Design “wall” Wednesday #9

Published on by Juliann12 Comments

This week I have my back to the design wall because it is holding a project that is not ready to share. And I am taking a break from that project to do a bit of ironing and enjoy the sunshine. When I stand at my ironing board, I often think of my mother. She spent so much time with her iron and board in those days before permanent press. One day, I commented that it seemed like a boring task but she told me that she really enjoyed ironing because it was time to be rooted, fairly still in front of the board, and a time let her mind wander. I have always loved natural fibers (especially linen) so I too spend a fair amount of time with my iron and I have to agree, the warmth of the steam as it presses the fabrics can be very meditative.

This brought to mind a book I have been reading, Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender. In this book, she tells the story of a begging bowl – “All I knew about a begging bowl was that each day a monk goes out with his empty bowl in his hands. Whatever is placed in the bowl will be his nourishment for the day.” She begins to ask herself a simple question, what do I need in my bowl. Isn’t that a lovely way to frame our days?

So that is what I am thinking about as we head into a new month – what do I need in my bowl this day, and then the next, not trying to think too far ahead because that is where the flurry of busy-ness begins to make the beauty of each day fall away.

Design Wall Wednesday #8

Published on by Juliann11 Comments

Last fall, I signed up for a block of the month from Treehouse Textiles. I knew right away that I would alter the pattern but wasn’t sure which pieces I would change. After a few months, I realized that the quilt was not making my design wall sing so I did something I rarely do – I canceled the rest of the subscription. (This was not a kit block of the month but a PDF pattern and I am grateful that the shop made it simple to unsubscribe). I put the blocks (and the fabrics I had pulled from my stash) into a bin and set them on the shelf. This week, I was rummaging through my closet and saw the bin. When I opened it up, I found not only the patterns and blocks but another pattern that I purchased last year. A lightbulb went on and I knew how I would proceed with this project. I am going to make a few more of the blocks from the original quilt and add it some of the pieces from the Three Birds pattern. I am also considering a few elements from another quilt pattern in my collection so I might have to call this Quilt Design Mash-up.

I have added the second layer of appliqué to four of my Cuppa blocks. The next step with be the embroidery. Because this was a kit, I have everything I need to finished the blocks. Each month included the fabrics, pattern, and embroidery threads. There is also a detailed illustration for the embroidery threads and I have the Creative Stitching book to help me with any stitches that are new to me.

Finally, off the needles

These are my March socks for the Farmer’s Daughter’s Fibers Sock Squad, finished just in time for the April yarn to arrive this week.

I see that the rain is lifting and there is a bit of blue sky outside so I am off for a walk. Happy Spring.