I'm in the crunch! But getting there -
One thing I try to do consistently is photograph each part of any quilt unit while in the process of making them - not saving that step for later. It helps me remember just what I did, how I did it and in my mind I'm going through how I'm going to word things so that even the beginnerest-of-beginners (Yes, that's a word, or should be!) will understand and be able to do each step along the way.
I've heard a lot about poorly written directions, and I'd rather err on the "too wordy" side of things to make sure everyone understands even the simplest of instructions than have it not make sense to anyone.
Writing paper piecing instructions step by step with my own way of doing things may be different from the other way that others may have been taught to do things but that doesn't mean that either way is wrong - just different. What matters are the results.
I realized part way through yesterday that some photos in my chain of progressing were not clear enough so I had to print another page of templates (which was another way of double checking that they were indeed correct!) and step by step going through the process of making one little Cracker block.
Of course, that meant getting Lady Hazel Grey out of my sewing chair!
And yes, there is trimming detritus on the floor - I've been doing a LOT of paper piecing lately!
It's all coming together as far as the pattern goes!
I "traditionally" pieced the alternate Diamond Plus block and it was a great place to use up all of those random charm squares that had been sitting - some with huge prints cut off at the sides, some that just never worked anywhere else...
This has been a great year-long focus of using up pre-cuts from my stash - whether it was these charm squares for Crackers & Jam, or the squares I used in Sunnyside which will be coming up later this summer.
I was at a great stopping point mid-afternoon and found myself with an hour to spare before needing to head home to meet up with friends so we could all go to dinner together.
I dug back into my red/aqua flying geese blocks...
HAZEL!
Though I have big bins of strings sorted by color family, I find taking a handful or two and working from plastic shoe boxes easier than digging through big amounts in search of the perfect string.
When variety runs low, I just add another handful to the mix.
On any given string, the goal is to use it until it is GONE - not to put shorter strings back into the big bin...it's the process of scrap elimination!
I've rough cut red geese triangles and the corner neutral triangles and they are each in their own little baskets.
When variety runs low there, I simply do a refill.
With paper piecing pieces only need to be bigger than where they are going...this works well and keeps me sewing, vs having to stop and cut each piece before I can sew it on.
Two. I made two yesterday. I'm happy with any amount of slow progress on an otherwise productive day.
This also brought a big smile yesterday!
I didn't see Jeff & Ashlyn for Mother's Day, but Jeff came to work at the inn yesterday and brought me a begonia in a teapot planter. So thoughtful and cute!
After dinner with friends!
Our local Virginia friends John & Cindy introduced us last year to OTHER friends, Mike & Cindy who are now summering here from Arizona. They arrived yesterday. We are all so excited to have them here. And yes, both Cindys are quilters. Bonus!
What do we do when 6 of us need to go anywhere? Pile into the van, of course!
They met us at our house and we all climbed in and headed to dinner. They had not been up Mount Jefferson, and it was a gorgeous evening so up the curvy winding mountain road we went.
View from the top - so green!
Say cheese, guys!
Hanging out on that rock with no railing gives me the heebies, so we let the menfolk stand out there while we womenfolk went in search of safer ground.
Hubster Dave pointing out all of the landmarks.
Cindy, Cindy & Bonnie is the quilter's version of Larry, Darrel & Darrel. LOL!
In other news....you know how I have been waiting, watching, and counting down the days for the new back door to be installed at the inn?
It was supposed to be today but we have hit another delay pushing it back a week. The installer's wife has to go for an MRI today, and you know nothing is close by and they have to drive further afield, so...next Wednesday is the projection. Dang. But we've made it this far....
The May Quiltvillians are arriving this afternoon. Bring it on. I'm ready. Well, nearly ready.
Click to my travel page HERE.
Only a few days left to reserve your spot for India!
Our Christmas Market tour sign ups will be finalizing soon - so don't miss out on this one either!
This is the week you can save $250.00 when mentioning "Mother's Day" at registration, but it is only good this week.
Visit my travel page for more info and come along with me!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
No matter what life throws at me, at least there's this!
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!
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