Thursday, September 2, 2021

Really Random Thursday, 9/2/21

Hello, September. I always look forward to this time of year. And every single year I'm surprised at how warm the days are. Fall in the central valley doesn't arrive until some time in November. I miss the crisp fall days of the Midwest.

Last Saturday I took a great class from Laura Loewen (@quiltfortco). It was the improv version of her Finger Paints quilt. So improv and I are considered more frenemies than friends, although I'm willing to become friends. :) The improv version of this quilt requires total free cutting--you cut your squares 4"-ish and 4 1/2"-ish. It really requires some discipline to get past the idea of using a razor sharp rotary cutter without the safety of a ruler. 

I was able to complete one quadrant of one block, and initially thought: "Great. I took the class. I learned something. Moving on. I will make the precision version of this quilt." 



But the more I looked at my block, and realized how much I like the slight wonkiness, and the filler strip that was required to make my block 11"-ish, the more I wanted to continue the process. So I am now in the process of cutting more blocks without the aid of a ruler, and combining what I learned with the color concepts I learned from classes with Tara Faughnan. I hope I like the end product. Maybe I will; maybe I won't. But I think I'll enjoy the process.

Haha.

I just finished crocheting a set of coasters. It was a new-to-me stitch that resembles knitting rather than traditional crochet. I like it--I already began another set. 

I've read that learning new skills is good for your brain so that's my goal this fall-winter--exercising my brain. Fingers crossed.

Good advice from Minki Kim.

I know there are more of you out there than just me...

When your Quilts and Classics calendar and the Kona calendar coordinate. I'll enjoy looking at them together all month long.

Yesterday I did something I haven't done in a year and a half. The weather was SO nice in the morning, a welcome break from the heat. I do not enjoy shopping, but I headed over to my favorite shopping center, bought some coffee, sat outside for awhile and did some window shopping. Sheer bliss.

A friend sent this yesterday. I sent it on to Aaron and Christa, and Aaron replied: "Perfect. That text seems legal and binding in probate court." Maybe. I'll never know.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

6 comments:

05 08
Charlotte M. said... #

Love the cartoon!

Needled Mom said... #

Improv and I are definitely enemies. Yours looks really nice. Cute cartoons, as usual.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

Look forward to seeing your version of Finger Paints. Love Love Love the power quote. It's definitely one to remember.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said... #

Haha, you got me with that research study! I love the improv block - the colors, and the improv nature of it.

FlourishingPalms said... #

How great that you were able to take Laura's workshop! No doubt it was helpful in getting started on Finger Paints. I plunged right in - as I often do - and improv-cut ALL the blocks. Perhaps I made a mistake doing so. Guess I'll find out when I begin piecing, which I haven't yet done. I'm glad you got out, if only to have a cuppa and appreciate the day. We're getting out more often, and even went to a mall last week. We're wearing masks though. Love that last Pickles cartoon. It's funny because it's accurate, right?

Robby said... #

All I can say about Improv is that it is not an engineer's game. It *seems* like it would be fun and freeing and "oh, look at me, I'm an artist" and then my right eye starts to twitch the longer I think about it.

I'm a little like your meme about being social. Except it looks like this. Me: Oooh, I'm going to go out and see people I like. (Voice over says: later that same day) "OMG, I'm out with a lot of people! How did this happen?"