Design Wall Monday - June 29

So . . . here it is midway through summer already and we haven't taken any kind of "vacation" at all this year.  Is retirement really just a Big Stay-cation?  I fear that would be my husband's choice.  There is a big shop hop starting this month.  That might have to count as my vacation this year.

We did spend the weekend enjoying some grandkid activities.  Youngest grandson Jack had a baseball tournament on Saturday about 100 miles away.  It was chilly, overcast, and windy most of the day - with an hour or so of bright sunshine mid-afternoon.  So there is some sunburn to report.  LOL  But they won their tournament, and we enjoyed supper at a great restaurant a couple of blocks from their house afterward.  A fun day!  On Sunday we left about 7 AM to attend the swim meet and watch Olivia.  She's aged up this year at she's 13, but still doing great and shaving time off various events.  

The main project I want to work on this week is to begin stitching down the applique for Saturday Sampler, starting with the Dresdens and then the snowflakes.  The Dresdens also need their center circles, which I haven't even cut yet. 

Some other goals for the week (and month) include:

 ** some cleaning/organizing in sewing room
** RSC blocks - new color for July is aqua
** add last row of string blocks to String Star 
** QOV - continue block making
** bind at least 2 placemats
** Next UFO on list - choose something!!

The first RSC blocks I want to make are the Honey Bees.  I have my 2 aqua fabrics selected, so it won't take long to make them both.  It's month 7 but I skipped the pastels for these last month because there were already 2 bee blocks that were pastel shades (pink and blue).  I want the quilt to have primarily bright blocks. 

I have dozens of RWB blocks all kitted up and layed out on design boards, ready to use as Leaders/Enders.  When we got home yesterday from the swim meet I did some cutting in the aqua scraps for RSC blocks, so there will be plenty to sew up quickly this week.

I'm linking up today with:

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

https://songbirddesigns.blog 

RSC26 - Week #26

Yikes!  We've reached the halfway point in 2026, already.

Just a little pastel sewing for RSC happened this week, including these 2 reversed Buckeye blocks.  

Another Crackers and Jam block was made, although it wasn't all pastel.  These blocks are 6.5" unfinished, a paper pieced pattern from Bonnie Hunter.  There is no real plan in my head for these yet, but they're awfully cute.

The main pastel project this week has nothing to do with scraps.  But I wanted to share it anyway.  This is our 2026 Saturday Sampler, Anthologie.  That bottom section in the pattern is where we add various applique to showcase the "theme" we've chosen.  I'm doing snowflakes, but haven't attached those snowflakes yet.  This month we're doing the Dresden plate blocks for the upper section.  As I was laying it out on the floor to place those Dresdens, I had one of those lightbulb moments.  The snowflakes and Dresdens will be mixed in those 2 sections to distribute my them pieces better.  There are also some half sized snowflakes that will go elsewhere.    

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

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

Finished (or not) Friday

The mini quilt came together very quickly.

It's only 12" square so even with paper piecing it's a fast little project.  I did replace the border fabric with something from my own stash that I liked better than what was in the kit.  That left over kit fabric will be just fine in some upcoming QOV blocks instead so it won't go to waste.

I did get that last 60 degree runner fixed and bound. It's actually a match to one I made last year, so obviously I had purchased a lot of that border print at some point.  I'm thinking both of these will be donated to an upcoming fundraiser.

This week I've been gradually sorting and clearing out another bin full of RWB patriotic scraps that needed to be used.  The first time through was to make a red pile, a blue pile, and a neutral/light print pile.  Then each pile was sorted into little scraps, strips, and large pieces.  

  I used some 2.5" strips that I found to cut into parts for 2 placemats.  And the blue pile has been decreased a lot by cutting the pieces for more Gleam, Ticker Tape, Rail Fence, and Buckeye Beauty blocks for Quilts of Valor.  Those pieces have been added to the appropriate design boards.  

For more finishes, please visit:  https://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/

Dresden Plate blocks

My frantic sewing pace has definitely slowed down this week, with much less time spent in my sewing room.  I really didn't realize how many appointments I had scheduled all in a 2 week cluster.  And my new glasses might be ready for pick up today.  

