It has been a completely discombobulated week!
I went nearly all the way through yesterday thinking it was Saturday, even going so far as making posts about Happy Caturday, and even a video I ended up not posting to Instagram/Facebook because I plainly said "Have a great SATURDAY!"
How did my week get so screwed up?
I think it's because I didn't have a group arriving on Wednesday to remind me of what day it really is. LOL!
I've taken time this week to really dig into some nearly-forgotten corners of the Scrap User's System to sort through things, discard some things, and find bits and pieces that I could use up in our upcoming Leader & Ender Challenge kick off - happening about 2 weeks from now!
Lola thinks I need to be petting her instead.
Do you see this bin I pulled? it is FULL of rectangles and squares accumulated during the cutting and making of many other things over MANY years.
I found pieces in this drawer that haven't seen the light of day since the early 2000s - and there are fabrics in here I remember buying by the flat-fold when I was still making bunnies and bears during my pattern designing stint with Butterick back in the 1990s.
Oh yes, honey - we are going to sew all of this up and away into this year's Leader & Ender challenge!
The first thing I did was sort things by size, and by color/neutral. That helped greatly.
Though no prep is available to give you today - just keep an eye out for any hidden corners that you want to dig into.
I started sewing a couple of weeks ago using my idea for what we are going to do as leaders & enders while assembling my recycled shirt blocks of simple sawthooth stars.
I think I shared these the other day - or did I only think I did?
I've been making simple sawtooth star blocks simply because I wanted to. I really didn't have a pattern or layout in mind - just that these would fit somewhere in the mix.
The darks are recycled shirts - combined with any neutrals I wanted to use up - so some of the neutrals found in that bin of random squares and rectangles above also found their place in these blocks. That's a win/win.
Five more here -
And with this last five - I'm ready to move on to the next step.
Some of these neutrals are DECADES old!
(And I still like them!)
But I digress! I worked on our new Leader & Ender Challenge in between the lines of chain piecing on these lovely little stars, and I like how things are going so far!
I need a handful more to make enough that I can show you where this Challenge is going to go - so just go digging through some bags and boxes, and keep an eye on your Scrap User's System knowing you'll be pulling scrappy goodness from it SOON.
Sorted by size - and color or neutral.
No more messy bin!
This is all that went back in!
This is squares/rectangles too small for what we will be doing. I started a second bin with the stuff that is JUST RIGHT to use up. Isn't it so exciting? I can't wait to show you.
In the mean time, Lola kept watch from the mail tub on the floor.
Or fell asleep on the job.
This also happened on the yesterday I thought was today!
I finally got a new BIG mail box!
I needed something that would fit larger packages, both for sending and receiving. The old mail box post was rotted and we needed to replace that too. A trip to Lowes found us just what we needed.
And a new post to boot! Click to Play:
Laughing that my much younger self would shake her head at being excited over such a thing as a mailbox. But I am!
Yes, Please and Thank You!
We now just need to install the number plaque.
Perfect!
As to the Balloon Glow thing in Wytheville? It didn't happen. The sky opened up not long after I finished recording that video -
The wind was horrendous and we saw many toppled trees and downed powerlines on our way back to the cabin.
It was decided that it would be a better idea to just stay in, cook up a pizza and binge several episodes of something in a row.
We are watching Big Sky! Have you seen it? Evidently there are currently 2 seasons, I don't know if there will be a 3rd.
Hand stitching through the evening.
Today? Well, Mabel wanted out at 12:30am after I was deeply sound asleep. I groggily awoke to her whining. When she whines, it means she HAS to go.
But as dogs do, they will push their way past you on the stairs and.....
No, I didn't completely fall, but I did end up stubbing 3 toes on my right foot pretty painfully.
It's a laying low day for me at the cabin. I'm kind of hobbley, There is ice and ibuprophen at hand.
I think I'll play with some projects at my home sewing space this morning.
How about you?
It is Solidarity PDF pattern booklet release week!
The pattern booklet for Solidarity includes the directions for Hearts of Hope as a BONUS.
I'll direct you to the ORIGINAL GIFT-AWAY POST to read all about it and get your entries in.
I'll be drawing for TWO winners! One will receive a Solidarity PDF pattern from me and a Facets of Red roll, and the second will receive the pattern and a Facets of Blue roll from Cotton to Quilts!
If the winners are outside of the USA, we can send the fabric prize to a friend within the USA who can forward it on to you.
