This and That - In the Heat of Summer

We are at the heat of summer and it is HOT, HOT, HOT! 

Compared to other places in the world, I should not complain about +31C / 87.8F! 66% humidity is actually dry here in QB! It's comfortable inside, not too hot without A/C, until the afternoon the rooms facing west start heating up, although trees are shading.

In spite of the heat; it will be Christmas this year too! We've had an artificial tree for about 10 years. Last year we didn't put up the tree. With three one y/o kitties!!! Read: most probably a disaster! After all the decorations were put away, the tree was moved to the lower ground floor, without demounting and placed in its carton box. Of course the kitties discovered it was the perfect tree to practice climbing real trees! They had so much fun and in the end the tree looked like a scarecrow! It's time to buy a new tree, but for now it'll be a small one. I may have found one I like. It's a small tree for the table, which I can easily move to another room and close the door during the nights so that the kitties won't have fun, in that tree! 

Speaking of Christmas tree. A couple of weeks ago I had an errand in Port Louis. After the job was done, I went to Caudan Waterfront I like this area, not for the shopping (mostly tourist related shops), rather for the atmosphere next to the sea and there's always some refreshments to buy.

This year, they have put up a huge Christmas tree, decorated in red and gold baubles

I wanted to take a photo of this tree and went back earlier this week. Due to the strong glare from the sun, the baubles look a bit washed out. I wonder how many baubles there are and how long time it took to decorate it?! 

It was a nice, but HOT day in the city! Nice to see something else than the sewing table! Haha! 

Back to reality! 

A few more 36-patches are done

It has grown from 23 blocks here to 31 per yesterday. 

31 blocks x 36 = 1116 2.5" squares. 

What do you do with fabric pieces measuring approximately 6-7 inches or bigger that can't be used for anything? I turn them into round coasters, selling at my Etsy Shop

Binding is added to these, just left to hand sew to the back. 

These are nice spring / summer coasters, in lavender (batik) and light green.

Now, to the custom order; the birthday wall hanging

A sneak-peek; one of the pockets and some of the letters. The letters are 'glued' to the background and ready to be machine appliqued.

I so enjoy working on this one! With its bright and cheerful colors in mostly batik, indeed a fun quilt to make! It has also given me some ideas for future wall quilts. 

Are you busy preparing for Christmas? 

I'm not going to do much. Maybe buy a tree and decorate on Monday. I have a dentist appointment and have to go to town anyway. 

HAPPY SUNDAY & HAPPY QUILTING! 

Never ending Scraps

 How are your all doing? Are you in full swing finishing up gifts or decorating for Christmas? 

It has been way too long since my previous blogpost and I know I have missed a lot in blogland. Working on Advent Calendars for my Etsy Shop has taken up a lot of time. They are a bit tedious to make with all its pockets. I love making them though! 

I'm currently waiting for fabric to finish a custom order. The parcel is released from Customs and should be delivered today. It's a fun project; a birthday wall hanging with pockets to add gifts, made in bright rainbow colors. I also have another custom order to do; two small placemats. None are in a hurry getting it before Christmas, no stress.  

What do you do while waiting for material to continue working on a project? Do you work on another specific project? Or do you do a little bit here and there? I have a heap with USO's to attack, but decided against it. 

Instead, I'm doing this: 

Chain-piecing 2.5" squares into 36-patches blocks.

Per today; 23 blocks x 36 = 828 squares done the last week.

This is box #1. As you can see, almost empty. 

I have three different Moda mini charm packs I haven't opened. All cute squares I may turn into table quilts

Box #2. All sorted on colors. Can't believe I have all that green and brown! 

At the beginning of the year, the goal was to make one 36-patches each day. 'Of course' that didn't happen! lol I've been working on the 2.5" squares off and on Happy to say I have reduced the number of boxes and I think I have enough blocks for at least two twin quilts. Some blocks were UFO, you can see it here, picture #11 (and still is a UFO!)

