Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Wordy Wednesday ~ The Tale of Three Quilts

It is a blustery Wednesday here and I'd love to sit and visit with you, but I have two custom memory quilts to start... and I've been on a roll!

My original title for this post was going to be Wordless Wednesday... but I just can't do it!  LOL.  I've got to "narrate" the photos. ;)

Paper Lanterns is in fine flimsy form, and I am waiting on the backing fabric to be delivered. 





The final Little House block is done.  Listening to the audio book of Little Town on the Prairie as I pieced Paper Lanterns was all I needed for the inspiration.  The center block is a portion of the Kit in the Corner block from the Pieces of the Santa Fe Trail quilt.  I now need to decide if I want sashing strips... or not.  I'm leaning toward "not."  What do you think?  No sashing strips... Narrow neutral border and finished with a "scrappy" wider border like on the Sticks & Stones quilt.  Sneak a peek at that border and let me know your thoughts. ;)


Feeling completely satisfied with all that I had done, I sat down with my Color Wash Hexagons.  Dave was in the house Tuesday afternoon because of an allergic reaction to something that caused hives ALL OVER his body.  I stitched... he talked as we both considered what could have caused it.  My finger finally said, "no more!" and I set it aside.  But this morning, I picked it up and finished it!  All of the pieces fit together just as I had planned.

I need to fix up some franken-batting, select a backing fabric and get it sandwiched.  It will be a great travel project as I quilt with black thread around the hexies.  

I have lingered here long enough... Time to start the memory quilts!  

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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PS... whatever it was that was spiking the views on my blog, it is done.  LOL!



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Sunday, October 12, 2025

Art Haus Paper Lanterns ~ Sew & Tell - 10/13/25


Another week... gone!  I could go on and on about how time seems to be flying by... but that is an old record that needs to be put to rest. ;)

This week's Sew & Tell feature is not one that needs to be set aside.  Rather, it is one that needs to be kept in the forefront as the weather transitions to a new season.

Preeti at Sew Preeti Quilts showed off one of her Island Batik projects - Milo.  Preeti has a knack for selecting patterns and fabrics and colors that work well together.  The simple quilting of this quilt allows the two blocks/designs to be the star of the show.  Her color placement creates the subtle change and flow of color.

Head over to Preeti's blog by following the link above and you will see where the pattern is available.

Thank you to all of you that participate in Sew & Tell each week.  If you have never joined the party... well, what are you waiting for?  Everyone is friendly and supportive, and I can always learn/find something new to spark some creativity.  

I have been dipping my toe into the water as a Connecting Threads Ambassador... I am a little surprised at how difficult this has actually been. I'm feeling like my biggest hurdle is that I don't have a ton of CT fabrics in my stash.  This means that I have had to purchase a few things.  Retail therapy is always fun, but I realize now that I do a lot of "window shopping."  Hahaha.


I started new project! This jelly roll from CT and will become a fun "Paper Lanterns" quilt.  


Head over to the Connecting Threads website to take a look at some of the items available in their clearance sale. That's where I found this pre-cut Art Haus jelly roll. (Who doesn't love a bargain?) You can get a 15% discount by using the special code CTAMelvaLovesScraps on most purchases.

But before I could start piecing, my machine needed a little mani-pedi. It's been 6 weeks since the last one. Oh my! I really thought it was just a month. 🤦‍♀️

While the piecing of Paper Lanterns is super easy and the layout seems straightforward... I had two extra pieces remaining after I had it on the design wall.  I thought that I had simply miscounted. NOPE!  I had to carefully examine the columns and eventually found where they belonged. 

Then as I started sewing them together, I realized two more mistakes in the layout... Back to the design wall.  

The third time's the charm!  Here's my progress...


I have put the Little House quilt blocks to the side for now.  Eight out of nine complete.  And, I have the audio book of Little Town on the Prairie on loan.  I'll be listening as I finish Paper Lanterns with the intent of finding inspiration for the final block.  I know it's there... I just have to intentional and find it.


What you seek with all your heart, you will find!  

Late last year I had settled on a "word of the year"... It was Trust.  I've haven't done too well with trusting the Lord through all the challenges and changes we have faced in our family this year.  As I wrapped up my third-quarter review I was reflecting on trust...

Do I trust the Lord in all that is happening.  Yes. Yes, I do.  Am I happy about it?  No, not at all.  I am frustrated and reminded that trust isn't something earned easily.  God has never failed me before... though the end result is quite different than I would have chosen.  

In previous years I have chosen more positive words... Like growth and peace... those were a couple of pleasant years!  Trust seems positive, right? But for trust to grow and develop, of course there has to be difficulties and opportunities to exercise that trust/faith muscle.  It's like asking for patience... you can guarantee that you will have plenty of opportunity to exercise that!  LOL.  

I joined a ladies Bible study a few weeks ago and it is on the book of Proverbs... simple study... Ha!  Proverbs... a book of wisdom with some interesting sayings.  Ugh.  It has been one of the most difficult studies I have ever participated.  The other day, I was feeling down about how I have fallen short in so many of my relationships... and then I was reminded that God does not condemn!  God will gently convict and steer you in the correction direction.  

So... like my searching for and finding the mistakes in the Paper Lanterns quilt layout, it takes time and it CAN be corrected... without much distress or drama. (No need for a date with "Jack.")

I will be intentional in my week... If things go well, I will finish Paper Lanterns completely.  I have a quilting plan and will be doing a scrappy binding.  With any luck, I'll be back next week with block number 9 of the Little House quilt (or at least a plan).  I know what sort of border and binding will be on that quilt too!

