Mid-Summer

It's hard to believe that summer is half way through and back to school supply is in the shelves already. The last two weeks of June were mostly stormy and rainy I kind of like that and thought I need to find a pair of rain boots at least, so I won't need to wear wet shoes and socks at work. Then July came along, the heatwave was just unbearable. The apartment felt like a 375 degree oven temperature and we all have been roasted at some point. We hid inside and tried to feel "cool", but the heat that absorbed from the rooftop made the cool air from the a/c never reach to the comfortable point; anyway it was terrible. I really am not a fan of summer after all~

But, hey how are you doing? It has been busy for me, new job, new tasks, new workflow, and new routines. It is not as easy as I though with the new job, there's a lot to pick up and things to learn and I felt slower for getting all that new knowledge into head this time, but thank to all the supportive people at work that I can finally say that I am doing well.

It is hard to believe that we have been moved to NY a little over three years now. Beginning of this year, we started talking about finding a place to buy and settle down, but a plan is a plan. Buy a place will be postpone for now. Then we have had many talks over the table and car rides about finding a new apartment and move away the one we are in now might be an option?! After all the math and reality facts, we decided to stay put for another year or two for now. The place is closer to S' school and my work now, so we don't  really need to commute far away for school and work. It seems a disappointment for not getting a place of our own, but relief of not need to pack and move so soon at the same time.

I have been updating a few things around the apartment and for us; getting a bigger bed for S, finally after her first twin bed from Grand Forks and it is about time. Updated window curtains,  as the living room is facing the west; it is terrible place to be in the summer. Then I found a sale stoneware cooking pot as the older has a crack on one side's handle, but I still keep it for our soup making day and new a kettle for tea time; and finally new bath towels. That things we kept using over the years are really need an update. I also have been working through boxes that still unopened from the last move and hope to declutter more. But summer makes everything slower than usual.

My sewing time is slow, it has been hard to find time to sit in the studio and sew, even on the weekends. as I am always catching up the house chores. laundry, cleaning, mopping floor, grocery shopping, all that necessaries. By the time, I am done with all the necessaries, I want to sit and read and maybe watch a slow film and drink iced tea.  I see the change in myself a last few months, I am feel all that hurry, but go with the flow and all. Especially I found that I really like to sew when no one is around these days. The quietness, the freedom and the self-time. Last week, I just committed myself to sit and sew for 30 minutes a day before everyone gets around and it really work out well. I continue working on the nine-patchwork quilt and the quilt blocks are coming together nicely. I knew that I could have it done quicker, but working slowly with patchwork is so rewarding these days. Just me and the fabric. I can not wait still for the new quilt top finish, but it won't be quick this time. 

We have been taking short trips this summer, just to get away the city life. We tried rafting for the first time and also zip-ling. It is such excitement for us! We kind of paddling through the rafts and soaking up all the summer heat at the same time. Exhausted, but really loving all the greens that Pennsylvania has. It really has been awhile since we try new things... let's say more adventures events.

I am finally home alone for the first time this week just for a few hours, moment of quietness.  Thank you for all the kinds and support comments from the last post and placing orders from the shop. Thank you for the encouragements and kindness. I really am not sure where this journey will take me now, but for now all is good!

Tomorrow I will be making a cheese cake for S, since it has been awhile since I really cook or bake this summer; just try to avoid adding more heat to the apartment. This is one of the biggest reason we want to move, the unbearable indoor summer heat.  While the cake sits in the oven, I will be in the studio sewing and cutting up more squares. Maybe you can join me for the sewing time... 

until then...

xc

Weekending

It has been a productive week! I can't tell you how many to-dos have been crossed off from the list and it felt so so good! I gave a big pat on my own shoulder and started another cowl (yay)! The new green yarn is celery green, it is just so pretty with slightly yellow blended in between. The new yarn is so much nice to knit with and I should have the new cowl cast off the end of the week!

As the year moving along, I have found myself knowing my ways to shops, places and walking into different stores for ingredients that are specialized. As I get older, I realized that I shopped the way my mama shops. As a child, my mama would go to a particular shop or stand for certain ingredient. She always bought chicken from an older couple as I remember then pork from another middle aged man. She got her veggies from an old lady who grew her own veggies, but mama wouldn't get all veggies from that older lady. She would walk maybe another two streets down and found her other veggies.  

After living in the city, I have slowly discovered places for certain ingredients. I like marinated pork ribs from a small grocery store that is 3 ave walking distance from the bus stop. I can't really tell you how good these pork ribs are, but they are REALLY good! I would get a pound of the ribs and also the fish paste for the soup. I would walk few more blocks up to get the fruits. I've really enjoy shopping fruits on the sidewalk. You might think that I am silly, but I always walk up and down and check on the prices before I stop by the stand. The prices can be really tricky from 1.99 a pound to 2.99 a pound for the same thing.  I guess I just love the number games that the store plays and I am always happy to think that I got the best deal and saved a dollar or two by walking few blocks.  Then you'll probably think me carry hundred of bags and standing on the bus!  oh!  Don't worry!  I always get a seat on the way home because I always walk extra blocks to the first bus stop, so I could get a seat and yes, my small coffee, too!   I could have go on this bus commute stories with you, but you probably will get really annoy by that! But you won't get bored with all the stories, I tell you!

