Scrappy Wednesday

January was a very successful month for the Scrap Attack.  I use scraps all the time, but I have an overflowing amount that really needs taming thru this year.

Even with battling the flu, I did make two quilts.  The greens and pinks for the Put A Little Love In Your Quilt hop that is coming up.  AND my pile of blues for a tutorial/quick quilt for the Scrumptious Scraps QAL for Hands2Help (and worked for the RSC18 color)  Those you will have to wait to see February 4th and 5th.

I had pieced this Jelly Roll Race quilt (using an older JR off the shelf) around Thanksgiving and got it quilted and finished - as long as the machine was set up for quilting.  I did use up pieces of backing for this quilt's back and the binding is the last scrap of Chocolate Cherries from the Burgoyne Surrounded project.

My bag ladies were always finished off with scraps.

The 'Bird in a Berry Tree' was stitched at the end of December and I just finished it up with some scrappy borders (pulled from my strings tote)  and left over binding. 

The temperature rosettes are all pulled from scraps.  I only need a two inch square, so those are abundant in my barrel system.  We had another strange week of weather.

19 - 17 - 33 - 44 -43 -38 - 20

I found myself with nothing left on the 'list' for the month and checked my February list.  Our quilt guild is having a post card exchange for our February meeting, so I tackled that.  They are only 4"x6", so a quick project to finish up the month.

February's RSC18 new color is purple.  I don't have a lot of purple (please don't send me any), but there is plenty here to play with.

I am using Sarah's idea of a 'tag' jar with items to help with tackling those scraps.  My cup has slips of paper with block names.  Hard to see, but it is ANVIL and I will use this block to tackle those purples.  Today I will cut so I have everything ready at the side of the machine to use these as leader/enders for the month.

I finally found the Bonnie Hunter 'Rail Fence Challenge' blocks!  I only need 10 more rails and 10 more log cabins.  10 must be the magic number as I have 10 plastic grocery bags of scraps received thru the later part of 2017 that have yet to be touched - I'm digging into one of them.  I'd like to have all the blocks done in Feb. and put this quilt on the 'flimsy' list for March with maybe even a finish quilting. 

Now off to play with some scraps,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Slow Stitching

I need to get a little bit of stitching done today so I will be joining KATHY for Slow Sunday Stitching.

I have a miniature that needs its binding completed and corner label tacked (and filled out).

I usually do my hexie daily at noon when I check the temperature, but I was busy two days with other things and then I had two days of 'relapse' that required just some down time.

   

So my 15 minutes a day with KATE dedicated to handwork has not been 100% for the year.

Today is the first post of the Scrumptious Scraps QAL and be sure to visit SARAH who is sharing how to use ....... well, you will have to go see.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Scrappy Wednesday

Today I am working on getting all the specialty fussy cut blocks prepped to go with the Birds in the Air setting blocks for our Monday sewing group challenge.  Since I am working off a ME panel and a few scraps that go with that specific line 'Recipe for Friendship', I am having to challange myself to get a bit creative to fill in those fussy cuts. 

I'm hoping to have all the blocks done with a layout ready to stitch up tomorrow.  I might even get this one quilted this weekend; at least that is the plan.

A poor photo of the next temperature rosette, but we went from purples to blue to dusty blue to aqua.

17 - 20 - 29 - 39 - 37 -39 - 45

That warm spell is gone and we are back into those purples again.  This row in the quilt is going to be very interesting with the sudden temp changes up and down and the jump of colors to go with it.

There is something new on the scrappy horizon.  Two new buttons on the side bar for Hands2Help and SARAH @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict will be again offering ideas for making quilts for donation.  This year she has chosen 'SCRAPS' as she tries to tame hers - and we all have that problem too.  It all starts January 28th with Sarah's intro and there will be quests with some ideas and inspiration, too.  I am guest blogging on February 4th.

Another fun event is coming up, too.  CAROL has put together a super list of volunteer bloggers to share their 'Heart' with you.  She's been posting some cute projects, so if you haven't visited her you may want to go see.

I am scheduled for February 5th.

ALSO, Jacquelynne has a great list of free Valentines projects if you haven't gotten a start.

