Simmering Through Summer
It already feels like it’s been a hot, steamy summer, and we’re only now getting into the thick of it. I suppose that’s one good thing about the usually alarming way that time zips past faster and faster: If there’s a time of year you don’t particularly enjoy, at least it doesn’t feel like it lasts forever, the way summer did when you were a child. (I don’t think I minded summers, when I was a kid. It certainly got hot—I do remember that!—but I don’t seem to recall being as bothered by it.)
I’m staying busy (and distracted) enough with work and hobbies and keeping the necessary things ticking over. The days are flying by, and before you know it, cooler weather will return. (Someday.) I do miss being outside, but I just have no desire to go out much this time of year. Fortunately, there’s plenty to do indoors!
Selvage Sawtooth Stars Progress
The first phase of this project was piecing some simple selvage squares. That went very quickly…
…and then it was time to jot down some notes and figure out a more definite plan for the next step.
This was my first time making selvage blocks with the selvages on the diagonal. In the first selvage quilt, the HSTs were cut from horizontal/vertical selvage squares, but this pattern called out for diagonal lines.
I had a plan to make the HSTs using the two-at-a-time method, but I wasn’t sure how well it would work out or how many of them I’d want to make. The trial run taught me that I needed my central piece (a string, not a selvage) to be at least 2 inches wide. So then I cut all the strings I’d need to make all 144 of the HST units.
It’s really not my favorite type of piecing, putting selvages on the diagonal like this. Next time I use selvages, I’ll opt for something different, but for this one, I guess it’s worth the effort to get the desired effect.
One thing I’ve learned is that I prefer using washable liquid glue instead of washable glue stick for putting together these diagonal units. It just seems faster and easier, for some reason.
Here’s where I left it:
I took down some of the other units to make room to get a better idea of how the finished sawtooth star block would look.
I considered leaving the corners as plain white squares, which would be faster, but at this point I still think I’ll make them HSTs. There’s always the chance I’ll change my mind, though!
These HSTs seem to take a lot longer to make, but there’s no reason to rush. This is a good project to do while listening to an audiobook or podcast.
Watercolor Doodle Tangle
I still have some slightly older things to photograph or scan, but this is the most recent doodle. It was based on a memory of a Diane Antone video, but by the time I got around to adding the leaves/branches to the background, I barely remembered what it was “supposed” to be, so it should be more my own version…
It was fun to do while listening to some music and unwinding at the end of the day, but mine turned out to look unfocused and meandering:
I added some rough outlines and details in sepia-colored acrylic ink, using a dip pen. I like it much better this way. It’s still “just a doodle”, but it’s more my style this way.
I’ll have to try this again sometime, because it was a great way to relax.
Listening To...
Latest listening entertainment has been an old 80s audiobook recording of Mary Stewart’s Madam, Will You Talk?, the latest season of the podcast Uncanny, and various and assorted songs suggested by Amazon Music.
I think I’ve shared a piano-only version of this song before, but I also love this one that includes flute—”Stay”, by Chad Lawson and Cocomi:
And maybe it’s just the influence of the “in winter” part of the group’s name, but this one feels cold to me, which is welcome right now!
“Hold This Place”, by Alice in Winter:
For some reason, I just thought of this and wanted to hear it again:
