Patchwork of Love Progress~ Sew & Tell - March 31, 2024

We are on the verge of turning the calendar pages to a new month and send March off with its marching orders. Most of us have watched the seasons begin to turn from winter to spring (in the northern hemisphere)... flowers are beginning to stretch their arms up out of the ground, trees are budding (and my allergies are well aware of that!), grass is greening, birds are singing, and the bees are buzzing.  Our large maple in our front yard is filled with small buds that the bees LOVE!  You can hear them from the front steps!

Yes, spring is in the air.  Spring is often associated with love... which brings me to the wedding quilt... Patchwork of Love.

I am nearly done!

When I selected the thread color, I knew I would be short for getting the entire quilt complete (top thread)... I was okay with that, so I planned for a color change with the completion of each section.  First up were the FMQ feathers in the shape of two hearts, outlined by twisted ribbons.  Not a worry in the world!  I then filled the center of the hearts with the crosshatch stitching.  I then quilted a twisted ribbon to outline the big heart... The next step of filling the space between the ribbons was where I probably should have changed the thread...

BUT, I didn't.  I realized Saturday morning, about 1/2 done with the crosshatch stitching, that I would likely run out... my back-up plan was to change to a lighter version of the yellow-green thread, if I needed to.  As I began stitching the crosshatch grid, I whispered a prayer...

"Lord, like you provided oil for the widow, may this small amount of thread be enough to finish this section of quilting." (2 Kings, chapter 4)

I also recalled the miracle of Hanukkah and the small amount of oil that was enough for just 1 night, lasting 8 for the Festival of Lights.

YES! I DO believe in miracles.  YES! I DO believe that God does quilting... and that what I do matters.  It may not matter to the great big picture in the world and bring world peace... but it DOES matter to my small corner.  

I needed this little message from Him... I've been feeling a little dry and uninspired.  This very little amount of top thread (lower right corner) is all that remains after completing ALL of the quilting between the twisted ribbons.

Stippling on the outside of the large, twisted ribbon heart will help to set it off.  And as you can see from the big photo above, I have one corner section remaining.  I have a scrappy binding prepared and ready to sew on. I am soooo close!

On to this week's Sew & Tell feature - Kim at the Purring Cottage. :)  Kim has struggled with time and inspiration to do much blogging but shared several hand-stitching projects.  Her mug wall hanging is a cheerful piece that is sure to brighten whatever space it may reside.  She also shared that she recently had attended an herbal tea tasting and made a notebook to use for her blends and to jot ideas for her tea names.   Since I am a tea lover myself, I thought her idea was clever and useful.  Head over to her blog to see what will provide the inspiration for the naming her tea blends.

Alrighty, then... time to get this week's party started!

Before you go... 

Tell me what you might use as inspiration for naming a tea (or coffee) blend/flavor

I'd love to hear from you!

I've recently discovered Sip Herbals which is the herbal coffee alternative of 100% chicory root, carob, and dandelion root to keep the coffee feels, without the flaws. No Caffeine. No Gluten. Probiotics to help with digestion.  They have a wide variety of flavors available in sample packs and offer discounts on a regular basis.  This is not a sponsored anything... just a recommendation and something I enjoy in the afternoon.

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

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#RSC March Finishes

Technically, there are still a few days left of the month, but I am putting the yellow scrap bin away so that I can focus on quilting the Patchwork of Love wedding quilt.  The bin is much emptier than when I started... as it should be!  Here's what I accomplished in March!

Sunflower table runner and placemats...

A Sun-shiney yellow and 21-year-old Hawaiian fabric squares that I played with improv piecing from the scrap bin...  

I created rays of sunshine in the quilting, used some tropical print in the pieced backing and finished it with a scrappy yellow binding... and a fun little tag that says "Sew all the things" in the format of an eye chart. ;)

It seems appropriate since Mom has been asked to read such charts many times this month.  LOL.

The next RSC finish is what I call "Mirage".  

I was going for a sort of star layout created by the neutral HST in the string pieced blocks, but it all just sorta blurred together... 

I finished it off with a neutral border, a pieced flannel backing (made with receiving blankets that my daughter had purchased for creating baby quilts back when she actually had time) and scrappy binding and another fun tag - this one says "I stinkin' love you."  

The wedding quilt has a fair amount of yellow included in it as well... but I'll leave that for my Sew & Tell party reveal on Monday.  Will you be attending my party?  I'd love to have you join me!  

I, for one, am awaiting the reveal of the color for April so that I can get some fabric sorted and plan for some hand sewing projects... we'll be on the road.  Yes!  We will soon be taking off... but first I need to get our Camping Journal quilt off of the display wall at the local library.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Home Matters at Days Filled with Joy

Favorite Finishes Monthly Linkup at Quilting Jetgirl 

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Patchwork of Love ~ Sew & Tell - March 24, 2025

Welcome to Melva Loves Scraps and the weekly Sew & Tell party.  We've have had some new faces/names to the party... Have you noticed?  Please be sure you take a little time to visit a few of the links. :)  Afterall, this is what makes the party fun!  Let's mingle. 

Spring is in the air... and so is love!  Our niece, Bonnie, was wed last Sunday.  Welcome to the family Andrew.

We've only seen a few pictures, but from what we have seen, it was a lovely day and such a special and intimate celebration.  I have their quilt top complete and am to prep for quilting once the backing I have on order arrives.

It is so difficult to get true colors captured in photos... the burgundy is not nearly as red-violet as it shows, and there is more yellow than shown.

I'll wait until I get the quilt finished and be more concerned with color and contrast then.

Until then... I am able to respond to the begging from scrappy yellow quilt to finish it.  A pieced back that includes some tropical print fabric found its new home after being in my stash for more than 10 years.  YAY!

I have plans for a scrappy yellow binding.  I shared some of my thoughts about how this bright and sunshine-y quilt was calling to me (and kept me from working on the wedding quilt), signs of spring and the satisfaction I had in making this quilt... you could read all of those here if you missed it.

I have one final appointment for Mom's eyes Monday morning and then... ??? No pressing matters and no deadlines... But plenty of yellow scraps.  I think I want to work on another string quilt... in yellow, of course!

Let's take a look at this week's feature - Preeti, at Sew Preeti Quilting shared her recent Island Batik finish (Dreaming of Daylilies) made with the Signature Collection Poetic Bouquet.

She was able to get a second quilt out of the collection... and I liked it even more than Daylilies... but you'll need to visit her blog (link above) to see it. ;)

And now... it is time to get this week's party started.

Be sure to tell me what your plans are for the week... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

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Sunshine & Spring

I had the full intention of continuing my work on the wedding quilt... I really did!  Monday was lost to my Mom's second cataract surgery.  She is doing well, though she said that her days are now consumed with drops for both eyes, at varying intervals, and can be a bit confusing.  She is filling the in between time with reading and puzzles.  

On Tuesday morning I was fully prepared to jump in on the wedding quilt and get the burgundy border around the heart... 

It was as though I heard a small sound coming from... yelling to me... "Come play with us."  And just like that I had the Hawiian squares looking like snowball blocks with some HST cutoffs that I found in the bin.  I thought that I would be satisfied with that... NOPE!  

I suddenly found myself making up scrappy, improv patchwork blocks... but because the design wall was occupied, I was working on the area of my sewing table.  The end of the day came along...

Well... I can't very well continue on with the wedding quilt yet because... well the sewing table is covered!

I was fully committed to getting the patchwork blocks completed and the rows together so that I could move it off of the table... and THEN return to the wedding quilt.

Ummmm.... I couldn't just leave the yellow scraps alone.  I decided I needed a narrow border and a scrappy piano key border with cornerstones of the Hawaiian fabric.  Finally!  I am able to set aside and focus on the wedding quilt.

Why is it so satisfying to work on something so... ??? Artistic?

I don't even know how to describe it...

It is satisfying in know that I am making something useful from the bits and pieces that are leftover scraps.

It was satisfying to try some crazy idea and have it turn out successful....

This little thing will certainly brighten any space it may end up in.  It measures 36" square and could be used as a baby quilt, a table topper or a wall hanging.  

Yellow is such a cheerful color!  The color of some of the first spring flowers - daffodils.  I haven't seen any locally, but I know they are not far away.  The grass is coming to life, the trees have buds that are ready to burst open.  Here's a fun little song all about spring!  

Happy Spring!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Home Matters at Days Filled with Joy

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch 

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy’s Quilts

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National Quilting Day & Instagram Quilt Fest ~ Sew & Tell ~ March 17, 2025

If you happen to follow along on social media, you know that I have been participating in the Instagram quilt fest.  Amy Ellis at Amy's Creative Side offers prompts for each day.  You can head over there now to see what I shared so far...                                                                     My celebration of National Quilting Day at the local library was fun.  I shared some of the stories of our camping adventures as well as the story of the Bride's Quilt which was the foundation for the Pieces of My Life sew-along.  The crowd was very small, but those who attended were interested and enjoyed it.  They were full of questions after hearing about what some of the blocks represented and became curious about other postcard blocks in the Camping Journal Quilt.  

