Monday, October 2, 2017

Moth Movement

It's the beginning of the month, and the Kaleidoscope of Butterflies continues! Although I haven't posted about my Moth in the Window project since June, there has been steady behind-the-scenes progress nevertheless.

1. I bought more fabric.

I carelessly checked to see what was new from Art Gallery fabrics, and I could not resist a few of these Sage prints by Bari J.

2. I decided (again) to make it bigger.

Reading back, I see that my original plan was 90 blocks, but I know that after the last post I settled on 56. But, now I have more fabrics to use, so the final plan is 81 blocks and just a simple solid border.

3. I cut all the fabric.

This summer I realized that it is a lot easier on my shoulder to cut shorter strips, rather than a full width of fabric. And it is easier to keep the short cut pieces neatly stored and organized, too.

Since I don't have a dedicated studio, this has proven to be a real improvement in the process!

4. I made a few more blocks.

Somehow it really entertains me to have the same fabric in different colourways, like this background fabric here. It's like a poem that rhymes.




5. And a few more...




Yes, this last one on the left is another dud. Two pretty fabrics, not pretty together. But, with 81 blocks to choose from, I'm hoping a few imperfect ones will just blend in.

Right at the end of August I took this photo of our sedum, which was just swarming with honeybees. Driving around the neighbourhood, almost everyone who has a garden has this same plant, so it is good to know that the bees are well fed before they go down for the winter.

For me, I'm sorry I've been MIA for most of the past month. When hurricane Maria was bearing down on Florida, I had my own emergency, with a late night ambulance ride, two difficult and painful procedures, and an unexpectedly long and difficult recovery. It has made me pretty grumpy, and I expect it will still be a few weeks before I am back to normal. But, at least I can still sew a little. :D

19 comments:

  1. Well bummer about having two painful and difficult procedures AND an ambulance ride to boot. . .I'm glad that there was some fabric shopping involved and that there is stitching happening now. I find it challenging to be as grumpy when I've had my hand in a project! :) I'm glad you are back!!!

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    1. Thanks, Terry! I'm not totally back, but at least I'm sewing. :D

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  2. I'm so sorry you've had health issues and hope they resolve soon. My favorite block is your fourth (second row, right). I love the background fabric. Funny because that fabric is in your "dud" block. It is interesting how the print scale changes the look of fabrics as we cut them into smaller pieces.
    Love this moth block. Thanks for linking a thoughtful post to Kaleidoscope of Butterflies.

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  3. Loving these blocks! Great fabric choices, and so colourful! Hope you feel better soon.

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  4. Beautiful blocks! and fabric.
    I'm sorry, I hope you're healing fast.

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  5. In my hands, that variety of colours and prints would scare the "bejeebers" out of me. In your hands I know it will come together balanced and with a graceful linear flow. Looking forward to seeing the layout.

    Sorry to hear about your troubles and glad to see that you're managing despite the obstacles. Hope your full recovery continues smoothly.

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    1. Thank you! It will be interesting to see, because all these blocks will change again with the pink sashing. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

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  6. I'm sad to hear you've been under the weather! I hope you are back to normal very soon. I can't wait to see more of this quilt.

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  7. Glad to see the Moths in the Window again! I think all blocks, even "duds" will look wonderful in a finished quilt.

    Sorry to hear about the emergency. Hope healing is going well. And how nice that you can still sew a little!

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  8. So sorry to hear about your health issues. Glad you're on the up swing andsewing again. Loved seeing the new fabric put to a quick use. The blocks are looking great.

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  9. Oh nice blocks Monica!! So sorry to read about your health problems, doesn't sound nice at all! Frustrating into the bargain when you're slowed up with projects you'd like to be working on. This is the first evening in 10 days that I am reading blog posts as I have been unwell, on the mend now and hope to post something Friday. Take care of yourself.

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  10. So sorry you have been in strife with health. I guess we need to be grateful we live where we can access good emergency services and health care. It's great that you are clever at adapting your cutting and piecing approach to suit your strengths.

    Some of these blocks are lovely - the very first one especially so. The sedum shot has a great colour palette too - worth reproducing in fabric! Hope the healing proceeds apace.

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    1. Thanks, Jillian. "In strife" sounds like an all too accurate description. It's funny, when I wrote the post, I noticed the sedum photo and my "dud" block had a very similar palette! So it is interesting to figure out the problem. Value again, probably.

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    2. For what it's worth, I reckon the green in the dud block is too yellow and not deep enough (in the photo, at least). The sedum leaves are a deeper, slightly bluer green. It's so interesting. Hope you're at least out of strife!

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    3. Haha, now here I was thinking it is too blue! But I can see your point too. It's just too light, I think that's the bottom line. Dark yellow green or dark blue green, either would be better.

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  11. I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell, and think you entirely entitled to feel disgruntled for a bit! These blocks are looking I like to use the same fabric in different colourways too, so that pair of blocks really tickles me.

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  12. I love the fabric background in the 1st picture and your comparison to a "poem that rhymes". It is very playful. Glad to hear your back to stitching a little.

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I'm told Blogger has been bouncing some comments, so if it happens to you I'm sorry! But the settings look right so I can't explain it. In any case, thanks for reading!

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