Rainy Day

I finally have a tiny bit of sewing to show you. In February my guild, the Penn Oaks Quilt Guild has our annual getaway. I like to have plenty of projects on hand because you never know what you are going to want to work on. These stars are 4 1/2" and so adorable! I think I am making 45.

I am making the colors in this quilt a little more bold than I usually do, and no pink!

I like to get all the cutting out of the way before we go because I make mistakes in a crowded room and there isn't that much room to spread out and cut.

Saturday I am taking a paper piecing class with our Modern Quilt Guild. Flying Geese and Hearts, sounds like fun to me!

I have been procrastinating with this block because the pumpkin block is SO orange. I am thinking of making it green, anyone have an opinion about this? The vines have not been put on so it looks a little strange with those leaves just floating around out there.

I have also made friends with Suzy Homemaker. I have been slowly cleaning out my kitchen cabinets and drawers. Just a few a day to keep it fun 😏

While cleaning out said cabinets I came across some vanilla beans. I decided to make my own vanilla extract. If you want to try this....... I put 1 cup of vodka and 2 vanilla beans sliced lengthwise to expose the beans in a jar. Screw the lid on and shake it every time you think about it for about 3 to 6 months. I used Absolute vodka but apparently the cheaper vodka is better. Nothing but the best for my chocolate chip cookies!

Kelly

Miscellaneous Friday

I love the striking contrast of this star block. I found it while looking through.........

this fantastic book. When our guild closed down our library I was able to get this book. If you can still find it grab it, it's well worth all the inspiration you will find inside. It will most likely be a 4 block wallhanging.

I finished the Legend of Zelda quilt and will show it to you when it is quilted and bound. My grandson Griffin is going to love it! After such a big and intense project I just NEEDED to sew something fast, simple and fun. I have been eyeing up all the vintage embroidery pieces I have squirreled away and decided to make a pincushion just because I love them!

As everyone must know by now, we are getting a HUGE snowstorm starting tonight. I am as ready as I can be with sewing projects, food and some books. Fingers are crossed we don't lose our power. This is the next pick for our book club and it looks pretty good.

My friend Judie recommended this one too. It looks very good and she is a good source. We seem to like the same kind of books. I think I have all the bases covered.
We just got an update of 17"-23" of snow yikes! Good luck to everyone else on the East Coast!

Kelly

Today Is Another Day

Today's sewing adventure was much better! I think this morning I made 3 blocks in the time it took me to make the 1 yesterday.

I am enjoying these blocks, especially with the quick flying geese method. They go together very quickly.

So this is how it is going together. A polka dot print in between the stars. The projected size is 30 x 30 but I am also thinking about doing a pieced border, we will see.

This is what my horoscope said in today's paper. Interesting, I think it is telling me to work on my math skills!

Kelly

Some Days.....

I decided on a star block for the baby quilt I want to make. It is going to be pink stars with every other block a plain polka dot. Sounds pretty simple and straightforward right?
This only took me 2 HOURS to make!

I drew my size out on graph paper, a 6" star. A good start.

Next came the math.....not my favorite part at all....I am also thinking of my friend Terry right now for some reason.....
Ok, so I do remember how to convert fractions, but do I have the right fractions?????

I wanted to use the same technique I used to make these flying geese blocks.  But oh, how to figure it all out!!!
Then I remembered that Sophie from Sophie Junction sent me her tutorial page on how to make them any size your heart desires! Yes now I am saved from doing math!!!! Do go check it out, save it, pin it on Pinterest or print it out so you have it if you like this method.

So now you would think I am down the home stretch right? Uh no, I sewed the flying geese wrong. The pink and white fabrics should be switched. Now while this does not look bad, it is not the look I am going for here.

Next once I finally got them sewn correctly, I sewed it on the center square the wrong way. Will I ever get this sewn right?

I finally did but not before I cut the corner squares the wrong size too! Maybe this was a day to walk away from the sewing machine....
I know now that directional fabric will drive me crazy making this block. This was to be an experimental block (I'll say it was!). I have enough of the polka dot fabric to do the whole quilt so that will stay. I also pressed the seams open which I seem to be doing more and more. I like how it makes the block nice and flat, especially smaller blocks.

Kelly