7/21/19

Distracted

It was a no sewing day yesterday, mainly because I couldn't stay focused for all the fun unpacking and laundry I needed to do. There's still plenty of laundry to work on today. Yesterday's included one load of finished Solstice to Solstice quilt, and three loads of towels. And unpacking the camper could have been finished in about an hour, but I kept sitting down and scrolling mindlessly on different phone apps. Oh well...sometimes I think we all need a day to be unfocused and distracted. By day's end it was all finished, and so today will be NBS (nothing but sewing).

So let's just take a look at what happened yesterday...which wasn't much. As I mentioned, I washed the Solstice to Solstice quilt. This is going to be a snuggle quilt. It might end up in the fifth wheel, but I haven't decided for sure yet. I really love a freshly washed and dried quilt. It's so soft and cozy, and I like how poofy it gets in the dryer.


Throughout the day, I was going through the lengthy process of seasoning two small cast iron skillets. When I got interested in making skillet desserts for two, I purchased a small cast iron skillet. As it turns out, I already had two of the same size stashed in our attic among our old tent camping gear. I'd been up recently with Matthew picking through that stuff to see if there was anything he wanted. When I found these skillets, I decided to season them, and then put one in each of the RV's so that I'm always ready when a skillet dessert for two emergency arises.

So, take a look at these babies. I finished them off this morning. The one on the left had a thin patina of rust on it. The one on the right was kind of silver like the handle. (I actually think this one belonged to my mother. When we started tent camping, I kind of remember her giving it to us.)


I read Cook's Illustrated's article entitled, "The Ultimate Way to Season Cast Iron." You'll probably need a membership to Cook's Illustrated to open that link. If you can't open it, the process is described here. I found this small bottle of flaxseed oil on Amazon, and that's what I used.


I didn't follow the process to the letter because I didn't want to run my oven at its highest temperature for five hours on a summer day, and so I used my toaster oven. I'm happy with the result. It was a lengthy process, but required only a little hands-on time. The rest of the time, I just went about my business and let the toaster oven do all the work.

Okay, and also, I decided to enter the Flamingles quilt in the upcoming Road to California show in January. We'll be heading south next winter, and it'll be my first opportunity to actually attend the show. Wouldn't it be fun to see my own quilt hanging there? So, if my quilt is accepted, I'll be thrilled, although I don't expect to win anything with this quilt. Still, it's my own design from my own photograph, and I'm proud of it. I hope the people picking quilts will like it too. I needed to submit a full-quilt photo, and so I spent some time getting it gussied up for this shot.


And they also wanted a photograph of the quilt detail, and so I gave them this one.


Notifications won't go out until the end of November, and so I have plenty of time to bite my nails until then. Wish me luck.

Since there was no time even for slow-stitching yesterday, I spent some time this morning. This is my mystery project. Only a peek for you for the time being.


The kitties were enjoying the morning sun. Sadie has staked out this sun patch in the morning.


Smitty still prefers a sunbath on the top rung of his kitty pole.

Geez! Don't take that picture until I get my mascara on!


Today I'll be doing multiple loads of laundry...clothes today...but there will be plenty of time for sewing. I have three projects on my wish list. First, trace out the next three hearts for the Year of Hearts embroidery project. Second, catch up on the Tiny Tuesday blocks. I'm two weeks behind, and so I want to get caught up before yet another one is released. Third, make the little Beach Hut quilt to be hung in the camper. It's such a tiny little thing, it should go together fairly quickly. I picked out the fabrics yesterday, and so I'm ready to go.

7 comments:

Teresa said...

I love your flamingo. Good luck getting it in the show!

Julierose said...

Busy day for sure--best of luck for your flamingo piece--I love it--so pretty hugs, Julierose

quiltzyx said...

Oh YAY - I hope the Flamingles are accepted into Road to California!! Maybe that will be the impetus I need to actually go to the show next year. :)

The fresh-washed Solstice quilt looks wonderful...since I am sitting in the a/c right now! lol

That is quite a job of reseasoning the cast iron pans, but if you use it a lot, sounds like it will be worth it.

Quilting Babcia said...

Those cast iron skillets are certainly worth re-seasoning whenever necessary. I did my large one several years ago and it hasn't needed it again since. Good luck with your flamingo quilt entry!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I passed all my cast iron to my daughter and son - they use them all the time and take good care of them. Fingers crossed that the flamingo piece gets accepted - love it.

Susan said...

Here's hoping your Flamingos get into the Road to California quilt show. Now I have to ask, when did Smitty start using mascara?:-)

Natureluvr57 said...

What a lovely day today after all those hot triple digit heat index days! I wish it would last but I got a lot of outdoor chores done. Love your flamingo. I love cast iron too. Mom has one of her Moms skillets and she told me it was really rusted bad. Her and her sisters did what their Mom used to do...they took skillets down to the ditch on the farm and threw them into a fire. However, I would not condone that method. I think cast iron has changed since way back then because I've read reviews of a top name brand cracking, warping, etc. Mom's hand me down pan is slick as a whistle from so many years of use (and probably burnings in the ditch). Cast Iron is a must for cornbread. Take care