RSC16 week 53

2016 REVIEW

This past year was one of many monthly block projects.  Some were very fulfilling.  Others were good learning and practice opportunities.  As a result I did not have as much time and energy for doing entire quilt projects, except for my Project Linus kids quilts.  Plus, the last couple of months have been taken up with Bonnie Hunter's El Porvence Mystery quilt, lots and lots of piecing.  That plus the use of an old loaner machine this month prevented me from doing anything beyond basics.  No FMQ, no quilting at all.

If this sounds like excuses, it is definitely not.  I'm proud of all the blocks I've made, whether or not they have become finishes.

This is how far I got on piecing together these forgotten blocks from years ago, found in my daughter's attic.  I call it Arizona and it will be a wall hanging when finished.  I love the colors, which remind me of our visit to Phoenix and Sedona.

This is my favorite project from RSC16, my Twinkler wall hanging.  It was definitely in the frustrating but rewarding category and hangs in my bedroom as a flimsy.

Here is my Dog Park quilt when it was donated to Project Linus.  My previous post tells the story of its improv development.  It is one of my favorites.

 My two Pinwheel row quilts were also given to Project Linus.  They started when I received a giveaway of 92 HSTs, which I turned into pinwheel blocks.  I had enough for two quilts, adding rows of some pieced blocks and a lot of precuts.  The backs were made with the leftover fabrics.  Somehow I missed taking full pics of the finishes.

My 6-inch boat blocks continue to multiply and will end up bouncing on the waves in a row quilt.

The RSC16 monthly 16-patch blocks have had a few more added and are now a flimsy.

My 8-inch improv blocks have been the most rewarding project for me.  They are also RSC16 colors. I plan to set them on a grey background, sort of in gallery fashion.  Im definitely going to continue these and do more in this direction.

B
I took part in Modern HST Sampler with Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts   I completed 20 of the 24 12-inch blocks, two a  month.  This Folded Box was a substitute for one of those.  I love the 3-D effect and am going to do this one for RSC17.

Those are the highlights of a very enjoyable year with Angela.  I feel like Rainbow Scrap Challenge is my online neighborhood, with many dear friends.  I wish all of you a very Happy New Year and lots of quilting fun.

I'm linking up with

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

AHIQ, 12/27

Ann and Kaya - I came across your blog from Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts tonight.  I posted a comment about my improv blocks.  When I read your post, Ann, I realized that I have been doing improv quilting all along.  Here is one I'd like to share.

I like to do Project Linus quilts for kids at our local Chidrens Hospital.  I found a discount store that had a sale on fleece blankets, edged at 50 X 60 inches.  At less than $3.00 each I bought a bunch of kid themed ones to use instead of batting and backing.  All I had to do was make a top within those size limits.

Here's the fleece backing, which evolved into my Dog Park quilt.

I had bought this really cute dog fabric  all kinds together on green backing.  But the piece was not long enough.  So I decided,to make a row quilt.  I found the assorted brown strips that looked like paths or fences.  To add more length I broke them up with ball/balloon strips, making the length right.  I still had no name for it.  Then I found this whole Jellyroll of cars running along.  This became the streets  where the owners parked to get out and let the dogs play.  Voila!  A dog park.

It was amazing how all the colors went together and matched the fleece backing.  So here it was:

DOG PARK QUILT

I did give it to our quilt group's charity collection day held twice a year.  This year we collected about 300 quilts of all types and sizes, for veterans, halfway houses, nursing homes, NIQUs and Project Linus.  It is not only creative but satisfying being able to give it to a child who will love it.

.
I'm linking this with AHIQ, Ad Hoc Imrpov Quilter at Fret Not Yourself  

En Provence link-up 5

ACTUAL COMPLETION OF PART 5 

Completed my 32 HSTs in no time.  I used the Magic Eight method, seen in Blossom Heart Quilts and on Gogle, which is the easiest for me.  I tried cutting from strips but it was too slippery with the Easy Angle Ruler.  To mark my large squares for stitching and cutting, I lay the top fabric on sandpaper, so no slipping.  After stitching the whole large block I press it flat before cutting the pieces apart.  I trim them to size before pressing them open, so only one edge needs trimming.  Then I press them open.  I hope this may help those of you who may be all thumbs or shaky like me.

Here are samples of my Parts 3 and 4.  Please pardon the lighting, done late at night. 

I'm feeing more on top of things now.  I hope you are all coming along nicely as well.

Linking up with Bonnie Hunter at    Quiltville's Quips and Snips   

RSC week 52!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HANNUKAH

It's not quite the end of year.  For some reson there is still one more Rainbow Scrap Challenge 

 Saturday left.  This year has been so full of interesting quilt things happening, but I am too busy now to look back yet.

I'm rushing to finish Sarah's gift quilt, but a strange thing happened.  I had finished the top, but when I tried to cuddle under it, it was too small, and Sarah has not yet finished growing.  I have all the measurements down for the front and back to match, but I decided to make it bigger a few days ago.  Since it is all print and solid charm squares it was easy to do,a row at a time, blending the colors as I went.  Two days ago it looked like this.

I had added two more rows at the top in this photo.  My plan was for one more at the top and three  more lengthwise.  I have done the three top rows, but decided to stop with two more side rows.  This hallway photo would not hold the entire quilt top if I continued.  Running out of charms is not a problem.  I've been collecting them for years and I don't even have a bracelet.  I'm going to add a row on the backing, which should make the two equal.

Here is the start of the backing layout way back when.  It's undergone a lot of changes in size and placement. But you get the general idea.

I think Sarah will receive two gifts, one flimsy and one backing, but no batting or quilting.  The more I've worked on it the more I enjoy it. By the time it is finished it should be filled with love.

I've also tried to work on my half-size En Provence blocks, but nothing to show today.  

I did find this fuzzy friend at a sale the other day.  The charming 100-year-old lady had died peacefully in her sleep after a very active life.  

I just had to have this little duck, whose tag says Squeeze me.  He then shouts Aflac, AFLAC, AAAFLAAC! 

So blessings to all of you for happy holidays and making good memories.

Check out the other colorful posts at

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

En Provence Linkup 4

A LITTLE BIT SLOW

I have not had time to start on week 4 Tri-Rec blocks yet, but I'm familiar with them and have chosen my fabrics.

These are the last few blocks for week 3. They are going like magic now that my tuned up machine is home and purring like a kitten.

I  hope you are all enjoying the Mystery process. I'm linking up with Bonnie Hunter at  

Quiltville's Quips and Snips   

RSC16 week 51

BETHLEHEM 

I've had a tradition of setting up a Christmas stable scene since my kids were tiny, about forty five years now.  It has grown bit by bit until it now occupys my six-foot long breakfast bar and has become my Bethlehem village.

My granddaughter Sarah now sets it up yearly and knows where every piece belongs.  The scenes go from left to right.

First are the shepherds coming with their sheep to the stable and Angels announcing Christ's birth.  There in the stable are Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, some animals and the Wise Men.  These are all from my original collection.  Some of the characters show their age, but are cherished.

The second view is of the townspeople.  You can see the food vendor with his wares, the town well with people coming for water and a group of singers celebrating.  These begin my Fontanini collection which produces new items yearly, each with a name and a story.  Sorry that I could not edit out my kitchen in the background.

The third area is the temple with a rabbi studying his scrolls.  You can also see the Roman soldier reading from a scroll the edict about the census which brought Jospeh and Mary to Bethlehem to be counted as David's descendants.

The last scene is the Wise Men's camp where their laden camels are resting and a meal is being prepared for them.  A woman is bringing another dish to add to the feast for the honored guests.  This includes little old dishes set out on a rug and other food items.

