RSC17 week 12

A MIXED BAG

The main thing occupying my time and thoughts for a few days was an overnight hospital procedure.  It went better than expected and I'm glad to be home.  But I've been tired as a result so very little stitching was done.  

However, I received an unexpected and truly generous surprise.  For Cynthia's Orphan Block event I offered 18 of my HST blocks from Blossom Heart Quilts excellent tutorials. They will be going to some generous person tomorrow.  I got a lot of good experience at doing the blocks, but I'm not up to turning them into one or two quilts.  I did not realize Cynthia had a drawing for the participants until she sent me an email.  Not only had I won the drawing, but she gave me extra fabric for my Kaffe Fassett quilt project.

The prize included the latest issues of Quilty and 100 Blocks, along with two mini charm packs, perfect  for Project Linus projects.  Cynthia has a project published in both magazines.

She very generously sent me large pieces of three gorgeous fabrics of my color choice.  These will be a real help to round out the pieces for my 30 blocks (none were made this week).  

The one bit of RSC17 sewing I got done at the last minute was my pair of red 6-inch houses.  They are such fun to make.

So here I am glad this week is over, feeling fine and looking forward to April and some flowers, any flowers, PLEASE.  

I'm wishing the blessing of spring flowers for all of you this week. 

See what all the colorful scrappy fun is about this week at 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy  and

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

MSQ Linky, February 2017

Thank you, Alyce, for giving us this chance to practice HST techniques.  I learned a great deal and feel more confident making them now.  Due to family circumstances I was unable to complete the entire set, but did complete twenty blocks.  Instead of a large quilt, I'm planning to use them for three or four smaller projects.

These are in better lighting and grouped by color.  

M

   

I'm already more confident and have jumped right into more HST projects.  Thanks again, Alyce.

Blossom Heart Quilts

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 

RSC 16 week 36

PROGRESS REPORT

Looking back over the last few months has been fun.  I want to finish showing you my group photos of my monthly blocks.

The first one has been the most difficult to make, but also the most satisfying  because I just love these Twinkler stars.

I'm also happy with my improv blocks, where the colors were sometimes a challenge.  I found that batiks will often have the right mix, such as brown and pink, and also have some designs good for fussy cutting.

I've done two each month of the Modern HST Sampler 12-inch blocks.  Again I've used the Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors for the most part.  Lately I've switched around because I've ended up with too much purple.  So for August I made another aqua beachy block, the Whirligig.

 Here are blocks 7-12, which were for the latest Modern HST Sampler progress photo.

My only problem is having little for show and tell at our quilt group.  However, I've just been inspired to start a new quilt project, using a collection of fat eights I've had for two years.  It is Just Type by Patty Young for Michael Miller.  I have chosen a pattern very popular at our quilt group.  More next week.

Are all of you excited, relieved or exhausted now that school has started?  I hope all you moms will have some extra time for catching your breath and doing some stitching.  Fall is a great time for starting new projects, even better than the New Year I think.  I wish everyone a happy September.

I link up with RSC16 at soscrappy

Sew Cute Tuesday at Young Texan Mama

Oh Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

Modern HST Second Quarter

Modern HST Sampler blocks 7 - 12 

 

I link up with Modern HST Sampler at Blossom Heart Quilts  

Sew Cute Tuesday, July 19

TURNSTILE FINALLY DONE

In my previous post at RSC16 I showed two mockup versions of Turnstile to ask for opinions whether to go for a black dotted background or light pink with flowers.  Most people liked the more modern black look, but it seemed too harsh for my taste.  My final choice, suggested by some folks, was purple, which I am happy with.

Thanks for all the input, dear friends.  And thanks to Alyce and her Modern HST Sampler for giving me this fine practice in HST designs.  

MY FAVORITE SCRAP PROJECT AND WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

First of all I have to admit that I do not have pounds and acres of scraps as some of you long time scrap collectors do.  I have lots of yardage, fat quarters and other pre-cuts  especially jelly roll strips and charms. My actual crumb collection is what you see here. It doesn't even fill a quart-size bag.

I do have larger sizes organized and ready to use or cut down, but they are not truly scraps.

One of my monthly goals this year is to make an 8.5-inch slab block using the Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors of the month.  For some reason I always do my other blocks first, like the Twinkler and the sailboat, but I keep putting this one off.  Maybe my excuse is to use the other pieces first and use the leftovers for this block.

