Pickled Ginger

When you eat sushi there is this pink stuff you use in between rolls to “clear the palette” called pickled ginger. When I got to the end of my ocean quilt, I was mentally constipated…that’s pretty much the most accurate description I can come up with. I could not think beyond that quilt. I t had absorbed me for 6 months and then it was done and I didn’t know how to begin anything else. I was kinda scary to be that blocked where nothing felt right.

So I pieced a few 5 inch by 7 inch blocks in bright jewel tones. The idea was to just practice stitches for awhile. Even after 25 years of crazy quilting, I still feel the need to practice my stitches. There were more blocks and more practice and I was feeling less stressed about it. And one day I realized I had almost enough blocks for a wall hanging. So I pieced a large central block and ordered some black silk for the sashing. And that’s how “Pickled Ginger” happened. It wasn’t planned out until it was over halfway done…when I had most of the blocks done in a theme I hadn’t consciously intended.

 

         

Merry Christmas!

A Happy Hollydaze to you all. Did not get much sewing done. Seems holidays are so much work to make them just right. It was wonderful just to spend a quiet day with my hubby & kids. Made way too much food and got absolutely no sewing done.

So today I oiled the disposable sewing machine. Trying to get the little beast to last just awhile longer. I plan to buy a good machine next Thanksgiving when all the sales happen. I don’t need fancy….I need good solid behavior and free motion. That’s all I ask for…..sigh.

I’ve started a new type of fairy. She’s in the beginning stages. I took a picture of a friend’s granddaughter and printed her to fabric…..and am building her into a fairy. Gonna take a little while because I’m making it up as I go along…..but I think it’s going to be a cool gift in the end.

I’m just sewing the wings down and then I will start the flowers. The dress is going to be heavily embellished. Today I will put the veins in the wings while I watch a DVD. make it a nice quiet day before going back to work tomorrow. I only work three days this week and then another 4 day weekend. Since we really don’t celebrate new years around here, I expect a good weekend of sewing. Have a bunch of sewing to get started for the new year.

New Year’s Resolution

 

I’ve joined the”Crazy Quilt Journal Project” &  Sharon Boggin’s “Take a Stitch Tuesday”. Just feel I need a little help focusing. And I always need help practicing stitches. Even after all these years, I still must practice and I’m always learning new things.

Chinky is sitting here on my shoulder “helping”. That translates into “biting me on the ear until I scratch his head. No, really he is very affectionate. I inherited him from a friend and he has been through 4 owners. He’s a member of the family and loves everyone.

So I’m preparing for these two challenges. I have many other things to do this year. I’ve got three quilts to finish up and I need to start the challenge for the Nevada Quilt Guild’s show. It has a theme of “Under Western Skies”. I need to back and bind the challenge quilt for the Carson Valley Quilt Guild challenge. Our show should be big this year. We will have $20,000 in prizes and 250 quilts on display. I’m webmistress of their website and it looks like it will be a busy year.

Off this morning to finish shopping for Christmas dinner and to visit a friend who has just had surgery. Then back home to stitch some. All my gifts are wrapped and ready. A very toned down Christmas this year and I am totally relaxed.

Maybe I will even dye some silk ribbon today!