I invite my friends and children to visit and enjoy the scene, which tells the true story of Christmas, the birth of God's Son sent from heaven to bring us to salvation.

As for quilting, I worked with a 1960's Kenmore loaner while my machine was in for a tuneup.  I mostly worked on simple 4-patch blocks for Bonnie Hunter's En Provence Mystery.  Yesterday my machine came home and just purrs like a kitten now.  So I did a bit of trial and error with my sailboats.

Gayle at     mangofeet.blogspot.com gave me some good pointers on how she got her piglets to run up and down hills.  This is my awkward start at having my boats ride the waves on a row quilt.  I'm also going to be trying to get my granddaughter 's quilt done for Christmas. 

God bless all of you dear friends during this holiday season.  This year Hannukah falls on Christmas as well.  May you all have health and happiness in abundance.  I hope you will take a look at all the posts at

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

I LIKE CHRISTMAS

I've had a tradition of setting up a Christmas stable scene since my kids were tiny, about forty five years now.  It has grown bit by bit until it now occupys my six-foot long breakfast bar and has become my Bethlehem village.

My granddaughter Sarah now sets it up yearly and knows where every piece belongs.  From left to right, the story goes.

First are the shepherds coming with their sheep to the stable and Angels announcing Christ's birth.  There in the stable are Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, some animals and the Wise Men.  These are all from my original collection.

The second view is of the townspeople.  You can see the food vendor with his wares, the town well with people coming for water and a group of singers celebrating.  These begin my Fontanini collection which adds new items yearly, each with a name and a story.  Sorry that I could not edit out my kitchen in the background.

The third area is the temple with a rabbi,studying his scrolls.  You can also see the Roman soldier reading from a scroll the edict about the census which brought Jospeh and Mary to Bethlehem to be counted as David's descendants.

The last scene is the Wise Men's camp where their laden camels are resting and a meal is being prepared for them.  A woman is bringing another dish to add to the feast for the honored guests.  This includes little old dishes set out on a rug and other food items.

I invite my friends and children to visit and enjoy the scene, which tells the true story of Christmas, the birth of God's Son sent from heaven to bring us to salvation.

God bless all of you dear friends during this holiday season.  This year Hannukah falls on Christmas as well.  May you all have health and happiness in abundance.

Please check out Leanna's I Like Thursday post. Not Afraid Of Color

En Provence linkup 3

PART ONE EST TOUT FINI 

I know it's half English and half French, but it say it all.  Late last night I finished my 110 neutral 4-patch blocks.  Here they are in all their non glory.  I,had to put them on something bright so you could at least see the size of the pile.

My pieces for part two have been cut and are waiting for piecing until my regular machine gets home, which will be on THURSDAY!  Apparently it will be better than new and at a very reasonable price.  This old machine has begun squeaking in protest, but that problem will have to be up to the new owner.

This is the start I have made on the beautiful purples.  

I inherited some beautiful purples foe some unknown soul and am very grateful.  Can't wait to finish the 84 blocks for part three.

I hope all of you are doing well on your mystery blocks.  My only problem is that Friday comes too soon. Or is Monday the pressure day?  I am learning to deal with the pressure by just plowing along.  

Even though I'm from New England I must say "See y'all next week."  

 

D
Linking up with Bonnie Hunter at   Quiltville's Quips and Snips   

I Like Thursday

I love Christmas decorations, especially old one.  My little table tree has lots of prestrung lights and many old family ornaments, ones made in Germany.

When I was little there was an old bell with a clapper that I would ring every night and say, "Good night, Christmas tree."   For my two children I started to collect more of,the ringing bells in thrift shops.  Now I have about a dozen on the tree. 

I started collecting ornaments on my travels.  It began with a painted tin chili pepper from Phoenix. I added a Space Needle, an astronaut from Cape Kennedy, and many more that bring back wonderful memories every year.

Beneath the tree are the heavier ornaments.

Do any of you remember the little candle Santa and angel, or the little house covered with snow?  The golden bell is one of the ringing ones.