However, an interesting thing has been happening since I learned about slab blocks from Joy at The Joyful Quilter.  They seem to fit my more architectural leaning than real scrap quilts as of old.  I love the riot of colors, but I prefer structure rather than randomness.  This has all gelled in my mind in the last few months.

These are my first four slab blocks for the year.

Obviously they are mostly rectangular and becoming more focused on a theme or fussy cut block like the flowers.

Each month I have put more time into thinking about them and not doing anything randomly.  I realize now that they have become improv blocks, if there is an actual definition of one.  To me it  does not involve a pattern, but grows organically as I play and make choices.  Playing is sometimes hard work.

Here is the improv block for May, using green, but brighter greens and bits of other colors.  I call it A Gathering Of Doves.

My June improv block started with a flower iwith hints of aqua, the main color.  It evolved by balancing that orange with a pink little building, adding floral fabrics and even a piece of Ruby chard stems as tree branches.  It became The Neighborhood Flower Shop.

Does any of this make sense to you?  I felt a need to post these thoughts and photos to illustrate the process of improv, at least in my thinking.  And it definitely does us my scraps and crumbs.  Now I need to get busy on the next Modern HST Sampler and my July improv block.

JOIN IN THE FUN AT

Oh Scrap at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy

Modern HST Sampler at  Blossom Heart Quilts

Blossom Heart Quilts, June 28

COOL STREAM

It's summer already and half way through the Modern HST Sampler blocks.  In fact, the block's title is Rock Pools, so I reversed the suggested color scheme and made all the light backgrounds dark and the small dark highlights became light and bright in my watery version.  To me it speaks of cool water in a shady creek with the bubbling sound of the ripples over the rocks.  What better place to spend a hot summer day!

I also just complete my slab block for June, which is done in teas and lime also, the Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors for the month.  I spent a lot of time thinking about it as it grew into an image reminding me of a neighborhood flower shop.

Here's hoping all of you will have a good week full of stitching fun.  I link up with Blossom Heart Quilts and Rainbow Scrap Challenge .

RSC16 week 26

HALF WAY AND A BLAST FROM THE PAST

It's summer already and half way through the year for many quilt projects, but for Rainbow Scrap Challenge it's less than that for block making.  Some of you friends have amazed me with the amount of work you've accomplished.  I'm not in that category, but it's not a race, is it?  

My latest block for the Modern HST Sampler at Blossom Heart Quilts is done in the teals and lime.  In fact, the block's title is Rock Pools, so I reversed the suggested color scheme and made all the light backgrounds dark and the small dark highlights became light and bright in my watery version.  To me it speaks of cool water in a shady creek with the bubbling sound of the ripples over the rocks.  What better place to spend a hot summer day!

I've also made significant progress on my pair of Pinwheel Row quilts.  I finished the back of this one using strips and remainders from the front fabrics.  Here they are folded in half lengthwise.

The second one will be ready to show next week and I also have the batting purchased, after a fun visit to Hobby Lobby.  

While sorting through some very old quilt projects I was surprised to find four blocks done with curved piecing.  I recognize my fabrics from 20 years ago, but I have no memory of making these blocks.  I had no idea I had even attempted curves.  Guess I was fearless way back when.

I arranged these pieces until I decided this was the best format.  I'm calling it Spinning Curves and will have to let it percolate in my brain awhile to see what comes next.

I'm looking forward to July, but not for the heat.  I have a week to go to work on my Brave Quilter challenge for June, run by Pink Doxies, and finish my slab block.  By the way, did you notice that all my photos this week include teal and lime?    

Have a fun week and check out Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy    and Sew Cute Tuesday at  Blossom Heart Quilts 

RSC16 week 25

A COLORFUL WEEK

This has been a week of fun times and colorful projects.  The highlight of my week was a visit from my family nearby.  My granddaughter Sarah has a high school student visiting from France for a month.  They came over so I could meet Ilena, a lovely girl who speaks English quite well.  Sarah is in her third year of studying French.  They have been laughing and enjoying each other.  Here are Ilena with long hair and Sarah beside her.  They will be celebrating their July birthdays together.

