Friday, November 1, 2013

Seeing Stars

A couple weeks ago I bought five 36" strips of lathe from Lowe's. I wired them together in the shape of a star and slapped on some blue paint. Then I wrapped some Virginia Creeper vines around it and stapled them on so they would stay put as the vines shrink.

Now it's hanging above the garage between two of my studio windows to make the house more interesting to see from the street.

I'm also seeing stars on my work table. I'm making a quilt using some 'oops'  from another project. Here's a sneak peek - I just have four more sashing strips to sew on and the top will be finished for a new couch quilt.

I started a small hexie quilt early in the spring when I took a couple trips because they're so nice and portable for traveling, and I've been spending a lot of sewing time with them while watching TV in the evenings lately. It's getting there! These are 3/8" to a side, so pretty small. I was struggling with the needle I was using - it was just too fat and hard to use while thread basting AND whip stitching, so I asked Jo Morton (on Facebook) what kind of needle she uses for hers and now that I've made the switch it's SO much easier! (John James 11 sharps, or Jeanna Kimball 11 straw - in case you're wondering).

Last week at a Quilt Shop Hop I bought myself a new rotary cutter cuz it was 1/2 price. It's made by Olfa and is designed just a bit differently than the one I've been using for years. Much easier to change the blade and it seems lighter too. The new blade slices through my fabric like butter!

This morning I stopped by a LQS that is closing and I bought this DMC floss organizer for $10. I took out the dividers and will use it for storing various notions and sewing supplies - it joins the other two that I have found previously. However, there is a lot of sticker residue on the drawers - any suggestions on how to remove them and clean it up before I fill it with goodies?

Tomorrow is our Guild's Hook-In in Salt Lake City so I'm looking forward to a fun day with friends. Hope I make some progress on my Maggie B rug, but that doesn't always happen at these events when I get to distracted with visiting and shopping and rug sharing! 

The wedding quilt is at the long arm quilter's, and I only have two more polka dotted table runners to finish 

15 comments:

mckie2 said...

You might try Goo Gone to remove the sticker sticky. I get it at Hobby Lobby or maybe Jo Ann's or try online.

Julia said...

Solvent has worked for me and also Goo Gone. I've even removed some sticker sticky with just plain peanut butter by rubbing it on . The oil seems to remove the sticky, wash with soap and water.

Your Star looks wonderful. It really gives your house some pizzazz for the Holidays.

I'm amazed at the amount of quilts you put together. Great looking star from oops pieces.
Have a safe weekend.

JB

Kyle said...

Looks like you've had a great week. I love your floating stars and your newest house decor. Lovely. Have fun this weekend. And, of course, those hexies are so small!

Cammie said...

I really like the star you made for your house!! You are very talented! Have fun at the hook-in!

Joan and Kevin said...

I use rubbing alcohol to get the sticky labels stuff off!

Janet O. said...

Wonderful star on your house! I'm not good at things like that at all.
Those hexies are gorgeous! You are a patient woman!! : ) The needle does make a difference, doesn't it?
So are there other weding things looming that need your attention, or are you on top of things now?

audrey said...

Great star to hang on your house! Very creative. Nice to get the right needles for your project. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the star quilt!

moosecraft said...

WD-40 removes the sticky stuff pretty quickly.... love the star you made! Would look great with some light son it too!

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Fun post! Sure wish I had a few drawers like that one! You can remove sticky stuff with Goo Gone....it' shade just for that reason and is a natural product if I remember correctly.

Lori said...

I LOVE your lathe star project! What a fantastic and easy idea.
Can't wait to see more of your green and red quilt......

Yvonne said...

You have done some serieus quilting! Love the projects you are werking on. I use sticker remover to get the glue of.

annie said...

I love your star! Years ago we made one about 6ft. tall with white christmas lights. We liked it so much, we left it up on the top gable for probably 3 or 5 years, long before barn stars were popular on houses. My boy loved to turn it on and sometimes we forgot it, and left it burning, maybe a couple of days at a stretch. Thinking it was little twinkle lights, what would it hurt anyway, the electric was cheaper then! Anyway the time came to redo the house siding, so Sweetie climbed up there removed a few screws, and brought it down. We looked and there were burned black and charred places on it, and on the old dried out clapboards it had been attached to. Why it did not burn the house down, I will never know! Moral of the story, turn off your lights, and down wait several years to check them either!

I would love to have a new olfa! Mine knew Methuselah in his infancy!

Three Sheep Studio said...

Sove the star you made Gayle.
But, I am seriously coveting that DMC box ! Lucky you. ;)
Rose

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Good save on the Easy Street components! I probably never would have figured that out and I've made a Pie In the Sky. How lucky to score the DMC chest--I'm jealous!

Karen said...

A very creative star that you made and displayed on your house. I don't have access to those type vines nor is one floor and no place to display something like that....but wish I did. Very prim style.