Here are a couple of San Francisco cable cars,more angel candles .  Hanging from the tree is an angel in a red robe, sent to me from Germany when my aunt was there.

I have another very special Christmas collection, which I will share next week when I can get better photos.  I hope these have brought back happy memories for you. 

Check Leeanna's blog, Not Afraid Of Color , for more lovely things folks share.

En Provence Link-up 2

PART TWO OF THE MYSTERY

This week has been nothing but piecing.  One project, the En Provence mystery quilt for Bonnie Hunter, has been ridiculously slow going.  I was waiting for my friend to cut the strips I needed.  Even going at half size for the project it still was a huge amount of 4-patches.  Today, Friday, my grand total was about a dozen 4-patch blocks.  Here is the big layout!

On the other hand part two is going better, with one big hitch.

Last Monday my Huskystar machine left for a luxurious spa treatment.  Fortunately, my quilter friend in our building loaned me this vintage machine, which she was given for free last week, an extra for her.  Since it was crowding out her dining area, it came to stay with me for a while.  It is a 1961 Kenmore.  Coincidentally, my first machine was a 1964 Kenmore.  Guess that makes me vintage also.

For you sewing machine lovers, here it is,  a Tri-Span 88, model 88, automatic zig-zag with cams to insert for decorative stitches.

As you see, it has a cabinet and has a knee lever control behind the door.  And here it is in all it's shiny metal glory, looking very mid century modern.

So now the challenge is to try it out, just piecing for now.  I'm eager to get going on an endless amount of block piecing, if it cooperates.  The was a bobbin case problem.  UPDATE:  My daughter came over and got the machine working fine.  Now I can do some more finishing work and piece some of those En Provence blocks that I have been cutting, and cutting and cutting.  

Yesterday I dug in and cut the entire amount of magenta pieces and several neutral pieces.  Fortunately I had the Tri Rec rulers from the RSC16 Twinkler stars.  The piecing is a little bit tricky until you get the hang of it.  So this morning I got a start by piecing two blocks, but the rest of the day is busy with errands. At least I have something to show.

Now my feeling of being overwhelmed has lifted.  I took advice from some of you dear friends and relaxed.  I'm not feeling overwhelmed, but an actual mystery participant.

Have a good week everyone, get those blocks done, but don't beat yourself up the way I did.

For more ideas, check out these link sites:

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

linking with http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/11/en-provence-mystery-monday-link-up-part2.html

RSC 16 week 49

PIECE WORK

This week has been nothing but piecing.  One project, the En Provence mystery quilt for Bonnie Hunter, has been ridiculously slow going.  I was waiting for my friend to cut the strips I needed.  Even going at half size for the project it still was a huge amount of 4-patches.  Today, Friday, my grand total was about a dozen 4-patch blocks.  Here is the big layout!

On the other hand, I did have a big piecing finish.  A while back I posted a pic of this Color Spot pattern done with Just Type FQs by Patty Young for Michael Miller.  Now I've decided to call it the Nerdy quilt because it is nothing but nonsense typing.  This was the end of September, seven blocks.

Here is my stack of 120 blocks, total for a twin size quilt.

I don't know when I will get it pieced together.  It will have to wait it's turn.

Me anwhile today my Huskystar machine left for a luxurious spa treatment.  Fortunately, my quilter friend in our building loaned me this vintage machine, which she was given for free last week, an extra for her.  Since it was crowding out her dining area, it came to stay with me for a while.  It is a 1961 Kenmore.  Coincidentally, my first machine was a 1964 Kenmore.  Guess that makes me vintage also.

For you sewing machine lovers, here it is,  a Tri-Span 88, model 88, automatic zig-zag with cams to insert for decorative stitches.

As you see, it has a cabinet and has a knee lever control behind the door.  And here it is in all it's shiny metal glory, looking very mid century modern.

