Feather and Flair Blog Hop

 Connie at Freemotion by the River  asked me if I would like to participate in a blog hop that she is having to highlight her first Signature Collection of Island Batik’s Lumin fabrics, designed by Jerry Khiev.    I was honored to say yes and once you see these fabrics, I’m sure you will see why.

The greens and aquas were calling my name, but I ended up choosing more autumn colors with fall knocking on the door here.  As I have found with the Island Batik fabrics, they were a dream to stitch.  My inspiration came from a photo that a friend recently shared with me of a tile floor from the Immaculate Conception church in Blarney, Ireland.  How many quilters are inspired by tiled floors?

Tile floor inspiration 

My finished piece is about 30” square and makes a great table topper or wall hanging.  Currently, I have it on the dining room table and the colors just pop.  

I sewed too many Flying Geese units so I wanted to put those into a smaller autumn project.  Connie is wonderful about sharing free projects and this is a mug rug that she has as a free pattern on her site.  The geese made a perfect backing for it, making it a reversible mug rug.

I also made a little coin/card wallet to carry when I don’t want to take my bulky purse shopping with me.  It’s perfect for carrying a few cards, some folded cash, a key fob and some change.  It easily fits in a pocket and there is no need to worry about a purse in the shopping cart.  

Be sure to check out the other fabrics and participants in the hop and sign up for a GIVEAWAY at Freemotion by the River for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of the Feathers and Flair fabrics.

• Monday August 3rd - Freemotion by the River Connie
• Tuesday August 4th - Needled Mom - Mary (me)
• Wednesday August 5th - Songbird Designs - Brenda
• Thursday August 6th - Curlicue Creations - Jennifer
• Friday August 7th - Freemotion by the River Connie

July Happenings

 July has been about enjoying the long summer days that I love so much.  Days spent outside in the gardens are the best, but my dermatologist would profess differently.  There is great satisfaction in harvesting the benefits of your labors.

The garden has really been exceptional this year.  We put in raised beds last year and it is so much easier on our backs!  Last summer’s chill resulted in less than stellar crops, but this year has made up for it.  There are basketfuls each day to be enjoyed and shared.

As well the flowers have also done great.  The zinnias have been prolific in their bed for over a month now and no signs of slowing down.  The plumerias are also in full bloom with their incredible scent.

The sewing studio has been busy, but still not a lot to share yet.  Check back August 4th for a blog hop in which I am involved.  I do have my Confetti Stars block for this month in the color yellow.  These are for the Color of the month project at Freemotion by the River website.

My sister had a birthday this week and had been admiring a tote that I carry.  I have seen so many totes using old jeans and decided to use them.  It wasn’t nearly as difficult to sew as I imagined it would be with all the thicknesses, and it came out with such nice body to the tote.

I made a couple of the little mini wallets that I’m seeing everywhere.  I hate shopping with my purse and this is perfect for my Costco or grocery runs.  It’s just big enough for a few credit cards, folded bills, change and a key fob.  It easily fits in a pocket and I’m ready to shop without the purse in tow.

The June That Was

 Although June passed at warp speed, we managed to pack a lot into it.  We started it off with a little getaway, touring the Southwest.  It is the 100th anniversary of Route 66 so we spent a good amount of time traveling leisurely along it, including the section known as the Arizona Sidewinder.  Those 8 miles include 191 “tightly packed curves”.  Surprisingly, we encountered very few cars along the route.  I guess people prefer the speed of the interstates, but they miss so much including the wild burro and teddy bear cactus.

From there we went to Williams, AZ and took the train into the Grand Canyon.  It’s such an amazing sight.  Words cannot begin to describe it - nor photos.  There is a bridge that crosses the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon.  With no roads, every piece of equipment was carried down on the backs of man and burro.  That is a mind boggling thought.  

From there it was on to Monument Valley with its stunning sights as well.

Last week we took one of the grandsons to the Griffith Park Observatory.  I hadn’t been in years and it was fun to visit it again.  It was a clear day in L.A., but the dark skies were from an industrial fire.

As far as sewing goes this month, I did not finish any UFOs. I did manage to get my star blocks with this month’s color of orange.  You can find the Color of the Month challenge at https:Connie Kresin.com.

I was selected the winner of last month’s color challenge and received these beautiful fabrics.  

I also won an IG (@cherrytreecottage5) giveaway of three one yard cuts of patriotic fabrics and a pattern book to go along with it.  I finished piecing the top, but I am going to add some blue stars down one side to make it QOV size and donate it to our guild.

There has been a bit of behind the scenes quilting which I will share soon, but I am working with the grandchildren and their sewing skills this summer.  It has been fun to watch the progress.  This was sewn yesterday, a first with no help.  

The kitchen has been busy to.  Lots of strawberry jam made with my daughter and granddaughters.  Then last week another granddaughter was over for a day of pickles.  It’s nice to share the task.  The time goes by swiftly while chatting away.

Many days are filled for the July calendar so guess we will see what gets finished next month.  Bring it on!

May Makings

 As we quickly approach the end of a longer month, it’s time to post what has been happening around here.  It always helps to have a reel of pictures from the phone to remember!  Other than the normal family events of May - weddings, new babies, birthdays, Mother’s Day, graduations, First Communions, Confirmation and anniversaries, I also made a trip back to Iowa for my aunt’s funeral.  It was a true celebration of a long 94 years life and wonderful to be around so much of my family at the same time.

A bit of sewing also happened.  In my continued pursuit to finish some of the many UFOs, I finally completed my Old Glory quilt.  I had about six blocks sewn and managed to finish the rest of them, sew them into a top and get it quilted and bound.  I’m linking this up with Freemotion by the River.

Freemotion by the River is also doing a color challenge each month.  This month the color was BLUE.  I added three more stars to my collection.

The sun and I have never been able to agree on what color I should be - lobster red or beautiful bronze.  Since the red always wins, :( I made a sun hat to wear while gardening.  It is reversible and an easy sew.  The granddaughters want to come sew a few this summer so I guess I can consider it a hit. The  PDF pattern can be found at www.notches-sewing.com and instructions are delivered in an easy to follow you tube video.