Design Wall Monday - September 30

 Is tomorrow REALLY the 1st of October?  Already?  What is on your design wall for this next week or month?
https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

One task I've given myself today is to work on my monthly Goal list.  As always, it's a mix of new projects and ongoing projects.  Hopefully I'll get a couple of baby quilts back from the quilter so I can get them bound.  This one is Beehive, which was a Sew Sampler box project. 

The parts and pieces are all prepped and ready for some efficient stitching this week.  I think the first priority this week will be to finish getting the Dutchman's Puzzle quilt top together.

I remembered this beautiful batik has been in my stash for a couple of years, just waiting for the right project.  There is more than enough to use as a wide outer border to the Dutchman's Puzzle quilt.  I'm excited to get this one done.  

Goals for October

• Personal goals
• Walk at least 1 mile at least 5 days a week   
• Continue decluttering  
• Binding & other hand stitching
• bind the Beehive baby quilt
• bind one Quilt of Valor
• work on hand quilting projects 
• Block of the Month piecing
• Saturday Sampler - month #7 blocks 
• Tranquility mystery quilt clue #5  
• Carol Doak paper pieced stars - block #4  
• Rainbow Scrap Challenge - progress on ANY of these
• Dutchman's Puzzle quilt top assembly
• Shooting Stars - more blocks
• RSC blocks in ANY color needed - 
• UFO / WIP projects - progress on at least 1 of these
• quilt Bright Happy Blocks
• batik Hunter's Star quilt
• 2nd fall table runner flimsy
• PIG (new projects) at least 1 of these
• Hemingway Pouch
• Christmas table runner 
• fall or winter door hanger 
• Whatever else I want to play with!!

Reviewing September

Today's post is really just an accountability thing for my own purposes.  You all know I'm a list maker, and just need to see things checked off.  LOL  And today I'm finally getting back to some actual sewing at home.  

Friday was the Quilt of Valor sew day, which was a big success.  More about the sew day can be shared next week.  Friday evening we made a quick trip to Sioux Falls to watch both granddaughters in a swim meet.  Saturday we headed to Yankton for a family wedding.  Lots of fun, but no stitching time.

There has been plenty of successful sewing during the month of September.  I've kept up with all of the Block of the Month projects, and I'm quite satisfied with where I'm at with various other projects.

September goal status

• Personal goals
• Walk at least 1 mile at least 5 days a week - NOPE! 
• Continue decluttering - very little progress
• Binding & other hand stitching
• Shibori Blues - CHECK!
• work on hand quilting projects - NOPE!
• Block of the Month piecing
• Saturday Sampler - month #6 blocks - CHECK!
• RSC blocks in new color - brown/black - CHECK!
• Tranquility mystery quilt clue #4 - CHECK!
• Carol Doak paper pieced stars - block #3 - CHECK!
• Rainbow Scrap Challenge - progress on ANY of these
• Kitty blocks - it's a flimsy!  Check!
• Dutchman's Puzzle - sashing/cornerstones started
• Shooting Stars - 
• UFO / WIP projects - progress on at least 1 of these
• quilt Bright Happy Blocks
• batik Hunter's Star quilt - a few more blocks made
• Chubby Charmer bag - CHECK!
• Quilts of Valor - blocks, kits, etc. - 5 quilt kits created CHECK! 
• PIG (new projects) at least 1 of these
• set of pillowcases (cowboy boots) for a gift - CHECK!
• Hemingway Pouch - NOPE!
• fall door hanger - NOPE!
• Whatever else I want to play with!!

RSC24 - Week #39

Can you believe this is the last Saturday of September already?  Yikes!!!!  In the past month I've focused more on getting RSC block sets sewn into quilt tops, and these are the 2 that have been checked off the list.  Don't you just love having a flimsy all ready to be quilted?  

The next one up to assemble on my RSC list is the Dutchman's Puzzle.  

Early in September I got the last block finished (with dark brown).  I've decided to put these 20 blocks together with a traditional sashing/cornerstone setting.  There will be a narrow white sashing and scrappy aqua cornerstones - since every block has aqua paired with a different color.  Then I'll decide whether it needs an outer border to finish it off. 

I finished the autumn table runner this week.  

This has been a busy week, but not as much sewing time as I had expected. There was a lot of time spent in "sewing related" activities however.  

** organized several "kits" for a Quilt of Valor sew day
** organized a couple of upcoming projects
** bought a new sewing machine - YAY!!

I'm linking up with the wonderful RSC world . . .
https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

New machine & prepping projects

I've been saving money for quite awhile for a new toy, and this was finally the week to make the big purchase.  My new sewing machine is awesome!  I've not played with any of the fancy stuff yet, but am feeling very comfortable with the basics.  Winding bobbins, threading, exploring the menus on that touch screen - all similar enough to my previous machine that it feels quite familiar. Next week I'll take the time to try out some of the fancier stitches and features.

A lot of prep time this week was spent getting ready for today's Quilt of Valor sew day.  The rolling crate is packed with lots of options.  Block sets, sashing, border strips - 5 different quilt top kits are all ready to go.  Fabric for 2 pieced backings - also ready to go. I'm hoping at least a couple of ladies are able to come sew.  

 

Time was also spent prepping projects for sewing over the weekend, next week, and next month.  Most of the pieces are cut for the Christmas table runner that I want to make next.  It's another kit, purchased on the Quilt Dakota Shop Hop in August.  Notice I said "most" of the pieces are cut?  This pattern is NOT written in a way that my brain likes.  We all have different learning styles, and I am a very sequential thinker.  So I've been frustrated following this particular pattern.  The pattern pages tell you to label the pieces as you cut, but then don't reference those labels again.  In the middle of Step 1 it tells us to "skip ahead" to Step 6 and check out how to use the scraps.  Then come back to Step 1.  And for some of the fabric in the kit there is a diagram for cutting, but it doesn't tell you the size - you have to guess that based on the sub-cuts referenced later.  But I will get this made!!

Another project that required some prep is the Dutchman's Puzzle that has been part of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year.  The blocks are all done, and I finally made a decision on layout.  I want narrow sashing, so chose 1.5" finished width.  The sashing pieces and cornerstone squares have now all been cut so that I can work on getting the quilt top put together in October.  

Next week, with the beginning of October, there will be new blocks posted for the 2 BOMs I'm working on.  The Tranquility mystery quilt and the Carol Doak Circle of Friends are both usually posted in that first week of the month.   We must be getting close to seeing a final layout for the mystery because there are over 30 blocks already made.  

An autumn table runner

 This little table runner was actually a kit I purchased recently, and I actually have it done.

There is enough fabric left over to make another one.  I think I need to do that because it would be a shame to waste any of these pretty fall fabrics.  

Hiding in my sewing room

 Seems like I've struggled lately with poor eating habits, and I'm very determined NOT to gain back any of the 35 pounds it took me nearly 2 years to lose.  So maybe that means more sewing time . . . because when I'm downstairs sewing then I'm NOT snacking.  Plus I told someone this weekend that I really need to sew faster than I shop!!

I can check off the Saturday Sampler blocks for this month from my To Do list. 

And speaking of shopping . . . I did some major shopping on Tuesday afternoon.  My current sewing machine is 8 years old, and has a LOT of hours on it.  So, I've been looking at options for a new machine, and finally made a decision.  My choice - a Pfaff Performance Icon.  I should be able to pick it up on Friday afternoon, which has me quite excited.  

A Quilt of Valor award

Our little Quilt of Valor group has several upcoming quilt awards to make, but one date was moved up at the last minute.   
 

This presentation was originally going to happen in October in Madison SD, which is north and east of me about 1.5 hours.  But last Friday the young veteran contacted me to see if we could make it happen on Saturday morning instead as her family was gathering in Sioux Falls.  It was really short notice, but since I was going to be there anyway to attend a grandson's soccer game - we made it happen.  I had her sister, who nominated her, wrap the quilt around her as I spoke.  

She was really thrilled with the design of the quilt.  This particular quilt was a Saturday Sampler from a couple of years ago, and one of our members donated the top after making it.  

And she asked to have a photo taken with me and her sister.  And the sister's dog.  Thank you for your service Rebecca!!

Design Wall Monday - Sept 23

 New week - with a new focus!  

My goal today is to get the 8 blocks made for this month's Saturday Sampler project.  These will be colorful churn dash blocks, finishing at 12".  We're past halfway now.

Because I've finished multiple quilt tops this fall, I decided over the weekend that it was time to make a couple of small projects from kits I've purchased recently.  Here are my choices - one for Christmas and one for fall.  One big benefit of working on some small projects is that I can quilt them myself and use up more batting and backing leftovers.

So, my Design Wall today involves more than one project as usual.  First up will be the Saturday Sampler blocks.  And then I'll be focusing on the fall table runner which is made with 1.5" strips, and will use that new 60 degree ruler I purchased with the kit.

What's on YOUR design wall today?
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RSC24 - Week #38

Here we are - Saturday again.  Wow!  This last week has flown by!  I spent a LOT of it in my sewing room, so there is a LOT of progress around here.

Did I get any sewing done with brown/black/grey this past week?  Sure did.  There were 2 shades of brown in the store sample I made for my favorite local quilt shop.  But it's a mystery quilt for an October shop hop, so all I can show you right now is the kit they gave me to use for the sample.  It's all Lori Holt prints.  So cute!  I delivered the finished quilt top to the store on Thursday morning.  Once they hang it up for the shop hop I'll get a picture to share.

The most important RSC sewing that happened this week is the assembly of the Kitty quilt top.  I tried to get an outdoor photo, but the wind just wouldn't let up enough.  This quilt top is 72 x 90, and is bright and happy.  I even got a black and white "cat face" wide backing for it.  Most likely this will end up being donated to Sleep In Heavenly Peace.  

I made one more black Brighten block this week too.  It joins the 35 blocks already made - and made me realize that I'll need plenty more to be a good size.  These are 8" blocks.

I think these will go together slightly offset, rather than lining up the colored bars.  More blocks in a variety of colors will be the plan for these going forward.

And what about the squirrel that showed up recently to distract me?  My reward for finishing the 2 quilt tops this week (Kitty and store sample) was playing with scraps to make 19 Buckeye Beauty blocks.  These will stay on the RSC list going into 2025 because I'll need a lot of these for a whole quilt top.  But aren't they fun?  Black and white for the 4-patches, and lots of colors for those corners.

I'm linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge . . .

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

Store sample progress

 It's a mystery quilt, so I can't show you much.  But I should have the store sample quilt top assembled sometime today.  

Really, there are only the 2 side borders left to sew together and then attach to the top.  The rest is done.  I've never really kept track of the amount of time spent to make a quilt top before so this was an interesting process.  A lot of the units for this pattern were made slightly oversized and then squared up.  That makes very accurate blocks, but all that trimming takes time.  But I've enjoyed doing this.

Once that's done and delivered, then I'll be getting back to work on a couple of my own ongoing projects.  The Kitty quilt top needs to be finished up, and I also need to cut out my Saturday Sampler blocks for this month.  And there are always some brown/black Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks to make, although since the shop sample had 2 different shades of brown in it maybe I've met that goal this week.

Another squirrel

 Yes - I promise that I'm still working diligently on the store sample project.  I have the blocks all done, and the border parts are cut out.  So I'm hopeful of getting it done before the deadline next week.  However . . . there is a squirrel teasing me this week as well.  SIDE NOTE:  Thankfully I have a backup sewing machine, because my main machine has begun making that awful squeaking noise again.  

Last weekend I made 4 Jewel Box blocks to send off for a donation block drive.  Making these was a great reminder of how much I love these blocks.  They are quick and very easy to make.  For the block drive the request was black and white for the 4-patches and purple/blue/green for the HSTs.  

And if you reverse the layout (HSTs pointing OUT) these blocks become Buckeye Beauty.  I'm blaming Alycia because her post was the inspiration for making these for Rainbow Scrap Challenge going forward.  Because I've been finishing up some block sets for RSC the past couple of month, I've been looking for new blocks to replace them.  I think the Buckeye Beauty is definitely going on that list.  

There is a whole shoebox size bin full of colorful 5" squares that will be perfect for making the HSTs, and I always have lots of black and white around.  It's good to have a plan.  And it's wonderful to have made so many blogging friends that I can gather inspiration from whenever needed. 

Riley Blake Design challenge 2024

Another finish for September! And this one isn't even a UFO.  The binding for this was finished last Friday.  

This is my version of the Riley Blake Design challenge for 2024.  Each year they do an online sew-along, with 1 block released each week for 16 weeks.  This year I added 4 additional blocks from previous RBD years because I wanted the quilt rectangular instead of square.  And then I added the Blessed row, which was a monthly kit from The Pin Cushion using the Lori Holt book Spelling Bee.  It just fit right in there.   

I think this will be a good quilt to save for a future gift.  

Design Wall Monday - September 16

And here we are . . . another Monday rolling around.  It's that interesting time of year in this part of the country when we have a touch of summer and a touch of fall.  The days are still warm (or hot) and the evenings are almost chilly.  The trees are beginning to show some hints of fall colors to come, and that makes me itching to pull out the fall fabrics to sew.

Do you ever wonder about the idea of coincidence?  A week or so ago I ordered a kit for an autumn themed table runner, and the ruler that would make it easier - a large 60 degree diamond ruler.  The kit and ruler arrived in the mail on Thursday.  And on Friday one of my daughters texted me about making a Native American star quilt for her husband for his next birthday (June 2025).  That new ruler will really come in handy for that project.  Is that a coincidence?  It was obviously meant to be. 

I have a basic pattern for the star quilt already, but I think we'll have fun planning the colors and shopping together for the fabrics to make that special quilt.  So - it's not on my Design Wall right now, but it's going to be in the planning stages.  

What is actually on my design wall this week?  The store sample project is the priority project this week.  It's a mystery quilt for an upcoming shop hop, so I can't show you exactly what I'm making yet.  But let's just say there has been some progress.  Five of the 9 main blocks are finished, with the other 4 started.  Once those blocks are done, then I'll be tackling the pieced border, which may take some concentration to keep organized.

One other thing on my design wall this week - the new Saturday Sampler blocks for September.  We're making 8 colorful Churn Dash blocks.  I'm hoping to get them at least cut out by the end of the week.   

I'm linking up with Design Wall Monday . . .

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

RSC24 - Week #37

It's my very favorite Saturday of every month - Saturday Sampler in the morning and Sew Vintage in the afternoon.  With both of those fun in-person activities mixed in with the weekly Rainbow Scrap Challenge postings, my brain is going to be spinning with quilting ideas by the end of the day.

I wasn't sure that brown was going to work very well with the black and white in the Night Vision blocks, but I dug in and tried to choose "warm" tones of brown.  And I'm pleasantly surprised.   

The contrast isn't the best in that darker pinwheel, but I really do like the Night Vision block.  

One brown and one black Brighten block joined the stack.  I hope to do more of these dark ones before the end of the month. 

String blocks had fallen off my radar lately, but I did get a brown version of both done early in the week.  There were other partially constructed string blocks in the box too, so those came out to be sewn up during the week too. 

