Mud, Sweat & Gears

Well, Hubs finally got to do the Southern Cross Race/Gravel Grinder on the 14th. Weather was not ideal and here is a post finish photo.

He did it on fat tires this year instead of his cross bike. Thankfully he won a bottle of sports laundry detergent for being an early finisher in his class!

I had my first ride of 2015 this month. It was so pretty that I couldn't help myself. It was fun but it gave me a terrible headache. I started on a new med regimen yesterday that will hopefully alleviate my exercise induced headaches.

On the sewing front:

I made two blocks for the Augusta Modern Quilt Guild banner.

First a 6" version of my Micro-Stamp heart design. I'll show the back first since I forgot that shot in the tutorial. Now I can update it with this essential shot.

And the front.

I got pretty brave with my second one and designed my first paper pieced block. We have several I.M. Pei projects in Augusta and the Lamar Building Penthouse has become an iconic symbol since its somewhat infamous 1970s beginnings.

Augusta has a number of I. M. Pei projects; our The James Brown/Augusta-Richmond Arena, the Chamber of Commerce building, down-town streetscape and parking and the Order of St. Helena Convent.

Here's the block I created. First an in progress shot. Of course, I had to use my Carolyn Friedlander and I chose Navy Kona because I thought it would be more dramatic as a night shot.

You may notice a deviation in the piecing at the slanted sections on both sides. My design had the extra horizontal seam shown on the right but I missed it while sewing the left side. It worked both ways but I think the left looks better. I didn't fix it since it is such a small block and I was pressed for time. I just need to figure out more about how paper piecing works.

Here's the banner on the design wall.

Look at all those fun blocks! I need to try my hand at replicating a bunch of them.

The AMQG also has a fun raffle project in progress. We were given a selection of coordinating F8s in some gorgeous fabrics. Here are the 8 fabrics I purchased:

Here are two of the three blocks I made. I missed taking a photo of my Jumping Jack Flash block done in the RK Quilter's Linens. It was designed by Cali Quilter for an Aurifil Challenge.

The left block is another Great Granny Square that I had to make just because they are so fun. The right is an improv block I made using all the trimmings from the granny and jack block cuttings. It turned out so close that the only scraps I had left were about 8 1" squares for my Micro-Stamp stash and the rest were slivers and fuzz. Now I have nice clean sections left over from the F8s to store in my stash. My anemic purple section just got a healthy boost!

I'll be sharing a tip on how to modify your rulers to facilitate trimming blocks using that Granny Square on the left in a few days.

In progress:

I'm quilting a row or two a day on my 90s quilt. 

Will I finish it by the end of March? 

Maybe.

On deck:

This is a little task out of my comfort zone. Paper piecing 4 sections in batiks for the Pieceful Hearts' Raffle Quilt to support Camp Rainbow. 

I have to make 4 arcs and they gave me such small pieces. I know I'm going to need to pick up more fabric. I don't have a piece of batik in my stash of any color! 

Though I think they are striking, batiks have never pushed any buttons for me. 

 I may have an aversion to them because they remind me too much of the drug culture of the 60s and 70s. I wasn't a part of it but I got plenty of close exposure through my Step-Dad's line of business. He was a car dealer and he would take in down-and-outers and help them escape and improve their lives. It can be a bit intimidating to sit next to a someone with tracks running down their arms at the dinner table when you are a little girl. 

He had many successes through the years and it was a blessing when people stood and gave their testimonies at his funeral 10 years ago. Many I knew but there were several there he had worked with before my time that he had never mentioned.

My cousin spent his high school summers working at the car lot and because of his exposure to my Dad's passion for helping people he chose to become a Doctor of Psychology and has dedicated his life to working with the addicted. What a special legacy.

Dad's car lot was recently sold. The building was razed and the sign he created in the 1950s was removed. It was kind of a minor landmark after more than 50 years. My sister and I took photos of it on our visit home last summer since we knew its days were numbered. The sign was sold separate from the property so I hope someone restores it and gets all the lights blinking again so it can be enjoyed for years to come.

A funny side story, he shortened his name from "La Pointe" to "La Point" when he had this sign made to save money. He used the shortened name for the rest of his life. He could be a notorious tightwad!

Guess who caught the vintage Singer passion on her last visit...

My Sister! She has become the proud owner of a vintage Singer 185K this week. Isn't she adorable!

I can't wait to meet her when I visit Big Sis during Master's Week! 

Thanks for visiting!

Linking up with:

Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday

Sew Fresh Quilt's Let's Bee Social

Pretty Bobbin's I quilt Thursdays

Linking up for the first time with:

Organized 31's This is How We Roll Thursday

How could I not participate in that one since "roll" is even in my header!