Mixmaster...

A couple of lifetimes ago, I lived in Dallas, Texas.  It was a big change for a girl who had grown up mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area, followed by a couple of years in Los Angeles.  If you've never been to Texas... it's different.  

Good.  Even great.  But different - at least, different from California.

One of the first things I learned in Texas was all about "the Mixmaster".  I thought it was a mixer - you know, like a Sunbeam.  That was all the rage then, it was before Kitchen Aids were so cool... before all the colors.  Anyway, this had nothing to do with baking.  This had to do with freeways, more specifically, with freeway intersections.  Especially the freeway intersections that connect the loops and the criss-crossing arteries of freeways that connect up all the big cities.  It's an engineering marvel... unless you're "here" and you need to get "over there" in the space of 1/4 mile and 12,000 other cars are trying to do the opposite.  And it's all happening at 80 mph... or maybe that was just me.  

The point is, it's like being thrown into a mixmaster.  Or it sure feels that way.

That's what life feels like these days.  It isn't a bad thing, it's just a little chaotic... and I'm a girl who likes my peace and quiet.  

My Mom is good - doing better - but she's not home yet.  Two days before she was ready to be sprung, her little cold turned into pneumonia and wham... parole denied.  If all goes well, we're looking at the end of next week.  

So while my days are divided between visits with my Mom, Rosie, that pesky work/business thing, and all the house/life/normal stuff, I am getting a little sewing done.  It's National Quilting Month and yes, I've managed to do at least a teeny bit of sewing every day - even if it's almost midnight.

I don't know if you remember these blocks...

I need 200 for my quilt and I have almost half of them done.  (No, this isn't all of them.)  I'll get started on the half-triangle squares for the next batch tonight.  

I'm also finishing a border on a new Schnibble...

Avalon by Joanna Figueroa  - Miss Fig Tree.  It's even better in person - I really love this collection.  Okay, so I like them all.  Does anybody do "cream" better than Joanna?  I don't think so.  The downside of it is that I got a little distracted and started going through drawers and shelves to pull out as many cream prints as I had.  Which then led me to a little midnight-online shopping for a few more because I think I need a Crumbler/tumbler quilt made entirely of Fig Tree cream prints.  And 37 different prints wasn't enough variety.  (Okay, it is... but more is better, right?)

Speaking of Crumblers... oy vey.  Here's proof of just how slow I've been lately.  I have a new one - a little one.  

It's Kathie's fault.  After I asked - some whining and pleading may have been involved - she sent me some small tumblers she'd cut for a little project.

How cute is this?  I added the extra rows of tumblers and the side borders, and I'll trim it all straight after I've quilted it - which I'll do when I decide how to finish it.  I'm thinking this would make a cute little pillow.  

And because she didn't want to hear any more whining, she sent me this for Halloween.

This is going to be a wall-hanging - after it's quilted.

I was having so much fun with the tiny tumblers that I wanted to make "more" little Crumbler/tumbler projects.  And since I already knew that I'd have a hard time finding "my perfect template", I pestered the ruler-folks until they made a little one for me - the Lil' Crumbler.

Of course the first thing I had to make with the prototype was something with tumblers even smaller the ones Kathie had sent...

These tumblers were cut from a 1 1/2" strip and they finish at 1" tall.  After I pieced it, I "aged" it a bit and then framed it in an 11" x 14" frame.  The funniest thing about this little quilt is that it took me longer to lay out all the little tumblers than it did to sew them together.   

What?  What about that little red and cream thing under the frame?

Uh... I'm sorry about the blurry picture.  I didn't realize it was blurry until this morning and I can't take another because the quilt is "elsewhere" right now.  But this is what I can tell you - it measures about 10" x 12" and it's made with 1 1/2" strips.  The tumblers are cut from two strips - one red and one cream - sewn together.  I think it looks a lot more complicated than it is.

Like "mixmasters".  

And me.  I do like to make things interesting getting from "here" to "there."

Comments

[Carol C]

Cool new tool! I just got the larger one but I do NEED that smaller one also. Glad to hear things are progressing in your world, and may soon be relatively 'normal'. Best wishes.

[Sherri]

I so hope things calm down for you soon! Love the mini tumbler...and now excuse me...I might have to go see how many Fig Tree cream prints I can come up with!

[Jocelyn]

How is it that you get girlfriends to send you cut pieces?? I must not whine loud enough :-( Very cool Crumblers!

[Thimbleanna]

Sorry to hear about your Mom's setback -- I hope she'll be on her best behavior this week so she can be freed. Your tumblers are very cute. And that Avalon is swoon-worthy. It's the first Joanna collection that I HAD to have and I LOVE it. I'm thinking I might need a bolt or two -- if only I could decide which prints I can't live without. Suggestions gladly accepted. Are you going to make it to market this spring?

[Nicole]

I have to make that little flag quilt!

[Sinta]

These little ones look like they could be so addicting... but you seem to be good at finding things for us, like Little Bites, and Schnibbles, that are also addicting.

[Amy L.]

Crumbling fun! And your quote is from my very favorite Mary Oliver poem. I got to hear her recite her poetry last year. It was marvelous. The hostess asked her where she did her best writing. Mary's reply, "I have trouble staying in buildings." My kind of woman!

