Bag Ladies of the Fat Quarter Club

May's 'Lady' for me was Thelma - I got tired of the same pink, purple, and green in the last few ladies.  And she seemed a bit more brighter and refreshing for May.

Although the original pattern doesn't have you stitch those little circles in her skirt, I am.  I thought they looked like I 'forgot' to finish the piece, so the are slow going.  Then I just have her 'flesh', hair, and glasses.  I already have the border piecing done, so this one should finish up over the next couple of days.

Poor Gertrude - she has waited patiently for her pearl necklace.  A lovely guild member gifted me some and they are on, but not sure I like the look.  She may sit a while while I think on this.  She was suppose to be ready for Memorial Day, now am I shooting for the 4th of July?

Thank you BARBARA for introducing us to these fun ladies - I am enjoying them so much.

Sewingly Yours

Sharon

  

Scrappy Wednesday

I've spent the last few days tackling a bag of scraps - that I shouldn't have looked at.  I have so many other things I should be doing.

Remember that over flowing table of scraps?  Alway the largest pieces get pulled out first and put into my fabric system.  Anything that fits a special project or that I am collecting for others gets bagged or boxed.  Then I am left to sort down FQ, strip, color, or those to get chopped.  BUT ocassionally inspiration tells me - "this works for this pile" - so get sewing!!

Because there were so many strips (and I have done too many string blocks) I immediately thought of Log Cabin Blocks.  And there are so many variations that can be played with too.  The Traditional was a must and 12 blocks worked up rather quickly.

Using up as many of those strips - Court House Steps.  Another quick 12 blocks were soon done.

There were a lot of solids, but in reviewing that pulled pile I found that a LOT of them were not cottons.  So those were tossed so only  six of each 

contrast of these were made.

And using up the rest into the six Spiral Log pattern.  I would love to make more of these, but six were added to the mix for this pile of scraps.

There are lots of Log Tree variations, but I set with these trees (6) to use up the last of the green strips and some of the binding cut-offs that were in this bag.  There were lots of bindings, but most were bias cut and I didn't want to add those into these blocks.  They got put away for possible use on some minis.

And a few (6) House blocks to the mix to wrap this venture up.  I worked with all the smaller pieces and strips of the whites, the larger ones went into that storage tote and surely will be put to good use with some current projects.

So I have a total of 54 blocks and this little pile of of left overs that will get chopped into my barrels.  I am sure those squares will be seen in one or more of my six (magic number I guess) on-going scrap projects. 

We are having some terrible weather - heavy rains and awful lightning - and to carry on over the next several day.  I will power down machines for safety (and probably the computer too), but that is a good thing.  I have a lot of hand work that has been neglected and will make for 'soothing' stitching.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Memorial Day

Squirrel!!

I had some lovely comments about my scrap projects - thank you. WELL, a very large bag of NEW scraps arrived at my door Thursday and stared at me.  I could see a piece that made me drool - and then I opened the bag.  I had already taken all the large pieces and put the away which is my first part of a sort - and I couldn't get the whole table in a frame.  It was FULL!!

I don't get this much white in gifted bags, but OH MY!!  The largest pieces are now put away and I am now using from the smallest up.  Yes, I am working blocks while I sort the rest.  The squirrel was just too much for me.

Log Cabin blocks will come from all of this.  Now there are many kinds of Log Cabin blocks, so I am going to make a mix.  Maybe even some actual House blocks for fun.  The traditional log - they need squaring up.

A start on some Court House Steps.  I haven't made these blocks in a long time.

I seperated all of the solids which will go into another log block and the houses.

The table is starting to thin down.  The greens and blues will get used pretty much up in the Court House Steps with the rest chopped down into my barrel system.  I have a small pile of CW which will go into the NY Diary quilt.  The zip baggy is stuffed with Batiks - I don't work with them, but I know a guild member who will love these.  Yellows, purples, a few pinks, florals, hmmmm - maybe some paper pieced 'log' flowers or rails.

I have the weekend to finish playing with these.

