aren't we so beautiful?!

Going through every tins, boxes, envelopes, and bags in the studio might have been the best packing job that I have had. Discovering letters, cards from friends over the years and drawings made by S ; from scraps paper or little craft art pieces that she made with me when she was a toddler. That somewhat are so beautiful to see again and thank goodness that was the first time, I feel great about being a hoarder of anything!

I love the ironing board she made me when she was 4! Somehow objects are bigger and wider at that age; more colorful and free in style! There are also a couple of letters that I found; she used to spelled "when" as "wen" and I also reread the great story that she wrote back then it was about four goggly monsters facing a crocodile and yes a drawing was in the back of the story. I have promised her not to share here, so do apologize not being able to share more.  As I read out loud the story, she was so shy to hear what she has written in back, when she was so little, she said!  Well, I am guessing it is the age that she is turning into. I shall keep them till when she is old enough and ready to have a good smile and laugh with me someday!

The container is full with handmade gifts from the corners of the world that over the years. I love have them displayed in the studio place, actually some of them were in a vintage sewing drawer and a some in a little doll house that hung on the wall. I like how they came to me with same patchwork loving that friends and I shared!  The container contains with lots friendships that extended to me and the encouragements within.  Thank you for all the beautiful friendships!

After sorting through the studio, I gather a box full of fabrics, notions, and patterns to my friend who lives cross-town. After gave her a few sewing lessons, I think she is ready to be on her own and to start some patchworking. We made a few tote bags together and lessons on how to adjust sewing machine stitch lengths, how to properly thread the machine and how to attach zippers. We also went for fabric shopping and now she knows that she actually could get 1/8" cut in the store, no need to purchase a full yard for each print! I hope she will enjoy that box full of fabrics I sent her home with.  That is a three-cheers for a new sewer and new maker!

I still busy most of the day, but still trying to find time to finish last bit of everything. The scrappy log cabin mini took a few days, but it is bounded and pile up with other minis in the room.  I ran upstair and downstair quiet frequently; bring full boxes down and bring empty boxes up. Now, the studio is almost empty and the last shelve was taken down a few days ago. So that means I still stay downstair making stitches as I can! There are not much self time that fits into the day now. When I have some moments to myself likely early mornings before all the daily schedule starts and when the downstair is only occupied by me! Little by little I got most of the stitches made for the mini, however few larger scale pieces will take longer time to accomplish now! Oh, summer projects?

Do you remember your 6th grade? Did you have a gradation? Growing up I have had three formal graduations. We wore school uniforms and stood up for the awards and handshake with the school principle, it was a big big deal as a child. I remembered when I graduated from elementary school we wore "the graduate pin"  and walked around the campus for the last time and farewell to teachers and peers. We sang the graduation song and cried! Oh, yes! Pink eyes, pink nose and pink face and lots tissues! I tried to find time to prepared  little gifts for S as she finished her 6th grade last week and actually wanted to make the exact pin for her, but the time was running short for me. So, I used wool felt and made her number 1 pin and took some memorable photos to keep for someday when we look back together! I secretly that she might or will remember this afternoon we spent together; put the pin up and unwrapped the gifts!

Wrapping up the last bit of things is challenging, but there are still few orders to make before turning the machine off and packing supplies away, few thank-you gifts to make for the music teachers and a house warming gift to prepare and a trip to make within all. The last day for checking out handmade items from the {shop} is June 11th. After June 11th, all handmade items will be discontinued!  Thank you being such beautiful supporters and readers to this space that means much much to me!


xxc

FW1930 QAL # 73 Mrs. Taft

Welcome to my stop for FW 1930 QAL #73 Mrs. Taft. This block is quiet simple and straightforward. I followed the numbering for the paper piecing part. 

Trim the Paper piecing piece.  I used highlighter to distinguish the prints for the sections. The post on how I add seam allowances for precut prints {here}.

Precut all fabric pieces and it helps to make the piecing time quicker. 

 For larger section fabric, I used fabric glue stick to stable the fabric on paper.

 I only dot the glue stick on the paper not allover the section.

 Pin works as well

 For section A8 and B8, these fabric pieces are larger I make few more dots across the fabric piece

You could see the dots where held the fabric down

 The first finished triangle section

 Turn the triangle section, trim around the paper piece.

Flip the paper piece up then draw 1/4" allowance marking; repeat for the other side of big triangle section

Bring two triangle sections together. I like to pin the starting and ending points together first then work my way to the center. Match the seam allowance lines together.

This is how it looks. I like to mention on the both end of the points. You could see the pin is pinned slight in an angle. I found the stab the pin down to both side of the points then follow the drawing line down on the other side of triangle gives more accurate sewing.

 Follow the seam allowance then gently press the center seam allowance open!

If you are looking for more information on the quilt along, please check into Kerry's Blog {verykerryberry} 

xxc

Daily. patchwork. stitch

{High Five} to the end of musical season recitals! The last season violin recital, S played Concertino in the style of W.A. Mozar; such a gentle and lightly piece in this spring recital! I again, a proud ma and enjoyed every young violinists who played in the violin studio recital. Such a nice way to wrap up the year around hard working and study. 

Over the years, I have been saving every EMS boxes shipped from our family oversea! The other day, the packing started and I found there are total of 6 different addresses in the boxes. I talked to Fifi about it and she was quiet not impressive about all the moves we've made! I can't really tell you "the why" I saved all these boxes, but it feels great and maybe that some of the evidences of our family with us years after years. They also became my favorite packing boxes where ever we move to {laugh}! Seeing them all together is quiet emotional and bitter sweet to flash back all the changes we've made. 

I went through scrap boxes and spent a few afternoon time to piece them together. They will be transferred into pouches, the zippered ordered just arrived last night, but too dark to walk out to the community mailboxes, so got them this morning; the zippers are colorful and the zipper teeth is bigger than the usual zipper I used.  They seem like some last minute of patchworking, but is helping me to have a different focus away from sorting and packing!   

The quilts have been gather and a few are still upstair. To cut down some of the moving supply costs, I plan to use the quilts to wrap some of the furniture pieces. I think it is probably the best and economical way for us and we can always wash, dry and reuse the same quilt over and over. I still very much love and like seeing the wears on the quilts, seeing colors faded after every wash,  exposed overtime during sunlights , and some food stains. It is alright, that's what they are for, being loved and used!  

Sitting on the floor is probably the best and resting way for me lately! Made all the hand-basting job on the floor, folded all the not quiet perfect cut fabric pieces on the floor, getting planner fill with the weekly events and schedules, hand-quilting little by little on the floor, planning the next quilt for {me}. The daily bounce is getting all these agendas check off and have a little peaceful mind back to what I hope to accomplish before the upcoming changes. I can't tell you, how much I still enjoy the downstair space more than upstair. The glass door gets open all the time and sometimes, when the showers drop down, I love watching all the animal friends getting their way back to the hide out pots. 

Here is the plain scone recipe that I found and will not be able to make it at this time, probably this Fall. I would love to know how it turns out if you bake them. I bet they are going to be great with fresh homemade jams or even just butter with tiny bit of honey drizzle on top! 

3 C. Flour

1/2 C. sugar

5 tsps. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 butter {cold}

1 egg beaten

1 C. Milk

Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.  

until then, i should be down here stitching.. 

xxc