Before I make the blocks, I pick one of each color and try not to get for example 3-4 of the same color next to each other. I know that is not needed, but I like doing it that way so there's a variation of light and dark squares. 

Today I may start decorating for Christmas. I love Christmas / winter quilts on the walls, even if it is summer, hot and humid here. 

RSC Week 37 - September is Aqua + RSC August was Yellow

 Hello, dear readers and followers! 

Days & weeks seem to keep me busy with other stuff than blogging. The last months have kept me busy making Advent Calendars for my Etsy shop. I've made some new calendars this year and some that sold out last year. I'm almost done! I was not going to make any fall items this year, but ended up making some small items.

In between making Advent Calendars, I've kept up with the RSC, the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

RSC color for September is Aqua. I knew I don't have more then a few aqua. What to do? I figured out I can use a variety of aqua, turquoise and teal. That is how the blocks for the Swirling Stars Quilt were made

The big block

The small blocks

(OOPS! I forgot ironing before taking the photos!)

The RSC color for August was Yellow, and here they are

Big block

The small ones

Now I have all the blocks for the Swirling Stars Quilt, in the following colors: purple, green, blue, pink, orange, red, yellow and aqua/teal/turquoise. 8 big blocks and 16 small blocks. They will be set aside for some time while I'm working on more items for my shop. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC 2023)

RSC Week 30 - End of the RED for July

Hello everyone! Have you missed me? lol 

I can't believe my previous blog post is dated beginning June! Where did those weeks go?! It was not my intention not to blog, it just happened without any particular reason. 

July has kept me busy making Advent Calendars for my Etsy Shop. There are some new calendars this year and some that sold out last year. So far 36 (no, it's not a math mistake!) calendars are done, left to sew binding on some. The pockets can be a bit tedious, but it is mindless sewing and I do love making them. 

Sewing took a break at the beginning of July. DH and I were down with a sort of 'plague'. It may have been Covid or a flu, we didn't bother to get tested. I'm back to normal but DH's coughing is dragging a bit although he is much better. 

Goodbye RSC RED - Welcome the color YELLOW for August! 

July and the color red is at its end. I don't have a big variety of Red either (mostly Christmas reds) - same with orange - but enough to make the blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt. 

Small blocks

What else have I done in red? Not scrappy, but they are red! :) Two Advent Calendars

New Scandi 2023 Makower UK

Festive Magic by CocoGigiDesign for Dashwood Studio 

Backing is red dots on white, from my stash.

This weekend I'll take a break from Advent Calendars and finish up some Halloween / Fall items - she said hopefully! lol 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - RSC

Ongoing and New Scrappy Project

 Do you have an ongoing project? ...Or a new scrappy project? 

Those of you who have followed my blog for some years, know I cut scraps from 1.5" to 5" squares + 1.5" strips, selvages, and saving those odd triangles! I'm keeping up with 1.5" squares, doing pretty well with 2.5",  not so good with the other sizes, strips and selvages.

I spent some time during the weekend catching up on my ongoing scrappy 1.5" squares.

I make 36-patches and I have 9 blocks, I sew them together to 324-patches. It will be easier to handle this size when sewing them into a quilt. Per yesterday, I have ten 324-patches = 3240 squares pieced together + approximately 180 squares already sewn together but now enough for a big block.

 The box looks rather empty now compared to what it did before the weekend! 

You may wonder how I keep up with it?

To avoid uncontrolled accumulation of scraps (had my share of that!), I cut scraps into squares and strips when I'm working on a project or when a top is done. 

One of the (three!) 2.5" boxes. When I need a break from a project, I usually add some squares together. I have a heap with 36-patches, my guess is I have enough for two quilts. Forgot to take a photo of that heap, but you can see it here, row #4, middle photo. More 36-patches have been added since January! 

New project! 

A chance to use up some 2.5", 3" and 5" squares

 

The pattern is called 'Patchwork Potpourri", part #1 posted in Love of Quilting March/April 2023. Part #2 and #3 continue in the next two magazine issues. 