So now the challenge is to try it out, just piecing for now.  I'm eager to get going on an endless amount of block piecing, if it cooperates.  UPDATE:  My daughter came over and got the machine working fine.  Now I can do some more finishing work and piece some of those En Provence blocks that I have been cutting, and cutting and cutting.  

Have a good week everyone. 

For more ideas, check out these link sites:

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

Thursday "l Like" 12/1/16

When LeeAnna at   Not Afraid Of Color   started this a few weeks ago I began watching and thinking about how I could share, not being a techie person.  She said to email her about my post, so I hope you don't miss seeing it, or go back to this post.

One of my lifelong favorite things has been colored glass.  Any kind will do from a blue beer bottle to beach glass tumbled by the waves.  I've collected some over the years as part of my history of American glass collection.  Some of that I've given away to my daughter, mainly the ruby red kind, her favorite?  I'm now at the giving rather than the collecting stage of my life.

Here is part of my six-foot collection behind my kitchen sink.  I took this before we removed them to make room for my Bethlehem village, another like for December.

It's an ideal spot because the light shines through from either side, as it does from the living room window.  It's a mix of the beer bottle, an amythst bulb sprouted, a cobalt blue,hen on a nest and my favorite, the red and yellow footed dish.

The beer bottle came from my son.  He emptied it and I said "Dont you dare throw that away.  Save me all that you can."  

My bathroom decor is pastels with colored glass pieces and everything with an iris theme because I used to raise and breed irises.  How many can you find in this photo?

One of my favorite glass pieces is this dish on my antique marble top table.  The engraved block is from a very dear friend.  Both mean a lot to me.

That is about one-third of my colored glass collection.  Maybe having them around is why I'm always drawn to bright colors in my fabrics.  Color and the play of light on and through it gives my life real pleasure.  

I hope you will join me in sharing your likes along with LeeAnna on Thursdays.  Just email her that you have something to share and she will add your website to her weekly list.  Thanks, LeeAnna.

RSC16 week 48

A VERY TIMELY PRIZE

For the Modern HST Sampler third quarter Linky party I entered my photo of my finished blocks and was thrilled to win a random prize.  It was a $25 voucher from Gotham Quilts.  Last week I received my chosen gift of fat quarters, XOXO by Cotton and Steel.  These are lovely modern fabrics.

Last week I posted a photo of the very colorful charm block flimsy I just finished.  I had no plans for a backing until the XOXO fabric arrived.  Four of them were perfect for this quilt back.  I added a playful street scene, a half-yard piece from my stash.  Here was the perfect combination for this super bright top and backing.

My friend Laura, who is not really a quilter, is developing a good eye for color as we work together to take photos of my WIPs.  She has much steadier hands.  Here's what we laid out last night down in our club room, my last minute change of mind.

The addition of the sashing and border will give a few extra inches on each side to make sure the sandwich will work.  So the entire backing was FREE and came just in time.  Thank you, Alyce, from 

Modern HST Sampler at  Blossom Heart Quilts

HAPPY SHOPPING

I went to Hobby Lobby this week for Warm and White batting, 40% off with coupon.  I also found the cutest cat fabric I've ever seen, also on sale.  I snapped up two yards, no project in mind, just to love for a while.  Bad photo, this is black on pure white.

  It was only about 4.50 a yard, so if you fall in instant love with these sweet faces, check at HL.  Coincidentally, I saw that Diann of Liitle Penguin had used the same fabric in one of her cross blocks. 

I had decided to do a row quilt with my little sailboats, so I was looking online for some fish fabric for them to sail on.  Did not like any, but HL had this really cute bolt, also on sale.  It's perfect!

I might end up making more boats going the other way variety in the rows.  It should not take long.  So I am pleased that I've got plans for most of my RSC16 blocks and I'm working on other things as well.  Good thing to do in the short winter days. 

I hope everyone has a happy weekend doing what we all like best, fabric shopping.

Check out the Quilty fun at

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework