A Tiny Bit of Stitching

The heat has been oppressive this week.  I spread the first 6 yards of bark, then ordered a second 6 yards.  It has been delivered, but I've only worked to distribute it on one day.  When you wake up to 77 degrees at 6am, it's just too oppressive to try to do yard work.

In my last post, I also showed you bits and pieces that I planned to turn into little birthday cards.  As of yesterday, I've finished 3 of 4.  I'm pretty pleased with the results.

For the first one, I cut up a dresser scarf and used the applique for the focal point.  This measures about 7" square.

 The colors of the second one reminded me of a hot day at the beach, so I made a little 4" beach scene to fit within the frame.  I added a bit of "sea weed," as well as dolphins frolicking in the water.

 I have a box of odds and ends set aside for cardmaking.  I found this basted heart, just waiting to appliqued onto something.  It worked well with the pinks.  The tatting was given to me by my good friend Virginia.  Virginia just turned 98.  This is her (belated) birthday card.

Other than that, I've done some hand quilting, but haven't finished anything.  I'm hopeful that I will turn these hot days outside into productive days inside.  Goals are good!

Keeping Busy

I've been busy, putting together more baby quilt tops.  sew sew sew.

This one was composed from leftover blocks from other quilts.  Most of them are recognizable from recent baby quilts.  The star points were made from binding trims.  Things rarely go to waste around here, that's for sure!

 This one was also made leftovers: some Double 4-patch blocks, some 4-patch, and some 4.5" squares.  I think these are really cute.  Some baby somewhere will love them.  :)

 My bin filled with string strips was overflowing.  This picture does not capture the color.  The center blocks are a limey green.  A friend says, "That looks like Giverny!"  I've never been there, but I love the comparison.

Rather than quilting these at this point, they are hanging with backs, waiting for basting.  I've chosen to focus on some handquilting.  I'm more than halfway through one of my quilts from the Katie Pasquini Masopust class that I took last year.  (or was it the year before?)

Block of the Month for guild continues to go well.  These are the blocks turned in for the July drawing.

 I asked everyone to make a second block, to be turned into a Quilt of Honor, for presentation to a local veteran at the county fair in September.  They rose to the challenge.  Just look at this nice stack of blocks!

 Here are my samples for next month:  Dutchman's Puzzle.

I made the Flying Geese units using squares on rectangles and then trimming.  I couldn't let those trim triangles go to waste.  I am behind on birthday cards, so I stitched them together.

See that piece of applique above the bias squares?  I am in the process of inserting it in the frame.  It's turning out to be a delightful piece.  I'll be sure to take a picture before I send it off.

And, lest you think I'm focusing on quilting, no, not really.  My current project is bark.

 I had 6 yards delivered on Friday.  I was able to clear out and fill my "secret garden" area on Friday.

 On Saturday, I cleared out the "island."  I added the bark yesterday.

 I also worked on this area, between our house and the neighbors.

Temperatures have been above 100 for the past several days, so I limit how long I'm out there working.  I make sure to stay in the shade, and when I can't take it any more, in I come.  This morning, I focused on a patch in the backyard.  The sad thing is that the pile of bark does not seem to be getting any smaller.

This afternoon?  I will be doing more hand quilting.  Goals are good!

More Baby Quilts

Yes, you read that right.  More baby quilts.  More, more, more.

 I finished this cute little quilt, for a baby boy due next week.  Once he's here and I know his name, it will be labeled and shipped to him for cuddling.

 I bought the fabric for this next one because I loved the cats peering into the fish bowls.

 Unless you are right on the quilt, you don't really know what you are looking at.  The back is a turquoise all over print, with just cats.  Very cute.

 I cut out another three Double 4-patch baby quilts, to sew at a later date.  As I was putting the trim strips into my bin, I realized that I was out of room.  I decided that maybe it was time to sew up another string quilt.  This is #9.  I find them to be quite addictive.  I made them with 6.5" foundations.

If you look carefully, you can see some of the fabrics from the kitty fishbowl quilt scattered across the top of String Quilt #9.  Cute, right?

And I guess that's all I've got for you today.  Enjoy!!