Posted on by agilejack

A Bit of a Mishmash on a Tuesday

It’s hard to believe it’s Tuesday already. It’s already been a busy work week and it will only get worse.

We’ve got about ten days of decent weather and the last fall leaves are dropping from the trees. I was able to take a break from my desk at the end of the day today before it got dark and got Bender and Rico leashed up and headed out. We all needed it after working and sleeping (not me!) all day.

Every day the trees are more bare and the streets have more leaves on them.

It’s been a nice fall so far. It’s been cool but not cold and we’ve had rain, but we’ve had some nice days too. I hate to see the last of the fall color.

Sunday was all about pickleball. I met my pickleball coach (I’m going to call him Hank) in the morning to do some drilling for an hour or so. And then ended up playing games for about an hour before he had to leave. I played another game or two, tossed the toy for my boys in the park, and met Hank later at an elementary school where our pickleball club was having a new player training day. Hank was teaching and I was a volunteer to play with the newbies and help them learn the game as they played.

At the end of the newbie session we got to play with the teachers and volunteers and it was so much fun!!! I just love it when I get to play with higher level players. The games are so challenging and fun. It’s different than I usually see… more strategic, more controlled. When I usually play there are a lot of what we call “bangers.” They are people who hit every ball as hard as they can. In higher level play, a lot of control and strategy are required, and the ability to hit different types of shots. We played for about 1.5 hours and had some really competitive and fun games.

By the end of the day, Hank and I calculated that we had played pickleball for five hours!!! I was so tired that night and was in bed by 10pm, which is incredibly early for me. I slept really well!

I did manage to do a little bit of hand sewing Sunday evening and closed up the pin cushions that I made and filled the other day. Have I mentioned that hand work is not my favorite thing?

I just love these with the blue borders. There’s something really wonderful about those deep indigo blues with those bright prints. You might know that I love that combo!

I decided that I had enough oomph tonight to do a little of this and a little of that in my sewing room.

An internet friend contacted me and asked if I had any Aboriginal fabric Frankenbags available. She bought one for herself a couple years ago and wanted one to give to a friend. I had just made two bag panels last week and when I showed them to her, she was excited and asked me to make a few alterations for her friend. Basically, she wants a basic bag with a couple slip pockets inside… no zippers. So that makes it easy.

So I cut the backing fabric, batting, and put together the quilt sandwiches for that bag this evening.

I might try to get these quilted tomorrow. She asked me to use some handles that she has, so she’s shipping them to me so I can’t get too much done on this until that arrives.

Then I sewed all the pin cushions that I made Saturday and sewed them together, turned them right side out and got them all pressed.

Over the weekend Stef from Quarter Acre Arts on Instagram mentioned that when she sews her pincushions together she sews most of the opening before putting the ground shells in. It makes it easier to sew and allows you to gill the cushion more completely.

She leaves enough opening to get the funnel in and leaves the needle and thread hanging.

And once all the stuffing is in, you just sew what’s left of the opening and you’re done. It did make a difference in how much filling I could get in there. Here’s the fuller one on the left and the skimpier one on the right. It’s a significant difference. Probably at least 1/4 cup more of the crushed shells.

I like the feel and look of the fuller pin cushion.

And I really like that diagonal strip, the bright colors and the bold black and whites.

I think I might make enough pin cushions to use up the walnut shells I have. Then I’ll put the finished pieces in a plastic bin to keep the critters out until I can figure out what the hell I’m going to do with them. Some of them will be holiday gifts.

I’ve been thinking a lot about adapting this diagonal block design into a quilt. I haven’t quite landed on what I want to do, but this might be the next quilt top I tackle. It’s all coming together in my head but it’s not quite a full picture yet. I feel like an impulse project is just what I need right now!!!

33 Replies to “A Bit of a Mishmash on a Tuesday”

  1. Glad you got all that pickleball in. You got your activity for a couple of days done in one!

    Nice bright aboriginal Frankenbag! It will be interesting to see what handles your frine is sending. I know you will show us.

    Your pin cushions are really cool! They’ve got me antsy to make some of them or pattern weights. I think I’ve seen some quilts with that concept of pieced diagonal center. You’ll noodle it out, you always do. Have a good week, even if it is busy.

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  2. Those little cushions would make great handwarmers (or they could be frozen for ache relief). We also used a heated cushion for kids’ earaches.

