I think if I were not a quilter, I would be a gardener, because I do enjoy it.  But being a quilter involved in the business of quilting requires that my time be spent in endeavors that are not necessarily first choice. Deadlines are not very forgiving and commitments have to be met.

Yesterday morning I completed the paste-up for the new pattern and started the second sample.  This will not be a duplicate of the cover sample, but rather something different that is still made to the directions printed in the pattern so that I can vet the pattern before sending it off to the printer.

While shopping my stash, the first fabric pulled was the polka dot batik in the background, Another batik in the same color family caught my eye and I cut those pieces for the design wall.  Then I pulled all of the fabrics that might be considered for the main petals and threw those up on the wall, to consider for lightest lights and darkest darks.  Maybe I need a lighter light. Looks like the backgrounds sort of moosh so that second background piece will probably be replaced with something else.  This technique requires that you be able to sacrifice a little fabric sometimes.  No matter, the pieces are small!

My design wall is 8 x 8′ covered in gray flannel, chosen because it is a nice neutral especially good for photograpy. Small pieces of fabric stick nicely but very large pieces require pinning.  Of course these pieces are paper backed so they need to be pinned in place.

By now I was ready for a break and after venturing outside the gorgeous fall weather grabbed me and I spent the afternoon hand digging a new perennial bed.  I guess I got about 15 x 2.5′ finished with all of the grass and roots removed. My husband was ready to do it for me with the rototiller, but I wanted to get rid of the grass. Perhaps today I can get another 15 feet done and some stuff planted before our next several days of rain starts tonight. This sunny border will be visible to me from the shade garden hammock next summer!  Can’t wait!!

Tags: business, Gardening