Quiet(er) Week

It wasn’t a quiet week, just a quiet-er week. We still had friends visit, two appointments to get each of the cars new sets of tires, a contractor visit to measure for a gas fireplace insert, my Weight Watchers workshop, cards with friends, a meeting (actually two) to plan for the upcoming annual HOA community meeting and getting the grocery shopping done. When I had downtime, I was sewing.

This week I finished all my brown string scraps into blocks. I know this picture looks suspiciously similar to last week’s picture of the brown string blocks, but this time, they are stacked in piles of 15. Fifteen is the quantity most useful to our Quilts for Kids chapter to pair with a fun solid fabric and make into a 30-patch top with two borders. There are a lot of cute fabrics with dinosaurs and animals that have browns in them, and I imagine these will be well received for boys’ quilts. 

So, here are my 92 brown string blocks. They still have their papers on…

When these were complete, I put away the brown scrap drawer and took out the gray and the black scrap drawers. I spent several great hours fondling and sorting each drawer. 

My scraps typically come from several sources: my own sewing leftovers, generous friends, the giveaway tables at the annual Worldwide Quilting Day event we attend in March, and from my local Quilts for Kids group. Our chapter is always getting fabric donations, and the scrappy bits aren’t usually suited for kit-making for the members. There are a few of us who take the scraps and turn them into blocks and tops. 

So this month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, we’re working again on dark neutral colors, or light neutrals if that’s how your stash leans. Personally, I’m tackling black and gray in October. I decided to postpone string sewing of those colors until next year so I can work on other ideas. 

Over the years I’ve saved Black + Bright scraps, and have several small yardage cuts as well. Within the scraps were these two blocks (the four-patch needs its center seam sewn) that inspired me to make more of the same. So, the first step will be to measure and cut the black fabrics and solids to see if I can eke out a couple quilt tops from what I have. Should be a fun change from the strings! I’m not sure yet what I’ll focus on for the gray scraps, but that’s for later in the month. 

Today I’ll be basting several - hopefully between 2 and 4 - quilts for quilting over the next couple weeks. It feels soooo good to have the time and sewing mojo to be creating again!

Also, it occurs to me that I need to snap some photos of the season here in our courtyard and the condo community here as autumn advances (awesome alliteration). Were due to have beautiful weather, more akin to September, for at least another week. I probably ought to get the garden cleaned up and some bulbs planted as well, but there’s always next week!

And a gratuitous feline picture for you - Alfalfa living his best life in the morning sunshine.

Darla is more camera shy. She’ll usually yield the morning sun to her brother, but she gets her share on my side of the bed in the afternoon. Here’s an oldie but goodie of Herself. 

Have a happy and healthy week!

Autumn Leaves, Sewing String Blocks, Kitchen Remodel Before & After

It’s going to be a picture-heavy post. It was such a beautiful and busy week and we took lots of photos along the way, so let’s get started. 

This week I was able to sew about 32 string blocks from my brown scrap strips. The top pic is from last week, the bottom one was taken after the 32 blocks were sewn. I think there’s at least another 30 blocks’ worth in there to sew up, what do you think??

Here are the string blocks I finished, shown in piles of five with the foundation papers still on. The two on the right side are singles. 

The It’s a Jungle Out There quilt top is done and I’ve snapped a picture. But I had to hang it sideways on the design board to get it all in the frame. So it looks a little wonky on the right side because that’s really the part that was hanging below the design board before I turned the picture. 

I doubt if I’ll be able to start quilting it this week, but maybe I can get it pin basted. The backing is mostly sewn and ready. But I want to finish off those brown string blocks first and then figure out what other things I want to sew in October in the way of black and gray scraps. I’m linking up to Scrappy Saturday at Angela’s blog. 

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So that’s it for my sewing for this week, folks! So if you’re not interested in the remodel pics or those of our mountain day trip, I won’t be offended if you take your leave at this point. 

