Blaming It All on the Meds -

My burgeoning string bucket.

I know it sends some into heart attack mode, but I see endless possibilities and wonderful creativity packed to capacity within its confines – or even exploding over its sides in crazy rainbow volcano fashion.

It’s like an archaeological dig. 

As I work at kitting up projects for future rounds of piecing mayhem, anything deemed too narrow (or too unloved) gets dropped off the side of the cutting table, landing in this bin in layers – you can pretty much tell what I’ve been working on by layer upon layer of off cuts. 

There are YEARS worth of strips and strings in here – all destined for something wonderful to come.

Wonky Courthouse Steps blocks.

This project started out long ago as a treadle project, because things don’t have to be perfect.  I had a stack of blocks, but definitely needed more.

Other than “regular” string blocks sewn on foundations, and the occasional crumb block here and there, I haven’t really given myself time to just play improv style -

I KNEW I was finally on the mend from this creeping crud when sitting on the couch stitching bindings by hand in between rounds of coughing fits and naps was just not enough to keep me occupied.  I didn’t want to be dealing much with a rotary cutter or trying to match seams, and a quick search brought out the box with a handful of wonky courthouse steps blocks.

The process is simple.  Start with a square.  Add two neutrals either side (of different widths) and then add two different colors top and bottom.  Repeat.  Two neutral sides, two colored sides, two neutral sides, two colored sides until the block is the size you want it to be, and then square it up.

Use the strings “As Is.” Let things tilt, lean, and angle at will.  No straight marching little soldiers in this batch.

Because I am playing with random widths of strips, blocks are often NOT symmetrical with the same number of strips per side.  Just piece until it is big enough.  Don’t purposely try to center anything.

I’ve gone this far in 2 days.

I can’t stop.

The second column from the left is sewn together just to see what it looks like with seam allowances taken up.  I think I need to go a bit longer. I am hoping for twin size.

Things I’ve noticed – these blocks take as many neutral strips as they do colors, so it is more neutral than you think.  My neutrals in this bin are running low – mostly for the longest outside pieces. I have shorter pieces for the inner rounds.

Yes, I can dip into my 1 1/2’’ and 2’’ neutral strips from the Scrap User’s System, but the objective here is to use strings.  I have a big bin of neutral strings at the Quiltville Post Office and I can pick them up when I go to do mail order today.

(Did you see that I got in a bunch of the new Karen Kay Buckley Scissors? You’ll find them along with the Bohin needle threaders and Bohin folding seam rippers under the Rulers, Notions & Tools category in the Quiltville Store.)

Things I’ve noticed over the past week since this crud befell me -

Don’t assume it is just allergies.  I thought it started out as a ragweed reaction in Pennsylvania, but it quickly exacerbated. (And always on a weekend, right?!)

If the cough is “productive” and changing to yellow/green SEE SOMEONE QUICK.

Drink lots, make a big pot of soup, indulge in much binge watching of Netflix, hand stitch until you can’t hand stitch any longer.  Nap some more.

Buy more Kleenex.  LOADS of Kleenex. More Kleenex than you would ever think possible.  With so much blowing, you really could have taken up the tuba.

Savor another cup of tea and keep it coming.

And when you finally feel your Sew-Jo coming back, pick up a project like this that doesn’t take much thought and allow yourself to just make simple choices. “Do I like this color here? What about this print or stripe? Does it need something bolder?”

And give it loads of time.

I am so grateful that I don't travel again until the first week of October.

If you can see the needle and thimble in this photo, you are doing better than I am!

When you’ve had enough of the wonky machine piecing – settle yourself back down in your comfy chair and question yourself once again why you thought a black hanging sleeve against black fabric being sewn down with black thread while on copious amounts of medication was a good idea?

And keep going – because you are almost there.

I have heard from several of you who read yesterday’s post about HollyAnne Knight’s online course: Free Motion Quilting Academy that is now in the registration process for the next 8 week session. I am so glad you are excited and I hope you’ll share your progress as you work through this fabulous online course. 

If you missed yesterday’s info, click to THAT POST. You can be free motion quilting that stack of completed quilt tops on your home machine in no time.

I am off for a shower (I need to feel more human!) and breakfast, and then Sadie and I will be taking a drive over to the QPO to check on things there.

More wonky courthouse steps blocks await this afternoon.

Quiltville Quote of the Day

Whatever it is you're going through, just keep going! I've posted this one before, but it tickled my funny bone this morning.

I am ready for the creeping crud to move on out of my chest, my sinuses, my ears, and out of my life!

Enjoy your Friday, everyone!