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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Notes from the Workshop

Did not find a skinny table for behind the sofa...so I am making one myself. Bought a chunk of lumber, 4 screw on legs, 4 brackets for holding the legs on, 1 can of stain, a brush, a sanding block and some mineral spirits for cleanup.

Here's what my workshop, aka my kitchen, looks like. These are the legs suspended upside down from twine anchored from one cabinet to another. The color on these is not too bad.



Here is the table top (its 1"x8"x7') resting on my TV tray saw horses. I am not liking the color on this too much...will have to see what it looks like after another coat but I think its going to be too light so I may have to make another trip to the hardware store to get a darker color. The kitchen cabinets behind are the right color (those are the ones I restored a couple of weeks ago) . I might just make a skinny table runner and call it a day though.


Here is a picture of the Batik Birds hanging over the sofa (the one that will get the skinny table put behind it) and yes, the borders are a bit 'friendly', actually a lot 'friendly'! (they definitely wave)...This was my very first hand quilted piece and I did not know very much then! I used some icky poly batting and did not measure the borders too well. I should just cut them off and rebind the piece, but that's a job for another day! The quilting's not too bad, especially in the center - I ripped it out several times before I was happy with it! The center is a hand painted batik piece that my Auntie brought back from Bali a long time ago...it was sitting in my craft stash, waiting...

Most of it was quilted in the Barnes and Noble Bookstore while I was waiting for DH to pick me up - I went into work in a carpool at the time and we only had one car that worked. I would sit in one of their comfy chairs and stitch away...I think I sold a couple of hand quilting books for them - people would come up and ask about what I was doing.

But, even with its foibles, I still like it!

5 comments:

Dorothy said...

Suze, good for you for picking up the power tools and building what you want! I can't wait to see it finished.

The quilt is very pretty! Have you tried blocking it squarer? Dampen it, then pin it into the carpet, patting and pulling it into shape. Let it dry, pinned and then see if it isn't closer to square. Or leave it - it's your quilt, right?

Suze said...

No power tools this time - I had the guy do the sawing at hardware store (it was free). But I am fearlessly doing the rest!
Have to try that blocking trick on the carpet...though it might be full of cat fur by the time its dry! I did steam iron it but that did not improve the waves too much...

His Office, My Studio said...

I just love power tools and making things myself. You go girl.

Debra Dixon said...

You have the best Can Do Attitude!

Anonymous said...

way to go, Suze! The table will be great. I love your batik bird quilt. I was also going to suggest blocking the quilt but I see Dorothy has beat me to it. When you block, use a LOT of pins, and get the quilt pretty damp. Heck, I'd probably not bother with it though! Enjoy!