I Like Thursday #282

It's time for Thursday likes! Boy, the weeks just seem to be flying by. Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. The August directions for the Laurel Ridge BOM were out a few days early so I started working on it. I have to make 32 Cat's Cradle Blocks. I'm working on the portion of the block made up of 4 triangles. The pile on the left are the side triangles. The pile in the middle are half square triangles that have to be ironed open and trimmed. The pile on the right are my finished pieces. It's coming together nicely!

We went out to eat last weekend and I got the best drink ever! It was called simply Pineapple Rum Drink. It was so good! It tasted like a pina colada and even had a little nutmeg sprinkled on the top. I don't always finish drinks but I finished every drop of this one!!

I thought Lily looked uncomfortable sleeping on her couch like this. She stayed in this position for awhile so I guess it couldn't have been too bad! Silly kitty!!

The question this week asks if we worked during the summer when we were younger. I worked as a cashier as soon as I turned 16 years old and continued until I went to college. Once in college, I got a full time summer job to help pay for my tuition. I never enjoyed the summer once I was old enough to work. That might be why I'm enjoying my retirement so much! It's so nice to have time off and be able to do whatever I like!

Have a wonderful weekend!! Stay cool! It's been so hot up here in the Northeast. We're finally expecting cooler temps.

Halloween Stratford

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I had a few busy days at the end of last week. I had to take my mother to the doctor. I didn't have a lot of time to sew but somehow, I managed to finish this Halloween version of Stratford Table Topper. It's a quick project so one step every so often adds up quickly.

These are just the diamonds before I sewed them together. I moved them around until I liked the layout. I just alternated black and orange so it didn't take too long. Plus there are only 6 diamonds so there aren't that many variations. 

I found a background in my stash that I liked. I just barely squeaked out enough to finish the topper. I like the lines and little bit of gold in the fabric. Its not really a pattern but adds a little bit of interest to the background. It's just what I wanted! I had to order the batting. I sure miss running to JoAnn's with a coupon! This will give me time to figure out how to quilt it. Hope I think of something good!!

Stratford Quilted

 

I just finished sewing the binding onto the Stratford Table Topper. I tried to find something in my stash that would work. I'm glad I found this tucked away in my purple drawer and love how it turned out.

I took this picture while I was still quilting it on the longarm. I quilted feathers in the points of the star. That middle seam made a great spine for the feathers. The diamonds have ribbon candy surrounded by echoing lines. The smaller triangles in the middle have echoing arcs with round arches along the edges. It's nothing too difficult but gives a nice effect.

The texture really looks great on this small piece. I plan on making a Halloween version for someone special. These table toppers are cute and fast and make great gifts. 

I Like Thursday #281

It's time, once again, for Thursday likes! It's been a quiet but hot and humid week. I've been sewing and pretty much staying indoors as much as I can. I've been working on my Facets quilt and am making progress on the 4th round which is red with light pink accents. I have to make a total of 28 blocks for this round. Each block measures 6.5".

The cats have been comfortable indoors with the air conditioning on. I thought it was funny to see Lily sleeping right next to her favorite toys! Ahh, the life of a cat!!!

We don't see too many pigeons around our house but this one seemed to love my husband's car! He sat on it for awhile, would walk around and then go back to sitting at that same spot. So funny!!

This one is a bit hard to see but a doe was in my yard with her 2 babies! They were so cute to see. I was a little nervous seeing them cross the street but all three of them made it safely across.

Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. Have a great weekend and keep cool!!!

Stratford Table Topper

I've been wanting to make a table topper and wanted to use my 1930's fabrics. This pattern, Stratford, by Doug Leko fit the bill! This pattern was found in his Tabletastic! 2 book. I have all 3 of his Tabletastic books and love them!

The first step to gather your fabric and cut them into rectangles. 

Each set of rectangles were cut into diamonds. I used a 60 degree ruler but there were templates in the book. 

I cut the triangles for the background also using my trusty 60 degree ruler. I sewed one triangle on each side of the diamond. And then, all blocks were sewn together. The topper measures 32.5" X 28.5".  Now, I'll have to figure out how to quilt it. I'm sort of proud of myself getting something finished during a hot and humid summer day! Time to rest now!!

I Like Thursday #280

It's once again time for Thursday Likes!! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. I finished my Scaredy Cat for the Frightful Fun Block of the Month. This cat was fun to make but there were lots of points that had to meet so it was slow sewing once each section was completed. This block is 18.5" square.

This picture just gives you and idea of how the sections were made and sewn together. 

I received a gift subscription to Just Cross Stitch so I got the Halloween edition early! There are so many fun patterns in this issue. It's going to be difficult to pick which I should make first!

I bought this pattern last week. It does remind me that we're halfway to Christmas but I also thought I could make these wreaths for different seasons. I would love to make a topper for Fall but I have a lot going on right now so we'll see!!

The prompt this week asks us if we prefer a hammock or digging in the garden. I would say I think I'd like the hammock! It looks comfy and perfect for those hazy and humid days of summer. My husband loves doing all sorts of stuff to the lawn and plants. I'll leave him to do the digging!

Have a wonderful weekend! It's cool and rainy today but still humid. I'm hoping for better weather for the weekend!

BOM X 2

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We had a great holiday but I did manage to find time to sew! I finished my blocks for the Laurel Ridge BOM by Lynn Wilder featured by The Quilt Show. I used chain piecing and every quick technique I knew to get these blocks done quickly. I made 12 blocks of each colorway. I do feel I get quicker every month!

Scaredy Cat is the block this month for the Frightful Fun BOM. Today was hot and sticky. My sewing room is nice and cool but I just couldn't finish this guy today. I ran out of energy. I'm hoping to finish him tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Isn't he cute?? He will finish at 18" square.

I'm hoping for some drier air in the next few days. We shall see!!! This humidity just saps my energy.

I Like Thursday #279

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color to link up with other bloggers participating in I Like Thursday. I received my July clue for the Laurel Ridge Block of the Month sponsored by The Quilt Show. I have to make 24 blocks, 12 blocks in 2 different colorways. Here you can see my flying geese being chain pieced. I had to make a total of 96 (Yes, 96!!) flying geese. It took a few days. I use the 4 at a time method so I guess that's a bit quicker than doing them individually. I'm in the process of sewing the blocks together. I've made 4 so far. Sort of slow!!

I had to go to the library yesterday to log in my tutoring hours for the month of June. The sun was shining when I walked by this window. So gorgeous! I love our library and am happy to be a part of it even in a small way. 

Our vegetable garden seemed to be going nowhere. Nothing seemed to be growing. In the last few days, it finally looks good and healthy! No vegetables yet but it looks very good now.

Our prompt this week asks us if we like picnics as well as what type of picnic. I suppose as a kid we always had our lunches at the beach right on our beach blanket which is a sort of picnic. I did the same thing when my kids were little. That beach sure makes you hungry! Now that I'm older, I love to sit on my deck, at a table, and eat outdoors. I try to do that often in the summer. It's so nice to enjoy the fresh air while eating dinner. 

Have a great holiday weekend! 🎆🎇🧨