BEFORE

Let’s look at some “Before” pictures first. We bought this condo, built in 1980, and moved in at the end of March of this year. It was very clean but very dated, with virtually everything original to the build. These before shots were taken on a whim just to have them, and I did no staging or picking up (obviously) first. And there was much still to unpack. 

Above you can see that the kitchen had a layout with a peninsula. Behind the peninsula (below) it was too small an area for more than one person to comfortably move without bumping into each other. The work area lighting was recessed fluorescents behind a now-yellowed plastic grid. 

The cabinets were dated, but well-made and solid, and were likely pricey in their day. Our remodel contractors all marveled at the quality construction of them. We did save one upper set (above the desk area in the last “before” picture below) and had them mounted in the garage for more storage. 

The corner cabinet above the appliance garage in the photo below (click to enlarge) had a spice cabinet built into the door. The larger knob on the bottom right opened the entire door to the corner storage area behind, but the little knob on the bottom left of the front panel opened to reveal spice racks built into the door itself. I hated to see that go - it was so cute and clever. 

There was no lighting over the sink or the area beyond the peninsula that functioned as the eating area. It was so odd! 

Standing in kitchen vinyl floor area, you look out into the dining or family room or gathering area. The entry hall is the area with the welcome sign on the wall over Bruce’s cool old upright radio. The carpet was a mess by the time the movers had unloaded (even with the runners they used). There was an electrical outlet in the middle of the floor (no longer to code), and this high traffic area carpet always looked dirty. We knew right off that its days were numbered!

Finally, you can see the inoperative trash compactor at the end of the peninsula below, taking up valuable storage space. The pantry, which you can barely see on the right side, we kept as is. It just got a fresh coat of paint with everything else. 

AFTER

Well, this first picture isn’t *quite* “after”, because the painting had yet to be done and the fan over the range hadn’t been installed. But you get the idea. 

In the pic below you can see the fan hood installed and the painting complete. I realized a couple days ago that we never got hardware for the pantry doors to match the cabinets. We will remedy that very soon! And we absolutely love the breakfast area under the microwave. The doors open to reveal a toaster, coffee grinder and all the necessities for breakfast-making. Everything is hidden just by closing the doors. And see how the coffee pot (which does fit in the cabinet but can’t be filled if stored there) is plugged in to the underside of the cabinet? There is an electrical strip behind all the under-counter lighting. 

Between the breakfast bar and around the corner (below), there are nine hidden electrical outlets! The backsplash tile is allowed to just shine. 

The window covering for the kitchen window (that has a deep plant ledge), is a duette roman-style shade.

I wanted some open shelving here for my cookie jars and other pottery, below. I’ve finally found some baskets on Amazon to fill the space under the countertop there to hide the clutter. It’s where I throw mail, coupons and other things. All I have to do now is order them!

Same area, different angle, looking out into the family room area. The room is bright, and the sun sometimes makes the sage wall appear greener than it is. Hopefully some of the other pictures will be more true. As you can see, there is nothing up yet on the accent wall. I’ll probably move our big round clock (currently in living room) there and add smaller framed pictures or art around it. 

One last picture of the island, showing the dishwasher and refrigerator along the outer wall.

We had plantation shutters installed in the other three windows of this area. 

Moving on to the (unfinished) family room/sitting area/ gathering place…..

Why yes, that’s Alfie, our tour guide showing up late, as usual. ;-). 

The standing lamp is just a placeholder until I find a more decorative floor lamp. And I need to add seasonally appropriate cushions and another side table, and, and…. But these things don’t happen overnight. It has potential…

The following three photos are not part of the remodel per se, but the entry did get a new plant shelf and light fixture. It will likely be painted in the same sage green as on the family room accent wall. 

The old radio faces the front door. As you enter, you You go left into the living room or right into the kitchen/dining area. The entry wall and hall got new light fixtures to match the kitchen’s pendant lighting. The entry landing is flagstone which I love, and it matches the fireplace which I don’t love. 

Bruce and I have spent some time scraping lichens off some of the fireplace stones. Lichens aren’t at all harmful, and some would argue they’re lovely and natural. But I wouldn’t be among those!  I’m considering giving the six black stones a color wash to tone them down and more closely blend their color with the other warmer-toned rocks. And when all the year-end seasonal decor is put away, I’ll be searching for a proper mantel clock! 

