Wednesday: in and about

It is Wednesday and I am home! So far it has been a quiet morning to myself.  Some times, I need time to myself and not need to talk. It helps me to think through and focus on. This is the last week of school and final comes next week. Students are ready to be in break and I am ready to have long studio hours in my cubical studio space in the art department. Last night I made a new needle book.  It is super quick project to make.  I started with random patchwork then hand-quilted. I really like the uneven stitches that added on the patchwork. Don't you just love the strawberry print? It is delicious! The wooden button is perfect for the zakka style needle book.

{The other side of the needle book}

I have a full bowl of small scraps from my last couple projects. Scraps are great for any projects. For some scraps I like to cut them into 1.5"x1.5" and set them in my { postage quilt box}.

For the interior of the needle book. I used 100% linen for the needle placement and 100% wool felt for the flip.  

One the left needle book was made a while ago and the left needle book is the newborn. I do love the mini needle book. It is great for my {needles}. There's no more needles on the floor and no more step in needles since the needle book keeps them all together nicely.

It is crazy in my needle book. I have varies numbers of needles for different purpose of sewing. I have {in between} needles for hand quilting and my favorite number is # 10 . Also a few long hand-basting needle is good. Few embroidery needles in different numbers, so on.  I keep few sewing pins there in case I need to pin pieces together for sewing.

I am glad the day is bright and shine here today. The {kin-cha-ku} bag is done, but will show and tell later on.. sorry about the tease..

xxC

Wednesday: in and about

It has been awhile since I stayed home on {Wednesdays}! This morning, Wednesday was calling my name and boy...it has been an interesting day, since I stayed home!  I have few accidents, yes the bad ones! Shall we continue? The phone was ringing while I was sewing then I scurried up and wanted to reach the phone. then........ Bam! Bam! I was down on the floor! I lost myself for a few seconds then tried to recall what had just happened to myself.  I was tripped down by the sewing machine petal core and on my left side of the floor was a small ironing board and on top of that was a heated iron! The sewing machine was pulled by the petal core and was fall on my right foot.  I saved the machine first then started looking for the heated ironing..... then I took a deep...  breath then move on for the day.....


Then, I took an apple from the fruit bowl and had few bites!

Everything went fine after the sewing machine accident until the Pyrex bowl fall on the floor. I felt bad, still feel bad that I broke the dish! I saved all the scraps and Chippy! Cleaned the floor and make sure not small glass chips left on the floor.  The {in and about} Wednesday became my {one of the kind of the day}.. boo... 

Other than these accidents, I had a productive day and accomplished some w.i.p. work! I might need another cup of tea later on...

xxC

Wednesday: in and about

Today is Wednesday and I think it is time to take a day off and stay home away from school and people. I have missed my {Wednesday: in and about} very much! I haven't been able to sew since my last two posts. I have been under the weather for a week now. Some serious throat irritation occurred last week after teaching the class, then I was never able to talk again after last weekend's rest and lots honey water with lemon. I do fee better as today, but still try not to talk if I can. No worries!

Some longer strips fabric scraps were used up today for a small project. It is hard to find a compass that's big enough for me to make bigger circles, so I used my cooking pot lid as the drawing template and it is just the size that I was looking for.  It helped out to trace two circles today, but I still would like to find a compass.

The 30's print project is slowly putting together. I sew three blocks per a day, but I 'd love to get more done! Two weeks ago, I have ordered the Kona solid for S' 8th birthday quilt, but it hasn't arrived. The quilt might not even get started when her birthday comes! It's a bit disappointed!

I'd like to take a moment to {thank you} for all the kind and sweet comments on the patchwork zippered pouches. It is very nice of you stopped by and check out here..  I intended to show you the finished project that I did today, but the light went bad when I finished it. I might need to take some photos tomorrow when we get home.  

xxC



 

Wednesday: in and about

I am afraid that this would be my last {Wedensday: in and about} for awhile. As school resumes next week and a new schedule that I have made will effect right away. I have commit myself to {focus} finish works at school this coming semester. It is a bit disappoint, myself!  I am sure once school works slows down I will be able to find a Wednesday and just be home and sew or about something else.

