Saturday, December 30, 2017

Table Scraps with Island Batik


Hi!  I hope you've had a wonderful December, and are ready for the new year.  This is the last Island Batik Ambassador challenge for 2017!  Hopefully not my last.  January is the Blog Hop with the new collections, and I hope I'm accepted again as an Ambassador for 2018.  I'll let you know as soon as I do.  

So, December is #TableScraps.  I had ideas floating in my head all month about what I could make, using some of the scraps from any of the multiple collections I've received over my 5 +years as an Ambassador.  I've even pieced scraps together to make table runners before.  My Zen Basket pattern has a runner from scraps.  So, I looked through my scraps.  I looked through patterns.  Then last week, I purchased some of the new patterns from Quilt In A Day, one of my favorite designers.  So, Friday, I get a package.  It's the order, with 3 new patterns, including Table Scraps.  Yes, the pattern and challenge have the same name.  How can I ignore that??  Kismet!  Fate!  Easy, decision finally made.  So, which scraps to use?  I have sections of the Cherry Berry Collection, pieces left from my Apple Core top. (Yes, still need to finish quilting that, it's on the UFO list for 2018).  
I have enough pieces left from Lake Life, and also from Paisley Dot, the fabric in my newest pattern, Stack Tiles.  
But going back to Table Scraps, I think I need to use lemons, cherries, grapes and that leaves Cherry Berry.  I decided to stick with the theme, lol.  Table Scraps using the Table Scraps pattern made with scraps with food designs.  Yes, corny and goofy, I know, but a girl's gotta find the laughs somewhere. 

So, here's my project!  
Blocks are assembled.
I can't believe how quickly this went together.  I had spent time cutting the squares and background last night, and hoped to get the blocks done tonight.  I ended up spending about 2 hours sewing, and TADA, the table topper is done!  I couldn't believe I had it done that quickly, and that Mom was actually fairly cooperative during that time.  (Before then, not so much, which is why I went up to sew earlier than normal, she was driving me crazy.)
 I do love these colors together, and the background, Moo Milk, offers a great chance for pretty quilting.  I also love the split border look, the blocks go into the border area.  I think I'll use either the other dark purple or one of the multi-color fabrics for binding, when it's done.  I'm thrilled I got this much done before the end of the month.  That was a challenge in itself.  

 Pieced with Aurifil 50wt, the large cone that I was provided as an Aurifil Artisan. I love that it's just always there!  I can thread my machine and not worry about running out.  Not for a long time.

Now, to decide on the quilting design for the pieced block, and find backing.  Which Aurifil thread should I use for the pieced blocks?  Any suggestions?  
 Remember to visit in January for the Four Seasons Blog Hop. 

Thanks so much for visiting, and I hope you visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors for more inspiration.  Enjoy!  And check back for more finishes from me, including this one.

Here's a list of possible links.

Nan from Purrfect Spots Designs
Turid from Den Syende Himmel
Stephanie from Quilt’n Party
Pamela from Pamela Quilts
Anna from Ark Angel Creations
Kathy from Kathy’s Kwilts and More
Jessica from Desert Bloom Quilting
Connie from Freemotion by the River
Kate from Seams Like a Dream
Sharon from Yellow Cat Quilt Designs
Tina from Quilting Affection Designs
Jennifer from The Inquiring Quilter
Barb from Bejeweled Quilts
Sally from Sally’s Quilting Corner
Jeanette from Inch Worm Fabrics
Connie from Kauffman Designs
Joan from Moosestash Quilting
Bernadine from Needle and Foot
Bea from Beaquilter
Cheryl from Cheryl Lynch Quilts
Maryellen from Mary Mack’s Blog
Joyce from Hearts Creations
Marlene from Kissed Quilts
Karen from The Quilt Rambler
Marian from Seams to be Sew
Laura from Slice of Pi Quilts  Linda from Inspired Layers
Vicki from Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
Nancy from Masterpiece Quilting
Carol from FunThreads Designs
Terri from Meanderings Along Lizard Creek
Alison from Little Bunny Quilts
Suzy from Adventurous Applique and Quilting
Jean-Sophie from Sophie Junction
Janet from Whispers of Yore

Friday, December 29, 2017

A Gift for Father Rudy

Father Rudy Pesongco is a Phillipino priest in our parish for 12 years.  He's been visiting my family for most of that time, once he discovered that our house is across from the closest high school track.  He often stops during his exercise in warmer weather, and takes a moment to chat and rest before walking back the almost mile to the church rectory.  Over the years, he's had a few desserts with us, as well.  He and my dad used to chat.  Dad was a Knights of Columbus, usher, member of St. Vincent de Paul society and overall volunteer at St. Anne's.  When Dad passed away May of 2016, Fr. Rudy was the one who visited him in the hospital, and gave him last rights. 

