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 

RSC 16 week 47

LAST MINUTE CHANGES AND SURPRISES

This has been a week of unusual events and some nice surprises.  First of all, I linked up with A Trunkful of Quilts at WHIMS AND FANCIES and have met some talented quilters showing off their favorite pieces in this online trunk show.  You can still link up for yourself.

Second, my sewing machine has been in need of an overhaul for far longer than I will admit.  With the BOMs done for now this is a good time to be without it.  I've made arrangements for the servicing and have been pushing to get some flimsies done before then.

Today I finally finished a WIP waiting since July.  My granddaughter and her visiting French friend came by to visit then, and I handed them two charm packs plus extras so they could lay them out on the floor.  They had fun and it looked good.  We put the blocks in order and I tucked them away.  Of course, other projects got in the way.  So here is the top, finished and photographed a few hours ago. No plans for this yet.

  I showed the top to a quilting friend.  She had good news also.  She had been given a free machine in a cabinet.  It is a 1961 Kenmore.  She offered to lend it to me when I need it.  It will be a blast from the past, because my first machine was a 1964 Kenmore bought the year I got married.  In fact, I secretly made my husband pajamas for our first Christmas because he had none.  He wore them once, then informed me that he always slept in his underwear.  The new bride had a lot to learn! 

Last week I asked my quilting friends to help me choose from two setting for my 16-patch quilt.

With black sashing and black border:  

 

No sashing, but a bright yellow border:  

We decided on the second, which is more childlike rather than the black, which is lovely but more like stained glass.  Maybe the next one will be stained glass, an effect I just love.

In short, this week I finished a colorful flimsie, choose the direction for my 16-patch and also God provided me with a spare machine just when I need it.  A very good week!

I wish you all in the USA a  very blessed Thanksgiving Day, and blessings on all my other dear friends.

For more ideas, check out these link sites:

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework