Mindless Piecing

I'd decided earlier that was the prescription for what ails me (near-total inertia when it comes to fiber creativity), and that's what I did over the weekend.  

 My SIL Karen bought these screen-printed blocks on a trip to Oregon years ago.  They show lighthouses from around the state.  Apparently it sat in her possessions for some time, until she asked me if I could put them together into a quilt for her.  I agreed, and they spent another year or so marinating in all my stuff.  I did wash them a few months ago, but then they sat some more. 

Friday I bought navy blue fabric for the sashing and backing, and got the blocks squared.  It only took about three hours to get the whole thing pieced, including a mitered border.  Now I need to connect with Sidney (of the magical computerized HQ16!) so I can get it quilted.  I'm thinking this will take a fairly simple design, so the setup will probably take longer than the stitching.  I plan to just put it in a priority mail box, and send it off to Karen.  I'm hoping it will be the kind of surprise she'll like!

My lovely rust dyed jacket is already showing signs that it will be a short-lived article of clothing.  Ah well.  I like the pattern so much, I'm thinking I will dye some linen/rayon fabric, and make it again.  

And I worked on a 12 by 12 piece- all that's left is some quilting, and finishing the edges.  I'm hoping to get at least one more done this weekend.

Am I the only one out there feeling so blah?  The news is uniformly depressing or frustrating, and I feel utterly helpless to do anything about it.  I'm sick of cold weather, I want to feel the sun on my skin.  About the only thing I've been able to focus on for any length of time is calorie counting and getting to the gym. Maybe because it's one thing I can control? 

Springing Forward!!

Unlike many, I love it when daylight savings time finally arrives.  I love the longer days, love the promise of warmer weather- and I love setting my toesies free from winter shoes and socks!!

 

While I know we could still see snow here, I'm enjoying the warmer days we've had- in the low sixties.  Why does that temperature feel so much warmer in March than it does in October??

I am taking a temporary hiatus from art quilts.  My brain needs a break after a solid year of coming up with a new design each month.  I have been sewing, however- I made some cute little nine patch blocks for Debra, and also dug up a smallish quilt top I made at a workshop several years ago that I hadn't a clue what to do with.  Debra has a new longarm, so it was a perfect gift for her.

And I've been sewing clothes.  Having reached my goal weight, clothes shopping is fun again!  Remember that rust dyed silk I did?

It's now a lovely, semi-fitted tunic.

Rust dyeing is fun, but I've learned that it is a pain to sew on- this is the one and only garment I'll ever make with rust dyed fabric.  After this, I'll stick to rust dyeing silk scarves and maybe a few pieces of fabric  to use in collages or something.

And that tee I cut down?  It looks so good on- I am so glad I took the time to remake it!  Yeah, I already posted a picture of the tee- but it looks so much better on me than sitting on the table!!

 

Next, I have a simple quilt to make for my SIL.  She gave me some printed blocks she bought in Oregon years ago- they have pictures of different lighthouses on them.  All I have to do is square them up, cut some sashings, and put it all together.  Sidney, who helped me quilt the gift quilt for my younger son's girlfriend, has already said we can do this one on her computerized machine also.  Maybe by the time that one is done my creative brain will show some signs of return!

And maybe now my son will believe me when I say he has a skinny mom now!!

Taking a Break and Taking Stock

I'm sitting in a friend's living room in one of my favorite places in the world, Moab.  I drove down yesterday so I could spend some time with her.  I'll be working here tomorrow, then heading home.  It's been a relaxing weekend so far.  Spring hasn't quite arrived here, but the red rocks are as beautiful as ever.

After several weeks of feeling frustrated and uninspired, I'm taking a break from ART.  I want to kick back, do some mindless piecing, which will include hopefully getting a couple of UFO's finished.  Friday was a good start- my WAQ group met at Suzanne's, and helped her piece a quilt top for her mother who was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Four of us sewed for about three hours, and we got the top almost completely done.  It felt good!!

Besides the UFO's, I'm going to sew some clothing- something I haven't done for a long time.  Very little of my wardrobe fits me anymore, so I have a good excuse.  

So that's what's going on with me.  We going to wander Moab's downtown later today, then have dinner at the Moab Brewery.  It's feeling like the kind of weekend I need- relaxing, no stress or expectations of tasks needing to be completed, and enjoying a friend's company.  If my hands feel the need to be busy, I brought my knitting- maybe that one sock will finally get done!!