Thursday 10 March 2022

Spring Springing, Slugging, Sashiko Stitching, Self-Soothing Slow Stitching

Hearing birds sing for the first time on a walk March 5 was an amazing moment. The cardinal was singing his tiny heart out then and every morning since.  Here are the pair that have been visiting my feeders all winter. I think they are the same as the female is notably small. Taken through my kitchen window. 


Neddy relaxing with his Star Wars blanket below. One year old last week. On the face book group, SIL asked all the owners of his 8 litter mates to share a birthday photo and all 9 of us chimed in with wonderful shots. It gave SIL and daughter much happiness to see how well loved the puppies all are in their new homes.
Have you heard of slugging?  I'll give you a link and see what you make of it for yourself. Slugging For Essential Skincare I was interested as I'd read decades ago that Marilyn Munroe used only petroleum jelly as a face cream. (That's a perfect example of the kind of useless information this brain of mine holds onto.)

So happy to be making headway with the borders for my Fans quilt. I settled on a sashiko style embroidered butterflies pattern using the same variegated thread I've used throughout this quilt. I drew a couple of butterfly patterns and used little dots of chalk as a guide.  That worked well on the dark navy fabric. Enjoyable slow stitching,

Here is an excellent video detailing how that can work for other Sashiko stitching which is a Japanese style of embroidery.
I think if these strips don't work out as a border, I'll join them to make a runner.  

It was a treat to visit a library last week- like old times. I had reserved both these books and picked them up. Simple Shapes Stunning Quilts by Stuart Hillard and Free Spirit Block Party by 20 modern designers. These books are both great-there are 100 designs in Stuart's book and 40 in the other. I would like to own a copy of both. 

Not finished yet...but I am still diligently adding to the sides of my Tumbling Blocks quilt pieces when the spirit moves me. I so love this process of cutting diamond shapes out of thin cardboard, choosing bits of fabrics to size, gluing them on, then sewing together to make the blocks. Then sewing those together. A process with many steps and I love each and every one of them. (A photo for Joanne (no blog) who asked to see it again and is thinking of making this pattern.)
Someone asked me why I torture myself with so much hand work on each project. Why does everything I make have to be so labour intensive, they wanted to know. After all you have a machine that could do the work in a tenth of the time was said to me.  Well now. What to say...how the thinking about it, researching the patterns, searching your blogs, choosing the bits and bobs is so enjoyable, is my balm really, that the hand work/knitting/crocheting,etc. soothes me like nothing else I do. And while I can be quiet, attentive and contemplative sometimes, I need something in my hands always. (A new thought... Is that OCD-ish?!)

 From my needlepointing days starting when very young in university, living and teaching in isolated communities, up to and including now, stitching has been an enjoyable constant in my life. Just as it has for so many of you too. You guys get it, right?

I'm linking up with Not Afraid of Color; LeeAnna always puts a lot of effort into her Thursday things to like posts so if you have the time, check it out. Also there, you will find the other bloggers who have shared their thankful, happy Thursday things too. 

Also linking with Brian's Home BlogLove Laugh QuiltSmall Quilts and Doll Quilts and Kathy's Quilts







28 comments :

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I'm not sure why some consider hand piecing quilts to be torture it is totally relaxing!! I'd think doing tumblers by machine would be stressful and frustrating. Quilts do not have to be made fast - one must enjoy the construction process. I have tried Vaseline only on my face but is so greasy - I have so many allergy problems that I found a small bottle to hold olive oil and will give that a try now instead. Your dog is wonderful!! love the look of him. I haven't been to the library in ages but now that things are getting better again I might see about going back to volunteer work for the special events.

Jeanna said...

There are so many things to LIKE in your post. You got amazing photos of the cardinals. Happy Birthday to your fur baby :)
What's the point of having hobbies if we just put out the product and do not enjoy the process, whichever one works for us?? I 'get' it!

Jenny said...