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  4. Exactly my yesterday, nothing but bangers on the court. I asked if they had lessons? No” I learned from my tennis friend”. So frustrating. Back to quilting my other passion!

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    1. I occasionally guy a lottery ticket and I have a fantasy that when I win I’ll by a nice property and build a pickleball building with three courts. There will be a big sign on the wall saying “NO BANGERS.” There will also be rules, including “tell your partner they did a nice job” and “no bad sportsmanship. Get over yourself.” I’m still working on the list. Oh, and by invitation only!

      I sure hope I win!

      Anne

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  5. You are already a professional pickle ball player! All those newbies looking up to your expertise. It is nice you found an active sport to counter your work and sewing that might be a bit sedentary. Although you have those invigorating walks with Rico and Bender 🥰. Another Aboriginal art bag 💕. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for a diagonal quilt. Hi Rico and Bender 🥰🥰🥰

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    1. Haha! Not quite a professional, but definitely getting to be one of the best woman players in my club!!! I’ve really improved with all my work with my coach. And I like to stay active! I just feel better when I move my body.

      Anne

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  6. I love all of the pincushions but especially the diagonal ones. I think l may have to try one or ten. Thank you for the beautiful pictures of the colorful leaves. We don’t get much of that here in Florida.

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  7. Oh, what wonderful fall colors! Do you know what kind of trees those are? We went up to Tennessee and then up to north Michigan the week before Halloween to see family. The area from Tennessee into Kentucky was awesome with fall trees, much prettier than here in Northeast Texas. My favorite time of year 🥰! Those blue bordered pincushions really stand out, so pretty, the diagonal stripes are great too. You’re on a roll. Glad you are enjoying your pickle ball so much, great exercise. Hugs to the boys 🤗

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  8. Do it! Do it! I keep thinking you needed to come up with an idea for quilt blocks from these. Use the jumble for sashing. Alternating bordered blocks with diagonal blocks with plain blocks. Please hurry I’m dying to see it. You haven’t made a quilt in what seems like ages. BTW what are you doing with all these? If bigger could you turn them into really fancy bean bags for baggo???

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  9. I also love the blue border bags best too. We missed out on the fall color being here in the Rio Grande Valley. Your trees are gorgeous. I do hope you make a strip quilt with the diagonal strips.

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  10. I love the idea about leaving the needle and thread hanging and only have a tiny opening – it does allow for more crushed walnuts. Great idea!! I do love the colors you choose!

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    1. I did see it. It’s not really big enough for me. I have one that’s too small. I want to be able to put too paddles in, a pair of shoes, a jacket, a water bottle, my wallet, glasses, gloves, etc…. I’m glad I didn’t pay much for mine because it’s going to be retired soon!

      Anne

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  16. Hello there!

    You know I thought those squares would make beautiful pillows for some nice pop. 👌

    Going to try that when time permits. Thank you for your persistence to keep us all going. You know we love hearing from you and about your adventures. Love those puppies too.

    Thank you for you fall photos. Beautiful leaves. Not so much in Florida. Pickleball must be a blast. Ony bucket list.

    Hugs Dianne

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  17. Hi Anne: Sorry about my hurried reply yesterday. My husband was talking to me and I got sidetracked. Anyway, your pincushions are awesome and from a person who loves Kaffe fabrics, they are spectacular! Anyhoo, what I was trying to say is you can give them as Xmas gifts to people who want paperweights AND/OR they can stack them up and use them as bookends since they are heavy enough…ideas of mine IF they dont sew.

    Also, your Pickleball journey sounds really fun..I used to play alot of tennis in the 1970’s and LOVED it. So would think it’s something I would enjoy…BUT here in SO. California, everyone is into Pickleball and courts are full…I think I have enough on my plate with retirement, sewing and thinking about going to the YMCA to start up exercising again.

    Once again, you will LOVE retirement. I know I sound like a broken record but I feel for you when you mention retirement in your emails and KNOW you will LOVE it. Having all the time in the world to do things feels so good!

    Love your stories about your boys. My husband and I were talking last night about how unique Border Collies are and how they are genetically wired to do certain things. Amazing dogs. I love Bender’s ear the way it always sticks up! LOL…

    No need to respond. I know you read all your emails and you’re busy…but do keep us posted about your life. Your quiliting is amazing!

    Susan

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    1. People who don’t sew may actually like them… but not have a use for them.

      Pickleball is getting popular here but we’re behind other places. We have a shortage of indoor options during our long, wet, dark winters.

      Anne

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