Like a Kid Out of School for the Summer

Yesterday I looked forward to today as if I were a kid let out of school for the summer.  I realized that the quilt I was so diligently trying to finish by the end of May--BowTies--was done and the only other active quilt in progress was hand quilting Flowers.  My life was wide open to possibilities.  Today, however, I'm feeling at a loss.  I have to make a decision about what's next (because I can't just sit and do nothing, can I?).

There are several possibilities.

Roses at the Garden Market?  These blocks have been tugging at me.  Each green square will finish at 4½". These have been on my mind for a few months.  I started them in 2015 and they've been waiting since 2017.  I can't work on them quite yet because the kitties are here until next Wednesday and I need to lay all 180 of the squares on the floor to sort the arrangement.  Then I'll decide on sashing/or not between blocks.  I'm torn between red and white/natural striped sashing and grey or some other color between blocks, or maybe a group of nine blocks side-by-side and sashing around those....  Or...?

Baskets of Plenty are still waiting, too.

These are sewn into a top but they will get unstitched.  These bright, lively flowers deserve better than the static, monochromatic sashing they have now.  What was I thinking?!  But unstitching is a sit-down task similar to quilting.  Maybe these would be better when I finish quilting Flowers.

The blue and light sampler blocks have been finished for a few years.  Finished unless I need to make more.

These need sashing and a border.  What color, what fabric?  I have 20 blue 12" blocks and am thinking about adding several brown ones--maybe.  I'm also thinking about 4" sashing, but I'm not sure.  And I'm still not sure about 4 x 5 blocks or 4 x 6 blocks or 5 x 6 or 7 blocks.  All of these blocks have a diamond or a square in the center, surrounded by the opposite.  It's interesting to me how much weight some of these carry.  I also find it interesting how the same arrangement of parts can look so different depending on the tone or shade of the fabric.

I have some little 3½" spool blocks I should do something with.  I like spools, sort of....

These are made of more modern fabrics in mostly bright colors.  It would be a simple, quick finish, I suppose.  But I can never decide what to do with little quilts.... 

Sweet Land of Liberty is in the wings but I'm not ready to pull that out just now.

Or, of course, I could start something new.  Now that's a fun idea!

Maybe a quilt with rose-printed fabrics?

I've been collecting them for a few years now and have some vintage pieces.   I don't have a specific pattern in mind, though....

I guess I could always clean up my sewing space.  (I'm too embarrassed to post photos.)

Or I could play, like kids out of school, or just be lazy for a week and sit and quilt and watch videos or listen to books on tape....  I think I'll decide tomorrow.

Do you ever feel like the kid out of school for the summer?  Do you have summer quilting plans?  Do your quilting habits change from season to season?

--Nancy.

Oh Me, Oh My

With only a few feet of binding left to sew on Noah's quilt last night I was feeling discouraged for only finishing two quilts this year.  What have I been doing with my time?  How could I have accomplished so little when it seems I'm always working on something?!  Later in the evening I was organizing some digital photos and as I scrolled through a large, unsorted file, I had a different perspective.  Lots unfinished, for sure, but progress toward finishes, too.  (Though maybe too many beginnings for one year.)  These are some of the photos of quilt parts I saw.

Quarter Cabins.  I have a nice stack of these little 4" blocks and have been thinking of making a strippy quilt with them.  Barely an idea, no real idea what to put in the strip between the log cabin strips.  I'd love to participate in Julie's Log Cabin Lunacy.

Sweet Land of Liberty.  This was a sew-along hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts.  I started late then couldn't keep up and was considering either not finishing or turning the blocks into little medallion quilts.  I was thrilled to learn that she'll be hosting the sew-along again next year, this time on Cheri Payne's Facebook page.  Reprieve!  I have a second chance!

Red and brown four-patch blocks.  These scrappy blocks make me think of strings of rubies.  I became disinterested in this, or maybe discouraged or bored or uncertain how it would look when finished, but an image of it quilted flashed through my mind last night.  I just need to cut and sew, cut and sew.  The larger double four-patch blocks will finish at 3", four together to make a diamond/square will finish at 6".

The Blue and the Gray.  The red crosses on the right will become cornerstones in the sashing for the blocks on the left.  I've been collecting fabrics for the sashing pieces which will be cut at 5½" x 9½".













Linda Brannock's Flowers.  This is a sew-along on Facebook.  I started late on this one, too.  Most people are about done with theirs.  I've finished one more flower than is in this photo, have the pattern for the next block, and will have four more blocks to make plus half-triangle squares for the sashing.

Cheri Payne's Everyday Patchwork.  These need sashing, cornerstones, border, and applique on the border.

Little Spools.  These will finish at 3".  I have enough for a small quilt....  Or I could make more but I don't really enjoy making them.  These were leader/ender blocks suggested by Bonnie Hunter a few years ago. 

These aren't all the quilt blocks/quilts I have in progress, just the ones I've worked on this year.  While they don't amount to finishes, I can at least see that I've made some progress.

Oh me, oh my.  So many options, so much to do!  From these I will choose my monthly goal for November.   (And I will not start another quilt until one or two of these is/are finished.  I will not start another quilt....  I will not start another quilt....  I must not join a sew-along....)

--Nancy.
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Like a Wet Lion

March came in like a wet lion today.  No ferocious cold, just damp, grey skies and rain.  Plenty of rain.  Last week when we had temperatures in the 70s I was sure the groundhog was wrong and that March would arrive like a lamb.

I've been working on two dark quilts, the rubies/strawberries/cherries on brown and the blue and tan/grey utility stars.  With so much grey and darkness surrounding me both outside and in, I felt the need for color.  Bright, happy colors.  So I pulled out these little spool blocks. 

And played just a little.

Six more are in progress and then I'll have 36 little spools.  They finish at 3" and they're really cute but they haven't been much fun to make.  This is my least favorite block pattern ever.  They are a bear to sew!  The diagonals are the problem and every block is at least a little cattywumpus, even when I draw or press the diagonals and pin before sewing.  Despite the difficulty in making them, they were a sweet, colorful diversion during today's grey rain.  I'll make enough more to make a small quilt, but that's it.

Here's the wet March lion I saw outside today.  I really do love rainy days, but I would have been happier had this been snow.  (Grumble, grumble, grumble.)  Sun is predicted for the next several days but I see a chance of snow, too.  I will welcome either one.

I'm linking this post to
> Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts and
> Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.