A Project Completed

I stitched the outer borders onto this quilt yesterday--a venture that was postponed when my steam iron

"died" after heating to an impossible temperature.

J. was on an errand in town, so I phoned him and asked if he would pick up a new iron.

He was hesitant, considering that he had little experience with such an  appliance.

I fumed about, picking up a few items in my sewing area, not really making a dent in the untidyness which accompanies my creative efforts.

Minutes after returning home J. announced that the "fitting" he had brought from the hardware store didn't 'fit', so off we went to town again.

Luckily Ace Hardware had a suitable replacement iron, so I wandered around the store looking at paint sample cards, scented candles and bird feeders while J. had a lengthy ponder in the plumbing aisle.

Stitching borders on a large quilt is rather tedious, but I was pleased to call the project done, neatly pressed and spread out on the big bed to get the full effect.

The blocks are comprised of two of my favorite quilting elements: Sawtooth Stars in the center and 'logs' arranged around the edges in Courthouse Steps.

Because I have used many different fabrics this quilt would be considered a 'scrap quilt' by quilters in the know.  I've never been tempted by the idea of simply using colors at random as they might be pulled out of a 'scrap bag'..the definition of a true scrap quilt.

If you'll note, the many fabrics in this quilt are in related color families of old gold, warm browns, deep reds and muted greens.

I'm now looking into the options for machine quilting.

I have been assisted at various stages by interested felines.

Here is Willis who ventured downstairs on a chilly evening to 'help.'

When asked to kindly remove from the ironing board where he was shedding tweedy hairs on a stack of blocks which awaited pressing, Willis responded with an owlish glare. I hoisted him off and delivered him upstairs to watch TV with J.

Detail of a finished block.

Common sense would dictate that I spend several hours reorganizing my work space before turning to another project.  My mind teems with projects!

The weather, dank and rainy, is ideal for creative crafting.

Come time to garden, my hours and my energies will need to go toward planting, weeding, tending flowers, putting up fruit and vegetables.

As long as the beds are made, laundry done, bathrooms presentable, I can always postpone the task of serious tidying.

Beef stew is bubbling on the stove, filling the house with a warm and homely fragrance.

I was out earlier, booted and suited, to fetch in my kindling and take out the kitchen waste.

The cats have clean litter boxes.

I'm headed dowstairs, to work in my welter of books and fabric.