Friday, February 26, 2010

Slow progress

Unfortunately, I've been a little under the weather this week so I haven't been able to get stuck into the sewing like I had planned.
I'm so glad to have finished vine panel #3 on the Susan McCord quilt. It is a bit long to get a whole shot in but here's a portion. The two hundred and something mumble mumble leaves on the third panel was a bit of a marathon so I was glad to have got this far. Now to draw up #4 of 13.
There was a minor wee glitch when I washed the panel before trimming. In my haste, I picked up a certain marker to use. After three weeks, the blue washout pen had turned black and looked just like permanent pen. See the black line below?
This was the culprit and it got binned straight away. Silly me knew it did that and neglected to get rid of it long ago. I use a trusty and much tested one usually, not sure what I was thinking here.
I have a recipe for getting out pencil marks which has worked for me, (you might know it) which I thought I'd try.

One part water
3 parts rubbing alcohol
a few drops of green dishwashing detergent.

Is the green one necessary? I don't know but it works so why mess with that. I used tablespoons as my measure and a soft old toothbrush to rub it in with. I just might have got a bit enthusiastic during that part.I often add more detergent to the area too and do it on a soft towel.
So you'd like to know if it worked, right? Yes, it got most of it out so I was happy enough with that considering it wasn't pencil, it worked ok. I also then got a run from a red fabric  I hadn't noticed before (leaf on the right) so washed again using Dylon colour run preventer. It worked it's magic.
Onto the good stuff. I have had great sucess with my sourdough starter after putting  about four grapes into the mix, covering it with a cloth and rubber band and placing by a window on a very warm day. It captured more wild yeast spores. I did use organic white flour and spring water too. I've made a couple of hybrid loaves this week using a little dried yeast until it gets a bit more mature. No photos because they didn't look pretty enough but they did taste the part.
I had a huge surprise yesterday. Mr Quiltsalott bought home a something for me, my very first laptop and............
A television for the sewing room!!  How spoiled am I? I think there was a super deal and tough negotiation going on. I can watch movies now while I sew or do the ironing! You probably don't know that I get very bored with sewing seam after seam which is why I don't seem to get things finished.
There's a little story there. The first time I ever went away without him was to a weekend retreat. When I got home, he had built me a small rose garden.
Another time when away in NZ, I came home and he had taken out the sliding door and knocked a hole in the wall to put in french doors. I was glad I didn't know about that one.
As you know, I've just been away for three weeks. Do you suppose there's a pattern here?

Edit: I almost forgot to tell you about those pillows I crocheted the edgings on.  You Go Girl is going to do a tutorial on making them. There is also a button on my side bar which you can click on to go there and sign up or have a look.

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry you have been under the weather, but glad you are well and lucky you with your gifts.
Penny (no blog) Port Macquarie.

Sharon said...

Hope you are feeling better this weekend. Glad to see you got the markings out as you vine is spectacular. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I've heard about the "green" soap before. Why mess with it if it works!

wishes, true and kind said...

I love the sense of movement in those vines. Go, Mr. Quiltsalott! What a guy!

I love your crocheted pillow edging! I want to learn how to crochet, just so I can make pillow edgings. So far I'm not off to a very good start. I'd better get serious if I'm going to learn.

Anne-Mettes Oaser said...

Your applique panels are like a dream. As I saw Susan McCord's quilt the first time, I almost forgot the breathe ;-). And you are actually making the quilt. What a great job.
Thanks for sahring your tip about the pencil marks.
your sourdough looks perfect!
Have fun with your new toys ;-)).

Anonymous said...

Love it, that is something my Dh has been doing too.
I went to Germany one year and came back and he completely re-did the front garden.
Last time I went on my own he picked me up from the airport in my new car , needless to say I never know what I come home too.

cheers
Christine

Love you quilt

jean said...

