Scrap Builder Part 2

This is the beginning of the second bench/bookcase. The structure in the front will be the base. It is constructed from recycled 2x4's brought from NJ. The structure in the rear is the bench/bookcase. It is constructed from recycled particle board shelving. Actually, it is a composite made from wheat. I tried to find more of it, but apparently they aren't making it any more.

This is the dry fit of the bench. I wanted it to span the entire distance between the Accuquilt cabinet on the left and the TV stand on the right, but I didn't have any boards long enough. I pieced the bottom and left the space on the left to place a rectangular trash bin.

This is a close up view of the TV stand which I built around 1998 for my oldest son's room. I constructed it from MDF and shelving, but never painted it. Now all four units will be a nice clean white.

This is the view showing the two benches and TV stand. Above the right bench is my new design wall. It is made from 1 inch 4' x 6' rigid foam insulation covered with Warm & Natural batting. I used basting spray to adhere it to the foam. The frame is 2" x 2" deck balusters painted white. Once the benches are painted, then I'll make covers for the cushions.

Til next time,
Mary

Primitive Gatherings

While in Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to visit the Primitive Gathering Quilt Shop near Osh Kosh. 

This is the shop owned by Lisa Bongean who designs the patterns by the same name.

If you like wool applique, this is the candy store for you! The shelves are filled with every imaginable color of hand dyed felted wool. I selected several pieces and tried to think of a project in which I could use them. I tried, really I did. No use, I decided to return them to the shelf and let them live at the store. The positive side is that they have an online store that I can shop at any time.

Til next time,
Mary

The Scrap Builder

My Dad was a carpenter, a very good one. He could take scrap wood from any source and turn it into a beautiful piece of furniture: old oak flooring into a toy chest; a mahogany floor box from a boat into a hexagon side table; a door and kitchen drawers into a much loved desk. I guess I've inherited a bit of his love of scraps, only I do it with fabric. But sometimes, I too do it with wood products.

For Christmas, DH bought me an Accuquilt Go! cutter and some dies. I haven't used it much because there wasn't a dedicated work surface, and it was stored where I couldn't see it. I decided to rectify this dilemma. I sketched some rough plans with measurements.

Out came the particle board shelving. The source, dismantled shelf units from our home in NJ. I've been storing them in the closet for some unknown project. See the scrap fabric analogy? Next, I pulled scrap 2x4's from under the porch (also brought from the NJ house), and I was ready to go. Prime the pieces, cut to length, drill some pilot holes, and

Voila! an Accuquilt cabinet. Well, not really. You know the saying measure twice, cut once? I still have trouble with that one. Next, install the top and secure it to the wall.

The top shelf holds the long strip cutting dies, and smaller dies are stored in a mail holder/sorter. 

Pull out the cutter, set it open on the top, and I'm ready to GO!

Til next time,

Mary

The Last Leg

The final leg of our trip home began in Erie, Pennsylvania.  A short hop and we were in New York heading towards Buffalo, then Albany , and on to Massachussetts. Trees everywhere I look. Everything was sailing along smootly until a 27 mile traffic back up on 495 delayed our entry into Maine by 1 ½ hours.  DH put me behind the wheel, as I don’t mind the slow moving traffic and it gave him a much needed rest.

Exit 7 in NH means one thing,  the Piscatagua River Bridge is just around the bend.That tells me home is near.

Each time I return to Maine, I do a little cheer, “MAY…NE”, waving my hands as I pass

under the sign. Not long to go. Yeah!

Isn’t this beautiful? Sunset over the Western Maine Mountains. A perfect end to a long

days journey.

It is good to be home.

Til next time,

Mary

Where have I been?

Monday evening's sunset in Nevada.

                                            

Tuesday was more Nevada, Utah and the Great Salt Lake, a real oasis. It was the first green we saw in hundreds of miles. Isn't the blue of the lake the most amazing color? I see a landscape quilt in this photo.

      From Utah we continued into Wyoming. No matter which direction you look, it is the same. I am in awe of the early settlers who came here in covered wagons on dirt paths, not even roads. I am sure I would not have been a good settler. Where's the quilt shop?         

Actually, we passed several very large signs for quilt shops along route 80. DH would have stopped, but I really wanted to get home. Another time, maybe.













On the way to Ogallala, Nebraska, where we would stay for the night, I photographed this coyote sculpture.
Doesn't he look lonely? Maybe, he is calling his mate.






It has been really HOT! 101 Tuesday and Wednesday.  We traveled through the remainder of Nebraska and most of Iowa on Wednesday, where we visited more family near Cedar Rapids.

