New age

One decade has passed. A new one begun.

I celebrated my 61st birthday last week. I hardly believe it. I feel like a kid. Yeah, sometimes act like one too. Until my body reminds me. 

Heat wave

The 3-day weekend was HOT HOT HOT! Walnut Creek – only 15 miles more inland - hit a record breaking 108°! Oakland was cooler yet too hot to be out. I retreated into the cave, aka studio.

And finished quilting another sandwich. Or so I thought. A decision made in the heat of the moment didn't look so hot. Blame it on the weather. The first tentative quilt lines looked good. But finished, not so. I'm learning. 

Unstitched and stitched. Now it's on the design wall as I contemplate whether to stitch more, stitch less or face & finish it.

Support the cause

My contribution to the Alzeheimer's Art Quilt Initiative – Twist & Turn, no. 6962 – is one of many for sale.

Waiting for directions

No impetus like having guests to get cleaning. I made up for deferred housekeeping. In a few rooms at least.

With children I would feel obligated to set a good example. But I don't have any. So having people over is my incentive. At least once in a while. The house appreciates it too.

Before and after, betwixt and between, I quilted. And quilted. And quilted. More quilting begets faster stitching and better turns. It's about half done and up on the design wall.

I'm looking, listening, waiting for the quilt to tell me what's next. 

Intentional intensity

I've been quilting. Not as in designing or piecing. As in stitching quilt lines.

Intended lines about 3/16" apart. An hour to stitch a 3" wide swath. Five hours to exhaust a 100-meter spool of thread. Very intensive.

Only an hour at a spell. Maybe 25% quilted after eleven hours. 

 

An adjustment. No change in intention. A change in intensity.

Birthday every month

I'm getting a stuffed Priority Mail envelope each month.

Just look at the luscious blues in this month's little package.

 

I'd joined the Monthly Solids Club at Pink Chalk Fabrics.

At the beginning of each month, soon after an email notification, the package arrives. I don't know what colors, but always eight one-yard pieces with a card identifying each one.

When I go to the fabric shop, I'd stand in front of the solids for a long while trying to figure out what other color to buy. Yes, I do need more solids. There I'd be tempted by eye-candy prints. Or by nifty notions. Or by new patterns. Or by luscious silks. You get the picture. I'm avoiding temptation and relinquishing color selection to Pink Chalk.  

I feel like a birthday girl each month. What a pleasant treat.