Day

My son just texted me and said "I am so glad it is Friday, or just day as I call it now." It does feel like all the days are the same.
I have been busy. I made this quilt top that I am calling Pademic 2020 #1 because I think I may be making another one.
The large applique bird is from Blackbird Design. I was loathe to see it languish in a box so it became the centerpiece of the quilt. Once it was up on my design wall I just started adding blocks around it until I found something that felt like it was working. It took me about a day to make this into a design I liked.

 

I have many, many orphan blocks. Orphan blocks are blocks that I made as a test, a project that was started and not finished,, I made too many blocks, or a block that turned out too small or too big, maybe I was not in love with the colors. I also save the half square triangles from snowball ends. I have hundreds of them in all different sizes.

When making a quilt like this I need to have a little bit of calmness to all the chaos. I chose all the blocks that were blue and green. You can see I also added some other colors, but mostly you see blue and green in different shades. Also note, nothing is perfect which I think adds to the whimsy of the quilt. Some points and squares are cut off because they just needed to fit.

I had 6 of these different applique blocks. Only this one felt like it belonged, so in it went. See all those half square triangles! I have a bunch of different sizes too!

Some of these are put together just like a puzzle. Strips are added or cut off, whatever it takes.

I set up my own rules ...... I can only use the orphan blocks, only strips can be added to make a block work.  I could break them but I usually don't, that makes it a challenge.
Now I have to figure out how to quilt it. In the meantime I have a lot of red, pink, green and yellow that may become quilt #2!

Kelly

Is It Monday?

This is not all of them!

 So what is everyone up to? Sewing a like a maniac or not sure what to do? I find myself walking around my house and not being able to focus. I have done some sewing but not a lot. I decided that was going to change today.
I save all my orphan blocks. I also save all the snowball ends of blocks that become half square triangles. I have a lot of leftover blocks!

Yesterday I grabbed a bunch of them and layed them out. I did not have enough room! I have made an orphan block quilt a couple of times and I love them.

Half square triangles on the left and random patches on the right.

The funny thing is I am not sure why I even made these! They are not leftovers......but they were in the leftover box.

Once they were pressed I could see the potential.

Lots of these 4 patches too. I do know where these came from. I made too many, not necessarily a problem.

This one falls in the catagory, what was I thinking?????

I love these mini kisses. I had an idea I would make a bunch.....that did not happen.

Look! I had some 4 patches that would go with them and make a mini quilt! I love when this happens.

This was from a paper piecing demo. I am in love with it all over again!

Some old applique popped up. I need to figure out what to do with this....

Maybe it will play nicely with this block......

Or this block.......

I joined the Baltimore Applique Society when it first formed back in the 1990's. There was a swap. Truthfully I think these blocks are not very "me".

This one is kind of nice but I don't like the metallic gold. They may play together with those other "older" blocks. Lots of choices. Notice the date, 1995.

Are you making masks? I am making these for my sister in law who is a pharmacist. Tula Pink fabric, nothing but the best for her!

So here is a potential quilt that I made with some of my orphan blocks. It is just a suggestion and not the final product. As you can see there are a lot of half square triangles, I have hundreds!!! I like how it frames the composition.
For me stress is zapping my creativity. This is a fun and easy way to work that makes me feel successful. Baby steps. Are you feeling the same way?

So far all of my Corona Virus quarantine experiences have not been bad at all. I had to go to the grocery store last week. I went early, at 8:00 am. The lines went all the way to the back of the store, there were 20 cashiers. There were 50+ in line for the beer and wine aisle, it wrapped around the store and then some! Everyone was pleasant, no one argued and most went out of their way to be polite. That could all change.....we just found out school is closed for 2 more weeks (mid April) and we are now going to be on the next level of stay at home order by our governor where you can only go out for emergencies, food and medicine. It goes into effect tonight.

Maybe that quilt will get made! I'll be sure to post it if it does.

Kelly