RSC24 - Week #51

EDIT: I'm headed to watch my granddaughter wrestle, so as soon as I post this I'll be in the car headed east.  It will be a "no sew" day.  And that's OK.

There is a really big closet in my sewing room, not a walk-in but it's about 8' long.  That makes for lots and lots of room for fabric storage.  And hanging on the rod above are all of the block sets and flimsies that are part of on-going projects.

I went through the block sets this week.  Each set is clipped to a skirt hanger along with any instructions for making the block.  Some sets are getting close to having enough for a quilt top, and other sets have only a few blocks.  This isn't ALL of the blocks hanging in there, but it does represent some of the ones I want to work on in 2025. 

Photo (L to R, by row): 
* Night Vision - nearing enough for a small quilt

* Brighten - almost enough for a baby quilt

* Buckeye Beauty - just getting a good start on these

* Entwined Star - only about 5 or 6 of these so far

* Make Your Point - tiny blocks, but growing

* String Beads - lots of these

* Facets - there are only 4 of these

* Stashbuster - about 10

* Morning Glory - paper pieced Bonnie Hunter (only 4)

So, these are just SOME of the blocks you might see revisited in 2025.  In some cases, those blocks may become something small like a table runner or wall hanging.  In other cases I plan to make a quilt, but whether large or small remains to be seen. 

 These Diamond Tile blocks (another Bonnie Hunter pattern) have been hanging in the closet for a long time.  The plan had been using them to make a baby or child size quilt.  Looking back in my records, 2020 was the last time I made any.  It's definitely time to use these in SOMETHING.

Ditto with these - called Plaid.  I think these came from one of the Lori Holt books.  There is a pretty good sized stack of these blocks, almost all made with novelty prints for the bigger squares.  

And speaking of novelty prints - there are lots of them in the stash that certainly could provide enough blocks to make a baby quilt. Our guild did baby quilts a couple of years ago using solids plus novelty prints in Churn Dash blocks.  Of course that means I collected solids and novelties.  And I love Churn Dash blocks.  So many possibilities!!!!

Plus - I'm already "on the hunt" for some amazing NEW scrappy blocks to add to the mix for the new year.  I have a couple of things in mind, such as more string blocks.  I tested out a couple of string triangles using my tri-recs rulers.  These are 5" square unfinished, and really could be a mix of "crumbs" and strings.  Any new ways to reduce the small scraps in my world would help, right?

Check out more RSC fun today:
https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

Tranquility is a flimsy

 Yikes!  This is the biggest quilt I've made in recent memory.  It's 92" square, and I didn't have any good spots in the upstairs to lay it out for a picture.  The wind is howling outside, and I was too lazy to hobble downstairs to look for a spot.  At least now I know the approximate dimensions of my entryway.

Tranquility was a 7 month mystery quilt from Bear Creek Quilting.  The first of each month we got an email with that month's clue.  When we signed up, the fabric requirements were sent out - 1 print, and a light/dark of 2 colors.  I already had the print in the stash, and then bought the 2 golds and 2 teals to go with it.  The number of blocks made each month varied from 4 to 12 of one block pattern.  These are NOT my normal color choices, but I do love the design.  I've cut enough of the leftover dark gold for binding.

For the first time ever, I bought an amaryllis.  And the first blossom is beginning to open up.  I can not believe how fast these things grow.  

The Nantucket bag

One of the small project kits that was on my To Do list for this month was a bag. 

The kit included a mini charm pack, the lining fabric (pink with daisies), the fusible batting, and a zipper.  I bought it at The Pin Cushion locally.  The pattern is a free one to download from Moda called Nantucket Summer.  
https://modafabrics.com/webfiles/fp_NantucketSummer-ZipperPouch.pdf

My goal yesterday had been to get the mini charms sewn together, sandwiched with the batting and lining, and quilted.  Those steps didn't take nearly as long as expected, so I just kept going and finished the bag - all in one sitting.  It took me only a couple of hours total. 

It's an easy pattern and one that I might make again.  It's about the right size for travel size toiletries or maybe all the cords for my devices when traveling.  I'm thinking of making another from a really cute fat quarter rather than piecing the outside.  And it would be easy to adjust the size.  

Tranquility border #2

Seems like my sewing time so far this week has come in small increments.

Tranquility (mystery quilt) has 3 borders to finish it.  The first was a 2.5" strip of the dark teal, and it's all attached.  The second border has the light teal plus those pieced units.  I have managed to sew 3 sides onto the top so far, and the last side is pinned on.  So maybe I'll get that side done today and start on the final border, which is another 2.5" dark teal.

The colors in this photo are not even close to reality.  I took the picture late yesterday afternoon, and it was snowing so the light was pretty dismal.  

