When is a bench not a bench? When it is 3 chairs.

When is a bench not a bench? When it is 3 chairs.
I was delighted to see this title on Jackie's blog
because one of the favorite benches I built was from 3 chairs. 

I ran a post about it about 2 years ago but thought newcomers would like to see it...

Repeat post from March 2009:  This "bench" is actually 3 chairs held together with pipe clamps. Again the chairs were thrift store finds and classic "70s" Mediterranean complete with ugly plastic upholstered seats and back inserts which were trashed and replaced with boards I painted.... I do not leave this outside. It is in a workroom in the barn and on occasions such as a garden party it is pulled out. If I had a house with a large entry it would be perfect.... Right now it is piled high with fabric. (This photo was taken by friend and garden photographer, Charles Mann and was in Better Homes and Garden magazine 3/2003)

Here was my inspiration...  I took this picture in 1999 at some hall where I was speaking...

Back on Track...

Well I'm back on track with my suffragette quilt... These blocks are good size...almost 12" and have lots and lots of patches...  a little overwhelming  to get my focus again.. When that happens I pick a small area to concentrate on...this time the lower corner...

Of course I didn't make it any easier for myself when I set the goal of having EVERY single seam on the entire quilt (all nine blocks) be ones I've never done before.. and no fly stitch... I'd gotten into a rut of using the same seams stitches over and over...  So stitching the seams on this quilt is a journey unto itself..  Also I always want to rush ahead with the images and beading...and it is soooooooo tempting as I've acquired so many wonderful treasures to embellish it with.... some from my stash and some from friends.

So here I am with my Carol Samples book (Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches) and my templates and taking a deep breath to slow down and explore.  The seams I choose are always a starting point as I modify as the space dictates... You can see the seam I chose middle right on the page and how it is ending finally at the bottom of the photo...

The long strip that appears gathered is actually a pleated trim.  A thrift store evening gown had the entire A-line skirt covered with rows and rows and rows and rows of it... It took me forever to remove it.  It is so unique  and hope to have enough to use when I assemble the quilt also.. I'll do a close up of it when I get it secured.

Yummy Book

 Well I'm back and my computer is working much much better... Computer Man had to strip it back to it's original configuration so it came back with my data but no software programs so I am busy trying to reload what I really need... He said I needed to delete a lot of files and get more ram.. so that is on my list also..

When I was without my computer I was looking through my books for ribbon embroidery and ran across this book I bought some time ago...  Does anyone else buy books just because the book makes them feel good???  This book is just yummy!

I'll never do a project from this book but love everything in it.... the colors, the fabric, the lace, the flowers...just everything...  I will try to dye some ribbon the colors they used for their roses...

It is loaded with projects using antiqued lace like Cathy K. sells on her Etsy shop.

But I've also added other things to the list...  I found this 2000 issue of Inspirations on Ebay and it is FILLED with the most delightful birds... It seems like ages since I've done a bird... But Ritva's artist blocks are coming and I know I will do a bird on one of her blocks...

Finding time to stitch has been difficult and also finding it hard to get back to my suffrage quilt...  I'm thinking I will start a small block for Maureen.

Computer heading for repair...

will be back who knows when!!!

My Mondrian block.....

I finished my Mondrian block and am so happy with it.  I wanted a clean, simplistic, graphic, childlike look and I think I got it...my fantasy of what might have been Mondrian's work as a child...and would his teacher have thought "This kid is on to something!!!"  Everything but the bees is done in a flat chain stitch...

When I was reading about Mondrian about every third sentence was "and then he moved".  His passion for his work was the primary force to where he lived...  The adage "Home is where you hang your hat" popped in my brain and I translated to "Home is where you hang your heart."

Margreet asked that we include our initials and mine are in the red patch above the hanging heart..