Sunday 21 October 2012

Off the wall!

When I got up this morning little did I think that today I'd be taking down my 'design wall' and giving it a much needed re-furb.

About a month ago I bought a nice white brushed cotton sheet with this in mind.....


I promise you the sheet is brilliant white all over. The grubby looking stuff on the back is the old surface that I left in place for extra stability.   Truthfully..... Mac had fixed the old cover on with so many tacks it would have taken me a week to get them all out.  As it was I drew blood pulling out the few that just happened to be right where I wanted to put a staple.  Don't worry I didn't bleed on the clean sheet.... thank goodness.

Both boards are finished and ready to hang again.... once I solve a little problem.   They were fixed to the wall with sticky backed Velcro which worked well till I took them down and the Velcro came with them!  Life is never simple.  Mac glued the Velcro back in place but it's just not sticking to the wall this time.   Time for Plan B I think.  Maybe involving a hammer.. some nails...a bit of pent up aggression?

Once I realised that no amount of wishful thinking would make the glue stick I put the pristine boards to one side and got on with the serious business of having some fun.    Remember this....


The Anna Griffin fabric I bought a while back to make this.....


Well I've finally put cutter to cloth....
 

This is going to be one hassle free project and the finished quilt is going to be mine..... ALL MINE!   OK... I'm shouting to make sure the pussies get the message.    What's the betting they ignore me and lay claim to it the second it's done.... little horrors darlings. 

Another great book winged it's way to me this week....


I love stars and this book has no less than 27 brilliant star quilt patterns.   They've all appeared in Fons & Porter publications at one time or another but as I haven't got many issues of their magazine I figured buying the book was a very practical thing to do.  Cost effective too.... much cheaper than buying 27 magazines.  I think I've convinced myself..... Mac is a different kettle of fish!

He's a bit preoccupied these days..... choosing a new car.    I'm doing my best to steer him in the direction of the one I like... well.... I'm the one who'll be driving it.    This could be difficult.  Mac is seriously into horsepower while I'm  more a MPG kind of a gal.   If it won't do a hundred miles on a bucket of chicken droppings I don't want to know!     Fuel Economy = Fat Quaters..... enough said! 

Now... I don't want you  thinking that because I haven't got much to show or tell you about I haven't been busy sewing this last couple of weeks .    I've been working hard on secret projects every chance I got.  Honestly I don't now how you fervent swappers keep up.   I'm only doing two and it seems like every sewing minute I have is spent working on swaps or thinking about swaps or worrying that I'm making something entirely unsuitable.  Phew!   Not to worry.... I've still got plenty of tranq's on hand and I should reach the wrapping stage before supplies run out.

OK... I'd better get going.   There's a recliner in another room with my name on it.   Hope to have more to talk about soon but in the meantime....

have fun doing what makes you happy

See ya soon...
Josie X 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really need to do a proper design wall. I just have some batting (a crib size piece on one wall and a full size piece on another) held to the wall by pushpins.

Susan said...

Good luck with the design wall. I like your thinking with the budget - I convert everything to fat quarters in my head too. Secret sewing is fun but it doesn't leave much to blog about.

marina said...

good to hear you have been busy. Secret swapping can be hard. Only did one christmas swap this year, that was plenty. Have fun and hope you will have some more show and tell soon.

Chookyblue...... said...

busy busy.....I do hope you get the car you want......

Raewyn said...

I have put the design wall thing in the too hard basket for now-- attaching it to my nice newly jibbed and painted walls is a stumbling block!! Hope you get yours up soon. Nice that you have started that lovely quilt, very dreamy! I'm still sitting on my hands trying not to buy the last book you mentioned - and here you are with another fab sounding one - enjoy it!! (Good luck in the car department.)

Shirley said...

Your sewing room looks well organised whilst mine is usually a mess. I don't have space for a design wall but came up with a solution of hanging a blanket over the top of the wardrobes using skirt hangers. It works well and went I need to get at stuff in the wardrobes I can just un hook it. Got to improvise. The new book looks interesting.

When my husband was choosing a new car the guy at the garage started to ask me questions and I told him I only dealt with colours?!!!

Lynda said...

Love the fabric and looking forward to seeing your finished quilt. I just tacked up a flannel sheet to the wall for my design wall. It has worked great for several years now. Of course, it does need a good vacuuming every once in awhile.

Anthea said...

Hi Josie, wow the fabrics are gorgeous, the kitties will love you making it for them, ha ha. Can't wait to see it finished...
Yes there is a lot of 'secret sewing' going on at the moment in blogland, I'm stitching for one and that is taking some time. But I am still fitting in something for myself too.
Take Care x

Wendy said...

I hope your design wall works out. I so know what you mean about swaps, I am only doing one but it is a worry for me!! I'm sure I'm going to have to make another little wallhanging as the first one isn't quite right!! Enjoy the recliner, xx

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Hope you got the design wall up and hanging again! :) Secret projects, sounds intriguing.. the quilt looks like it's going to be gorgeous. (I'm a MPG kind of girl, too.. along with how pretty and convenient the inside is.. drink holders, hidden storage compartments, etc.) :)