Works in Process

Officially, summer is over but all is the same here.   Walked Jake the Dog this morning and picked blackberries that grow between the road and a sheep pasture.  Just picked enough to eat and give Jake a bite or two.  He loves them.   Couldn't get around to the back of the patch because the pasture is flood irrigated this morning.  A few inches of water is covering the ground and I sure didn't want to sink into the mud.  Of course, the best blackberries are on the back side.

Decisions, decisions.... what to do first.  Work on painting furniture or work on quilting projects.   Both are calling me.   Here is the current Chalk Paint project.

This is the second dresser I have done.  This one is a Yard Sale find.  I particularly liked the cable design on the outer corners of the dresser.   I am going to use ASCP (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint) in Paris Grey with Old White highlights with a kicker of Antoinette (pinkish) for the insides of the drawers.   It was necessary to sand the top as it had several cigarette burns along the edges (why don't people use ashtrays!) and loose paint all over.  I will use some liquid sandpaper for the cable pieces along each edge.   On the agenda today is the inside of the drawers.  

Decision made... will paint first while it is still cool in the garage.

As usual, I have several quilting projects going.. all in various stages.   Let me show you what is up on the Design-a-Way wall.

These applique blocks are from the Moda University 2007-2008 Piece and Plenty block of the month program.   My quilt guild, the Rogue Valley Piecemakers, chose this project for a BOM.  The combination of pieced and applique blocks is very pleasing to me.   I am using a red, white and blue color palette and plan to use the quilt for summer decor.  Since this is a decor item, I am completing the applique blocks by machine using a method and product developed by Beth Ferrier http://www.bethquilts.blogspot.com/  She has a class on Craftsy.com with the same name as her latest book, Machine Finished Hand Applique.  She also has an October wall hanging pattern in the current issue of Quiltmaker.  

I absolutely LOVE the product she uses to prepare applique pieces.  It is Wash Away Applique Sheets from C&T Publishing.  The sheets have many attributes similar to freezer paper in that they can go through your printer and fuse to the back of your fabric.  You use glue to turn over your edges, attach the applique by machine or hand applique, then, voila.... the product disappears in water.  

Today I will be copying and cutting out templates and choosing fabric for the next block.

It is going to a fun day for me.