Sunday, September 29, 2013

Bordering on Insanity

Does canning season make anyone else crazy? Boxes and buckets and bushels of ripe produce needing immediate attention, but life doesn't have a "pause" button while we take care of it all. So this week while jams and sauces were put in jars and pies and frozen veggies were crowded into the freezer, all I have had time for in the sewing room is borders!
This was a sampler made from Cheri's blog. It is a little thing--the blocks are about 3 inches. I'd link you to the instructions, but all of the photos are gone from her posts for it. However, she is starting a new fall SAL on Monday, if you want to join in.

Then I got the border on my version of Pam Buda's Nabby's Dowry.
I think I am going to name this Mahana (aka The Eight Cow Wife). Kind of a reverse on the dowry theme in Pam's title, and plays along with the tropical feel of the fabrics I have used. It is from a 1960s movie called Johnny Lingo, that is iconic in Mormon culture. It was based on a short story that appeared in Woman's Day magazine way back when. You can read about it on Wikipedia here, or even find the 30 minute movie on Youtube.

These 4-patch blocks had been getting shuffled around my sewing room for years. I don't even recall when or why they were made, but a few weeks ago I sewed them into this little quilt and this week I bordered it, too--why not? I was on a roll! This one may need tea dying.









I put another round of borders on this little piece that I made from scraps of Old Glory Gatherings recently. I thought it looked okay when I was doing it, but when I saw the photo, I wasn't crazy about it. I was thinking of binding it with a blue stripe cut on bias. Maybe that will help it. Or maybe I will just have to take off that outer border and try again.

The final border project really is insane. As my last project for this year's SewCalGal FMQ Challenge, I am doing Patsy Thompson's border challenge. You have to make a piece that has 8-10 borders for practicing a variety of border designs. It has to be finished by the end of October, and so far all I have done is select fabrics. This is what is piled on my cutting table waiting for inspiration to strike. More batiks!
I will be on the other side of the country for 8 days of October, and probably recovering from that trip for a few more afterward. Something had better come to me soon.

There was a very slight dusting of snow on the mountaintops this week, but whenever I thought about getting a photo they were shrouded in clouds. I love the contrast of white topped mountains when there is still fall color dressing the slopes. There wasn't enough snow this time to provide much contrast. It looked more like someone had sprinkled a little baby powder over the peaks, but I'm sure that will change soon enough.
Until next time,
Janet O.

29 comments:

  1. Good Name for your Batik Mini Quilt. I agree the traveling makes us tired. Hope you get a bit of sewing time. Canning??? what's that?? My Cucumbers and Peppers are still calling me from my garden before it freezes.

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  2. Too cute! Yikes canning, no thanks!
    Amazing, we are 'together' but season's apart!

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  3. I love the story behind your Mahana quilt! Wise choice :-) It sure sounds like you have been busy but you will appreciate it all in the deep of winter (and good that you managed to squeeze a little sewing in!). That deadline of October 31st is approaching fast and I am hoping I can make it, I haven't even looked to see what is in Patsy's challenge yet!

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  4. I'd have to have a garden to can or purchase large quantities on the market. Then figure canning out. LOL. I dare not. Safe travels!!!!!

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  5. I like that little 4-patch quilt. I bet I can dig up 12 little pre-made blocks somewhere in my piles of projects :)

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  6. always fun to see what your working on and what you finished this time!!!!!
    have a safe trip and have fun!
    Kathie

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  7. I'm amazed you get any sewing done at all with all the canning you are doing! None of that going on here, that's for sure - canning, that is. Plenty of sewing. I was just thinking about the quilting challenge and how I haven't even looked at the possibilities. I better get going on that if I expect to do 2 of them in October. Good luck with yours! I better check out Patsy Thompson's challenge - sounds interesting and I have a 10" border to quilt on my DGD's quilt that I am just now basting.

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  8. What great projects. Your Nabby's Dowry absolutely glows! I have to say that I enjoy the fact that you do reproductions and then batiks in different projects. I'm the same way. The other finished are great, too. I like the Primitive Gatherings one and think that the blue stripe binding would be great.

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  9. My favorite is the one made with scraps of Old Glory!

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  10. WOW! Look at all those cute things. I am also amazed at what you accomplish. Canning season? This girl is from the big city and has never heard of that. LOL!

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  11. You are accomplishing so much sewing there by the mountains!
    But now you gave me too many links to see and you just know that means I will get inspired to start MORE quilting projects!

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  12. I see your dilemma...spend time in the kitchen canning, or spend time sewing a beautiful creation! Both bring so much enjoyment for you, but we get to see your quilty creations if you spend time sewing, giggle! Love all your projects, especially Nabby's Dowry.

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  13. I don't can anymore. Leaves lots of time for sewing! Your projects are all divine! I love little quilts. I am esp. fond of your batik collection!

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  14. Oh I know exactly what you are talking about! I've been canning lots of stuff too. With the canning and wedding prep, I've not had time to even think about sewing... :( The wedding is this coming weekend so hopefully after that I can get my house back in order and then get back to quilting!

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  15. Oooo that Batik Nabby Dowry is gorgeous!!! You knew I would like that one, didn't you? And I love the name - it has a really nice sound to it :*) And those batiks for the FMQ challenge - YUM!!! I actually like the red border on the small quilt - it feels alive! I suppose because it is just borders, it seems as though you got a LOT done this week :*)

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  16. I hear you on the traveling wearing us out! We will have been back a week tomorrow and today was the first time I've been able to quilt! :-o

    I like your little 4 patch quilt ... I think a little tea dying will really make it adorable! I like the little Old Glory Gatherings scrap quilt, but like you, I think it need just a little something more. Time to do a little auditioning?

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  17. Your little quilts are so very dear! I think that the plan for an indigo stripe on the bias might be a very successful grounding for the old glory quilt. I do hope if you ever have the time that you might tell more about tea staining and how to get the courage to do it, LOL!

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  18. Lovely borders Janet..and that's still counts as sewing / quilting.
    I love your Mahana quilt, such bright jewel sparkling colours
    Enjoy your time away, stay safe.

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  19. Lots of finishes for you...All the little quilts look great...I love the 8 cow wife with batiks...have fun back East.
    Mary

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  20. I love your new, leafy, background. The quilts are amazing, as always. I am amazed at how much you accomplish... canning too; oh, my! Enjoy your trip, you'll be treated to some lovely fall foliage there, I'm a wee bit jealous of your "dusting"... snow inspires me. Safe travels, my friend!

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  21. Absolutely love your name for your batik beauty! So clever :)

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  22. Such a wonderful Life!!! Love to can, quilt and see family!!! Blessings and hugs sent your way!

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  23. I loved your post title~
    you sure did get a lot borders done and they all look great.
    Looking forward to your FMQ border project -

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  24. It doesn't seem you ever rest! Hope the trip forces you to take a few moments to blank out and restore. Lots of wonderful little projects--and the one great big one. Good luck on that!

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  25. Your little projects are lovely, as usual! I like the little patriotic quilt and I wouldn't change a thing.
    Have a great trip!

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  26. Enjoy your trip, may it be a safe one. Looking forward to my hugs from Sandi. Your projects are very nice. Love Old Glory.

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  27. I'm late on comments because I am so far behind on blog reading! I LOVE every one of your border projects... you know I can't resist mini quilts! The little Old Glory is a charmer... don't change a thing!
    Enjoy your time away from home... any quilt shop shopping planned?

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  28. Enjoy your snow! Ours melted in a few hours but was so pretty. Had a look through your posts, all great quilts and such variety. I bet your ornaments sell out. All great fun!!

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