UFOs

 Who doesn't have UFOs?  And seriously, how many do we all have?  No reveals in this blog post.                   

So when Joan brought up a blog hop for this purpose, I jumped right on that train.  Having a deadline is just what I need.  

And which one to do?   HMMMM.  I decided that being July, I need to finish that 4th of July project sitting in a box. 

Opened up the box.  Yeah!    The pattern is there and all the fabrics.    Boo!   I had hardly started it. There was only some of that cutting done. Seriously, this needs more work than I thought. 

The pattern was a free one from Fort Worth Fabric Shop in Texas. The date was 2018. 

And I loved the design, but changed the dimensions shrinking the blocks to 8 inch size. 

Don't you just love the fireworks background. 

 Step 1: Setting blocks

Step 2 Star blocks

Layout:  

Borders and quilting:

Some of the quilting from the back.  

It needs some fillers in the star blocks and accents in the flying geese.  

Unfortunately, I am quilting in my bedroom not my sewing room due to kitchen remodeling. 

I will have to finish it when I can get back to my sewing table. 

But I love how it turned out and feel good about how the piecing and quilting went. 

Hope you like it as well. 

Don't forget to see the other blogs on the hop.

Little things finished.

 I am enjoying the many blocks of Moda Blockheads.  There are so many designers and versions and colorways and inspiration.  It is a challenge to use my box of leftover pieces of peaches and greens with the hot chocolate background. 

I have 20  blocks made and only 5 more needed for the setting version by Fig Tree quilts designer Joanna Figueroa.  Hooray!

I finished my mini quilt of triangle leftovers:  Final size  8 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches.  That means each half square triangle is  one inch. 

Easy straight line quilting in 4 directions. 

My other goal has been to exercise more.  I rejoined the YMCA and have been alternating between lap swimming and water aerobics.  I think I have made it 10 times in the last 3 weeks. 

The kitchen remodel is progressing.  New cabinets in after the messy dry walling and paint. 

3 weeks to go. 

Quilting and Art on the Square

 Last weekend we took a trip to Madison, Wisconsin to see the Art on the Square Show.  We have gone for decades and enjoyed every one. Yeah!   Some of the highlights of the many booths that surround our capitol building on all 4 sides. 

The art mediums were so varied: painting of all kinds and sizes, ceramics, jewelry: of course, wood, fabric and paper.  Here are a few of the many exhibits/booths.

So inspirational and such a great time!

Then I have been sewing and sewing in my new "studio" in my bedroom.  It is a nice retreat away from the house.

Here are the cut offs for a project I will reveal in a couple weeks and I have another pile of more of these.  

So what to do?  As I went down the distraction road of blogs which I have not done in a while, I found a mini quilt free pattern from Temecula Quilt blog>https://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/

Perfect!  She has such wonderful free patterns. And here are all the little blocks.  ( Triangles of 1 1/2 inch size. 

And put together.  Lots of fun and only 8 by 10 inches.  Now to quilt it. 

Next I quilted my simple easy baby quilt.  My attempt at using up some fabric.  Who am I kidding? A couple of charm packs don't dent it. 

As it is a donation quilt, I didn't want to add too much quilting and I had recently purchased a book on straight line quilting.   Simple! I used the guide that came with my walking foot for the first time.

DONE!

And for hand projects, I finished up the wool pillows from Pieceful Gatherings in Fox Grove, Illinois. 

I did the wool applique LAST year, but just needed a little embroidery and beads and finishing. 

DONE!

I guess I am getting some things done. 

Kitchen remodel and sewing

 So I am officially out of the kitchen per se.  We are into our 2nd week of the actual kitchen remodel after months of waiting for cabinets to be ordered. The demolition is done, new electrical and plumbing are framed in. And I don't know where anything from my kitchen is except the refrigerator and oven which stand in the bare space.  Boxes are everywhere. Luckily, I have a sink in my laundry room on the main floor. And we have the microwave and a few small appliances there. Oh, and then there is the hubby who does the minimal dishes we use. 

At this point there is no sink or dishwasher and there are holes in the walls from added electrical outlets and recessed lighting. ( The kitchen has 2 steps down into it. )

Onto good things:  I have set up a small sewing area in my bedroom. And I have been making Moda Blockheads 4  and have caught up. I am going to start the setting proposed from Joanna Figuara.

I have plenty of brown/tan for sashings and a lime green print for setting triangles and cornerstones.

I am up to 18 blocks completed out of what will be 25.   I even have an extra 4 inch block of one which I will use for the label.   I am caught up with the series online ( Moda Blockheads 4 both on facebook and online a couple of places.  I love the variation of blocks made by other quilters which inspires me to alter my own coloration and piecing.  I really love practicing a variety of patterns and techniques in blocks which has helped me to improve my piecing skills. 

Indiana puzzle with center feature fabric:

Roundabout : alternate block for 4?

They look kind of blah together.  I hope it is more just a lighting issue, although I know there are mostly medium to light prints.  ( I am trying to finish a box of fabrics after making 2 quilts already. )

While watching tv in the evenings I am working on some cross stitch. A winter pattern of mittens on navy aida . I am doing this one without a hoop. Sure but slow wins the race.