Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Simple Pleasures....and what do you need to find a simple kind of comfort, pleasure, satifaction or contentment in your day? A question with lots of
possible answers. A mug of fresh tea or coffee, a hug from a friend or loved one. Sunshine on your shoulder, a verse of scripture. Maybe all of the above. Any or all of those things and many more, for me. And I would include a needle and thread in my hand. Sometimes I think we(and I suppose I am mostly thinking women) have conquered the world, settled the vast wilderness of these United States, Canada and Mexico with a needle in our hand or carefully tucked away to use in a moment of leisure. I looked up the definition of "leisure" and it is defined as freedom or a spare moment.
These are yo-yos. My yo-yos. I don't particularily like yo-yo quilts. To me, they are not quilts. They are pieced but never quilted. There is no lining or batt, nor any backing unless you do a variation. They are eye catching, and I'm sure were a novelity at some time or another. Thus, we have yo-yo coverlets. I make yo-yos. They are hand sewing, and that is part of what I need to complete my day. Sometimes the hand sewing part comes early in the day, or in the afternoon. Where it falls doesn't really matter.
The yo-yos I'm showing you are fabrics from the 1950's. Mostly funky in their own way. They measure 2" across finished. What I use for a circle might surprise you...LOL. Yo know those darn CD's that we keep getting in the mail, trying to sell us on AOL, or Target, etc?? Yup, that's my template. They are incredibly handy things. Need a half circle drawn for quilting. Grab the CD.
Dawn, I believe, asked about my perfect circle in the utility quilting...LOL. Yup, a CD that I drew around, and probably a mug or glass for the inner one. I like to turn the quarter inch under as I baste around the edge of the yo-yo. I don't use paper to baste over, I just turn the edge under as I go. when it's complete, I gently pull on my thread til it's gathered about as tight as it will go, and then I make a couple of knots and cut the thread.
What will my yo-yos become? Embellishments. Clusters of flowers on something. Stacked circles for one things or another. Maybe even a yo-yo doll or clown. You see it really doesn't matter what their purpose is....I like hand sewing, and they are quite mindless, and a great way to use up larger scrapes of ugly fabric. I think the CDs are about 5". Just measured one...4 3/4".
The other question to answer today is about "Ebby", my kitty-to-be". Sounds like she will be arriving on Friday. Special delivery from her current owner and my darling oldest daughter...*VBS* Posted by Picasa

21 comments:

Libby said...

You have an amazing collection of vintage fabrics.

I like to have a project that requires handwork at the ready all of the time. You never know when you might just want to sit down and take a few stitches. It is so relaxing no matter if it's a mid-morning coffee break or to regroup after an upsetting phone call. Maybe that's why I like binding so much. It's mindless, soothing and productive all at the same time.

I'm glad to hear that Ebby will be with you soon. You two have a lot of getting acquainted to do. What fun *s*

Texan said...

Yoyos,,,well I love them! *G* I keep a bag going all the time as well...like you I am not sure what they will be till they become that! My bag I am working on now are smaller ones than I used on my throw...they are just the best take along hand work :O)... your vintage fabrics are great!!

I cannot wait for your new furry friend to arrive... I am most excited for you!

Hedgehog said...

Very excited to see pictures of Ebby assisting you in the sewing room soon!

Darcie said...

Just think of all of the fun that you and Ebby are going to have making yo-yos...and fabric strip balls!

I love yo-yos too! The one time out of two that I watched "Project Runway" on TV...one designer was obsessed with yo-yos. Kind of fun to see that yo-yos can be appreciated in just about any venue!

Hugs to you, Finn!

Anonymous said...

YAY for the new kitty... (I posted a kitty quilt today...)

I think yo-yo's are wonderful embellishments... Appliqued up or down...

Nancy said...

I love yo-yos. As you said - mindless sewing. I have a yo-yo spread made by my great-grandmother for my Dad when he was a baby (in the 20s). I need to dig it out and take pictures.

Peggy said...

can't wait to see your kitty!

Angie said...

I like your yo-yos. I keep meaning to make some (I even saved the CD for that *G*). Maybe one of these days.

I'm glad Ebby will be arriving on Friday, Finn! :) I'm so excited for you both!

Susie said...

Can't wait to see pictures of your kitty!
I'd never heard of a yo yo, but this is pretty!

Shelina said...

A yo yo quilt is on my to do list. But you are right, they are many other projects that they can be used for as well.

Sweet P said...

Hand work is one of the most relaxing tasks I do. There are a couple others, but I won't mention them here. I do my hand work while riding to work in the morning. It helps me to get my day started.

Linda C said...

I think we have some fabric you might like in our donation bin that looks a bit like some of yours. I'll dig it out next time I'm over that way. Truly, it would fit right in. Theramae and I were looking at it momentarily for a back yesterday till we found a white with green stripes and red anchors.

Paula, the quilter said...

I, too, use those CDs. Because they are what they are I also use my rotary cutter to cut around them. I enjoy just sitting and doing handwork or embroidery becuase it is so relaxing. Not that the sox knitting is tense but it is kind of because I clutch those pesky knitting needles to keep the tension correct. /paula

Clare said...

Never heard of yo-yo's. You learn something new every day.

You'll never guess what I use CD's for? I hang them on the fruit trees just after the blossom has finished and before the fruit starts forming. They keep the birds away. We had the biggest crop of black cherries ever this year. Looking forward to seeing pictures of Ebby curled up in the stash boxes, or on the quilts.

Hanne said...

I have never made a yo-yo, but maybe I will now, after reading your post :-) They must look good as flowers on a quilt. Ideas, ideas :-)
I am looking forward to see and hear more about the cat. I hope you 2 will enjoy eachother's company.

Tonya Ricucci said...

hurrah for kitty friday!

Susan Tidwell said...

Hi Finn! Sounds like you are excited about your new pet coming! I know she will be great company. Thanks for the utility quilting lesson, I have not seen any of that thread around, will have to look for it. Also love the school memories! Have a great day!

Quilts And Pieces said...

What fun yo-yo's! I've never had the desire to make yo-yo's! I do make them when I want circles appliqued on a quilt, it is easier for me to make a yo-yo and applique that on!

And yes it was me noting your perfect circle quilting. But besides the line being a circle when you draw it, the stitches are so cuved and perfect!

KC Quilter said...

I will miss your always-inspiring posts while I am away for a couple of weeks. I so look forward to them. And yo-yos--just the best for TV stitching, as well as hexagons. Have piles of both with no apparent need LOL. Best wishes with Ebby. Kitties are the best!

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Can't wait for Ebby to arrive...I know that she will get used to you right away. It's fun to watch a cat discover its new surroundings.

The yo yo's are very colorful.

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

I haven't really done any hand sewing in forever... but I am chugging along on the binding for a fairly large quilt. I am finding that a little hand work here and there - is relaxing! Certainly not exciting, but it is relaxing!

Cheers!

Evelyn