Weekend Update

 We had a lovely rainy Saturday here in Maine! You all know what I mean. A rainy day with no major commitments means sewing room time! I even spent a few hours in the morning cooking up a few weekly meals to alleviate any guilt that might sneak into my soggy brain.

 I finished laying out the center block for my “Bird’s Nest Soup” potholder quilt. I now have 12 finished blocks (all quilted and bound) and the remaining 20 are basted for applique. 

 These blocks have been so much fun to make! In fact, I didn’t even scream when I discovered (after it was quilted!) that I had oriented the backing on this one in the wrong direction.

Now, a rearing horse can be fun when under saddle, but not a good thing when one is hitched to a sleigh.

So, my bird is flying backwards and the poppies are lying down… it could be worse! 

 I was able to piece all the rows of my “Two and Four” quilt-a-long with KatyQuilts. Just a few long seams and we are ready to quilt! 

 I also started my September mini – yes, “started”! I actually made pretty good progress so I should have it bound before Thursday.

 And, when my mini is done, I am going to open this happy package.

My first ever quilt kit! I saw this Pam’s blog (Heartspun Quilts)  and knew I just had to order it. (you can find it on her website: Pam Buda Quilts) I have used Pam’s precise patterns many times so I’m sure this project will be a breeze! I’m looking forward to my first “kit” experience.

 A productive day indeed. Hope your weekend was full of fun too!

Two and Four and this and that

 

When I posted my 4-patches last week I had a few comments saying how amazed they were about how much I get done. This is so funny to me as I really feel like a slug when I see all the fabulous progress happening out there.

 Are you a list maker? I believe most quilters are. I have noticed lately how often fellow bloggers mention crossing things off the “to do” list. “Done and dusted” is a phrase I hear a lot. It does feel good to get a UFO into the finished pile.

These are my rail fence blocks in Katy’s (KatyQuilts) “Two and Four QAL”. Next step – piece all the rows together. Will I be able to finish the next step this week? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! 

 I’m also steaming along on my “Bird’s Nest Soup” potholder quilt. I initially chose this fabulous bird print for my center block. 

 But, it just wasn’t right somehow so I ditched it for a fabulous Di Ford parrot. I decided it was more prudent to cut a whole new background piece rather than take these wee stitches out.

My time is more valuable than fabric. (Did I really just say that?) I’m now auditioning fabric for the final border even though I still have 18 blocks to finish first. 

 This “Summer applique” project has now moved into the, “hope I can finish it before the New Year” category!

Two and Four QAL

 

As usual I am only marginally on time with Katy’s (KatyQuilts) Two and Four quilt-a-long. I finished my 4-patches just in time to start the next phase. 

(Yikes, I think it is time for a new ironing board cover!!)

Rail Fence blocks – here we come!

Cocheco Quilt Show

 

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for an “in person” quilt show. In fact, I am willing to wear gas mask and full goggles just to see quilts in person!

 My friend Gladi (GladiQuilts) has a few of her marvelous quilts at her guild (Cocheco) show in October. 

The show is at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield St., Rochester, NH. October 16 & 17 from 10:00 to 4:00.

 A few of us from my Seven Sistah’s group are going to mask up and take the 2 hour drive to see them on the 16^th. Hope you get the chance to attend too.

Community Supper at NEQM

 

Woohoo to all my fellow quilters who had a part in the “Community Supper” quilt. (See the story here) It will be part of the New England Quilt Museum’s “Quarantined Quilts – Creativity in the Midst of Chaos” from September 14 – December 31. 

Back 

 The museum is located on 18 Shattuck St. in Lowell, MA. It is a wonderful place to visit and the city of Lowell has quite a bit to offer as well. Do visit their website (here) for hours as these may change daily due to Covid.

 Working on this quilt was my salvation during the early months of this crazy pandemic and I am so excited to be able to share “our” quilt with the quilting community. Thanks to everyone who participated. I sincerely hope you get a chance to visit it. And, if you do, please let me know so I can share it with the others. 

Two and Four Quilt-a-long

 

I have been so busy this summer that I thought it would be a good idea to start another project!

 I am joining Katy (KatyQuilts) and her friend in a very simple and slow paced sew-a-long!

 Katy has made one (or more) of this simple yet effective pattern in red, white and blue. I am opting to make mine really scrappy. In fact, each of the dark prints will be a different fabric. I had several hundred 5” squares already, so I simply cut them to size. In order to make things easier, the lights are all the same fabric. 

 We had 2 weeks to cut all the pieces and naturally I just finished last night. Sorry about the bad photos. Time to start stitching today. We have 2 more weeks until the next step.

 If all goes well, I should have a lovely quilt for the infusion center of our local hospital by October!

August monthly mini - Teeny Tiny Star by Pam Buda

 

When I received this little pattern from Pam Buda (Heartspun Quilts), I knew instantly it would soon become my monthly mini. My friend Cyndi (Busy Thimble) made one for last month’s mini (here) and it is gorgeous.

Pam has launched “The TeenyTiny Quilt Club” for those of us who love tiny quilts. Please visit her blog (Heartspun Quilts) to find out how to join in the fun. Also visit her Facebook page (here) to see all the merriment. Pam’s patterns are so very precise and easy to follow. This came together so quickly despite the tiny pieces. 

 Of course, one thing Pam always says is to make sure to read the directions thoroughly before starting. 

In my case, it helps to refer to them often so this doesn’t happen! 

I had to add my signature yellow to Pam’s delightful plum fabrics. I just love how it came out. I used a toile that my friend Barb (Fun with Barb) gave me for the backing. It just seemed fitting. Thanks Pam and Barb for helping me with this month’s mini.

 Let’s see what you all have been doing in this busy summer month!

Quilting Babcia (Amity Quilter)

Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Cyndi (Busy Thimble)

Grace (City Mouse Quilter)

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Gladi (Gladi’s Quilts)

Shasta (High Road Quilter)

Julie (Julie K Quilts)

Kathy (Kathy’s Quilts)

Katy (Katy Quilts)

Sandy (My Material Creations)

Angie (Quilting on the Crescent)

Barbara (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors)

Janet (Rogue Quilts)

Kyle (Timeless Reflections)

Cynthia (Wabi-Sabi Quilts)