Works in Progress and Completed

Summer has gone, leaving behind the glorious cooler days of Autumn. Rain as yet hasn't fallen, perhaps in May?

With the onset of cooler days, and evenings, I find it is easier to knit, or sew, or dream of new projects.

One particular project that has been a work in progress [WIP does sound such a strange name ... work in progress gives a project that is taking longer than anticipated, for many reasons ranging from getting over involved in a new project, or a more painstaking methodology of creating, a reason for being slow] is a gum leaf quilt. In the magazine it was named "Gum leaves in the Pool, and worked in blues and browns. Blue hardly suits the place I have in mind for it, so ... I call this work "Gum leaves on the Ground".

Promising to knit a helmet and mittens for my little grandson in New Zealand, I have at last completed two sets, one blue and one white. A jacket that has been underway for more than two months is finally completed as well ... these will wing their way across the Tasman by the end of this week.

Today I really should be getting on with the Gum Leaves, as there are less than a dozen blocks to needle-turn appliqué, but ... isn't there always a but to keep the mind busy ... I have an idea of making two [at the moment] mug rugs, but this time in the shape of a hexagon. As well ... this project enveloped my thoughts just two days ago, [which does go to show that while my fingers might be a tad slow, at least the ideas are flowing], I really must attempt foundation piecing ... the fabric has been rinsed in anticipation of trying this method.

Thank goodness for cooler weather! Both mind and fingers function better when the blistering heat has departed.

On my list of must begin shortly is an apron for a dear friend back in New Zealand. I have an idea!

Priorities

Recently radio commentators suggest that making a list, prioritorising projects, is the way to go.

Dear oh dear! I have a list, but the priority of each project differs from day to day, depending on my mood. For instance; while in New Zealand visiting my new little grandson, and his parents, I promised to make winter sheets for his bed. The winter in South Otago can be cool! I purchased some blue, for a boy, flannelette and have hemmed one; the other in order of priority will be sewn this afternoon. Of course hemming sheets should be a simple task, but it is boring, which is why one still needs completing.

There is a reason for all my procrastinations ... usually the word boring features. While nosing around my favourite fabric/craft store I happened upon some knitting cotton. Also, while in New Zealand, I visited an old friend who was busily knitting dishcloths. It was great to discover such a mundane, once upon a time essential task, being undertaken as a project. She had several balls, and parts thereof, of colourful knitting cotton and the bundle of completed cloths was impressive. The pattern was simple, one that I memorised easily enough, so, the ball of cotton quickly morphed into a dishcloth. The deep blue of the dishcloth contrasts well against the cot sheet.

Recently we attended a garage sale. I blame my partner for this as he has introduced me to the fine art of garage sale shopping, though I must state here and now I do have more will-power than him in purchasing temptingly displayed items; other folks unwanteds. This particular sale held no interest for him at all; he took one quick look and retired to the vehicle. The garage was full of pieces of fabric done up in colour co-ordinated plastic bags. I wish we had attended a few moments earlier! Some women were carrying large cartons of supplies. I fossicked around finally choosing two packets, one of which held, amongst other delicious pieces, a large fat-quarter of an autumn toned floral fabric. It screamed out to be made into something! Our couch is a donkey brown ...just made for an autumn-toned cushion.

I blame that cushion for the delay in completing hemming the cot sheets. As for my priority list ... well it should have at the very top a gum-leaf quilt on which I am making excellent progress, and once The Farmer's Wife quilt book arrives I will make every endeavour to hand sew [which means I can pick it up whenever without needing to use the sewing machine] a few blocks every week.

But as I say ... these priorities may change ... as does the weather. Who needs to live by a list?