Monday, July 10, 2006

Strip Block
I love the look of Bonnie's strip twist so decided to try it yesterday. My first problem was I don't have those darling bins of precut strips I see in so many of your sewing rooms. I usually refold my left overs and put them back on the shelf. I do have one box of small scraps so I looked in it and found some 2 1/2 inch strips. Great. No. I didn't measure all of them and later found out the reason they were there. They were off a little. As you can see, I didn't end up making the strip twist. It just didn't come together correctly. So I made this block. Not sure what it is but I like it this morning. You can see where I patched some pieces. Using up every bit. Good girl. Now I'm beginning to use dog talk. Oh, me. I think stripping is as much work as making a patch block. Maybe because I had to cut and sew the strips. The second pic is pot holders I made just after I retired nine years ago. They are the sew and flip method so both sides are made at the same time. I liked doing this. You use a batting that is used for hot pads. I can't remember the name of it.

It rained hard last night and is cooler and sprinkling today. It would be a good day to read, nap and watch a video. But today is dog day. I already have taken two of them to the groomer and am washing dog bedding. Tess and Betsy sleep in a big wire kennel that has a raised bed that acts as a hammock. They are very comfortable and it is easy to clean with the vacuum. I'm going to give Kate her bath. She has an arthritic bed in Kipper's kennel he uses to fly to Florida. Kate has taken glucosamine chondroitin for the last few years and I saw how it really helped her. It convinced me to take mine regularly now too. It doesn't seem to be helping Kate the last few months. She is so old. (13 - Is that 91 in people years?) She is now also deaf but sees fine and doesn't miss a meal. It is nice that she knows hand signals but you have to touch her first so she knows you are "talking" to her.

6 comments:

Nancy said...

I don't know if there was supposed to be text or not with this post but who cares! I LOVE that top block. It will look great made using some of my scrap strips. You notice I said WILL look great not WOULD look great because I just have to do this one!

Fiona said...

I love that block - it's your own variation on strip twist. I've made the strip twist - now I think I might make your variation.

Shelina said...

I like the block that you came up with.

KC Quilter said...

Love your block and the potholders! Those potholder designs would make a really neat quilt too!

Finn said...

Great job Katie, on the potholders, figuring out that the strips were "off"(I have a problem with that too-can't see the ruler markings as well as I should) and even on the strip twist. It is nice if you happen to have a drawer or basket of 2.5" strips...but if not, just a cut a few now and then. That's what I do. You really don't need a ton of them for this top.
You know you've got yours laid out different than Bonnie's...right? *S*
Poor Katy, my Daks was on an arthritic med the last couple of years of his life. And I used the Science Diet that had the G/C added to it. The meds really helped his stiffness, but ran about $60 a month. But at that point I would have bought him the meds even if it mean not buying groceries..loved him, yup..that much..*S*

quiltpixie said...

The block reminds me of a spider's web. Very innovative.