Just playing around

After knocking out two UFOs last week I’ve just been playing around this week. I’ve seen a few Mountain block quilts online lately and had a thought, what would it look like to sew the cut HST strips end to end instead of in a block? So, I pulled one of the FQ bundles I’ve been getting from the Fat Quarter Shop and started playing.

The bundle I pulled is called “At Home” with some beautiful florals in blue, red and green.

I also pulled some silver gray fabric from my stash to use as background. I cut four 9″ squares from each FQ and cut some 9″ squares from the gray yardage to make HSTs. After I pieced and cut 4 HSTs I started having second thoughts about making a entire quilt of those strips – I’m worried it will be too busy, no where for the ‘eye to rest’.

Sooooo, that’s where I’m at! I’ve got strips cut from two HSTs of every print ready to be pieced, a stack of HSTs that haven’t been cut and a stack of 9″ squares…

I’ll get those strips pieced today and then start playing with ideas on my design wall – that’s what it’s for, right?!!

I’ve been watching US Open tennis, the Ladies final was yesterday…if you don’t want to know who won, look away now!

Victoria Azareka and Naomi Osaka battled it out but Naomi pulled it out in the 3rd set. I was pulling for Azarenka since it had been so long since she’d won a grand slam 😦 Oh well! The men’s final is today, Sasha Zverev vs. Dominic Thiem – I’m hoping Thiem wins – let’s hope I don’t jinx him 😉

Oh yeah, and FOOTBALL is back today!!! It’s gonna be really weird to see games with no one in the stands The games we’re going to watch today are Washington and Tampa Bay. Hubby is still a fan of the team formerly known as the Redskins however I think that team is a lost cause until Dan Snyder is forced out! I’m more interested to see how Tom Brady does with his new team in Tampa Bay.

That’s all for now…have a great rest of your weekend and…

Busy, busy, busy

I’ve been doing a lot of sewing and quilting…and walking!

First up, I made this table runner for our kitchen table several weeks ago and forgot to post it 😮  The fabrics are from a Tula Pink bundle I got in my Sew Sampler subscription box (can’t find which month it was!). At the same time I made this, I cut the pieces to make a matching table runner for my dining room and…

I finally got around to making it!! Every time I look at these they make me smile 😀

Next up, I was craving a quick finish project so I cracked open my Fat Quarter Baby pattern book and chose Sarah.

The top is not completely pieced in this next picture but it’s the only one I have! I had to switch out one of the blocks (second row, far right) because there wasn’t enough contrast …this is the ‘after’ picture.

Then I finally pulled out a few completed tops and cut the batting needed so I could get to the basting process. Pictured below from left to right: Sarah, More or Less top made from The Quilt Block Cookbook by Amy Gibson and my scrappy version of Stoplight from Sunflower Quilts

And it was just cool enough this morning to take everything outside on the deck to get them all spray basted…notice my trusty companion standing guard, LOL!

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I haven’t gotten back into running yet and I’m not 100% sure I will… but I have been taking 30 min walks almost everyday just to get outside for some exercise.

That’s about all for now…have a great rest of the weekend 😀

 

Taking a few days off

I’ve got a couple of PTO days planned and I decided I would spoil myself a little.

Today I scheduled a massage at 10 am and it was heavenly! My last massage was so long ago I can’t even remember it! I liked Rejuvenate Spa so much that I scheduled a facial for tomorrow morning 😮  It’s been even longer since my last facial…

After I was properly chilled out, I went out to lunch with DH and then I’ve spent the rest of the afternoon sewing. I joined another block of the month series and unfortunately I’m 3 three blocks behind! In my defense, I joined late after the first two blocks were already released so I knew I would have some catching up to do.

The series is called Cozy Afternoon and the center pieces are in the theme of a cup of tea. She offers 3 options for the center of each block – you can applique it, embroidery it or you can just use a fabric square. I joined this particular series because I wanted to get better at applique so that’s what I plan to do.

I actually tried to start the border pieces last night and my seam allowances got off so I trashed that effort and started new today…and…I LOVE it!!! Yeah, it’s not perfect but that’s why I’m doing it…to get better 😀

Love these bright colors!!

I just love how the pattern on the teal flower makes it look like a bee is crawling on it…that was just a ‘happy accident’!!

I’m going to try to get Blocks 2 & 3 done before I go back to work on Tuesday…wish me luck!!

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I also wanted to share the fabric that arrived in the mail today…I just love opening those packages – it feels like Christmas morning!! Squeeee!

The July Fat Quarter Club shipment arrived and the color theme is dark blue. Each time I get a new shipment I’m just blown away by the fabrics and the patterns and I was not disappointed with these:

I also received my order from FatQuarterShop.com that I placed using the $50 gift certificate I won…even though I knew what was coming it was still exciting to open it up and feel the fabric…I think I’m becoming a ‘fabriholic’!! I ordered a fat quarter of fall/halloween fabrics so I can make the Patchwork Pumpkin table runner I found on Pinterest.

This picture doesn’t really do it justice…the fabric is heavenly!!!

That’s about all for now…I’ll probably head back into the sewing room after dinner…I’ll keep you posted!!

I’m a winner!

I almost forgot to post about this!! I received notification over the weekend that I was randomly selected in a prize drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the FatQuarterShop.com!! WooHoo!! I’m so excited to go shopping and honestly I’ve already been out to the website several times salivating over what I might purchase – it’s SO HARD to decide!!

How did I enter? I was supporting one of the quilting bloggers I follow Late Night Quilter and the 2015 New Quilt Blog Hop she posted about. I followed the instructions (which were very simple) and voila’…I’m a winner!!

I’ll probably wait a few days to use my gift certificate just to be sure I don’t make any ‘rash’ decisions…lol!

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I’ve been working on a few blocks this week…first up, I finished piecing the second Granny Square block in black, white & gray and I’m still in love:

I’ve got a total of 6 FQs that I can cut up for these blocks so I guess this will be my next finished top. Here’s the 3rd block laid out, I need more white squares to finish it but you get the idea:

Thanks so much to Amanda of 3and3quarters for turning me on to this block!

I also pulled some FQs to complete the patchwork challenge with Tinkerbellknits – July is Old Maid’s Puzzle. I was a little nervous about cutting triangles and sewing on the bias…I’ve been known to  s  t  r  e  t  c  h  my fabric! I was really, really careful this time and I think it turned pretty well:

That’s all for now…G’night