PLUGGING AWAY

 Even though I'm putting in 6-8 hrs. nearly every day on my big commission......a few other tasks have been accomplished. After being here for a little less than 2 months, I really expected to be totally settled......oh optimistic me!

'The husband' had tons of heavy duty wire shelving used in our last two houses. (NO clue why so many were needed!?). Happily, after he finally got his garage set up (not to say the items stored in bins on the racks have been put in their proper place....like at least 200 DVD's!). However, there were extra units available for my sewing room...Yeah!

Nothing like calling the kettle black, I haven't organized my new canvas bins, but at least the old plastic ones are now empty and relocated to a grateful neighbor.

Here's a look back at my cramped space which is finally getting organized. Note to self, do not gain one pound...you'll never squeeze into the room!!

HELPFUL TIP

 Still working diligently on my commission project. Thought I'd share a trick I've used for ages (and mentioned here in the past but perhaps there are new readers who would find it helpful).

After successfully auditioning motifs on my design wall, I pin them onto the quilt top. Next, I use a small hand held iron and fuse them in place, directly on the design wall. It's such a time saver. If you have a small iron it may not be hot enough to totally secure them. Instead, simply 'tack' in place with the heat and then transfer to your pressing station to firmly secure.

I've been securing LOTS of trees lately! But still a long way to go.....

GETTING CREATIVE IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! I had to take a break from working on this monster commission that doesn't agree with my initial concept....so I took an off ramp and perhaps another today....stay tuned.

One thing about purchasing a new home is the multiple expenses involved for items that do not come with the house. As a for instance, the laundry room: no cupboards, no washer/dryer, no towel racks, no paper towel holder....get the picture? Now that doesn't seem like such a big deal until the estimate for cabinets to go over the washer and dryer, plus one tall - 12" wide cabinet to store cordless vacuum, mops etc. Hold your breath, this is CA after all!! $8,552!!!! Oh, I could have gotten cabinets of a lesser quality at Lowe's. Hummm, they will deliver but not assemble nor install. Have you noticed NOTHING comes assembled anymore?

Here's my solution. A floating shelf for the dust buster (whenever I can get 'the husband' to do it). I can't nag...he put this seemingly easy 1 hr. project together yesterday which took over 3 hrs. AND I purchased a school locker, painted blue for the tall items. It looks like I could have used a bigger one but the dryer door opens wide.....so I was limited.

Now back to sewing.... 

WHEN THE DESIGN TAKES AN OFF RAMP

As is typical when designing an art quilt, what's in your mind's eye, doesn't always come together with real fabric! I'm unhappy with the fabric choice at the lower level.....though it wasn't sold black, it reads too dark and too big of a color jump from the green areas.

I've done a small mono printed sample with brown/green tones using bubble wrap for the texture......sure hope I don't totally mess it up. I also started cutting and adding some trees that will cover the green areas.....a LOT of work ahead....  

THE WORK GOES ON......

Plugging away on my large commission.....I decided to outline the mountains in black.......never did that before but this piece will hang about 10' from ground level.......on a wall that's next to a 2nd floor balcony which overlooks the great room.

Elements need to be big and emphasized in order to have impact. It's a challenging piece for sure. 

EVEN MOTHER NATURE REACTED TO OUR MOVE TO CA

 YUP, Mother Nature sent her welcome to us......sheets of hail! As we all know, sometimes she is not always a good & kind  Mother.....welcome to CA.

AND THE BASTING IS FINISHED!!

 I'm a hand baster....esp. when working on big appliqué quilts because I'm so terribly fussy about achieving flat work. The greens especially look like a mish mash now, but it will all get blended together with lots of stitching.