Saturday, October 12, 2013

Keeping busy!

It took Debra and I two days but the center medallion is prepped and ready to take away with us to the retreat.  Two weeks Wednesday night is the start to what promises to be a fun three days of sewing, eating, laughing and relaxing with four good friends at a nearby cottage.



The photo does not show the true colors, especially of the background fabric which is a rich, chocolate brown.  Don't you just love the folk-arty look of this design? I'll probably bring something else to work on as well because I doubt that it'll take more than a day of sewing to complete the machine applique.

While on the subject, I prepped both our projects using the new Steam-A-Seam 2 that I spoke about in my last post.  



It is very different and a definite improvement over the "old" Steam-A-Seam.  
I found that the adhesive is a lot stronger and appears to work better as well.


  
My only concern...if you can call it that...is the top layer of paper, the one that is used to trace on.  It's shiny, comparable to the shiny side of freezer paper.  I used a graphite pencil to transfer the design elements which after ironing, became much lighter which in the grand scheme of things really isn't a big deal.  
So it's a thumb's up for me!


  
Remember the basket full of fat quarters that the members of my guild gifted to me while I was in the hospital?



Here they are, ironed, neatly folded and looking pretty in my sewing room, waiting patiently to be used in an upcoming project.



Because this was a crummy summer for me on the health front, I didn't plant our tomatoes until the first of July which is way too late for our Canadian growing season.  Although we did harvest about twenty ripe ones, just yesterday Mr. Painted Quilt picked the remaining decent-sized green ones which I plan on freezing to use at a later date to make green tomato salsa once I'm more mobile and confident on my feet.



Our friend Cliff who is one of the vendors at our local Farmers' Market gifted us with some gorgeous tomatoes and green peppers yesterday.  I think that stuffed green peppers will be on the menu for tonight's dinner.



On the health front, I'm still hobbling around with my walker and cane.  I start more physio at the rehab center at our local hospital on Thursday.  I'm looking forward to it...anything that will help to make me strong and comfortably mobile again.

Frankie and Ollie are enjoying the cooler weather.  



They're never too far apart.


Happy stitching!

40 comments:

KaHolly said...

Enjoy your 'retreat'. Your medallion is beautiful and you deserve a few days of quilting bliss with friends.

Karens Quilts, Crows and Cardinals said...

Wow Kaaren! The Medallion is just perfect. I love all things about it! Have fun at your retreat!

Elaine said...

Glad to hear you're doing well and able to enjoy some sewing time. Enjoy your retreat and time with your friends!

alice chancey said...

Hi Kaaren, Love your new project. And I must get some of that new Steam A Seam my favorite for applique also. Galad you are feeling better. Cheers.

Karen said...

Your medallion is so pretty. Have a ball at your retreat, I'm so glad you feel well enough to go.

gracie said...

Love the new project. Have a wonderful time at the retreat. It is good to read that you are doing better. You can and will continue to improve. Love the picture of Frankie and Ollie.

Me and My Stitches said...

Love your project and so envious of your retreat - I know you will have a blast! Glad you are feeling a bit better! I'm looking forward to trying the new Steam A Seam. I have a bunch of the old that I need to get busy and use.

Heather said...

Thanks so much for your review of the steam a seam 2. I look forward to the day when I am mobile again and can give it a try. These health issues sure do drag one down. Hope you are feeling more confident on your feet soon.

Barbb said...

So glad to hear that you are improving every day....the retreat sounds like fun!
I picked green tomatoes yesterday, will be making salsa, green tomatoe bread and of course
Fried green tomatoes....yum!
Enjoy your retreat!

paulette said...

Your retreat sound like a lot of fun...just what the doctor ordered!! Enjoy every moment of it! Love the applique!!
P

Darlene said...

Your prepped project is wonderful, Kaaren.

A retreat with your friends is going to be so much fun. I can't wait to hear all about it.

I'm glad you're feeling much better. In time you'll be back to yourself.

Joan said...

Your medallion is lovely. Have a great time at your retreat and Happy Thanksgiving!

moosecraft said...

Frankie and Ollie are always making me smile! :-) Your applique project is a beauty! Can't wait to see the stitching you chose for the edges... will you blanket stitch or satin or invisible? Thanks for reviewing the new steam a seam... i'll be trying some after I run out of what I have... Enjoy your retreat! :-)

Kindred Quilts said...

Somehow, "cottage" and "retreat" just seem to go together... have a great time, and relax a bit too!
The medallion is gorgeous... makes me want to do applique more! Happy to hear that you are doing better and looking forward to additional PT... you have a great attitude, and that's a bonus!!!

Ann in PA said...

Good to know that you are getting back on track. The medallion is beautiful. Retreat in a cottage with good friends sounds lovely. Thank you for the review of the Steam a Seam...I worried that it would be the same - new & improved sounds good to me!

Heartsdesire said...

Lovely to see a picture of Frankie and Ollie, they always put a smile on my face. Also lovely to see that you are getting around well enough to spend time at a weekend retreat. Getting together with friends can be very uplifting for the spirit, and I'm sure, working on the medallion will be so satisfying since you weren't able to do much over the summer.

