I Like Thursday #138

It's time for I Like Thursday! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to find links to more fun and upbeat posts. I've been sewing almost every day and I wanted to share my progress. I've made 18 Garlic Knots. They measure 8.5 inches square. They are so fun to make. I get to play with my fabric and use up my stash. They sew up very quickly.

These blocks take longer to make when compared to the Garlic Knots. I feel they look a little like stained glass. I make a 6.5 inch square crumb block. Then I cut off a diagonal and add the blue solid. These are definitely not quick but fun. I'm using up some small pieces of fabric. I still don't see a dent in my small scrap box but I'm getting there!

I always need to keep my hands busy while watching tv. I've been working on these sashiko coasters. I bought a little kit. I have one more left to make. I like that I can sew and not have to read directions. It's mindless but a nice result!

 I finished this book last week and loved it! If you like historical fiction, read this! Kate Quinn never disappoints. I still like The Rose Code a little better than The Diamond Eye, but both are really good.

That's been my week.  It's cold and windy today so I decided to stay in. My student cancelled today's tutoring session. I didn't mind staying home today. Too cold! (Where's the warm weather????)

Quilting Compass Star

There hasn't been much quilting or sewing going on here lately. My mother and I got our second Covid booster on Saturday. I was feeling a little under the weather by bedtime. The next day, I had a fever complete with body aches. Ugh! I was almost back to normal by Monday. I just felt tired. Today, I'm fine. I machine quilted the Compass Star last week which is the middle of the Color My World Quilt. 

It's not perfect but it's done! My stitching in the ditch is improving slowly but still needs work. I'm okay with it. It's the only way I'm going to learn. You can see my missteps in the closeup but not so much when looking at the entire quilt. This quilt is exceptionally hard since there are also curves and circles involved. I'm hoping after it's washed, my wobbly stitching won't be so noticeable!

I Like Thursday #137

It's time for I Like Thursday! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up to more happy and fun posts. Rhododendron Tail, this year's mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter, is finished and on my bed! The mystery quilt is always a pain but it's the fastest I'll ever make a quilt. I started it at the end of November and it's already being used! I love these fabrics contrasting against the dark wood. I'm glad I made it although I questioned myself during the process!

 My son and his girlfriend painted these quilt blocks for me. They hung them for me this past weekend when they came home for Easter. They really came out nice and look great in my sewing room.

It took me all day but I made a Vegan Brioche Easter Braid for the holiday. There are no eggs since yeast is used. I had to wait for the darn yeast to grow! Twice! But it came out great! It has a little vanilla and sugar in it. It had a really great taste.

And it's starting to look a little more like Spring out there! Today is in the high 50's with no wind. These lilacs look like they'll be blooming soon. I love the smell of lilacs. One of my favorites!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

One Project Done, Two Ongoing

I finished my socks last week. This pattern took awhile but they came out great! They're all washed and gifted to my daughter. The pattern is Rhombus by Cookie A.

I started a new project. I didn't really need to start a new project but whatever! I wanted a project where I don't need to buy any background fabric. I found Bonnie Hunter's Garlic Knots pattern. 

I love playing with my stash and finding a few fabrics for each block. This won't be a quick project but I love using up my stash so I'm going to make blocks when I can! These blocks finish at 8.5inches square. 

This is my other stash project. Crumb blocks seem to take me longer to make than the garlic knots. I'll probably be working on both projects for awhile. I have too much of a fabric stash! And I'm not starting a new project for awhile. (Hopefully!)

I Like Thursday #136

It's time for I Like Thursday. Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to read more fun and uplifting posts. I have 2 quilts all finished but need labels. I usually make a few at a time. They don't take long but I always tend to put it off. I use my regular sewing machine alphabet menu. I never consider a quilt finished until it's got that label!

When I went to Maker's Market last weekend, I bought this cute little purse charm. It's only about 2 inches long! I placed it on my pocketbook handles with the little chain that is attached. It's so cute! It can be a little hiding place for lipstick.