** linking up  with Whoop, Whoop Friday  and Oh, Scrap **  

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Hands2Help Challenge 2017

I have participated in H2H since it's concept.  In the past I always gifted on to those year's listed charities, but we have a big need here in our own communities and opted to keep it to home this year.  If you want to see some amazing quilts that were made during this year's challenge, please visit the linky HERE.  (linky closes tonight)

I totally forgot to take photos of my finished pieces as I was a drop-off and delivery for our quilt guild's charity drive.  Quilts were piled on my quest bed and mine were included.  The Schoharie Valley Piecemakers (my lovely guild) delivered 42 quilts in time for Easter weekend home baskets.  Another 8 quilts came in to them after our initial delivery and I am thrilled with the care our members share with our communities.  

But this Sophia quilt was made entirely of 'gifted' fabrics from some of my quild members and I am sure some little girl is just tickled. 

This was another I made from a yard of a cute kitty quilt and paired up some matching solids and stripes.  Yup, no final picture but assure you was was finished and part of our donation.

I used this pattern  changing to a 2.5" outer final border.  This is a great pattern for a quick baby quilt.

And then I remembered............

I had made this confetti quilt, too and have a photo of a finish (and made three quilts).  I usually make one to represent each of my children that I am blessed with when I donate - totally forgot this one.

Please be sure to visit SARAH and all the fabulous donated quilts.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon  

Scrap Wednesday

I will be joining SARAH today with an attempt to tame my scraps.  I have several projects that are long term - because when you work small blocks, you have to make a lot more blocks.

The usual suspects have been out into the light of day.  I've done a count on each of these project with a rough idea of layout for how many I need.  The Temecula Geese (2.5" x 4.5") are getting close as well as the plaids (2.5" sq with 1.5"x2.5" strip.  The H blocks (1.5" sq with 1.5" x 3.5" strip) have a long way to go.  

The Puss-in-the-Corner are half the way - again 1.5" getting used.  I don't think I ever showed that I was working another Postage Stamp quilt - I'm using 2" squares.

See - everything tiny, but I am in my element with these.  They give me comfort as I chain them thru the machine.  And I love all that fabric scrappiness when they are all together.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Monday Making 5/22/17

Being refreshed from taking a weekend for some ME time, I am ready to start something new.  I will be joining BETH for some Monday Making.

While doing some cleaning out, I came across this huge pile of left over layer cakes of 'Circa 1892' by Howard Marcus @ Moda.  I remember making blocks with a QAL (those passed on) and actually found some blocks with this pile that were probably with another QAL (those passed on).  

I use this pattern a lot with left over JR strips, but will work just as well with these.  I call it a  'woven' block, but I've heard it referred to as a 'tile' block.  And you can change size with smaller or larger strips/scraps/yardage.

Just like making the beginning of a log cabin block - and then those four units get stitched together.  Very quick block.  

I'll be adding a flip corner over those whites to add a secondary pattern when these are put together (easier than making HSTs).  These just chain so nicely thru the machine.

And speaking of Jelly Rolls and Moda - check out the Project Jelly Roll over at Moda for National Sew A Jelly Roll Day.  I participate in a lot of designer and fabric contests - just for fun.  Looking for something to inspire using those hoarded JRs?

We have more rain - good day to sew,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon  

Mish & Mash

I know so many areas have been hit hard with wild weather.  We had several storms roll into our area Thursday night.  Awful lightning strikes, heavy rain, and gusting winds.  I was at an event at our local library when the first one came thru and a ground strike hit right behind us.  Every pin, bolt, and rod in my body felt it.  I got home before the next round came thru,  but still feeling the affects today.

  
What is one to do when a bit 'jittery'?  BLOCKS!!  I made up my four little green piggies for RSC17.  This pattern is just so stinkin' cute and so easy to make.  These are thanks to the very clever Sally Trude.

The next block for the Patchwork QAL came on on Wednesday, so I thought I better get busy with those.  A cute signature block.

These are small blocks and very quick patterns.  Six  of each pattern are now done.  

The next step to the mystery - Two Step - came out and these worked up quickly.

The sub units are all made and we are starting to make the blocks.  This is one block and next month I am sure the next step will be the assemble of the other sub units for the second block.

