Thursday, September 3, 2015

Transition of Seasons: Behind the Scenes



New Routine: Coffee and a book 
after lunch in the shade

I didn't want you to think we'd abandoned you, but it's been a bits and pieces kind of week. Not really summer anymore, but not quite fall. Without a doubt, this is my favorite season. Most of our summer chores are slowing down, if not over. Routines are returning, and I like that. All the girls started back to their universities, and are doing well. I feel l I can take a few minutes of downtime to think and plan.




A single quick coat of polish was my first of the summer.




Mr. Stocker and I stole half an hour after supper to ride through the woods to the barn. The lilies were getting ready to close up, and go to sleep already.



I've been shopping for things to make my sewing room handier. I'm in love with these Zirkel magnetic pin holders. No more reaching at a whole mess of pins at once. Fabric and rulers are trickling in, and I'm excited to be planning new projects.



I grabbed some scraps to do a mock up block for a hexie baby quilt that's on order. 



Carolyn Friedlander prints with Kona solids will make a sweet quilt for a baby girl due to arrive late in the fall to early winter. Minkee is destined for the backing, and I've been asking around for pointers. I've never used it on either machine.




My design wall grew by another 30%, but it's a bit of a disappointment. I picked up some regular styrofoam insulation panels to use as additional panels. I could fit them into my car much easier than the 8' panels out of the dense green insulation I'd used before. I'll let them stay since they're up, but they won't last. I had to use a low temp glue gun to adhere the batting or it melts the styrofoam, and pins don't hold half as well. Rats!



This fabulous spider has been spinning a web above the door to our kennel. I watched it for days growing and changing, then one day it all just disappeared. Strange. But it did get me in the mood for a spider web quilt, and I pulled a huge assortment of fabrics to blend with the Moda Boo Crew I've been loving.




Like other signs of this season, my production has slowed. Nothing changes in the flash an eye, but you can see it slowly taking shape. There is a new smell in the air if you pay attention, and experience tells us to get ready now. Remember "The Grasshopper and the Ants." 


We'll see you back here tomorrow when the girls and I should have something more fun to show you. This Saturday is the first one of the month, and the Doxies and I are picking some of our favorite link ups from the past month to feature. Make sure to link up every Friday through Monday with the Pet Project Show.

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's get this show on the road.
Let's go sew.

12 comments:

Stitchin At Home said...

I like the hexie block in all it's scrappy glory.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

How relaxing....I too enjoy the new routines each season bring. ENJOY!

Brita said...

Oh, no! Another Material Obsession book! Just when I thought my wishlist was stabilized. sigh.

Tish Stemple said...

There is a chill in the air in the evenings that lets us know, fall is quickly approaching. I have to say I love all of our seasons equally and if I did not have them I would miss them terribly. In the blink of an eye all of our leaves will be changing and the gone till the spring.

Julie said...

Oh, I so wish I could find a Material Obsession I book! I found this at my local Joanne's, and snagged it with a 50% off coupon. Sweet! It has already been read cover to cover, and then I start over to find everything I've missed. Love it!

Sew Surprising said...

The lillys look stunning, we are still having cool days and I cant wait for the 40 plus daily temps, truly not a Winter person :(

Ruth said...

Love the pace of your post - feels so relaxing!

Barb N said...

I've quilted Minky several times and have had no problems whatsoever. I love the way the quilting stands out on the back!

Barb N said...

I've quilted Minky several times and have had no problems whatsoever. I love the way the quilting stands out on the back!

Tu-Na Quilts said...

I've never seen water lilies blooming. They sure are pretty. Guess we don't have many lakes or ponds around here. I just finished free motion quilting a quilt that was backed with minky. I would suggest using gloves; they do make some special for quilting but all I had were gloves that my husband got on rebate from Menards that had silicone dots on--I think they were meant to be oven gloves and they sure helped to grip the quilt. I also taped a Teflon grill mat to my sewing machine bed so it would be slippery and it worked great; another rebate item from Menards. Oh, cut a hole in it first for the needle before taping down. Good luck!

Katherine said...

Those water lilies are stunning. I know exactly that place between seasons as it's happening here, too. I was surprised how the shift between summer and fall can seem to happen, seemingly overnight. Those reminders of time passing certainly makes one reflective and appreciative. Hoping you have a wonderful long weekend and that the new season is a good one!

Kate said...

Love the fabrics you've pulled for your spiderweb blocks. The water lii lies are so pretty. We don't see them much around here.