I showed them my latest Project Linus quilt idea and they got right down on the floor and laid out all the charm squares, then stacked up the rows so I can use them as leaders and enders.  I've done two  rows so far of ten planned.  The packs are Riley Blake Solids and Northcott Colorworks Concepts.

My Rainbow Scrap Challenge Twinkler block was again challenging but satisfying.  I found some great teal pieces including, appropriately, the starry sky one.

If that is not enough color, look at what came from Connecting Threads recently.  I'm trying to add more solids to my stash.  This stack of 17 fat quarters was under $15, just what I "needed". 

The fabric in the foreground is the dress I was wearing that day.  That's why I am the Rainbow Gal around here.

I hope you all have fun this week working on your projects.  See what others are doing at Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy    and Modern HST Sampler at Blossom Heart Quilts    

RSC16 week 24

OCEAN MEMORIES

I grew up in Rhode Island where salt water was the defining element of summer.  When I was just a toddler my father took me into the shallow bay waters where I loved spashing and paddling around him.  Later on I went to the ocean beaches near my relatives' homes.  I learned how to dive through the breakers and float on the calm surface father out. I took my share of tumbles of course, but I would spend hours in the water. No sunning on the sand for me.  I went sailing on my uncle's 30 to 40-foot boats, the happiest place on earth for me.

When I moved to the West Coast after college I loved the beauty of the long deserted beaches, tall cliffs and tide pools teeming with sea creatures.  Collecting shells and driftwood was a new hobby.

So this month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors bring to mind all those happy moments.  Here is my fleet of 6-inch one-masted sloop blocks like Uncle Charlie's succession of them.

The Modern HST Sampler block this week makes me think of warm Florida waters and beach umbrellas.

Here is my 16-patch block for the month, aqua and lime tones like cool drinks at a seaside restaurant.

 Don't know how the fox got in there so close to the henhouse, probably while we were watching the fireworks.

Recently I've ordered some very fun charm packs and lovely solids, which will make a very easy leader/ender Project Linus quilt.

That looks like enough color for this week.  I hope all of you have a good time playing with your colors this week.  I link up with RSC16 at   soscrappy and Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts

RSC16 week 23

JUNE IS BUSTIN' OUT ALL OVER

On Wednesday. June 1, the first peonies, luscious pink, bloomed.  The first day lilies also opened.  Our garden is also filled with white daisies everywhere.  A beautiful start for my Wisconsin June.

I'm really excited about the color scheme of turquoise with lime green accents.  So my first block for the month is sailing along on a sweet breeze.

However, two of my major WIPs have now become flimsies except for white borders.  These are my Pinwheel Row quilts 1 and 2.  The first one was pretty much done a while back, using HSTs from a giveaway to make the larger pinwheel blocks.  I used two rows of them and added other rows and strips of little pinwheels.

I boxed up all the leftovers and forgot about them until last week.  Ahah!  Maybe I could add a good bit more to make a second one of the same size, about 42 x 42 inches.  When I unpacked the box I was really surprised to find two more complete pinwheel rows plus two extra blocks and other strip groups already done.  There were also plenty more of the small pinwheel strips.  In less than an hour I had the second top completely laid out.  Another half hour and it was all pieced, using every pinwheel block and strip.

 

Now I don't know which one I prefer, maybe the second.  Both of them just happened as I went along and the pieces fell into place.   I'm planning to make more row quilts from now on. 

I hope to see what fun things all of you are doing this month. Join me for Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

soscrappy and Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts

RSC16 week 21

PINWHEELS BLOWING IN THE BREEZE

It has been sunny with a lovely breeze lately and it has put me in the mood to finish my Rows of Pinwheels quilt top.  I completed attaching the rows together and was done sooner than expected.

After this photo was taken I got the sides trimmed up and am working on a plain white border. I have no idea what to use for backing because I intend to do a second version with the extra pinwheel blocks, so I want to use the fabric on hand for that first. It will be the same color scheme, so my orange and blue scraps will still be around.

As for my Modern HST Sampler block called Faceted Stripe, it called for a single color plus background.  I found another beautiful Wiliam Morris green leafy fabric with stems in lavender shades. So I chose to add a lavender dot print down the center instead of white background.

I still need a lot more practice.  While just joining units of two, I had to rip five seams, and this is as far as I got.  

