The dangers of procrastination

I was fiddling about in my room on Sunday, not really doing much. I should have been cutting my floral scraps, but instead I was procrastinating, poking about in this drawer and that. I noticed that my collection of batik scraps is getting a little out of control and making the drawer look untidy.

So I hauled them all out and dumped them on the cutting table. Then had a tidy up in the drawer and before I knew it, it was time to go to work.

Over night an idea was born and this morning I scooted in to town and purchased yet another set of plastic drawers. My collection of batik scraps in all their little containers were all tucked neatly away, and there was still plenty of room for my collection of fabric crumbs, so in they went.

I really wasn't sure what to do with this little collection though. They are rejects from this quilt top and are only partially batiks. 

Hmmmmm, I left them out and vowed to have a think about what I could do with them.

While I was in town, I called in to the sewing centre, hoping to find a blue binding for the OP Shop Top.

No perfect blues, but I did find the perfect burgundy.

And I found an end of bolt, just under a half meter of a cream grunge, with spots.

I thought it might work with my floral scraps. I'm pleased to say that I was right.

So pleased in fact that I started cutting soon after I put together my drawers and cleared all the batiks off the cutting table. . But first I made leek and potato soup for lunch, I left it simmering while I played with fabrics. I got a whole bunch of 5 inch squares cut.

Then soon after lunch, the squirrel hopped in through the open window!

Full of ideas about what to do with that wee box of rejects and before I knew what was going on, I was playing with those instead of cutting florals.

My first efforts met Jack the ripper!

But the second idea worked out much better.

I got as far as putting a column together before deciding to stop and sit down for a while. 

I'll need to find something to use as border and binding, but I'm sure that won't be too hard.

Thank you Mr Squirrel, you can be on your way to help someone else for a while.

*

So you see the danger of procrastination and pottering about doing not very much really, is that it becomes an open invitation for the squirrel to visit.

 

Zooming With Chooky

So Saturday was one of Chookys zoom sessions, she promised a marathon, and that is what we got.

Well some of us did. I had to go off to work at 3pm (NZ) and returned again at 10.30, when I found a few ladies still chatting. 

Before work I was busy with Lucy and made a little progress. First I set about topping up my supply of one inch blue squares and also prepared a bunch of white honey combs, for the border treatments.

Yes, it's getting that close.

My supervisor spent most of the day curled up asleep on the sofa next to my chair, although she did make time for some personal grooming.

Once I was done with the prep work I got on to the task of adding blocks to the top, after I had added some blue inchies to the blocks I wrestled them on to the top one at a time. I only had time to add two and prep a third before I had to prepare for work.

I have almost completed the penultimate row of crosses. Just one more block required.

As you can see, Belle had to take the opportunity to inspect progress while Tony held it up this morning.

I really do need to work out how I want the edge of the quilt to look and get papers prepped for the final rounds.

Poor pictures I'm afraid as it is very overcast here today, so we had an indoor photoshoot with artificial lighting.

I'm really pleased with how this one is turning out and must confess that although I am excited to be so close to finishing the planned 5x6 layout I am tempted to add more blocks.....

I know I have plenty of blue fabrics left, I wonder if I can find more of that white?

*

Time to go and complete the chores I should have done yesterday. LOL

 

It's pretty quiet here in Loulee land....

There are two reasons for the quiet time, firstly I am back to my studies and spend most mornings swotting away. 

And secondly I've hurt my arm. I'm not sure how, but it is rather inconvenient. Holding my knitting needles, sorting puzzle pieces, holding and using my roller cutter, typing on the laptop or the desk top at work, even brushing my teeth all hurt.

So I've been trying to rest it as well as getting my chiropractor to work on it.

There has been a little retail therapy, nothing terribly exciting, but I found some bargains.

On the NZ puzzle exchange I found a local lady was thinning out her stash and scored four 1000 piece puzzles for only $20 NZ.

A little taste of the UK.

This African Animal one is what drew my eye, what a lovely design.

The lovely blue sea of the Aegean sea.

And I couldn't resist these lovely hot air balloons over the Opera house.

And Tony spotted and purchased another puzzle for me...

He knows I like a challenge!

*

I was excited to see that my Christmas/Easter cactus was preparing to flower.

This little plant was a cutting from one at work.

It's done rather well and it is good to see flowers on it.

Finally, just so you know my life is not all about jigsaws and studies, I called in to the Sallie's store on my trip home from grocery shopping today, the first time in months.

There wasn't a huge selection of fabrics available,

 

but I dug about in a plastic bin and found a bundle or two.

