I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Friday, May 24, 2019

"Squirrel" ~ a Quilting Term



Hi on a Friday! Recently on quilt blogs I've been seeing the term "squirrel", new to me, but suddenly prevalent. Its use reminds me of the word ''frogging'' in knitting and crochet, which means to rip out stitches (get it? rip it, rip it = frog, etc. Sigh.). So squirrel seems to mean  the way a quilter may see a new design and immediately--- madly !--has to pursue it, make it.

Right. 

Now.

As a dog might chase a squirrel?



I was baffled for awhile because Mo only chases cars and helicopters, he has zero interest in squirrels. LOL.



Now I don't usually indulge in such antics, [she bragged] I have my list and I follow it. It keeps me from having anxiety attacks about neglected  quilts.
However.

Last month  Jan Patek had this book on sale for half price. I was so charmed, I fell in love.


It's not a new book. But new to me. On Sale.


 I love the title, I love the Bunnies, and I love the colors, as un-Lizzy as they may seem.


I bought it! It has the cover quilt that I plan to make to hang on an inside door next spring, or someday-Spring. And other darling quilts too.


Wouldn't this make such a cute baby quilt.


I complain about Jan Patek's patterns but I love her designs. I am also attracted to pinwheels, a fave of mine.



In the book Patek sees this border as Broken Dishes, not an easy block.


I see Pinwheels. Fast! Fun! with half Pinwheels at the row ends. I will rewrite the pattern to suit my way of doing this.



One good thing about JP's designs is that they do not require rigid use of say, Civil War repros or French Provencal design, or all plaids, etc.  I go for color and what I like instead.


I knew I had nothing in the rosey red to melon shades. so when my friend and I went to Joann's this week for t-shirt quilt supplies, I felt I could treat myself to some of their fat quarters.



I know some quilters struggle with fabric choice, so this is how I do it. And a hint, see this little border? It's practically yelling, Look! A color palette for you!"





Here are the ''corals":


Brown Bunnies:


mustard-gold bee skeps. (may need better, brighter.]




Tans for background...


including this pretty floral batik remnant from Joann's, that cost only a couple dollars for nearly one yard.

Then greens, spring greens. Dots, you know I have been into Dots!


I got coral dots too.





And more pretty greens from Mel, far right, which I have used but I have kept them together for just such a project.


Black with stars for the basket:



*** 
I know Joann's is often scorned by quilters, but for live and in person shopping that is all I have---and it's far, so it's a treat for me. I think they have a very good assortment of choices and so far I have never had an issue with the quality.

I also picked up this pre-cut bundle:


Had to have.

The blue stripes and yellow lemons, oooh, pretty! A table runner or something? If I find the blue stripe in yardage I may make myself a pair of drawstring shorts too. I think it is lovely, embodies summer and deck time, relaxing with an icy lemonade, enjoying a summer day.


***

My photos are dark/dull because it poured while I was taking pics. This is the daylilies after the storm had passed, crisp and green with diamond raindrops.


*****

Update : Friday Flea- almost everything I showed last week has been sold! Including the doll house. I got a couple f blue and white souvenir plates, Vermont and Cape Cod. 2.oo each.

Note the chicken wire texture. I love this one [or is it a little scaly and icky?].



Clunky Chinese dishes, interesting shapes.


The red buoy is  still on the beach but the red light no longer flashes. Wonder if children will climb all over it tomorrow when beach season begins?



That's it for now! Happy Summer to everyone.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....










13 comments:

  1. Huh! I've never heard 'squirrel' used that way. More 'squirreling' fabric away for 'later'. But after seeing the movie "Up" I get the reference, lol.

    So many pretty fabrics! I think the bunny quilt will look even better with some brights, can't wait to see what you do.

    Love the 'lemonade' stripe fabric, I hope you can find some for shorts!!

    Raining/storming here again, have had constant alerts for severe storms or tornados since 5pm and it's nearly 9pm. I hope it settles down soon, the poor deputies and volunteer firefighters have been out storm-spotting and putting up barricades where water is over roads and I'm sure they could use some sleep! Not a great start to Memorial Day weekend.

    Take care!

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  2. Great pattern and fabrics. Looking forward to seeing your progress on the quilt.

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  3. What a fun spring project!! Love the fabric you chose for it too.
    I've yet to here the term squirrel- I try not to do that!

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  4. Hey, new drinking game! Everytime the above commenter uses the term "boomers" take a drink. Cripes, we'd be schnockered before the third paragraph. Someone needs to expand their vocabulary.

    Kel
    PS Feel free to delete my comment :)

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    Replies
    1. LOL, I try to shrug off the spam but that one, now removed, is so vicious. Can't even laugh it odd, eeew.

      Delete
    2. BTW, love the lemon fabric, and the corals too!

      Hope the dollhouse found a good home. Wonder if the buyer got it for less than list price. --kel

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  5. I really enjoyed seeing how you chose fabrics...I often have a lot of trouble doing this [that's probably why most of my quilts are scrappy??;000]
    You've chosen such nice soft Spring colors for the bunny piece--can't wait to see it....
    Sun is shining here this morning--altho' 'tis still chilly...hoping for a decent deck-sitting day here after yesterdays' windiness....
    Happy Memorial Day Weekend...hugs, Julierose

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  6. I've heard that Jan Patek's patterns are hard to follow, but you could certainly "wing it" after copying the applique patterns and just put it together. These days I just view patterns as a suggestion and go off on a tangent of my own. You had a great shopping trip this week, and your fabric choices do look like you, thinking of your wonderfully colorful Sajou. Did you buy the yellow/gold chicken pitcher? I could see that on a porch table filled with summer blooms. I like it a lot. Oh yes, those coordinating lemon prints, wonderful! Happy Memorial Day!

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  7. Don't know about squirrels,but your bunnies at the beach are going to be a riot! You've had fun choosing fabrics - the corals, pinks and the dash of yellow just sing. The greens are great too. Of course you can't have bunnies without dots!
    I've had that and other early JP patterns for years. They're very special, as was her first line of fabric with Linda Brannock.
    This is going to be a joyous quilt. Penny

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  8. "Squirrel" I believe comes from its use in the animated movie UP where the man discovers a dog with a collar that translates dog talk to human. The scene where the dog is talking to him, then, I think the dog's name is Doug, quickly swivels his head and says, "Squirrel!" A distraction of any kind now. Love this movie!

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  9. Nice pattern! I love all the colors. I hope your beach wasn't too over run yesterday. Happy Summer! :) Kit

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  10. I too love Jan Patek patterns but I sort of cheekily call them "patterns" in quotes because they can be quite loosey goosey. It's a sweet pattern and you've got some good fabric choices for it. As always, it's so fun to see your beach and Mo photos -

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Hi! I'm allowing comments from everyone, even anonymous for awhile, to see what happens. With comments moderation. Hopefully the awful porn spammer has gone elsewhere. Or you can always email me! I love to hear from everyone.