Now go tackle those scraps,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon 

Monday Making

I will be joining BETH today with a little bit of play.  I know I have a lot of projects that need finishing, but after completing a few projects over the weekend I am ready for a little fun.

Our Monday sewing group is having a challenge with a pattern from a Quiltersnewsletter Magazine (2003).  Using the Birds in the Air block and some basic number of sized fussy cuts, it is then up to you laying out your pieces into a flimsy that suits you - so many options!  I decided to pull my box of collected ME fabrics for this one as they have just been sitting for years.

This will be my focus print and will pull pieces that coordinate with it.  It's a 2007 print - I didn't start quilting until 2009.  Most of those fabrics in the box were gifted or 'found' within the baggies of goods I get in the house.  I did purchase a few panels, but it is mostly a collected box of sweet ME's.  It will make a challenge project more of a challenge.

Have some fun today,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

15 minutes

I am linking up with KATE with my count down.  I am using my 15 minutes to work on on hand stitching projects as I us my machine every day.

  

Since I have almost a rows worth of hexie temperature rosettes done, I am using those 15 minutes to stitch them to their back grounds.  Each rosettes takes me about 30 minutes to do.  When the last one for the row is done, I will have all of these ready to be machine stitched into the 5th row of this quilt.

I've been on a marathon of doing bindings (by machine) and had some help with this.

It's a little hard to move a quilt while a fat cat is plopped in the middle of it.  But, I got four bindings attached and stitched down - all while spinning a determined furkid.

Hope you got your 15 minutes each day,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Whoop, Whoop Friday

I've come to the conclusion that  it is my camera as it now is getting tempermental about opening the lens or closing the lens.  As well as the pictures are just so dark no matter what adjustments I make.  BUT, I am happy to say that I am now half way thru the piles of dark/light squares for the Temecula Quilt Co snowball project.

I haven't snipped those flip corners yet and may just wait until I am ready to put the whole thing together.  Or I could just a have a moment that strikes and they are all snipped or I just finish off the rest of the squares.  One never knows once a project gets closer to a finish.

   
Such a shame a crappy photo as this is such a pretty shade of limey green.  I dug thru both large totes that hold my extra wide and large pieces of yardage for backings.  I think I bought this originally for my Leap Year quilt and then changed my mind.  It was big enough to be cut in two and used for my pink/green scrappy project with the other piece to use for the back of my guild donation quilt (yet to be made).

  
Moe has decided it will be a good day to keep an eye on what I am doing today.  As it has warmed a little bit  he did go out early and make a partial round of the property (checked all the bird feeders).  Now to cat nap and be out of the way of my quilting yet close enough to get an occassional scratch.

Off to quilt
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Scrappy Wednesday

We are having more of this!  I know it looks pretty, but with the cold, wind and snow for days on end - I am so over Winter!

This is what is left of the found pink and green 2.5" squares and as much fun it would be to finish playing with them to use them up, I need to move on.  So these are going back into the barrel system.

The quilt top just needs that final border of white - borders - ughh!  Then from the drawer of greens, I will see if there is something large enough for a binding or it may be a scrappy binding.  I want this one ready for quilting on the home machine this weekend.

The newest temperature rosette got a peek at some color change as we had a few warm days to thaw out, but we have gone back to cold.

32 - 46 - 55 - 12 -11 - 12 - 24

And a parting with another photo of the snow.  Thank goodness my brother is on seasonal layoff as he has taken such good care of keeping things cleaned up.  Side walks shoveled and now (you can see the tracks) off with the tractor to start the long 'art' of plowing the lane and park ways.  It is an art as you have to plan where that snow gets pushed/dumped when you might have to go out and do it all again - gotta have room.  Also, when things melt off -  you want it to go where it will drain properly.

No furkid photos of late as every time I open the door (or look out the window) they take off and hide.  No way they want to go out in this either.

Stay safe and warm and go play with some scraps,

Sewingly Yours

Sharon

15 Minutes of Slow

I'm managing at least 15 minutes along with KATE as I am still battling the 'sickness'.  I even had to miss my guild meeting as I was too under the weather and really did not want to expose any one to this stuff.  I really wanted to go as one of our members demonstrated making fabric postcards and there is a challange/swap for next month.  I did have a packet of supplies picked up for me and I hope to find time to work on this.

