Picnic Flowers

This isn't the best picture but Picnic Flowers is done! It measures a whopping 96" X 96"! That's why I can't take a nice picture of the entire quilt. I think you get the idea. It needs to be ironed and then I'll load it onto the longarm.

This is Picnic Flowers without the outer borders. It measures about 92.5" square at this point. I was going to custom quilt it but I've decided against it. That busy fabric, although beautiful, will keep you from seeing the quilting. I think I'm going to choose a nice edge to edge pantograph. I'm excited to get this one quilted Victoria Findlay Wolfe designed the pattern as well as the fabric. She's so talented!

I Like Thursday #198

I missed I Like Thursday last week due to internet issues. Verizon thought it was just our house and we were supposed to wait for technicians to come out to the house. I guess it was a larger issue. I think it was the whole area. It's back and it seems fine. I hope it stays that way! Glad to be back! Make sure you visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to read more fun posts. Anyways, my mom was trimming her shrubs and found this nest in the middle of one of them. She left them alone but showed me later. I took the picture but the mom doesn't look too happy! I think it's a mockingbird but I'm not sure. Can anyone tell what type of bird this is? You could hear her babies wanting to be fed when she flew away. So cute!

I'm putting the large blocks together for Picnic Flowers. This block measures 40.5" square. I have to make 4 of them and then add sashing and binding. It's really fun to see this quilt come together. I don't usually buy kits but I did enjoy this one. The fabric is just gorgeous. Victoria Findlay Wolfe never disappoints!

These are the blocks for this week's SchoolHouse Dash Sew Along. I think I'm about halfway through making blocks for this quilt. They're fun and all finish at 12.5" square.

My blocks have been coming out perfect thanks to Bloc Loc. I usually make my half square triangles a little larger and then use Bloc Loc rulers to cut them down to the correct size. This method seems to work well for me. My sewing is much more accurate this way. 

It's been so hot the last few days. I'm so thankful for my air conditioner! I hope you have a cool weekend!

Leaders and Enders/Oopsie Daisie

Bonnie Hunter annually posts a leader and ender challenge. This year it's been called Oopsie Daisie. She had an earlier pattern called Ditch Lilies. It seems that someone screwed up the order of the added triangles and Oopsie Daisie was born! She has 2 different size blocks that you can make. I opted for the larger block. Each strip starts at 2" wide X 5" long. Then you add the 2 little triangles and sew it together like a pinwheel. Ta-Da! It measures 9.5" square.

This is the individual unit that makes up the block. It's made of one neutral strip with a colorful strip either side. Add those little triangles and one unit is done! I thought this block was a little tricky the first time I made it. You also have to be careful about the placement of those triangles. I feel it will get easier the more I make. Bonnie's challenge lasts one year. It's just a nice project to have ready when you want to reduce those pesky scrap bins! I plan on making lots more!

Catch up Time

I've been so busy! I'm happy to be posting again. We had a great 4th of July but it's been so hot. I've also been tutoring and had to take my mom to the doctor for a check up. It's so hard to get everything done with a holiday thrown in the middle of the week. I did try to get some quilting time into my days. I ordered this violet wideback for my Picnic Flowers quilt. It's from P&B Textiles. The colors are a little more vibrant than this picture shows. The quilt top is almost done!

My son and his fiancee brought these fat quarters for me from Portland, Maine. I love the sewing theme! I'll have to find a fun project for them. Maybe a table topper?? I'm still looking around.

It's supposed to be hot over the weekend. I'll probably stay inside with the A/C on. It's the only way to get through this heat!!

Sampler Quilt/Happy 4th!

I've sewn together most of the blocks I've made for Carrie Hall's Sampler Quilt. I still have one more row to sew on. Of course, I have 3 applique blocks still to make. I thought sewing the quilt together would be a nice break from all the applique. I really love it so far. I have no idea what sort of border to make but I have awhile to think about it! I measures about 70" X 45".

Happy 4th of July! I'm having company tomorrow so I thought I'd wish you all a happy holiday today. Enjoy!

I Like Thursday #197

Welcome to I Like Thursday. Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up to more positive posting blogs! My daughter went to London a few weeks ago and made a visit to Liberty London. She chose these 4 gorgeous fabrics. I think they measure about half a yard or half a meter according to the UK! I think my daughter did a great job of finding some gorgeous fabrics especially for a non-quilter! I have to think of a great way to use these fabrics!

Here are my blocks so far for the Schoolhouse Dash Sew Along. I'm doing my version scrappy since I'm trying to use up my stash whenever possible. Each block measures 12.5" square. I've always liked the pattern and was going to make it at some point. So glad I waited!

I went to JoAnn's this morning to buy batting. While I was there, I bought these kitchen towels. They were marked down 70% so I couldn't resist. While I was walking around, I noticed all their Halloween merchandise was already on display. Isn't it too early for that?? I was a little surprised! It's not even July yet!!

This is the front of my house. It's been raining so much that everything is growing great! Maybe a bit too much but that's fine! No rain is forecast for today. I hope that's true. It's been a soggy and dreary June in the Northeast.

This week's prompt is State/County Fairs. I haven't been to the Topsfield Fair since my kids were little. I always did enjoy it but just haven't had a chance to go. I remember lots of people eating apple pie with a slice of cheese on top. I had never seen that before but it seemed to be a fair favorite! It might be nice to go this year but that won't happen until fall. Fairs are always such fun!

Have a great weekend!!

Some Progress

Although a bit wrinkled, I think you can see this block is almost done. One corner left to go! These shapes are not easy to applique. The shapes are quite curvy and on the small side. It's actually getting easier now that I'm almost done. Figures!

 I now have 4 blocks done for Picnic Flowers. This quilt is made up of 16 blocks so it's moving along quickly. Each block measures 20.5" square. 

It's been hot, humid and very wet. It's been great to stay indoors and sew with air conditioning. I'm hoping this pattern breaks and we get some better weather soon.