Progress on Unity

The second clue for Unity has 3 pieced rows/rounds plus a plain border.  The first one was basically flying geese blocks.  Then a round of square-in-a-square, followed by another round of flying geese.  My square-in-a-square round has been added and I'm working on the flying geese to finish it up.  I may have this done before the next clue comes out on Monday.  

Unity - starting the second round

It doesn't look like it makes sense quite yet, but the second clue for the Unity quilt has begun.

This quilt has a medallion center, so Bonnie Hunter reminded us Monday that each week will be a "round" and each week will have more parts.

My pieces are all cut and organized, with enough sewing done to see how each unit looks.  I  did put the first row onto 1 side.  The black background sections will ultimately make star points around those pink and lime green square-in-a-square units. 

Focusing on a couple of deadlines for work has cut into my sewing time, along with the mask making.  But I needed some "happy" sewing this afternoon after work, and these colors are definitely happy. 

Jumped on the mask band wagon

Last weekend I made 5 masks for the adults in my girls' homes, including Laura's mother-in-law who is living with them temporarily.  Then I made a couple more for Dave and I.  These are just the simple pleated surgical type mask with ties that we can wear to go to the grocery store or post office.

Then Laura had a coworker who needed some for her family, so today I made 6 more.  Three are adult sized and 3 are child sized.  I used batik for 2 more masculine adult sized masks. And the rest were made with what I had already laying on the cutting board.   These are going in the mail tomorrow.  

I sure hope the child sized masks work out OK.  I cut them smaller - using 5x7 rectangles.  I like the sail boat fabric, and am hoping it isn't too juvenile for whatever ages her smaller children might be. 

Design Wall Monday - Week 4

Here we are beginning Week 4 of social distancing.  Life has sure changed in the past month.  Like most everyone I talk to, my focus comes and goes along with the stress. 

I did make 2 blue Bead/Chandelier blocks this weekend.  The charm packs I've been using didn't have any blue in them.  Not a single square of blue. So I pulled a couple of blues out of the scrap bin.  I'm planning to make some of my other Rainbow Scrap Challenge blue blocks today.  

What's on your design wall this morning?

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

I also made 5 masks over the weekend but didn't remember to take any photos at all.  Those went to my daughter's houses on Sunday when we dropped off birthday and Easter gifts for the kids - and visited with everyone standing outside on the lawn from 10" away.  The masks will just be for going out to the store and such, as they have appropriate protective wear at work.  And I made 10 button bands for them to try out at work - to hook the mask elastic over and save pressure on their ears.  If those work out then I'll make them more.  

I've been working on this puzzle off and on all week.  On Saturday my husband sat down and started working on it too.  Two things in this photo caused my girls to laugh - his coffee cup and the evidence that he was actually working on a puzzle.  Both were probably thinking "who is this man, and what did he do with my dad?".  He rarely drank coffee until just this past year.  And he never had the patience for puzzles.  

And this . . . is the cause of LOTS of worry for this mama.  My oldest daughter is a respiratory therapist in a hospital.  They aren't overloaded with Covid-19 patients yet, but are anticipating those number will rise sharply in the coming days and weeks.  My other daughter is an occupational therapist in a VA hospital and they are preparing for future patients as well.  I'm proud of my girls and their career choices as they make a real difference in peoples' lives every day.  

Social distancing

We took a drive today - 70 miles each way to deliver birthday gifts for the twins who turn 7 this week. And we delivered Easter treats for the other kids, and an anniversary gift for one daughter and son-in-law.  But we were careful to maintain our social distance at both houses.  Jack even made chalk X’s on the sidewalk to mark where we needed to stand.  Guess we’ll give them extra hugs when this crazy virus is over. 

Working on a variety of projects

Thursday morning was a delightful mixture of on-going progress on a variety of things. No opportunity to become bored.  And 5 different projects saw progress made.

Light and bright blue is the color for April for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I didn't look too far into the stash but found some small pieces for the corners of this Shoo Fly block.  It's only 6.5" so not a very big piece was needed.  This block is one of Bonnie Hunter's Leader/Ender projects and I have begun a small collection.  It will take ages to have enough for an actual quilt.  But they are good mindless sewing.

Saturday Sampler blocks are one step closer to being finished.  These are applique blocks again and all they need is the blanket stitching.  One is dark green and gold and the other is in purples.

I did find a bright blue fat quarter and cut the pieces for an Ohio Star.  There are now 15 of them, and there is already a light blue one so I'm not sure if I'll make another or not.  

I made some of the teeny tiny 4-patch blocks needed for the border on the Simple Whatnots project.  These are made from 1.5" squares, and I need 44 of these blocks.  Sigh!!!

Last thing I worked on was cutting out 2 blue Bead/Chandelier blocks.  Notice how dreary that white background looks.  That's because it was snowing/raining/hailing today - all at the same time.  We had thunder and lightning, then the hail started bouncing.  And all was happening while we had a mix of rain and snow.  More snow fell about supper time.  I'm hoping that this is winter's last gasp.  

April goals

Here we are midway through Week 3 of staying home.  I'm still having trouble focusing, but do feel as if I've calmed down a little bit.  Time to update my goals.

I haven't finished everything I wanted to in March, but I'll continue to work on those items as well as tackle some new goals for April.  The number drawn for the APQ UFO Challenge was #1, and I have a couple of fun things listed under that number.  I quickly found the project box for one of the 2 and I had actually left things well organized, which was a surprise.

This is Temecula Circa 2016 - an online Sew-Along project from the Temecula Quilt Company.  See my original blog post about this "small block" project - and yes, it is from 2016.

http://mysewingroomsara.blogspot.com/2016/04/temecula-circa-2016.html   This is the center of the quilt, and there are lots and lots more small blocks finished for it.  Actually I have a little over half of the blocks done.  Each of these blocks are 3.5" unfinished, so lots of teeny tiny pieces involved.  Most of the patterns, like this Shoo Fly block ask for 2 blocks plus a couple of 2" HST.  In looking forward I noticed the last few ask for 3 blocks made in from the pattern.  

Also on the UFO list from 2016 are the car blocks I was making with the Row By Row license plates.  I had a plan for these blocks but only have about 5 of them made.  I'm hoping when I find that project box that there is a sketch of how I planned to lay them out.  Or I could start from scratch with a new plan.  

So, I have some fun choices of "new" old UFOs to choose from.  And I'll continue working on the things carrying over from March - and from January and February.  

1.  keep up with Saturday Sampler blocks

2.  Sew Vintage barn block (have only chosen fabrics so far)

3.  Simple Whatnots - finish top of Smack Dab in the Middle  (4-patch border needed)

4.  Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks (light and bright blue)

5.  butterfly themed Sew Together bag

6.  Harvest Road - finish top 

7.  bind the 2nd small Day and Night table topper