A little of this and that

Saturday was a really good day!!  In the morning I attended Saturday Sampler, where we got the instructions for the final 4 corner blocks.  And the Show n Tell was even more amazing than ever.  There were so many projects in the Show n Tell pile that it took over an hour to show them.

At noon the Sew Vintage group met for a Christmas party held in the classroom at The Pin Cushion quilt shop.  This is just the best group of ladies with ages ranging from 30s to 80s.  One gal was unable to attend, and we really missed her.  But we did Facetime with one former member who moved away about a year ago.  It was so good to chat with her and catch up a little.

We always do a potluck lunch, and a small gift exchange.  You know how potluck goes - everything was delicious!!!  And more food than we could possibly get through even sharing with the quilt shop staff.  Our gift exchange was slightly different this year.  We got the pattern last month for the little stockings.  So everyone made one, and stuffed a small gift inside.  We drew numbers to exchange them.  The one I received is that navy blue one in the center.  Inside were some lovely lavender lotion, a purse sized notepad, and a Pieced Tree pattern card for a really cute scrappy quilt.  There were so many laughs that the ladies working up front in the shop wondered what was in our coffee!  

Design Wall Monday - December 16

 I managed to finish up the 6th paper pieced block in Circle of Friends.  It's really nice that there is just one block each month.  I've kept up with this one easily.

My design wall this week has one big project that I hope to push to flimsy stage, and a couple of small projects that I want to begin.

 Tranquility is a mystery quilt that just needs the outer borders.  There are 3 of them, with a wide 6" border in between 2 narrow ones.  I have the first narrow border partially attached.  All of the pieces are cut and ready, so maybe I'll get them done before Christmas.

There are 2 small winter projects that I really want to work on this week too.  The snowman door hanger looks fairly easy.  And the paper pieced snowflake mini quilt is destined for one of the little metal hangers on my fireplace hearth.  

I'll also have the final Saturday Sampler blocks to make, but have until early January to get them done.  And there is a kit for a small bag laying on my ironing board.  I think I have more than enough to keep me occupied.  Now I just need a blizzard to keep me home to sew.

What's new on your design wall?

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

Progress is small

 It's been a busy few days again, with card playing Wednesday afternoon, college basketball Wednesday evening, a concert Friday evening, Saturday Sampler and Sew Vintage yesterday, and sewing in small increments in between.

The second version of the Folded Star table runner got to this stage on Thursday.  I had sewn straight lines through each of those "peaks" and straight through the middle.  The next step was sandwiching the backing with the batting.  The final 8 prairie points had the same straight lines sewn through them, with the backing in place so those became the quilting lines through all of the layers.  Binding was the last step to complete this one.

And it's  done!  I like the colors in this one even better than the first one.  

So, 2 small projects done and ready to be gifted, as is the last small project sewn in the past few days.

Olivia wanted a body pillow for Christmas, and her mother asked if I could make her a pillowcase for it.  My stash had a couple of yards of that cute summery print and I think it makes a great pillowcase.  The body pillow is 20 x 54, so this pillowcase is 20 x 60.  

RSC24 - Week #50

It's that time of year to reflect on what was accomplished, and to plan what's on the list for projects next year.  The planning is going to be fun for 2025. 

These are some of the RSC quilts I worked on this year.  The bottom row (elephants, Rainbow Connection, hearts) are all completely finished. One of those has already been donated.  The top 6 are in flimsy form, and the Kitty quilt is in the hands of a long armer right now.  

These next 6 quilts were RSC blocks from previous years, and some of these are also done and either gifted or donated.  A couple of them are hanging in the closet yet however, waiting to be quilted.  

Now, this final quilt is the Framed 9-patch.  I finished the binding last week.  This was not a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project, but it was a UFO that had been hanging in the closet for quite awhile.  And those are always fun to check off the list. 

Check out more RSC fun at:

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/ 

Circle of Friends block #6

 Block #6 of Circle of Friends will be done today, once the paper is removed.

Each month Carol Doak releases a new block on Facebook for the paper pieced Circle of Friends sew-along.  Each block has the same wedge shape at the outer corners, but the rest of each block is unique.  There will be 12 blocks total.  

One of my projects yesterday was to make 2 batches of these Rosemary Spiced Nuts.  I make these every year at Christmas time.  There is rosemary, cayenne, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in olive oil poured over any combination of nuts you like before roasting them.  We like almond, peanuts, cashews, and pistachios.  Yum!!

No cookies have been baked yet, and I haven't sent out my Christmas cards yet.  But the nuts are made so that's a good beginning, right?

Progress on Tranquility

There has been SOME progress on the mystery quilt Tranquility.
 

