Scrappy Wednesday

I had used this as a cue that it was indeed time to take a rest, thus my step away from all social media.  I was curbing TV, but every media source was just resounding that I had to do a total step away.  The last two lines were my mantra.

I had several quilts pulled for quilting - I did two and was not upset with that.  I spent time outside, time with my Mom, time with my furkids, a little purging and cleaning.  BUT it was all slow - not over filling and kept to simple. 

I have even switched out my machine.  My Juki 500 series has been in need of repair since before Christmas and now my Juki 600  series (work horse) is really in need of some tender love.  So I am going to step back and slow down.  This little machine cannot be rushed, but has a lovely stitch and perfect 1/4" foot.  It will take me back to what I really enjoy - just fun scrap block making for a while.  (I actually have four other machines and a long arm - but I need to slow down right now)

I had been searching thru stash for backing for the Kaffe strip quilt and came across a bag of HSTs.  I don't remember this bag being there before and even looking thru these I don't remember making them.  BUT they are all my fabrics and the thread is what I use for piecing and the stitch is definitely my Juki 500.  Magic or gremlins???

Barb @ 3CatRanch has been playing with found HSTs and I am in love.  This was a good smack up the head - time to play with these and let the other things go for a while.

When I work scraps I like to use a block that is easy to quilt math, works up quickly (or with little thought), and will use them up to their fullest.  Some of the HSTs are two colors, but at least 90% have these two light grays so I will use these primarily and make something else with the two colors later.  I have four 1 yard cuts of w/w that I'll use for the skinny sashing and the tiny corner stone is the 'never go away' solid gray scraps.  

I will slowly read and catch up on all the blogs I follow while I take my time to work thru these pretty little blocks.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Time For A Pause

Many are saying that they are frequenting the kitchen way to much - a love affair with their fridge.  I have to remind myself to eat.  The crockpot has been in heavy use, but that is so I can have one meal to eat and then put up 4-5 meals in the freezer for a quick meal.

I got half of the Sawtooth Stars done and then I picked up all the blocks and prepped pieces and filled a recently emptied tote.  This project will be visited later in the month.

The Corona Houses are now framed up and the next step will be adding something into the next border.  Our isolation has been extended for another 3 weeks so this little piece is unfortunately going to grow.

Batting has been cut for the four smaller quilts and this is my plan for the next few days - quilting and binding.  Finishing up while taking some time to reflect and pause and pray.  So I am taking a little break away from all media- will return for Scrappy Wednesday.

  

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Scrappy Wednesday

This is my scrappy inspiration - I think I tore this out of a Quilter's World magazine????  Well some magazine, with the hopes to use it to manage some of my Civil War fabrics.  These are obviously 4" blocks, but believe it or not - I am going with 8".  I love tiny, but the goal is to eat up those fabrics and a larger block will do that.

I have just a few more ladder blocks to make and all the pieces have been cut.  I'm keeping these all red/green so I don't have to play around with setting and trying to keep same color blocks touching.

All of the 'color' parts are cut for the star blocks and now I have to cut the shirtings.  I made a 'dent' in my Civil War prints and I should clear out a lot of the smaller pieces of shirting before I cut into some of the yardage.

Its to be a rainy day and my only interruption is taking Bella a mile up the road to the Vet for her annual check up and shots.  Even the veteranary is isolating.  I have to call from the parking lot and they will come out and get her, and then deliver her back to me in the lot.  Bella is a very nervous cat, so it will be interesting to see how she handles this.

Stay Safe and Healthy,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon 

Monday Making

I scrambled to make the Baby Giraffes to be was sure I had enough of those brights.  Actually this went together really fast and I changed up the setting with the strip top and bottom and made the outer border 3.5" wide rather than the 2.5" just to upsize it a bit.  Now it's ready to be quilted.

Then I used those brights left to make the final border on the Sneakers.  I had just three pieces that were close to a FQ size and the rest of the scraps I cut down into my barrel system.  I have enough of the aqua left for the binding.  I think I have these fabrics out of my stitching system now.  And this is my April OMG project - done ahead of time!

Still progressing on the Corona Quilt with four rows of houses and the fifth row needs just two more houses.  I'll have to start thinking on what to do next as there are just 2 mini charms left as I used some of the light ones for the roof background settings.  

Today I want to dedicate to finishing the last clean-up project.  I did these Kaffe strips up after using some in the two Kitty quilts.

I helped a sewing student with this pattern long ago and it was a U-tube which I can't find now.  It's called the Jelly Roll Tube quilt, but there are a LOT of those out there.  You simply add a 22" strip of white ends to the ends of each JR strip, so you have a tube.  Then cut the white where ever you like and vary your cuts with each tube.

Then it is just chaining thru the machine one after another - twosies, foursies, etc.... until I have a complete top.  I'm not stressing what is going where as these Kaffe strips are so different and it will all work out.  Simple sewing today as it suppose to be lovely weather and I would like to take a long walk. 

Stay Safe and Healthy,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon