Sunday 6 October 2019

Free Butter Churn Download, Dresden Drama

All quiet at the wooden house. Lovely sun yesterday and we both did work outside.  Hubby bought a new chain saw so had to give it a try out.  Lots of dead wood around the property to practice on.
Are you like me in this regard?  Find it hard to think of whatever you are using for a "design wall"- in my case, a fuzzy backed plastic tablecloth as a design wall.  It seems a bit pretentious for me to use that term but I do because then everyone knows what I'm talking about. Fabric grabbing wall doesn't sound right or just the wall. I don't know.

Do I think I'm making headway with this project?  The quarter Dresden blocks I'm talking about...I had other things on the wall so these had to be spread out around me as it were.  The light box has come in handy in keeping continuity of size throughout them.
Let's just say these blocks have turned out to be more work than anticipated. I'm tempted to leave them for other projects but I aim to get them to the block all done stage before starting the autumn project. That is my incentive. But the circle bits do go fast even with hand stitching them.
Someone asked...no I haven't counted the blocks yet but will very soon.
In their defense, they are very colourful!

I had purchased a set of Kim Diehl's Butter Churn fabrics and then restocked for that table runner I am making. I came across this design using them called Butter Churn Basics at the Quilt Inspirations site and that link will take you right to the free downloadable pattern.  Isn't it pretty.  Are these shades that appeal to you?
                                      
Glancing out the patio door, I saw this little guy sitting on the rail in the sun.  He was motionless long enough and in an odd position with his nose to the rail, it made me concerned. But after about 15 minutes and time enough for me to take a couple of photos, he scampered off.  I hope he was just basking in the October sun on the warmed wood.
Notice the way he's using his tail like a little blanket.
Cloudy today so it's into the sewing room I go!
Happy Sunday All!
Linking this post with Kathy's QuiltsSmall Quilts and Doll QuiltsQuilting is More Fun Than HouseworkSum of Their Stories and Viewing Nature With Eileen.



23 comments :

Libby in TN said...

I love everything Kim Diehl, but I haven't seen that line of fabric (then, again, I haven't shopped much lately). At our last house our squirrels would lay out full length with their bellies flat to the toprail. I assumed they were just soaking up the warmth.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Kim Diehl always has such gorgeous lines. My whole house is in those neutrals and I never get sick of them.

Linda said...

I see pictures of gorgeous "design walls" on blogs, but mine is a foam insulation board my husband cut and nailed to my wall and which I covered with quilt batting to make the fabric stick. My cats love to claw at the bottom of it, so it's a bit scraggly, but it works. And yes, I call it my design wall - lol!
I'm content to watch your progress with those gorgeous Dresden blocks and not try them myself. ;)
I really enjoy the photos of your property, it looks beautiful.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

My design wall is what they call pink boards with flannel over them and currently I have too many projects on them for them to work effectively. LOL. Awe the cutie, I wonder if he was basking in the sun.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I like your pumpkin header. Cute critter photo. You design wall looks huge. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week ahead.

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

I proudly us my "design wall" which is an old flannel back tablecloth. It's my second one because I used the first one so much, the backing wasn't holding. Haha. That looks like a lot of hard work for your hubby.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Looks like you both are making progress...oh, and the squirrel is too!

Raewyn said...

hehe I know what you mean about a 'design wall' - mine is a big piece of batting - it doesn't look glamorous but deserves the title as it's so handy and in continual use! Your dresdens really do look good - you have quite a pile of them now! Lovely photo of the squirrel - he really does look like he's enjoying the sun.

Karrin Hurd said...

Great projects! I don't have a design wall, it is more like a design floor!

Nancy J said...

I have 2 foam insulation boards, they were damaged so a good bargain, then I made a "pillowcase" cover with an old flannel sheet on the front, it is a tight fit, and hand stitched it closed at the top, They are both propped against a wall, and I can slide one out to use. That pattern, very detailed instructions, I can see you starting this very soon. Good stack of firewood, and a new chain saw, that would be a delight.

Powell River Books said...

Our chainsaw needs a replacement chain. No new saw on the horizon for us though. Getting a new deck put on the float cabin in our absence. With the old deck off it would be a challenge getting in and out of the front door that is 3' above the lower float log level. - Margy

Anonymous said...

The quarter Dresdens are fabulous! I’m going to have to check out the Quilt Inspirations site. Squirrels are so cute.

Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost said...

What an adorable little squirrel. Your quilting skills are amazing! I like to do crafty things, but I can barely manage to knit a simple scarf.

LA Paylor said...

look at that handsome man around your house! I feel the comfort you two create. I like the dresden quarters a lot, the design and the colors you chose. Call it a design wall,,, it's your wall to design a layout upon so...no pretentions there.

Jenny said...

A man with a new chainsaw, that will keep him happy for hours! Such a cute little squirrel, so kind of him to keep still so you could get some photos.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

My design wall is a big piece of batting stapled to the wall in my basement sewing room - nothing fancy, but so useful! Since many people write about their design "floor" or "bed" so I think your design tablecloth fits right in! :) That Kim Diehl fabric and block design look beautiful - I don't know that I've ever owned any of her fabric. I love your Dresden project - no matter what size it ends up as, it will be a lovely finish! Sweet little squirrel - I can see why you would be a little concerned about him in that odd position, but I bet you're right that he was just soaking up the sun there.

Quilting Babcia said...

My "design wall" is a piece of foam insulation board, and I used T-pins to fasten a layer of heavy white flannel onto it. I like the T-pin arrangement since if the flannel begins to stretch it can be tightened and repinned. Anything larger than 4x8 feet I use the design floor at the church where we have our quilt ministry meetings. It's a large carpeted foyer and can easily accommodate two or three king size tops in the making. Rain predicted for tonight and tomorrow so it's sewing-room time for me.

moosecraft said...

Awww....that's a sweet pic of that little squirrel! Maybe he was saying a prayer? lol!
Love that Butter Churn block! I'm kind of weary of piecing little, precisely cut pieces....some applique is looking pretty relaxing!

Jenn Jilks said...

Such lovely works.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

A 'design wall' sounds rather posh, at least to me (who uses the closest available piece of floor!). Beautiful photo of the squirrel soaking up some of the last summer rays of sun.

Kate said...

Love the scrappy quarter Dresden's! That's going to be a very fun quilt.

Allie said...

That's a lot of wood!!! This time of year I don't like to go walking in the woods, too many spiders - and webs I don't see until I'm wearing them. LOVE your dresdens, they're so colorful and happy. I adore anything Kim Diehl, I'll have to download that pattern!

Hope your little squirrel is ok - I remember watching one trying to climb our peach tree, he had apparently been run over and was paralyzed at the back end. I think the coyote finally got him. I'm not fond of that part of nature!!!!

QuiltGranma said...

They are not full "plates" and I recall the quarter circle of them being labeled Aunt Fannie's Fan. Love the little squirrel, enjoying the sunshine!