And yes, there is introductory pricing!
I've marked Solidarity at 25% off through 7/5/22 in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.
Unity and Courthouse Square are also discounted 25% – no coupon code needed.
From your favorite folks at Quiltmaker - open for registration!
Put your scraps to better use by learning how to not only save them but use them to their full potential. This course focuses on block construction, with the final quilt being up to the imagination of the maker. Courses were inspired by my favorite blocks found in my Addicted to Scraps column with Quiltmaker magazine.
You’ll love this course if you are:
- A beginning quilter who wants to learn tips and techniques that will make your quilting experience successful
- A quilter who wants to learn to work with recycled fabrics and scraps of fabric from other projects.
Here’s all the information:
Scrap Quilts with Bonnie Hunter
Workshop runs July 22 – August 19
Early Bird Special: Get $30 off with coupon code SCRAPS30. Valid until July 22
Register now and save!
More answers to your workshop questions HERE.
I think that about covers it all!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Today is another step on your way toward where you want to be tomorrow.
If it isn't getting you there, ask yourself why?
Have a wonderful Father's Day weekend, everyone!
Bummer, Bonnie, on the three toes...suppose they're broken? I broke a toe three different times one year a decade ago--the same twice, a different one once--and there's not a single thing you can do about it except appreciate the sympathy you get! So hopefully your cabin-sewing time helps make up for the discomfort and pain.
ReplyDeleteThe mailbox post is SO handsome....... !
ReplyDeleteSO glad you didn't get hurt any worse! I love the new,big mailbox and that fancy post!
ReplyDeleteI'm digging through my scrap system too. For Oklahoma Back roads...but I ran out of neutrals so had to order a cutting die for 2.5" squares.
ReplyDeleteYour mailbox is beautiful.
Can't wait for the L/E challenge!!
I’m clumsy enough without having dogs or cats involved. I guess it’s a good thing we no longer have pets. It’s been a very productive week! I only have 79 blocks left on my king size split 9 patch. That sounds like a lot, but with my goal of at least 10 a day, I should have all the blocks done by the end of next weekend. Sadly, I was too energetic yesterday and spent way too much time pressing fabric for masks for my son and cutting some of them out. The arthritis is screaming at me today! However, I will be at the machine working on my 10 blocks…won’t be any cutting though…🤪. Everyone have a safe and happy weekend. We are holed up inside since it’s supposed to be over 100 degrees for the next week at least. Hate these kind of summers!🥵
ReplyDeleteI think it's time for Dave to start doing the stairs!!
ReplyDeleteOh do be careful Bonnie! I live through your excursions and you just reminded us the other day it was a year ago that you took that painful fall down the stairs. Love the mailbox! Perfect for the inn.
ReplyDeleteBonnie,
ReplyDeleteI have that same mail box it amazes me how many things my mail man can get in it. I also went on etsy and got a decal with our name on it, it looks great. Then I got a thank you for the inside of the door , my mail man loved it. I know how you feel I was up at 6:00 with a dog .
Have a great weekend
Jeanne
I wondered why you were posting Caturday on a Friday. I blame getting older. No fun to get tripped up by your dog. Feel better! Was it your Sewing Pedal foot? Hand Stitching is good for the Days you are laying low. Nice Mailbox!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know which I love more your mailbox or Lola's furry coat!!
ReplyDeleteI really like your mailbox. I would be excited about it too. The post makes my day. It may some day rust out but it won't rot out.
ReplyDeleteI recentlremoved and my movers mixed up which bins went where so now I play where oh where hastily quilt gone.
I totally get the excitement of a new mailbox. When we bought our house, on the way home from the closing, we stopped and bought a new mailbox which I promptly painted a bright yellow! I love your big new mailbox.
ReplyDeleteI often get my days mixed up. I thought Last Saturday was Sunday and Sunday was Saturday, but I did make it to church on time. I am trying to get my quilt mojo back so I plan on working on cleaning my sewing Room and maybe a bit of organizing will push me forward.
ReplyDeleteNice mailbox. Wish I could have one like that, but the PO has other ideas. Will you be showing layouts of the fish school blocks to spur us on? I just got my 2" strip cutter for the GO! and want to crank out a few more while the longarm is doing its thing. Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteyes Bonnie there will be season 3 to BIG SKY and Reba is suppose to be in some of the episode....sew excited. also thank you for the tease about the new leaders and enders
ReplyDelete