This is DH's Great Aunt Alyce, she is 94 years young. Doesn't she look great? She is as sharp as when I first met her 27 years ago. We had a wonderful time, although short, with her and her family.

I completed this wool applique table mat Tuesday. I purchased it at Pinwheels during the April Shop Hop. It won't be returning home with me, so I am sharing it here. I had never done a wool applique by hand. I liked it, so there may be more in my future.

We said good bye to our family in Iowa this morning to head East toward home. We've seen the Mississippi River and Lake Erie. Crossed state lines into Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. One more day, and I'll be home. This is a wondrous country. Full of amazing sights, but as Dorothy said,"There is no place like home"

Til next time,
Mary

After the Wedding

My niece's wedding was wonderful. She was absolutely beautiful, and everyone had a great time.

We left The Brasada Ranch Sunday morning and made our way to Crater Lake in Oregon. See the snow in the foreground! Apparently, it was snowing and freezing rain the day before. The color of the water is a really deep blue, and there are no streams that feed the lake. The water level is kept in balance by evaporation and rain/snowfall. It was awesome!

After Crater Lake we headed south towards California. This was the view of Mt Shasta through our front windshield. It is mesmerizing how beautiful the volcanic Cascade Mountains are. There will be nothing on the horizon, then you round a corner, and this is what you see. 

Sunday evening and Monday morning was spent visiting with family. We don't get to see them often, so it was a real treat that was over all too soon. By 2pm, DH and I were on the road again. This time heading east on Route 80 across California, through Reno, Nevada, and on to Elko, NV. We had planned to stop there for the night. But there was some sort of motorcross event occuring and no rooms were to be had. (A fellow traveler search for over an hour to try to find a room.) So, on we went another 50 miles to the east. Would the Super 8 in Wells have a room? It was 10pm (1 am Eastern time) and this quilter was getting grumpy! DH came out with room key in hand. Yeah! We grabbed our belongings, headed up to the room, and now it's time to sleep.

Til next time,

Mary

Sew Time

It has been overcast and rainy the last two days, but that didn't stop me from setting up "Charlotte" on the porch to sew. It was a bit chilly, but socks and a sweatshirt made it comfortable. I've only had time to sew on her twice since we left Maine; Indiana and Wisconsin. So, I was enjoying my time with her.

I have been working on Oklahoma Backroads from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville Site. I began the quilt in October 2011 while in Pennsylvania, as my traveling project. There will be 100 blocks in the quilt of which 30 are shown. I love how the colors bounce around. 

The wind began to pick up,taking my pieces for a ride,so I moved my work station to the hall in the cabin. Just enough space to work comfortably.

I finished sewing the corner triangles to the rectangles(100 of them!) and the remainder of the center four patches. Then I called it a day, time to get ready for my niece's wedding this afternoon. 
This is my gift to her and her new husband:

The pattern, Warm Wishes, is from Quiltmaker. I titled it "Warm Wedding Wishes"

Til next time,
Mary

Quiltworks

Thursday morning DH and I visited a wonderful quilt shop, Quiltworks, in Bend, Oregon. It is only 21 miles from Sisters, where they will have the outdoor quilt show on July 14th.

I love the little quilt over the doorway with Bend in the circle. I was greeted by Mary Ann as I entered the store. A lovely lady who graciously showed me all the shop had to offer. Patterns by local quilters, new fabrics, books, and classes offered. DH took photos for me as I explored the shop.

This is the inside with quilts hanging from the second level balcony. I love the dream sign in the window, just what I was doing. 

Another view, with more wonderful quilts and fabrics.

 The classroom is a nice open space on one end of the shop.

Current class offerings are displayed on the walls. 

The unique feature of Quiltworks is the Upstairs Quilt Gallery. On the first Friday of each month a new local quilter and fabric arts group are featured. 

This month the quilter was Candy Woods...

 and the group was Pacific Photos 2 Fiber.

If you find yourself in Bend, Oregon this is a real gem that you don't want to miss.

Til next time,

Mary

Brasada Ranch

We arrived at the Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte, Oregon yesterday. High desert region of the country, which has a beauty all its own. This is the view off the back porch of the cabin. The air is filled with the smell of Junipers and sage brush.

I tried to get a picture of a cottontail bunny, but it ducked under the log just as I snapped the picture. Then three jackrabbits decided to play tag. Needless, to say I was too slow with the camera to get them.

This is the last view of Mt Hood from the front porch. It is barely visible in the center of the photo.
We will have two days here for my niece's wedding, so I hope to do some sewing today.