RSC25 - Week #32

Aqua came out to play this week, with 2.5" squares being used in Paint Chip and Hollow 9-Patch blocks.  So far these are in the lighter "sea glass" shades, but I'm sure I can find deeper teals for next week. 

I've been doing these 4-Patch Fun blocks in red/white/blue to use in a future Quilt of Valor.  This is a 6" (finished) Bonnie Hunter leader/ender pattern, and they add up quickly when used as leaders and enders.  This week I decided to make some in RSC colors as well.  These 4 aqua versions are the first ones so far. 

Two aqua string blocks happened too.  These also finish at 6", and are pieced on phone book pages.  I haven't removed the paper yet.  

The only bigger project with aqua that I've worked on this week is the Town Square 3-yard quilt with the cute whale print.  The colors are way off in this photo - it's navy and turquoise surrounding the whales in the squares.  All 12 blocks are done, but only half of them are sewn into rows.  Finishing this to the flimsy stage will be a goal for next week.

Let's see what else is going on in the RSC world this week.

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/  

Friday catch-up

This has been a busy week, with less time sewing than usual.  But I've had time here and there to get some things accomplished in spite of the distractions.

On Wednesday I attended the monthly DAR (Daughters of American Revolution) meeting.  We had an interesting speaker this month who talked about proper cleaning of headstones, especially very old headstones.  I learned a lot.  For example:  soap contains solvents, so using soapy water isn't NOT a good way to clean them.  Who knew?  I didn't.

Wednesday, in between meetings and appointments, I played with a block set we've gathered for another Quilt of Valor.  Thank you to Vicki  for posting her beautiful quilt using Rail Fence and Star blocks.  It reminded me that there was a whole bag full of the same basic blocks in the QOV box.  And I hadn't thought of putting those stars into diagonal rows until seeing her quilt.  Because these are 6" finished blocks we'll maybe need more.  But I'm really liking how this quilt might look in the future.

One of the guest bedrooms has become the spot to pile things I'm too lazy to deal with - until we need the bed for guests.  Then I'm scrambling to move stuff. Do you have a room like that?  This small bedroom had a queen size bed, a nightstand, a big old antique dresser, and this crib which is full of quilt-y things. The youngest grandchild is 10, so it's way past time to give away that crib.  Last weekend my daughter and grandkids helped me empty this crib, take it apart, and take it to the garage.  

I actually sorted out the table runners, pillows, and wall hangings that I use.  A few that I do NOT use went into the rummage sale bin.  And I ordered a storage bench from Wayfair to replace that crib.  

I put it together yesterday morning by myself - except for getting the top attached to the hinges.  Dave helped with that as it required another set of hands.  It holds quite a lot, so far mostly the seasonal wall quilts and pillow covers that I change out frequently.

More sorting, purging, and organizing in that bedroom is still needed. But it's already a big improvement.

In the afternoon yesterday I returned to my sewing room to actually sew.  There has been progress on that 27" Blockheads block for this week.  There are still over 50 HSTs to press and trim for this one block. 

Half Square Triangles galore!

As I was making both of the Blockheads Blocks #10 earlier this week, my attitude was - too many Half Square Triangles.  Grrrr!  The result is great but I get tired of the trimming. 

And then on Wednesday morning Blockheads posted Block #11.

OMG - there are a gazillion Half Square Triangles!!!!!!  This is a 27" finished block, so at least those triangles are not teeny tiny ones.  

In between yesterday's DAR meeting and my pedicure appointment I did pull out my QOV scraps and did a little cutting.  With all my grumbling about HSTs, I must admit that the pattern for this block makes the layout very clear and easy to follow.  But this block may still take me the rest of this week to make.  

Beginning Town Square

 I actually spent a little time sewing while staying out of the way of the window washing team yesterday.  It's a husband/wife team and they do a wonderful job, inside and out.  My windows positively sparkle - until the next time it rains or the wind blows.   

Town Square is a really fast pattern.  This is actually the first time I've used this pattern, but it sure won't be the last time.  Two of the 12 blocks are done.  

A PIG and more

Task #1 for Monday was to make the President's block for guild.  We got the instructions and background fabric on Saturday at our guild meeting in a sealed envelop.  The blocks are a secret design that will be gifted to the past president at the Christmas party this winter.  I can't show it here in case she would see my post, but the block is very cute.  Mine is finished and ready to hand over to the committee member.  

My choice of a new project for early August is a 3 yard quilt mostly using fabric that has been in the stash for too long.  The cutting is done.  Let the sewing begin.

The whale print and the aqua meet that qualification, and I purchased the navy last week to go with it.  The pattern is Town Square, from a Fabric Cafe 3-yard quilt book.  This one should be very quick to sew as it uses large pieces done from strip sets.  

The other cutting and sewing that happened on Monday was last week's 2 Blockheads blocks.  These are blocks 10a and 10b, called What a Lark by Janet Clare.  By the time I get back into my sewing room again on Thursday the block for this week will have been posted.  I don't want to fall behind. 

And from some of that red I stitched up a quick Friendship Star for RSC.  The red was trimmed from a backing of a past Quilt of Valor, and has been very useful in making more blocks for future Quilts of Valor.  Nothing is wasted that way.

Today and tomorrow may be non-sewing days.  The window washers plan to be here today, after being rescheduled twice last week.  Can't wash windows in the rain.  And the guy who worked on our gutters last week is due to come back and fix at least one spot.  And I have a haircut appointment in the afternoon as well.  Wednesday is a DAR meeting, a pedicure appointment, then a customer appreciation picnic hosted by our bank.  

Design Wall Monday - August 4

Zero time has been spent in my sewing room since last Thursday, but some quilt organization did happen yesterday.  Later in the week I hope to share the before and after photos.  

I did resume hand quilting a very old UFO - probably the oldest one I have.  It's about 2/3 finished but will never be done if I keep putting it away.  

Besides the hand quilting, I have a fairly short list of projects for this week:

** last week's Blockheads blocks
** this week's Blockheads blocks
** cut out & begin the Whales 3-yard quilt
** make some aqua RSC blocks

I'm linking up today with:

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

https://songbirddesigns.blog  

RSC25 - Week #31

One final dip into purple - 2 Friendship Star blocks.  Because I've finished up a couple of the RSC block sets now, it was time to choose a new block to add to the monthly mix.  I have a couple of other block ideas going forward, so we'll see what August brings for RSC plans. 

And then 2 more Friendship Stars with aqua and teal joined in.  These are 9" finished blocks.  But the more I keep looking at them, I feel that those star points are spinning backwards.  Are they backwards? Should I take them apart and reverse those star points?  With only 4 blocks it wouldn't take long to fix.  Or should I just keep making them all this way?

  I did make 2 aqua Give It a Whirl blocks on Thursday, but need 1 more.  I've been doing 3 each month with the RSC color.  These both lean toward the aqua, so maybe I'll look for pieces more on the teal side of the color.  That would give me 24 blocks so far, enough for a baby quilt.  Or I could just keep making lots more for a bigger quilt.    

The scrappy bowtie placemat is all done too.  Yay!  My donation stack of placemats for Meals On Wheels is growing.

This UFO will be one of my aqua projects for August.  The gingerbread people blocks were begun years ago, and it's time to do something with them. 

One more new project using aqua is on the list for August.  These fabrics will make a cute 3-yard child's quilt.  I haven't decided yet what pattern I'll use.  The whale print and the aqua have been in the stash for a couple of years.  I picked up the dark blue this week to "get ur done" finally. 

Let's see what else is going on in the RSC world this week.

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/