Summer sewing

You know how sometimes your just get a "bee in your bonnet" and sew. . . . and sew . . . until you're done with a project?  That's what I have been doing on this "Scrap Tease" quilt,

I just want to sew and use things up. 

The stack of strips at the front of the photo above were a bit of frustration.  I cut them out 6 3/8" instead of 6 5/8" so I had to recut about 50 pieces.

I completed the sewing on these 54 blocks this morning.  I still need to cut and sew the corner pieces for the blocks to make them square.

This is the 3rd time I have made this pattern.  I like it because it uses up lots of 1 1/2" strips and it sews up quickly.  And it turns out cute every time.  The original quilt has sashing but I like it better with just blocks side by side. 

The pattern is by Bettie Hammock and there is a digital download here

 My original goal was to use up all the Pam Kitty Morning scraps which I did.  I used up a lot more than that but my large scrap box looks just as full as before.  Isn't that always the case?

Do any of your have a pattern that you have made multiple times because you like it so well? 

 If you do, please share.

Robin

The Proxy Quilt

My sister's first great grandchild was born last month.  My sister has been gone almost two years and she would have been so happy to hold that sweet little girl.

She was a great gift giver, even when she couldn't really afford it.  The remembrance of an event had to be acknowledged .

So, when this baby was born I knew I needed to do something.  My sister had purchased this American Jane Crib quilt kit years ago when I was still quickly accumulating grandchildren from my five children. (After a five year hiatus the sixth has since added two.)  But, I never got around to making up this kit.

I decided that since my sister had picked out the quilt kit. . . I could make it up and then it would be like a gift from the baby's great grandmother.  I just put the label on this morning.  It says; "From Great Grandma Pamela Hatch".

 It doesn't photograph well but just imagine the bright American Jane crayon box colors.  I made it up just like the instructions but I had to unpick the sashing and put in something that calmed down the busyness.  The neutral is actually a very very light peach.

It was a fun project and I hope the new parents enjoy this quilt with their little bundle of joy.

Robin

Urban Indigo 2007

 When I was moving my sewing room upstairs I came across projects that had been tucked in boxes and in the back of shelves - that needed to be moved out.

I figure if I make them up then that will mean my sewing space will slowly become less crowded.

I finished the first top today.'

The first one was this cute quilt made out of an Urban Indigo jelly roll from Fig Tree Quilts.  I also had the sashing and border fabric to go with it.  It went together pretty fast.  The unique border was fun but it's certainly not perfect.  

I need to piece the backing, buy some batting, and give it to a donation place for quilting.  

It is a blustery day today as you can tell.

One down at least. . .  and I've already decided on the next one. . . a kit from American Jane that my sister gave me years ago.  

Robin

It's not pretty but it's done

Well, it's definitely not something Joanna Gaines would create. . .   but my sewing room is upstairs now.  I had a tracker on my phone and it only took 78 trips up and down the stairs to get all my sewing paraphernalia transferred.  Whew!

Nothing is permanent - I was just trying to get it all in.  I've already had to pull the stack (to the right of the pillowcase full of scraps) apart to exchange the contents of one of the under-the-bed boxes.  That meant taking out all the stuff in front of it, pulling out the 2nd box from the bottom, exchanging contents, putting it back along with everything I had to take out.  My lower back complained the whole time - it's time to give it a rest.

I've tried to arrange things so the items I use the least are on the bottom and in the corner.  I have a number of projects in front or on top so I can just work on what's most available.  And, as I get things finished and empty some boxes - the room will not feel so full

Gotta be positive~

 This is no beauty shot but I've got my "go to" stash open and available.  It's on a shelving unit in front of a door.  Hey, it works~    The greens and blacks on the bottom shelf are the reason I had to make the exchange this morning.

So glad to have this task behind me.  

Robin

Would anyone be interested in these patterns?

This is the All Around  the Town set of patterns.  It is by Sue Garmen.  I made the quilt, as you can see below, and would like to give the patterns away.  This set of patterns has found a home.

I also have the full set of the Moda Mystery from 2007 called Piece & Plenty. that I would like to give away.

Below is the only picture I have of my quilt.  As you can see I put in flags on the right and left sides instead of the rectangles that the pattern calls for.  I love making this quilt but I no longer own it so I couldn't get another picture.