The bulk of last week was spent working on the set of sunflower placemats and table runner.  I worked diligently and am happy that they are finished and will be delivered to my customer on Friday.

She was thrilled with them and had to share with all of her co-workers.

With the sunflower projects complete and delivered, I can turn my focus to a new wedding quilt.

I had mentioned that a brother-in-law was placed into hospice care in February.  He and Dave's sister, Sharon, have three children.  

We attended one of the weddings last October.  It was such a joyous celebration!

Their youngest daughter has been in a serious relationship for nearly 6 years.  After the news of her Dad's prognosis and rapidly declining health, she was proposed to and accepted.  Plans ensued quickly and the celebration of their wedding will be a private event with only immediate family being present.  This will not keep us from celebrating them with a special quilt!  

As I scroll on social media, I snap screenshots of various design ideas... I cannot tell you the source of this picture (probably some ad or AI generated post), but it is the design I have settled on and am using these photos as the color inspiration...

The bride's color selections

Here's my progress... I am now at the point that I need to determine what background fabric I will use... I am undecided!  A muslin or cream would be my natural choice, but I fear that the heart will be lost...  I need something that will provide a sort of border, fit into the color scheme AND help the heart to stand out.  

I think a 2" strip of the burgundy all around, and then a tan/beige.  It will offer the bold accent it is asking for.

I'll let you know how it works it... but I have to say... I am NeRvOus! about this step.  I may try a bold yellow... Hmmmm....

On to this week's feature of the Sew & Tell party.  By the way, have you noticed that the party has grown?!?  Thanks for supporting the party and coming back to visit and share each week.  

Quilty Girl, Alycia, has been playing in her scrap bin full of yellow fabrics, making and trimming HSTs.  She also shared some in-depth discoveries of the effect of the color on our lives and minds.  It's worth the read... head over there now.

I look forward to seeing what she has chosen to do with these HSTs.  I'm guessing another Buckeye quilt ;)

Time to party folks!

But before you go, tell me...

What sort of "pop" of color you recommend to outline the heart?  

I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Piecing

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch 

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

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Sunflowers & Snow ~ Sew & Tell - March 10, 2025

March is marching on... Mom's surgery went well, and she has been a good patient. She has managed the various drops without problems.  Woohoo!  She has asked for some help, but even better... several of her neighbors have volunteered and stepped in even without her asking.  I love that!  There is a 1-week follow up appointment Monday morning, and we anticipate that all bending and lifting restrictions will be lifted.

The sun was bright and beautiful most of the week, but there was wind to contend with.  The grasses and weeds started poking their little noses out of the ground and the juniper and cedar trees are full of growth/pollen. The combination played havoc with my allergies.  

Since I was avoiding the outdoors, I have the dresden sunflowers pieced and ready to go for the placemats and the tablerunner ready to sandwich.  I hope to have the table runner and placemats finished this week.  How convenient that the RSC color of the month is yellow. ;) All of the fabric for this project has come from my stash... not necessarily out of the scrap bin, but I am not purchasing anything new for it.  Does this count???

By Friday, my throat was scratchy and sore and my sinuses insisted that I keep kleenex within reach.  The allergy medication started to kick in, but I spent most of Friday in a chair enjoying the series Wind At My Back and stitching my hexagons together.  Here's my progress.  It looks a bit like an ameba right now... but I have a plan.  I've made a few small transition areas by strategically placing some "blender" pieces between the colors... for example, the pink & blue printed fabrics offer a gentle change as does the pink & yellow... I have another one already planned for a transition to green. Can you spot the transitions?

Snow moved in overnight, and we woke on Saturday to about 5 inches of white stuff, which helped to knock down the pollen in the air offering me some relief. But as soon as it all melts my sinuses and body will be likely be unhappy again. My fingers are crossed that the short break has allowed the allergy meds to be in my system for a while and working properly.  In the meantime.... I am a vegetable and have a groggy, disconnected feeling. 😔 This is the routine every spring... *sigh* Never mind my whining... I will be fine. 

Saturday, March 15th is National Quilting Day. 🎉I will be giving a talk at the Trinidad Carnegie Library at 1 p.m. to celebrate.  I'll be sharing the stories of the Pieces of My Life quilt and the Camping Journal quilt with those that are interested.  

How will you be celebrating National Quilting Day?