The birthday quilt is done (three cheers)! I used a walking foot for quilting this time and loving it so much! I just love the simplicity of the lines that created the diamond graphics on the back of the quilt.  The backing fabric and you all know that took three attempts to get here! I just love the snowy print and that just help the quiet down the quilt a little!  I don't remember when I started to collect AMH fabrics, but I loved the saturate and versatile colors and bold designs. It has some romanticism in them from color theory! This year, the timing seem so right that I am so ready to make a really bold and saturate quilt for myself and best of all that I could use fabrics that I have in hand and just acquired the backing which was on big sale!

For the quilting label, I had planned on paper-piecing number  3 and 9 (did I really get that old?)  in two of the triangle blocks and incorporated into the quilt top. I knew that I want to leave and keep the backing complete simple, so it can be a reversible quilt. It turned out SO nice! I can't wait to wash the quilt and let it get all wrinkly for winter movie nights!

and my very FIRST shawl is off needle this week and I used wet blocking method. Oh, after the blocking it turns out in a nice size and just perfect wrapping myself twice!  I used 3 DK weight yarn cakes and just play with the colors! Oh, and it is just perfect with my navy wider pants and gray sweaters  ( that's most of my clothes colors anyway). It was really a goal accomplishment for this year as I had "wish" and "hope" to learn to knit then made a shawl!  I really can't wait to cast on the next shawl, but I want to be sure I have the right yarn before I start.  

I've been diving in the kitchen this weekend! I made two chicken pot pies and two lasagnas. These dishes freeze so well and I can simple pop them in the oven and have a quick meal if the time runs short. I had sampling the chicken pot pie for lunch today, um.. so good! I think I could have add more milk and chick broth to make the soup/base a little more running, but maybe the pie itself will turn out alright! As the Fall still remains, dutch baby is being aquired for the weekend. It is such a lovely pancake to make and I always cut extra fresh fruit to go with it. You might want to give this pancake a try! It is an amazing treat for us!

It is chestnut season and have you try any? I found  Korean chestnuts last week on my way home and was so tickle to see these gigantic chestnuts! I have washed and placed them in a baking sheet then set in the oven for 350 degree; bake a good 30 minutes then turn the heat down to 250 degree for another 50 minutes. It is so delicious! It serves well in warm and cold!

Other than the birthday quilt and the shawl, I have made small sewing project in between. I have been pulling fabrics out for the projects and trying to find "that" fabric". I have no idea where is "that"fabric I put away. I just remember it is a floral print and can't really remember the name of the print. It always happen to me and I bet it will "show up" soon! Just don't look for it! 

With the perfect weather, I was able to take photos for the next coming soon sewing pattern! There will be some editing and getting the pattern ready and a proper blog post for it and is coming very soon along with another project I have been working.  I shall talk and share more soon!!  stay turn!




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Oh! Quilt time!

Finally, quilt time! It seemed ages that I work on a new quilt! I really miss the process of planning, piecing, and ironing, more so is a fresh new quilt!  Oh, the new quilt on the tabletop is for me!  I'll be entering last year of the 30's next month (yack)! I have been thinking hard what to make or buy for my last year of 30's. Since I really can't come up with a must to buy item ( too many), I gave up surfing on things that are so pretty, but not really for me at the end.  While going through boxes in  the workroom, I found a box of fabrics that I have never unfolded before. Suddenly the idea of make a bold, saturated, and versatile quilt jump right in.

It is so NOT my colors! I know, but I am loving it! Something different and something will be treasure around here! So far, I have cut 353 triangles and needed more! I probably will get tired of cutting triangles and making all the 1/4" seam allowances in the back by the end of the quilt top making!  So far, it is so nice to sew, sew, sew and see rows come together! Next time, I'll probably have a quilt top to show you!

*** I have been working on some other patchwork pieces and can't wait to show you soon!  But now, I am putting this on the side until they are ready! 

Knitting is growing on me, literary! I have never seen myself felt so hard on a new craft.  I've cast off my very first shawl last week (happy dance)! It took me hours of trying and few weeks practicing and  understanding the whole process. It really made me feel so accomplished as I had set a goal to learn to knit and make a shawl this year! Nothing like good motivation drive and positive energy when there is desire of accomplishing and learning! Something that I haven't felt for a long time. This year, I've been embracing the positive learning and taking time to solid the process on everything. That really have lifted me up again and bring lights in me!

This week, I have received most soft and beautiful yarn in the mail ( the mail carrier kindly buzz the intercom and let me know, you've got a package)! You might not know, but I really really dislike the process of winding yarn into a ball! I've attempted to purchase all the fancy tools for winding yarn into cakes, but after all I knew I am a "part-time" knitter, so probably won't need all that fancy tool.