Hi Janet, sorry to hear you have been under the weather, love that you are spoiled I am sure you are very worthy.
As usual love your work, it is breathtaking.
The bread sounds interesting, I remember reading an article about a girl in the south island that was making sourdough 3 days per week, the part I remembered especially was that she lost loads of weight fromn all the kneading lol
Maybe I should take it up
Take care
j

antique quilter said...

OH I love the vines, they look so good...
oh nothing like a laptop!!!!
yes a tv for my sewing room is going to happen to
I have wanted one for a while and this is the year!
Lucky you great presents...love the pattern!!!!!

Alice said...

Sounds like you should go away more often:)

I love that vine quilt. I have a photo of it in a book and I once thought, if I lost all of my quilt books, that is the one photo that I would miss!

I remember thinking that it was a modern quilt and was quite surprised when I discovered how old it was.

I get a bit bored too, stitching away. That's why quilting groups are so good, I guess.

Barb said...

Sorry you have been ill. sounds like your husband is a keeper....and I love your applique!!

mbroider said...

You, lucky you!!! Enjoy your gifts:)

Sharmila

Jantine said...

I think the pattern is this man loves you to bits and wants you to have the best ;-)!

Shari said...

Thanks for sharing your ups and downs - looking great!

My husband painted the bedroom last year when I was at a retreat. Should go away more often... lol

Shirley said...

Hi Janet,
Sorry to hear that you have been under the weather this week, at least you have had some fab gifts to cheer you up and you have cheered me up today looking at your wonderful vines quilt. Hope you are soon on the mend.
Shirley.x

Betsy said...

Your vine quilt is coming along so nice.
I see that crochet edges are making a come back. How nice.

broderie said...

i stopped using blue washaway pens years ago and also selling them when i had my shop. the chemical reaction of them supposedly washing away, does terrible things to some fabrics! just a warning, your work is so beautiful, i would not be going near it with a 'blue' pen. i have seen some awful results.

Carol said...

Janet your vines are just spectacular! Oh I was holding my breath until I knew the line came out...OMG! What wonderful gifties from hubby...he missed you! Love those pillowcases!

Deb said...

Janet.. some quilters may think "slow working" but to others it seems like you are just moving along..for an appliquer I think you are getting done quite quickly..you are designing these too!! so that adds to these beauties..I am so lucky to follow such talent as yours..
DH is a joy and very thoughtful. I also love your pillowcase "frills" you are so busy!!

Terrie Sandelin said...

Your Susan McCord quilt is just stunning! What a labor of love. Glad to hear you got the mark and the dye run out (yikes). Hope you feel better soon!

Kaaren said...

Now I wouldn't even suggest that you take advantage of a "good thing", Janet...but when did you say your next trip was? (wink)

All kidding aside, it sounds like you have a wonderful husband who loves you lots.

Thanks goodness you were able to remove the ink. What a shame that would have been because it's to die for gorgeous. Only an "applique addict"...to quote from your last post...would even consider making this quilt. It is stunning.

Karen said...

As many times as I have looked at your applique vines as you have worked on them, I never noticed that you were using so many stripes. I did a close up and see that it looks like you are using strings of fabric & piecing your own stripes. Am I right? Regardless, I so like the look.
Hope you are feeling better. The laptop and television are quite a nice present. Maybe next time you will come home to a new car!

Unknown said...

The vine quilt is just a beauty!! I love, love, love it!! So glad you were able to get that pen mark out. What a great little concoction to remove the stain. And boy, I have to say, that husband of yours is just too much!! Lots of wonderful goodies from him. You are one lucky lady.

Crispy said...

I gave up on blue pens after I discovered the Crayola washable markers. I'm so happy you got the marks all out.

Gee, when I go away, I'm lucky if the house is clean when I get home LOL. You are VERY spoiled :0)

Crispy

alobsiger said...

Hope you're feeling 100% very soon, Janet! Gosh, all the treats upon return make a girl want to travel more often, no?! Nothing like some entertainment while we sew, I say! :-) Congratulations on another vine panel completed -- gosh, they're looking wonderful! I can't even manage to finish a doll sized one.

julieQ said...