Torture yourself? That's a strange thing to say. You enjoy hand work so it's a pleasure, no need to explain, and we all do things differently. You are so right, the planning, the patterns, fondling fabric, cutting, pinning, pressing, stitching, and yes, even the hand work, it's all part of the process and makes us who we are!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

The last paragraphs made me snicker a bit. Your work is lovely and I am with you. But I have always called it tedious work. Your post caused me to look up the definition of tedious. "The meaning of TEDIOUS is tiresome because of length or dullness : boring." WHAT? Boring? NEVER! So I am switching to the phrase Labor Intensive. Yes, and I love that kind of work. OCDish. Maybe. I can claim that too!
xx, Carol

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

As usual your bird pictures are fantastic. I have enjoyed listening to the birds lately too. I am a fidgety person so handwork is awesome for me when I am trying to sit. Perhaps I should sit more, I would get more handwork done. I love your tumbling block quilt.

Jackie said...

Now just to show how little I know about quilting I need to ask a question.

Does the cardboard stay in the quilt? Or does it disintegrate in the wash as it is a special type of cardboard?

God bless.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Oh to see and hear a Cardinal. that would be such a thrill.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Those cardinals are spectacular! There's definitely more birdsong these past few days so that's a good sign and we saw one lonely vulture flying over the river. We wondered if he was the advance scout testing to see if the others should make the trek. Usually in the spring and fall we have a gathering of them (upwards of a hundred). Only two or three pairs stick around for the summer.

LA Paylor said...

it's so hard to finish a tumbling blocks quilt! I could always start another but I want to just keep making them and seeing it grow...Neddy! congrats on turning into a year old and choosing a good mama and daddy.

PaintedThread said...

I've been hearing the cardinals around here! Those butterflies are fun. As for taking so much time - it's the process, not the finished result!

Yvonne said...

Beautiful pictures of the cardinals, we don't have those pretty birds here in the Netherlands.
I can totally understand what you write about hand work, it is so fullfilling and relaxing to do some slow stitching. For me working with a machine can be fun sometimes too but it is never as relaxing as handwork.
But luckily there is nog right or wrong in that, everybody needs to do it her or his way and enjoy the process.
Have a nice weekend!

cityquilter grace said...

oh yes i "get it" also....lovely blocks in progress...

Jenn Jilks said...

This is true, you enjoy the process. You should do what gives you joy!
Such beautiful work.

Lynn C. (NJ) said...

Yes, I get it, for sure. The making of a project is what is important, the puzzling out the steps, the actual sewing--hand and/or machine, the pleasure of holding fabric, needle and thread, the hours spent in our own world.
Having a finished project is a bonus. It the making that draws us to the craft.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

i've noticed more birdsong here recently, too - always a favorite time of year! Your cardinal photos are wonderful, Jocelyn. And sweet Neddy - he looks like such a wonderful companion for you and Tony. I get the same kinds of comments about my hand-piecing projects, "Why would you want to do that?" I'm with you on now soothing it is. Your tumbling blocks are just amazing!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! LOOK at those cardinals!!! OMG, what fabulous photos. Neddy is ONE already?!! Just like my little Chase who turned one on the 26th. I'll think of Neddy next year for sure. Your Sashiko butterflies are lovely. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

Rosemary Dickinson said...

Your Tumbling Blocks quilt is amazing! Beautiful! I love the pictures of the cardinals. I hope it means Spring is on the way! Neddy looks comfy to me! I love the sashiko project too!

Linda said...

Your Neddy is so sweet. I can't wait until Boomer the puppy calms down, gets completely housebroken, and stretches out calmly like that! Baker the older dog is all of those things for the most part.
I love your header and now I want to embroider my blog name on fabric. The Sashiko butterflies are magical!
Regarding all the steps involved and the handwork on projects - I get it Jocelyn! :)

piecefulwendy said...