Finished size is 82" x 82", 100 8" blocks. This should keep me out of trouble for some months! 

RSC Week 21 - End of the Orange Month

 Goodbye RSC ORANGE - Welcome DARK & BRIGHT BLUES for June! 

I haven't gone through my blue colors for June, not sure what I have. I do have a lot of blues, but dark & bright? 

Well, May and the color orange is nearing its end. I don't have a big variety of orange, just enough to make the blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt

The big block

...and the two small blocks

What to do with the remaining orange? 

Do you remember the '70's, when orange & brown were hot colors? My first sewing machine, a Husqvarna, (not my photo) was orange! I had it for years, until the engine burnt. Going down memory lane together with my dear friend in Norway, who painted his room orange and brown, to his father's despair! LOL 

An idea was born! 

Make a quilt in orange and brown! Moda Marbles' Chocolate Brown 6851 + orange!

I had only about 3/4 yard Chocolate Brown, enough to make 10 blocks, but not enough for a quilt. 

I was pondering what to do next.... I can get more of the brown, but decided against it for now. My goal this year to use fabric from my stash. 

What colors go with orange and brown? I did a search and there are some stunning combinations with blue. Take a look at the batik block above; it has dark blue and turquoise together with orange and a touch of brown. 

Another dive into my Moda Marbles! 

Moda Marbles Steel Blue 9881-25. 

I have about 3/4 yard of this color too, should be enough for 10 blocks - 7 blocks made. Still not enough for a quilt! 

Moda Marbles Slate Blue 9882-13. (I don't think steel blue and slate blue are available anymore?)

Another 3/4 yards, another 10 blocks - 4 blocks made. The slate blue is a bit darker than the photo, a beautiful color. 

I'm not yet sure about the layout, maybe 5 x 6 blocks, 10" blocks. If I go for sashing, what color should that be? Black is almost always 'safe', what about deep olive green? Your opinion, please! 

HAPPY QUILTING!

RSC Week 20 - May is Orange

 Hello everyone! 

Any progress on Orange - the RSC color for May, hosted by Angela over at SOScrappy? 

I'm a bit behind, but will get there eventually. I have been busy finishing the purple quilt top. More about that in another blog post. 

Orange. Orange has never been a favorite color and that is visible in my stash; approximately 4.5 yards.

Some of them may be seen as yellow with orange, like #6 from left. The spots are orange and since I have only a few, I chose to use it as orange. I had already cut the squares when I remembered to take photos. Didn't have much of those two fabrics, turning them into reversible coasters. 

I've cut triangles for the Swirling Star Quilt. One block (big and small) has 14 colors. I have 12 different orange. I would love if I can find 2 more, which I doubt!

Update!!! 

I had totally forgotten the Moda Marbles! Had a look there and found 3 orange! That adds more t0 the yardage; approximately 7 yards. Plan this evening is to make one big and two small blocks for the Swirling Star Quilt. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - RSC 

Finished UFO and Other Finishes, No progress on Purple

 I took some days finishing several small items sitting on the table and taking up space.

Two scrappy green table toppers are done

These green pieces were scraps left from RSC March - the GREEN month - after I finished the green Churn Dash quilt. All batik, except the green Moda Marbles backing. These two small table toppers are for the kitchen; top of microwave oven and cupboard.

Out of approximately 30 yards green fabric, I have about 11 yards left, mostly Moda Marbles. Yeah me!

I've finished the custom order for my friend in Norway

Table runner

Two pillow covers

Placemat / table topper

Mug Rug

Placemat and mug rug are made from table scraps

A finished UFO! 

This is the one that popped up AFTER I had done my UFO list!

(UFO list to be updated end of June)

Made another patriotic table runner for my shop

...and coasters from table scraps

No progress on the purple quilt, except that I received the charm packs. 

These squares are soooo yummy! 

