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Thursday, December 30, 2021

Diving Into Strings!


String quilts -

Either you love the chaos, the humble jumble of mismatched seams and various widths of pieces with really no rhyme or reason  -

Or they throw you into a tizzy of "Too busy, can't deal with it, oh my word, it's chaos!"

I think if you have followed along with me over any length of time you will know without a doubt which camp I am in.

I love busy quilts and I cannot lie. The more there is going on in a scrap quilt, the more I like it.

The more it holds my interest while making it - and that is crucial for me.  

I really have a hard time with any project once it becomes a drudgery or is monotonously boring and the same same same same after any length of time.

As I enter my 60s next month. (Holy Moly, how did that happen?!) I am reiterating to myself that I have the freedom to make what I want to make, just the way I want to make it.

And that is just what I set my mind to yesterday on my day of "I'm not going anywhere!"


If you think this is messy, you should have seen the floor.  LOL.


Not caring about anything but light/dark/light/dark.

Some blocks had more strips than others as I was just covering to fill my foundations.


Half an audio book later I have these!

Wonderfully abstract - complete freedom!


Oh what a jumble full of optical illusion.

Boxes inside of other boxes.

I hope to start sewing this together this weekend.

We had a bit of rain last night, but son Jeff is on his way up to continue the work on the back walkway at Quiltville Inn.  Leftovers for lunch with my son!  Yay!

And today there is also Part Six of Rhododendron Trail to get ready for tomorrow.


Evening binding progress.

I had heard so much over Don't Look Up on Netflix that I settled in to watch it while working on this binding.

I was so busy watching I forgot to stitch!!  LOL!

I enjoyed this movie - very weird (fun) ending, but so much of it is so spot on with what social media has done to us over the past many years.

Sometimes there are great lessons and aha moments in satire.

But even more than that - this morning I woke up contemplating the question "If we knew the world would end 6 months from now, how would we spend our days, and how would we be treating each other?  What things would be most important then?"

Shouldn't they be just as important now?

I'm CLOSE to finding a name for this brown/turquoise quilt.  There are many towns in Virginia both incorporated and unincorporated with interesting names.  I may just run through the alphabet. There are creeks and rivers, hollers and hills with local names.

But there is more time for that later - Time to get a move on and get this day started.

What do you have happening on your end today?


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Just as our quilts will live on long after we will, how we treat others lives on as our legacy by those who felt the ripples of our actions.
Remember, it's all about the ripples - they go on and on!

Last Thursday of 2021 - make it a good one!


 

44 comments:

  1. Love all the names in Virginia. Part inspired by early settlers, part by native American names and part just fun. Have you heard of Ararat? Stories of trappers calling out, got any rats? (Muskrat) I am pleased to have lived on Rhody Creeks banks for all my life.

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  2. Hoping to sew some more clue two flying geese. I've run into few who are smidge too small, so I'll make extra - just in case. Is there a pattern for this strip piece one Bonnie? Looks like you didn't use foundation?

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    1. In her blog post Bonnie says that she was, "just covering to fill my foundations." So I think we can assume that she was using her usual phone book paper.

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  3. I am going to quilt a Tshirt quilt for a customer today and work on little more cleaning from Xmas. get a few more things ready for retreat next week.

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    1. Sharon, I just finished a t-shirt quitl top for my grandson, he wants it backed with fleece! have you ever done that? if so, did you use batting too?

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  4. Just finished trimming my last Rhododendrom Trail block so I am ready for tomorrow. Sewing, trying (as usual) to be more organized going into the new year.

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  5. I love the name of your town - Mouth of Wilson - but I'm not sure if it would make a good quilt name!

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  6. Love your thoughts!!! Life is short, we should all be living like we don't know about 6 months from now. Happy New Year Bonnie! Happy New Year all quiltvillians. Xx

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  7. ahhh yes, Dreidel came to mind for the 'spinning tops' quilt top... i'm still hammering away at Emerald City -- 8 of 9 big blocks done... a bunch of HSTs to do - - coming down the home stretch...am considering adding 6" border... want to finish in 2021!!!! AND need to add new printer ink!!! LOL you should see #5!!! LOL Happy New Year everybody, I'm so excited to start Rhodo Trail!!! Cats in Carlsbad CA

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  8. Loving the strings. Thank you for sharing your great ideas. ANything for 2.5” squares in the future?
    HAVe a happy new year!

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    1. Yes, please!!! Soooo many. . . .

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    2. Yes! My 2.5 bins are running over! I need to get Bonnie's list out and contemplate my next round of qui!ts.

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  9. Stargazin' Time

    Whatever you name it, I like the sandy/blue stars.

