Argh! What to do? What to do?

I have a dilemma. I already have almost half a quilt pieced together, but I’m not sure I can live with the dark squares in it. It’s a Storm at Sea pattern, so it’s not so easy to take apart and fix, but it’s definitely doable. My dear, one-and-only granddaughter said she wanted a pink quilt with hearts. This is about as pink as I can stand. I do not like pink. I like coral fine, but being 7 years old, she loves the unicorn-type pink. The little girls and princesses and pink bunnies and cotton candy pink. The pink that I never liked, even as a little kid. 

So, here is my dilemma; should I leave the darker squares in, or take them out because they detract from the hearts effect?

Sorry that the picture above is washed out on the left. That’s where the floor lamp is. I think you can see the effect I was going for and the way the darker blocks make it sort of look like a bow.  Granddaughter will see it tomorrow, so I guess she’ll make the decision for me, but I would like some feedback if you have an opinion. Take them out and make lighter ones or leave it as is? 

Addendum: Dear Granddaughter came today and gave the thumbs-up to the design. I think she likes the individual fabrics better than the heart shapes. It was pink enough and she liked the fabric with girls, bunnies and balloons and the fabric with girls and horses. I have a few more surprises for her, like teacups on a pink background. Glad she likes it so far.

Confessions of a Cluttered Mind

I am about to expose my utter shame. From posts on the creative groups on Facebook, I am not alone. What terrible hoarders we creatives are! At least most of us are organized. Not me. Don’t get me wrong. I know where things are for the most part, but my husband cringes at the sight of it. It’s so bad that only family sees my sewing/crafting room. And now you. Partly.

NO ONE  goes in my studio over the garage except me and my husband. It is a disaster. I have things from 20 years ago and things from my former business, things from my productive metalsmithing days and from the days when I could still knit. My hands go numb now and hurt when I hold the needles. I loved knitting. But I digress.

There are craft show displays, painting supplies, picture frames, some of my mother’s old furniture, TWO spinning wheels (Not the small ones, but Great Wheels. One was my great-grandmother’s saved from the kindling pile by my Poppy), genealogy stuff, photo albums, shelves full of books, writing paraphernalia, my Granny’s old trunk–full of stuff, and a very large table at counter height where I used to cut out fabric. My husband built it to save my back. Oh, and a quilting frame he made me. 

Here are the pictures of my terrible messes. 

What’s free and handy?

Interested?  I finally finished the free tutorial for this baby! The Insulated Market Bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I last wrote about this project here. That bag has been really handy at the supermarket. I live about 20-30 minutes from the store and need to keep things cold while coming home. This little beauty does the job well.

I promised a tutorial for the bag back in February of 2017. It’s taken a year, but here it is.

Sooooooo many pictures. That shiny aluminum really reflects! I tried to get a photo of the taping of the inner Reflectix® lining, but nooooooooo! Just a bright blob. It reminded me of the old-fashioned flash bulbs that blinded you for a few minutes.

So here it is. Belated Merry Christmas or Early Easter or Happy Birthday or even Jovial Stitching!

Insulated Market Bag Tutorial–New

Insulated Bag Pattern

If the above pattern link doesn’t work, try here.  Alternate Pattern Download

If you find mistakes or anything is unclear, please let me know.