Saturday Morning Stock taking

Having rediscovered clay, my sewing time has been somewhat curtailed, but last night I did start a table runner.  I just discovered the StringThing quilt along blog and almost jumped into starting a full-sized quilt, but caught myself just before I started cutting strips.  
The idea for the pattern is from a free download on the moda free patterns page, here
this is the quilt:  

 It is called Modern Workshop, by Oliver and S:
 (Of course, I didn't look at the pdf of the instructions until just now, so I can see that I am sewing it in a whole different way, which I actually had thought of doing, but dismissed, since I thought for a table runner it would be easier to mix up a more limited range of fabrics if I sewed it this way, )
I just sewed 3 strip sets that are about 20 inches long, using 2-1/2" strips of fabric,-- 3 grey strips and 3 colored strips in each set:  (I'm using grey for where the white is in the one above)

 --cross cut them into 2-1/2" sections.  When I counted them up, there were 24 of them, and so I just pieced one more from squares to get 25, an odd number so that the corners would work out the same. 
To 13 of them, I added a colored square to the ends, and to the remaining 12, added a grey square to the ends.

 I put them up on the design wall, and see that there are quite a few of them, so i might have 2 table runners when I finish.  now I need to sew a grey strip between each of the pieced ones!!
In working on a knitted project, I am happy to report that I have been happily knitting along on my very simple stockinette stitch sweater.  (alliteration :) )

 I have all the main sections finished and am now doing the front band that gets sewn all around the front edges.  I am now avoiding the blocking of the pieces before it gets sewn together.... should I wash them and lay them flat? or lightly press them?

If you feel the need to see close-ups of my first batch of mugs, you can switch over to "my life in clay" blog, on the links in the sidebar!!

Time to get Serious about these Blocks!

I will be back in Saskatoon next week for about 10 days.  I know there's going to be a lot to do there, and I had planned to finish all the block designs and patterns for the Saturday Surprise Sampler to take home with me.  Of course I have put this off, and now it is only a few days left before I go.  So now I need to get serious and do them!
I did make up the blocks for the last two applique ones...(Sneak peek!)

(sorry for the abysmal lighting of this photo, my sewing room is very shaded!)

 But I still need to do the patterns for them.
This morning I want to start on the pieced blocks---
but it is hard to focus when I have 7 or 8 mugs to decorate!

I Hope you all have a great Easter Weekend!

P.s. There is a new Coupon!  see below!

In Which I return to Clay!

 A couple of days ago, I saw an idea that I just had to try, It is covering a wooden hanger with fabric,
I decided to do it in steps.  So far, I cut around the shape of the hanger, about 1/4" larger than the outline,

I have a bottle of a polymer glue that I spread on on side of the hanger, and pressed the fabric onto it.  I'll need to glue the edges down on the sides of the hanger, and then do the other side:

So that should be exciting to have a beautiful blue flowered hanger.
I planted a tree this morning.  It is a rare yellow tulip magnolia tree.  It blooms later than the pink ones.  And while the pink ones flower before the leaves come out, this one flowers at the same time as the new leaves.

 I do love my flowers!

 Last night I had my pottery class!! I am really excited about it.  We all did some hand-building, which was a lot of fun.  I went back this afternoon for an open studio time, on the way I saw some mounted Policemen!

 I did more hand-building , and this is the assortment from last night and today:

 They are mostly vases, and one covered container.  I also worked on a butter dish that isn't pictured here. 

 I might have to make another blog!  "My Life in Clay"

(still unseasonably warm here -- 90 degrees F by my car thermometer--- 30 degrees C this afternoon)
Tomorrow we're planning to drive up to Asheville for a few days, so I might be missing from this blog!
Have a good week,

And the answer is....

 Isn't the color of that rose amazing?
Okay, I ended my post yesterday with a cliffhanger!! I had somewhere to go last night! Where was it?

from in the late '90's, porcellainous white stoneware with navy slip sgraffito, gold lustre

Answer: A pottery class! 
It has been nearly 11 years!! since I did anything with clay!  I can hardly believe it has been such a long time, but from the moment that I started to get things in line for the store, I laid down my pottery tools, and then, as a result of all the minutae of daily life, and also as a result of moving house a couple of times, I had them packed away all this time.  Well, they are still all packed away, but for the last year or two, I have had some yearnings to play in the clay again.

mugs from about 15 years ago, part of the dinnerware set I made for us to use at home, still using it--- earthenware with white glaze, blue overglaze decoration

I noticed that there is a place here where you can rent open studio time, and when I dropped by to inquire about that, the person there suggested that I take a class, partly to get to know a few people, and the procedures of the place,  and so I enrolled. 
Last night was the first class, and I am so glad that I went.  The instructor presented an excellent demo on throwing-- centering the clay and pulling up a cylinder.  It has been  a long time since I threw anything, and I think that I have a lot to remember, and to learn to improve my technique!
I think that I might also register for some open times as well, just to wallow around in the clay.  It is such an easy way to get back to do some clay work without having to set up a studio at home-- hooking up kilns, mixing up glazes, etc.  Maybe I'll do that this summer in Asquith -- who knows. 

So, that is my big news.
As if I don't have already a vast number of creative outlets.  I'm not sure  what  my goals are, or where I'm going with all these things.
 I am enjoying the ride  though.