My main purpose of '15' is to work on my handstitching projects, especially this old BOM.  I did get the bias tape stitched and hopefully later today I can get all those leaves cut from that green.  I don't plan to applique all those very tiny circle berries as on the other blocks I have used buttons or beading and want to keep that thru the quilt.

    

Since it is Slow Sunday Stitching with KATHY (who's also ill), I have been at least tracking the daily temperatures and picking out the 2" squares.  I would like to get this new rosette in progress today once I check the noon temp today. 

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Scrappy Wednesday

Since I am still a bit under the weather, I am staying to something simple that doesn't require a lot of thinking.  I haven't worked on the Temecula Quilt Co snowballs in a couple of weeks, so adding some flip corners to squares will fill the bill.

Just to hold to my accountability, I made all the necessary very skinny bias tapes for a few blocks on that forgotten BOM project.  Making bias tapes isn't one of my favorite things nor making them this skinny, but they are done and I have one of the blocks pinned and ready for some hand stitching.

The next temperature rosette is done.  We were cold and now going into a bit of a 'January Thaw', but then will drop back to those low temps again.  Oh, and yes - more snow.

20 -17 - 6 -1 -7 - 30 -32 

Keep your prayers flowing for California as victims of the fires are now being hit with heavy rains and mudslides.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Monday Making

I  have been on such a schedule run that I need a day to play.  Since it is another snowy day, good to be inside and just stitch the day away.  I'll be joining BETH for some Monday Making and finish up these Spring colors into their little 4-patch blocks.  I have 60 done (but not pressed or squared up) and in that old eclair container.   Yes, for a bit of a surprise - that pop of a few black/white prints are being added.

Celebrating my first finish for 2018!!  Hildegard is quilted, bound, and labeled.  A scrappy log cabin border finish and the binding is a left over.
Of course, batting used is a cut off from a quilt trim.

The back is just as fun.  The last piece of an old Folkloria from my grandmother (old napkins).  I hit the 3.5" barrel for two squares to make the corner settings.  

Take time to play today,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon 

15 Minutes

I'm not one to graph or chart or keep track of time sewing as I stitch by machine and/or hand every day - hey, retirement and a business.  I planned to use KATE'S 15 Minutes to encourage keeping on track with handquilting each day, but I have some prior schedules to keep on track.

With some blog hops coming up, I needed to power quilt.  Those pieces are now at the stage of completing bindings so that hand stitching time will come into play each night now.  But, as long as the machine is set up for quilting I am going to finish up Hildegard today.

We are still breaking records with the cold, but it looks like by mid-week  we might see a heat wave - in the 30's!  And maybe 50's by next weekend (we shall see about that one).

Stay safe, warm and needles threaded,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

BOM Challenge w/ Jo

A couple of weeks ago I told you about Jo's challenge to pull out one of those BOMs purchased thru a shop or on-line and you just forgot about it - or gave up on it.  I had won this Album quilt all kitted up in a silent auction years ago and started it, but it got tucked away and I just forgot about it.  This challenge works perfect for me to revisit this lovely quilt and get it done this year.

These are the six blocks that I had finished before it disappeared from my mind.  This will work into my 15 minutes a day, too - although I sew everyday and sometimes have to remind myself to take a 15 minute break.  But there will be a lot of prep work time to set up a block, so even just 15 minutes will help with that.

I simply pulled a plastic baggy from the tote at random and this seems to be kitted up for both of these blocks.  So I have January and February planned with one pick.  There are a lot of little pieces, so a lot of prep work.

She has no button for this (I can set something on the side bar) but take a look over at Jo's Country Junction .  I'm sure you have one of these hiding and wouldn't it be nice to give it a chance to shine.

We are very, very, very cold here today with some very dangerous winds.  Fingers crossed that power stays on as I am power quilting to complete some secret projects.

The furkids are not too happy with this weather either.  Bella for some reason has prefered the office chair for her 'nap the storm away' position.

And Moe - he just naps where ever pleases - which seems to be on the next project I urgently need to get finished.

Stay safe and warm today,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon