Posted on by agilejack

Aboriginal Shindig Top is Done, and a New Idea

I had planned to play pickleball outdoors this morning at 10:30. The 8:30 session was canceled because it was too wet. But I got notification around 9:30 that the 10:30 session was a go.

When I got there several people were doing what they could to get water off the courts… using squeegees and an absorbent roller. So after a little work we were ready to play. For the first hour it was almost dry… maybe just a little mist. But by the time we finished, there was a steady rain falling.

That’s me in the light blue jacket. One of the guys in the club took some photos for me today. It’s odd to see photos of me playing since I never see myself on the court!

You can see how wet the court was. It was raining pretty good by the time these photos were taken. in fact, this was the last game since we were all pretty wet.

Good grief! I can’t express how much fun pickleball is!!! I just love it!

Once I got home I grabbed some lunch and then settled into the sofa as I iced my foot for an hour. Then I decided to head out to the craft store to pick up some yarn for an idea that’s been rolling around in my head. More about that idea later in this post.

I did get into my sewing room this afternoon to play with the Aboriginal blocks on my design wall. I moved a few things around and then decided that was it. I sewed the first three rows together before dinner, and then got the final two rows done and got it all connected after dinner.

Here’s my coiled up quilt top with the final seam pinned.

Here’s a video showing how I fold up my quilt top to sew that final seam. It’ makes it so much easier to manipulate through the machine.

Here’s the finished quilt top back up on the design wall. It’s not perfect, but it will do.

This “palate-cleansing” project did just what I needed it to do… cleared my head… built up some enthusiasm for starting a new project… gave me some time to think about what to do next. I highly recommend a palate cleanser project!

So, about that idea I’ve had that necessitated my trip to buy yarn today. I’ve been thinking I want to make a comfy little neck scarf out of some Brandon Mably black and white jumble. I just love that fabric and I wear a good deal of black for work. I thought it would be a nice thing to have on a cool day while being soft and not too hot. So I bought some black and white yarn to make fringe for this little project.

I’ll twist the yarn into cord for the trim. I tried two variations this evening. One is thicker and one is thinner. I’m pretty sure I’ll go with the thinner one.

it’s finer and less messy than the option on the right.

I’ve been making cords like this for years for different purposes. If you’ve never done this, you should give it a try. It’s a handy technique to have handy. Here’s a video I found on Youtube with instruction on how to do it.

Her method is exactly how I make my cord. I have heard of people attaching the yarn to their hand mixer rather than twirling it with a pencil. I’ll have to give that a try some day.

I had hoped one width of fabric would be enough length for a scarf, but it’s a little too short. I think I’m going to need to add about 10 inches to make it go around my next twice and add a knot. So I’m going to have to figure out how I’m going to piece the fabrics to make that length.

It’s possible I’ll get this project done tomorrow. It should be a quick and easy project. Famous last words!

The weather wasn’t all gloomy today. I got this view of a glorious sky on the way back home from the craft store.

I took my boys along for the ride to pickleball today and then they got to chase their frisbee in the park as the rain continued. They were pretty happy to get out there.

And tonight these tired dogs are good dogs.

I’ll be on the indoor pickleball courts at 7:30 in the morning. It will be a great way to start a day with a lot of hours and a lot of promise!

27 Replies to “Aboriginal Shindig Top is Done, and a New Idea”

  1. Brilliant idea for yarn. I’ve never tried this but will now. Can’t wait to see this quick project. Can’t figure out how the yarn works on the edge. You’re dedication to pickleball is impressive! Lucky you that there are so many courts near you. Boys look very content.

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    1. I’m either going to sew it into the seam or use my awl to make holes to loop it through. I think I would like the look of the awl method more than sewing it into the seam. It adds a nice detail.

      There are not nearly enough courts here! We are behind other cities and states in the build up of pickleball infrastructure!