I am in awe of this quilt! Makes me almost want to tackle one...but I will just admire yours. I think your husband misses you and takes the alone time to do something nice for you! What a guy!

Ann at Prairie Primrose said...

I love your quilt! It is going to be a real masterpiece. It's wonderful the line and red came out. And now I want to start a sourdough...but I will resist for now.

Lori said...

Wow! The quilt so far is amazing!!! How frustrating to have to get sidelined with the mark and the red. So glad it washed out.
Your hubby is a keeper, Janet!!! I see a peek of CC&C behind the tv:)

Michele said...

Wow! I've been following along the progress of the vines. But somehow I had never seen the original quilt - I had no idea the panels were so thin. Gorgeous work!

Quilting Queen said...

Going to be a gorgeous quilt...and thanks for the tip on removing lines. What is it with these men? My husband does the same. Whenever I go away I come back to something new done...usually a "round-to-it" I put on the "honey-do" list. I think I will follow your lead and call him my quilting prince...notice I did not say King...he hasn't finished my sewing room yet. ah well, maybe tomorrow..

luv2quilt2 said...

As usual, your applique is great! The panels are beautiful, and I look forward to seeing the whole thing. I haven't seen crochet edged pillow cases for a long time, but I love them. Thanks for the point to the tutorial.

Stina Blomgren said...

Wow...what a wonderful surprise from Mr Quiltsalot!!!
Wonder if that could happen here to.. nah.. NEVER!!!
A tutorial.. that one I will check up.. still need that one ...;o)
And thanks for the tip on taking away marks!!! :o)

Isabelle said...

Hi Janet, I wish you are much better now :-)
I am in awe with your applique : these colors are so cheerful : they make me think in the Spring !!
Wow!! Mr quiltsalot is really a nice man and his gift is just fantastic :enjoy !!!
Have a great week end ,
Isa

Thimbleanna said...

Wow! That's a ton of applique -- and it's gorgeous as always! Thanks for the great tip for the pencil marks -- I've written it down (now I'll just have to remember where I've written it when the time comes LOL.)

Your pillowcases look lovely! What did you use for the edging? I'm having problems finding something suitable around here -- might have to mailorder.

And I DO think there's a pattern with your hubby -- just think of the grand prize that would await your return if you came to see ME and your other friend nearby!!!

Janet said...

How lucky are you! Who knows what you'll get the next time you go; he must really miss you a lot.

I am assuming that you washed the panel of your Susan McCord Quilt by hand? Those marks/dye must have been heart breaking,glad you got most of it out.

Hope you feel better.

Heidi said...

Hi Janet,
It's always a treat to see what you are working on. I am working on the Mary Mannakee quilt in green and red. I prewashed my red twice using a product we have in the U.S. called Color Catcher. I am nervous about more color coming out so I was going to wash my blocks after they are appliqued. Do you wash out your blocks by hand? How do you use the dye catcher if you handwash.

Thanks.

Heidi

Zonnah said...

I think you should go away more often ;)
I am glad the pen mark came out, that is always scary. Also, It is looking AMAZING!

quiltingnana said...

thanks for the pencil stain recipe.

Carrie P. said...

Glad you are feeling better.
I think coming home to surprises would be fun except if you didn't like them. lol
I am waiting for the Fed ex guy as I write this to deliver a lap top. I have been using my daughters for all my stuff.
I have used the same recipe to get out pencil but I have used Dawn dish detergent and it worked fine. Glad you got most of the pen out.
Going to check out the tutorial now.

Janet said...

You are making such great progress on the vine quilt. It's so very beautiful - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I'm so glad you got the black line out as well as the red bleeding. So its got a mumble, mumble lot of leaves on it...I'm so very tempted to start one myself. I saw the perfect pink for it at the LQS this morning.

