Higher than an elephant's eye

 Building skyscrapers in the sewing room . . .

and airplanes

Well sort of . . .

It's been that kind of day.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Central Command, this is Capt. Houston, come in please.

Go ahead Houston, this is Central Command Station 419 whiskey beta alpha thalassemia.

Central Command, we have a problem.  It seems Part # A527 J691 rolling riveter has become disassembled from Part # B482 K999 rolling parameter.  And as you know the rolling parameter supports substation C817 KKK.

Did you say "problem" Capt. Houston?

Aye Sir.

You realize Captain that we do NOT accept problems.  You've read the sign, "All problems, complaints, trivialities, inconsistencies, or occurrences are to be attended to by Private First Class Dollster."

I'm afraid PFC Dollster is incapacitated sir.

Has she been into the chewies again Capt. Houston?

I'm afraid so sir.

And overindulged in kibble with ham bits?

That is correct sir.

(Very big sigh.)

Well I'm afraid Capt. Houston that  substation C817 KKK will need to be totally emptied, removed from the rolling parameter, so you can re-apply the rolling riveter.

TOTALLY emptied sir?

Uh huh.

Every single piece sir?

You've got it.

And Capt. Houston . . . .

Yes sir?

Tell PFC Dollster, she's been demoted and for heaven's sake to lay off the chewies.

Aye aye sir.  Over and out.

Houston, this is Central Command. We have lift off!

We do, we do, and it's so exciting!

 The 2 x 4 foot laminated pine board top molding was applied to the edges.  I had been very hesitant to try this, as it was such an important step.

You see, the edge of it needed to be just 1/4" higher than the top to prevent pencils from rolling off and to keep the cutting mat snug.

The board and molding were both treated with Minwax stain sealant in case something spills.

The wood laminate was an important decision.  Cutting tables must be sturdy.  Fiber board won't do, it can get spilled on.  Laminate / formica won't work, as it's too slick.  Plywood could have worked, but it's very expensive.  This board is available at Lowe's in the pre-formed 2 x 4 size.  No cutting necessary.  Believe me, I spent weeks on this decision.

 Once again the glue turned out to be a problem.  The tiny, thin line applied really puffed up.  But I can live with it.

 When the wood panel was set on top of the cabinet, the doors would not open.  So heavy duty felt was used to protect the cabinet and raise the top a teensy bit.

 A wood collar was built to frame 3 sides of the white cabinet on wheels (with gift lumber from my newest best friend, M.C.).

It was placed 1-3/4 inch in from the edge.  Centered of course.

To create a very snug fit, the sides of the collar were first left unscrewed.  After pressing the collar sides very tightly against the felt and cabinet, a line was drawn to verify placement.

Up came the top, and the collar sides were then secured.  (For various reasons, I chose NOT to attach the collar to the actual cabinet.  The top simply fits snugly.)

Back on went the top so the 2 side and 1 back piece of peg board could be placed.  I used heavy duty Glidden paint on the peg board.  Spray paint did not seem to work well.  The peg board panels were cut to size at Home Depot.  

The dolly is framed with 2 x 4's and the collar is made with 2 x 4's trimmed down.  Each had to be the same width.  There's 1-1/2 inches in between the cabinet and peg board, allowing room for small cutting mats.

 

A one-stop station that can be moved about the room and disassembled if need be.

I'm still deciding how to harness Dolly so she can help pull it!  LOL

And in case you were wondering, this idea did not come overnight.  It took weeks of planning, pinterest research, and drawing out ideas.  However, I'm very pleased and cannot wait to get trimming.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Small doin's . . .

That's Southern slang . . . .  in other words, I've not run the NY City marathon, climbed Mt. Everest, or cooked up a 5-course dinner.

However, a few more triangle units were made.

 The ancient chimney sweep project has a few more blocks (we're talking 1990's),

 And an 11-year-old scrappy star block top is now underway.

I'm working on this layout.

Of course there's nothing small about my steadfast, loyal companion except for the spaces she tries to fit in to.

This weekend I'll attempt to empty the sewing room, scrub the carpet, and finish moving the cabinets. That's why they're on wheels you know.  Portability is my middle name.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Questions Dr. Dooyu Quiltt asks to ascertain signs of amnesia.

Dr. Q:  Do you own any fabric?

Why of course, doesn't everyone!

Can you locate your sewing machine?

Eventually.

What about your cutting board?

Most of the time.

And your pressing station?

Well that's going to take a bit of work.

Since our topic also pertains to World War II veterans, can you hum the first 5 bars from the theme song in the movie, South Pacific?

Only if there's chocolate available.

I see from our files, you've recently completed other tops for Quilts of Valor.

Most assuredly.

If you were to share a particularly easy pattern, which would it be?

Definitely the one patch, made with 3" x 4" rectangles, light and dark combination.  13 blocks wide x 24 blocks long with a border of whatever is on hand to match.

Is anyone permitted to contribute completed 50" x 60" quilts for the Honor Flight, which takes place May 3&4, 2015?

 Yes of course.  Anyone can join in to help cover all 120 veterans participating in this great event.

To whom should they send their completed quilts?

That would be Alycia Carmin, the semi-official presentation coordinator.  However, by the time it's over, I believe she'll be officially official.

Is there a particular reason why you believe folks should participate?

They were there for us even before we were born, let's be there for them!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

It seems there was an arctic blast that came through yesterday,

And decided not to leave yet.  We hit 4 degrees this morning.

Since the pellet stove has been struggling to get the inside temps up to 60 degrees, I'm doubly glad for warm quilts .

 Even the bunnies got covered.  I managed to hang 4 big tarps from the front porch to block the wind.  Water bottles were well frozen this morning and require frequent checking throughout the day.

 As soon as I receive more information from Alycia on the 2 upcoming Freedom Flights, I'll share the pattern information on this 50 x 60" quilt.

The rectangles measure 3 x 4, so if you're stuck inside on this wintry day, why not take some time to cut out a few.  Any dark and light combination will do, but plaids or red/white/blue would be best.

 It only took me 1-1/2 days to complete 2 tops, about half of the pieces were in a baggie.

Dolly asked me to ask you to check on your furry ones outside.  Fresh water is especially important and appreciated. . . . slurp!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Roving reporter Dolly discovers something new in the neighborhood.

"Hey mom, did you notice there's a new quilt on the line."

"See, and it's PLAID."

 "Are you gonna tell 'em?"

 "Who it's for and where it's going?"

 "They'll want to know mom . .. so they can make one too!"

 "Cause it's important.  They'll believe me when I say it's IMPORTANT!"

 Not to mention EASY.  "They like easy."

"Awww, come on mom .  . .. pleezzzzz.  wag, wag, wag.  BARK"

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Wooo hooo, all together!

 The pattern comes from the book "Nickel Quilts."

 However, I used 2" squares, 2" wide strips, and 3-1/4" squares.

Lack of value placement echoes the stress in my life 12 years ago when I began this one.

Waste not, want not . . . leftover squares from an apron panel.

Dolly enjoying her Christmas gift from Aunt Fran.

My word motto for the New Year is "focus and finish".  Do you have a theme word for 2015?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .