Saturday, January 21, 2023

Moseying along this week


I finished the ring around the star, it took two arcs of 11 pieces and two arcs of 10 pieces.  So, the final piece has two solids together and two neutrals.



I decided I wanted a red star instead of a blue one so I made another.  I sewed the center block to the outside ring.  But, it just didn't have the feel that I was after.  I decided it was because of all the neutral pieces.  I wanted more color.



So, I cut some circles out of paper and began sewing from the center point out and trimming as I sewed along.  I like this a lot better with more color and more dark.  I think it contrasts well with the cheddar fabric as a background (or red or black - we'll see).  There is a really wonky one center front.  I thought about replacing it but then I decided to replace an offending fabric and leave it off center.  I want to make 12 to make a little bit larger than normal wall hanging. 




I took a picture of my sewing table because I couldn't believe how messy it was.  I don't usually sew like this - it's all very organized.  I'm getting a feel for the "sew n' go method".  It is fun.  I can see why so many of you just sew and plan as you go and if it doesn't work, something else will. . . 




I made two pies this week.  The one on the left is Toll House Pie.  It is pretty good but I made it so my granddaughter would eat some so I left out the nuts.  She has had about 3 pieces.  I had one skinny wedge.  It just isn't worth the calories without nuts in it.  The other pie is a cherry pie.  Who doesn't like cherry pie!?




My husband harvested some carrots this week.  He likes to take them to the neighbors all winter long.




This was an unusually good batch.  No scary or infested or unusable carrots in the whole batch.




It has been snowy and cold for weeks.  We now have a stretch of no snow and lower temps.  Look at this wren outside my window all puffed up to keep warm.  You'd think it was a robin but nope - it's a little house wren.




I saw this on one of my walks this week.  I just thought the colors were so pretty.  And a perfectly dried maple leaf.  




 

I was looking for a specific pattern this week and came across an article about Sarah Sporrer.  It was in  American Patchwork & Quilting February 2005.  I'm not very familiar with her work so I looked her up and found this delightful hare (along with lots of other pieces).  She does more primitive stuff and raw edge applique.  It was fun to learn about someone new.  



While I was quilting at the floor hoop in the living room yesterday I noticed my neighbor's front door and what looks like a pineapple decoration.  It probably isn't a pineapple but what I see is a star with a pineapple hanging beneath it.  Wouldn't that be fun to make?  I think it's really a sign with a tied ribbon hung on a nail - not nearly as interesting as a pineapple 😁

Well, I need to go make some lunch.  I thought I'd make a small batch of lasagna but the cottage cheese is no longer edible so, what to do with the Italian sausage. . . 

Robin

9 comments:

Julierose said...

I really like what will be those multi-colored stars...the solid red looks so different doesn't it? It's amazing how just changing out one thing can alter the whole quilt block. I actually like both ways--but being the scrap lover that I am i think I prefer the multis.
It's been gray, raw and dreary here for the whole of January--gets to you after a while. A nice sunny day would be so welcome...
I did finish the bindings for my two crumb quilts and hope to sew at least one tomorrow...getting there slowly...
Love the Spoorer style...a friend of mine makes a lot of her stuff...
very"Prim"....
hugs, Julierose

Quilting Babcia said...

I'm sure you'll find your favorite setting/design for your wheels soon. In the meantime, so much fun experimenting, especially when there's no deadline. Those carrots and pies look especially yummy, we love fresh carrots though our soil is probably too rocky to grow them well.

Janet O. said...

So are you scrapping the stars, or putting them over the center of those darker circles?
Oh, that is how my sewing table is looking now, and I don't usually let it get that bad, either. But the whole sewing room is out of control, and there is no space to put things away. What a mess I have made. Are you still sewing upstairs?
Lovely pies! I've never heard of a Toll House pie. Surprisingly, in my family I am the only one who will eat a cherry pie--and I love them if made with fresh or frozen cherries, but not canned. I have two sons-in-law who love cherry pie, but one lives 12 hours away, and the other doesn't eat sugar anymore.
Your husband's carrot sharing sounds just like my dad. But my dad would leave the carrots in the ground, covered with layers of leaves and a tarp held down with rocks. Now and then in the winter he would go out and uncover them and dig up a bunch and start sharing. You had a delicious looking harvest!
I enjoyed your photos of nature and neighbors. :)

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

Wow! That is some harvest of carrots! I struggle during the summer to grow carrots. I just don’t seem to have much luck with them. These are really beauties! I’m always impressed by people who quilt. I do a lot of crafty things, but quilting isn’t one of them.

Denice Barker said...

Well, you're right, the darker fabrics against the cheddar is the way to go. And if you hadn't pointed out the two neutrals and two print s next to each other I wouldn't have noticed.
And we're on the same pie page. I can't imagine a chocolate chip cookie without nuts but no one likes them that way but hubby and I. So mostly I make them without the nuts for giving away. But for us? The more nuts the better. And cherry pie is my go to! I think apple is my least favorite unless I make it myself because everyone else's is just too sweet.

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

What a cozy wonderful post. Sometimes things have to get very messy for awhile! Your pies look divine. I do love cherry pie. What a bountiful carrot harvest and I'm sure your neighbors are so grateful! The snow looks so beautiful to me (I miss it). A pineapple would be just the thing as a door decoration.

Kaja said...

So many carrots! Maybe you should be hanging a wreath of those from your door instead of a pineapple.:-) I really like your darker circles with the cheddar - definitely feels like a good direction. Also, because I like wonky, I particularly liked that one slightly offbeat circle.

Nancy said...

I like your darker circles much more than the light and dark ones. From what I can see in the photo, it looks like the number of pie-shapes are not the same in each one? I like that! What will you do for the center of the circles? The the darker circles the same size as the dark and light ones? How large are the circles?
Your pies look delicious and the cherry pie is beautiful! I have not heard of a Toll House pie before? Is it cookie dough baked in a pie tin?
You have quite crop of carrots there. Is that all for the year or are there still some in the ground?
I always feel sorry for the birds when the winter temperatures go down. Your wren looks like it's keep warm--at least I hope it was.
Sarah Sporrer's rabbit/hare is delightful. She is an artist I don't know much about but I like what I've seen so far.

Janie said...

Good food! And look at those carrots! Wonderful.
My sewing table is always covered with several different projects and experiments, it keeps me inspired.
I saw your hand quilting progress in your previous post, gorgeous!
Stay warm, the little wren photo made me shiver.

Ongoing progress

I finished the center with the gifts and put on a double star border.  It now measure 48" square. Now I'm at a standstill. . .  I&#...