      Anne

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  2. You sound like my pickleball addict! And when I go to pub nights (lacking a taste for some of the bad-natured competitive players I encountered early in my own pickleball experience) with the pickleball gang, they all tell me that the game gives them the same sense of free-wheeling fun they got from childhood play…and have missed in their adult lives. Which I find very endearing. Quilting is something that engages my play sensibilities too! And in another weird coincidence, I just bought 5 yards of the reverse of that Brandon Mably print…the black circles on white. Both are delicious!

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    1. that’s a good description of the joy of pickleball! and I’m glad that I don’t run across too many really competitive players. Most people are really fun, relaxed, and open to playing with lots of different people.

      I’m thinking I might make my scarf out of octopus rather than jumble!

      Anne

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      2. I wear darker colors in the winter and brighter colors in the summer. But I tend to wear a lot of black in the winter. So either would work with black.

        Anne

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  4. I’m interested to see if you think the yarn will be itchy at all, assuming it touches the skin at any point around your neck. Also, I know good and well those dogs can get super muddy racing around outside in the rain (never mind during the sheepherding sessions!). What is your process for cleaning them up before they can come inside the house?!!

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    1. the yarn is all cotton and is pretty soft. I don’t think it will be an issue.

      If my dogs are really muddy they would get a hose off once we got home. After sheep herding Rico almost always gets hosed off before he gets in the car since there is a hose handy.

      I don’t mind them coming into the house wet. I just don’t want them dragging mud in. Luckily, although it’s really wet here, we rarely get really muddy.

      Anne

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  5. I agree, pickle ball is do much fun, been playing for a most 20 years, still at it at 84 years! Keep enjoying! Just finished a top out of my comfort zone, love it, also needed a palate cleansing
    To start the new year off! Although I have 16 tops of different sizes to be quilted. But will keep on stitching!

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    1. The first time I played there was an older couple on the courts, probably mid 70s. I saw immediately that pickleball is a sport that I should be able to play through my retirement. How cool is that!!! Glad to year you’re still out there at 84! It’s such a great sport in so many ways!

      Anne

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  6. The pallette cleansing did its work on the quilt. It looks 3 dimensional. Sections are balanced and colors are blending perfectly. Learned so much from you.

    Keep playing pickleball it makes us both happy.

    Take care of you and the puppies. I am amazed at your organizational skill, talent and stamina.

    Be well my friend,

    Dianne

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    1. This palate cleanser is much prettier in person than in photos. you really can’t see all the wonderfulness of the Aboriginal fabrics in the photo.

      You wouldn’t be impressed with my org skills if you could see my sewing room!

      Thanks for reading!

      Anne

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  7. Hi Anne,
    I thought of you today when I watched an episode of Start Up about two women who have started a pickleball business in Michigan. They started with a couple of courts and now have purchased land and are building a big complex with 12 courts plus some outdoor game space. They were big on the community aspect of the sport. It’s Wolverine pickleball, I think, in Michigan.

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    1. That sounds amazing: it is frustrating that for as long as I can remember, there has been much wringing of hands over how to offer affordable fitness options, how to keep adults active especially as they age, how to build community and keep elders connected…and pickleball has been like a magic solution to that but municipalities are dragging their feet on court construction and soundscaping.

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      1. It was interesting how they funded it. They had to shop a number of banks until their local bank believed in them and gave them a loan. They also have a small business loan from the feds. AND they crowd funded the land. 25 investors contributed $100K each to buy the land so their investment would be more secure. Most were women. If you get a chance, you would enjoy that episode.

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      3. That is an interesting story…I can see how it would work in an area with affordable land prices. The city of Vernon, BC did something similar and there is a beautiful private facility there…they hosted the Provincial championships last year. One of the issues now is with only two places in BC that are large enough to host, is the work load for those clubs IF there is an annual championship…

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  8. Hi! As you will see, I’m very behind on my emails of what you’ve been up to. I save them for a treat when I have time to absorb your inspiration. I just read (and watched) your post from 12/30/23. I never knew about making cording. I’m excited to try this and have a list of uses for this new found process. Thank you!!

    Happy New Year – Tammy

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