Finally, we saw the sun today, here in ThimbleannaLand! We’ve had days of rain and drizzle and water and water and water. Get the picture? Look at my happy little Shasta Daisy. Water = Happy!
On Saturday we. got. dumped. on. Buckets. Along with some hail. I had six pretty little rows of zinnias coming up and I watched out the window as they got pelted to death. I thought they might recover, but Sunday brought a steady rain that just pounded a lot of the little leaves into the dirt. So sad.
Not sure what to do about them — guess maybe I’ll try some more seeds. Summer will probably be over by the time they really get going though.
In other news, Nicolette and I had a little e-mail exchange about our Steampunk blocks. We were both having some problems and she mentioned that she was going to order some templates that have holes for marking the seamline in the corners. I thought about that for awhile and then decided to make some templates with the holes. I use the big templates to mark the cutting lines and the little templates to mark the stitching holes.
I can’t believe the difference it makes to have those little corners marked. I line the dots up and the blocks I’ve made using the new technique have been just right. No more wonky centers (not that it mattered that much, since they’re covered by a circle of fabric) and no more ripples on the edges. This block doesn’t look very straight, but it’s square. I’m almost sad to cover the center — I’ll probably never get another one like it LOL.
Just a thought, in case you’re going to make the Steampunk quilt. Think about getting the templates with the holes in the corners.
Not much else going on around here. It’s going to be a quiet 4th of July and I’m a little sad about that. The kids are all scattered this year. I know we’ll have other years when we’ll all be together, so we should probably just enjoy the quiet (haha — firecrackers!) with MeMum and BigDaddy. At any rate, if you’re in the US, I hope you have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!!
XOXO,
Anna
I can’t wait to see it all done. Thanks for the heads up on the template, if I ever get around to making this I’ll for sure get that. We’re having a quiet 4th, going to work on the barn and then head to town for the fire works show. Enjoy your day!
Oh dear they did get trashed. Maybe plant something else in between – they may make a late recovery.
I have templates….I’d better go check to see if they have holes!
Sorry to hear about your zinnias. :(
A happy and safe 4th of July Anna, to all of you!!
Sorry about the zinnia’s!
go buy some zinnias that are already a foot tall, then plant them and call it a day. i guess i need to have floydie drill holes in my templates. heading to the beach tomorrow with the offspring. okay, those center points are astounding. i just went back and looked at them for a third time. it’s like watching a lenny kravitz video, i just can’t stop. steampunk, lenny & figs.
:Waves madly whilst singing “just can’t get you out of my mind”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T210Fo2jt5c
Happy 4th of July Anna, xx
I have templates – proper acrylic ones – for my Steampunk! So sorry about your zinnias. I think you’re sending that hail south – we’re due for some tomorrow. And it’s going to be delightfully, Winterly, c.o.l.d.!!
oh that was a lot of rain hope they come back
I am still thinking about making this quilt, thanks for the tip Iwill have to get the templates then if it makes the job easier and precise I like that!!!!
they are worth it
Kathie
Anna, I wish I’d had those holes on mine!
Nothing like the helpless feeling of watching little plants being beaten down. Poor little zinnias. :( Gosh, Anna, that block looks fantastic! Haven’t done much sewing in the past few months but today I will be in the sewing room! Yay! We moved my dad in with us a week and a half ago. It seems to be working out okay and I find myself actually getting things done instead of just running back and forth up the hill all day. I might actually get a quilt made, she says hopefully.
Oh the poor zinnias….as discussed weather this year is ridiculous – we are now getting smoke from all the wildfires in Quebec, general haze all this week and poor air quality – we finally got rain today but still have haze….I would just buy some annuals and plop them in delicately, they are all on sale now around here anyhow….block looks awesome, don’t cover it….
Your daisy is smiling so sweetly! Sorry about the zinnias. I haven’t even planted any this year, which is a first for me. Don’t know why.
How do you cut that plastic. You seem to have done your usual professional job at it!
Maybe the zinnias will come back after their soaking/drowing. Fingers crossed! :o)
Too bad about your zinnias :( – this is the first summer in years that I still haven’t planted anything, partly because of the newest family member but also because of the cold, sunless, rainy summer :/
I can’t believe how beautiful your shasta daisy is. Wow! And I’m so sorry about your zinnias. I really hate that for you. I usually try to grow some every year, and I still have my seed packets sitting on the counter, waiting patiently for me to go out and sprinkle them around. Is there anything easier to grow? I don’t think so! That’s a great tip for your steampunk pieces. I’ve started a few quilts, but never got them finished. I know your tip would have helped me with one of them for sure. I can’t wait to see what yours looks like when it’s done. I’m sure it will be beautiful, like the rest of your projects! Have a wonderful day.
Debbie
Nope, just not looking! Went up to the small town parade where my granddaughter Annika who just turned 5 road her bike in it for the first time. She was so proud of herself! Then we had Mexican for dinner and raced home before dark so our sweet puppy wouldn’t have a total melt down. The big fireworks don’t even phase him but the firecrackers and bottle rockets in the neighborhood he hates. And so do we..everything is so dry, even roofs it was exceptionally foolish this year for anyone to think of doing things at home but they did of course!
Sorry about your plants! What a drag! I would be so bummed! I love your steampunk blocks, and thanks for that tip, as I may try to do them at some point! I know what you mean about those centers! What a shame!
Sorry to hear about your flowers :(
Your block looks fabulous! And I hope you had a really great 4th July – I wish we had a similar celebration! xx
Having the right tools for the job does make a difference :o) Still resisting the temptation to join in!! LOL