Google was so helpful, there are a couple ways of winding yarns while researching, but using paper roll winding yarn is so cool.  It didn't took me too long this time to wind all the yarn into cakes! The fancy look of yarn cakes make these yarn so much easy to work with and they actually sit on the table while I knit rather than rolling around, a plus!  

I've been knitting a lot more lately because I've spent time in pinch pain from a procedure finally happened last week! I had three stitches on me for a full week and finally have them removed This week! Knitting gives me an outlet to get distract from that pinch pain, since I need to pay more attention on the knitting stitches rather than stitches on me. Oh, I am doing better, the scar is pretty minor, but still bright red and skin is tender. There will be months of letting the pinkness to go away and good news is the pinch pain has gone by now!

I'll need to find a weekend at some point to go through all sewing supplies and fabrics, as I found 3 same fat quarters in three different pile awhile back ( I must really love that print).  Some sewing needles are missing, but found a box of needle that I was looking.  Zippers need to be sort into same sizes soon I probably need to build or find some boxes for them.  The working table is full with new yarn cakes,  fully packed {travel outbound bag} and the {Boathouse pouch} is fill with sewing tools.
The space needs a little makeover, I say ( so many things so little space)!

Thaaaank you for ordering and loving of the new patterns!!!! Fifi sent me a new Lucky's photo the other day! Gosh, he is pretty darn cute with that little hat on him! He loves his {Lucky Bone}, according to mama that he hides his bones in different hideout spots. He was spotted sleeping on the new toy! We are sooo thankful for Fifi taking care of Lucky for us as we are so far away to take care of him! Lucky definitely has some personality that we always get big kick with daily as we FaceTime him! He always runs to the sound and smiles big because that would be the time he gets a small bacon treat, gotta love that goofy ball!

Fall is slowly coming! On my walk back from the grocery store, the trees are turning colors and the sunset light is turning so soft that the colors are just so lovely! I really miss the Fall season and apple season in Midwest, as I am big fan of Jonathan and Braeburn, sadly I can't find any of these here. I though I still remember the taste of them, but I don't anymore! It seems ages ago I have had them! I should make an apple pie soon!


P.S. The blog posts will be running over the weekends for now. I hope to run weekday posts from time to time.

More later

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Time to harvest

Maybe you have one of this quilt finished or quilt blocks still around. Have you get it completed?  This is my Farmer's Wife 1920's quilt along from August, 2011 then I dropped off making quilt blocks after moved away from N.D. in 2013. You can view the blocks from the Flickr Page {here}.

Last year, I have finally put all the quilt blocks together.  Added the corner stones and sashing then hand-basted the quilt with a good intention of hand-quilting the sampler quilt. After letting this quilt sat for another year after basting. I convinced myself to machine quilt it and finish another work in prograss quilt! It was not an easy decision for me to machine quilt it because I really want a classic/ traditional finish look. This quilt probably was the first quilt that needed so much piecing and cutting job. I remember it was frustration at the time. Sometimes, I cut too many blocks at once and ended up mixed them together and trying to find the right pieces? It was bad idea, but it was fun sewing along with other sewers. That was motivation and encouragement, big time!

Then it is hard to move forward older projects especially when being behind from time to time then time moves on and new projects starts. I have tried to limit start and making large quilts last two years because I knew that I have come to a different sewing phrase and have cutting down fabric purchases and cutting down big commitments; making two quilts a month or sewing 10 hours a day is not happening these days.

I have also tried hard to hand quilt most of quilts when I can because I love the texture of it and the little tiny hand stitches on every little patchwork projects, not just on quilts. It is how I like to present the works and makes who I am, as a sewer, quilter, patchworker, but I have came to realized that I can't hand quilt everything . Maybe only if I stay 10 hours straight and not being interrupt and a large space to set up quilting frame (I'd be happy place).  I have been struggling the idea of hand quilting quilts this year and have been thinking maybe I need to open up to other options.

It was yesterday morning that I took down a few rolled up w.i.p quilts then pick out Farmer's Wife 1920 to work on. I decided on using simple puzzle and loops quilting pattern for the overall look on the quilt.

The batting is used Hobbs Poly-down for hand-quiltin (the original plan) which is a big different from the cotton batting that I used to for machine quilting. I love the Poly-down for hand quilting and it gives lovely texture for the little hand stitches, but for machine quilting it turns out much loose and fluffy which might not for me as I enjoy machine quilt on the cotton batting, much firm.

For the binding, I used the bias tape that I made awhile ago for the binding which is perfect for the finish look. Do you think it is a little over taken 6 years to finish a quilt ? I knew I won't be the first or last person who take years to finish a quilt.  It feels really really really good and a great accomplishment that I have finally harvest this quilt after all the dilemmas that play around;  should I or shouldn't I?  I am ready to put it in the washer this weekend when the weather is warmer.




xxc