Autumn Arrival

 It’s hard to believe that autumn has arrived.  I am a summer lover so I can’t say that I’m thrilled to see it, but our temps have still been to my liking and my zinnias are still making me feel that it’s still summer.  

The month has been a strange one where I’ve found myself at home more than normal.  I managed to catch that yucky cold that is making the rounds and then my new car had a computer module go out.  Although they did give me a loaner vehicle, the car was in the shop for a week and a half waiting for the part to arrive.  It’s pathetic when you are looking up on Chat GPT to figure out how to turn off your car engine.  I saw this on IG and I could relate.  

The silly car would not turn off, every light on the car was lit and you couldn’t shift it into gear.  They wouldn’t tow it to the dealer because it was in park and still running.  The engine eventually stopped but all lights were still lit.  After five hours the car decided to do a strobe light show with blinking lights for all the neighbors to enjoy!  I was just grateful that the alarm did not go off.  The battery eventually died and the towing flatbed came out the next morning to tow it to the shop, but not before they had to do some special maneuvers to secure the wheels since they still could not change gears to neutral.  Computers!  Give me my old VW bug with a simple engine!

Anyway…..being at home gave me a chance to get some sewing done.  We have had four new great grandbabies in the last year.  I’ve had patterns, fabric and blocks sewn for some of them for the last year.  I finally got all four finished.  I’m counting these as completed UFOS and linking them up with Freemotion by the River https://conniekresin.com/september-2026-quilt-ufo-challenge/

First up is my sailboat quilt.  The boats are made from plaid shirts and the quilting pantograph is of fish and water, Simple Fish, from Intelligent Quilting.

Next up is Dragon Dreams.  I love this pattern and have made it before.

Number three is Little Fox Quilt from Bound Co.  This was a fun one to make.  Quilting pantograph is Abstract Butterfly.

Lastly, we have Welcome to My Pad from Art East Co. The fireflies in this quilt are made with glow in the dark fabrics.  The quilting pantograph is called Buzz.

Another bit of sewing was my monthly Confetti Star blocks in magenta.  These will be linked up to  Freemotion by the River.  We only have three more months to complete our year of color.

I saw this cute pattern on Instagram for Halloween potholders from Simply Eilene. I’ve made several this month with leftover scraps.  They are quick and fun to make.

The storms in the Atlantic and Pacific are sounding very threatening to many.  I hope all are staying safe.  Our predicted El Niño winter might be very interesting.  I just hope the rains come, but at a pace they can be absorbed.

August Happenings

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!