Your DH must think of you a lot while you're away. :0)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh your vines are AMAZING! And what fun to get a laptop and TV! I"m still waiting for a TV in my sewing room!

SewCalGal said...

Cute post...but I do hope you feel better soon. Your hubby is definitely a keeper!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I guess you know what to do the next time you want something.

Glad you got the ink stain out.

Teresa Rawson said...

Oh your Susan McCord quilt is to DIE FOR!!!!! That is going to be such an heirloom. Your work is beautiful!

I saw her quilts in person at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn a few years ago (a suburb of Detroit, Michigan). The one with the leaf panels was definitely my favorite.

That is an amazing amount of leaves...

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Nat Palaskas said...

Lucky lady to received both the laptop and tv at the same time. Now we will see more piecing yeah? Love the vine blocks how gorgeous are they? Hugs Nat

Sue-Anne said...

Hope your feeling better now. Your applique is stunning! The colours are wonderful. Thanks for the pencil mark recipe and SO GLAD you got that black mark out!

You will have to go away more often if that's what you get when you return!

Barb said...

Hi -
Your McCord project is looking great!
Wow, you really scored on the electronics! I love having a TV in the sewing room. I usually watch movies, I really like to watch ones I know so I can just sew and listen.
I love the pillowcases, I used to find them at the illinois flea markets but they are getting harder to find now.
happy weekend

Janet said...

This is my favorite of your ongoing projects. I love seeing the progress. I too had a mishap with some reds in my Mary Mannakee. I got them from a friend and assumed she had washed them (wrong). The dye protector works great.

Nedra said...

So many fun things on this post. I love the crocheted edges of the pillows in the last pics. Enjoy the new laptop and TV!

Jenni said...

I love the Vine applique quilt you are doing - a lot of work. I'm pleased to know about the Dylon colour running stuff as I don't prewash fabric unless it is plain red or purple. I feel a bit guilty about it like it's going to come back and bite me one day, so now I know what to buy.

Kim D. said...

Love your vine quilt, gorgeous.. I'll have to write your recipe down to get the blue marker out. I was also told by an award winning quilter that baking soda and water is a good blue pen remover. I haven't tried it yet. I'm glad you got the marker out. Whew... Lucky you a new TV and a computer as well.

Valentina said...

Dear Janet...I am at a loss for words: I don't know what to comment on first!
Thanks for the tips, gorgeous applique, ...swoon!
:)

Lynne said...

Sorry you've not been feeling so good. Hope you're much better now.
I could do with a TV in the kitchen, maybe that's why the washing up never gets done! What a thoughtful husband you have.

Nanette Merrill said...

Good to know about the pencil marks. I hate when I've put a quilt away and then later when I get it out again, the mark reappears! Hope you are feeling better. Love the crochet edges.

Robin said...

I hope you're feeling better now and had a nice weekend! Your McCord panels are just splendid. Way to stay cool under pressure too! When I see things like bleeding and marks that won't come out, I tend to freak out and do into denial. Sounds like your calm head prevailed. Thank you for the great tips!

*karendianne. said...

I'm on the edge of my seat looking at the screen of your new TV. I'm imaging what that scene is. And you'll find me on contemplative. For the past couple of days I've returned and returned looking at the vine. The close up photos are perfect for my thoughts and daydreams, Janet. Thank you for sharing.

Ann Champion said...

So sorry to hear you've been feeling under the weather.
Your vine is spectacular. Your heart must have sank when you saw the marker..and then the dye run? I'm SO happy you were able to save it! The bin sounds like the right place for that marker?

It's so nice your hubby surprised you with such nice gifts. He must have missed you?
I would have returned home to a sink full of dirty dishes and a heap of laundry to do. :(

I'm happy to hear the bread experiment continues. I never would have thought to add grapes!

I love the embroidered pillow cases.

QuiltedSimple said...

You might say you are making slow progress but I say this looks FANTASTIC! So glad the pen mark came out!
Kris