playing blog catch-up

 Whoa! It’s been a while!!

Recently, during a phone call, my mom mentioned she’s re-reading past posts in this blog. lol, I think that’s her sweet way of giving a little nudge and reminding me that she would love for me to write more. This is just for you, Mom 😉.

I’ve been making samples for the quilt store. It has kept me very busy. However, I just met a deadline this morning and tonight I’m taking it easy and having some Whimsy-stitching time. 

Two projects going on here. One is a leader, the other is an ender. 😝 I have no idea which is which 🤪.

These are the little cut-off (trash) corners from a couple recent quilt tops. I’m not quite sure what they will become, but I can’t toss them out 🤭.

Stash Busting Parrots was inspired by an Instagram post by mckillopmichelle Magic Carpet

The half square triangles with black background were the cut offs from the colorful Stash Busting Parrots. While making the quilt top, I stitched a second line on the cut off corner so the hst would also be stitched and ready to go. I don’t dare calculate how many hst’s I’ve ended up with, that green box holds most of them. I will give you a clue - each block in Stash Busting Parrots would have 4 cut off corners and it’s an 18 x 18 grid. Yep, nope I’m not doing the math on that! It’s a big number that I don’t need to know.

 I decided to make them into 3” finished Shoo Fly blocks. It’ll be fun making a block here and there. Either, stitching them like a pallet cleanser between projects, like tonight. Or at a slower pace, one seam at a time, as I use them as spacers when working on other projects. (Leaders and Enders - as coined by Bonnie Hunter.)

The lighter colored triangles in top right corner of the first photo are cut offs from the sashing stars in the Spring Sprouts quilt.

These cut off triangles are too small for hst (in my opinion.) I was very close to throwing them out… but I couldn’t resist the challenge to use them.

This cool Mini Simple Folded Corners acrylic ruler is coming in handy with these triangles. Trimming the dog-ear corners before stitching. It’s a game changer for lining up the pieces for a perfect seam!! I like it!

So, I’m definitely finding it easier these days to post pics of what I’m working on in Instagram and Facebook. A small blurb about it and I can move onto the next thing.

I kinda feel like I should do a little catch-up in this blog. So here are some of the my projects since I last updated this blog.

Molly's Green Thumb quilt pattern
by Christa Smith - Cotton Berry Quilts
36" x 36"

I only made it into the month of March with my 2022 temperature quilt.
I determined to continue with it sometime in the future.

I forget the name of this pattern.
I didn't like the dark flower centers, so I replaced them with lighter squares.
this quilt was gifted to our friends in France when we went to visit in April.

I taught a Cathedral Window class.

I taught freezer paper foundation piecing.

Three Little Friends
designed by Nadra Ridgeway of ellisandhiggs.com
I still need to make the 3rd friend, Lambkin.

I'm designing my own medallion quilt.
Frankie fabric collection by BasicGrey for Moda.
It's about 54" square now. I think I want 2 more rounds.

Enchanted Hollow Block of the Month at work.
by Crabapple Hill Studio.
I am learning a lot about running Block of the Months. Like, I don't have to continue stitching after the BoM has started. Taking it off my commitment list was a great relief.

I made a puff quilt for a customer.

Dusted George off to quilt the puff quilt.

After the puff quilt, I needed some free-motion practice.

I designed an applique block for the 
Texas Christmas 2022 Shop Hop.
It's so cool to think it will be in a few quilts made by shoppers.

I also did the block in embroidery to show customers how it can be made up differently.

This is The Old Craft Store's 2022 3rd Saturday BoM.
The BoM runs through December, but I had to get this one off my commitment list.

Eclispe Quilt Pattern by Frannie B. Quilt Co.
made with the Elegance fabric collection.
I just had to make this one. Thankfully my boss wanted it as a sample in the store.

This one is a Whimsy project.
made with the Chickadee fabric collection.
The pattern is a free download - The Honey Quilt by Jessica Dayon.
I'm contemplating the quilting technique and design. So many options! 

Merry Little Christmas by Kathy Schmitz
a hand embroidered little quilt, finishes approx. 13" x 16.5"
Made as a store sample for the summer Christmas event. It was so fun to stitch up.

Ok! I guess that covers a lot of what I've been up to quilt-wise since February.  Next in line is another BoM for the store, a patriotic quilt!

Thank you for stopping by! (hope this fits the bill, Mom. Thanks for the encouragement.)