Stolen Moments for Stitching

I've been having an interesting week settling into my new schedule. Most days have included an afternoon nap to combat the short nights of sleep and that has cut into the time I had planned to sew. But I've been stealing moments here and there and last night I thought I would take a series of photos to show how my round for the Round Robin is coming along. I should have it completed and ready to be mailed by tomorrow evening. 

Completed String blocks awaiting trimming.

First two sides trimmed to make a 9" block.

Last two sides trimmed to make a 9" block.

Then cut into 2 - 4 1/2"x 9" rectangles.

Cut one in half to make 2 -  4 1/2" squares.

Cut remaining rectangle in half so I ended up with 4 - 4 1/2" squares.

Here are 8 of the 4 1/2" squares laid out in the border pattern I plan to use for the Round Robin.

I may add a narrow solid or tone on tone before I add this pieced border.

Progress on the "Cake Square" Table topper

I started today but getting the laundry sorted and started and the kitchen cleaned up from breakfast. Then I jumped back into the "cake square" project. But first let me back up a bit and explain what the "Cake Squares" are all about. An on-line friend, Diane and I swapped (4) 10 1/2" squares of each theme - "coffee cake", "Strawberry Shortcake"; and "Irish creme" cake. Once I received the squares from Diane I went about cutting them up into 5" and 2 1/2" squares enough to make the center and a narrow border. This morning I pulled 3 different browns from my stash and posted pictures on Facebook as well as the on-line Quilter's group that Diane and I belong to get opinions of which brown would make the best border...

Majority ruled that the one on the bottom was best.

While I was waiting for the in-put I sewed all the little squares together to create the next border; then I added a 6" strip of the chosen brown all around. I did add some 6" squares to each corner as the width of the brown fabric wasn't quite enough to cover the full expanse of the quilt. And this is where I left off for tonight...

Tomorrow I will add the little squares border and then perhaps another narrow border using the brown at the top of the first picture. Then I'll quilt and bind it. I can hardly wait to put this on my kitchen table.

A New Kitchen table topper

Remember these? Well I started cutting them up for a table topper; from each 10+inch block I cut 3 - 5" squares and 4 - 2 1/2" squares. And then I decided I needed 1 more square of each color family to have enough to do a 10 square by 10 square table topper. The 2 1/2" squares will be utilized in a border around later.

This is the layout so far...

One day maybe I will have a flannel covered design wall so that I can plan out a full sized quilt. 4 more rows will be added once these are all sewn together. I was going to sew today but have been in a weird sort of mood and just let the day slip by only doing a couple loads of laundry the dishes and cooking dinner. I feel kinda guilty for not getting more done. Perhaps tomorrow I will be more productive. Some days I'm just a "veggie".

WOW - That weekend went F-A-S-T

I didn't get around to posting yesterday and was just too tired last night; so here I am this morning - GOOD MORNING~

Yesterday I started the day cutting "cake squares" (10 1/2" squares) for a swap. Only two of us signed up for this one but thats OK - I'll put the squares to good use - I all ready have plans for them. There were "themes" - Coffee cake, Strawberry short cake and Irish creme cake. I wrapped my swap partners up with a bow.

 After I had finished the cake squares I washed, ironed and ripped muslin into about 13" squares for another swap that I am in for "String Blocks" - The pile in the background is my "strings" and I just pulled strips that would fit the location I was working on not paying any attention as to what was next to what and boy are they turning out colorful! I'll post a progress report later today.

Then we ate some lunch of leftovers (cabbage casserole, butternut squash and smoked sausage) then went to the River for a lovely walk....

A Blue Heron in the swollen river

Ivy on a Sycamore against a bright blue Carolina sky

Fungi on two logs

Seagulls roosting on the rocks - before long they will return to the beach

A sign of Spring - Dandelion blossoms

Train on one of the trestles that pass over the River-walk

Fresh growth in this outcropping of moss

All in all the walk was wonderful BUT we both over did a bit and are sore. I actually was in extreme pain last night - enough that I just couldn't continue sewing. So I will start again this morning; I am hoping to finish the string blocks this morning. 

An update on "Faye"; Scott recovered her wooden base and painted her hardware. He then cleaned her cover with Dow Scrubbing bubbles and then put her all back together - Doesn't she look happy?