Saturday Sampler this month has several Dresden Plate blocks.  Progress has been slow but moving forward.  The purple block was sewn last week, and the pink one is from this week.  It's much bigger than the purple one.

This teal/aqua Dresden will be the same size as the pink version.  None of the background squares for the bigger ones have been cut yet, and I'm still not sure exactly how I want to applique them onto the background. I'm going to finish the Dresdens and then I'll worry about backgrounds and applique stitches. 

There are some partial blocks left to make that are not even cut out yet. Maybe that will happen today.  

Garden Stars progress

One goal for this week was getting the 4th block made for Garden Stars.  Monday I got that 4th block made finally.  I'll need 12 total to alternate with the monthly star blocks, but if I make 1 or 2 each month along with the 1 star I should have no problem keeping up with this Carol Doak sew-along.this year.

The binding is finish on a couple of RWB placemats for donation.  The one on the right was made mostly with strips I discovered in a bag of scraps given to me.  The one on the right was made using that Mardi Gras block I've been making for RSC.  It didn't take more than an hour to make 6 of the blocks, and then turn them into the placemat, including the quilting. 

This doll quilt is finished too.  Since it just needed binding it was a quick finish. The NASA fabric was all that was left from what I bought for pillowcases.  It will join the little group of "critters in quilts" for donation.  

Monday I also worked on the Dresden Plates for Saturday Sampler, and the patriotic mini quilt kit that has been tempting me.  It does help when I can get a bunch of things cut and arranged onto the design boards so that I'm ready to just sit down and sew.

Ticker Tape blocks explained

I've had a request from an Anonymous commenter for more information on the Ticker Tape blocks. So here we go. Sorry, I can't share a link to a pattern because I did the math myself after seeing the blocks online.  But I can tell you my process.  I'm sure there is a pattern out there somewhere, but I've seen this block called several different names, so I'm not sure where to point you. 

The first way I made the block was simply using squares and half square triangles.  Mine are cut 2.5" and the block finishes in the quilt at 4" x 8" (4.5 x 8.5 unfinished).  

The easier and faster way to make these is cutting 2.5" x  6.5" strips (2 matching) of the color, and 6 squares (2.5") of the background.  Add a background square to each end of the color and sew diagonally - similar to a Flying Geese. 

Trim off those triangles, and I pressed toward the color so the seam allowance doesn't show in my scrappy white backgrounds.  But pressing direction doesn't make a lot of difference.  Lay the unit with long colored side pointing left, and add the remaining squares to top end.

 IMPORTANT NOTE:  Both halves of the block are sewn identically, then one half is turned to make this shape when sewn side by side.  If you zoom into the photo you can see my seams in the block. 

On a side note - make the blocks a bigger size very easily.  Use 3.5" squares of background and 3.5" by 9.5" strips of color.  That will make a 6" by 12" finished block.  

Design Wall Monday - June 22

It's Monday again, and my focus needs to shift a bit.  I still have things to finish from last week's list, but I plan to have some fun with a NEW project this week too.

This cute kit has been tempting me, and now I'm excited to dig into it.  This is another mini from Shabby Fabrics.  It's paper pieced but small so it should be fairly quick.

I've pulled fabrics for the remaining Dresden Plates needed for this month's Saturday Sampler blocks.  The background pieces still need to be chosen too.  We're reaching the exciting stage where some of the big sections can be sewn together into rows.   

And I'll finish up the 4th Garden Stars block, hopefully today.  I'll need 12, but will make the rest gradually.  On July 1 we should get the first of the monthly blocks these will alternate with in the quilt.  

There will be binding to do this week too: a Quilt of Valor, a placemat, a table runner, and a doll quilt.  A few Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks and the RWB Ticker Tape blocks will continue as Leaders/Enders.  

Last week I had an eye appointment and a doctor appointment.  This week I have a dentist appointment, and will be starting PT again for the Achilles tendonitis.  And my new glasses will probably be ready to pick up by the end of the week. 

I'm linking up today with:

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

https://songbirddesigns.blog