Sunday, June 28, 2020

Oh Scrap! : More Log Cabin Blocks

Even though this month is supposed to be all about pink scraps, I decided to get out my blue scrap bins and make a few more log cabin blocks.



I pulled some navy, teal and medium blue shades for my next three circles.



I am trying to focus on using a lot of my print fabrics so each block has a lot of interest.




Here are all the blocks I have finished so far.  The purple circles is 22" wide, the blue ones will finish at 15" I think and the pink ones will make 11" circles.  Now I need to empty one of my design walls so I can lay these out and start making a bunch of filler blocks.  The rest of the blocks are all small in size so the cutting is going to take a LONG time.  But I am using a number of the small strings filling up my scrap bins so I am pleased to start seeing those get used.

Time for you so share your scrappy projects!


*********************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 
Quilting is more fun than Housework



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Friday, June 26, 2020

Vote : Big and Small

I don't have a finished quilt to share with you this week but I did finish another of my "Vote" blocks.  This one uses the Spell It With Fabric letters from Moda.
(You can get the free pdf pattern here.)




The blocks finish at 10" tall.  I haven't attached them together yet because I am not sure exactly how I will use them in the quilt.  It might be fun to add some stars in between the letters.  But I have lots of time to think about that - I have many more blocks to do!





You can see the comparison to the smaller 4" blocks I wrote about earlier.


As I was working on the blocks, I thought a lot about the importance of voting in both the big and the small elections.  Sure, it is important to vote for our President, Senators and Representatives but I think the smaller elections are just as important.

Here are some positions you might see in your smaller elections along with some of their responsibilities...

A Mayor not only runs the day to day administration of a city, but they are also responsible for setting the tone of the culture of the city.  They help to recruit businesses and take a lead role in city legislation. They also usually appoints the chief of police to manage law enforcement. 

A Sheriff is typically an elected position that oversees a county and is responsible for seeing that the laws are enforced fairly.

District Attorneys decide when an arrest leads to a charge.  They are also the ones who negotiate plea bargains.  This position can either be elected or appointed depending on your area.

State Legislators are responsible for policies that set the tone of the culture of your state.  They define what constitutes the procedures for responding to crime, sentencing structures and funding government agencies that are responsible for dealing with offenders and victims.  
Your state legislator represents your area within the state.


There is great importance in these positions - they directly influence our day to day lives and the lives of our neighbors.  If you are not happy with how these positions are being run, use your vote and influence to try and make a positive change. 

Please vote in ALL of  elections!


A further step I am taking to ensure a positive change is to join my Neighborhood Association.  This group represents 26K people of my city's population.  Attending these meetings gives me access to my local officials and to hear their views and policies.  I want the place I live to be a welcoming, healthy and safe environment for all.

Making changes takes some effort - I am dedicated to seeing a better tomorrow!






Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Late Night Inspiration

I am a really bad sleeper - I always have been.  So lots of time I am sewing or watching TV during the wee hours of the morning.

Most of the time I am only listening to the TV but the other night I was streaming an old auction show that was selling off mid-century furniture.  So I was checking out all the lovely items going up for sale.  

I literally sat up in bed when I saw a rug in the corner of the screen...
That would make such a great scrap quilt!




Thanks goodness I was streaming so I was able to back up and get a better glimpse.  Here is the photo I captured.  I am sure it was quite comical watching me try to run my remote and camera for an image that was just shown for a second.

Isn't it the coolest?!



So today I got out my brown scraps and started cutting some 4.5" squares.
I might not make the same design as the rug but it is certainly going to inspire my quilt.

I will share more as I get further along.
It is nice to be finally excited over a new project!






Sunday, June 21, 2020

Oh Scrap! : Colorful Chains

I can't believe another week has already gone by.  Where does the time go?!


Most of my sewing has been occurring late at night.  I did get a chance to finish up three more RSC blocks in pink.  It is hard to see in this (late night) photo but I chose mostly hot and dark pinks for these blocks.



I didn't use any light shades of pink because I was afraid they would stand out - or maybe I should say fade away.  Here are all the blocks to date.  I am going for 30 blocks so I think some blocks in gold, purple, brown and maybe dark gray will finish this quilt off.




Most of my daylight hours that I am not working on client quilts, I am out in my gardens.  Lots of berries to harvest right now and my daylilies are starting to bloom.  With over thirty different varieties growing throughout my yard, there is color inspiration everywhere!


I have a TON of strawberries his year - tell me your favorite recipes!
I have already made jam and I have frozen some (with rhubarb) for strawberry/rhubarb crumble this winter.  I am running out of ideas!


*********************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 
Quilting is more fun than Housework



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter



Linking Up:


Friday, June 19, 2020

The Fabric Made Me Do It

I keep my folded stash fabric in an open fronted bookcase sorted by color.  Every once in a while, there seems to be a fabric that physically throws itself at me wanting attention.  Once I retrieve the fabric half a dozen times from the floor, I finally give up and make something with it.




This (unloved) lupine fabric was the print screaming for attention.  I don't ever remember buying it but I know I did use it as a backing for a quilt ages ago.  I had some big chunks of fabrics all folded together that looked like they were the trimmings from a back.



I decided to keep it easy and just cut those long narrow strips into 2.5" strips.  Then I decided to use my "Life is a Highway" pattern to make a baby sized quilt.  



I already had a bunch of navy 2.5" squares so all I had to do was pull some stash/scrap pieces that coordinated.  I wanted to keep the color placement a mirror image across the top.



I also used the lupine print as the binding and across the center of the backing.



Here is a full photo...the dark blue fabric was also some leftover backing bits that I used on both the front and the back.


This quilt took no time at all to make and cleaned out a few pieces in my stash that I am tired of looking at......and picking up off the floor!

Do others of you have possessed fabric?

Happy Friday!




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