Bits and Pieces and some Chit Chat
 

Helllo Fellow Quilters, it's been awhile for sure lol. Well here is the latest in chit/chat and I know you can relate. Ohhhh it's so painful using my pinky to type....let me tell you the story.

I inherited some solid wood furniture, fancy off white, antiqued, French Provincial from the 60ties and from Chicago. I had always admired this particular set of bedroom furniture. Now, 40 years later, it is in my house as my SIL decided I must have it because it's not her favorite style. Talking about, good things come to those who wait 40 years lol.

Anyway to make room for this wonderful furniture, The one bedroom had to be emptied of it's contents first. That bedroom also has a nice set of the French but not as beautiful as this one. I am loath to get rid of solid wood, so instead, I got rid of a plastic storage cabinet in my studio and in it's place went the highboy. Then I moved all the bins and the tripple went there and bins were emptied into those drawers and stuff got thrown out too lol.

I love the look, even the tops are been use for storage. we put portable shelves on top to store my stuff.

Now lets get to the injured pinky. After moving all the stuff around, pictures had to be rerouted, so while hammering a very slim nail into the wall, I missed and smashed my pinky....it is black and blue but not busted, thank God but very painful, not too bad today.

I have been working on my Wheel Quilt in Aunt Gracie fabrics and that went on hold while I had some company for two weeks. I had finished working on my Twist quilt and table runner and had a bucket full of scraps to toss. I decided at the last minute to not toss them as hubby was doing the garbage.....so today I sorted the Aunt Gracie from the other and started this bit and piece quilt.

When I get the the thought to do it, I do it and this time I just picked an odd shape scrap and started to add pieces. I did 10 pieces and just sewed without cutting. I just cut off the seam allowances if they were too big. The I cut all the piece at odd angles and put them on the board to see. I will start another post as this one keeps droppin away from me.

Is this happening to anyone? As I am typing, the page jumps down and I am not able to write my next sentence. Let's see if I can do it with this post.

Anyway, here is the bunch of scraps out of the bucket lol....I started with the tri's that I found and just worked from there. I think I will find a focus fabric to go here and there to add some thing different.

I will keep you posted as more get done and we can see what is happening.....

Looks great to me!

I also fell over backwards.
 

To continue the chit/chat....as I was moving and pulling the plasic cabinet backwards, It was very light and I didn't need any help and I knew the dolly was there but thought I could guage it as I came along backwards toward the outside door. Well I didn't guage it and I fell backwards over the dolly. Talk about feeling stupid.

I was lucky, I could have broken something. The space was a bit narrow as I was going between the rocking chair and a quilt rack. My arm hit the rack and it came down on me and my butt hit the dolly (it's a flat surface dolly with four wheels) and between the rack and the dolly, it broke my fall and I unconciously kept my head up. The rack hit my leg and I don't know what hit my upper leg but I was sore with a couple lumps but thankfully no broken bones.

Hubby had just finished telling me two days ago how many ederly fall each year and I felt so stupid. I hve fallen twice this year out of plain stupidness lol. ....I will be real careful now. I am 70 years old and at my age, I don't need to be falling, not even for a man ahahahahhaha

You are too funny! Looks like you've got some gorgeous blocks started. Just be careful and don't injure yourself anymore!

will keep watching, :)

Fabulous blocks AND a mighty cute quilt inspector napping there under your table... LOL!

Love the blocks you're doing...will keep watching as you progress. But, please watch your step and stay upright! Klutz...;o)

Great story and congrats on finally getting the set you loved. Sorry to hear of your mishaps. Be Careful!!!
Love what you have done so far with the scraps. Looks like it is going to be a beauty!

Thank you ladies and I plan to be more careful. I didn't even notice the little quilt inspector. That is my Teddy and he is always under the fabric table lol.

After I made the few starters, I wanted more color so I pulled out some Laurell Birch cats, fish, etc. I am fussy cutting and building the blocks around them. I am going to be using lots of black as this makes the colors jump.

In the second photo you see two side of one large block and where the ruler is, I am going to fill that space with to square up as I don't want to loose all the patchwork I have done already.

In the third photo, you see the set up and the patch on the left is going to be adden to to square up also.

The fourth photo shows the two blocks all ready and squared up to sew together.

