Sum, sum, summertime

Summertime. 

And that for many means school is out.  And for some graduation even.

So let me get started with the exciting projects in progress.

First of all, I made 4 of my curving log cabins in purple. 

I will say that every time I start a new color, I get mixed up in the order they go together and have to take some logs out. I do string piece the 4 together and have them lined up in a row. 

I really like these blocks; the four separate blocks are each 5 3/4 inches square at this point. 

The graduation quilt is progressing. I love, love, love the soft colors of Springbrook by Coriander Quilts.  The yellow is not as orangey as it appears but a very soft butter. 

The fabric is a little slippery and I am needing to use a lot of Best Press as there are a lot of fold over corners and many with 1 1/2 inch squares. 

Don't mind the floor as my design wall. 

Here is how the rows come together.  So pretty. 

Graduation for the receiver is today, and I will get it to her next month before she goes to college. 

I purchased this kit and pattern from Pieceful Gatherings in Elk Grove, part of greater Chicago. 

They have wonderful facebook theme sales and are so fun to watch. These are so inspiring and they have a many clubs like wool and paper piecing and more.  

So I prepped these small pillows to sew. 

The 3rd one with the stripes is somewhere around here. 

All 3 are going on the road with me for car travel as we are thrilled to be going to vacation with all of my family and have a VRBO together. 

I will be missing in action as we are gone and will then bring back these 2 boys to stay with is for a while.   Help, send energy. 

 

Cross Stitch

 

I enjoy doing little projects for bowl fillers or tiered trays. It is also a nice diversion from my sewing machine and great to have projects while watching TV. 

Here is one I found on Pinterest and wanted to make it on linen.  I am still having trouble counting the 2 threads over and up ( or down).  Many stitches were removed after noticing they did not line up.

I like how it is turning out.  I only have a little border to finish and some white in the tiny flag and the border in between the red. 

Just so you can get an idea of the size. It is about 2 1/2 inches.  The bottle cap is to a plastic water bottle.  

RSC Saturday

Here is my progress on this month's RSC challenge. 

 I pulled out the rest of my purple pieces and put them together quickly for these 4 blocks. 

Each and every piece of fabric in this block is 2 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches.

Then I added them to my black centers for this shot of all my purples totally 8 blocks of purple. 

And then I arranged them with my other 4 colors.... And these are only about half of them.

Put together this would by 40 inches by 40 inches. 

I am shocked at how large this quilt is and how fast it is going together already.

These go together very quickly. I am usually a small piece person. 

Each block is 8 1/2 inches.  You could size them down to 6 1/2inches with pieces 2  by 3 1/2 for 6 inch blocks   or even 1 1/2 by 2 1/2  for 4 1/2 inch blocks. 

Memorial Day

We had an enjoyable holiday weekend. The weather was sunny but quite chilly.  50s during the day down to 37 at night. 

But we made the best of it. Saturday we had the privilege to see The Moving Wall, the memorial for Vietnam.  It was here in Waukesha for the weekend and then went on to its next site. I was awed by the reverence all the visitors displayed as well as the pride the Vietnam Vets held especially when talking to fellow vets as well as the rest of us. They have some sad stories to tell. 

Over 58 thousand soldiers lost there lives and are commemorated on this wall and the main one in Washington DC which is twice as big.  Such a different perspective for our soldiers today. 

On Sunday we visited Milwaukee to have lunch and then walk around downtown:

Here are my partners on the bridge to nowhere on the Milwaukee River after we had biscuits and gravy with smoked brisket and a bloody Mary with a hint of BBQ sauce.  Yummm.

And we saw these metal ducks in a row.      So cute!

And a gorgeous front to another building.  Such vibrant colors!

And these multicolored bears in the park. 

On the quilting front: 

I found some purple scraps for the RSC month of June.

I even purchased a few quarter yards of blacks with white as my selection was slim

And I have 5 of the tan blocks completed of the Springbrook quilt.

I love the colors and pattern goes together well.

The fabric feels a little like slick linen. It does not press well both by itself, with water  misted or with Best Press added .