Tuesday, June 9, 2009

More Storms...

Good evening,
It has been another stormy day. I checked the weather this morning when I got up and we were supposed to have storms move in late this afternoon. By 8:30 a.m. we were hearing rumbles of thunder. Not long after that, it started raining. We had lots of thunder and lightning. I unplug the computer and my sewing machine when there is lightning in the area. We have had it hit our house many times over the years. I would cry if it hit my computer or sewing machine. (grin) So I just don't take a chance. (grin) It rained off and on most of the day.
Today was a handwork kind of day. I found some Aunt Martha's transfer pencils. (You know what I mean, you trace over a pattern, then iron it on fabric.) I had ordered these over a year ago, but never tried them. I had another brand transfer pencil, but it stunk! I just figured these would be the same, but they aren't. I had some designs that I had printed off the computer from here. I turned them over and traced over the backs with my pencil. Then I used my old iron to transfer them to some Kona natural cotton. (I knocked my poor old iron off the ironing board several times. It finally protested and began spitting water all over everything. So I had to replace it, but I keep the old one for dry ironing.) (Works for me. LOL) I think they transferred very well. It actually looks much better in person. My flash washed it out.
I think this little 'welcome' one is really cute. I plan to do these in redwork then add some blocks around them to make little wall quilts.
I know, I know I have so many projects started, but I needed a change of pace. If only I didn't need to sleep, or clean, or cook, or work in the garden and yard, just think of how much I could get done. LOL I enjoy redwork. It is another peaceful thing I can do in front of the tv. I am trying different things with these. The Bless Our Home is pinned to a layer of batting. I will embroider right over it. The Welcome has a medium interfacing fused to the back. I am hoping these will work. I read that it is better to have something on the back of your embroidery piece. I shall see. Does anyone do it any differently? I am relatively new to redwork/embroidery, so I'd love to hear how you do it.


Yesterday, I got all the wild quilt strips pressed and cut into blocks. I ended up with 42 blocks. So I guess it will be 6 wide and 7 long. Not sure if this will have a border, but it will be a pretty good sized quilt, even without borders. This is Dana's quilt along. I had planned to put them together today, but the weather changed my mind. LOL Quite scary looking, aren't they? LOL Shaking my head here, because this is so out of my comfort zone. I am hoping they look better all together, some how.
Well, I'd better get off here. I just saw lightning flash again. (sigh) Looks like we are in for some more storms tonight. My garden is loving the rain, but so are the weeds. I may never get caught up with the weeding once it dries out. Everyone have a good night. Thank you for visiting and please come again.

4 comments:

Leah Spencer said...

I gotta agree about the blocks being scary - in my case, I'm scared of my blocks! The fabric looked nice stacked together... but sewn up? I'm dealing with a lot of hesitations. :) I'll just keep soldiering on, and if I really hate it, I'll gift it!

Crispy said...

I've never hand embroidered using a fusible behind the piece....I believe that's done for machine embroidery as fusibles are tough to get a needle through by hand. The very few times I've fused and then blanket stitched I've used the lightest fusible I could find and that was tough enough. Good luck with your testing.

All IMHO, Crispy :0)

Niki said...

Hi Winona! Thanks for your kind words :)
Good luck with the quilt blocks!
Blessings
Niki

Belvie said...

I haven't ever used a backing behind embroidery...so I'm curious to see how you like it.

I heard you guys have been having rough weather up north. Weatherman says it might be on tap again today.

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