Small projects

At The Pin Cushion this month the Tilda Club project was actually a challenge project using a specific technique for HSTs.  They posted a video showing how to use strips of 2 different fabrics, sewn down each long side.  Then we used either the Companion Angle or the Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer rulers to cut the Half Square Triangles all along the strips, flipping the ruler each time.

It's a very slick way to quickly make HSTs of any size, depending on the width of your strips.  I have both rulers, but used the Companion Angle this time.  The Slotted Trimmer lets you trim off the corner dog ears before sewing.  Otherwise they are pretty much identical rulers.  

We were challenged to use Tilda fabric to make whatever we wanted using those Half Square Triangles.  I had the pink floral Tilda fat quarter and used some scraps from other fabrics to go with it.

I made a 14" square doll quilt for this little "stuffie".  The cuddly little critter needed its own quilt before I could give it away to some kiddo.  

One more small project is nearing completion.

The Chubby Charmer bag components are now ready to assemble.  I changed up the handles by adding binding that matches the lining to both sides.  Those handles are thick and sturdy.  The front and back pieces are quilted and trimmed up.  Next step is to assemble all the pieces.  

Shibori Blues

One of my PIGS (projects in grocery sacks) for 2024 is done!  

Shibori Blues was the name of the fabric line, and the pattern was actually in the Missouri Star Block magazine this spring.  Trailing Squares is the pattern, but I'm still calling it Shibori Blues.  The colors are more accurate in this first picture.  It's all shades of Indigo.

I took it outside early yesterday morning for pictures and the shadows make the background look pale blue.  The background is a very bright white in reality.

I'm normally more of a fan of traditional types of blocks, but I do love this modern look.  It was such an easy pattern and done with just 1 layer cake and some background yardage.  I actually have a patriotic layer cake set aside to make this again.   

Paper piecing & pillowcases

Today is most likely to be a non-sewing day as my sister-in-law is coming and we plan to work on updating some genealogy info.  

The third block for the paper-pieced BOM is finished.  This one was tricky for me because there were a LOT of points to match.  Some are perfect. Some are not.  But overall I'm happy with it.  When I was in Rapid City a week ago I spent Saturday with an old friend, also a quilter.  She really loves paper piecing so I showed her this BOM on Facebook and she joined right in.  It will be lots more fun to work on these together - online - each month.  This is a 12 month BOM, with just 1 block per month.

I can check off one project from my September list already.  Since I had this set of pillowcases all cut and ready to sew, it was a quick finish.  They are now with the quilt and ready to be gifted to my grand-niece. 

Tomorrow the 4th clue (of 9) will be released for the Tranquility mystery quilt at Bear Creek Quilting.  They email the clue to participants during the first week each month.  We've made 24 blocks (12" finished) so far and have a lot of clues remaining, so it will be a BIG quilt.  The Saturday Sampler program this year is going to be a really big quilt too.  The next monthly blocks for that one is still a whole week away yet.  I've had no trouble keeping up with all 3 BOMs up to this point.

Kitting up QOV blocks and projects

Sunday afternoon was spent at the SD State Fair, although I can't say that I took in any of the state fair food or fun stuff.  Two of us from our Quilts of Valor group did a "talk" about the QOV program.  Maureen took a few photos too . . .

The stage in the Horizon Hall auditorium had been decorated with vintage linens and sweet little antique displays.  The audience was small - maybe 35 people - but it went well I think.  I took some of our current quilt tops for Show n Tell.  

Before leaving for the fair I did some reorganizing of QOV blocks, kits, fabric donations, etc.  Actually, I made a mess in my dining room that all needs to be put away again.  And I also made a mess in my sewing room because I wanted to take one of my design boards to the fair with me - and there was another set of Split Back Star blocks on that design board.  But I have now set aside some block kits that are ready to sew, and they are back in my sewing room.  This group is 4 Churn Dash blocks (12" finished).  

Four more Split Back Star blocks were cut from some donated fabric too.  We have a stack of these blocks with scrappy blue and reds going (including the ones on that design board), so a total of 8 of these will be added to the stack when I get them made.

And then there is this QOV kit I had put together that I wanted to make.  Like usual, I got started and then set it aside to work on other things.  One of my major flaws . . . 

I needed 9 blocks and only had 3 of them finished.  The layout I plan to use is from the book Circle of Nine, which will be different from my typical for a Quilt of Valor.  All of this QOV sewing really needs to be moved higher on my priorities and not set aside again.  

Design Wall Monday - Sept goals

What is on YOUR design wall this week?  I'm linking up with Design Wall Monday at   https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

My design wall is FULL of projects started and not finished - so, just like every week of every month!  I always have multiple projects going at once.  Sometimes that's a good thing and then periodically it overwhelms me.  I'm on the verge of being overwhelmed right now I think. 

I have kitted up a set of 2 pillowcases that will be part of a gift this fall.  The cowboy boot print is something I bought on the recent Quilt Dakota shop hop, and it's paired up with more of the teal I used in the quilt with the horse head panel.  The pillowcases will go to my grand-niece along with the quilt.  

Over the weekend, I sewed the Shooting Star blocks into pairs - one star block plus one alternate block.  These are a Rainbow Scrap Challenge set of blocks this year, but there are not nearly enough yet for a good size quilt.  So I'll continue making these, however, in the meantime, there is actually some progress.  And they are easier to clip to the hanger in the closet now.

Two-sies for Shooting Star and now 4-sies for Hunter's Star.  I sewed the Hunter's Star blocks into groups of 4 over the weekend too.  I've been making these with a couple batik layer cakes from my stash, and still have plenty to make this a bigger quilt.  I haven't decided yet just how big I want to make it.  But I do know I want this top DONE in September.  

Several Quilts of Valor blocks have been cut and kitted up this past week.  There is also a QOV kit that I want to get at least cut out and prepped for sewing.  A kit for an autumn door hanger is sitting on my cutting table - waiting.  A partially complete tote bag is sitting in my sewing room, still in parts.  Another couple of bag kits are also there.  I just might have to admit to myself that I have a fabric addiction.  LOL

This list of goals helps me focus, but also proves to me that there are way too many projects going on in various stages.  Hence - that tipping point toward overwhelming.

More goals for September

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

RSC24 - Week #35

Did I just write Week #35?  Really?  It can't be September tomorrow already!! 

I've been going through my RSC block sets, and making some plans for finishes.  The Kitty blocks are nearly enough.  Five rows are now sewn together.  But I still need 10 more in a variety of colors to set these 8 by 10.  The blocks finish at 9".  And you know what? I enjoy making these blocks so will probably continue making them for RSC for a future second quilt.

Dutchman's Puzzle has 19 blocks so far, and I've been aiming for 20. And yes - I've taken over the putting green again!  LOL  My original plan for these was to sash them and add a border.  But after laying them out next to each other I'm liking how they look just like this.  So now I'm thinking 30 blocks set 5 x 6 will no sashing would be even better.  Please share your thoughts on that as I need some input.  

The Shooting Stars blocks are adding up, but there is a definite shortage of the alternate block.  So going forward I'll be making a lot more of that simple block and not many more of the star blocks.  I haven't decided yet on a size for this one.

One of the sets of Hunter's Star blocks made this week had orange.  But that was pretty much the only orange that came into play.  This project has a rainbow of colors, but isn't a "scrappy" project, as it's using up a couple of layer cakes that have been languishing in the stash.  

 I'm linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge . . . 
https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

August in review

August was a productive month plus we had a bit of a vacation, so I'm happy in spite of all the red Failures on that list below.  I was definitely over estimating what was even possible.  But - in several categories I just wanted to get 1 thing done from the list and that mostly happened.

I didn't do well on bag making this month, but there is always next month to finish the one started.  That would be the Chubby Charmer which is partially assembled.  I have a couple of other bags kitted up as well.  

The best accomplishment is keeping up the the BOM programs.  This block is part of the paper-pieced BOM from Carol Doak on Facebook.  It's called Circle of Friends.  She is posting the September block sometime on Friday, as she wants people to have time to sew over Labor Day weekend.  I'm looking forward to it. 

• Personal goals
• Walk at least 1 mile at least 5 days a week - weather permitting! - FAIL
• Continue decluttering (tackle basement bedroom closet) - FAIL
• Play more golf - CHECK!
• Binding & other hand stitching
• Ohio Star - CHECK!
• Shibori Blues - HALFWAY
• work on hand quilting projects (either Seasonal Cats or Vintage Stars) - FAIL
• Block of the Month piecing
• Saturday Sampler - month #5 blocks - CHECK! 
• RSC blocks in new color - orange - CHECK!
• Tranquility mystery quilt clue #3 - CHECK!
• Carol Doak paper pieced stars - block #2 - CHECK!
• Star of Wonder mystery quilt - finish the top & choose a backing
• RSC quilt top assembly - at least 1 of these
• Kitty blocks - not yet
• Dutchman's Puzzle - not yet
• 16-patch Churn Dash - CHECK!
• UFO projects - at least 1 of these
• quilt Bright Happy Blocks - FAIL
• Quick Strippee baby quilt - FAIL
• small zipper bag (tan color with Hexies) - CHECK!
• PIG (new projects) at least 1 of these
• Chubby Charmer bag - FAIL
• Hemingway Pouch - FAIL
• Yellow/black travel pillow - CHECK!
• Whatever else I want to play with!!

The travel pillow is checked off the list as a finish, but I do still need to buy a 14" pillow form to put inside.  This will be a gift.