Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Busy work

I was tired last night so I just sorted batik scraps while I watched 3 shows on TV.  I got them sorted into sizes and pressed also.  We had a very good turnout for the QOV sew in and got a lot accomplished.  I was not at my best after 2 nights of interupted sleep.  Sunday night the smoke detector started chirping at 1:30 a.m.  It had made a couple chirps the morning before so I looked in the direction sheet that came with it 7 years ago and it said the lithium battery was almost dead when it starts chirping.  I figured I had a day or 2 to replace it, but no, it started chirping once every minute 1:30 til 8 a.m.  Now in my younger days I would have gotten up, grabbed a ladder and got up there and pulled the battery out, but I'm older and much more cautious about my safety now, plus I'm not sure how steady I would have been at 1:30.  I did drift in and out of sleep, but let's say it wasn't very restul. 
I had an idea of cutting rectangles to go between the little bits blocks and then stagger them.  I thought maybe some black and white prints might work, so I grabbed a couple from my stash and laid the blocks out approximately how they would be if I did it.

I like the white with black better than the black with white, but I haven't made any decisions other than that.  I probably need to try some other prints too.

20 comments:

Julie Bagamary said...

OOOO - I like this!

Unknown said...

Yes, I wouldn't have gotten up either. I think I would have had my husband just take it down until morning. I do love the little blocks against both backgrounds. Not sure which one I like the best.

Maria said...

No I would not have got at 1.30am either.
Yes I like them on the white with black too.

Debbie said...

Well, Wanda, if I was forced to decide between the two, I would say the white. But, I don't really like either of them. Too busy. Maybe something with more white space. Or, how about a black and white checked?

Gene Black said...

I would have gotten up and yanked it down...or maybe put in some earplugs. (I keep some by the bed)

I like the black with white better. But I think I would prefer a black with tiny colored dots or specks even more.

HollyM said...

I really like the white with black too.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

good idea for your little squares - it will look great in either color.

On the smoke detector I recently replaced mine as it was chirping too - we replaced the batteries and it started doing it all over again a couple days later. We picked up a new smoke detector and on the package it said that all detectors should be totally replaced every 10 years - I hadn't known that.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

hetty said...

I don't think I would have gotten up either. But that chirping is enough to drive one crazy......
I like the white with black, but would love to see some of your other gorgeous fabrics. I am sure you will find something in your stash that works.

Judi said...

I wouldn't of gotten up either. I like the white with the black the black with the white it looks like the fabric is just sitting on top. Love to see more choices.

Vicki W said...

Why do smoke alarm batteries ALWAYS die int he middle of the night? I agree, I like the black on white too!

Needled Mom said...

Yes, I like the white better too. It really shows off the batiks much better.

Anonymous said...

Fun to see your ideas as you work through finding the best combination for those little squares.

J~MT

Sharon said...

Spring forward and fall back, both are great times to check the smoke alarms. I bought a family pack of batteries and replaced all of them when I moved into my home. I like the second choice, the white w/black. Hmmm, I might try a print like this with my xmas blocks. You suggested white, I thought black, neither is working for me.

Anonymous said...

While you are changing batteries, do all the smoke alarms at the same time. And if you don't have more than one, well, now would be a good time to put a couple more in strategic places. Top of the stairs to the basement, near the heater, etc.
The darker the background the brighter the scrappy blocks look, the lighter background doesn't work to these eyes. But I do love the design idea. Linda

Cathi said...

I really like those little snippets of colour floating on the white with black! What a fun piece that's going to be!

The last time our smoke alarm did the chirping thing we had no idea what on earth was making the noise. Checked our cell phones, the portable phones and everything else before we finally realized what it was. The chirping got louder the longer we left it.

Anonymous said...

I Agree with Debbie more white in the black. They do look like they are floating on the background material. Would like to see more background choices.
As for smoke detectors, I don't even have batteries in mine. I was tired of them chirping every time I turned on the stove or oven. I know this is not wise. Maybe I just need to buy new ones, like Karenfae says since they are at least 12 years old, that's how long I've been living in this house. Guess I'll be shopping for new ones this weekend.
Happy quilting!

Kay in Kansas

Terri said...

Love the little blocks! Love your blog! Terri

Karen said...

What a great idea - use up the scraps and some yardage, and not have to match a single seam. Love it!!

Vivian said...

As the wife of a retired firefighter, PLEASE keep those smoke alarms functioning (but changing batteries in the middle of the night isn't my preference either).

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

If it had been me with your smoke alarm, I probably would have found a stick and beat it to death - of course, then would have regretted that decision when I had to go out and buy a new one. I like the little squares better on the white with back better too.