A few weeks after Dad passed, my brothers came over to choose some of Dad's cuff links and tie tacks, and from his collection of rosary beads and crucifixes.  Among the crucifixes was a reliquary.  I hadn't realized what it was, but after some research, I discovered it's similar to this one.  (photo from youtube, not my father's).
Image result for crucifix reliquary

There was a small screw holding the top and bottom together, and when the crucifix is opened, there are tiny glass pieces with labels that identify the saint the relic is from.  According to the family research, this may have been given to my paternal grandfather, after his near death as a New York City fireman, back in the late 1920s or early 1930s.  He was injured in a building collapse and fire, and since many of Dad's cousins and a few aunts were nuns, it's possible one of them gave this to help my grandfather heal. (Joe actually figured out his own physical therapy and was able to walk again, much to the surprise of his doctors.)  My dad's brother figures this scenario to be the best story of how Dad got this reliquary, after their parents passed. 

As John (my oldest brother) and I discussed, we had hoped to present this reliquary to St. Anne's in Dad's memory.  But unknown to me, on that day, my youngest brother claimed he was "getting the remaining items cleaned at his jeweler" and we haven't seen the reliquary since.  I was really disappointed that a special memorial from Dad, who was such a part of the parish for 64 years, was not presented.  Nothing special was done in Dad's memory, which bothered me.

During this summer, Fr. Rudy started visiting again, and asked about my sewing, and then asked me to do some repairs and alterations for him.  I was happy to help.  He also mentioned that he would be celebrating his 35th year as a priest, with a parish celebration on December 3.  One of the things he asked me to repair and restyle was one of the white albs he wears.  I wanted to make something for him, in Dad's memory, to celebrate his day, so I did some research on albs and fabric, and some discussion with him, and decided to make one.  I happened to have a small bolt of white poplin, and found a pattern in my stash I could use, and added a label to commemorate his jubilee and my dad's memory. 

I was honored he wore this for his celebration mass, and that he loved that the label included my dad in his day. 

Back 
 Front, he wanted an easy zipper closure.

 Label

During the procession.  I LOVE the windows.  The church is beautiful. 
Fr. Rudy celebrating the mass.  

I'm still hoping the reliquary will be returned so we can present it to the church, so others can benefit from the prayers and comfort it can bring.  But at least now there's something at St. Anne's in Dad's memory.  

Thanks for reading.  It's not often I share about non-quilted items I make, and this was a creative use of things I had in my stash.  Dad would be proud of that.  

Maryellen

Thursday, December 28, 2017

#2018PlanningParty

Hi.  I'm linking up with the #2018PlanningParty!

2018 Planning Party

My biggest hope and plan is to actually spend more time sewing.  That time has been missing lately, and I feel crunched because I'm not getting deadline sewing done on time.  Mom's dementia has progressed rather quickly, and she's been more needy, so I'm looking into getting an aide to visit with her (and take some chores off my shoulders) so I have more time to sew (work). 

2.  I want to have at least 3 more patterns submitted for Island Batik.  4 would be better, lol.  I also want to submit to a magazine.

3.  I need to get my studio more organized so I can work more efficiently.  I have a new bookcase to build and hopefully that will clear about 3 bins out of the room, making the space more usable. 

4.  I need to finish some UFOs.  I did fairly well with last year's list.  5 out of 12 were finished, and 3 more had progress.  Other projects were completed, and others, not on the list, had progress, too.  I also did 11/12 of the Island Batik Ambassador challenges.  I have 3 days to do the last one.  If I get the top done, I'll be happy with that. 

5.  I need to confirm my 2018 UFO list, and make sure that some of the "doable" projects get found and put in the pile I grab when I have time.

6.  I want to get the vintage Singer 301 cabinet cleaned and moved into the house (it's in the garage) and get the machine cleaned and working.  I have a spot planned, so need to get that area organized, as well.  It will be fun to have 2 different vintage machines for projects down in the basement apartment. 

I have more quilts to make for my shop, as well, and a few quilts that are in the planning stage.  I just enjoy the process, from beginning to end, and must take the time to work on them.  One is a quilt for my friend's daughter, who is expecting her first child.  I will need to purchase fabric for that one, but most of the others will be from stash. 

That's really most of the sewing plans.  I have other personal goals, as well, but I'm not listing them here.  I keep them more private. 

I need to get more of this listed in my 2018 Quilter's Planner, too.  I have a few projects due within the next 2 weeks, so that's my immediate goal. 

What are you doing?  You can have a chance to win some great prizes if you share your plans with the #2018PlanningParty linky.  Just click on the above photo to get the info.