Let it Be!

Funny how a blog post keeps me focused on my goals.

There are no finishes,

but there is certainly progress.

Posh Penelope is pieced!

I loved piecing the individual blocks;

but boy, oh, boy,

putting the blocks together was a challenge!

I like to think of myself as a precision piecer.

Well, that just did not happen with this project.

Not a one of those points on the flower petals lines up and most are chopped off.

I don't know if letting go makes me happy or disappointed in myself.

I decided to just let it be!

Hoping a good quilting job will disguise the imperfections.

I finished two more blocks of If the Hat Fits.

Thoroughly enjoyed my Sue Spargo retreat in Tucson.

I had SO much fun, that I signed up to take the same class again

at Madeline Island at the end of July.

The plan is to finish what I started.

Three meals a day, no responsibilities and stitching with like-minded friends...

what could be more enjoyable.

I also helped my granddaughter make a quilt for her teacher who is expecting her first child.

What a joy it was to share my passion with her.

At Home in the Woods is on my frame.

This will take awhile as I am stitching over every edge of the appliqued shapes.

I am using a microquilter thread that disappears nicely.

I have managed to keep current with my Trade Winds BOM, 

but will be unable to show my progress due to Sue's rules.

All I can share is that is stinking cute!

We are headed to Colorado for a week in March 

and then I will join my sister in Santa Fe to take an urban sketching class...something new for me. 

Sis is already a wonderful watercolorist.

We will see if I can catch on to it.

 I am so happy I have my stitching in this sad and unpredictable world.

It calms my anxious mind!

Getting outside and hiking helps too.

Wanda Joy has been on fire!

 Since our return to the valley of the sun,

my longarm has been on fire!

It has been too hot to go outside,

so I practice my FMQ.

First up was my Rock the Block 

by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Here are some details:

I really got confident with feathers! 

Next up was my Let's Stitch a Figurative Quilt 

from a Natalia Bonner class I did online.

I must say this one is quilted to death,

but it was a learning quilt.

My favorite block.

And I love that middle border design.

I wish the quilt had had a border instead of the endless neutral fabric.

That rainbow filler got to be so tedious to quilt over and over,

but practice did improve the look of them. 

Pebbles is what I mastered with this one. 

You may think I have lost my mind;

but with all the craziness in the world,

we leave for Africa in less than a week.

Trying my hardest not to panic!

In the meantime,

I will try to stay calm by making more units for my 

Sunrise Scraps quilt.

My sewing circle of friends donated a lovely group of pinks and purples 

along with some great old cheddars from Jo Morton.

Stay safe and hug your loved ones!

 

Piecing and Packing and Purging!

 

Rock the Block Sew Along

by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

This one I will use to practice FMQ on. 

Jenny of SKOW plans to show us how she will quilt it.

Love it when I can copy a design

 and not have to come up with it on my own.

When finished, it will adorn my office/sewing room...

as if I ever need a quilt in Arizona to warm my lap.

Greenhouse

by Elizabeth Hartmann,

requested by my DIL.

I did an E2E pattern on this one and regret it.

I really should have custom quilted it,

but wanted to get it done. 

I may make another version of it for my nephew's wedding

and then I can do custom.

His future wife loves succulents.

And it will come to no surprise that I started piecing another project...

A Figurative Quilt

by Natalia Bonner.

I am using Tilda fabrics for the first time 

and absolutely love the English Garden florals.

There is another border with tons of hexies yet to be assembled.

This sampler quilt will be used for my class I signed up for with Natalia.

I am sure one of my granddaughters will love to receive it when I am done.

Or maybe I keep it for myself.

This last week I sorted, folded and purged my fabric stash.

Much of my reproduction fabrics went to my friend, Deb;

Lori of Humble Quilts,

Janet, the Roque Quilter,

and to a quilt ministry in NY suggested by Janet.

It felt good to prioritize my project and fabric collections.

Even with all I purged,

I have more than I will ever be able to use.

Besides,

I am always seduced by all the pretty new fabrics I see.

All that reorganization makes it easy to pack for Colorado!

Oh, but what WIPS will I take?????

Something New and Something Old!

I'll start with the something new... 

Peeps and Carrots,

adapted from Carrot Sticks by the Pattern Basket.

It was my 9 year old granddaughter's idea to add the bunnies 

and what a clever idea it was!

This was gifted to my DIL.

Working on this table runner for my daughter from a Shabby Fabrics pattern.

I will make a coordinating wall hanging, but this may be the only one done by Easter.

Week 1 & 2 of Rock the Block...

a free sewalong from Sew Kind of Wonderful 

with video tutorials on Facebook each week!

I have always been curious about Sew Kind of Wonderful patterns

 with their curved piecing.

When I did teach beginning quilting,

 I always told my students I could help them with almost everything,

except curved piecing.

Well, it was time to conquer my fear.

The curves are so gentle, and they oversize and square everything up;

so it is much easier than I thought it would be.

Notions and special rulers are not my thing,

but I now own 3 of their QRC rulers...

I know Jan is laughing right now.

I am really enjoying the challenge and using up stash! 

Sadly, I don't think this will put much of a dent in it.

These fabrics are from my Edyta Sitar collections.

Last weekend we celebrated a landmark birthday.

My husband turned 70!

When did we get so OLD!

My son arranged to have a chef come to our house to cook a fancy meal.

It was perfect...the kids got to run around and play while we enjoyed our meal.

Safer and more fun for everyone than going to a restaurant.

Betty, Monica, Kathy and I continue to piece, quilt and bind donation quilts.

Kind of had a green theme going on this month.

This pile will be going to Betty today to get bound.

It turns out I have some pretty severe stenosis in my neck that has lead to my right hand weakness.

That and mild bilateral carpal tunnel from the hours of hand stitching.

Even though I have enjoyed my stay at home hobbies,

they have taken a toll on my body...

too much slumping over and poor posture.

I knew quarantine increased my waistline,

but I did not realize the other health tolls until this week.

I am officially fully vaccinated now,

so I look forward to getting back to a normal lifestyle soon.

Now on to week #3 of Rock the Block.

Thanks for stopping by.