Throughout the rest of the week I used string blocks as Leader/Enders in between sewing the Kitty blocks into more rows.  You can see the Kitty rows hanging up behind these.  The last of the scrappy Kitty blocks are now sewn into 5 rows, but I didn't get them attached to the first half of the quilt.  But that's OK - it should be easy to finish up after I finish a store sample quilt top for my local quilt shop.  

This is how I have been putting the bigger string blocks together. There are 22 of these blocks with the white center strip now, so a lot more are needed for a good sized quilt.  For now however, the hanger and string project box are back in the closet while I focus the next 2 weeks on other things.

These were also part of my Leader/Ender sewing this week - more String Beads and more of the 16-patch units.  I need to count the String Bead blocks because I have no idea how many I've made.  The 16-patch units have been added to the small pile left over from the Churn Dash blocks I made with them.  I counted 9 of these, at 4.5" unfinished.  They may become the centers of more Churn Dash blocks, or stars, or Bead blocks . . . or something else.  

Another RSC block set from previous years has come back out of the closet too.  Bonnie Hunter has released the pattern for Diamond Tiles just this week.  It was a block she originally released in her Addicted to Scraps column in Quiltmaker magazine, which I immediately tore out of the magazine.  I made some (about 20) blocks, but then hung the pattern and more pieces in the sewing room closet.  The blocks are so cute and finish at 7".  My original plan had been making a baby quilt so I used a lot of bright colors and kid prints for the centers.  My brain says "do something with these", so as I finish up the store sample quilt top and the Kitty quilt top as a current RSC project, I might go back to making these going forward.  

I'm linking up to more Rainbow fun . . .

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

Store sample

Some secret sewing will be happening in the next week - using these pretty Lori Holt fabrics.  I've been asked to sewn a store sample quilt, and am quite excited for this one.  Yesterday I picked up the pattern and the fabric from The Pin Cushion.  The pattern was designed by one of the young gals working there and it's really cute.

Yesterday was The Day!

Yesterday was a long-anticipated date for my husband.  It was season ticket selection day for Jackrabbit basketball at South Dakota State University.   

With the total remodel of the arena on campus it was also time for seat re-allocation for all season ticket holders.  And season ticket holders were required (with some exceptions) to appear in person - at your assigned date and time - to talk through with a staff "tour guide" to select seats.  September 11 at 6:50 PM in our case.  Available seats had a big yellow tag on them, with the section, row, and seat identified.  You can see lots of yellow tags yet in the sections above us.  Once you selected your seats the staff tour guide took the tags to the check out desk to verify selection.  And we paid the remaining amount due.  We got the tags to take with us.

See that yellow tag on the seats way across the arena?  Our seats are next to that.  We are directly across the floor from our seats the last 2 years.  Above us are the suites and press areas.  And in the concourse behind us will be the SDSU ice cream concession area - which excites my husband in particular.  Did you know that cookies 'n cream flavor was developed at SDSU decades ago?  The dairy science program is famous for its ice cream.  I was always happy when I had a class on that side of campus so I could stop into the dairy store and get ice cream. 

It was fun to tour the remodeled arena and see how beautiful it will be once it's finished in a couple of weeks.  We were freshmen at SDSU when the old arena opened, middle of the basketball season.  We were both at that first game in Frost Arena, although not together.  And we were there for the last game in Frost last spring.  The newly remodeled arena is now First Bank & Trust Arena.  The long concourse just inside the new entrance has an amazing wall of memorabilia staged in among large squares of the old wood floor.  Bleacher wood has been used as trim above concession stands and other spots. 

This morning I'm headed to a local elementary school with the DAR group to talk to 3rd-4th graders about the Constitution.  Should be fun!!!

Chubby Charmer bag

   The Chubby Charmer tote bag is done.  I used a charm pack purchased on the bus trip in July - and it was on clearance.  The lining is that pink batik from my stash.  The navy blue in the handles was also found in the stash.  Other than buying the fusible batting, this was a VERY inexpensive bag. 

