Another Little Quilt Swap

Isn't it great?! I received my little quilt from Ann A. This is 17.5" square and is made with a line of fabrics by Sandy Gervais called Fall Back In Time.

Paula 11: Crickets 0

I have been waging war on the crickets. Now, don't tell me that you love to hear them at night in the summer time. That is OK when the aforementioned insect is outside. But the ones I am after are in my basement. Do you remember where my sewing room is located? My fabric stash? My wool yarn stash? Yes, it is in the basement. I don't want these critters making a snack out of my stash -- and with the size of my stashes it would be a 24/7 "All-You-Can-Eat" buffet.

I have been catching those nasties with dog food. You read that correctly: dog food. Maybe cat food would work too, I don't know since I don't have either a dog or a cat. Now, here is the secret ingredient: DUCT TAPE. Yes, my peeps, duct tape. Cut off a piece about the length of your hand, fold under the ends so you can stick it to the floor with the majority of the tape sticky side up, place a dog (or may a cat?) kibble smack dab in the center of the tape and wait. Wait overnight because crickets are nocturnal. In the morning you will more than likely have a cricket or two stuck to the tape. Roll it up and dispose.

I have found the spot where they are making their entrance and got it caulked. Hopefully that will take care of it. Keep your fingers crossed.

Macrame

Macrame. The word just conjures up visions of the knotted jute plant hangers, doesn't it? But there are more practical uses of macrame than making large eyed owl hangings. In my mind's eye I see can see a macrame window covering similar to lace. Or, how about replacing the worn out handle on a basket made by a dear friend with a macrame handle? This handle is a four cord plait using a nylon macrame cord and will wear like iron.

The basket will wear out before the handles.

Bike To Work Day

Today is the day that all the people who DON'T ride their bikes to ride their bike to work. Can you say heart attack or heat stroke? The premise is good: to get people to ride a bicycle to work for one day. But really. How many people will ride it one way and then wimp out?

Ok, enuff ranting.

I ride my bicycle to work every day I can. In fact, it is working out to be 4 out of 5 days. I ride 10 miles (16 km) round trip. My time is better from when I first started riding. It now takes me 25 minutes rather than 45 minutes. I need to figure out how much money I am saving by not consuming so much gasoline. I also spend less money shopping because, frankly, it is hard to carry items on a bicycle. I will have to do a photo journey for you one of these days on my bike route.

The picture was taken in front of my favorite book store/coffee shop, both of them independents (Anthology Book Company and The Coffee Tree) not chains. Notice the bronze cougar bench? Sculpture by Rosetta. This is the type of thing we have all over town.

Update: thanks to Iron Needles I how much I am saving.
Your Result Per Day Per Week Per Year**
Possible savings: $7.30 $29.20 $1,460.00
Calories burned: 360 calories 1,440 72,000
calories calories
Reduction in carbon 0.51 lbs 2.05 lbs 102.40 lbs
monoxide emissions:

** Based on a 50-week work year.

Jeannine

We were college roommates so long ago. She was the Maid of Honor at my wedding. She loved cats, crochet and purple. She would forward emails with dancing bunnies exhorting you to pass it on to get a smile. You know the ones I mean. I would reply to her emails with thanks, joking telling her that I didn't mind getting them because then I knew she was alive. Last week the emails stopped.

Go with God, Neener.

Summer 4SQS Teaser

Yep. I'm a-working on my Summer 4 Seasons Quilt. Sorry, but the color isn't true in this photo.

WIP Wednesday-June 18 2008

I have had the 18 main blocks for this done for several years. It was a Saturday Sampler class provided by a LQS. Do you know what a Saturday Sampler class is? The first Saturday of the month you meet at the LQS. On the very 1st meeting you pay $5 and the packet that includes the block pattern and fabric. After that initial meeting every 1st Saturday you go back with your complete block, sit through a demo of a new product and pick up your next kit. The only expense is that first $5 and time. That is unless you miss a month or didn't make the previous month's block, then it is another $5. After I designed the layout I had the foresight to buy up enough of the same black for the borders, cut the pieces and packed it away. Why? Dunno.

I pulled it out and worked on it last Saturday when my Quilting Friend came over. It is a good thing I did because I had a hard time reading my own notes. Not only that but for some reason I stitched my double four patches wrong so the black when through the center instead of the green. The double four patch blocks make up the diamond border. I also did not cut enough of the 3.5" lime green squares for the corner stones in the sashing. Thank goodness I still had a small bit of that fabric left so I just zipped them out.

Until I took a picture of this, I did not notice that there are several blocks that just sink into the background. I think I am going to add a bit of yellow or orange or maybe even a bit of pink just to make those blocks pop a bit more.

Since the blocks and sashing are just stuck up on the design wall, I now need to get the top into a flimsy stage and then to the long-armer. There is plenty of room for some dynamic quilting in the border. Size is roughly 96x120.