Pictures of Summer Whizzing By

The last two Quilt Block Exchange blocks for July. Stars and stripes boy-themed blocks…

Goodies to eat…. homemade pickles and hummus with feta and kalamata olives (yum!!!). This recipe was my starting point for the hummus but of course I’ve changed it. More garlic and lemon, some cumin and cayenne, plus, of course, the feta and olives. It’s ridiculously easy and so good that I never need to buy hummus again. Now if I could just keep the pita chips stocked.

Boys outside playing with campfires and running wild in the grass….

We’re trying desparately to keep on top of the zucchini, cucumber, beans and peaches that are coming in fast. It hasn’t been a great year for tomatoes but when they come it will be sauce galore. Hope you’re enjoying some summer yourself.

If it weren’t for the last minute,

would I ever get anything done?

I finally have some finished blocks for the Stash Busting Bee I’m in. KC send a block from Lila Teuller’s Woodland Bloom to work with. I decided to stay with the neutrals and let the blue pop.

I also have a bunch of Quilt Block Exchanges going out. This group is new every month if you ever want to join in.

A black block with a star for Chrissybugs…

A black and white for Namawasbzyquiltn…

A wonky log cabin for Isaacsmama…

And since I can make wonky log cabins all day long, another for Lucysquilts’ anything goes block…

I still have two boy-themed blocks to mail by today/tomorrow but there are still a few hours left in the day (I hope!).

I Really Rocked This Week

Ok, so that’s quite overtly self-congratulatory but I’m going to roll with it this time.

Monday – sew squares and two borders (yes, squares were already cut)

Tuesday – sew on last border

Wednesday – baste and quilt (I am no longer afraid of free-motion and I rocked the stippling if I do say so myself!)

Thursday – sew binding and hand stitch

Friday – cut threads and wash

Yes, it’s teeny (about one yard square) and it was half pre-cut for me but still, it was a nice little project. No WIP time at all. Just a little something to throw over the car seat or stroller. It should be in mama and daddy’s hands before the first contraction. Not a bad week at all.

A Bitty Baby Blanket

A colleague of my husband’s and his wife are expecting a baby next week. My husband asked what would be nice to send them.

Hmmmmnnnn……

A quilt!

All the fabric is from my new windfall mentioned in my last post. It needs another border, probably a light solid. Then some zippy quilting and off to the new babe! I’m happy for this quick project because I haven’t had much sewing time and I feel I haven’t accomplished much. This will be a nice finish.

This and That

It’s been busy here and I’ve been a little under the weather. The only progress thus far is my July Three by Three blocks for Anina’s swap at Twiddletails. I like the contrast of the curves and stripes.

And…. I’ve gotten some free (well, traded) fabric. I had some art panels in the closet that it would take me a lifetime to use and I gave them to an artist friend of mine. Her husband used to work for Hathaway shirts and she gave me a bag full of samples! I’m really excited and a bit nervous because the colors and patterns are much more subdued and masculine that I am accustomed to. I’ll really have to think about this one. Any ideas?

Who’s the Fairest of them all?

Me, apparently. After over two weeks of rain, I’ve managed to get TWO terrific sunburns in the short amount of sun we’ve had the last few days. Shouldn’t I know better by now? I was more worried about the boys who hardly turned pink from their exposure.

[In case you were worried that this post was merely a narcissistic blather about my sunburn, read on.]

There’s a fantastic giveaway here! The Fresh Modern Quilts Flickr group has just added it’s 1000th member and has over a dozen exceptional prizes to give away. Click on over and leave a comment.

And since I can’t stand to write a post without a picture. Here’s a block I made that is most likely destined to become a pillow cover. I love those birds.

New Scrap Filing System

I went through all the scraps last night and did some sorting. I’m hoping it will make for easier scrap use. I’m in love with scraps right now. I’m even reluctant to cut into my real stash. But I found if I just cut one strip off, then I have a new scrap to use. Is that cheating? Some bit of it would be a scrap eventually, right?

Top Left – Pieced scraps

Top Middle – Squares and odd shapes

Top Left – Large pieces but less than a fat quarter

Bottom Left – Strips in warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows, browns and the like)

Bottom Right – Strips in cool colors (blues, greens and purples)

And I also have a bag that has only 1″ scraps to make these blocks.

I’m torn between the monochromatics and the random blocks. I’m not sure if I have one or two quilts going. In any case, these sashed in white will look amazing. See this one.

Old Red Barn Co. Quilt Along Tops

I decided to make two lap quilts instead of a big one. One is four rows by four the other is 4 x 5. I don’t have a need for a near-bed sized quilt right now. I bought some light grey/blue fabric to border them and I’m going to use some leftover strips cut into squares outside that. The backing is another thing. I don’t really know what I want yet. Any thoughts?

Sewing Machine Meme

It’s Sewing Machine month at the Sew, Mama, Sew blog and they’ve introduced a sewing machine meme. Here’s mine.

What brand and model do you have?

Elna 2003

How long have you had it?

6-7 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

$275

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

Quilting mostly, some bags and pillows, an occasional potholder.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I wish it was daily but usually 3-4 days a week I’m able to get in some time.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

I like my machine well enough but not enough to give her a name.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

Easy, straight sewing.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

Tension problems.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

Actually, I did find mine under the Christmas tree. I had sewn a few baby quilts on my mother-in-law’s borrowed sewing machine. I wouldn’t say I was hooked yet but my husband thought to get me a good starter machine to see if I’d like it. The rest is history. (Can I blame my fabric addiction on him?)

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

If you’re looking for a well-made, decent starter machine, this is a good one. I’d like a few more features now that I’ve been sewing for a while.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Now I’m looking for a drop-in bobbin, needle stop down feature and a long bed for machine quilting.

Do you have a dream machine?

I dare not dream just yet. It will just make me sad that I don’t have it yet. When it looks possible, I’ll start looking at Janome and Bernina.

And let me introduce you to my new iron. Luckily for me I found a forgotten Joann’s gift card in my wallet just as my ancient (college-era) iron no longer produced steam.

Now get me into the sewing room, for goodness sakes.

Catching Up

In addition to some larger projects that I’ve started, I’ve also joined the Old Red Barn Quiltalong, a Stash Busting Virtual Quilting Bee and a Quilt Block Exchange. I’ve done some much needed catching up.

Here are my strips for the Old Red Barn Quiltalong. I’ve got half the blocks sewn and cut and some more to follow.

Here is my June block for Lizziwhizz for the Bee.

Two boy-ish Quilt Block exchange blocks for Becca and Chelsea using some great Amy Schimler fabrics.

A wonky log cabin for Isaacsmama. (I am really digging this one and it will be hard to send away.)

And a girly-princess block for Mary.

Honestly, my blocks are square. I haven’t yet figured out how to photograph them properly. Don’t be alarmed if one of these is on its’ way to you. It is square. Truly.