Ever notice how many cliches there are about rain? “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down“….according to a popular song back in my generation. “Saving for a rainy day” can sometimes result in all those rainy days coming during your vacation! Or what about “anyone who thinks sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.” I liked this one “Rainy days are a special gift to readers” only I would substitute quilters for readers! Seems the thoughts can go either way, a blessing or a curse. Life is sorta that way, isn’t it? I think my favorite rain quote is from the Bible, Matthew 5:45.
"so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Secret Sewing
Monday rolls around and I am excited to continue working on my “secret sewing” project, an original new pattern, for the Fall Market 2018 with Island Batik. As I’ve shared previously I have moved my temporary “studio” from the RV to the backyard under the tiki hut in an effort to have more space to work.
It’s been kinda fun to sew outside, even with the heat – I did go purchase a new oscillating floor fan to help with the circulation – and it does help a bit with the mosquitos! I run an extension cord to the house with multiple power strips to take care of all the needs a quilter finds necessary (like extra lights). It’s a nice little set up if I do say so myself – except when it rains!
Into Every Life, a Little Rain Must Fall
And fall it did on Monday. I was just getting things really underway with my “secret sewing” – I have a project that has 280+ four inch units and I’d been working on it all weekend as I could (lots going on this weekend that caused distractions from sewing) – when all of a sudden that “small percent” of thundershowers decided to park itself right above my tropical sewing area!
I have to add here that I owe a big thank you to my friend Jackie O’Brien, fellow Certified Instructor with Studio 180 Design and fellow Island Batik Ambassador. I don’t know if this tip originated with her but she is the one who taught me to place my “labeled parts and pieces” on a paper plate and then put the plates into a plastic gallon bag. This project has 10 different units that needed to be separated and labeled. Considering they were in harm’s way (grin) I am so thankful that I tested out her tip! Hope it’s a tip you will use too, and I hope it’s never because of rain, just for better organization in your piecing!
Being isolated thundershowers I went through this procedure about three times before giving up and calling it a day – but not before I had all my units pieced and trimmed!
This month’s Island Batik Ambassador challenge is to make a playful pillow – I have to admit it crossed my mind to figure out some sort of way to encapsulate these trimmings to use for a pillow but decided I needed to just call out for pizza instead!
Personal Update
Harvey reconstruction is slow, but today they were spraying the primer on the doors, trim and ceiling! I’m glad the rain stopped as the fellows needed to have the windows open for ventilation.
On another note, it’s been a difficult weekend as our local community is still processing the tragic school shooting in Santa Fe. The school is 12 miles from my house, only 2 miles from extended family – two of our nephews are alumni. As I was thinking about the verse quoted above, it rains on the just and unjust alike, I found a little devotional online from David Wilkerson, you might recognize that name from The Cross and The Switchblade. Anyway, if you care to read it, you can find his thoughts here. As well as the sermon from my pastor, Ron Hindt of Calvary Houston, this past Sunday. Here’s that link.
Future Forecast
Doesn’t look like rain will be interrupting the “tropical Quilt Rambler studio” sewings the remainder of the week. I am most eager to get the blocks put together for this quilt but I’m thinking about switching gears and making the blocks for my second “secret sewing” quilt also for Fall Market – then have a day to blitz and sew them both into finished tops! It’s sew exciting birthing new quilt tops! Even more so when the tops get quilted…but that’s a ramble for another day!
This is The Quilt Rambler, wondering what do you like to do on a rainy day – hibernate, read, spring clean or quilt!
Whatever you do remember into every life a little rain must fall but never forget the sun is always shining behind those clouds!
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Hello Karen; Sorry about the rain messing around with your important sewing time. Yet, at the same time, I believe that every drop of rain or snow that we receive is such a blessing everywhere due to the drought situations. I do like your set up for sewing outside! Every once in awhile, I will set up my sewing machine and every item necessary for the project, out on our covered front porch. Christmas quilts are my favorite to sew this time of year. LOL. I look forward to seeing your project plus, more of your outdoor sewing adventures. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks Brenda – I agree, we do need rain/snow to keep the water flowing – such a life-giving substance! I am staying inside today catching up on computer work as the thunder rolls outside. I’ll be back under the tiki hut before you know it – and who knows, even when the studio is complete I may find myself outdoors! Christmas in July would be fun projects, thanks for the inspiration!
Karen can’t wait to see this quilt. I love the colors!
Hey Cindy – it uses a Studio 180 Design technique and tool of course! Can’t wait to share it – fall market will be here before we know it!
Hi Karen,
I have been thinking of you and the school situation all weekend. I give you lots of credit for setting up your sewing area under the tiki hut, and the umbrella over your sewing machine really makes me smile and tugs at my heart. It does rain on the just and unjust alike but I would wish for just a little less rain on your little hut. {{Hugs}} Happy Wednesday! ~smile~ Roseanne
And the thunder rolls…not going to chance it today – but we do need the rain so I’ll not complain! Your thoughts are appreciated Roseanne! Thank you!
Quilting in the rain, oh my! Karen, you are a trooper to keep on going.
Mother Nature got the best of me yesterday with huge thundershowers making it impossible to work under the tiki hut. But that gave me time to catch up on computer work so all is well!
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