Still cleaning up!

I've been spending so much time in my sewing room just like many others who are at home. I feel very creatively inspired right now. As I have been cleaning up, I keep finding little projects buried under things. But first...a couple things I finished...

The stitched ornaments are for my Christmas tree. 

These two stitchery hangings were a lesson in making due with what I have on hand.  

One will probably be for me and one a gift. 

 I laid out the blocks for this quilt just as it was shown in the magazine. I was going to start playing with the layout until I realized that with 6 different blocks I could change the layout a hundred times and I would probably like them all. I like this layout- many of the blocks are put together in a chunk.  

I haven't started sewing the rows together yet. I'll do that one day when I feel like doing something mindless. It won't be quilted for a while so I am in no hurry. 

Here is a little applique that I had buried on my cutting table. At least I know it is not that old- just a year! I finished the applique and sewed on the border. Luckily I was able to find some of the dark pink fabric still in my stash because I was missing 2 half square triangle squares. I still have more to clean off my table so I won't be surprised to find them later. 

I have this quilt and 2 other little quilts ready to baste. I can't show the other 2 because one is for a small quilt exchange I am doing and the other is the same quilt I am making for myself! 

I plan to hand quilt all three quilts. 

And after 20 years my cutting mat is dead. I have turned that mat in every direction I could to get as much life out of it as I can. I have smaller ones I can use for now until I am able to get a new one. I bet there are a lot more choices now than 20 years ago!

Happy Stitching! 

Catching Up....

I've been thinking about this post for two weeks but I didn't know how to start...so much is happening in the world...

I have been cleaning my sewing room and have found lots of little projects to finish. Here are two I did finish this past week. My little hexagons above ( they are 3/8" - about the size of a fingernail!), and below's quilt is about 24" square.Both will be coffee table quilts.

What started me on the cleaning up journey? 

I was one of those people who was away on a cruise. I went before the warning to not go on cruises from my government and before the cruise ship off  the coast of California was having issues. We came home just after the warning had been issued. And at the time we came home it was still just recommended to self monitor. By the end of the first week back it was self isolation for anyone traveling so into self isolation we went for the last week. 

We were both fine at the end of our 14 days. 

This is where the cleaning started. For the first 2 days in self isolation I sat in my sewing room and just looked around. Then I picked at things piled on my cutting table. Then I cleaned a bit. I couldn't concentrate. I did not feel inspired to create. I knew I would have to force myself so I picked out a pattern from a magazine that was scrappy enough to make from my stash and easy enough I didn't have to concentrate too much. The quilt is from issue #29 of Simply Vintage. The name is Padstow. 

Here are the blocks...they are all made and this week I will lay them out and start arranging them.

Problem two was that I couldn't decide on fabric. I was unusually indecisive. Finally I realized I had a bin full of blue and gold that was for a Dear Jane quilt that I had abandoned ( again!) and that would work for this quilt. So I dived in and started cutting. It got me back to my happy place and I used up almost every single scrap of fabric in the bin. I even had to dig through my stash a bit to pull out a bit more to get the blocks done. I will probably big stitch this quilt once it is pieced. I am quite liking it! 

What did I find and what did I finish? These socks I had finished some time ago. They are soft and warm and are perfect for lounging at home. Look how fluffy they are!

I finished the stitching for a few projects. I still have to assemble the projects but that will go fast.

These two will be tree ornaments when done,

And these will be magnetic needle holders. These two won't be finished for a while because I need two strong magnets that my dad is donating to me. With Covid 19, I will not be seeing him for what could be a long time. I want to keep him healthy and alive so we are not taking any chances. I talk to him every day though- most days twice a day. He is going to get tired of talking to me soon!  

And finally I had bought some cotton to knit some dishcloths. Mine are worn out and needed replacing. This big ball will give me enough to last several years. 

Now that I'm in back in the creative groove it feels good. I have even more to show but that will be for anther day. 

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and I hope that your quilting and creative endeavors are helping you cope with all that is going on.

Happy Stitching !