You sure captured those cardinals well! I love to hear the birds sing in the spring, so I will think of you enjoying your morning walks in the woods! Happy 1st year birthday, Neddy! I'll pass on the slugging; I don't want to deal with washing that out of my pillowcase - ha! I think stitching by hand is very therapeutic and good for the soul. Not everything needs to be done fast and furiously.

Carol in Texas said...

I think it’s sad if a quilter does not enjoy hand work. The recent explosion in crossstitch shows how many people long for the connection of their hands to their stitching. I am still a hand quilter…..I look at all those machine quilted quilts and I never see the beauty there that I see in one that is hand quilted. I’m old so I guess that is part of the reason I’m so stubborn. But young people are knitting and crocheting and embroidering, so the younger generations do appreciate the slow enjoyment of seeing something take place in your hands and appreciate the feel of a needle or whatever and thread or yarn. The worldwide pandemic no doubt contributed to the resurgence of hand work…..all those days people were trapped in their homes with hours to fill. Hand stitching can fill many happy hours!

MissPat said...

Not sure why anyone would think the speed with which you finish a project is the most important part. Taking the time to enjoy the feel of the fabric and the gentle rhythm of hand stitching is calming and soothing. There's such a wide variety of quilting styles and methods that everyone should be able to find something they enjoy. There's no need to be critical of someone else's choice.
The birds (not sure if they are wrens or sparrows) have returned to the little bird house hanging on my front porch. I put it up many years ago as a decoration and have had bird families using it every year since. Also heard some geese overhead earlier this week. Snow on the ground again, but it won't last long this time of year.
Pat

Karrin Hurd said...

I am not sure I could machine piece a tumbler quilt. I would be ripping out a lot I am sure. Lovely pics of the birds and your puppy, he looks very relaxed. I have never seen a cardinal where I live. I have never heard of slugging. I am going to have to check that out. Hope you have a great week!

Quilter Kathy said...

Yes... we get it... we are your people! LOL
Every step of this is pure healing for me and I don't want to rush through anything to get it finished. I want to enjoy every moment, and it's the process not the finished product that is most important for me. Your tumbling blocks is gorgeous!
I loved seeing your pretty cardinals.

K Reeves said...

Those cardinals…simply gorgeous! I’m with you, handwork is necessary to soothe my spirit! Neddy is so handsome! We get our little guy in two weeks, I can hardly wait!

Rose Marie said...

We are too far north now to have cardinals around to hear them sing. Their song is so delightful! Your tumbling block is sweet and I do like what you are doing with the layout.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

First, the Cardinal pictures are beautiful.
Second, I cannot believe Neddy is a year old! Lordy how the time flies and his chocolate color is just beautiful. I can tell he is a very VERY spoiled baby! LOL

Now to all the hard work you do on your quilts. In this day and age (glad I am not young) everything has to be instant. Quilting is a hobby that is to be fun, yet learning all techniques. I have tried to get in a mode to NOT have a lot of things going on, but you know, I now love the Cross Stitch, Applique, EPP, Sashiko, and most of all I love the challenge of a difficult piecing project.

I am finding that Cross Stitch will make my mind forget any problems/issues because I have to focus on that and that alone. Mindless sewing sometimes is needed to just have fun and not have to focus, and the more difficult quilts and hand work that takes so much time is always so rewarding when the project is complete!

I prefer to enjoy all the techniques - even hand quilting, just need to add more hours in a day and keep those unforeseen requirements out of my way! Love the post! Hugs

QuiltGranma said...

I miss the cardinals we had in the short years we were in Ohio. Then we were back to Washington State. Cardinals are not west of the Rocky Mountains. Being in eastern part of the state we do have meadowlark, and they too have a memorable song. I too have a tumbling blocks top in progress, and was working on it while visiting family one summer when my brother in law made a similar comment about the speed of using the machine. He does not understand Y seems so I did not try to explain that part to him. My tumbling blocks have been in a Time Out for a couple of years, it takes more room to get the top together than I have here at home.

Kyle said...

Your tumbling blocks are right up my alley. Using our hands to create is what we do.