Ulla said...

Beautiful new project! Best wishes for your rehab, starting with the retreat.

Sheila said...

Your new project is lovely and will be fun to complete on your retreat , enjoy !

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Have fun!!

Kate/Massachusetts said...

How do you fold those fat quarters so perfectly? Is there a trick?

If you wrap each large green tomato individually in newspaper and store them in a cool place, they will slowly ripen over the coming weeks. They lose a little bit of flavor but are still far tastier than store-bought.

Your quilting getaway sounds fun! I hope you have a great time!

Needled Mom said...

It must feel great to be back sewing again. That will be a wonderful piece when the appliqué is finished.

Good luck with the PT. I know it will help with your positive attitude.

Baloo said...

love your applique!
with the last green tomatoes, my son and I prepare green tomatoes jam with lemon slices inside....
mmmm... delicious.
try it!

eva said...

we'll be landing in sidney ns in a couple of days on our way to shediac cape..... coming from nfld - where we've spent a short work/holiday.

we'll wave on our way by.... ;)
xo
eva

Darlene D said...

Can't wait to see this IRL, and sooo looking forward to the retreat!

Karen said...

Good job on the medallion, nice colors.
Very pleased with your rehab attitude, that's most of what is required, lots of attitude.

I do have a question about the very green tomatoes. Does green tomatoes have any taste. Aren't they hard because they are not yet ripe. Very curious....K

Karen said...

Good job on the medallion, nice colors.
Very pleased with your rehab attitude, that's most of what is required, lots of attitude.

I do have a question about the very green tomatoes. Does green tomatoes have any taste. Aren't they hard because they are not yet ripe. Very curious....K

Lesley said...

Your center medallion is beautiful! Looks like a wonderful start to a fabulous quilt! Nice to hear that a retreat is on the horizon. What fun you will have!

Unknown said...

Love that Medallion centre piece its just gorgeous

Noela said...

Gorgeous. Have a great retreat. Hugs......

Sherrill said...

I think it sounds like you're doing GREAT given what you've been through. And planning a retreat?! WOW! I've heard you can wrap your green tomatoes in newspaper and store in a cool place and they'll slowly ripen. Never tried it..just heard that. Ooo, I LOVE stuffed green peppers. Might hafta make me one here soon.

Kristy said...

What a gorgeous applique piece. i can't wait to see it all done! You are really amazing and have a great attitude. Glad to see you are sewing and able to go on this retreat. I hope you have a wonderful time! I always enjoy your posts. Thanks for sharing with us. Thanks for your report on the steam a seam 2. It helps to have your opinion. :-) K-

margaret said...

your forthcoming sew along sounds just what you need after your op, the applique piece is beautiful and the basket of fat quarters full of lovely fabrics. Tomato salsa sounds very mouth watering

Merilyn said...

Glad to hear you are mobile and at least able to visit your sewing space!!! Your upcoming days away with sewing friends sounds just wonderful, I'm sure you'll make good progress with your machine applique project!! And..yes I love that chocolate coloured background fabric too, just the right amount of movement in it for the applique design!!!! Haven't seen that Steam-a-Seam product here yet, I'll keep an eye out for it!!!! All the best for your continued rehab.....

Elizabeth said...

Glad to hear you are getting better, onwards and upwards is the only way. Enjoy your retreat, applique is so relaxing for me so I hope you have fun.
Happy stitching!

Pam in IL said...

Your retreat sure sounds fun! Your medallion looks great too! Thanks for the info on the Steam A Seam.

Happy to hear you are getting around more and starting more therapy.

Candace said...

Your medallion is gorgeous, Kaaren! I can only imagine how much fun you're all going to have at the retreat - you deserve a nice getaway! If you leave those tomatoes on the counter a while, they'll ripen, too! We have quite a few this year and I always think they'll rot first, but then overnight we have a red tomato!
Cheers!

Karen L. said...

Your new forthcoming quilt is great. As usual you will make it look fantastic with the superb work that you do. So glad to read that you are getting around and will start the therapy. Hang in there! Oh and thanks for that review on the new and improved Steam-a-Seam. That's exactly what I use too but have not tried the new stuff yet. A friend said she did not like it so I was happy to read your take on it.

annie said...

hoping you continue to heal, and regain movement. hopt the seminar is a huge success. so goo you have your sweet companions. I esp. love the folk art, the center is beautiful, and those fat quarters just lovely.
blessings all the way around!

Jeanna said...

The medallion is beautiful! You and Debra really got busy!

Thanks for the follow up on Steam A Seam 2. I'll be sure to get some next weekend. I have a pretty big project that will require it.

So happy to hear you are going with friends to a Retreat...enjoy!

Good luck with your PT...you'll do great :)

Carole said...

Your block turned out lovely! I heard/read somewhere that if you wrap your green tomatoes in newspaper, they will ripened. Your might want to google that! ;o) Cheers!