DD saw a lizard out on their patio yesterday.
She reported that after a little Googling, she was able to identify it as a five lined skink. She estimated it to be about 11” long (including the tail). T#4 went outside and told it that it didn’t want to mess with her. The boys went on a mission to keep the house safe, and T#2 begged to be able to keep it as a pet (she’s definitely an animal lover!). DD and I both had the same opinion: Ewwwwwwwwww!I spent part of Monday morning piecing blocks for the spiral log cabin … I have 1/2 of the 72 blocks finished and have begun piecing another 15 blocks. I’m so ready to be done piecing … I’m ready to put this together so I can see how it looks … and so I can start the FUN part: hand quilting!
Even though I’ve been quilting for 30+ years, I’m a newcomer to chain piecing and have finally figured out what the hub-bub is about leaders and enders. I wracked my brain to try to think of a quilt that I’d like to make from small pieces that I could make from my leaders and enders, when I remembered that I’ve been wanting to make another Primitive Picnic Quilt. I made a smallish quilt in January, 2012
I’ve long wanted to make a bigger one, big enough to curl up in on a cold winter’s night. I found some Kansas Troubles fabric I love, but I got to thinking that #1 I used KT fabrics on my first one, so would the second really look that much different? (not that there would necessarily be anything wrong with that as I do love my KT fabrics – ha!) and #2 I’ve got so much fabric in my stash … why not use some of it up. I’m a big fan of the classic simplicity of two color quilts and have been wanting to make a red and white/neutral quilt (I’ve been making so many blue and white/neutral quilts) … and I have a lot of leftover Minick and Simpson Midwinter Reds. Ding ding ding! We have a winner! I cut 2.5” squares yesterday afternoon and am now making slow but steady progress on another quilt top … when I’ve got all my squares pieced, I’ll cut and piece the 2.5” strips.It’s been HOT and HUMID here! After very springlike weather for most of the summer, we’re certainly getting summer weather – with a vengeance! We hit 100 the last couple of days, with heat indices of 111+.
I hope that whatever you have planned today includes a little something that brings you joy. Have a terrific Tuesday!
Kathy
Good for you on the leader/ender deal! So happy you will make a fun cozy quilt to enjoy snuggling up in during the winter.. glad your dd's house was protected from the lizard too! lol Even if someone may have wanted to let the lizard in :) ha! Kathi
ReplyDeleteLizards - ewwwwwww! Guess I have the same reaction as you and DD!!! I love having a leader/ender quilt going. Sometimes when I don't have a plan, I just piece 2" or 2 1/2" scrappy squares cause I know they'll get used down the road. One of the reasons I do leaders/enders is to save on thread - that cost is really high! Looking forward to your red/white quilt - I hope to begin a red/white quilt next week at quilt camp. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteI don't mind lizards unless they look like a snake and that one looks like a snake to me!!!!! Ewwww.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your log blocks.
What an awesome quilt! I really like that pattern.
ReplyDeleteI have lived with lizards because my kids have always wanted them our Iguana got to be over six feet long.
Nope don't miss it one little bit. :)
I am so sorry that summer has showed up, it can't last long can it?
I find it so hard to sew when it is hot.
I hope it cools down soon. Have a lovely day today.
Yuck....lizards!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous...quilt!!
Oooooh! I like that quilt. Can't wait to see your red and white version start coming together. When I discipline myself to utilize the leader/ender strategy it really does help with getting more done with less waste - something I'm always trying to do. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes that chain quilting has some great results even when it comes to the way we press the seams. I find I make fewer mistakes when I chain piece. I make one block to make sure it is right and then use it as my reference as I add pieces to the block. Sounds like you making great progress.
ReplyDeleteI saw a lizard on our porch Sunday...but nor nearly as big as that one!!
ReplyDeleteThat is one huge lizard! Ours are tiny little things that are just to the point of not scaring me to death when I see them. Now the snakes..... I still scream =). So fun you are joining in on the L&E piecing! It will save you a bunch of thread =).
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of things like lizards or snakes! I hope he went on his way without incident! I love your Primitive Picnic quilt! Great idea for your leader/ender project. I love KT fabrics too, but I think your red and white version will be beautiful!
ReplyDeletewOW..that's one long lizard! I can see why they house had to be protected, lol. LOVE that quilt and another sounds good to me. And in red and white? LOVE the idea! I have two rows left on my Civil War quilt. It is slow work as I am basically re-doing all the blocks as I go. Hope your day was good!
ReplyDelete