Saturday, October 19, 2019

Getting Pretty Desperate . . .

. . . to be able to settle inside and hunker down for some extended time in my quilt room.

This weekend is an annual quilt retreat that many of my quilty pals are attending.  When I got the notice of it in my e-mail box over a month ago, I knew I wouldn't feel right signing up for it because of the still-to-be-done outside projects here on ye ol' homestead.  Maybe next year.

Papa Pea and I were going full force at one of those fall projects this morning when the light, scattered raindrops became steady and heavy enough that we had to come inside.  The rain is supposed to stop in another hour so we'll try going out again then.  (Mud boots, anyone?)


I found these five books on wool applique on sale on one of the quilting sites I haunt so whipped out my credit card and ordered them.  Cannot wait to pour through them, mark the two or three (okay, fifteen or sixteen) projects I want to attempt, and spend unlimited time happily creating.  I also ordered one book on straight line quilting that I'm sure I'll learn a lot from.


In an attempt to keep my sanity (or what I have left at this stage of the game), I have been squeezing in the odd few minutes or so making some Christmas and winter themed potholders to have ready as small gifts for this upcoming holiday season.  I know it looks like a fabric explosion on my cutting table at the moment, but in looking through the fabric in my stash I kept coming across piece after piece I want to use.

We had friends from the Twin Cities visit us last Thursday.  While the guys went out to do their "guy things," she was kind enough to give me a lesson on how she makes her one-of-a-kind greeting cards.  She's been doing it for twenty-some years and creates at an advanced level, but she very kindly brought materials, stamps, cutters, embellishments, etc. that were easy for me to work with.





Above are the four cards I made (with excellent instruction from my friend) and I must admit I wouldn't mind at all jumping into this new-to-me craft with both feet . . . if I only had about twelve more hours in each day.  For the time being, I'm forcing myself to tend to my knittin'.  (And quilting.)

I just checked and the rain is still falling, so it may be a good idea for me to dive into an inside task that's on my list.

Let's see . . . should I clean the inside of my kitchen cabinets?  Or attack the linen closet and hot water tank closet in the bathroom?  There are always the bulging files in my desk that need to be gone through and reorganized.  Or . . . 

I could tiptoe into my quilt room,
tightly close the door and
 hope nobody comes
looking for me.
Shhhhh!

16 comments:

NanaDiana said...

You are so far ahead of me when it comes to getting projects done. I have not sewn in months and I miss it greatly. I hope to have time to craft once I retire. Right now, I barely get through household chores at the end of the week. lol

Those cards are GORGEOUS! I have always thought it would be fun to play with card-making but I don't think I need one more craft to OD on.

Have a wonderful night-xo Diana

Michelle said...

I hope you tiptoed into your quilt room!

Mama Pea said...

NanaDiana - Just be careful when you do retire that you don't jump with both feet into more "craft things you've always wanted to do" than you can handle without going crazy! It's so easy to believe we then have all the time in the world . . . but it doesn't ever seem to work out that way. ;o]

Michelle - I did go into my quilt room. The time there just didn't last long enough! Before I knew it, it was time to get some dinner on the table and . . . well, you know how that goes!

Goatldi said...

Door number 3! Stitch and rotary cut with abandon. Opps don’t get too loud in the giggles department it will blow your cover!😘

Mama Pea said...

Goatldi - I'll make sure to just grin broadly while secluded! (And maybe hum very softly.) ;o]

Chy said...

I sometimes wish I could creep upstairs to our art studio and forget that I have some walls to paint, a garage to organize for the Winter, a few outside tasks to finish and a car that needs detailing. Making a quilt or working on a dollhouse sounds so much more fun!

Chy

Hill Top Post said...

I am feeling the same way, but there's still lots of things on the TO DO BEFORE WINTER list. I can't remember a single year when we got everything marked off! I love the cards!

SmartAlex said...

Last Saturday was cool and wet so I caught up on my house cleaning and Oh my Lawd I had to empty the Rainbow vac twice! But yesterday was gorgeous, and the house was noticeably cleaner so I could play outside instead. My husband keeps complaining about all the work we have to do outside but he's realized that that's our lifestyle and if we didn't have it to do we'd probably just sit around and get old faster.
But I am looking forward to doing some indoor projects instead. Or reading a book...

Sue said...

I hope you snuck into the quilt room.
Chores will ALWAYS be there...........even when you do them. You know
by now the chore list never gets done so why not have some fun!?!!?

Glad to see you're still at blogging.
Have a wonderful Autumn

Rain said...

I would head to the quilting room! Your cards are very pretty Mama Pea, that's another thing on my creative "to do" list I want to get into! It's cold this morning, perfect day to head back to bed and cuddle under the covers...either with Alex or with Jack lol! :)

Elizabeth said...

If that is your first attempt at card making, well - you aced it :)
They are lovely. Thank you for sharing.

wisps of words said...

Sent, in e-mail...

🍁🍂🎃🍁🍎🍂🍁

Lynne said...

What a wonderful job of making the cards. They do look so professional. Love all the patchwork your doing!!Christmas will be here before you know it. Yikes!! I've been doing a lot of knitting, sweaters,etc . There always seems to be something that needs to be done in the home. Have fun in your quilting room! xo

Cockeyed Jo said...

Now Mama, let's get real. What sewing/quilt room doesn't look like a fabric explosion? Especially, when working on multiple projects. The cards are beautiful. Cockeyed Jo

Nancy In Boise said...

With your property and tons of projects atleast winter is coming soon! Cute cards!!!

Mama Pea said...

Chy - Oh, yes, car detailing! That definitely should be done before cold weather sets in. I didn't even have that on the list! ;o}

Hill Top Post - I'm with you on that one . . . never getting every single thing on The List done before winter hits. But we still survive, don't we? :o}

Smart Alex - You said it in a nutshell: That's our lifestyle. And if we didn't like it and thrive living it, we'd change it. Remember it's better to wear out than rust out!!

Sue - Omigosh! You are still alive and kickin'. Been thinking about you and need to get a note off to you. Or you could let me know what's been going on in your world, when/if you find the time!

Rain - I've been telling Papa Pea that this winter I'm going to go back to bed in the morning if the urge strikes me. Do you think I'll actually do it or will I opt for my quilt room instead?

Elizabeth - Re the cards, all I can say is I had an excellent teacher! But, boy howdy, do you ever need more equipment and "stuff" for making the cards than I ever expected!

wisps of words - That you did and you know I appreciated your thoughts!

Lynne - You've been knitting sweaters! Now there's a project (or more). I've always got a pair of socks going for someone, but haven't made a sweater in a l-o-n-g time!

J.L. Murphey - You're right. How can you be creative without all those beautiful fabrics and materials, etc. strewn about? I do usually do a pretty good clean-up job after finishing one project. Then I mess it up again. (What? You're not supposed to do that??)

Nancy - Oh, there's no doubt it definitely will come soon whether we're ready or not! Then I and the black bears can go into hibernation -- yippee!