The fifth photo is all sewed up and the sixed is the beginning of the next block so far.

I just insert fabric where needed and add to to as I go along.

I just notice a very light fabric sticking out on the right of the top block, but not to worry, I will make it darker with some fabric paint.....

Nice Laura Birch collection and your quilt is really taking shape. I love your little buddy who keeps you company. I would like to see a picture of your new furniture. I will also be following your progress and thanks for the chit chat.

This is the second block I am calling it quits for tonight. That felt real good.....

Blocks are bright and interesting....I can't wait to see what they look like completed! Be careful....you seem to be having
one of those weeks!!! I like how open and honest you are and that you can laugh at yourself.

Another true scrappy that will be beautiful when its finished. Dont forget to
keep us updated on your progress.

If at some point you begin not liking that finished quilt - I'll send you my address!!! :) It is beautiful scraps you've saved and thank God you did NOT toss them; this quilt will be beautiful when it is finished... enjoy - and keep both feet on the floor- and no more falling!! I can relate to such falls - I'm about your age too - and just took a tumble last week, but not even a bruise - how? I have no idea!!!! But, I'm fine and just watching my step a bit more carefully.

Love what you have done so far with this quilt. Also like how you used the empty plastic containers. May have to do that with mine......... around here I am known as the scrap lady and will keep anything for later use. I will keep this in mind as it will also be a good way to sort my colors. Thanks for sharing. and PS be careful - hammers & ladders can be dangerous!!! :)

Isn't it odd how we are no longer the superwomen that we were.Were did we go.Sandy

That turned out so beautiful.Sandy

be careful your blocks are looking good!

We all get more wisdom as we age, but often it is after the fact. And we keep thinking we can still do it all. Asking for help is not a feminine trait we easily learn. And it hurts!!!

Love the scrappy blocks. It will be a stunning finish.

The quilt is looking fabulous! I know about falling. I just turned 70 and as I was putting furniture slides under a piece of furniture, I lost my balance and fell backwards. I had a bump on the back of my head for three weeks and I am presently going to PT for my arm. I have a large bump on my arm and it makes the whole arm ache plus making my fingers constantly tingle.
It's starting to make me think it is awful getting older (like everyone says)! Love your stories about your quilt.

Glad you're surviving all the mishaps, and love all those colors! Do we get to see the furniture too? I just love furniture...

I will be working on the center panel today and here is the basic set up. I pulled in from some extra blocks that I had already made some time ago and stored in my trunk of stuff lol. I did these blocks on dryer sheets and some of these blocks already have a center of interest included, of fish and cats, a frog. I will now build on these blocks some more and add the black.

These block are a little lighter than the previous strip of blocks, so they will go in the middle panel. I needed some yellow and light to lighten up the quilt or it would be too dark.

I will work on this center panel today until I reach the lenght that I want. I see another too light strip but that will be colored later.

In the next post I will include a pic of the furniture.

Furniture
 

Here are the pics for the furniture...

I finished the middle area and some of the sides. This is the way it's going to be set up. I am now working on the right side. Maybe I''ll finish that side tonight.

The middle panel has a little Victoria boy that I painted some years ago on cloth and a close up.

There is no way I would throw fabric pieces that big away. I know this is why I have all the fabric that I do, but...

I need to organize, or sew some string quilts.

Anita in Northfield, MN

Oh do take better care those tumbles can limit your quilting time.

Looks like you're having fun with your fabric. Keep us posted on your progress. I love watching a quilt grow from bitty threads.

Your idea of adding a focus fabric adds so much life to the string blocks--great work!

Oh no, I started with a bucket of little scraps but had to add bigger pieces from my scrap bin lol and then of course add the Laurel Birch for the focus...

That is the most amazing transformation I have ever seen!

I love the colorful fabric and the way how you put it together. Are all the fabrics pure cotton ?

I love your scrappy project! I would never have thought of using some of Laurel's fabric either, which I do have in my stash too! I have to bookmark this topic, so I can come back here for inspiration to do one myself! Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to see more as you get it done! Take care & try not to fall anymore!...

Love that hardware on the furniture!

I Love love love your furniture, but it doesn't hold a candle to your quilt blocks! You are one mega talented lady. Take care and no falling! You are awesome!

Yep, do be careful! I like what you are doing with your scraps.