We are going to replace the (original) fireplace insert with a new one this fall. Which means I’d better get busy figuring that out so our feline overlords won’t miss their winter evenings in front of the fireplace!

So that’s it for the house pictures. As we begin working on other areas of the home next year (master bedroom and both bathrooms), I’ll bring you along. 

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There are years in the mountains of Utah that the colors rival that of New England. While this year was not one of those years, the trees were spectacular nevertheless. I’m just going to upload a few without much commentary of our day. I’ll be getting more pictures (of Bruce, Ruby and me) when Ruby’s daughter sends them. If there’s anything worth sharing, I’ll do it. But for now, here’s a sampling of some of the lovely sights we saw as we traveled around the canyons of the Salt Lake Valley and east to Park City. It’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid territory! 

Rock face at Timpanogos Cave area, Alpine, UT

Guardsman Pass, Heber Valley

Trailhead at Cascade Springs

Underground springs bubble up to the surface and form the headwaters of Cascade Springs, above. The springs feed into Deer Creek Reservoir and are some of the 82,000 miles of streams and rivers that that provide Utah’s drinking water. 

Coming down Big Cottonwood Canyon, almost ready to drop down into the Salt Lake Valley

Backlit aspen trees. Is there anything more beautiful?

This was our view as we sat in our camping chairs and feasted on sandwiches and fruit. It’s looking down on the Heber Valley.

I think that just about wraps it up from here. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Finally - Some Sewing Time!

Oh my gosh, I have missed my time at the sewing machine! Not just a few random minutes here and there, but several hours of uninterrupted sewing, cutting, pressing, organizing scraps and planning. And it finally happened this week! It was so much fun; relaxing with music and no commitments over my head. I had two whole afternoons this week to sew, along with the usual sporadic bursts of time. 

First I sewed up all my green strings into 20 blocks of 6.5”, unfinished. I forgot to take a picture of them all laid out, but that’s OK. All through the year as I’ve been sewing string blocks, I’ve said I didn’t have plans yet for them. Finally, I just decided to once again - because I’ve done this in years past - safety pin them in batches of 15 for Quilts for Kids. They match them with fifteen other 6.5” fabric blocks, and put together kits with fabric for two borders. They’re actually fairly popular with some of our chapter members when they’re available. But I digress.

So, here they are with the other batches of 15 blocks per color that I matched up. I’ll donate them at our October QFK workshop. There are 120 blocks total, representing most of the string blocks made this year. Except the white/cream ones; they were left over from last year. For the other colors, I guess there weren’t enough to make a 15-block set.

Next I decided to organize my brown scraps. I cut lots of strips in 3” for a project I’m mulling over, as well as 2 ½” strips. I pulled out 2” strips for zipper blocks if they were long enough, but otherwise they went into my string pile. Take a look. The tomato pincushion is for scale.

Sewing brown string blocks will be my project for the coming week. That is, after I finish up the It’s a Jungle Out There top, which only needs two more seams.

The rest of the checkerboard blocks are sewn together and just need to be attached after another black horizontal strip. I just ran out of steam yesterday. But here they are, pinned up to the design board for this afternoon’s sewing session!

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Our neighbor Andy came over on Wednesday morning and painted our accent wall. It took us longer to tape it off than it did for him to paint it. It looks wonderful and is what I was aiming for. 

Anyway, the furniture is back in place and I’m on the hunt for wall things. I’ve pretty much decided to move in our big living room clock over the couch, but I still need a nice floor lamp and some plants. So the before and after pictures will wait until that’s done. Maybe I should stop sewing and start shopping, LOL. But I will show a couple little vignettes of the remodel.

Counter corner with charcuterie board and fruit bowl.

This dining area window with new shutters looks out onto the courtyard. The little table was gifted to me by my friend Maureen. One of the extra dining chairs resides here when not in use.

