WIP Wednesday: On the Road

Tags

Oregon, Pendleton, quilting, Richland, sewing, Social Justice Sewing Academy, travel, Washington, WIP Wednesday

Somewhere near Pendleton, Oregon . . . .

WIP = Work in Progress

Hello, everybody!  I’ve missed you!

I’m still here, still on the right side of the dirt, as they say.  Just busy with family stuff, car stuff, whatever stuff, but not doing much sewing.  But I have a few things to show you today and a few stories to tell, so let’s do it.

First, I did finally finish the second block for the Social Justice Sewing Academy, and both blocks are now back with them to be included in one of their quilts.

I decided to stay away from the blanket stitch on this, as I don’t think it has the right vibe for these blocks–too cute, too down-home, too neat and tidy for artwork this sharp and cutting.  So I’ve been doing running stitch, that zigzag backstitch I like so much, and a little chain stitch.

It occurs to me that you could use these blocks for a sort of research project–choose a book on the topic of the block and read along (or maybe listen?) as you do the stitching.  I don’t know that I have the time to devote to something like that right now, but I should think about it some more.  Doing this needlework has pointed out to me some gaps in my education.

Second, I made cat toys!  A member of my Buy Nothing group was getting a donation together for the local animal shelter, so I took the opportunity to purge some old sheets and towels and make a few toys (it’s kitten season, you know).

At first, I tried to make some fish shapes, and, um, well . . . then I came to my senses and remembered I DO NOT DO TINY.  If I’m going to attempt something small–these are about 1 1/2″ across–it’s gotta be simple.  So I did a shape that I know I can cut and sew accurately and have it actually come out looking more or less like what it’s supposed to be.  They have a few catnip pellets inside, so hopefully the shelter kitties will like them–I know mine were certainly interested.

Third, we took a road trip to the Hermiston/Pendleton part of Oregon in order to check the route for a 300k bike ride.

Lots of rolling hills, cattle, and tumbleweeds out there.  And a little snow.  That’s a cattle guard just visible at the bottom of the photo there; lots more cattle than cars on these roads.

I’m trying to get out for more walks.  This is the walking path along the Columbia River in Richland up near the National Lab.  Behind me just a few miles up is the Hanford Reach, including the National Monument, and a lot of perfectly preserved shrub-steppe landscape.  It’s preserved because it’s owned by the U.S. Department of Energy and it’s full of nuclear waste.

Living here can be a little strange.

I also apparently found “where the sidewalk ends” out here.

And, finally, my latest project, a mini quilt for my sister’s birthday.

I’ve got the pieces all sewn down except for the eyes, which I’m doing by hand (I DO NOT DO TINY, well, at least on the machine).  I kept to more or less the colors used in the pattern picture because they are bright and goofy and perfect.  I hope she loves this as much as I do!

I hope all is well with you and you are moving along the road to wherever you would like to be.

STH

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Sunday Sevens 03-22-15

Tags

cats, cooking, Hermiston, Oregon, Pendleton, recipe, sewing, Sunday Sevens, Thimbles Fabric 'n' More

Where has the week gone?  I feel like I spent the entire seven days doing boring, unphotographable (if that wasn’t a word before, it is now) things like hauling my mother to medical appointments.  I did finish my sister’s birthday present on time (barely) and I completed the fleece jacket UFO, though, so some productivity did happen in between all the running around.

(Sunday Sevens is a weekly post series with seven or so pics of things you’ve been up to that don’t merit a whole blog post.)

Sunday afternoon, my honey and I got back from our weekend in Seattle.  I guess it had been a while since we’d spent two nights away from the cats, as Sunday evening and all of Monday were spent with them following me around and yelling at me, resulting in massive cuddling sessions.  It was TOTAL PANIC because their people were gone FOR LIKE YEARS and even though they had plenty of food and water, THEY ALMOST DIED.

Monday afternoon they finally settled down into their usual catatonia.

Much contemplation of fabric and rifling through patterns happened this week as I played around with spring sewing ideas and did some reading on burn tests and tissue fitting.

I had some leftover corn tortillas from pork carnitas tacos last week, so a batch of Chilaquiles had to be made.  (Caution:  that recipe is seriously hot–I eliminate the jalapeno and reduce the chipotle chilies to 4 when I make it, and it’s still pretty hot, especially if your sausage is spicy.)

I’ve got some spring plant plans in the works, as it now appears I won’t be going to Paris with my honey this summer after all.  I’m (mostly) okay with that; it helps that he’s informed me that we’re going to Scotland next summer so that he can do a 1300k bike ride on the western coast.  (As he put it, “I appear to have accidentally signed up for that ride in Scotland; you want to go?  They need volunteers and you can have fish and chips!”  He knows me too well.)

I spent Saturday helping out with the 300k (180 mile) ride my partner organized in eastern Oregon.  I expected the experience to be rather tedious–hours spent sitting in the car waiting for riders to show up so I can sign their cards?  Um, woot?–but it was actually a pretty fun day.

The ride started at 6:00 in Hermiston, and I got to the first control point at the Pendleton Safeway at 8:00 to meet them.  The whole group of 6 riders showed up at 8:45, then headed out again.  I had a few hours to kill before the next control, so I went to the local fabric shop, Thimbles, Fabric ‘n’ More, to look for fabric for my next gift project.  They didn’t have what I needed for the gift, but I did find a little something for me in their nice selection of quilting cotton and vast notions area.

Then I went next door to the park and took a long walk along the river.

Bonus picture of a butterfly just because I like it:

I was able to finish up the hand sewing on my fleece jacket while waiting in Hermiston for the riders to show up.  Then they were off again, and I headed home.

Have a great week, everybody, and I hope you’re able to do something fun for yourself this week.

STH

Photography 101, Day 15: Landscape

Tags

Oregon, Pendleton, photo101, travel

Empty rodeo grounds in Pendleton, OR, wait for the annual round-up.