Thursday, March 8, 2012

Next projects

First, I need some take-along work. My #1 Daughter asked me to make something for her daughter's school fund-raiser. Hunting through my fabric, I found this panel with rabbits. I probably bought it several years ago to make a table runner for the rabbit year. Well that year is now gone and it won't be back for 12 more years. I may not even make it another 12 years myself so may as well use it now.

Wednesday's train ride and long District committee meeting provided time to piece a border out of yukata fabrics. Today it is basted and I began to quilt the waves on the trip to and from choir. It may seem strange to see rabbits jumping over the waves. In Japan, when you look at the face of the moon, it is not a face but a rabbit pounding mochi. In the fall during the harvest moon, it is not uncommon to see pictures of rabbits and moons and on the East coast the full moon is rising above the waves. The rabbits just come with it.
I will probably quilt a wave design in the background like I did the dragon unless I can think of something simpler.
The other project I had to get done is my pinewood derby. Each kid gets a block of wood and four wheels to make a car. Tomorrow is my pack meeting and Saturday we will race the cars. I make a car every year and challenge the dads. That way, they will let their kid make his own car and if they want to compete ... I'm the guy to beat!

This poor cat was a hurry-up job and looks like it. I tried to make a maneki nekko, a beckoning cat, ushering in good luck. (the gold piece says "fuku" or good fortune). The block of wood size and shape, and placement of the wheels determines the shape and size of the design. I had to whittle it out yesterday and get it painted today. I really needed another day to get it sanded better and the pen I used for the thin black lines was not as waterproof as it claimed because it ran all over the place when I put on the acrylic varnish. I had to re-paint the white and use a brush to re-paint the lines. Because of the rough texture it was not so neat.

Every year the kids look forward and guess what I will make for my car. I am certain they will not be as critical as I am.

Tomorrow begins my class on Bible quilts. It will be a quilt-as-you-go class with everyone participating to make a quilt . I think it will be for their Church bazaar. I had hoped to have more time to do prep work but it looks as though they will learn to trace patterns and cut for themselves. Maybe that is not so bad to learn from the very start. I bought the focus fabric and a bit if coordinated prints and solids. Two other members will bring some from their stash so it is probably a good thing we will begin everything tomorrow with the whole group. At least they will be entertained by my crummy but serviceable Japanese. I will report the results if they are not too embarrassing.

Now, before I am off to bed, I shall make two piles. One of everything I need for the quilting and one for the pack meeting that follows. Hopefully I grab the right one when I go out. The ladies might have fun with a pinewood derby but the Cubs probably wouldn't care a whole lot for quilting!

11 comments:

  1. I have seen a lot of pinewood derby cars in my time, but, never one like yours. How cool! We always let our boys do it themselves, and it showed, vs some that you could tell the dads did ALL the work. One year, my boys each decided to race a block of wood (no modifications other than weights) and they each won the year they choose to do that. Beat all those 'dad' cars. After those two years, lots of blocks of wood were raced by boys.

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  2. love your panel Julie and yet another talent you have, carving wood.

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  3. STOP rushing around and draw breath instead!! That way you will NOT mix up your piles of surplies lol x loved the story and explanation about the rabbits xx

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  4. I love both projects you show! That pinewood derby cat is amazing! I think it's great you have a challenge for the dads. It's hard to see a boy's car compete against one a dad made.

    That rabbit panel is cute too. I love your use of yukata fabric in the border. I have some remnants I purchased in Japan years ago. I need to get busy and start using them.

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  5. I don't know how you manage to get so much done. The rabbit quilt is going to be lovely. I remember those wooden cars my sons and husband made for Boy Scouts along with moaning and groaning and hurrahs!

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  6. That will make a nice quilt for your daughter and another project to keep you busy.

    Debbie

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  7. Simply amazing...all that you do. I love the car even though you don't think it's as good as usual. It's far better than most of us could do. :) And the rabbit panel looks like it will be fun to quilt. Lots to do but staying busy is critical to good mental health. :) blessings, marlene

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  8. Derby Cat car is superb!!! How do you do all this?? Your day must have about 40 hours. The panel is lovely with that border,it shows off the other colours so well. Cheers from Jean.

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  9. Honestly I don't think you appreciate how talented you are! Love that derby cat - can't believe you carved!!!

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  10. Those cubs are so lucky to have you - so much fun and some good values too. Love your car - my the best Woman win! - Mary

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  11. A most interesting panel. And your derby car is like none I've ever seen. So cute... if that's allowed.

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