Another FFO, A New Start, And Sweaty Garden Work

Yesterday I felt the need to complete another project - the triangular scissor case. This involved:

• making cording for the loop closure with 8 strands of the Sulky Petites thread using my Kreinek cording drill,
• cutting and fusing light interfacing to the back of the stitching inside the perimeter stitching line
• cutting the lining to fit about 1/2" beyond the perimeter stitching line
• pinning the stitching to the lining, right sides together, with raw ends of corded loop stitching out of one of the corners
• sewing along the perimeter stitching line, leaving an opening for turning
• turning right side out
• folding two adjacent sides together (with the point opposite the cording) and starting halfway, matching the motifs, stitched to the point. Then stitching in the other direction completing the seam
• sewing on the pearl button at appropriate spot for the corded loop.
• 'blinging it up' on the front with 2mm clear HotFix 'jewels'.

All finished!

I have the urge to make a couple more. It's so easy with the Sulky Petites thread. They make great small exchange projects. The person who received one of them at the first Stitch North I attended came and thanked me more than once when she received hers. 

I began quartering the 5" charm squares into 2.5" squares. I used the dark Best of Morris squares and cut 2.5" strips from the companion fabric.

While on our shop hop, my niece Ana spoke highly of the Stripology ruler. It's a ruler with slots every 1/2" for cutting strips. I already had a similar product, the Shape Cut ruler from June Tailor, Inc.

I chose a neutral companion fabric (shown above under the ruler) and cut 2.5" strips, then laid the strips out, and cut 2.5" squares from the strips. Then took some fusible interfacing and drew 2.5" grid lines with my relatively new 2.5" wide 'quilters ruler'. 

I'm all ready to fuse the squares to the interfacing, orienting properly out from the horizontal centre for the Drop Zone project. Now to cut the lining, also from the companion fabric, and the tabs for the ends. I do need to go out and find a 24" zipper for the project. I could go to either the Ultimate Sewing Centre in Oshawa or Fabricland in Pickering tomorrow (avoiding Friday summer 401 traffic like the plague). I think Fabricland might have a greater selection of colours. 

This morning I weeded the entire, embarassingly neglected side yard. The metre-tall weeds were surprisingly easy to pull out and I filled two yard waste bags. It was hot and sweaty work but I took breaks from time to time and finally got the damned thing done. That side of the house needs a major cleanup - lots of wood, empty plant pots, etc. The subsequent shower felt great.

The wildflower seeds I planted in the back garden are coming up now, baby's breath, some type of cornflower/bachelor button, a lone zinnia, a big marigold (I think) - quite the selection of random plants. I'm still considering discontinuing a couple of the beds - filling them in with sod or grass seed. But if I can successfully grow the wildflower mix, I will do that for another year. 

Once I'm out there, I don't mind the work. It's just been so bloody hot, I really have to pick my days. It was overcast most of the time I was out there this morning. It hasn't rained much so the soil is pretty dry, generally makes pulling weeds more difficult. It's going to be hot for at least the next week.