pink scraps

I have pieces ready for pink this month as the rainbow scrap challenge. I will have to hope for some time next week to make the blocks. I am going to love the pink...

I had promised my little Friday sewing group I would help them learn to piece the Jen Kingwell glitter block. They did very well. I am a chain piecer, so I had worked out a work flow that worked for me.  After, they can do it anyway they choose. Although, one quilter, who wasn't a chain piecer, was worried I wasn't following the directions. She asked "wouldn't it be easier if we did it the way the directions said?" sigh...
sure - I was just trying to confuse you....

Every time, I think for a moment that I would love teaching other quilters, I realize maybe not LOL

I may not be as accurate as some, but I prefer to make more quilts than work on perfection. But I am definitely a technique person. I can make more quilts, because I have figured smooth work flow habits. I am surprised that any quilter, and there were two, wouldn't chain sew. I am surprised at the crummy tools they are using, or the silly things that get in their way. I am surprised how many need help with their machines, or are missing parts , like feet, or cords. Or maybe they don't realize that if they put a band aid in their sewing bag, they will guarantee that they won't need it. Hey, do you think I could put my oven in the bag?
Although, by saying anything, I have guaranteed to forget or have problems sigh...
Here is Linda's first glitter  block = pretty awesome.

Here is Connie's work in progress for her hubby.

I am linking to
 SewCan She

rsc17 super saturday

string piecing magic

Still working on the yellow scraps. I wanted nine yellow for the cutting garden quilt and the Rainbow scrap challenge.

Tu na  quilts asked if the string blocks magically make themselves, since she sees the beginning and the end of the process on my blog. :)  I thought I might try sharing how I make them. This time, I am trying to make straight pieces that will make a piano key type of border for my diamond string quilt.  I pull out a string and if it is bigger than 4 1/2 inches I sew them together. I am not using any foundation for this part. I am just laying right sides together and then pressing open.

This pile is a pile of triangles I am pulling out as I reach into the bag of strings and crumbs. When I am making string blocks that are diagonal on a square, the triangles are wonderful for finishing up the last bit of the edge.

I'm not sure why, but I have delegated my Singer treadle as the string/ crumb piecing machine. It sits in my living room and I can watch TV from the chair while I am treadling. And, generally, on Saturday evenings, my husband and I are tired and we watch tv together. This gives me something to do with my hands ( and feet). Thus, String Saturday. I have lots of wonderful projects for Tv time, but I wanted to devote a regular time to strings and crumbs.

I am not too concerned  about color or shape. I can straighten them up fairly easily when I decide what I will add next.

If I have several pieces together that will match up with another, I can put parts together too.  When I draw a string out of the bag, I look over the made pieces I have on the table, and find a place it will fit. The green piece below was the right size to go down the side of this piece. And the pieces were a batch of strings that were not wide enough for the border. I haven't decided if I will use only straight pieces or will like the look of different directions.

Here are just a few of the sets I have made before they all blew away.

 Ah, but, oh my, I have made a real mess. The idea was to clean up after every Saturday since it is the living room. but I keep just stopping a minute to add one more string and, well, the mess just keeps building.

I am linking to
 SewCan She

rsc17 super saturday

green leaves

I made a few flying geese to see if that is what I want in the border, and I think I like the zig zag better - you? I could do both, but then we are missing the point.... those great wild and goosey blocks are the center stage not the borders.

I have grown a few green leaves for the cutting garden for the rainbow scrap challenge. I sure enjoy following the colors and adding a little bit at a time to a future quilt.

Oh the yellow iris is out to play with her friends the green leaves.

I have a new spring t shirt - I just love the saying

I am linking to
 SewCan She
rsc17 super saturday

Over the rainbow

Sea green everywhere

I have remained current with the rainbow scrap challenge for two whole months. hooray. I finished the last of the big leaves in February sea green last night.

That is 10 blocks for pineapple blossom with 40 - 1/2 square triangles for the border and 18 big leaves. I am ready for the next color.:) Any guesses?

The happy Birds group met yesterday. We are helping a young woman make a T-shirt quilt. and another happy birds top was finished. This is Linda's and she has made a wonderful version. I am so far behind sigh....

She has also finished a new york beauty sunflower quilt.
Oh my it is more stunning in real life.

 SewCan She
rsc17 super saturday

Feeling green

Oh my

Just a bit of sea green sewing this week. I made the 1/2 square triangles I will need in the border of my quilt. And I am working on the big leaves I am making with each color.

I am really enjoying the Rainbow Scrap challenge. I seem to see the month's color everywhere, and being more aware is always a plus. The little bit I am doing is already making a nice size pile that is rewarding, and I am not bored making the parts because a new color is a new experience each month.

This quilt was finished by my friend Linda and it was a lovely shade of sea green. She is such  a talented quilter.

 SewCan She
rsc17 super saturday

quiltathon day 2

Judy at Patchwork Times quiltathon day 2 for me. I sewed a few flowers for American Beauty Rose, and I am ready to start laying them on the block. This part has me intimidated.

As a diversion from having to take the next step on Rose, I made some leaves for the Rainbow scrap challenge. At the last minute, last month, I decided to add 2 new quilt starts to the challenge. Maple Leaves and Cutting Garden. so I still have last months leaves to make. I need 9 of them.

I spent some time sewing cheddar onto my midnight flight rectangles , and marking bonus triangles using Bonnie Hunter's bonus buddy. I do love that thing.

While resting. I decided to unknit my sock that had gone terribly wrong. It was risky to take it apart. But, it was either that or start over. If this doesn't work I will start over. problem solved.

I think I caught it all and got back on good footing. Pun intended. I am going to turn the heel yet again.

Pretty exciting day that even included a little fabric shopping ( who me?) and much loved time talking with my daughter via hangouts.

I am linking to:
TGIFF
FInished or Not Friday
WHoop Whoop
Crazy Mom Finish Fridays
Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Patchwork Times