RSC15 week 17, violets

These violets from my daughter's garden are the only purple this week.  My son Chris, age 47, passed away peacefully last weekend after a long struggle.  My next balloon blocks will be in memory of his Mày birthday.

SCT, new direction

This is my first post to Sew Cute Tuesday

I just cannot stay away from brights apparently.  Two weeks ago I made up a purple and white Jack in the Box block.  This week I prepared HSTs in pink and in yellow for two more blocks, but was bored with the one color blocks. So I am changing direction to some pattern with lots of brights, as below.  Just playing with ideas, searching on Pinterest.  I'm thinking about pinwheels.

Meanwhile, I finally have my latest boy quilt flimsy done.  With my gdau to help I can finish two Project Linus quilts for the May 11 half yearly charity collection at our local quilt group.

RSC15 week 15

Up, up and away...I feel like flying with my balloons.  After a rough week of family illness, it is so satisfying to finish something pretty.  Everyone is on the mend, even sweet Popper, but she has turned into a fussy cat turning up her nose at this food and that.

Actually, I did not notice the purple balloons in the blocks until I started hunting for the border strips!  I was lucky to find good fabrics to complement them. Purple is gorgeous!

RSC15 week 14

 I have joined a second challenge, the HST Jelly Roll Challenge, sponsored by Jelly Roll Fabrics, to make a different 16-block square each week.  All you RSC15 people have been a challenge to me to do more, so I am combining this in addition to my framed balloons.  Today I cut my first set, using purple of course.  This week's pattern is Jack in the Box, and I hope the piecing will go as well as making the patches.  Here is my first ever 16-square.

 

RSC15 week 13, more goldens

At last we have golden sunshine and March, which gave us one last lion roar, is going out like a lamb.  My yellow balloon blocks are getting anxious to have some new ones to join them.  So I have spent some of this week working on my boy quilt for Project Linus.  I added the 1-1/2 inch black sashing, which really makes them snap.  The rest will not take long and spring is getting me out of my rut and ready to move on.

RSC15 week 12, goldens

Back-to-front Linus quilts...that's how I design them.  I first buy 50 x 60 fleece blankets with colorful themes.  I've been lucky to get them at a great sale price, $2.88 each, and have several on hand.  I also look for sales of pre-cuts online, because I can't get to stores very often.

The challenge for me, and the part I like best, is choosing the pattern and colors to go with the fleece backing.  I often make up my own pattern, which has to fit within the backing size. 

For this one, number six, I found two lively compatible charm packs which bring out the colors and action I wanted.  The key for me is using large enough pieces to show off the fabric pictures.   This time the four patch does it and all 20 squares are done.  I am thinking of using black sashing.  A border will depend on the overall size.  

The due date for Monona Quilters charity colection is the end of May and I expect to have two quilts to hand in.

Another surprise in the mail today, this darling mug rug made especially for me by a dear friend in WA.  It just shouts "spring" to me. How did she know about yellow for March?

RSC15 week-11

What could be lovelier than these mini daffodils!  My son and daughter started getting them for me a few years ago.  So on this first day of sunshine and 50's, my living room is now glowing as well.  They are my very favorite flower, especially now that we are living in the upper Midwest.
You also can see my granddaughter's sunny smile and the only piece of quilting that my mother ever made, this cathedral window pillow done in the 80's. It all really says "happiness" to me.

This really inspired me to get my yellow blocks done for today to add to my Linus quilt.  I really love the three colors together, and am excited about getting more colors in it. See below.  I took the pic in daylight, which really is the only way for me to get true color.  The pink block no longer looks orange!

Yellow box, part two

But look what the mailman left me, just a few minutes after the yellow box fell, (courtesy of my handy Visa card)!  Another box with 25 fat quarters of Michael Miller, Just My Type, from Fat Quarter Shop, a steal of a deal at $1.00 apiece! Frustration all gone, praise the Lord!

RSC15 week 10

I am NOT getting much done with yellow so far.  This morning I pulled out my entire STASH, no scraps in it, just some strips.  Had the box all set up for a photo, and along came Popper.

She naturally hopped over to see what was going on and....here is my entire stash of yellow.

I ask you, does she even look guilty?

I really do plan to get my blocks done soon, I promise.

Vintage 30's dollhouse bed quilts

These are the tiniest quilts I have ever seen.  Don't recall where I got them, probably about 20 years ago.  Some dear person made this Trip Around the World pair for a lucky girl with a dollhouse.  They even have fussy cut peach flowers in the green squares.  The front and back were stitched right sides together and turned, so no binding was needed.
They are the highlight of my antique doll quilt collection.  I hope these whet your appetite for the rest of them, which I will be showing every few weeks or so.

RSC15 Last pink, Linus quilt

I've been working on this Linus quilt for some time, but just added the pink border and realized that it counts toward my February pinks!  Better late than never.  On to yellow now!

RSC15

RSC15 January and February blocks for Linus quilt

Off to a colorful start

My first Project Linus quilt was made last year after I saw the terrific charity quilts that Monona Quilters had made.  Jelly rolls were an easy start and I love bright colors, so the simple Rail Fence was the way to go.  I bought some 50 x 60 fleece blankets on sale for the backs, no extra batting needed.  But they do require pliers to pull a needle through!   Now I was hooked.  

Chinese folk quilt for baby

My daughter found this quilt in a thrift shop recently.  I checked it out online and found others nearly identical.  The front side has symbols of good fortune, the frog, butterfly and pandas, and very traditional pineapple blocks. The back has little stuffed insects, meant to protect the baby from poisons or other ills, each centered on a complex quilt block. See below.

If anyone has seen this type of quilt, I would love to know.

Pastel Linus quilt

This is the fifth Linus quilt, ready for its pink border.

Too busy setting up this blog to get it done today.