Magnetic closure.  Hole at the bottom so that you can charge the phone without removing it!

Here it is open.  One piece of leather.

And here's the info so that you can check out the site.  I cannot say enough good things about this phone holder.  You don't even know you have it on because it is so well balanced.  She makes them for right and left handers.  Mine is a left-hander, which I hang on the right side because I like to draw my phone out toward the front of my body.  Feel free to ask Karin questions so you can figure out what would work best for you.

So there you have it!  Fun, functional, made in America--what more could you want!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Extreme Prey by John Sandford.

So Proud

The last two days have been spent in the company of women eager to increase their rotary cutting, machine piecing and pressing skills.  Using the Christmas  Star II block and three fat quarters, each achieved their goals.  For two of these ladies, it was their first time cutting and piecing half-square triangle units. We don't cut bigger and then trim; we cut the correct size, piece them and press them to perfection.  You would have a hard time picking the first-timers' blocks from those of the more experienced piecers. Congratulations to each of you; you make me proud!

In the first picture are Susan and Cheri. 

Photo two has Gale, Pat, Kris, and Jane.  

Thanks for a great two days!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Private India:  City on Fire by James Patterson.

I've not been idle

I know you probably think I have been drinking Pepsi and eating bon bons, but I have been busy with a variety of activities.

For example, just today I got a smartphone! And this blog post is being written on it and I took the pictures with it! My hope is that I can post more frequently if I don't have to download pictures from my camera to the computer and then post. We will see!

In the pictures is a small hand pieced, hand quilted hexagon little quilt or big mug rug. It is quilted in straight diagonal lines from side to side and curved  lines from top to bottom. Easy to mark and quilt.

Blissful hugs,

Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to The 15th Affair by James Patterson.

Synchronized...Turkeys?

About a week or so ago, a flock of turkeys was meandering across the back field.  The two toms were something--it was almost like they were doing synchronized dancing!  Rather than bore you with all twenty pictures, I thought I would give you the highlights, in the order they were taken.  If you scan through them fast, it's almost like a video!  Enjoy!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Piranha by Clive Cussler.

P.P.S.  I have updated my schedule page.  Hope to see you at a class!

Where Has Sharon Been?

At the barn!  I've been spending quite a bit of time at the barn, mostly grooming and hanging out with the horses.  

Can you believe we actually had a chance to ride outside in March?  In t-shirts?

And this was taken just yesterday!  Yes, that's my main squeeze Pompera.  We had such a good ride--even my instructor was impressed!  I love this pic of us under the flag.

And, yes, for those with inquiring minds, I am still quilting and teaching.  I have a small piece almost quilted and ready to share.  And I am still teaching classes.

Truly blissful hugs!
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Breakdown by Jonathan Kellerman.

I've Been Quilting - Part 1

With the strange weather we've been having (again), I have spent quite a few days at home and I've been pretty productive!

A few months ago I bought a layer cake of Janet Clare's Nocturne (Moda) plus a yard each of a cream and a navy (same collection).  They aged, though not as long as some of my stash!  (And, yes, I did wash the layer cake!)

On Sunday I cut the honeycomb shapes and started arranging them.  On Monday I pieced the top.  It was okay, but it was a bit big for what I had in mind.  (I actually didn't have much of a plan, which is why I did more work than I needed to.)  I decided to sleep on it and see what I wanted to do.

On Tuesday morning I decided to fix the problem.  I folded back the short ends until I had what I thought was a more reasonable length.  You can see the line I drew in chalk (at the number 25 on the mat).  There is another line at the other end.

Because this was hand pieced, I wanted to be sure the ends would not fray where I was cutting.  (If you have ever tried to take out hand stitching, you know it's pretty difficult; but you also know me--The Belt-and-Suspenders-Girl.)  So I stitched by machine 1/8 inch inside the drawn lines.

Then I used a ruler and cutter and cut on the drawn line.  Voila!  It is so much prettier and more in keeping with what I had in mind.  Compare this pic with the first one.

I basted for hand quilting and...

quilted the entire piece on Tuesday.

Triple lines of quilting.  I just love the texture.  The thread is a variegated cream to tan in a 30 wt.  I used a Hera Marker and a ruler to draw the lines; no marks to remove.

A shot of the back.

Stay tuned for Part 2 where you will get to see the final piece and what I made it for.  I think you will be surprised!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Back of Beyond by C.J. Box.  Seriously, if you haven't read or listened to any of his work, you are really missing out.

Quilting Bee

At the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, there is a scaled replica of a quilting bee.  Every detail is perfect.  If you haven't made a journey to the Museum, put it on your list for this summer.  One day is not enough to see everything, two is tight.  So give yourself three days to really enjoy every building and display.  There are many other interesting places to visit in the area as well.  

Here's the link:  https://shelburnemuseum.org/

Still blustery and bitterly cold here.  I've been tackling the to-do list and made quite a dent today.  But I think the items on the list are fraternizing when I am not looking--each morning there are even more to-dos!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Three Weeks to Say Goodbye by C.J. Box.  I've listened to several of his books recently and each is excellent.  Edge of the seat!  And I also listened to Front Runner by Felix Francis.

This Time Last Year...

this was the view out my front door.

Although blustery and brrrrrrrrry cold, this winter has been kinder.  I know we need the colder temps to get rid of all the germs, etc., but I sure did enjoy those 60*+ days!

It's my first winter with an all wheel drive vehicle, and so far I am happy.  It still seems funny not to engage 4-wheel drive when conditions warrant!

I've been sewing and spending time with my main squeeze.  Rode Derek, the very tall Thoroughbred today.  I've never been one to do a lot of layering of clothes, but the last two winters have proven how valuable a skill that is!

That's it for tonight.

Blissful, if brrrrrrry cold, hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Guilty by David Baldacci.  I am reading mostly horse-related texts; when it is something else I will clue you in ;-)

Gotta Haves - Part 2

Bet you thought I'd forgotten about the blog already, didn't you?  Just a minor blip....

Here's another great Clover tool that you should have handy.

It's the Clip 'n Glide Bodkin, #9582.  What's so great about it?  Well, let me tell you!

Have you ever tried to insert elastic or ribbon or cord into casings?  Have you ever tried to thread the drawstring back into a hood?  Remember the frustration and not-so-polite words when things went awry?

That's why you need this handy tool.

See that little white lever?  And the dark green/light green parts to the left with teeth?

You insert the elastic (or ribbon, or whatever) into the "teeth" and close the white lever.

Insert the elastic into one end of the casing and secure it with a pin (or whatever you'd like).  Scoogie the bodkin through the casing until it comes out the other end.

This is what the entire bodkin looks like as it comes out of the casing.  See the elastic still firmly in the teeth?  Now you pinch the elastic and the casing, remove the bodkin, match the end of the casing with the end of the elastic and pin!  (You might be inserting elastic in a waistband or something else that is a complete circle; in that case you would need to sew the two ends of the elastic together before closing the opening.  The point of this Gotta Have is to tell you about the tool, not to educate you on using elastic per se.)

I've given my bodkin a real workout and it is the BEST thing to use for threading anything through a casing.  Again, no endorsement fees are being paid to me.

Have a great Sunday!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Endangered by C.J. Box.

Gotta Haves - Part 1

Over the last couple months I have found several tools and goodies that I would like to share with you.  Up first is the Clover 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge by Nancy Zieman.  I LOVE this tool!

Here's what it looks like.  You can slide the dark green gizmo (that's a technical term!) to set how deep you want a seam, hem, etc.

Then you fold the fabric over, aligning the light green edge with the fold, and the dark green gizmo with the cut edge.

This shows the guide in place along with a section of hem pinned.

Here's what the package looks like.  The item number is 9506.  You can also use it for a circle compass and a "T" gauge.  Lots of great diagrams and directions on the packaging.

I have already used it on many projects; it's accurate and easy to use.  (No fees are being paid for my endorsement of this product.)

Three days into the new year.  Wow.

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Blue Heaven by CJ Box.  A new author to me; I am enjoying the books very much.

It's Exhausting

Interviews, FBI screenings, Secret Service...manicures, facials, spa days, wardrobe consults...it just goes on and on.  Learning to walk in heeled shoes.  Must be I am being taken more seriously in my fourth bid for President!  (wink, wink)  There was a lot of head shaking (not in a good way) when I brought up the subjects of tiaras and (weighted) scepters.

At any rate, since throwing my hat in the ring again, I have been busy, and busier, and am now into the 9th day of a cold/sinus/whatever.  Some will rejoice in knowing that I totally lost my voice one day, but it's back now....

Thanks for your patience.  Here's a brief tour of what others are achieving!

First, Sharon N, Pat S, Gale, Pat A, and Cheri learned to make flying geese units the old-fashioned way--with quarter- and half-square triangles!  They all did a beautiful job and have enough fabric to make a second block with the two main colors reversed!

Karen H. just has to bind her Mariner's Compass Bliss project--what a stunner it is!  Great job, Karen!

Carol R, a frequent flyer here on the blog, had her Green Thumb wall hanging at the Tompkins County Quilters Guild show a few weeks ago.  Just delightful, as always!

And Cindy O sent me this pic of 3 Unlikely Friends that she started last summer at retreat.  The setting fabrics add spark to the blocks!  Yippee!

The three blocks from Three Unlikely Friends were designed at the same time as the ones for Green Thumb.  They definitely did not do well with those nine, so I made a separate hanging out of them.  A very different feel.  I love them both.

Next up:  What I did in September.  Or maybe something else.

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I finished X by Sue Grafton, Make Me by Lee Child, Tripwire by Lee Child.