One Flower Wednesday - Week 8

For this week's One Flower Wednesday, I thought you

might enjoy seeing how I use time management to produce

my flowers. Years ago I discovered the power of using a timer.

                                                   Here is how it works.

 1. Set the timer for 15 minutes and work on something you really enjoy

     until the timer rings. Once the timer rings, reset the timer for 15 minutes.

 2. This time work on something you do not enjoy...laundry, sweeping,

     cleaning...etc. When the timer rings, reset for 15 minutes.

 3. Begin a another task that needs to be done....dishes, yardwork, etc.

     When the timer rings, reset for 15 minutes.

 4. Find another task around the house that needs to be done...

     meal preparation, empty dishwasher, etc. When the timer rings,

     reset for 15 minutes.

  5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until you finish the tasks that need

      to be completed.

By using this system, you spend 15 minutes of every hour working on something you really enjoy. It makes the time spent doing the less favorable tasks more tolerable because you know there is a break coming soon. In my opinion, we often dred tasks that can be finished in a few minutes. Would you believe it only takes 4 minutes to empty the dishwasher! Seriously!

Let's take a look at how flowers progress using the timer system.

First - 15 minute session.

Second - 15 minute session...

 Third - 15 minute session...

Fourth - 15 minute session.

Fifth - 15 minute session...

Sixth - 15 minute session...

It took an additional 8 minutes to complete this flower.

In total, it took a little over 1 1/2 hours to complete this flower.

Finish times will vary depending on how fast you sew

and how often you are distracted by things around you, 

but I was hoping to encourage others that this kind

of project attainable if you break it down into smaller goals.  

That being said, here are my additional flowers for this week.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is

dressed in overalls, and looks like work."

- Thomas A. Edison

May you always Sew in Peace!

Sandra

One Flower Wednesday - Week 7

Here are my results for another One Flower Wednesday.

Two more flowers for my garden!

Even though this project is slow growing

 it is encouraging to see progress!

Thanks for stopping by to visit and may you always

Sew in Peace!

Sandra

Friday Night Sew In - October

Finally, I'm ready to post my results from this

month's Friday Night Sew In.  I was able to finish

this Quilt of Valor which is one of the goals I've been working

on for the Charming Girls Quilt Club.

The QOV foundation asks quilters to wash

all quilts before donation, so I decided to take this

step before I took my photographs.

Recently I read a post by Amada Jean at

Crazy Mom Quilts where she shared her thoughts

on prewashing quilts before you gift them. The above

photo is exactly why prewashing is a good idea.

This wonderful product called Stain Be Gone

is a sheet that can be tossed into the washer to attract

dyes in wash water. Let me tell you it works!

The top sheet collected dye when I first washed the quilt.

The sheet was so dark

that I decided to wash the quilt a second time to see if

it would collect more dye...and it did!

The middle sheet is the results of the second wash.

The bottom sheet is a new one.

There is nothing that make the heart sick,

 like time and effort wasted on a project

where the colors bleed when washed. In case anyone asks,

I did prewash all my fabrics before piecing the top.

Click this link if you want to read more about the

construction of this quilt.

For the backing I added several leftover blocks.

And this is the what was going on at my feet while

I was trying to take photos...

...because obviously someone does not get enough attention.
Can you relate?

May you always Sew in Peace!

Sandra

One Flower Wednesday - Week 6

Another week. Another One Flower Wednesday!

Two more flowers to add to my garden!

I'm finally on a roll with this project and thought I'd

share some storage tips that I'm using for my

flower garden.

  

Last year I found this handy little tin at JoAnn Fabrics and was

lucky enough to be able to use a 50% off coupon when I bought it.

Sweet!  

It does not appear to currently be available at JoAnn's online but

if you are interested, it is available on the Fons and Porter website.

Inside my tin I can pack several bobbins of thread,

scissors, needles, a seam ripper, and enough

petals to make a flower. I try to keep this tin in my

purse so I can work whenever I get a few minutes.

Since my husband and I travel alot for our jobs,

I can make quite a few petals in the car each week.

Our local Hobby Lobby carries a plasic container

that is perfect for storing hexies.

 I enjoy laying out potential

fabric combinations for the flowers.

This black bag came from our local

thrift store. It is perfect for carrying all my supplies,

especially when I travel.

Hope this gives you a few ideas to make

growing your garden more enjoyable.

What items do you use to store the fabrics for your hexagon projects?

May you always Sew in Peace!

Sandra

Why Cats Need Nine Lives

 

Over the weekend my husband and I did some

major outdoor cleaning.

Everything was removed from the porch so it could

be washed down.



Tabby became curious and got herself into trouble.

She then had the nerve to have a bad attitude about me

taking photos while she "suffered".

The funniest thing, was that she had a pine needle
 from our evergreen trees hanging on her mouth.
I think it looks like a toothpick...lol!
With an attitude like this it's good she has eight lives left.

May you always Sew in Peace!

Sandra

One Flower Wednesday - Week 5

I'm a little late in posting, but here is my progress

 for One Flower Wednesday.

Two more flowers!

I'm so glad I decided to change the centers of my flowers.

It is easier to work on something when you are happy with the results.

Until next week...

May you always Sew in Peace!

Sandra