RSC Color for May is Orange / A Squirrel popped in

Who sent the squirrel?!

...and one can't work on UFOs all the time, right? 

 

I've been admiring the '99 Charms quilts' in RSC colors at GraceandPieceQuilting. Nancy has done a fabulous job on those quilts, using 5 inch squares from scraps, and quilted beautifully! 

I got inspired! 

I have a shoe box full of 5" squares and wasn't sure how to use them. Not that it was a priority to use them, but after admiring Nancy's quilts, I decided to do the same. Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy! 

There were squares  in colors I have more of than other colors;  

'99 charms' quilt in red and red & white

Blue and yellow

Brown, orange, green and some neutrals to fill in.

I'm out of orange, no yardage. The squares used in this quilt is what I had left from other projects. I have orange squares in sizes from 1.5 up to 4 inches, but no yardage.

(Dark and dreary today, the photos don't give justice to the colors)

It did make a dent in the box, but I think I still have enough for 2-3 quilts in the same size. They would be more scrappy in colors. 

I loved making these quilts. They are fun and really fast to make. They are all flimsies and I'm not going to finish them now (unless I get bored with other projects). I think I have some flannel pieces I can use for backing. 

Since the RSC color for May is Orange, I continue quilting 'Remember 70's' UFO. I've given it that name due to the colors that were popular in the 70s; brown and orange. Thinking about it now, not a bad combination actually, but after having those colors in the kitchen for some years, I really hated it! ..and I know for sure I'll never use these colors as interior colors in any room! lol

I have a couple of flimsies and a finish to show, but that'll be for another post. 

Linking up with:

Angela and RSC 2026 (Rainbow Scrap Challenge)

Melva Loves Scraps / Sew & Tell

 

RSC April 2026 - PINK / Dear Nina is back!

It has been some busy days since my previous post.

It has been yard work and decluttering. I've gone through lots of papers, tossed or shredded most. I couldn't believe how many quilt patterns I've collected; 2 big ring binders! I've kept one stitchery pattern! It has 12 cute snowmen motifs, how could I toss it?! It would make a fun winter / Christmas quilt. 

Last week was 'sewing week'. 

Yes! Dear Nina (Bernina 440 QE) is back from the spa in South Africa! She had a total breakdown and the dealer here nor Bernina Switzerland, did have the spare parts to get it repaired. A DF offered to take it to SA for repair. Now she's back! The S-board (motherboard), L-board (circuit board), and a buttonhole sensor had to be replaced. I've been 'test-driving' and so far so good! 

Since the RSC color for April is pink, I decided to sew some 9-patches. I don't know how many 2" squares I have, it's a lot! I just have to start somewhere! I was into 2" and 2.5" squares swaps for 2-3 years (?). I have made bed quilts using all (almost!) 2.5", but haven't done much to the 2". 

I got carried away and made 10 blocks using 2" squares

Pink is not amongst my favorite colors, but I have to admit these blocks look good, don't they?   

I'd been lurking at Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' QAL (first block posted Dec 2016). 

I made the first blocks in May 2024. All blocks were done, except block 8/25; 'Never ending love'. 

I wanted to make the heart(s) pink, but ran out of that color. I gave in and purchased 10 pink/red FQs (Fat Quarters). I didn't like the 3 layers (original pattern) of hearts, instead I added one pink heart. 

....and when that last block was made, I decided to assemble the quilt! It's big; 86 x 86 inches (approximately 220 cm square). I'm almost done! 

Another RSC BOM I didn't finish last year, is A Quilting Life BOM 2025. 

I have most colors, but a few missing, like pink

This is the February block 

I used bits and pieces of pink for the centre block. The pink used for the log cabin, are some from the FQs I purchased. 

and May block in red and green

I'm also doing A Quilting Life BOM 2026, in red, blue and white

March block

April block

I'm currently assembling the Basket quilt. The centre is done, but I ran into a problem with the second (pieced) border. It turned out too long to fit the first border, so I have to come up with a solution. UGH! I'm below zero in math, but I can't let the quilt win and let it become a UFO again! I'll make it work! lol 

Together with our DF Allan, we went for a hike in the Black River Gorges

One of the view points; facing the west coast

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

and Sew & Tell at Melva Loves Scraps

  

WIP: Basket Quilt and Mini-Dwellings

We've had some nice cooler days, but the last couple of days the weather has been sultry! Wind from North (Equator), means hot! I had to do a couple of errands Wednesday morning, and I have to say I was glad when it was done and I was home again!

Today is Equinox (March 20). The beginning of the 'cold season' for us living on the Southern Hemisphere, although we won't feel any difference until beginning April. Can't wait for cooler days! 

Since my previous post, there has been some progress on the Basket Quilt. 

All the small triangles were cut and pieced together with the 4-patches,  for the second border. 

The corner blocks are done too

As I have mentioned earlier; what I have left of the basket weave fabrics as well as the first (gremlin) blocks I made (and didn't like that much), go into the pieced backing

There's no more I can do on this one until I get the ordered background fabric for the basket blocks.  

A little progress on the Mini-Dwellings stitchery

The tree is done.

Trunk & branches are backstitches, leaves are lazy daisy stitches. 

It has been years since I did lazy daisy stitches, it took me some stitches getting into it

Thread Update: The parcel has arrived and is at the Customs! I should get it by next week. 

Even if I haven't worked with red fabrics, at least there are a few red squares in the blocks for the Basket Quilt that should count. 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026) 

and

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell