Finding sewing machines in an airport??

TGIF?? For us retirees, a Friday is as good as a Monday. For me, though, this weekend is special. My dh Mark and I decided to go out of town for the weekend, up to our Sunriver retreat. We even flew and got up here in little more than an hour. Sure beats the 9 hour drive.


Anyway, at San Francisco Airport, I was so pleasantly surprised to find a Needlework/Sewing Machine exhibit on display at the United terminal. They had a fabulous array of really old machines and other sewing related items.  I was able to snag a picture of a display of several machines:

When my darling grandson Ryan was staying with us earlier this week, he loved getting up really early because he enjoys hanging out with his papa.  (Did I mention that his pack n play is set up in my CLOSET?  Very cozy)... He was up so early that he couldn't stay awake on our drive up to his baby sitter's.

What is everyone working on this weekend? Did you do your Sow-a-long blocks yet?? I'm going to try to tackle the Feathered Star for the Just Takes 2 quilt. I have a paper pieced version I'm going to use... I'm keeping my fingers crossed - I love that block but OMG...lots of work.


I'm thinking of a bonus block for our Sow-a-Long, so keep watching!!


Love to you all,
Randy, chief Sower!!

Blocks 7, 8 and 9 of Sow-A-Long

Happy Wednesday fellow bloggers!! And sowers!!! :-)
Is everybody READY??? All caught up??? Let's get sowing!! Remember that all the blocks finish at 6"!!


We are going to be doing a basket, a churn dash and a broken dishes block for this installment.


CHURN DASH (block 7)
Cut background (1) 1-1/2" x 12"
     dark fabric  (1) 1-1/2" x 12"
Cut background (2) 3" square
     dark fabric  (2) 3" square
Cut background (1) 2-1/2" square


Sew the two 1-1/2" x 12" strips together; subcut to (4) 1-1/2 x 2-1/2" units.
Press the 3" squares right sides together; draw a diagonal line and sew on both sides of line. Square up to (4) 2-1/2" half square triangles. There are many other ways to do hsts; I also use the easy angle method, cutting strips at 2-1/2". Choose your favorite method.

Block 8: Broken Dishes:


Cut background strip (1)  2-1/2" x 20"
     dark strip           (1) 2-1/2" x 20"


You will need 16 half square triangles which are 2" unf (1-1/2" fin.).
I am giving you cutting instructions using the diagonal line drawn/sewing on both sides method. This allows for plenty of "fudge" room;

Block 9: Basket


Background: cut (1) 3-1/2" square
                       (2) 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles
                       (3) 2" squares
                       (1) 4-1/4" square, cut on the diagonal one time (save extra)
Dark fabric: cut  (2) 2" x 3-1/2" rectangles
                       (1) 2-1/2" square, cut on the diagonal one time

Examine the parts of the block on the right. You will see how to piece this block.


That's it!! Easy? You're going to have a fabulous quilt! Thanks for joining in!


Oh, and I had my special Nana time today; my daughter's babysitter was sick  so I got to babysit Ryan! We went to the park nearby (also went for a walk, swept the driveway and washed my car). But here he is! Had to share... forgive me...

Hope you are having fun. Next installment of Barrister's Sow-A-Long will be posted on March 21st. Stay tuned!!!


Love to you all,
Randy

Divorcing the farmer's wife (reluctantly)

Hello to my dear fellow bloggers,
As you know, for the past month, we have been doing a sow-a-long finding blocks from The Farmer's Wife book. Unfortunately, the author, Laurie Hird, emailed me telling me that she felt that my blog violated her copyright. She insisted that I stop referring to her book and stop posting cutting instructions. She thinks people will stop buying her book because of this sow-a-long. As you know,  I am a lawyer and did my own legal research.  I also consulted with a copyright lawyer.  We do not think our sow-a-long violates her copyright.  However,  this is supposed to be fun. I'm not looking to get involved in a lawsuit.   I have an elderly mother in a nursing home and just do not want to spend the energy to fight.  SO, based on her insistence, we are now going to do something a little different! 


First off, we are still sowing along!  This will be the Barrister's Sow-A-Long (a friend had suggested the Rancher's Husband or Farmer's Ex-Wife!).  I will continue to post cutting instructions and pictures of 6 blocks a month, on the first and third Wednesday of the month. We will still make 72 blocks by year's end, which you can set in any manner you choose. They will be fabulous. Your blocks are already amazing.  I am still going to do a linky-thing or find some way for everyone to share their progress.


Secondly, the blocks can be found in many other sources, not just in her book. They are public domain blocks and have been published for years.  I will give you the name of the blocks, still give cutting instructions, and post pictures,  but will not refer to any pages from her book. However, they will be blocks which can be found in a variety of places.  You can use any of your books to find them.


Third, my good friend, Bonnie Hunter, and I are going to collaborate on this project.  You will be able to find my sow-a-long on both our blogs!


I can't tell you how sorry I am about this.  I was so excited to have so many of you follow my blog for my sow-a-long. I am so flattered~!  I'm terribly disappointed.  And extremely sorry if you feel that I have misled you or somehow let you down. I sincerely hope that you will continue to stay with me and sow along with our group. This was not my fault.  But do not despair... 


SO, that being said, there will be 3 new blocks on Wednesday March 7th.  BE READY!!! No slacking off.  NO excuses.  I know you are all caught up and excited to work on this quilt. I am, too, and am still looking forward to hearing from everyone.


Wednesday March 7th is the day!! See you then!!!
Love to you all,
Randy

Are you sowing along??

Hi my fellow bloggers,
I wanted to get a head-count to find out how many of you are actually sowing along with me on this project following the Farmer's Wife book. Can you send me a quick comment that you're "in"... I am trying to determine if iI should be doing that linky-thing, which will really tax my abilities! Can you let me know by this weekend, please?


On another front, I told you I went to the local guild's show this past weekend and that I WON something!  This is it! It's a basket they called "vintage linens". It has a lot of crocheted lace things, as well as other goodies. I did, however, keep hoping I'd get the call that I won the raffle quilt, though!! Can't complain, really.

I also found the most amazing vendor, selling all kinds of little vintage trinkets.  Here is the little booth. The woman with the PINK hair was the one who made all the items. Quite a talented lady... she has a blog: gypsythreads.wordpress.com

I found some wonderful goodies. I think my favorite is the "salt peter", or pin cushion. The scissors are pretty cute; can you make out the tiniest little tea pot pin cushion? Precious.

Speaking of precious, I am picking up my darling grandson tomorrow and I can't wait!!! His other grandparents are coming into town this weekend and, since I don't share very well, we are staying away and letting them have some time with the sweet boy.  So I have to get my Ryan-fix!!  At least until next week~! I know, I'm spoiled by all the time I get to be with him. I'm now "my nana"!!! Warms my heart like nothing else!!


Have a great Thursday.
Love to you all,
Randy

Just Take 2, moving along

I am still going to show you the wonderful goodies I acquired at the quilt show yesterday, but before then, I wanted to show you my red/white blocks from the Just Take 2 quilt-a-long. I am challenged and enjoying it immensely. Also making sure to keep up.

And, just to make sure you're paying attention, I'm going to start working on the March 7th installment of our sow-a-long!! Hope you're all keeping up.


Have a great Monday.
Love to you all,
Randy

Quilt show find

I went to the local guild's quilt show yesterday and found many treasures, which I will tell you about later. But those of you in our sow-a-long will enjoy this masterpiece I found on display! Are you motivated yet??

And the winner is....

WOW!!! How nice to have so many people willing to take some fabric off my hands!!!  I had dozens of names - put all of them into a tupperware container (!) and picked out:


DIANE KNOT!!!


Please send me your snail mail address so I can send the package to you... Thanks to everyone for entering!!


Spent Wednesday night/Thursday morning with Ryan, and we of course went to our favorite breakfast place.  His meal?  Aside from the yogurt I brought along, a couple of the basic B food groups:  BACON and BANANAS!!!

How's everyone doing on their Sow-A-Long blocks? Hope you are having fun!! Remember, next installment is March 7th!! So you have lots of time to keep up!


Have a great weekend,
Love to you all,
Randy