It was a relatively quiet week except for the wall painting and the housekeeper doing a deep post-remodel cleaning. Bruce even worked on the cabinet he’s assembling for the office nook in our bedroom and I cleaned and reorganized the garage of packing boxes and garden stuff. We’re getting ready for the coming cold months. 

I still have to get a plumber in here to move the stop-and-waste valve from the crawl space up to the main level. My car needs servicing this week, we have dentist appointments. But for fun, we’re taking a drive in the mountains (in a convertible!) to see the fall color and have a picnic with friends. Life is good!

Linking to Scrappy Saturday at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

Autumn Arrives, Thank Goodness

Here in the Salt Lake Valley, we’ve had a nice cooling down as autumn takes charge. Those miserable days of 100+ temperatures (Fahrenheit) are just a memory. The days now are pleasant and the evenings are coolish. We plan to get out in the courtyard to put away furniture, cover the barbecue, and pull the annuals. Also, the contractors have finished the kitchen remodel and are no longer using the garage as a staging area and/or workplace for painting or cutting things. So we’ll also take time today to reorganize the garage and find storage for the leftover materials like flooring and tile. And now that all my china and cookie jars are unpacked and displayed, we will knock down all the packing boxes to store some of them and recycle others. 

I’m not ready yet to show Before and After pictures of the remodel, because one accent wall has to be repainted. After all the paint samples I got and weeded down and fretted over, I ended up going way off base. The color is too light and has yellow undertones. Totally my fault. My friend Joan has a guest bedroom with the best sage green walls, so I picked up more paint samples, went to her house, and I was able to match the exact shade. Turns out it was Sherwin-Williams Sage. How it got eliminated before, I don’t know. Our neighbor Andy has volunteered to paint the wall for us - he enjoys painting and helping others. I’m going to swallow my pride and take him up on it. 

I need to get cortisone shots in my right shoulder again, which I regularly do about every 8-9 months. If I like how the accent wall turns out - and I know I will - I can paint the little entry wall in October with a decent shoulder. 

So, at least I have quilting/sewing things to post this weekend, unlike last week. I did attend a Quilts for Kids workshop last weekend and taught another volunteer how to piece string blocks. It was good to see old friends after our summer break! Now that the cooler weather is starting, I’m feeling a powerful (nesting?) urge to sew. This past week I was also able to make 4 batches of jam in two mornings: two raspberry, one peach (that didn’t set and is now “peach sauce”) and one raspberry-peach. 

Oops, I got off on a tangent there! So let’s check out the green scrap blocks I did this week. As a refresher, I’m focusing on browns and greens this month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. We only had one green month in January of this year, and green is one of my biggest scrap colors. So, I’ve opted to do more green to complete needed blocks for this year’s planned RSC quilts. In October I’ll focus on black and gray. 

First I completed two more 12” (finished size) Scrappy Star blocks. One is light, one is bright. 

Here’s a photo of the two new green blocks matched up with their brethren from January, olive and dark.

I now have 19 out of 20 blocks complete. Next month I’ll do a final block in blacks/grays. 

Here are three more Color Sticks blocks. 

I’m working on green string blocks for next week, in hopes of making some discernable progress with green scraps. Oh, green! In my scraps, on my walls, in my eyes! I love green!! It’s also my brother’s favorite color!

My friend Nann sent me some batik Scraps (thanks, Nann!), and I’ve been busy this week sorting them into colors and sizes for cutting. I’m going to match them up with more of my African fabrics (both my own and those from my friend Wanda) to make another quilt for myself kinda-sorta like the It’s a Jungle Out There quilt (see 2 posts ago). There was no progress on that this week. But I do plan to make a concerted effort to work on it this week because it’s for my doctor who’s retiring and (see above) I need those cortisone shots. THAT will light a fire under my butt!

Couldn’t resist sharing this campaign sign I saw. Yeah, I’m a crazy cat lady and proud of it! Besides, the cat looks just like our Darla!!

My finger (rotary cutter accident) is mostly healed and doing well. Bruce is doing great, and life is good! See y’all next week or on YOUR blog!