My biggest fear when it comes to writing daily?
Nothing to post about!
And maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Because how can I really write about a morning spent finishing up laundry, folding towel baskets, covering pressing stations, cleaning out fridges and the dishwasher and making 12 beds as if it will hold anyone's interest?
Sometimes that's all a morning can give me. Not so interesting, but constant.
I NEED to take more time to stretch. That's the root of everything. And so I will. But I'll leave that there.
After getting back around 3:30 PM there was only an hour and a half to do SOMETHING - ANYTHING quilt related.
Instant Pot Chana Masala!
This was last night's try after soaking chickpeas all day.
It's DELICIOUS!
I'm quite proud of myself actually. I always thought Indian food had to be hard because the flavor profiles were so intense.
If you make this one, I went with 1 tsp of the Kashmiri red chili powder and it has plenty of kick.
I like to add a squeeze of a lemon wedge and top with some fresh chopped cilantro at serving, rather than cook the cilantro in.
This makes an easy lunch for me to pack up in the morning and carry off to the studio with me.
It fits in well with autumn/winter soup season when I want something warm and comforting in the middle of the day.
Today: Cutting more kite shapes while working though some piles of scraps. It's best if I cut a little and then sew a little rather than trying to cut the whole thing out at once.
I've had one message from Costco - one pair of glasses is ready, but I am waiting to hear on the second pair before I head over that way again.
And stretching. Must remember to stretch -
More gentle Y seams?
Or best pieced by hand or EPP?
It's times like these when I need to take a long walk, pet the fabric, clean up my space and organize a bit and work my way back into creativity.
Do you feel this way too?
More sections cut, sewn and ready to join.
I can turn these out like crazy now...I'm not having to mark my 1/4'' seam intersections, I am just using the previous seam line as a guide on where to stop and NOT sew into the seam allowance in the center of the unit.
I didn't think I could really approach this pattern by machine. I was thinking it was going to be EPP, but I didn't want it on the back burner for years to come.
I have blown through a bunch of neutral charm squares to bring as much variety as I can to the background.
I even started combing through my neutral string bin to see if there was anything of a certain size that I could use up.
(I tend to start from the bottom of my stash first, and then work my way up to pre-cut strips and then to fat quarters.)
I keep digging in and finding pieces I want to use up in this project. I think that's what keeps it fun.
Hazel thinks it's so interesting she had to turn her back and fall asleep.
Two block halves. That's all I got done in my sewing time for the day.
But it's two block halves more than I started the day with.
72 pieces in total which isn't exactly a small amount. It just feels like it is.
It's times like these when I need to take a long walk, pet the fabric, clean up my space and organize a bit and work my way back into creativity.
Do you feel this way too?
What can you do today to encourage your creativity to flourish?
Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone -
20 comments:
I am having neck problems which causes my left arm and upper left quadrant of my torso to move from pain to uncomfortable. I have found “elani fit” on YouTube to be very helpful
When you run out of things to post about, just put up pictures of dogs and cats in the middle of quilts and piles of fabric. That will satisfy us! At least until we can have pictures of Christmas trees on trucks, our seasonal fav.
This is already an interesting quilt. You mentioned emptying the fridge. I bet you get a lot of leftovers!
Bonnie, You are my creative inspiration!
Loving your new piecing journey and I do hope it becomes a pattern. I would definitely buy it! Today to help my creativity, I think I will do a bit of cleaning and clearing up on my cutting table. Have some scraps that need to be cut and put into their places!
Your block reminds me of a kaleidoscope. Very pretty as usual
making 12 beds doesn't sound fun at all - but sometimes ... its nice to know that others have to do chores too haha!! Hope your back issues ease up on you.
Hi Bonnie, remember back to when quiltville inn and classes was a dream?? Now every bed is filled with a gratefull fellow quilter!!! and with mascots like sweet hazel your life is overflowing with blessings. SO do those stretches, walk those legs, and SEW SEW SEW !!! kisses to you and hazel, melanie
Bonnie- I am loving your new project despite what Hazel thinks! :-) I am sorry you are having pain in lots of places. I hope you can sew more today. I am working through picking fabrics for my next quilt. Hope I get time to do it. Love your blog!
K- lkw2x6-apq@yahoo.com
When we moved into our current house, I didn’t know I’d miss stairs so much. They’re the perfect place to stretch out your back. Put one foot up on about the 3rd step (depending on how long your legs are, lol), then bend over towards the steps, giving your back a nice stretch. Then change feet and repeat. It feels so good! It’s a bonus to all that bed making … stretching things out on the way upstairs! Candy
I found this block in Jenny Beyer’s really fat book of blocks. Will bring it at retreat at end of month.
Hello Bonnie! You always make my day. Here is a site that my Pakistani neighbor uses for recipes; I've made a few of them and they are always delish! https://www.teaforturmeric.com/ Enjoy, Mindy
I suffer from arthritis in my back and one thing that helps take down my inflammation is a gentle health bounce on a mini trampoline. Just 15 minutes a day does wonders. I thought I saw one in a picture of yours one day. It is an easy thing to forget to do because it doesn't feel like it's doing anything, but it helps drain the lymph system and that takes down the inflammation. I hope you can try it as it helps me so much!
I agree! I love the picture of Hazel laying against your sewing machine. I wonder if the humming of the machine and the vibration remind her of purring.
Mary in FL
It's such fun to watch you getting into cooking Indian food. ☺️. I've cooked that way quite a bit over the years, but you're inspiring me to get into it again. So far I've made the dal recipe you suggested and liked how it came out except I thought the recipe called for a bit too much garam masala. Yesterday I made a lovely cauliflower sabzi with an internet recipe. Now you've got me thinking about channa masala! 😁 you have a much higher chili heat tolerance than I do! But I think this is healthy eating. Here in Redmond we have a large Indian population and plenty of indian groceries, which adds to the fun.
77 pieces is a Lot. It is a BIG block though. Using ut all up. Making pretty things. Keep stitching and moving!
I agree. I like seeing how the 4 legged family is doing.
Do you listen to recorded books as you travel, do chores or sew? What have you "read" recently that you enjoyed? Found provocative? Made you laugh? Cg
Me too!
Comfort and love come to you...warm and satisfying food is a plus. Keep up all the good works! Marie Emery
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