Coffee With Dad - An RSC Flimsy, Another WIP

As the title says; Coffee with Dad is a Flimsy!

Viola at Familie Barwitzki challenged me to work on my UFO #26, since 26 is her birthday. Now that Swirling Stars is on hold, waiting (forever! due to shipping error from the online shop!) for ordered quilting thread, I accepted the challenge. 

In my previous post I mentioned I had too many blocks for one quilt. 

That is absolutely not true! I don't know where my head was, or better say brain (it must have melted in the heat these days!), when I figured out I need 36 coffee cup blocks! I had 64 blocks and thought I would use the 'leftovers' for another smaller quilt. 

OK, it didn't turn out! After re-reading the pattern, I noticed I misread. It reads; 'make 36 sets of 2 matching'. It's there I made the mistake; I must have read '36' only. LOL

The idea was to make it a lap quilt size; approximately 60 x 72 inches. It grew bigger! lol Instead of the intended size, I made it 60 x 84 inches. 

A pieced backing is done too. (Photos later).

The chosen RSC color for March is RED

I did part of A Quilting Life's BOM 2025 last year (RSC colors). I'm doing the rest of the blocks this year

One of them is the block for March, in red

Next up to work on: UFO #5 - Basket Quilt.

The pattern is called 'Retro Baskets' by Chris Jurd, published in Marvellous Machine-made Quilts magazine. I can't find any date/year this magazine was published. I got it from an ex-pen friend in New Zealand, in May 2008. Some pages are missing, she kept patterns she wanted to make. 

I don't have any records of when I started working on this quilt. I believe it was in 2020, since it is on my UFO list 2021 (#10).

After making the first two blocks (whenever that was), I got a bit discouraged. I didn't like the blocks; they looked dull and lacked contrast (here). Great suggestions from my dear quilting friends, I ripped off the outer border and changed it to low volume fabric (here).  

I've spent hours (over)thinking what fabrics to use on the next blocks. I pulled out this, that and fabrics I could think of. I didn't like any of them! After sleeping on it, I came up with the idea to use leftovers from 'Over the River and Through the Woods'. It may not work either.... together with the fabrics I chose when I decided to make the quilt. I'm NOT going to buy any new fabrics for this one! What I have, has to work! lol

More pondering... SIGH! 

Then, looking at the blocks for the umpteenth time! 

There's something with them I don't like, but what? Then I saw Melva's beautiful basket block and knew right away this is how I want to make them look like a basket with flowers, if you follow what I mean

Years ago, for unknown reason, I decided I needed to add basket weave fabric to my stash. Don't ask me why, because they are still there! LOL I don't remember how many I bought, I have 6 half yards left. I also have one in bright blue that will be used as part of the backing on True Blue. Another one was pink. (YIKES!) If I remember right, most of it was used to make Arreli's pink quilt and RSC blocks. 

I made another block, using basket weave fabric for the 'basket'. 

Doesn't this one (to the left) look more like a basket with flowers? 

Which one would you prefer? I think I'd go for the one to the left. I don't want more overthinking! lol I've already spent 3-4 days pondering about this one. The few blocks I've already made can be used for a pieced backing.

It's still hot here. We are not much outside, except yard work / weeding (when the weather allows) and grocery shopping in early mornings before it gets too hot. 

Yesterday we decided we have to get out for a longer walk. Layer of sun protection, bottle of water, and out we went. We went to the neighbour town Rose Hill and back, about 6.2 miles / 10 km. It was hot, about 89.6F / 32C with a nice breeze, it was bearable. 

On our way home, we discovered a breadfruit tree with fruits 

(click on the photo to enlarge)

Although it is classified as a fruit, it is used as a vegetable; like potatoes

 

Lots of fruits on this tree

The trees become monsters and usually have a lot of fruits

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

 

Who sent the Squirrel?!

Since last Saturday I've been doing a little bit tidying on the sewing table. 

Before I packed away the red fabrics (RSC April), I made these two small hot pads. Aren't they cute? 

The rectangle one measures a bit shy of 6.75 x 8.75 inches

The round one is 8.25 inches across

But that was not what I was going to talk about! 

I had finished some items for my Etsy Shop, the hot pads, and the 'plan' was to sandwich another UFO (my goal for May)

After a delicious morning cuppa, I was going to start working on that UFO.

Update (one week later): the UFO is under the needle!  

SQUIRREL DISTRACTION!!!! 

While my DH was preparing tea, a squirrel disturbed my UFO preparation!!! I've made some place mats for my shop recently, and that squirrel reminded me I have place mats panels in the (fabric) buffet upstairs! 

Of course I went to have a look, and this is what came with me to the sewing room; 

8 Paris place mats 

+ backing 

Last year I ordered 2 Advent Calendars from a well known online shop in the US.

This is what they sent me; 2 Place mats panels!!! LOL 

8 cupcakes / birthday place mats!

Eventually I got the calendars and where told to keep the place mats. What to do with them? Not exactly what I would have chosen, but I ended up purchasing backing and binding from the same fabric line. After all, I think they are quite cute and great for cupcakes party or birthday. 

I have a big (I think?) selection of Coffee fabrics and I just love these small mug rug size panels! 

I even made one mug rug! (Forgot to take photo!)

What else came with me to the sewing table?

A UFO! A small wall hanging

I don't know how many times (and years!) this one has been pulled out of the shelf for so to go back in again! I know how I want it, but.... I'm worried I'll mess it all up!

The background is black & white squares pieced together, from light to dark. My idea has always been to fussy cut the poppies and applique to the background, using the raw edge quilting method and maybe add seed beads to the poppy centers. 

Any tips / suggestions?  

A fun chicken / farmhouse panel

I had to laugh out load of these chickens, they are really fun! 

