Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Thursday 16 March 2017

Fabric on a kitchen trolley!!!

 

I am still walking with crutches, but have been given 2 aids!! One is a shower stool, very handy, but the kitchen trolley on castors, and a bottom shelf is so handy. Batiks can be arranged for a photo shoot so easily. I want one here forever!!! Maybe Hugh can make me one in wood.

I decided a while ago to try and sew “  Quilter’s Laundry Day” designed by Jen Rosin. there are some small fiddly pieces, including a 4 inch square mini quilt to hang on the clothesline. This morning I found the applique that might just fit.

Laundry Day Mini Quilt to go on the clothesline

the motif can be ironed in place, and the blue fabric needs to be sewn,   quilted and bound or have a facing.  It looks large but in fact is 4.5 inches square now, leaving 1/4 inch for the seam to be turned over. It is a start. The gold metallic thread is for the stars in the Southern Cross, and will goon the darkest blue at the top. The clothesline posts, a bit of a problem there, as half-round or full round posts would be what we use down here. Tanolised pine, maybe I can put two twigs there instead, and sew them on top of some brown fabric. Nothing like being innovative, or accepting a challenge. This is not large, and finishes at  16.5 inches square.And there will be a bright pink house with a green door!!!

Laundry day quilt fabrics

Meanwhile Sandra at has a new quilt along called Freefall. You can find  all the details  on her blog. Click below for the link to open.

Musings  of a Menopausal Melon - mmm! quilts

So naturally ( why not, the crutches are a pretty accessory)  I decided to join this too. I have 2 choices for background, and also 2 options for the main leaf. One background is peachy, the dark green  is  like moiré taffeta swirls. The other is the grey/greeny/lemony batik I am using in the 150 Canadian Women Blocks, and the dark green is one with a stylised leaf frond, very New Zealand based.

For the smaller leaves I have selected a variety of rainbow colours, the only one missing is the Y in the  ROY B GIV list.

 

Freefall fabric choices #1

 

Freefall fabrics #2

 

 

freefall fabrics #4

 

Freefall fabrics #3

The background fabrics look a lot more pale than they really are. I welcome any suggestions or deletions.The pink background  picks up the red tones in the leaves, while the grey/green one has a similar watercolour wash effect to the plain green fabric.

Meantime…. I have had a visit to the orthopaedic  specialist, a MRI is next Tuesday and a follow up appt., to see him again on 29th. Slowly the wheels are turning. The possibility is ligament surgery, and a one night stay in hospital. I am not sure if I can manage the machine treadle with my left foot, guess there might be some hiccups on the way with that.

Quotation of the day from Lao Tzu

“ Do the difficult things while they are easy,

and do the great things while they are small.

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”

Greetings from Jean.

19 comments:

Paige said...

Jean, I love your attitude about the challenge, your willingness to try new things. The patch will make a great medallion for the mini quilt! Wishing you continued recovery!

Jane said...

Best of luck with your orthopedic specialist appointment, Jean! Can't wait to see how your block turns out as I usually see these sort of blocks done in primmy sort of prints. Should be interesting to see it in the fabrics you've chosen.

Hugs
Jane

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Hi Jean,
I love your gumption for keeping up with the quilting. Lovely choices and links, thanks.
We have a large grab bar in the shower and I wouldn't want to do without it now. Any devices I can find, I think I will happily use.
Choosing fabrics for a project is the hardest thing for me; I would not be very helpful. I know whatever you wind up choosing will be wonderful. I never knew that quote was longer than the last line. Good one.

Leeanne said...

I agree with Paige, great attitude you have for taking on the challenges! Best wishes for all the test.....glad you have some handy aids to help you out.

Susan Heather said...

Good luck with the specialist - hope things improve soon. The aids sound good.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean, you do have a great attitude. The patch is pretty, love the fern. Sorry about the crutches, but you do seem to be finding your way around. I wish you well and a speedy recovery. Great quote. Enjoy your day.

The Furry Gnome said...

I musta missed something, didn't realize you were on crutches. Hope you get better fast! The fabric swatches look great to me. Always like those bright colours in a quilt.

Jen said...

Kudos to you for staying upbeat while dealing with the crutches and all. That patch is lovely and I can't wait to see your Quilter's Laundry Day! Lots of great fabric pulls. :)

Kate said...

With a small bit of practice, you will quickly master using the machine control with your left foot. I read somewhere that we all should change feet regularly, when we sew. It is suppose to be easier on the joints. Good luck!

KB said...

I love your spunk! Crutches - no problem! I'll make gorgeous quilts anyway. You are an inspiration to me!

I'm glad that the wheels are turning, and you may be moving toward a fix for your knee. In the meantime, keep making your gorgeous art!

Mystic Quilter said...

Neat fabrics there Jean and thanks for the update on your visit to the specialist. Hope you can avoid the surgery if possible. Will be in touch next week.

Fundy Blue said...

You don't give up, Jean! You're amazing, and I love your positive attitude. I hope everything goes well for you. I love all your beautiful fabrics. That quote reminds me of a saying I saw on water bottles at Yosemite National Park: "Get Out While You Can." I think about that a lot, especially when I feel the pressure of time flying by. That quote has motivated me to do a lot of things. I'm betting that you will find a way to manage your machine treadle with your left foot ~ Just practice on some scrap fabric first. Take care!

Julie Fukuda said...

I hope things will get sorted out before long. I like the idea of the trolly though.
At least your suffering is not boredom.

Cheryl said...

You have such a wonderful attitude! I love the fabrics you pulled for the QAL, such great colors!

Inger said...

The materials are gorgeous, the colors and so beautiful. I hope you will feel better soon. If you have the surgery, all the best with that. Take care.

Jenn Jilks said...

You are amazing! I love the piece you create. I must get inspired!

Our photos said...

Wonderful ! I like the fabrics !

Sandra Walker said...

That Lao Tzu quote is one of my favourites. I've used a couple of his in my yoga class as something to focus one's mind on. Hope the MRI will show what is needed to know; Rocco had the ligament surgery last May and is doing WONDERFULLY well today. Now that I study (on a bigger screen than my phone ha) your choices, I do tend to lean towards the stylised leaf frond against the peachy background; it really makes the peaches in that leaf pop. But the darker moiré taffeta swirl (good descriptions!) would be fabulous too as it is so very dark and rich. You can't go wrong with either. ;-) Thank you so much again for joining me!

Tanya said...

I'm sorry you are having knee problems. I hope a good rest will help and that you won't need surgery. It is great that you continue to find ways to keep your hands busy!