Wednesday, August 3, 2011

August's Sincerity


The August birth flower is the gladiolus which means sincerity and symbolizes strength of character. Love at first sight is what the hidden message of this flower was during the Victorian era.

The longest days of the year is passed, but the hot days remain. You may have noticed the birds are already gathering, purhaps planning thier flight south for the winter. The insects are noisier and more numerous than in any other month. I can remember my greatgran saying 'if the first week in August was hot and humid, it will be a long, white winter' - oh I hope not.


PLAYING WITH BLOCKS


My Fat Quarter tub was over flowing so YES I broke down and joined Amanda Jean's 36-patch block quilt along over at Crazy Mom Quilts. Very quick blocks and you certainly could us a stash busting.



The next paper pieced block for Regina Grewes' Garden Fun BOM. I think I will add a 'terry' towel and looking for a beach ball button.


A peek at part of the process of those special Keepsake Quilting 1.5" squares. Rows of strips with those precious squares - pressed and ready for the next step. I'm using 'cut-offs' of muslin from a quilt backing. Extra wide muslin, so those strips are 110" long.



SQUARED UP


Here are all my blocks from the previous post - layed out. **TIP - photo your layout and then later review to catch any mistakes OR to use if you have them get re-arranged by a child or furry of they flutter off your design wall. I opened a window to catch a breeze and had to re-set them.


I took my row as a stack to my machine to piece together. The seams are going to be pressed the same direction - but if you pressed to set your seams and then pressed flat - they should be flat enough to handle. TIP - shorten your stitch length to help in flattening seams that press this way.


I joined two rows at a time - mark your top left corner with a pin so you always have your starting point. I like to join half and half a quilt and then join the halves together. There is less weight and drag on your machine (and you) if you finish up your quilt top this way.


Here is my top. Remember these are odd size blocks - not your normal 'square' so you will need more blocks across than down. I used 10 blocks across and 9 blocks down - measures 42" x 56". I will add a 2.5" white border - to break up that busy pattern. And a final border using the 8 jelly roll strips I have leftover. There are some blocks left and I will use them to piece the back.



HAND QUILTING

I am hand quilting Raggedy Friends from the Painted Quilt. I hope I can keep on schedule because my Queen just loves to nap on this one. My lint brush is doing double duty to keep the black clean. I'm using 3-strands of DMC floss and the primative stitch - a third of it is finished. Then ALL those red buttons I have been collecting get added!


NEW PROJECTS

One of my dear followers - Shez of Enjoying Life sent me information about a new Packet Exchange. All information is on her blog - go visit.

Melissa at Happy Quilting is going to be hosting a new "Stars" quilt along. Go visit for information.

Katie Q of Salt Marsh Path sent me information on "Smack Down" - go take a visit for information on a charity quilt event. This could also be used for the 100 Quilts for Kids.

If you have never heard of this site - Tipnut is a wealth of information and projects - Christmas is coming and good time to start. Sign up for their newsletter and get notification when their lists get updated.


CLOSING THOUGHT

Fairest of the months!
Ripe summer's queen
The hey-day of the year
With robes that gleam with sunny sheen
Sweet August doth appear."
- R. Combe Miller

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

28 comments:

Sarah Craig said...

You do look like you've been having fun with blocks! Thanks for all the inspiration!!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

All of your projects are coming along nicely! Queen looks very comfortable and contented on your Raggedy Friends quilt.
Another great post, Sharon. Thanks for sharing all of the hints and links.

JudyCinNC said...

Such wonderful projects this week. Play happy and get lots done. Judy C

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

I am always amazed at all the projects you are working on and all the projects you complete! Inspiring! So Cool!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I just recently "found" Tipnut and it's a great site! I'll be going home from the mission tomorrow and keeping grandchildren next week but the week after I'm going to try to join a few of those quilt alongs and work on my stash! blessings, marlene

Anonymous said...

I just love the colors in your quilt top. They are so warm and cheerful. Another beautiful finish!

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

I like what you're doing, especially the 16-patch blocks. I checked out the garden BOM's, they look like fun!

Linda

Winona said...

I am doing Amanda Jean's QAL too. I was cutting up some fat quarters, but then thought about my 2 1/2" bin. I have about 12 more blocks ready to put together from it. LOL I still need to quilt my Raggedy and Friends quilt. Could you show a closeup of the way you are quilting yours? I had planned to hand quilt, but the thought of doing big primitive type stitches does appeal to me. You are doing some lovely work.

Sheila said...

Ohhh, LOVELY 36 patch blocks!
I'm going to enjoy watching your 1.5" squares/muslin strips Keepsake Quilting project. Very interesting.
Nice top finish.
My goodness. You have been busy :)

Michele said...

I love your squared up project :-) it looks great!

evelyn said...

You have been busy. My kitty loves to lay on the frame when I am hand quilting. I have to cover up the top with a sheet. I can't wait to see the Keepsake Quilt all done.

Kris said...

Wow, sharon - You really have decided to go small! I really like your 36 -patch blocks!! And after seeing all that you are getting done, I really feel like a slug!!! Let's see - do I have any excuses?? NOT!! Love your blog!!! Kris

Shannon said...

I love Gladiolus, they are my favorite flower. I love the way the grow and their colrs are so pretty. All your projects look great!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love all your work. Regina's block turned out really good. I think a towel would be perfect.

Tracy said...

Love the way it turned out! Very pretty :)

Miri said...

Isn't it fun to work with rectangle blocks?

Great projects!

Paulette said...

Gee, you've got a great bunch of projects going on, Sharon! I really like that second to last quilt. I'm going to have to backtrack a post and read more about it.

My birthday is in August and my dad usually brings me a bouquet of gladiolus. I love them!

Anonymous said...

It was fun popping in on your blog to see all those works in progress! Wonderful, wonderful!!!
Enjoy your weekend! Mary

krisgray said...

Love that lawn chair in your paper pieced block - so cute!!

Unknown said...

I love that quilt top! Looks great!

beth said...

Oh my goodness you get a LOT done! Love that beach chair!

Sara said...

Enjoy the hand quilting and here's to hoping you get it finished in time!! Know you can!

Snoodles said...

I think I'm going to try the QAL at Happy Quilting, too. I love stars! I might make it into a tabletopper, instead of a larger project. Love your long rows of squares...can't wait to see that one completed!
Jacque in SC

Char said...

I know I said this before but, I really like this new quilt.

Mama Spark said...

I really like how this quilt came out. SWEET!!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I learn so much from your posts. Dare I say it here for all to see? Well since I am behind I shall...maybe I won't make anyone upset...Yours and Stray Stitches are my absolute favorite blogs to read.

Thank you for the time you put into your blog.

If you add a button and beach towel please show. It will be cute I think!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I'm with Tonya - your blog and Stray Stitches are my favorite blogs also.

And thanks for this tip: join half and half a quilt and then join the halves together. I'm fairly new to quilting and had not known about that, so it would really, REALLY help with all that weight.

Deborah in Atlanta said...

On your paper-pieced lawnchair block - how about may adding a small yo-yo for your beachball?