Monday, June 07, 2010

Happiness is ...

More vacation photos in a few days.


Making some decisions can weigh you down. Years go by, and you still are hanging onto things that are not used, because the decision to give them away is so difficult to make? I'd not used my much-used, much-loved, sewing machine in 10 years and I found someone who needed a machine. So, after cleaning the cabinet, oiling all it's parts, emptying it's drawers, and 'driving' it a bit, it was once again, starting to tempt me, but I had wisely already PROMISED it, so away it goes. This young lady is the same one who had the wedding in the snow, last October. She's a practical gal, hard working -- note her transportation vehicle! The old machine, in it's big cabinet, is packed under the blue tarpolin, between the bags of cattle feed. Her mom is in HER truck, and DH is tieing things down.

Below are my recently completed scrappy churndash blocks - I used the dark green framing to kinda coordinate the scrappiness together. Funny, the ones that really 'didn't go' are the best ones, giving it life. After sewing on the dark green, the green seemed too overwhelming, so I trimmed off 1/4 inch. I have a murky plaid green (shown) that might work as background.

I purchased one yard of the green framing strips, but the rest of the fabrics are pulled from my boxes of scraps, already trimmed. Thank you Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville for this suggestion to trim the scraps to a usable, standard size. Making the blocks was so much easier, and there is little planning needed, when one gets the feeling to SEW.
I'm gonna LOVE this one!

13 comments:

  1. I love your blocks! I thank Bonnie every time I get the hankerin' to just sew. It's so easy to just pull strips from a bin and start a new scrap quilt just for fun. I gave away my trusty old singer years ago to a young lady who wanted to learn to sew. Once in a while I miss that trusty old machine but I always smile and remember the delight on that girl's face and it is all okay again.

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  2. The Churn Dash is one of my favorite blocks.

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  3. I also gave away my favorite old machine. She saw me through a lot of sewing styles. She is now making dog collars.
    Love the framing squares. Green is my next favorite color after pink/brown.
    Subee

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  4. Good for you for giving someone the gift of sewing...that is hard to do and to be commended. I too have been looking at those little churndashes...hmmmm....loving yours!

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  5. I'm loving these churn dash blocks...can't wait to see this quilt finished...wow..good inspiration to make me one...!
    Paulette

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  6. Bravo for finding your old sewing machine a new home and a new life. This young lady sounds like a winner too - the no-frills, sensible sort. Gotta love a girl with a flatbed truck.

    The churndash blocks are sweet, and the scrappiness adds to the charm. You're right that the border gives them cohesion. Can't wait to see what becomes of them. You know, I'm going to have to start trimming scraps a la Bonnie. Everyone is making such good use of theirs.

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  7. You did a very nice thing Elaine, by giving away your sewing machine.I am sure she is going to appreciate it and love it. It was a very thoughtful thing for you to do.
    I really like the framed churndash blocks- It is one of my favorite patterns. The quilt is going to be a beauty..
    Regards,
    Anna

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  8. I love it too, it has GREEN in it!

    that girl is my type of person!

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  9. Wonderful you have passed on a sewing machine to a woman in agriculture. Cattle prices don't always let a ranchwife get a new sewing machine.. I know first hand about that problem. Quilters need to pass on a sewing machine to just keep the Heritage Art of quilting alive for the next generation. My sister bought me a used bernina. I was hoping to inherit from another quilter but just didn't happen. I keep my trusty Singer around to repair the jeans.
    The Churndash blocks are prefectly done, the green adds mother nature.
    Sew Peacefully.

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  10. You may just have started a new quilter down the path! Good for you!

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  11. I can see why...the blocks look great. One of these days I'm going to do a churn dash too.

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  12. I love your churn dash blocks, and the dark green is perfect for them.

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  13. I have a hankering to do churn dash blocks in pink/brown combo. Your blocks are very nice. The green is good with them!

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