The pattern has totally different handles and had pockets inside.  I deviated from the pattern by making my handles different, and also skipped the pockets.  My handles have 2 layers of fusible batting and 2 layers of fabric, with binding added to both sides to enclose the raw edges.  They are nice and sturdy.  And I didn't need pockets in this tote, as it will just be utilitarian. 

Tranquility is caught up

 So far it hasn't been too difficult to keep up with the Tranquility mystery BOM (Bear Creek Quilting).  Yesterday I finished this month's clue. 

These are the 4 different blocks we've made - one block design per month. The top left block has the largest quantity, with 12 of those made.  There are only 4 of the top right block.  We made 8 of each of those bottom blocks.  

So far I have absolutely no idea how these will go together - so the mystery aspect is alive and well for me.  

The other sewing that happened yesterday was to make the rest of the scrappy Kitty blocks needed for those final rows.  So the next step will be to lay out those rows and get this one to the flimsy stage - hopefully this week.

Design Wall Monday - Sept 9

 Here we are on a Monday again.  It was guild weekend, and as always the Show n Tell was SEW inspirational.  I must show the one that was my favorite.

Hopefully Karen won't mind that I'm sharing this picture.  This large wall hanging was amazing and my photo does not do it justice.  Each block is a mix of applique and embroidery.  Her embroidery was exquisite, and then the applique . . . wowza!  She even put in bits and pieces of lace on those cabin roofs and in the sashing blocks.  I will never make something this beautiful but can sure enjoy seeing it.  I predict this one could be the Viewer's Choice winner at our next quilt show.  

So . . . now back to more utilitarian quilts. Mine!  I have a new quilt to bind this week.  This is the Riley Blake Design challenge from earlier in 2024.  I did mine in 30s prints and added some additional blocks to my quilt to make it larger.  It's all quilted with Baptist Fans, which is so appropriate for the vintage-look fabrics.  Once the binding is done, I'll show it off. 

Clue #4 for the Tranquility mystery quilt came out last week.  I'm so glad I followed the hint provided in the email to cut the pieces slightly oversized and then square up those flying geese and HSTs before sewing them into the block.   That made the blocks come together nearly perfect.  We will need 8 of these blocks, bringing the total to 34 blocks so far.  

I have 4 done, with the remaining 4 blocks partially done.  The units are all sewn, but need pressing and squaring up.  My goal this week is to finish them all so that I stay caught up with this mystery.

The Chubby Charmer tote bag is also coming along.  There is some handwork to finish up, and then the handles can be attached.  Again - one of my goals for this week.

Making a few additional blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is always on my To Do list for each week.  And then . . . you know I'm likely to play with something else that wasn't even on the radar yet, because that seems to be my pattern.

I'm linking up today to Design Wall Monday . . .

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

RSC24 - Week #36

This week I've spent significant time trying to clear up a backlog of UFO / WIP tasks taking up space.  They take up space in my sewing room and also in my brain.  So . . . my brown and black sewing is focused on moving those projects forward. 

The final batik Dutchman's Puzzle block needed for my quilt was made with a rich brown batik.  I even got the bonus triangles sewn into the Hourglass blocks right away.  Next step on this one is making a decision on sashing or no sashing.  

Ten more Kitty blocks were needed for that quilt top, and 3 were made using brown and black.  Almost ready to finish that quilt top.

The cover for a fastpitch softball themed travel pillow used up a bit more of that softball fabric.  Now I need to get a 14" pillow form.  This is a gift. 

And the boots-themed pillowcases are finished too.  There are some fancy boots just right for a pretty cowGIRL on this fabric.  These will go with the "horse" panel quilt I made for my grand-niece.  I used the same teal from the quilt in the cuffs of the cases.  Another gift. 

There was some binding done on another scrappy quilt, but I'll wait to show that off once it's completely done.  And I did make some progress on a couple of smaller UFOs too, so I'm calling this week successful.  Plus it's quilt guild meeting day and that's always fun.

What else is going on in the RSC world today?
https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/