Design Wall

I’m working to finish a UFO that was started…? That’s a good question.

WOW! I just did a little digging and I started this quilt a little over 2 years ago. I did not realize it had been that long! I’m working on a pattern for this quilt and that was my intention all along. I Started this quilt as part of an online bee. 1 block never made it back, 1 block was very badly pieced, and 1 block has the wrong color background. So right now I have 8 blocks of the 13 I need. When I sent the instructions out for the bee I had my bee buddies doing regular patchwork to put these together. One thing I realized then (even when I made them) was how easy it was to loose your points of the tulips into the seam allowance.

I realized then that this block should be paper pieced for accuracy. That is the reason it went into the UFO pile. I had never done any paper piecing and I had no clue how to do it, let alone writing a paper piecing pattern! Since then I’ve scratched the tip of the paper piecing iceberg. A few days ago I pulled up my original EQ file and played around with my block until I was happy with the paper piecing pattern. So far it’s working fabulously. I hope to have the pattern ready in the next few weeks.

Have a great week,

~ Norma

Head over to Patchwork Times for more Monday inspiration

Settled In

Mostly, anyway. I believe I have a few lingering boxes, 2 small ones in the kitchen and maybe 3 or 4 full of toys in the kid’s rooms. You may be wondering how my kids let me get away with that one. Three words… Deluxe. Kiddie. Pool! They don’t even care that they only have a handful of toys out. The only thing they want to do is hop in the pool. Good thing it has been so hot lately.
Here is a peek at my new sewing space:



It’s actually the formal living room. I have no need, not to mention zero furniture, for a formal living room so it worked out perfectly! I love the big bay window that lets in so much light with the curtains closed. I love the tall ceilings in this house. The best part is the sheer size of this room, almost 19’x13’. The only tricky part was finding storage for this room. I was able to cram, shove and wiggle things into furniture we already owned. The only thing I bought was the heavy duty metal shelving unit and that was on sale for $35 at Target (love back to school prices.)

Eventually I will build another white bookcase to replace the particle board one on the left. Too bad I don’t have my BFF nearby anymore (wah) so I can borrow her husband’s planer again. I also plan on putting up some curtains as a room divider - at least on the end where the dining room is. (I need to center that painting because it’s bugging me. I stuck it on the wall on an existing screw to get it out of the way. I think it’s too low and too far to the left. I love the wood floors in there!) Ha ha, when I first took the picture of the other side the piano wasn’t centered either, so I shoved it over and took the picture again. Moving the piano is actually a lot easier than finding a hammer, a measuring tape, a drill, and some wall anchors to center the painting! I also want to add more decorative hoops to each side of the clock. I haven’t hung my collection of mini quilts yet, but I think those will go on the wall above the big brown desk.

Yup, I feel settled in now that my creative space is set up. I even dug out a UFO and threw it up on the design wall!

Have a great weekend.
~ Norma

PS. I want your opinion! The area where the piano sits is actually a hallway/foyer. The front doors (yes it’s a double door) are to the left of the piano. We don’t use the front door very often. Do you think it’s weird to have a piano there? I think the area is about 6’ deep so there is plenty of walking space around the piano. Once school starts I may decide to put the cubby system there and move the piano to the family room. I actually kind of like the idea of having the piano there so that my kids can actually focus when they are practicing instead of being distracted by the TV, toys or their siblings.

Psst!

Hey you.... yeah you, remember me?

...well I can't blame ya if you don't. This has seriously not been the year of the blog. I know I've had a ton of really good excuses for the past year and a half (pregnant, new baby, cranky colicky baby, home schooling, traveling between two states, and now finally moving to another state permanently.)  That last part happened super quick. I haven't had anythign interesting to share lately unless you find boxes interesting. I'm partially unpacked in the sewing room/office and I've hit that "burned out" stage. I'm seriously debating just pulling out my sewing machine mid mess and letting the creative juices flow. It's just going to get messy again right?

I'll post some pics soon.
~ Norma