Maybe some potholders? Or mug rugs?

Fun chickens, what about these? 

What can I make of these hilarious cats?? Each panel measures 7.25 x 11 inches, I have two panels. Place mats with some coordinating fabric ( I have only the panels and busy background fabric from that fabric line), or small wall quilts? 

Any suggestion is welcome! 

I'm currently quilting 'Tomten's Quilt' and hope to get it done by the weekend. 

A glorious morning today, however meteo has issued a 'heavy rain watch' for this afternoon. I'd better get ready to do some yardwork before it gets wet! 

RSC Week #16 - RED for April

 It's the end of the third week in April and finally last week I did some blocks for the RSC. Angela at SuperScrappy has chosen RED as the color for April.

First up is Pat Sloan's 182 Day Solstice Challenge

Block 22/25 - Weather Vane

Measures 24.5" x 24.5" / 62 x 62 cm

Block 25/25 - Summer Rose

Measures 12.5" x 12.5" / 32 x 32 cm

Out of 25 blocks, I have 8 blocks left to make in RSC colors.

Coffee with Dad

4 blocks

I didn't have any red fabric to fussy cut in this size (3-1/2"). I thought the red chilies is a fun one, for chili lovers! 😀

5 Scrappy blocks

...and I had a RED cat! (Top right) Isn't it cute?! I wanted to use it for a coffee cup, but it was too big.

Hollow 9-patches - 5 blocks

You may notice 'Eclipse' blocks are missing? 

I have yet to make one or two. 

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

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter Weekend!

RSC Week #7 - Red Heart Strips

 Happy Weekend! 

How come it's weekend again? It must have been a busy week! 

After doing the last RED blocks (Red chosen for February) for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I tidied up my sewing table by moving the red fabrics to the large buffet (where most of my stash is stored), I thought I was done with RED for this month. 

WRONG! 

Earlier this week, I finished quilting a couple of patriotic / Norwegian Flag table runners and was about to cut strips for the binding. Before I was going to do that, I had a coffee break (very important!) and flipped through a couple of quilting magazine (which I love!). 

My eyes caught the scrappy quilt pattern 'Keep the Home Fires Burning', designed by Emily Bailey. 

SQUIRREL MOMENT!!! 

(Sudden distraction that pulls us away from what we are currently doing. From the movie UP, where the dog Doug gets distracted by a squirrel, sets off to chase it and shouts SQUIRREL!)

Forgotten was the binding strips I was going to cut for the TR's! Instead, I rushed upstairs, pulled out the red fabrics from the buffet, brought it down to the sewing table and began cutting strips for the heart, the centre of the quilt!  

What a pain getting these colors right! Well then, I'm not a photographer! I see now that I could have used more red instead of 2-3 of the red on white, but... oh well, done is done! The background is Moda Marbles #9859 Pastel Grey. 

I had some squares on the table and made nine 4-patches out of 47 required. These finish at 3 inches.

Other scrappy blocks includes; bowties, pinwheels, 9-patches and some strips. 

The fabric requirements are about 8 yards, which should make a tiny dent in my stash!

After doing this squirrel, maybe I'll get in the mood working on a UFO? 

Still hot, humid and rain showers here, no venture out except grocery shopping. We've had a few days 91.4F / +33C, which is hot for the area we live. Hotter on the west coast; 96.8F / +36C. Meteo says it's the effect of El Nino this year... Hotter than usual, for sure. 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2024

RSC Week #6 - RED Blocks and BOM

Another week has passed and it's time for RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge - update.

My intention was not to participate in any BOM or QAL this year, because I have way too many UFOs that have to be finished. 

Did I stick to that? Nope! I couldn't resist Sherri McConnel's 'A Quilting Life' BOM 2024. A new block is posted first Monday of each month. I'm doing the blocks in scrappy RSC colors and here is the January block in green. The blocks come in two sizes; 8" and 16". I'm doing the 16" (more scraps used!) 

I waited patiently for the February block and it did not disappoint! 

I really like how it turned out in red

I made eight Split-9 blocks too

They are made from 3" and 3.5" (HST) already cut 

Linking up with Angela and the RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

  

 

From Green to Red - RSC February Color

 HAPPY SCRAPPY FEBRUARY! 

How did it become February already? I'm sure you've noticed; February has 29 days - leap year - more time for quilting!

February means a new RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) color, and RED is chosen by Angela at soscrappy.blogspot.com

Since February 1 was midweek, we got some extra days playing with GREEN (RSC January color)

It has been a long time since I participated in a BOM (Block-Of-the-Month. I did not intend participating in any this year either, but then I came across Sherri McConnel's A Quilting Life BOM 2024. A new block is posted first Monday of each month. 

I think this BOM is perfect for using scraps as well as the RSC monthly colors. 

The pattern for each block features two sizes; 8 and 16 inches. 

I opted for the 16 inches, hence more fabric used! lol 

I struggled a bit with the small star spikes. Although they are all different green fabric, I noticed afterwards I could have paid more attention to the placement, i.e. there are two almost same green color next to each other at the top right corner / spikes. Those two could have been a tad darker too. Oh well, done is done! 

I running out of neutral / white / cream as background fabric. Moda Marbles came to rescue again! Here I've used 'Flag Ivory'. I had a look at the new Moda Marbles color chart 2023 and 'Flag Ivory' is amongst many colors not printed anymore.

After making the first BOM block, I decided to do the 4 Scrap Jar blocks in RED. It's a good start using some of those (accumulated over the years) 2" squares. I also get to use some already cut 4" squares for the star spikes and background. 

I really like how they turned out in RED! 

I've made some Zipper blocks too.

The sun is finally shining after all the rain we had from those two cyclones. It has dried up a bit and this morning we did some long overdue yard work. 

Linking up with Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) 2024

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