Whoop it up Friday

Since I was hunting for fabrics to play with Bow Tie blocks, I processed two more grocery bags of scraps into the fabric food chain.   I know I could have just gone into my barrels for stuff already cut, but I am seriously trying to tackle all those gifted scraps.

I got forty 4.5" Ties made and I know there will be a lot more to come, but this was a good afternoon of play after all the sorting, pressing, and cut-down.  And I did accomplish my block for the month.

The last two poodles were finished and I hope that in April I will have time to put this into a flimsy.  I have a lot of bookings thru April, so my sewing may slow down.

I saw SARAH mention pulling all her HSTs and finding a project to use them up.  I have these all over the place!   I use to be very good at making them finished and trimmed, then put into a container by the size - I dig thru them and use them here and there and then got a little sloppy in keeping them in order.  So I pulled one of the totes and may play with these to finish out the month.  

They are talking about us getting into the 50's this weekend - we shall see.  I am grateful that our snow has had a chance melt off slowly, but now we are into serious MUD season around here.  The woodchuck has come out of hibernation as well as Sir Stinks Alot - skunk.  Even a racoon has been raiding the bird feeders at night, so they are being taken in now.  Maybe Spring has arrived?

I will be taking time off for the Easter Holiday, so blessings to all .
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Scrappy Wednesday

The newest temperature rosette is ready to be stitched to it's background.  I went thru my scraps and pulled light to dark Aquas as we head back into those temperatures.  We are thankful that it is warming up gradual so all that snow melts off slowly to prevent flooding.  Between the three big storms in March, we had a total of 72" - a LOT of snow.

32 - 41 -38 - 38 - 38 - 42 -43

 There are now two of the diamond project and I have pulled the three strips for the next one.  I really like this pattern and may make one using 1/2" hexies and a variety of scraps - a long term project of course. 

I had pulled out my box of apple fabrics to find something to go with those boxed squares made last week.  Quite a variety and some very vintage pieces in there as well.

A night photo indoors - not good.  But you get the idea and I will get a better picture in natural lighting when done.  The block with the HSTs was in with the print that had such a pretty orchard scene, so I used it.  There is enough of that with another large piece to make the back.  I'm deciding if this needs a border and if so, what will I use.

  
A closer look at this wonderful print.  I fussy cut two large pieces and there are mixes of other fun orchard bits I found in that box.

Not that I want Fall to come around so fast, but I love apple picking time.  And do you see the two black cats?  Had to have kitties on my orchard.

And there are a few flock of sheep mixed in just for fun.

There was a green, blue, and brown print of Deb Strain's 'Apple Crisp' that I made extra boxed squares with  and I thought this was the perfect name for this quilt.  The vintage brown I would have loved for the border, but you can see the flaws in this - they run pretty regular, thus not able to use as well as I know the fabric is just too fragile.

This is Debby Kratovil's 'Adinkra' quilt pattern that she had as a BOM last year (or year before?).  These are African symbols and was inspired by her trip to Africa.  I made little tribal dolls with fabric that a friend brought me from Africa.  I need to put setting triangles on them so I can get this quilt put together at last.

Please disregard the torn plastic table cloth - compliments of Bella and why I use plastic table clothes.  I pulled my tote of solids, but there really isn't large pieces in here for corners as well as I am not sure this is how I want to head.  Would any one like some solid scraps?  Seriously - they need to go out the door so just put in your comment 'me please' and I will pull a name next Wednesday.

I think I need to do some fabric shopping to make this quilt have the right look.  Any suggestions or on-line shops to pick up some regional prints?

Since my plan A is a bust, I think I will pull a baggy of gifted scraps yet to be sorted and play with bow ties.  They were my block for the month and I have not made a single one yet.  So plan B is my play date.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Tips, Tutes, and Tasty Things

Today Sarah has us sharing some little bits of 'help' to quilters as we work on our Hands2Help quilts.  Maybe you have a tip or tuturial or tasty things to share.

TIP:

Develop a good habit of putting away your fabrics after a project.  If you have a 'fabric food' chain, cut those scraps right down into usuable sizes that suit your quilting needs.  AND clear containers - if you see them, you will use them.

TUTE:

I have a few tutorials on my tab, but a quick little project that can be changed up with your own creativity - and scraps - Tissue Cover.

TASTY:

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted a recipe!  And I should compile the ones I have onto a tab.  These are a quick treat or would be fun to have when a bunch of sewing buddies come over - Mini Muffin Pizza. 

Be sure to check over at Sarah's to see what other's link up.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Whooping Friday

I have four of the on point 4-patch blocks done for the newest project.  I should call it the 'squirrel' project as my mantra for the year 'focus' has just gone out the window early in the year!  But aren't these cute?

  
This drew me away (0R is it awray OR awry?), too.  This baggy of left over solid JR strips kept falling off the shelf so I decided to tame it.  I had used a few for a project a long time ago, a student used some, now to finish it off.

Cant' be anything easier than boxed squares - which just was a pull from the barrel system.  We shall see how many I can get from this pile of 'desert' color strips.  There is a semi-plan in the back of my mind - as long as I don't get distracted by another squirrel.

I rarely get a photo of the two together, but this is how things have gotten with the constant cold and snow.  They are getting on each other's nerves and play becomes a battle.  We are going into a dry and little warmer trend, so I hope they get outdoors.  That, or the broom stays ready for a 'sweep' out the door.

Now to focus on those boxed squares,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon