What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

 Someone did math.  Apparently I've been around for this number of days.

After four+ solid months of this I've decided to give it a rest.  The USA is not my country, and I cannot do anything to effect any kind of change ...

I'll start off with a little quilty-stuff, then move on to the topic du jour.

Pieced at Tobermory retreat but not yet quilted:

TOPIC DU JOUR

Dad died of a heart attack when he was 72.  He was a tough guy.  A contractor, specializing in drywall I think.  I was one of those teenagers who paid zero attention to the people who really had some import in my life, so I don't honestly know.  As a teenager I slept until noon ...

 Coco the rescue from Niagara Dog Rescue in the back.  Nina the rescue from Hamilton-Burlington SPCA in the front.  Two dogs who don't exactly like to wear Santa hats, lol.

 Yes, I mean recovery from Covid.  (I have not entered a 12-step program to disengage from my sewing machine.)  It's October, which means a week in Tobermory with the Beach Girls, and that seemed to me like a perfect place to recover!

I had a stack of leftover riley blake fabrics that coordinated rather well. I decided to cut another trip around the world donation quilt. I wanted to cut a bigger size than my last one. This time, I cut 4 inch strips. I want to see the difference. I was cleaning up a spot, and had this leftover pile waiting for an idea. I am not sure when I will start on it. But, the pile is gone.

I hope my reds are different enough

 FOOD

I'm currently at the beginning of a couple months where I will pick asparagus every day.

april challenge wrap-up

How did you do on April’s Challenge to make something with half-square triangles? It was a struggle for me, but I managed to finish a quilt top. My original plan was to make some progress on Carpenter Star blocks. I am not sure what I will do with that quilt so I once again, put that project on hold. Instead, I made split nine-patch blocks.

The block is simple–three light squares, three dark squares, and three light/dark half-square triangles. This block has some variations. One is Block #8 in the free Saturday Sampler series ...

This quilt is one I have been trying to finish since March. I am counting it toward March’s nine-patch challenge since the alternate blocks have nine pieces. Haha!

Both the cutting and piecing are fast and easy. The framed blocks are a great way to showcase a pretty fabric or large print. The pattern for this quilt is called Five Yard Quilt. It is a free pattern you can download free from this website. This website also shows a pretty version of this quilt. It is a great stashbuster because you can make it from five one-yard cuts of ...

There is a miscellaneous basket of UFOs sitting in my basement family room. There are just random projects in various states of completion and last month I decided they need to go. I didn’t even go through the basket, but by the end of the year, I hope to donate, sell, trash, or complete (and donate) everything in there.

This is the first project and I am happy to say it is finished! This is a variation of the Quick Strippie pattern from maryquilts.com.

I had one charm pack and one yard of the Pooh fabric. For the ...

Made out of fabric donated a few years ago, I believe by Stephanie. THIS PICTURE sparked the idea that finally pushed the fabric pieces to quilt status.

There was enough matching fabric included for back and binding.

It will likely be donated to the Children’s Hospital.

I used 2-1/2″ squares so this one finishes at 38″ square.

March challenge: nine patch

Do you remember the Nine-Patch Challenge post from March 1 (click here if you missed it)? In a nutshell, I am trying to whittle down my flannel stash and wanted to add an element of fun. Nine-patch quilts are quick and easy and versatile enough to use whatever fabric you have on hand. Unfortunately, I will have to finish more than one baby quilt to make much of a dent in my flannel.

This is the ONE little quilt I finished.

This fox fabric is so cute, but now it is gone. I just barely had ...

After 30-plus years of quilting, I have accumulated too much fabric! I sew nearly every day, but it still takes a long time empty a shelf or bin. When we had our water heater replaced last month, I rearranged some bins and realized I have many yards of flannel. It is bulky and takes up a lot of space and I don’t like working with flannel. To motivate myself and to encourage you to use up some fabric, here is the first stashbuster challenge. 

In March, use some scraps or stash to make a nine-patch quilt. I will be ...

 This is a beautiful quilt made from a panel.  As you know, Winter Is Coming.

Back in the spring my friend and I were horrified about what was happening in Ukraine, and we decided to put our stashes together and make a quilt for donation.

Here's the final product.

I'm pleased to say that ...

 I started this back in the summer, it became Part II of a wedding gift.  Cute - a modern version of Christmas trees.

 Hi all! Every year I forget just how exhausting it is to get ready for a new academic year. How is this possible? I've done this a lot of times, so I should know by now, but somehow, I always leave things for the last minute. This is what I've been doing all week instead of sewing or literally any other fun stuff. I know you'll all understand when I say that I really need more summer. Come back, summer! We need more rest in the sunshine!

At the very last minute, I have finished my one monthly goal for June. So glad to have a finish. I plan to donate this to a local shelter for hands to help.

My friend Linda brought a scrap bag to me.... I had found the tiger embroidery at a thrift store...I decided whatever I pulled out of the scrap bag, I would add to the quilt improv style. It has been fun. Some colors, I would not have put together on purpose. But, I like them together here. I think I saw a video on you tube by ...