The center section is 72" square before adding any borders.  So, it's going to be a really BIG quilt once I get the borders onto it.  Those border pieces are all cut, and the pieced border sections we made in November are all ready too.  

Hopefully I'll have this top all sewn together before Christmas.  

Sewing and un-sewing

 It sure felt good to get into the sewing room again for some stitching time after a fun few days of family activities.

The first of 2 Folded Star table toppers is done.  I used the binding fabric that came with the kit and it's OK.  Those prairie points should have stitching along all the edges according to the pattern, but I decided I really like the 3D effect so they are only stitched down by the straight lines going through the points.

The second one is beginning to take shape too, with the first round of prairie points being pinned into place under that template.  

Since the layout for the Tranquility mystery quilt was released last week I began sewing the blocks into rows.  As I was pressing this last couple of rows my mistake became obvious.  I made these blocks a couple of months ago and can't believe I didn't see the Flying Geese section flying the wrong way when I pressed the individual blocks!!!!

I very carefully used the seam ripper to open up that area so I could turn that unit around to fly right.  Happily it didn't take as much to fix as I anticipated.  

Next step is to get the borders cut and then finish assembling this quilt top.  It will be pretty large, so I'm not looking forward to wrestling with it.  It probably won't happen today as I have other plans - playing cards with some friends and heading to a basketball game.

Playing dress up

Saturday after the granddaughters were done with the swim meet for the day, we girls went to the movie Moana 2.  Then we came home to a delicious taco tater tot casserole supper made by my daughter #1.  Then we planned to settle in to watch some Christmas movies, but the conversation took a fun turn . . .

It all began with someone mentioning wedding dresses, and Olivia (5th grade) wanting to try on my wedding dress.  About a year ago the older granddaughter Sophia tried on my wedding dress.  It fit her - except I filled out the top a little better.  However, she's now bigger than me and it won't fit her.  But Olivia fit it just fine - except for that bodice of course.  And I had really tall shoes so the dress is kind of long on her.  But she's only an inch shorter than me and weighs pretty much what I did at 23. I'm not very tall, and was way too thin when that dress actually fit me.  LOL  BTW - I made my wedding dress, and both bridesmaid dressed.  It has a Gazillion tiny covered buttons, all made with my own hands.  

So then the conversation turned to the wedding dresses worn by her mother (daughter #1) and her aunt (daughter #2).  Well, it just so happens that Daughter #2 has stored her wedding dress at our house for several years.  So out it came . . . and Olivia tried that one on too.  It was definitely too big yet for her, but she loved being in that dress.

Laura and her husband will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in about a week.  The dress was really simple and beautiful.  She tried it on too.  It almost zips up in the back, which is pretty good.  She wore red shoes with that wedding dress.  

And her daughter, Sophia also tried on that dress.  It was nearly a good fit.  Sophia is 12 and in 7th grade.  And yes - she's taller than me.

Daughter #1 plans to get her wedding dress out before Christmas so Olivia can try that one on too - before she outgrows it.  I think both granddaughters will be taller than their mothers, and both mothers are taller than me.  

So . . . what were the boys doing that evening?  Grandpa took them to a Jackrabbit men's basketball game in Brookings.  They had fun too.  

Design Wall Monday - Dec 9

So many projects that could be on my design wall this week.  Which one(s) will actually see some progress?

The final layout for the Tranquility mystery quilt was released last week.  I could start sewing the blocks into rows.  They are all laying on my ironing board in anticipation.

The 6th paper pieced block in Circle of Friends was also released last week.  It's only 1 block, so this is a possibility too.  

And the trimming and binding still needs to happen on this small Folded Star table topper.  

The door to my sewing room has been closed since Thursday as we had a full weekend of grandkids, swim meet, movie, and other fun stuff.  I will probably share some pictures another day from the wedding dress try-on session from Saturday evening.  It was a hoot.  And I'm looking forward to some stitching time today, along with replenishing groceries.  

What's on your design wall today?

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

RSC24 - week #49

This weekend will not see much - if any - sewing time.  But that's OK because I'll be enjoying some family time as both granddaughters are competing in a swim meet 4 blocks from our house.  Can't miss that!!  And they'll be staying here so I'll get some extra time with the girls.  

On the RSC front, this quilt top - Kitties - is now in the hands of a long arm quilter.  It might even be back before the end of the month.  I wanted to finish up one more RSC project this year, and this is the one I chose.  But honestly, it will probably be the first finish of 2025 because I don't anticipate time for binding in December.  These are the Kitty blocks made each month this year for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  It's a generous twin size, and much brighter in better light.  This was one of my favorite scrappy projects for 2024.  The backing is black and white, and a scrappy binding is a possibility.  

Limited time this week in the sewing room, produced limited results.  But I have managed to finish all of the grandkids' annual pillowcases.  These go into their stockings each year.  Jonah played soccer this year, and his team jersey is even a minty/lime green.  So I added that green to his stocking.

Mason is finally old enough to go deer hunting - as a hunter.  He's gone with his dad before, but this year he took the hunt safety courses and got his license.  Now if only he had been able to get a deer. 

 

What are others working on as we near the end of another RSC year?

https://superscrappy.blogspot.com/

Progress on Folded Star

The main step remaining to finish the first of the Folded Star table toppers is to add the binding.  But first I need to trim it all up into a cleaner circle.  And as I look at this photo, I'm having second thoughts about that binding.  It's the fabric sent in the kit for binding, but it doesn't look as good as I hoped.

A dear blogging friend sent me the cutest kit for a small felt snowman ornament.  I do love snowmen, and this one is already on my Christmas tree now that it's finished.  He is supposed to have blue cuffs on his sleeves, but I dropped one and couldn't find it.  I'm guessing it was stuck on my clothes and fell off somewhere else in the room.  So, I decided it was OK without the cuffs.  The metal hanger was in my ornament box, so I stitched it right into the top of the hat.  Isn't he cute?  Thanks Vicki - you succeeded in cheering me up. 

Season of giving

It feels good to be the giver, but it's also fun to be the receiver.

Aren't these socks gorgeous?  Soft greys and a peachy pink - I absolutely love them.  Blogging friend Nancy at https://wyomingbreezes.blogspot.com/ is the person I credit with helping me get a Quilt of Valor group started here.  She has made over 250 Quilts of Valor over the years, and she also does a LOT of knitting.  She chooses the prettiest yarn for socks, and she made a pair just for me!!  I'm a lucky gal.  I'm wearing them today, and they are soft and comfy.   Thank you Nancy!!!

I did get to be a giver this week too.  At the December meeting of the local DAR chapter yesterday, we brought 2 things to be donated in the community.  Cookies were collected and taken to the local fire department.  Hats, mittens, scarves, socks - all collected and will be taken to Salvation Army before Christmas.  

Getting caught up

 Now that I have a few things checked off my To Do list for this week I feel a bit less stressed.

I chose 2 quilts from the stash in the closet, and donated them to a silent auction being held this weekend for the local safe house.  There are still too many quilts waiting in that closet.  

The stockings are all hanging on the fireplace.  

Most of the fall decorations have been replaced with Christmas.

The tree is finally all decorated.  It took me 3 days to do, a little at a time.  

* cookies baked for DAR donation to fire department CHECK!
* most Christmas gifts have been ordered online CHECK!!
*  small gifts ready for group exchanges CHECK!!!

There should finally be some sewing time in today, which will be awesome.  I may have been on the verge of withdrawal.  

One big task before the grandkids arrive on Friday for a swim meet - clearing my clutter overflow from the second guest bedroom.  I have a bad habit of laying stuff on the bed in there when I don't want to deal with it right away.  So now there is a pile of stuff to deal with so the bed can actually be used.

There is an update on my cardiac issues, and the plan for dealing with it.  I've been diagnosed with SVT, which is a weird electrical problem with the heart that causes erratic and very fast heart rates.  It's exhausting but not immediately life threatening.  I'm scheduled for ablation on January 7, which will hopefully take care of that problem.  The knee surgery - is postponed indefinitely and until the cardiologist clears me.    

A new tree skirt and an old tree skirt

Back in February I attended a 3 day quilt retreat, and making the Bargello tree skirt was my main project for those retreat days.  It was a Shabby Fabrics kit. 

I'm really pleased with how the tree skirt came out.  It wasn't as difficult as I had expected, as long as I kept the pieces organized.  It's a bit small under my big 8' tree, but it's so much prettier than my old tree skirt.

I'm nearly done decorating the tree.  There is a small box yet with some picks and other odds and ends.  The quilt hanging behind the tree is one I made about 25 years ago.  It's all hand appliqued and hand quilted - by me.  This tree has served our family well for many years, as I purchased it in 1980 with my Christmas bonus from work.  Dave hates real trees because they shed needles, so I used that $100 bonus to buy a very nice 8' tall artificial tree. He was horrified that I spent that much on it.  But hey - 44 years later it still looks good, although in those days they didn't come pre-lit so the lights have to be strung every year.  

  I also pulled out the tree skirt that belonged to my mother.  She's been gone for 33 years, and the tree skirt has been folded up in a box all those years, completely forgotten until now.  It was embroidered (and sequined) by a dear friend of hers. It seems appropriate to be circling my Cardinal Tree in the dining room for the season.  I leave this pencil tree up all year with all of my cardinal ornaments.  It's a "remembrance" tree.  For Christmas I add a few bells - and now this tree skirt.