My furkids spent the day napping.  Momma was gone when that storm happened so we were extra frazzled - home alone and big boomers!!   Bella in the wheelchair - I think it is time to get rid of that pillow (wet kitties) and the chair donated

Moe was muddy as well as wet when I got home - he must have hidden under the old smoke house during the storm.  He still has a bit of 'dirt' about him - hates to be brushed.  Of course, napping on my newest FQ Bag Lady project so that will need a good cleaning.

I will be taking Saturday for some ME time.  I am heading HERE for the day for their Spring plant sale and heritage plant tour.  I'm hoping to treat myself to some new plants.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon  

Scrappy Wednesday

I'll be joining SARAH today in my ever ongoing attempt to tame my scraps.  Today will be a work day on my three main projects with scraps.  When you make tiny blocks, you have to make a lot more blocks

The plaid blocks, puss in the corner, and those flying geese!  The quilt underneath - a scrap project that traveled for two years to demonstrate hand quilting.  Not a lot of quilting got done on it as I do a lot of talking when I do those travel demos.  This quilt is getting finished off - by machine - and will be one of the Wounded Warriors gifts during a December ceremony.

Today's weather - beautiful!!!  So I will be sure to out for a bit.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Monday Making 5/15/17

After a weekend of hand stitching and a very sore finger (I don't use a thimble), I am ready to join BETH with some real 'making' and get those creative juices flowing again.

This was my focus fabric ("Daphne" by Skipping Stone Sudio for Clothworks) for that secret sewing project.  Bits of dusty pink and green and blue were pulled.  Now I have a pile of left overs that I don't want to tuck away and forget.

As you can see, it's not a big pile so I will have to be rather creative with the right project.

I had a lot of corner cut-offs to make some pinwheels with the Bleeker Street directions.  Since I am not doing that quilt full size, but using parts for making minis - we shall see what I can come up with.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Slow Sunday Stitching 5/14/17

Would you believe that with all they hype in advertising, I forgot today was Mother's Day!  Somehow I was thinking next weekend, not today.  It's just another day here on the hill, so I will be joining KATHY for a slow day.

I still need to get Gertrude finished - she just needs her pearl necklace attached.  But - I need to move on with May's FQ Bag Lady.  I chose to work on Thelma because she is lighter colored for a Sping look.  Although, I think Spring is alluding us here in the NorEast.  I see she is bringing the cookies to this meeting - hope it is chocolate chips (been craving).

Happy Mother's Day,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Scrap Wednesday .... & Thursday

After all that secret sewing and then the traveling events, my machine was so happy to see me for some down right chain piecing scrappy play that I think it cried!!  Twenty of the plaid blocks got made.  I'm not even counting other than to sew 10 pin together, sew another 10 if I feel like it and pin the group.  Into the bucket they go.  I'm sure when the growing piles of 10 fill that bucket, I will have enough.

Then I tackled the geese for the Temecula project.   Again I work groups of 10 and pin together.  Twenty dark geese and twenty light geese off into their respective container with the 'flock'.  They out grew their container, so I did a count (see that little slip - 300).  They are in a larger tote now because I need a LOT more.

Then on to the Puss in the Corner blocks - an attempt to tame the 1.5" squares and skinny strips of whites.  Again those groupings of 10 to join the rest in that container.

So 80 blocks for a day's work.  Love working tiny, but you have to make a lot of blocks!!

Thursday I switched gears (and made more coffee to settle myself) - large blocks!  The next Solstice block.  I changed to working this in strips rather than all those HSTs.  I love HSTs, but this was more practical.  I'm really wanting this one to wrap up soon.  Winter's over - well it is suppose to be, but we had snow Sunday and Monday.

When I pulled the Solstice work tote, this bag of gifted fabrics scooted off the shelf.  This is Pam Buda's "Antique Cotton" line for Marcus fabrics.  I saved that free pattern that came in one of those magazine subscription flyers.  A QOV pattern and our quild is making quilts for the Wounded Warriors winter sports day at Ski Windham in December.  I plan to donate three quilts - one is done.  These will work wonderfully with this pattern.

I hope to have half of the blocks done before the weekend with the rest kitted up to work as a leader ender project.  The weekend I want free to concentrate on some neglected handwork (and neglected housework).

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon