Time to set sail again in the April colors. Here is my little sloop with cheerful orange sails. I'm carrying on a family tradition. My Norwegian uncle used to buy sailboats at a bargain and restore them to good condition. He had a workshop with an old heavy duty Singer where he made his own new sails. Of course his were not colorful, but they did the job well when we sailed off to Newport or Block Island for a day or a week.
SWITCHEROO
When it came time to make my April 16-patch block I took out the previous ones. When I saw my February block with its wild orange colors and a bit of brown, I realized it was more aptly an April block, so here is its return under a new name.
Well, that was the fastest RSC block I've ever made, but now I had to make a February one, so I really splurged on pink.
A VERY USEFUL FIND
Yesterday when I took my garbage down to the basement I got a great find without having to dive in the dumpster. This stack of drawers was sitting waiting for me to snatch it up and find a place for it in my ever-crowded studio/bedroom space. Fabric was slowly (actually quickly) trying to take over the room like kudzu. I've never seen the pesky vine but it's the best analogy. Here is the cabinet on arrival.
And here it is happily filled with fabric and making a big difference in my space.
It is now paired up with my previous dumpster reclamation, the blue stacked bins. Now I can actually get in the room easily. I like my Melody Johnson wall quilt sitting in front of my darker piece behind it because it makes Melody's shine even brighter.
Speaking of shining, the first tiny daffodil popped open in our garden to make me smile. Hope you are all enjoying spring or fall wherever you live.
I link up with RSC16 at soscrappy and Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts.
blocks look good the story about the sails reminds me of Dad making sails for his boat on an old frister and rossmann treadle machine, unlike you I could not go on the boat though die to seasickness. What a great find , liking see through containers rather than boxes as you can spot easily what are searching for
ReplyDeleteI love your little boat, and the family story! And that's a good call on the former February block! The new February is much more Februaryish.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky find! I need more organizational storage and keep eyeing containers and shelf units, but then I think that I'd rather spend the money on fabric... 8) (Maybe I'll find a happy discard, too!)
Dumpster Diving is a fine art -- many useful things can be re-purposed!! My grandfather was a sail and boat cover maker in Michigan -- sail boats and ice boats.
ReplyDeleteOrange makes me want to dip into pink too. And how lucky you had a boat to carry your storage unit in.
ReplyDeleteI love sailboat block and yours with the orange sails is great. Isn't it terrific when you can shop around your own house and find something useful? We have a lot of kudzu where I live. We are always chopping it back so it won't take over everything. The RSC challenge is helping me keep my fabric kudzu under control!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun sailboat story. Love your boats! Too bad you don't live closer; I have several plastic drawer units to unload now that I no longer need them for lace inventory. Also, I love you fabric/kudzu analogy. All I can say is "ain't it the truth!?"
ReplyDeleteCongrats! on your INSTANT April block AND that great storage find. SUCH a great price for a really useful storage solution!!
ReplyDeletewhat a find! Amazing what people will get rid of. Lucky you to come along at just the right moment!!!
ReplyDeleteI found a shelf once, sitting out with garbage, took it home, and later realized it might have been for donations, uh oh. Oh well.
Love hearing about your family history! Such great memories to have! Your uncle would probably love your sailboat blocks! They are so cute! And I like your way of "making" a new block--- the old switcharoo trick!! Great blocks this week, Paula!
ReplyDeleteI love your little orange sails. I have not jumped on the RSC boat but rather have been enjoying ideas from the side lines. I need to just jump in and set sail. Thanks for sharing your story about the boats. Janita
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're finally getting daffodils! Tulip season is in full bloom here (sorry!). Great scores from your garbage room! And your boats are so cute!
ReplyDeleteOrange sails on your sailboat - perfect!
ReplyDeleteI have a kudzu room too. Cute little sailboat. And what an interesting family story.
ReplyDeleteYour orange boat is ready for sailing. So cute.
ReplyDeleteGreat find and you gave good use for that drawer.
Your sailboat is the perfect use of orange and brown/black together! So cute! I like your 16 patches, too. Your drawers look just like the set I brought home from my classroom when I retired last May, and I am using them to store fabric in, too. A much better use for them, I think! I have tulips, but am so looking forward to the daffodils. They are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteFun blocks. Love the sail boat and your revamped 16 patches.
ReplyDeleteCute little sail boat. Looking forward to seeing your rainbow fleet of boat blocks.
ReplyDeleteThat is going to be a great sailboat quilt.
ReplyDelete