I planted a few miniature rose seeds in this pot that I bought from CVS. I  wasn't sure they would actually sprout. I hope they continue to grow! I'm not very good with plants so we'll have to see what happens!

My student surprised me with these cookies this morning! She said if I like them, she'll make me more. I haven't tried them yet but they're almond cookies that she baked from scratch! My student is very thoughtful!

That's it for this week! Have a wonderful weekend!

Maker's Market 2022

I went to Maker's Market this past Saturday. It was sponsored by Pintuck & Purl which is where I bought my sewing machine. It took place at the Best Western Plus Event Center in Hampton, NH. The event showcased local artisans and shops. There were a few artisans who spun their own yarn, made jewelry and actually made textiles. It was so fun to get out and see what other people are working on. 

 I took a look at Liberty of London fabrics and couldn't believe the price! The fabrics are so soft and lush. I might splurge at some point in the future.

I love my machine so I wasn't looking to buy a new own. It was fun to see what new accessories are out there.

I bought some fat quarters from Saltwater Fabrics. I definitely don't need more fabric but I just couldn't resist! They're considered modern quilt fabrics but I just bought them because I loved the colors and the patterns.

It was great to just get out and see people! I wore my mask but most people weren't wearing them. I just don't want to get sick since I help out my mother so much. This was a fun event to attend. So glad I went!

I Like Thursday #135

It's time for I Like Thursday! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to read more Thursday posts that are fun and uplifting. I've been looking around my house for Easter decorations. The gift shop at the hospital used to have the cutest holiday decorations. I bought this years ago and forgot all about it! They closed the gift shop during Covid and I don't think it has opened since then. That's too bad because many of the employees would buy gifts there. 

Has anyone started watching this series on PBS? I taped it but haven't watched it yet. I usually really like anything Ken Burns is involved with. I'll try to watch it this weekend.

I haven't been to any quilt shows in a few years. I will be going to Maker's Market this weekend. It's sponsored by the shop where I bought my sewing machine. There will be local artisans selling their products. I'm definitely going to look at the yarn! The yarn is all hand spun and individually dyed. I can't wait to go! I have a friend coming with me. I can't wait!

I may have posted this picture before. I'm quilting the black "road" in Color My World but it was all covered in lint from the batting. This little sponge got all the lint off. It was amazing how much better it looked when it wasn't covered in all that fluff. 

That's it for me! Have a great weekend!

Quilting Color My World

I started to quilt Color My World. I traced a spine for the feathers that I'll quilt on the borders all the way around the quilt. It's a traditional feather with meandering around it. I'll also meander in any area of the quilt that's made up of the background fabric. I'm hoping the houses will look like they're in the fore front of the quilt and the background sort of disappears. We'll see if that really works!

 I've started to outline the houses. It's so hard for me to outline on the longarm! I'm using rulers but it's so easy to quilt into the fabric, away from the seam. I'm leaving some of it but also ripping out a good amount. I finished outlining the Eiffel Tower today. It took almost 2 hours! I better start improving at outlining when this quilt is done! My quilting isn't perfect but I'm getting it done and learning a lot too! I just wish it was a little easier to do.

New Pin Cushion

I made a cute little pin cushion! I got the pattern from the book, Pin Pals, by Carrie Nelson. I used my leftover triangles from the Swoon quilt. I used the Tilda fabric with the gray background fabric. 

Of course, they were a little big so I ironed first and then trimmed them down to size. I cut pieces for the sides as well as the corners. I set up my half square triangles nicely and sewed each row and then sewed the rows together.

I quilted the rows first across and then diagonally. Some areas were thick and I did break my needle. Oh, well, I probably needed a new one anyways!

I trimmed down to size and sewed write sides together. I filled the pin cushion with crushed walnut shells that I bought at PetSmart. (I still get emails asking about buying supplies for my pet reptile!)

And my pin cushion was complete! This is a nice quick project that used up some of my stash. That's always a good thing!