However, my friend Sharon arrived from Seattle and we will be having a wonderful reunion as soon as she arrives from the airport. Don't expect to have much stitching time this week.  We will be showing her the sights here in Monona and Madison.  The weather is supposed to cooperate also.

I hope all of you have a great week.  I'm linking up with Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy and Modern HST Sampler at Blossom Heart Quilts

RSC16 week 20

SPRING GREEN

Happy, happy springtime!  A friend picked me a little bouquet of lilies of the valley, my favorite flower with such a delicate fragrance.  I can enjoy it every time I pass by.  And out on my deck a little house finch is perched on the railing, singing his heart out.  Bird songs are very special to me also.

Here is my May RSC16 16-patch block with a happy dancing bear just out of hibernation.

I chose green also for my Modern HST Sampler block Diagonal.  I have some beautiful green prints from Barbara Brackman's William Morris Jewels collection.  Since this one is a floral I also chose a lime green tone-on-tone floral to give a springtime effect.

My next WIP is the pinwheel row quilt I started last year.  To use more of the fun fabrics I had gathered I made this braid strip.  It was too short so this week I added a couple more strips and trimmed it all up.

The highlight of the week was Monday.  Our Monona Quilters group of about 50 members here in WI  held our semiannual charity quilt collection.  A total of 172 quilts of all sizes were collected for local charities such as Project Linus, a local veterans group, homeless transition housing and others.  Here are the quilts before we posed with them for photos.

I'm very proud to be a member of this active and generous group which meets weekly for show and tell.  They give a lot of encouragement and support to all the members.   We also have a giveaway table after the meeting where we can find many goodies and many of these reject fabrics are turned into lovely charity quilts.

I linked up with Rainbow Scrap Challenge at 

soscrappy   and Blossom Heart Quilts at Blossom Heart Quilts  

Blossom Heart Quilts, May 10

MODERN HST SAMPLER

I chose green for my Diagonal block this May, because it is the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color.  I had some beautiful green prints from Barbara Brackman's William Morris Jewels collection.  Since it is a floral I also chose a lime green tone on tone floral to give a springtime effect.

Yesterday our Monona Quilters group of about 50 members here in WI  held our semiannual charity quilt collection.  A total of 172 quilts of all sizes were collected for local charities such as Project Linus, a local veterans group, homeless transition housing and others.  Here are the quilts before we posed with them for photos.

I'm very proud to be a member of this active and generous group which meets weekly for show and tell.  They give a lot of encouragement and support to all the members.   We also have a giveaway table after the meeting where we can find many goodies and many of these reject fabrics are turned into lovely charity quilts.

I linked up with Blossom Heart Quilts and Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy.

soscrappy soscrappy

RSC16 week 19

,MAY DAY WEEK

This little paper basket filled with some Hershey Kisses was hanging on my door early in the morning of May 1st.  Some kind person makes these for all 60 apartments in our senior housing every year. I've been here five years and this unknown stranger never forgets.

I have done very little quilting this week, but have treated myself outrageously.  Here is the sum total of my work this week.

Due to unexpected happenings I got only this little sailboat made.  The other two green fabrics have been cut for the Modern HST Sampler block which I hope will be done by next week.  The dark print is from Barbara Brackman's William Morris collection. 

I think spring fever has gotten to me with tulips, magnolias and crab apples in bloom.

Also, because my birthday ending in a 5 came yesterday I simply had to do some online shopping at those convenient Mother's Day sales.  

This wild bunch arrived from Hancock's of Paducah first.  The one on the right is Mexican Poppies and the other three are from another designer, so fabulous on black.  I've no idea what I'll use them for, just to gaze at and dream for a while.  All half price, of course.

That was followed by the arrival of this pack of 17 fat quarters from Connecting Threads, for about 24 dollars.  They sure are better than candy and yummier looking, aren't they?

The final saving opportunity (splurge) were two gift certificates pour moi at Missouri Star's one day sale   price.  Also my granddaughter called to ask what kind of cake I like best for birthday/Mother's Day.  She is becoming an excellent baker and dark chocolate is her favorite as well as mine.

I hope you all have a happy Mother's Day for yourself and/or your mothers or other wonderful mothers you know.

NOTICE:  Thanks in part to Kate at Smiles from Kate and a session with a local techie, I now have ACTUAL LINKS to Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy and with Blossom Heart Quilts at Blossom Heart Quilts