Another Old Lady Hobby

Just when I think I can’t make myself seem any older, I go and take up another old lady hobby.

Kim over at NewlyWoodwards recently posted about a quilt block a month series over at In Color Order.  The series looks fun.  Each month in 2012, a quick tutorial for a traditional quilt block using half-square triangles will be presented!

Once a month.  That’s pretty low pressure.  Finish a quilt top in a year.  That’s about right on schedule for my normal projects.  Let’s do this!

Look at me getting all confident in my barely existent sewing skills!

Ladies (and maybe gentlemen?  Dad? Nate?)….here is January’s half-square triangle block of the month…

Overall, I’m pretty proud of myself.  It resembles a quilt block.  It’s not perfect but I’m going to call it perfect enough for my first attempt.  Most of my corners match up-ish.

The finished block should be 12.5” square. Mine is a hair over 12.25”  What’s a quarter of an inch? Right? Right. I might be able to press out a little more.  And kick myself later for not following directions.

It was recommended to use your fabric stash.  I don’t really have a stash yet so I purchased 2 charm packs of Moda's Flora.

I wanted something shabby chic to go with my shabby chic way of quilting.  Shabby chic is a good term to cover up laziness/lack of patience.

Was this attempt hard?  Yes and no.  The instructions are fairly easy to follow.  The cutting and aligning were very testing for my overall lack of patience in life. I think this block took me about 3 hours.  (I did it in bits and pieces.  Ripped out some seams.)  I think/hope the next one will go faster.   This project will be good for me though.  I’m pretty excited about it.  Bring it February square.

Would you like to join along?  There is still time to complete the January block…or you can catch up at anytime! You can also check out the flickr group.

Any other quilters out there?  Is there hope for me?  What’s your favorite old lady hobby?  What’s your favorite fabric collection?

What’s Up Clock

As you know, our eating area has gone through some recent changes.  I have not yet pointed out/posted about one fun change.  At least I think it’s fun. 

I was struggling with the iron piece above our patio doors. (I don’t have a photo of this piece with our new lighting.)…

It just didn’t feel right to me.  Do you have pieces like that in your house?  Things that are okay but just don’t feel right.

I just couldn’t figure out what to replace it with.  We don’t want curtains around the patio doors.  Does the area look weird without curtains?  We don’t care.  We had curtains once.  They were horribly annoying.  Less annoying trumps perfect design.  I had seen some photos with words above the door.  I’m over words. I have a few in my house and don’t want to go overboard.

I was watching some random HGTV show and saw a clock above patio doors.  Why didn’t I think of that?  I decided to try it out.  (Excuse the poor lighting.  We won’t see sun again in Iowa until approximately May.)

I like it.  A lot.  It fits the rustic/industrial/grown-up theme that we now have going on.  It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s mine…with honey.

This area has come a long ways…

Anything in your home that just doesn’t feel right?  Any other above the door ideas?  Wait, don’t tell me.  I might change my mind.

***Speaking of changing my mind. I couldn’t bring myself to order the shower curtain.  I received some good feedback about the use of stripes and the narrow room.  I may have another idea in mind.  For today.  Talk to me tomorrow.  It will have changed.***

Linking up to:  Thrifty Decor Chick

Shower Curtain Survey

Do you all remember my guest bathroom?  My sad and neglected guest bathroom.  The "horrid dungeon of a guest suite", as described by my New Year’s Eve guests.  I think they were mocking me.  I think.

I purchased West Elm’s Stripe Shower Curtain awhile back. I thought it was going to be the answer to my shower curtain debacle. Unfortunately, I don’t think it is.  The charcoal on the curtain just doesn’t work well with the wall color.  I will not paint that bathroom again.  It’s easier to find another shower curtain.  Or is it?

I was on the lookout for a replacement shower curtain but I just hadn’t found anything that spoke to me.  That was until I opened up the latest West Elm catalog and saw their Gallery Stripe Shower Curtain…

via

I knew I shouldn’t have opened up that catalog.  I told myself I wouldn’t. I should have dropped it straight into the recycling bin without looking at it’s beautiful glossy pages filled with items that would look perfect in my home.

I’m also on a self-imposed spending ban for the month of January.  I’m not sure why I decided to put this ban on myself.  My former self was getting irritated with my constant need to buy things.  Current Michelle, however, wants to buy this shower curtain and it’s on sale until Monday. Work tested any and all patience I had this week.  And it’s the 20th.  That’s close enough to the 31st.  I gave it a good run.  Right? Right!

What are your thoughts? 

Do you think the gallery stripe curtain will be the answer to my first world shower curtain problem?  Or do you feel that there is another answer out there for me?  (I will keep the original stripe curtain for our Jack and Jill bath.  It’s just too pretty to send back.  Yes, I have a problem.  Thank you for your concern.)