This picture was taken at a Halloween meeting.  We were supposed to dress up.  That is me on the right supposedly dressed up like a tourist in Hawaii.  I don't have my camera around my neck.  But, just so you know, that wasn't my shirt and I never wore it again.

I am having to clean out my sewing room downstairs because our 2nd son and family are moving in.  The owners of the condo they rent is selling it and with the housing market the way it is here in the Salt Lake Valley . . . there was no other alternative.  I don't blame the owner.  They bought the condo for $130,000 and can sell it for $400,000.  But they only gave them 6 wks. to move.

So I'm completely dismantling my sewing studio after 23 years.  I have so much stuff (that I love) and  will have to fit in a smaller space.

I'm putting all my current projects on a different table so they won't be hidden under something else as we move everything upstairs.  I've got two quilts layered and ready to quilt.  One applique project, the Aunt Daisy SAL, and Blockheads 4 is in another room on the ironing board.

As you can see above there is still a lot to go.  These shelves are deep enough that an under-the-bed box can fit nicely end to end.  There is so much stuff.

I decided to give away these patterns.  I was just keeping them because I really had fun making the quilts but I'm never going to use them again so they are just taking up space.

I grieving a little for the loss of my sanctuary.  Silly me.

Robin

 

Nervous energy

I'll start with the only quilt related part of this post.  I'm still working on my Marshfield quilt.  It's going fast but it will probably still take me another month to finish it.  I'm a little over half way.  I love those pops of cheddar.  This is fun to quilt.

The apricot trees were pruned this week.  My husband brought in a few branches to bloom inside.  But, the weather has been so warm that the branches outside are blooming too.  

I saw this tree on a spring walk this week.  Evergreens are so sturdy,  Any other tree would be bent over with the weight of these pinecones.  So, pretty against the spring blue sky.

I was an avid doll collector about 20 years ago.  I have sold or given away much of my collection but I still have these little storytime dolls and miniatures that I like to display occasionally for the grandkids.

But, Easter is on it's way so it's time to decorate with all the bunnies.  I have other stuff too but I love the bunnies.

I've been trying to finish the blouse above.  It is a bear.  I'm so used to sewing on cotton that trying to sew on this rayon is like torture.  I need to unpick again this morning because the ruffles don't match at the top like they should.  I'm determined to finish this before I make any other clothing for myself.  AND, I'm in great need of new clothes.  Covid not only kept the stores closed for quite a while but it diminished my desire to go shopping and online shopping never brings clothes that fit (I hate returns).

In-between quilting at the frames I've been working on a Cross Stitch UFO.  I loved the hand dyed fabric but it is 32 ct. and my eyes get so tired.   So I basted some waste canvas over the top and am stitching the design on that.  When I'm done I'll pull out the waste canvas and "Voila!" I'll have this Halloweenish design on the beautifully dyed aida.  I've never tried this idea before but I don't know why it wouldn't work.   (If there is Cross Stitch police - I'm sure they are shuddering)

 And, once again we have been visited by the fence crashing gremlin.  Only this time we know who it is and they are willing to help pay for the repair.

  You can see the previous hole in our fence from January here.

My husband hit a different corner of the fence last year.  So. . . . 

The old superstition that bad things come in threes is over.

Robin

A sweet surprise

I got a sweet surprise package in the mail last week.  Janet O. made this adorable mug rug.  She said no person should have just one and so she made me this cute little miniature quilt in her signature purple.  Such a delightful little thing.

I set it up on the mantle with my blackbirds.  I'm not sure it's going to get used as a mug rug.

My pictures are a little dark.  It must have been a cloudy day.

She also sent me a cute little "Quilty" note pad.  It was so sweet.  Thanks again Janet.

 I made the first block in Blockheads 4 that just started Wednesday.  I've been wanting to use some of my Minick & Simpson scraps and when I got into the box there was a whole layer cake of Prairie Paisley II from a few years ago.  So I dug in.  I hope I keep up with this because another red, white, and blue quilt never hurt anyone!  

The other thing I like about this is that I've been working hard to finish up the UFOs and the hand quilting sometimes lasts much longer than my interest level does.  Making one block a week will give me a respite from hand quilting and change things up a little.

Hope your day is sunny. . . 

Robin