It's the journey, not the destination

As much as I need want to finish lots of UFOs, sometimes I just have to pull out something new and PLAY.  It's good for my soul and my overall attitude.  With just an hour to sew this morning here is what I played with - a disappearing 4-patch.

I've been seeing this block again online lately and it's been on my "someday" list for a long time. I even watched the Missouri Star Quilt Company video tutorial early this morning before looking into my charm pack drawer. This French General charm pack just begged to be chosen, and I had just enough of the cream print in the stash to use as a background. Only 3 blocks are done so far but it was a fun start. Maybe this evening (after work) I can make a few more while my husband is at a golf tournament dinner with the son-in-law.

Using just the one charm pack will result in  about 18-20 blocks so this might end up being a bed runner or a lap quilt. The nice thing about using the French General fabrics is that I can go to my local quilt shop and probably find a perfect blending yardage to add borders, even though this charm pack was from previous lines.

OBW top is complete

I stopped in at The Pin Cushion yesterday and knew the ladies there would help me find a good option for border fabrics. The black dotted inner border is exactly what I had in mind. 

But for the outside border I was thinking lime green or pink - until Cindy suggested the aqua Grunge with the large polka dots. Great decision and I love it. 

One Block Wonder

This definitely needs borders not only to make it larger, but to make it look more complete.  But I like how it’s turned out so far. 

Design Wall Monday

After several days of having grandkids and other family around, today is a sewing and laundry day around here.  I spent most of the morning sewing.  The center of this UFO was under the needle.  The bird houses are assembled and ready for appliqué of birdhouse holes, perches, and more little red birds.  It’s nice to have some progress to put on the design wall.  Check out other design walls here:  http://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

Then I added the last 4 vertical rows to my One Block Wonder. I want to add a narrow border and a wide border to OBW to make it larger, so I think a trip to my local quilt store is in order.  The Pin Cushion will most likely have some excellent choices and the ladies there all have a good eye for color so I appreciate their input too. 

And finally, I added borders to a little wall hanging.  I’ll share photos of this another time.

Watermelon runner

This watermelon table runner is one of my favorites.  I made this about a dozen years ago, and it's still a table runner that makes me smile when I pull it out each summer.  It was a pattern that I saw in a magazine and just had to make it.  Isn't this just a happy piece?



I remember that I made it slightly longer than the pattern called for. With only 1 of the 2 leaves put into my table it's almost too long, but when both are in the length is just right.  It's hand appliqued and hand quilted. 

UFO Challenge #8

On my UFO list I've called this Red Bird Christmas, but now that I've pulled this project out again I'm reminded that it's really called House Warming Party.  The APQ UFO Challenge number for August is 8, and this is on my list in that spot so I hope to work on something to bring this project forward.  And luckily I had all of the patterns and fabric, and the finished sections, all kept together so I didn't have to search for anything.



I have all of the blocks done- except for the large center block with the bird houses.  Except for the 5 little bird appliques, this center section looks pretty easy to do. 

This was originally done as a BOM but I just purchased the whole kit.  The fabrics are very pretty, and I would have never picked out as good of a collection as this. 



I'm thinking this must be the year for Christmas quilts, since this is the third one I've worked on this year. 

August goals

I have to be realistic about setting goals for the month of August.  I'll have family staying with us for 3 of the weekends in August, and there isn't going to be any sewing while those grandkids are here.  So I'll be lucky to keep up with Saturday Sampler.

Modest goals are in order:

• Final 2 blocks for Saturday Sampler
• 3 new blocks for RSC18
• bind my cousin's flannel quilt
• finish One Block Wonder top and decide on borders

I've really fallen down on the UFO Challenge projects.  I didn't work on any UFOs from the list for June or July.  I just didn't feel like working on any of them.  No UFO mojo!!

The number 8 was drawn today for August, and I did already finish one of three projects I have on the list.  It's unlikely that I'll pull out that 1930s Row Quilt. It's just too warm to hand quilt a big bed quilt this time of year. It's a UFO from about 15 years ago, so it can wait some more.  LOL.  But I could definitely work on the red bird quilt blocks. Time to pull that project box out of the cabinet and see what is left to do on that one.