Update 54/40

I have not been able to do a lot of quilting. My Uncle passed away on the 12th after a two week illness, and things have been hectic. Doug was diabetic and on dialysis for several years, he and Vickie (my Aunt) made the decision to stop all treatments. It was a very hard decision, but one I agree with and support. His death has also dredged up memories of my mom's passing (a few months ago), leaving me sad, blue, and in no mood to quilt or do much of anything. I also worry about a friend who is also diabetic and is not even willing to talk about dialysis. His doctor has said that without dialysis he has at most 3 months. Stan is worn out and tired all the time, and has been having bouts of confusion, I doubt that he will last the 3 months, more like 3 weeks.



54/40 Update - Well what started out crib size, made up from a few orphan blocks, has morphed into a King size top, yes that's right, I had to make more blocks. Tarranda asked me to make it big enough for a bedspread, so its now 96x108. Still on the design wall - at least half of it is - won't all fit so I'm having to sew it in sections. I have all the row components finished and just need to assemble the last few rows (6 rows left), then sew them together. The borders and binding are ready to go, and the longarm quilter is expecting the top the first of next month. With luck I can get it finished up tomorrow, I am eager to get started on a different quilt - am getting tired of this one.



Have done some sewing on the Jan 24th "Mystery Quilt - Scrappy Stars". I like how the sample blocks look, might have to make it my "Leaders and Enders" project. My next quilt has to be the "Hearts", I need to get it made and quilted before the first week of April. I hate deadlines, but it is an anniversary gift for Arlene and Stan. And if the worst happens, and Stan passes away, it will become a "Quilt of Comfort" for Arlene.



Here is hoping that the next few weeks will be easier.

Going to sew like a mad woman,

Time gets away from me, how about you? I have had the same quilt on the design wall for over 2 weeks. This started out with me trying to use up some orphan (leftover) blocks, I needed just a few more to make it twin size. Once on the design wall I decided that I really loved it, and that I needed to make it Queen size, so off to the scrap pile to select fabric for more blocks. I'm loving making this quilt using only scraps, except of the background this entire quilt is from scraps. I'm ready to move on to a different quilt, so my goal for the next couple of days is to sew like a mad woman and get this top done. I already have a home for it, and the longarm quilt is booked.

Just got a box of scraps that I need to sort and cut. Like I didn't have enough scraps, I bought some on line, this is my second batch in two months. I was getting tired of the scraps that I have, and wanted some new ones to play with. The selection is so good that I almost ordered more - before even getting this batch sorted, much less used. Have decided no more fabric, at least not before I get these cut and sorted. Have set aside several for my "Broken Heart" quilt, and a few for hexagons to use in my next "Grandmother's Flower Garden".

I need to quit dragging my feet and just start sewing, so I'm off the reacquaint myself with my sewing machine. My goal is to finish the 54/40, sort the new scraps, and finish the sewing on the "Scrappy Star" that was the Jan 24th mystery quilt. I have to finish the 54/40 so I have the design wall available for the Scrappy Star.

Quilt Update.

Not a lot of sewing last week. Did sew more of the 54/40 stars, I am working in the 9 and 12" blocks. As of right now my plan is to make the 9" blocks, and use the 12" for sashing or lattice at the block intersections (actual size of lattice will be 4").

I took some 5 orphan 54/40 and placed the large star in the middle and 4 smaller for the corners, made a cute little wall hanging. I liked that the setting was different, have been doing the 54/40 stars for a long time, needed to change things up a little.

Currently making them with cream colored backgrounds, but I believe that I will start cutting batik and blacks in the 54/40 and make it my Leaders and Enders project. I have so many 4 patch blocks that I might never get them used up, by making the 54/40 in sets of 4 (what is needed for one block) it will not take long before I have my batik and black 54/40.

Also started cutting the batik scraps up for flying geese blocks. I like how the bright fabrics play against the black background. Need to find different patterns using flying geese, don't really want to make rows. Have been playing with different layouts, like using a solid square in the middle. But this would involve set in seams, not sure I want to go there. Although I have decided to keep this quilt.

After 25 years of quilting, the only two quilts I have are the ones I got back after my mother passed away. As a quilter I am ashamed to admit that I have a blanket on my bed. . . LOL . . . however that is about to change. I have made a vow that before the end of the year, I will have made ME at least 3 quilts. I want all 3 to use black for a background and an assortment of batiks for the prints. My plan is to make a 54/40 stars, Flying Geese, and most likely the disappearing 9-patch (using up all those 5" squares). All subject to change without notice. . . must keep my options open . . . never know when I will fall in love with a new pattern.

Another Year Started

Another year is upon us. My wish for the New Year - "May this year be better than the last. Not just for me, but for the entire country and even the world."

I have followed the family tradition of eating: black eyed-peas, cabbage, and pork for my first meal today. I cooked a small ham, fried the cabbage with garlic and onions, and just opened a can for the black eyed-peas. The peas are said to avert the evil-eye and bring luck, the cabbage brings good health, and the pork is for prosperity. I had a double serving of everything. . .LOL. . .need all the help I can get.

Tradition says that what ever you are doing when the new year arrives, is what you will be doing all year. I was in bed - maybe I get to be lazy this year. Hope that this is one "rule" that proves false. My best friend, Arlene, was admitted to the hospital yesterday. She is a great lady and does not need this, her husband is diabetic and his kidneys have stopped working, the doctors don't foresee a good outlook for him. She is in my prayers.

Hope to get some sewing done today. Yesterday I made a start on a kids quilt, got one block made, that should count for something. Fussy cut the center motif, put black HST's in each corner and framed with black. Then added HST in blue/black print and framed again in the same print. Thinking about adding a red/black print as the final border on each block, and then setting together with a yellow print. The colors are all found in the focus fussy cuts. Might never get any further on this, another orphan in the making.

I have also been playing around with "square in a square" blocks. I took a pair of 4 1/2 inch blocks and cut on the diagonal, then sewed to a 4 1/2 inch block. Might make several and use up some of my scrap squares, possible future quilt. I also have lots of 5 inch squares in batik, would look good with black, something to think about. Made no progress on my UFO's, can't seem to get motivated, not in the mood to work on the old, want to work on the new. That's one reason why I have so many unfinished quilts.

Even though I have lots of fabric and even scraps, I fell off the no-buy wagon, and bought scraps from a quilt store. Received them yesterday, and I'm having a blast sorting and planning what to do with them. I was getting real tired of the scraps that I had to work with. That's me, never happy with what I have. . . LOL . . There was two pieces of blue that will work great with a set of orphan blocks I have. Going to make flying geese and put on each side of the blocks, making them into stars. Only have 10 blocks, they are square in a square with animals in the center, and have a blue batik for the outside 4 corners. Adding the flying geese will set these blocks off, or at least I hope so. Since I only have 10 blocks I will need to combine them with others. Another project, will I never learn.

Happy New Year to you and yours!