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  10. Your strings is Ah!!mazing!!
    I had heard so many bad things about Don't Look Up that I just had to watch it - and I am with you.... it was interesting and thought a lot was spot on.

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  11. I agree about "Don't Look Up". Might need to watch it again. I do hate the trend in so many otherwise good movies and series of the frequent and gratuitous use of the F word. Totally unnecessary and off-putting. I am enjoying Rhododendron Trail, thanks for your continued generosity! - - Gina in Missouri

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  12. Can't wait to see your brown/turquoise quilt finished! Busy working through part 5 of Rhododendron Mystery. And, yes, found that movie to be a great satire, especially since some of the actors were guilty of the practices they were portraying.

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  13. "Because I wasn't going anywhere I made these blocks." Only you, Bonnie! I leafed through the binder of Addicted to Scraps (I have a complete set) I saw the Triplet block. I predict that pattern is going to be a best-seller for you!

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  14. Love your emerging quilt. I have to say, I watched Don't Look Up! and yes, it's very true to life...so much so, that I found the ending tragic and it weighted very heavily for hours. I can see where logically, this could happen (and IS happening now with our fears around illness. So many trusted and followed the lies of those who knew better....and then...such sadness.

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  15. You always pick such interesting names for your quilts, Bonnie! Whatever you choose will be perfect! I’m excited for what you’ll bring us in 2022. This saying for today is exactly how I’ve been feeling for the last few months. I’m saying NO to so much that had become a habitual YES for so many years. I’ve put myself last or not on my own list for far too long. Some this were crucial and I had to take care of my kiddos. I’ll never not take care of them when they need it and it’s usually something huge before they need me. But it’s time for me to take care of myself physically, mentally, creatively and spiritually! I’ve pushed the limits on myself and realized that I take on too much stuff that isn’t mine to handle. I love people and I’ve allowed myself to be used and hurt a lot. I haven’t even had the motivation to sew! I’m so over feeling like this so I’m taking control and taking care of me now. Like you, January is a milestone for me. I haven’t done the things I’ve wanted to with my life but I’m changing that, slowly but surely! As for what I’m doing today, I’ll be cutting the gajillion pieces for Clue 4 of your RT MQ. After seeing everyone’s posts so far, I’m wishing I’d gone scrappy instead of one fabric per color. My neutrals are scrappy but I’m wondering if things won’t look right with the limited palette. Too far in to change now, I suppose. Now to figure out how many to cut from each strip set to not have too much of the same thing meeting up later on. I may just leave it and try to work on finishing Grassy Creek!

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    1. From West Side Story "There's A Time and Place for Us". I'm feeling the same as you, Tanya. But we have been taught all our life to put others first, and when I put myself first I feel selfish and uncomfortable, and then guilty. I just don't know how to get past that.

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  16. You always pick such interesting names for your quilts, Bonnie! Whatever you choose will be perfect! I’m excited for what you’ll bring us in 2022. This saying for today is exactly how I’ve been feeling for the last few months. I’m saying NO to so much that had become a habitual YES for so many years. I’ve put myself last or not on my own list for far too long. Some this were crucial and I had to take care of my kiddos. I’ll never not take care of them when they need it and it’s usually something huge before they need me. But it’s time for me to take care of myself physically, mentally, creatively and spiritually! I’ve pushed the limits on myself and realized that I take on too much stuff that isn’t mine to handle. I love people and I’ve allowed myself to be used and hurt a lot. I haven’t even had the motivation to sew! I’m so over feeling like this so I’m taking control and taking care of me now. Like you, January is a milestone for me. I haven’t done the things I’ve wanted to with my life but I’m changing that, slowly but surely! As for what I’m doing today, I’ll be cutting the gajillion pieces for Clue 4 of your RT MQ. After seeing everyone’s posts so far, I’m wishing I’d gone scrappy instead of one fabric per color. My neutrals are scrappy but I’m wondering if things won’t look right with the limited palette. Too far in to change now, I suppose. Now to figure out how many to cut from each strip set to not have too much of the same thing meeting up later on. I may just leave it and try to work on finishing Grassy Creek!

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  17. We also watched Don't Look Up last night and when you posted you were watching it, I was thinking 'how is she going to stitch and watch this?'...there was SO much going on in each scene and then simultaneous things going on at the same time. I ususally crochet and watch whatever is on, but I couldn't with that movie! ...I also found it very interesting- hubby and I were talking about it way after it ended....I'm not a string person I don't think, but that's ok! There are many other patterns to follow out there- I DO like your brown and turquiose and look forward to that pattern. Have a quilty day!

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  18. For me, it's totally dependent on the quilt. Some seem to miss the mark on contrast or color. Today's quilt, I love the way it seems to wiggle about, or make my eyes jump around looking at it.