The idea was to use mostly tonal purples, but now I don't know what to do?! These purples and greens are so beautiful and I think they would brighten up the quilt. I may not use the greens, but maybe the tonal purples and those with greens. What do you think? 

So, the color for May is ORANGE. That's not an easy one for me. I may have a few, but not enough for anything, I think... I will have to go through my stash this week, searching for orange! 

 

RSC Week 15 - Purple Progress and a Few Finishes

 It's Saturday again and time for RSC

I completely missed last Saturday and now we are already halfway through April! How did that happen?! Cooler days (beginning 'cold season') although the last days have been HOT and humid with thunderstorms. 

Slow progress on the purples. First I did was to make the blocks for the Swirling Stars quilt 

The small blocks (not very clever to photograph white on white!)

The big block

Do you remember the bunny fabric? 

A little purple here too and part of the bunny stripes has become placemats, mug rug and tea cozy. I used Moda Marbles 'Iris' for the binding, just enough for these items. 

Set of 6 placemats

Mug rug

Insulated tea cozy, same both sides

When I purchase fabric (from the US) I usually add one or two quilt magazines. What caught my eyes was Quiltmaker's cover photo in the May/June '22 edition; the blue and white coffee cup quilt, hence I bought the magazine. Don't you love quilt magazines? I do! What's better to snuggle up on the sofa enjoying a cuppa and reading a magazine? I love that! 

So, now you may believe this is the quilt I chose for the purple? Nope! I chose 'Bases Loaded' by Becky Rico (scroll down to the green / cream HST quilt). I thought that would make a nice purple and white/cream scrap quilt, using up some white/cream scraps too.

I have 5 blocks (16 inches finished), and a little helper today! I realized there are some purples I won't have enough and I don't want to end up with several HSTs in the same fabric for the last blocks. I ordered a charm pack with a variety of purples, should get it in about two weeks. I needed thread to finish binding on a few pink items too. The thread I have is not even close to matching.  

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge RSC

RSC Week 13 - End of the GREEN Month and Two Finishes

Goodbye RSC GREEN March - Welcome RSC PURPLE April! 

It has been a busy month after I decided making the green quilt. First I thought of Rail Fence, but after pondering about that, I went for scrappy Churn Dash blocks (12" finished). Those blocks are easy and fast to make. My goal for March was to make and finish the quilt, and so I did! 

Scrappy Churn Dash quilt, approximately 72 x 96 inches / 183 x 244 cm

I had sew much fun piecing the backing! A couple of crumb blocks from table scraps and bits and pieces of green. I always dread whether the four sides become straight and I must say I'm very happy with this one. 

Quilted in an allover meandering design using Aurifil #2902 50 wt Light Laurel Green. 

The binding is Kaufman, Kona Solid Leaf Green

Finish #2 is the PINK 'Disappearing 9-path'

RSC February

I did a pieced backing on this one too, to use up as much pink as possible

A crumb block from table scraps 

I thought this pink leaves on green fabric would make a fun binding. Quilted in loopy swirls using Aurifil wt50 #2437 Peachy Pink

(Look at that white thread!!! Where did it come from?! Have to remove that one asap!) 

These two quilts are gifts to two sweethearts who are moving back to South-Africa in a few months. 

We are already two days into April! How did that happen?! 

RSC color for April is PURPLE - chosen by Angela over at SOSCRAPPY

Do I have purple? Silly question! We all have purple in our stash, don't we?! 

I've never been crazy about purple, hence not a big variety; approximately 12-13 yards. 

Do you see the 'pinkish' one? Number 3 from the left. It's Moda Marbles Fuchsia, where would you place it? Purple? Or Pink? Your opinion appreciated. 

The first I did after I got to know purple is the color for April, was to cut all the pieces for one big and two small star blocks for the Swirling Stars Quilt

(Update: The big block is done)

What do I do with what is left? A bit less than one yard is binding for some placemats (photos later). For the remaining; I have a square quilt in mind, lets see how that pans out. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge RSC

HAPPY PURPLE APRIL!