Finished (or not) Friday

There is a big important finish - the Jackrabbit Stars quilt.  And it was done in time to give my husband for his April birthday.  Actually I gave it to him - before binding - on our anniversary last week as a joint anniversary/birthday gift.  I think he likes it but it's hard to tell as he never gets exuberant about anything.  

Trying to get a good photo this week has been an issue with the grey sky and drizzly wet days.  I did finally get him to hold it up out on the front porch yesterday.  I flipped that bottom corner over to show the yellow gold backing, which has stars.  It's 76 x 90. 

Progress is happening with the Snowdrift (UFO) project too.  Because I had the block parts all cut out earlier in the week, I could dive into sewing those blocks. I did decide to make one change to the pattern - eliminating the corner triangles on the blocks.  I think the snowflake effect will show up better without that extra pinwheel showing up where the blocks meet.  It was just a bit too chaotic to my eye.    

The 2 peach colored blocks are done - and I like the look much better without the corner triangles, so I'll continue with that plan with the other 10 blocks.  

Plenty of pink Rainbow Scrap Challenge sewing has happened this week too.  I had cut the parts for a few blocks, and have been using them as Leaders/Enders in between the other sewing all week. 

Check out more Finishes (or Not) today . . .

https://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/   

This and that

UPS delivered a big soft package Tuesday afternoon that was very exciting.  Quilters are the most generous people!!  Alycia sent 2 Quilts of Valor (quilted, bound, and labeled) for our little local group to use for upcoming presentations.  I just can't thank her enough!!  We've had an increase in the number of nominations lately, so this will be a big help to fulfill those requests. Thank you, thank you!!! 

So, what else have I been working on in the sewing room?  I finally stopped procrastinating on the Farm Girl Vintage project.  I used 30 of the 12" blocks in this particular project.  As is, it's 60 x 72.  Adding borders is still an option, but I haven't decided yet - leave it as is, add 1 border, add 2 borders.  I would love some feedback.  For now it's hanging in the closet. 

I had been trying to decide whether or not to add an outer border to the Shadow Star QOV.  The border I added is only 2" all around, but it does add a little something to it.  Now, to find a backing for this one so we can get it quilted. 

All of the pieces for a new project have been cut.  This is Snowdrift, probably because the blocks have a snowflake look to them.  The pattern and fat quarters came in a Sew Sampler box from Fat Quarter Shop.  I subscribed to the monthly boxes in the past but cancelled when it was obvious I wasn't keeping up.  At some point I added the background fabric to the bag, and then it just lay in a drawer - forgotten.  This year I added it to my UFO list.  And this week I hope to start working on the blocks.

Ready or not - April is here

It's that time of year when the critters around here turn to romance.  There is a an abundance of wildlife that passes through our yard daily, including turkeys.  There are 4 big tom turkeys in this group, and holy cow, can they strut their stuff.  This one was really trying to impress the ladies.  I'm always amazed at how they can puff up to almost twice their original size. 

I've been working on some goals for April, both sewing and non-sewing . . . 

• Keep up or catch up with some on-going projects
• Move more - renew a walking habit
• declutter at least 1 closet
• declutter my home office
• Saturday Sampler
• RSC blocks in PINK
• Sewcialites3 blocks (weekly) - I've fallen behind

• Finish some UFOs and WIPs
• Bind the Jackrabbit Stars quilt
• Bind at least 1 Quilt of Valor
• add outer borders to Shadow Stars QOV (above photo)
• finish assembly of Farm Girl Vintage and choose backing
• take 2 quilts to long arm quilter
• quilt and bind at least 1 doll quilt
• quilt and bind at least 1 placemat
• finish zipper bag (from Lori Holt panel)
• finish Sashiko piece from workshop
  
  

• Start something new!!!!
• Snowdrift quilt (on the UFO list) - fabric gathered with pattern  
• summer mini banner
• Year of Spools mini for May

A QOV flimsy

I had 2 main goals for this week, and the first one is already checked off - this Quilt of Valor flimsy.  Both side borders were sewn onto it early on Sunday afternoon, and the strips for the top and bottom were ready.  I actually wrote my Monday post on Sunday about supper time, which way ahead of time.   

But then my husband decided to go to a movie that I didn't care to see - leaving me with a whole evening to myself.  I don't often go back to the sewing room in the evenings, but I knew that in less than an hour I could have this top all finished.  I probably should have updated that Monday post, but I didn't remember to do that.  Oops!! 

And I was right - in less than an hour I had it all assembled.  Check this off my list.  The pattern was for a QOV sew-along hosted by Alycia at Quilty Girl.  

This is the second pattern of hers that I've made recently.  Last fall I joined in on the sew-along she hosted over the summer. She does beautiful QOV designs. 

* * * * * * * 

On a side note - I've been tracking fabric (in and out) this year with a goal of using up more of what is already in the stash.  However, in January and February I purchased backing fabric for several projects so the total for that IN column was really scary.  But now I've gradually been able to check off some finishes so I'm feeling better about the numbers. 

Fabric IN = 102.75 yds  - YIKES!!!

Fabric OUT = 68.75 yds

34 yards on the plus side yet, but getting better!!  The only QOV yardage I'm going to count  as "out" will be when it comes directly from my stash, like these 2 quilts.

Design Wall Monday - March 30

A new week, and then a new month . . . time to think about goals for April.  Or at least goals for the first week of April. 

I need to clear up some work space before starting anything new, and I really really want to start something new.  So that means finishing up a couple of WIPs first.  If only I had stayed focused over the weekend . . . 

The side borders are on the Quilt of Valor, and next will come the top and bottom borders with the corner blocks. 

The Farm Girl Vintage blocks were sewn into rows 2 weeks ago.  But only two rows are actually sewn together so far.  I keep moving them from one spot to another in my sewing room to get them out of the way.  Hmmm . . . if the top was done then I could hang it in the closet, out of the way.   

The new color for RSC is pink.  My pink scrap bin is not nearly as full as some colors, and I've already sorted out some strings and will probably begin the RSC sewing with more string blocks for the String Stars project. 

IF I manage to finish those first 2 short tasks this week, then I will allow myself to begin cutting the pieces for the next UFO project.   

I'm linking up today with:

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

https://songbirddesigns.blog

RSC26 - Week #13

 The final Saturday in March already?  This month has flown by - as usual.

Only 1 Gameboard block was added to that collection.  I'll admit that I've kind of forgotten about these.  But that's OK, because eventually there will be enough.  It's not like I have a deadline for this particular block set.

The Vintage Spools blocks (6" finished) are fun.  I got 9 more of them made this month - 4 of the tilted spools and 5 of the straight ones.  

Three of the Reversed Buckeye blocks got added to the mix.  These will finish at 8".  

This is what has been happening with the string blocks so far.  The purple and aqua blocks were actually from 2025, left over from another project.  Now in 2026 I'll be adding new colors. I have to fill in previous colors where needed but you can see where I'm going with this project.  That one really dark green block will be switched out for one with a better mix of green as it doesn't fit in very well.  Also I may move that light blue into a different position - depending on what is the next RSC color. 

It's fun to look back at the end of a month to see what was made with that month's color. Cats and Honey Bees, Hollow-9s and Snail Trail, Scrappy Stars and Strings, and Give It a Whirl - all of those fun RSC blocks I've chosen to play with this year.  There was a lot of Quilt of Valor sewing this month, so lots of red appeared there too - including stars and 4-patch blocks.

Can't wait to see what color is next.

Let's go check out more Rainbow fun . . .

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

It's Friday already!

It has been a busy week, but a good one.  I was so busy in fact that I totally forgot about writing a blog post for yesterday.  And the world didn't end did it?   

Lunch with girlfriends on Tuesday was a nice way to celebrate my 72nd birthday.  Wednesday was our 49th wedding anniversary, and also the monthly lunch with the retired staff group from the school. Thursday I had my annual mammogram at 7:30 am.  Something new this year - same day results.  I got a call about 3 hours later to say everything looked normal.  Yay!!

I picked up the Jackrabbit Stars quilt from the long armer on Wednesday afternoon.  The quilt is trimmed and ready to attach the binding - possibly today.  

The border strips are all cut and the corner blocks are made to finish the QOV that I've been working on.  Two opposite corners get the blue stars, and the other 2 corners get the 9-patch units.  The borders will each have the 3 colors - red white blue.

I finished the little Easter mini quilt, and it's now displayed next to the fireplace in the family room.  This is a cute one for sure.  It's a kit from Shabby Fabrics, and part of a series called A Year of Spools.  I'm keeping up with these each month.  There are 2 remaining - for the months of May and June.