Art, Craft and Needlework, January, 2025

[Twins' Mom]

I have new "designer" paper arriving today and tomorrow. Today is a small amount of retired paper from last winter that I loved, so I purchased more on Ebay. And the "paper share" for the new catalog arrives tomorrow! Twelve 1/4 sheets of the newest design paper to play with!

Of course, I need to continue with clean up in that room, and I haven't followed through on the afternoon I spent a couple of weeks ago. I should do some clean up today in anticipation of playing, huh?

[Harriet]

Nancy, thank you but I would say I'm surprised I'm sewing, lol. It is something I can do when I don't have the stamina for continuing chores, though, so I guess that makes sense. If I reach a physically tired point, I can come in to sewing room and sit down a while and still feel productive. Sometimes when my brain is tired, it can manage the next bit of sewing that's already laid out.

Twins', it sounds like you will be having fun. Oh, boy, the anticipation of having charming papers arriving and thinking what you can do with them! An eBay package of mystery - cool. Hope all is very positive.

The little mug rug is finished, about 6 inches across. Just wanted to hold together with a small circle of quilting in the middle and that is done.

Teapots Mug Rug Small 1 16 25.jpg

It's not easy making scallops in a project, but after I had thought of it, I couldn't let the idea go. Could have probably made 2 or 3 in the same time if I'd done a simpler outer edge, but now that I know how, I can make it faster. The reverse is blue with one teapot centered in a circle to close it up.

UFOs - I am playing in the sewing room looking at UFOs and may be able to come back soon and show my finished 2025 hopes, up to a point.

[Nancy]

I luv those mug rugs Harriet!
Twins I"m excited for you to have new supplies to work with how fun!

I did sew today one seam on an upcycled orange tee shirt in to a market bag for taking the fake pumpkins
out of the fall yellow tote I put that inside the tote with other fall items not so many but at least it's in the "home" with the others now

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Finally some progress yea!
I pinned the lining and the main part of the vest pieces together to seam up yea for that part to help make it easier.
Breaking it down into smaller steps was very helpful for me!

[Twins' Mom]

Too cute Harriet! So far my package hasn't show up, although the post office still says it should be delivered today. I need to check the mailbox later tonight for dropped off HOA dues payments.

[Twins' Mom]

This could also go in decluttering I supposed.

Upstairs for awhile I finished up labeling folders. Last time I realized I only had clear label tape and since I was reusing folders I needed the white tape. So I had ordered the white and today took care of some nice labels. I also filed some scrap paper - I keep full sheets with the scraps in the file drawer. Extra card stock of the colors I use most is on the bookcase, out of direct sunlight. I also went to Etsy and ordered/downloaded a color chart so I can let go of several tattered ones hanging around. Might put these in page protector if I find one around somewhere. (I saved the pdf file so can print again if needed, and quality is decent so the colors come out true.)

I might see the right side of my desk at some point if I keep going. I put scraps over there to refile and if I'm stamping a lot and using the same colors I can dig scraps out of that pile.

I need to ask dh to hang the shelf I got for stamp sets by my desk. It will be easier to find stamps there where the light is good. Might even limit myself to what will fit there, and let one go when another comes in. Not sure about that until I fill it.

Meanwhile, there's stuff on the floor around me too on the right side. That side of the desk is taken up by thre boxes for finished cards, and a pile of stamp sets, and the 6 x 6 paper to refile. On the floor is design paper, 12 x 12 each in its own plastic folder and stamp sets I've used recently. The cubby under the desk on the right side is also filled with design paper.

[Harriet]

You'll look great in your vest, Nancy! Each step (I keep telling myself) can be done if we don't get discouraged by the whole big project. Any kind of clothing, IMO, is going to be a little more difficult than flat projects, so good job on tackling that.

Sunlight - true, we do need to think about storing our materials in too much sun, Twins'. A shame when colors fade. There's a change from season to season, too. An okay place in summertime may not be out of sun in winter. You sound so organized.

This, below, is set in mud, but a good start on being intentional.

For UFO projects, I am letting large ones sit to the side right now (except maybe the one that could be so close if I could make one hard decision. ) A couple others I just don't have the bandwidth for, after the wedding quilt and this tough winter.

But there are 5 I'm willing to nail myself down on for 2025, and some willing to sidetrack. (And of course, all of these would need quilting, one way or another, after getting finished with the piecing.)


I have 2 medium size projects.

✄ Lap size Plaid Scrap Quilt (sort of simple)
.... .. 6 blocks finished, some border finished - need to choose fabrics for 3 more blocks
✄ Wall Quilt of 5-inch blocks (more complicated)
.... .. 9 of 12 blocks finished, other three drafted, fabric chosen, in baggies


I have 3 small size projects

✄ 1930s curved-border mini quilt
.... .. needs a final border ( already sewed the hard part )
✄ Magnolia mini blocks
.... .. 6 blocks partially finished, not sure how to use them - mini quilt? ornament gifts?
✄ Christmas applique wall quilt (tedious little pieces)
.... .. background sewn, fabrics mostly chosen, needs inspiration.

More little bitty things could still be welcomed and probably get in the way, lol. I'm a sucker for them, and they make Christmas bright.

If dd44 wants a new fireplace wall quilt, I would probably drop other things and try to get that done for her.

A bonus is realizing how many nice fabric pieces I'm running across in these tubs/containers, beneath the project, that were kept there as possible choices for sashings, borders. As I finish choosing fabrics, it'll be almost like adding to my stash.

[Twins' Mom]

Harriet the stuff is organized - otherwise I'd never find 40 colors of card stock and ink pads. But I let it fall into disarray - bringing home things that I thought I'd use that never get picked up again. So much going out.

But I explained to dh this a.m. that I'm in the mood to do this - and if I'm in the mood then I need to be working on it because I'm not always there.

[Harriet]

Other places I had read about your sorting and tidying of your materials and supplies, Twins' - good job getting so much done. You are brave. I always think, "but I could use that someday". *

Yesterday I took the grandchildren's chosen fabrics down from the design wall and other items, too, so that it was blank again. This got a new storage container, labeled, until such time as I'm allowed to spend time close to them again. Sigh.

On the blank wall, I put up all the blocks and pieces of the lap size Plaid Scrap Quilt. There are 40 fabrics so far ( * this is why I think what I said above - scraps just seem to get more valuable). I spent time arranging just enough so that the 3 blocks that aren't completed are right in the center with easy access so I can finish them soon.

Since it's a man-type look, I asked HRH to come in and consider it with me. He was open to either finishing it like this or adding some blocks to enlarge it for a man's use. We agreed that every quilt can't be a full-size quilt. In fact, every one shouldn't be large - there are different reasons to have quilts. He said it would be nice to have it in the den someday for a throw. I also thought of it as the backdrop for a single bed, like a "headboard" look.

I want it to have a nice outer border with some patchwork in that, too, so I shouldn't make it overlarge and turn it into too big a project to finish soon. So, I don't think I'll enlarge it much from original plan.

It's nice to have it up - interesting to look at with all its warm-color fabrics, cozy. Some homespun.

[Nancy]

I ordered a quilt as you go how to book it has been shipped and will arrive by Friday hopefully.
Looking forward to that.
Also my wood box to hold 4 x 6" cards.