This beige piece is a brand new fat quarter.

And last but not least, this oddly shaped yellow piece.

All for four dollars.

I'll tidy them up and pop them away, for use one day.

*

I'm looking forward to zooming with Chooky on the weekend, even though I have to work.

I'll join in until it is time to go. Then I'll join in again when I get home, she has promised a marathon  session and I'm sure someone will still be chatting. 

I had better make sure I have plenty of Lucy pieces prepped, or be ready to sit and prep, while we chat.

The Squirrel Came Back.

I was a little worried the other day to read that the squirrel had hopped over to Kiwikid Sues place, to distract help her out. As I had only half a plan for finishing the HSTs. But I set off yesterday, hopefully sewing them together. As I suspected, there were issues with lost points and varying block sizes. That is the nature of 11 year old scraps. Well that's what I told myself.

That little group at the top was about half an inch narrower than the others! EEK!

What now?

I turned both pieces this way and that and discovered that my rearranging had reduced the difference to a quarter inch, then inspiration, or the squirrel struck and I popped a piece of Jelly roll in there, which helped to disguise the difference.

Perfect.

I kept on adding a few more pieces of jelly roll log cabin style.

I'll call this a completed top. It's a nice size for a bassinet or a small crib, or even a wall hanging.

I have some lovely chocolate brown slices of Jelly roll that I will use for binding, but first I must quilt it.

There were a few rejected blocks and some left over  HSTs, they went into the crumb basket.

I'll address them another day.

Next I pulled out the floral scraps again, maybe this time they will get their chance to shine.

You can see right at the top of the photo the cutting guide for what I hope to do with them.

I just need to dig out a suitable fabric to use for sashing.

I hope to start cutting today.

And finally, I completed the wash cloth I was knitting during the zoom session.

If you have never tried using these cute little hand knitted cloths you should.

They are lovely to use. I have some for cleaning the house and some that I keep especially for cleaning me and my grand children.

That's all of my news, now I'm off to do chores, before I play. 

 

Knit, sew, zoom.

So Chookyblue called a short notice zoom session for Sunday. 

As she does!

It was a quieter than usual session. But still very good. Our hostess Chooky was on a binding mission, keep an eye on her blog for a great show and tell on all of that. 

No pressure Chooky!

(What am I saying? Yes there is. I want to see pictures on your blog, lots of pictures of beautifully bound and finished quilts). 

I dithered, unsure of what to do. First I tidied up all the thread ends in the Frankenmats.

Next I pulled out a much larger needle and tucked away the yarn ends on this knitted washcloth. Which I had knitted over Friday and Saturday.

It is square honest! 

I seem to have pulled one corner out when smoothing it for the photo shoot.

 There is Lucy of course and I did add one block onto the top, but stopped there, my fingers were itching to hold my knitting needles. So I cast on another dishcloth.

But I somehow managed to break one of my beautiful knitting needles!

(Here is a closer look at the lovely colours on the larger needles).

I had to quickly pull out my interchangeable needles and after selecting the smallest set in the box, I was able to continue knitting. 

The knitters in the group, (I was not the only one) gained the spotlight twice during the session as we discussed needle styles and educated the non knitters. LOL

If you would like to know more about my lovely, lovely knitting needles, look here where you will see that they are made in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.

Tony did try to repair the broken one, but sadly the repair did not last and it very quickly broke again in the same place. I'll be off out to the shop soon to look for a replacement set.

I had to absent myself from zoom for a few hours in order to go to work. But I re-joined during my meal break and later once I got home when I added a few more rows of knitting to the days tally.

Chooky, thank you once again for a fun day. Lots of laughs, lots of chatter, lots of stories, lots of inspiration and most of all, lots of blogger love.

We all enjoy these sessions that you organise for us. 

*

In other news....

The scrappy Fig Tree HST's that I have been fiddling with have made it this far. 

I've pulled out an opened Fig Tree Jelly roll that had a few slices used in another project and I have started to play about with border ideas.

I'll keep you updated on any progress that is made.

And for those who are interested, an update on the jigsaw puzzle.

The majority of the detail has been found and placed. Progress has slowed considerably, but I still spend a little (or a lot of) time with it each day. 

I'm enjoying the process.

*

I have two days off work, but they are looking pretty busy, I do hope I find time to sew.

Time to get out of the house and do some town chores.

Flu shot at work at 1.05pm, if the Doctor consents to do it as I still sound weird.

Then hopefully a restful afternoon, maybe with Lucy, maybe with my knitting needles.

But definitely in my armchair.