Let's move on the feature of the week.  Joy at Days Filled with Joy shared her progress with several crochet projects, but what grabbed my attention was a block from her Vintage Christmas Quilt BOM. 

"These blocks are actually quite fun to make – I feel like I am getting the hang of the small pieces, phew! It is going to be such a fun quilt!"

It is a fun looking quilt (jump over here to learn the full details of the event).  The quilt is made up of 42 six-inch blocks and finishes at approximately 67" x 75".  If you decide you want to join in, I'm sure it is not too late.  Go show Joy some love ;)

Let's get the party started.  Join the fun and share with your friends!  I'd love to see what you have to Sew & Tell.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy’s Quilts

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Home Matters at Days Filled with Joy

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather at Shabby Art Boutique

Home Matters at Days Filled with Joy

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Sunshine & Thoughts

Can I get you a cup of tea?  Maybe a muffin??? They're gluten-free ;) Come on in, let's have a visit...

Lately, I have had time to consider the ways of the world and the chaos that seems rampant, and I have started the sunflower table runner and placemats for my customer.  Returning to my studio with a slower more meditative approach to my next project has been a sort of therapy.  I need at least 6 sunflowers each of two different sizes, and I am making certain that I am not rushing the process... taking the time to "pet the fabric" and carefully selecting the perfect colors for the petals, the centers and background.

As I have pieced the petals, I have been listening to a couple of my favorite pandora channels that lift my spirit and mood.  I tend to ignore most of the ads that are presented, but there has been one for a good time that has annoyed me... it is about easier access to mental health care.

Don't get me wrong... I know that there have been therapist for years.  With an increased focus on mental health over the years, it almost feels to me that they would like us to believe that EVERYONE needs to have a therapist.  This frustrates me.  

What ever happened to having a close circle of friends to share hardships with and to celebrate victories?  As a mom of young children, I relied on the friendships that formed at play groups or library time.  We supported and helped each other when a child fell on the playground or required a mom to turn her attention to just one of her kiddos and other moms stepped in to help with a sibling or siblings while she was otherwise occupied.  Moms of teens banded together if there was worry or concern for a wayward child.  

I cannot express how valuable the time spent with friends was to me... it is still very valuable, though less frequent.  In our area, people are spread out and close neighbors can be 1/2 mile away or more as many "neighborhoods" are made up of acreage... anywhere from 5 to 35 or more.  Several of our friends live 30 to 45 minutes away.  Friends don't just drop in anymore.

I miss the many, many morning conversations I had with a sweet friend who would stop by for a cup of tea and snack as she drove home from dropping off her children at the bus stop.  She and I were privy of some the deepest thoughts, fears and secrets of the other.

Life has changed... first off, children have grown, but she now lives in another state.  But more than that, society has changed.  We already know that time is valuable... but the world has taught us that we need to have "something to show" at the end of the day to prove that we were productive and not just a slug and laid on the couch doing nothing.

I question you... what is wrong with that?!?  Society poo-poos the idea of rest and with that the physical and mental health has plummeted into the pits of despair.  Children these days don't know what it is like to be bored.  They don't know how to entertain themselves... they wait for the parent or guardian to shuffle them off to the next activity.  We are not made for isolation... yet that, it seems, is what has happened... and we need to pay someone to listen to our troubles or frustrations.  This is just wrong!

I like the idea that more and more people and families are discovering a new-found interest in gardening, raising chickens (homesteading) and living off the land.  This doesn't always mean slowing down, though.  It can be hard work... But there is a deep satisfaction to the soul to find that you are more independent.  It can be relaxing and fun watching the garden grow and collecting the produce - the result of the time spent watering and nurturing the plants. AND the food is better for you... free of pesticides and harmful fertilizers.  So, the result is you feel better - physically and mentally.  A bonus is that there is often extra produce that you can share with others.

I always welcome excess produce that is sent my way... but even better is the conversation that takes place when a friend drops it off!  

I know that gardeners are already starting seeds and nurturing the seedlings so that they will be ready to go into the garden when the threat of frost and freeze is gone.  I am not one of those gardeners... well, I used to be.  But then I was introduced to quilting! Hahaha.

My personal feeling is that we don't need more therapist willing to listen... we need FRIENDS!  I caution that we need to be careful in choosing our friends... not everyone out there is interested in helping and supporting...

Thanks for listening to my rambling... I enjoyed the time with you.  I hope that you enjoyed it as well.  I need to get back to my sunflowers.

My friend and I used to say... Well, we solved the problems of the world... if only anyone bothered asking us. ;)

What problem of the world would you like to solve?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

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