[Nancy in Utah]

Hi Carrie, I'm so happy to hear (er, read), that your mom will likely be home soon. I'm still keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers for "mom's" speedy recovery and for you to maintain your sanity...such as it is,*wink*. OH and I am absolutely smitten with your little quilts, too cute and your Crumbler Rulers, gotta go find them when I finish this. OH, is the "lil crumbler' in stores yet? OH, never mind, I'll find out in a few minutes. Thanks for the update on your mom and your sewing, I love to read good news before bedtime :o) ...
Big Hugs for you and scratches in all the right spots for Rosie...

[Hildy]

Hi Carrie,
glad to hear that your momwill be home soon. My dad managed to got a little stroke this weeke gladly without any damage and he'll be home today.
Love your crumbler quilts they're crumblious;-)
Now I'm off to customs they held my Happy-Go-Lucky jelly roll captured (I'm for this big EU-USA trade zone,would make my quilting life easier;-)
Have a wonderful weekend, Hildy

[Janet]

Hey Missy,
You're wonder woman and doing a great job! Hope your Mom recovers soon. Love the red and cream crumbler! Take care, be safe, and steady as you go!

[Cindy C.]

I WANT a LITTLE CRUMBLER !!! Can you hear me WHINING?

[Debi]

I know what you mean...I drive through that very same mixmaster twice a day back and forth for work. Keep up the good work and I am praying for your mother to get better soon.

[Jane]

Sorry about your mom. I understand more than you know! Love the little crumbler and the framed quilts. You are really one amazing woman. Even with everything on your plate you still get more sewing done than I do! Have a wonderful weekend!

[Ramona]

I hope you can spring your mom soon. I am sure she will be happier back at home too. Continued prayers for Mom, Rosie and Carrie!

[Mary]

Squeeeee!!! that little tumbler is so stinkin cute. I need it, I want it, I will get it. Thanks for creating it too.
I will say a prayer, light a candle and think positive thoughts so that your Mom can get home soon. I know it will help her recover and make your and Rosie's life simpler. Besides, having Rosie around will also make her feel better. Meanwhile, take care of you and grab any moment you can to create since it's always wonderful when you do!

[Linda P]

Well, what can I say? I NEED that tiny crumbler!!! Can I whine to get it or whine for framed piece - how much whining?? I'm not really into whining, but... one could be "else where" on it's way to my house!!
Does Rosie get to go see Mom? If not, I'll bet she really misses her. Sorry about the set back.
I do remember seeing your blocks way back, but can't remember what they were for or even the name of the block. What size do they finish?
On our way to warm up in Florida, so will be checking in. Take care!

[Nancy in Utah]

Hi Carrie! Just thinking about you *again, LOL* and wondering how "mom" is doing and if she is home yet? I know your busy, so don't worry about replying, I'll just figure no news is good news. I just have this thing about waking up to find a friend is on my mind and heart...Makes me want to say hello and check in to see how everyone is doing. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Big Hugs for you and as always, scratches in all the right places for sweet Rosie...

[Mary ann]

Hope Mom stays on the straight and narrow, avoiding all germs and recovering nicely. I am sure Rosie is just as eager as her people for things to be back to normal with everyone in their place. Loving all these little projects and now I can start calling FQS and asking about the little Crumbler, so fun to get everything autoshipped. Imthought I had a lot ofFig Tree but I am a piker compared to you. You know what that means, shopping! EBay, websites and etsy, a creamer quilt sounds just perfect. Hope the week is good!

[Bari Jo]

I hope your sweet mom is doing better. My package arrived with my order and your sweet extra! Can't wait to try it out - you are so generous and I am so humbled. Thank you! xoxo

[ColleenM]

I absolutely LOVE the little tumbler flag.

I hope your mom is feeling better by now. Thanks for sharing your projects and talents:)

[Gloria]

I am loving all the framed quilts! I couldn't resist any longer and bought both the Crumbler and Lil' Crumbler...yay! new quilting toys for me!!

I send lots of positive thoughts your way as your mom continues to heal from pneumonia. Give Rosie a noogie love on her head from me, and you continue to handle each new day as it comes your way.

Hugs,
Gloria

[Jaye]

Check out the Come Quilt with Me Tumbler template

[Vicky]

Mine came last week from the Fat Quarter Shop. Can't wait to use it! Of course, I'll have to first wait for some "unstitching" of the surgical kind to happen first! It's always something ... I really like your Mixmaster description. Fits my life perfectly lately!!

[Nancy in Utah]

Hi Carrie, You and yours have been in thoughts and I just wondered if "Mom" got sprung yet?. Keeping you all in my prayers for all things good!
***My hubby is making a FAST trip to Phoenix next week, I do wish I was riding with him but he is riding the Goldwing down to look at and hopefully purchase a small cargo trailer to pull behind the Bike. (I say bike, it's as big as our Camry, LOL) He will be going to Chandler. Is that anywhere near you? Big Hugs to you and your mom and of course extra good scratches to Rosie... :o)

[Mary]

Checking on you and your mom. I didn't get a reply to my email about mounting the quilts on frames and now have concerns...hope all is well.