I wrote down some of {focuses} this morning, but nothing extreme. I hope to stick with my focuses this year!  Continuing Farmer's wife sampler is one of the focus that I would like to maintain. It is a bit overwhelming making/cutting 11 blocks template in 2 days and hoping to get all the templates cut and sew in one night. I am under estimating the time consuming and labor effort. I keep thinking if I can select the fabric at the beginning of the week then work my way through. I could have two blocks a week. By the summer time,  I will have a quilt top finished. It might be just aside project from school without stress, but more enjoyment.

I also wanted to keep update {1/4"mark} often. Yes! It will slowly become 5 posts a week,  4 posts a week, or 3 posts a week.  I knew ahead of this time that our schedule will hectic! Normally we get home around 4, but I knew with my new jobs that I will need to be home later than 5 or so. Some weekends will involved working in school studio, new music lessons and music group for S. With the unpredictable winter weather in the northern land I might need to take extra time to prepare to leave the house and be on the road.

There are few quilts that I would like to start! The first one would be S' 8th birthday quilt! I have the fabric in hand and the pattern in mind! I need to dive in that project a.s.a.p. She is turning another year old in one month from today! Mom turned 60 this year ( she had her birthday in Taiwan). Turning 60 is a big birthday celebration! I have been missed her birthday for last 6 years and I really want to make her something that she can use and remember in her big birthday!

Quilting is slowly coming back in the modern days and so many of the quilters are pushing so hard to make the new meaning of {quilting}. I wanted to understand what quilting means to me, in person! I want to be more giving this year! Making quilts for others is one of my focus! It is personal value and it is nothing can sub for.

When I dive in a project I often grow it into a {labor look} work rather than taking the process and look back. I would like to take my time to finish and be more careful with all the work I am making here.

 Need to start use up the fabric that I have. It is growing and I don't see the end.

Another focus is use up the scraps fabric. I really need just make something in a day, with no plan in head. I think that might help me to free up my ideas and allow me to {play} more. I like small projects, such as notebook covers, check book covers, or some small totes. Now, I just remind myself I need a patch tote for my books. My backpack is already full with computer and binders.

Back in 2009, my first post these red work blocks were once in {a quilt top}, but I wasn't happy with the look, so I took the whole quilt top off. These blocks has been put away 3 years now. I would like to resemble them into a quilt top again. I hope to find a simple quilt block pattern for the sashings. I might try use some bright red/ prints fabric for this quilt. It might give it a new fresh look.

{2012} is the year that I want to learn to focus} on!  and yours?

xxC

Wednesday: in and about

Have you ever start a list for each day then cross out the task when you finish? I used to have a {to-do} list, but it is rather a year around list, not daily! This morning, I sat in the kitchen table and started my first daily list. The reason for that is lately I have been forgetting things when I was in the store or forgot things that need to be taken care of. 

Finally, last night we have had some flurries, but it melted away this morning. I open a window to let the cool airline and that felt really nice! My friend and I talked about making caramel corns when school is in break, so today she came and we made some! Our home is in the smell of sugar and fresh wood. I can't literary describe the smell, but really GOOD! Almost a {spring} smell in the air. Last night, finally I finished the backing for the quilt. It took me some time to pin down and of course my helper was more than willing to give me a hand. She rolled around it and told me it is a funny feeling to have so many { poky thing-y} around the body!  Tonight I would love to start quilting it and take some hours to finish rather than rush done!

It is really quiet around our living community! Holiday lights are still surrounding the housings area, but we took down our decorations today and set our home back to the calm and quiet place. I am preparing myself ; school will be start soon and will be busy and might face some unexpected situations. Preparing maybe snow will fall anytime and we might have a late and terrible winter/spring.  However, until the snow falls, I will enjoy as much as I can.

Today is another day that is great in and about! We accompanies each other for the activities and enjoy the relax holiday break home with each other!

xxC

Wednesday: in and about

Finally I finished the bathrobe before noon, but I can't really show you yet! It will be another day or two?!  The bathrobe took longer time than I anticipated! Made few mistakes on the pockets and also missed one instruction line. After the productive making and spacing I went out and thrifting this afternoon.! I have seen these Santa cups few weeks back when I went to the shop, but just didn't pick them up they were 24 cents each today and for the first time I looked through their book section and found some old books for 29 cents each!  Initially I plan to spend $5 for the cups, but I ended up spend less than 4 dollars { score}.  When I rush home and found a {big} present placed under the tree and it is for me! It must happened sometime last night when I was sewing like a storm! I can't wait to open it! Truly feel so special about this handmade gift! You probably don't know it took S a week to make. She only have 30 minutes each night to make it and I was asked not to peek!!   It feels so good all the {TO-DO list} is down to one two! I need to make two baby bibs, but we happened had to have the class today, so I couldn't make them on time for the baby Mila.  The day went by fast and the day sewing in my cozy home is great! Tomorrow I will be building in the wood shop! I am excited about the redo studio space at home!! I shall share photos when the remake over is done!


xxC

Wednesday: in and about

 

There are minimal of lights coming into our apartment today. It is difficult to photography around and was wondering how can I capture the lights and subjects in the better manner. So, here we go! I scrolled up all window covers and got some lights in. The red and white quilts are my absolute LOVE quilts! I am a big mother goose embroidery gal! This embroidery quilt  never really gets hung in our place.  I need more wall space, don't I?

   

I love traditional quilting method,but amazed by how the machine quilting {fast. fun. creative}. I am a big fan of hand-quilting! I love each imperfect stitches that was made on each quilts and enjoy so much of the spending time on each quilt! Even though this quilt took me nearly a year to finished, but I am so happy with the outcome!

 

Look at my ready to be quilted Christmas quilt! I found the Michael Miller Christmas Fabric here. I can't get enough of these fun and colorful Christmas fabric! I would love to make a small Christmas fabric collection. It will be retro in 20 years and more so. I will still enjoy it 20 years later~

This is my TO-DO pile! Is yours look alike? I need really get ready!

I made this scarf for my mom! I think she will LOVE LOVE LOVE this scarf! Anna Maria Horner's voile is really soft and elegant! Surly mom will love it! She will be able to wrap her neck and tie a little bow.

Today's {in and about} would probably more like {out and about}. I was only able to spend 2 hours home today then headed back to school for my last critique for the year. Everything went well and I was pleased it is done! I though I'd give your guys a tour of my school studio. 

 

I have been learning basketry weaving  since last semester! This basket didn't turn out the way I planned, but it was a good exercise for  me to think about forms and balances. I really enjoy the repetitive weaving and construction. Did you see the gap? I need to fill in more to make this basket stronger. 

This is my hand-quilting frame that S helped me build! I spent about 70 dollars on this frame and it has been a great tool as far as quilting! It really help to held the quilt nice together and allowed me work both directions.

The piece I am working on is another double wedding ring! I have bended a card full of in-between needles since I started this project! I am needing more!  Today is the kind of day that's quiet, but still full with go and run action! The department seems empty out with students' noises and it is just great that I get to be in my little space work and listen to the music! I am counting my break will be the same either home or studio!  Looking forward my next {in and about} already! Are you {in and about} on the other side of the world?

xxC

Wednesday: in and about

This morning, I started with the chaotic way which normally it doesn't happen! Assume some of the days are unexpected, not always followed by the planner. Mr. Cooper has been a great gardener ever since he arrived. Look at the plants are growing healthily ever. One of my in and about is observing the greens and talk to them!

It is the advent calender in mini quilt style.  I didn't think I was able to finish it this year again, but I had it purposely on my wall for months, weeks, and days. It came to an great attention and ego this week- finish it! And lots bindings to start with the quiet time alone.

I used scraps for this project. The scraps bin is in need of clean up and restore again!  I am pleased with work in progress.  

Another free motion quilting I tried. I am loving looping lately! It helps me move freely and seems more spontaneously when I work on.

Remember this project? I started on Monday while I was home and suppose writing my paper, which the paper didn't finish and didn't finishing up by the time I went to bed. Yesterday while students were working and  finishing up their final project in class and  I finished the hand-quilting part then bound off today. I really love the mini style of it and the simplicity of the look. Another scrap project.

Pull out some girly color fabric last night.
It is a girl! A baby is on her way!

I determined to finish these quilt blocks today and I did! Allow the photos take you through the process itself, shall we?

 

My favorite block. The print is from American Jane, but I am pretty sure it is out of print now. Would like to have another yard of two. I really like the colors in this print.

    While I was counting the blocks. I found an oops! It is good to found out NOW rather than later!

    Total of 58 blocks. They will need to wait now!

I am still not liking the plywood walls in our apartment and surely it needs an improvement!We are not allowed to have big holes on the wall according to our rental contract. Lately it has became issues around here.  It would be great that there's  a wall  that I am freely to pin or hang my projects. What can I do? 

   This  chair carried me 5 hours today. It needs a rest now! 

   xxC