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  19. Beautiful is what comes to mind :)

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  20. For some inexplicable reason, the song Needles and Pins -a ran through my head when I thought of possible quilt names. I hadn’t remembered that song in years.

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  21. Love, love, love your strings, but I'm drooling over the turquoise and brown. Funny about Don't Look Up. I have a terrible time paying attention to a full length movie, but my hubs and I have watched it two nights in a row this week to catch all the parody. Your assessment is mine exactly.....Have a great and safe New Year, Bonnie!!!

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  22. Your string blocks bring to mind a kaleidoscope for me! Finished the last of clue 5 last night so I'm spending a day cutting/sewing for Midnight Flight as my interim project.

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  23. I completely agree with your statement about quilts becoming drudgery. It's probably the reason I have a healthy number of UFOs. Today I'm going to work on one for a relative. It's one of your patterns. Virginia Bound. It's not because it became drudgery but because of a death inthe family I lost interest in doing much of anything for a while. I am committed to sewing down the UFO pile a bit this year.

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  24. Still watching all the Christmas Hallmark Movies that I DVR-ed. Stitching crazt tiny parts of the mystery and bonus triangle pressing. Maybe a Pink great grandbaby for us in 2022. Who knows what will happen in 6 months. Just enjoying the ride. Part 6 Tomorrow!! Scrappy strings are sew fun!

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  25. I finished a quilt top last night. Today I am going to measure it so that I can prepare a backing. There is no time to order wide backing fabric, so I will have to piece it from my stash.

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  26. Tree coming down today. And visit with DGD Haley. Perfect.

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  27. Watch mini series Click Bait on Netflix. Just tickled pink in Texas to be a newish quilter, Bonnie Fan, and first time Mystery Quilter!

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  28. Love your string blocks. You've inspired me to make them over the years I have followed you.A few months ago, after I had finished Good Fortune, Frolic and Grassy Creek, I wasn't sure what to sew next. So I started making string blocks and ended up making 5 String Lap quilts which I gifted to friends!! Thanks Bonnie for all your creativity and sharing with us!

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  29. Yep, those string blocks are a party! :)

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  30. My husband was born in Bonny Blue Virginia, it was a coal mining town that no longer exists. My brother in law was born in...... Possum Trot TN! Yes, you read that right!

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  31. When I look at the Quilt I see turquoise jewelry. How the Brown veins run through the turquoise stone. So think maybe
    Dream Walker or Appalachian Trail.
    Happy New Year!

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  32. Ran into a glitch yesterday when I opened the batting package expecting 70 x 90 size and found it was 45 x 100. No stitching until I can get a replacement and I'll save that piece for a future project. I'll use my time to organize my sewing room and storage closet into which I have haphazardly stowed all kinds of scraps and tools. I admit I have a couple of drawers that haven't seen the light of day in over a year. Maybe I don't need those items? I'll be cautious and move them to an "almost gone" bin because we all know I won't need them until they're completely gone. Wish me luck!

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  33. I have a hard time with scrappy, I like the way they look, but choosing what goes next makes me crazy, I like things to match. I showed my sister-in-law how to make a foundation pieced string quilt, I cut, she sewed, it is beautiful, so will have to do one for myself. Good idea to just pick and sew.
    The hexie quilt in today's quote is beautiful!
    Sharon

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  34. Did you watch all the way thru the end of the credits on Don’t Look Up? If not, go check it out — there’s a little surprise……

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  35. Your hexie quilt is truly beautiful!
    Thank you for all you do and share with us. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  36. Many years ago I made a string quilt for one of my very artsy friends (and hand quilted it). It wasn't my cup of tea but she and her hubby just loved it and THAT made me happy! I am currently working on your Tulip Time quilt. Now that I love! I started it last April but for a bunch of reasons had to set it aside. I have so enjoyed this week after Christmas and before New Year's working on it. It's a keeper! Thank you for sharing your creative spirit.

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  37. I also watched “Don’t Look Up” last night. I did watch through the credits & saw the little surprise. Those are always fun.
    Love the string quilt! Always amazing

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  38. Hi Bonnie and Almost Happy New Year!

    Whatever name you choose for the Brown and Turquoise quilt is sure to be Great and fit it to a T.

    My Thursday was spent going to town to do errands, deliver some sourdough starter to a friend/former co-worker, now eat some lentil soup, then back to work on the Rhododendron Trail. I got behind on step 3, but I will be doing some of each clue now to the end. I am much further along than usual at this time. So far I am liking what is happening with it! Can't wait for part six to be released tomorrow!

    Donna E.
    Kasilof, AK
    Where it is snowing again! Go Figure!

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  39. The turquoise and brown is very calming; any synonym of calm would be a great name.

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