The color wash hexagons are coming together.  I have been spending a little time in the evenings sewing rows together and I am down to the "stragglers" to stitch together. I will then join the two large sections.  I'm not in a big rush... I definitely am appreciating the slower pace.

I can appreciate a good plan and purpose... but I can also appreciate spontaneity.  Our friends from the Lazy J Goat Farm have tentative plans and opportunity to borrow a small home in Red River and we may be joining them.  She said it may be last minute but asked if we were up for it.  We responded with a resounding "absolutely!"

Do you need/prefer well-planned excursions?

Or are you open to last minute surprises?

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, October 5, 2025

Sew & Tell - 10/6/25


Where did the week go??? I woke up this morning thinking this thought.  As I reviewed all that took place... Hot tub delivery, Bible Study, 3rd Quarter Review and time in my studio... I realized that even in a relaxed state/pace of life, time marches on.  It feels good that there have not been any emergencies or crisis that has popped up in life!  (I hope I didn't just jinx that... ;) ) Maybe it is the fact that we have enjoyed the hydrotherapy sessions multiple times a day and we are simply calmer and sleeping better!  It has been heavenly!

I'll start off with this week's feature from the party...

Deb over at Quilt Chatter shared a super scrap-buster quilt that is nearing the final stages...  She showed us the auditions for sashing strips... like Goldi Locks, too light, too dark, not enough...  Head over to her blog to see what did not make the cut...

As I said, this is a great choice for scraps. You could adjust the size of the units based on what size pieces you have available.

Nice job Deb!







If you visited my quarterly review, you know that I completed all of the hexies needed for the Color Wash Hexagon piece.  It is now time to join everything together.  I have three rows/columns joined together... 5 more and a few stragglers left to go.

I was growing really antsy to get back in the studio... 

A Walk on the prairie by RBD

I pulled out the Walk on the Prairie FQ bundle that has been hanging out in the closet since June.  When I made the video of the studio tour, I mentioned that my cutting table doubles as a workstation or desk.  If you looked closely, you would have seen that I had my most favorite set of childhood books on the table... I'm not ready to reveal the series yet, but I will show you a few of the blocks I have made.


I am still in the designing and pattern writing stage, but eventually, it will be a sew along that will not only represent one of my favorite childhood book series but will focus on quilt math lessons.

Any guesses about which book series I chose?

I know that not everyone will be interested in the math lessons, but I have recently heard some negative things about "gatekeeping."  Gatekeepers tend to be a little stingy with information, not wanting to give away "secrets" or the "magic".  

I have always been willing to share my knowledge and experience with others... and I want a portion of the next sew along to be able to help others learn about enlarging or reducing patterns for different sized blocks and calculating the unit sizes within a block.  Quilt math does not need to be intimidating or scary.  However, it is not as simple as just divide the cutting sizes by two to reduce the size of the block.

The blocks are 6-inch blocks surrounded by a log cabin and the finished size will be 16-inches square.  There will be nine blocks in total.  Most of the blocks have been used in a previous sew along but resized... for example the Maple Leaf block from Pieces From the Past was a 9-inch block.  The Shoo-Fly block was a 12-inch block from Pieces of the Santa Fe Trail.  You get the idea ;)

I've had fun selecting blocks to reflect the title or a particular scene from the stories.  I'm stumped on one in particular and waiting for a creative twist or inspiration to hit me... I've even started reading the book again.

When will this sew along start?  I am so glad you asked! Not until 2026.  Since I am still in the "design" phase and a busy holiday season around the corner, I think it is best to wait so that I can get all of my ducks in a row.  

I am curious about how frequently you would like the blocks released.  Weekly? Twice a month?  Once a month?  Do you lose steam if they are spread out too far?  Do you feel overwhelmed if they are too frequent?  Leave a comment... I'd love your feedback. 

I have plans for a few things this week... I'll be working with a jellyroll for a quick quilt.  I'm trying to decide between Paper Lanterns or Sticks & Stones.  I also have a box of clothing for a custom Memory Quilt... TWO actually... so I'll be selecting a block/design for those quilts.

I'm a little giddy at the fact that I have several projects going now!  It's been a while!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Thursday, October 2, 2025

Quarter 3 Quilting Check-in


The other day I saw a mention that Christmas was X weeks away.  I don't remember the number, but it was alarmingly close and for a moment... I had a bit of panic.  And then put it out of my mind... thus the reason I cannot remember the number stated. ;) Hahaha.  

Do I care?  Yes... From a business standpoint, so that I am not dealing with last minute orders.  I would appreciate my customers to be well prepared and plan ahead.  

From a personal standpoint?  Not really.  It does seem that the summer zipped by.  And suddenly, here we are firmly in the fall season, and I am loving the days.  I have been relishing the moderate temperatures of the days, the cooler temps of early morning and evening, and I cannot forget the brilliant colors that those cool temps bring. I am making every effort to be fully present in every day/moment/conversation so that I am not missing the small blessings that are sprinkled into the ordinary of life.


As I turned the page of the calendar, I realized we are now in the 4th quarter and that it was time to review my list of goals I had...

❧ Taking my Story Telling Quilts program on the road.  Two new quilts on the "Art Wall" at the local library in March to celebrate World Quilting Month.


Again, I have not pursued this as aggressively as I could... I have my excuses... reasons... Basically, I don't want to travel alone and Dave's commitment to the water system that serves our community has not allowed for travel plans.  BUT!

I am still open to offering my Storytelling Quilts program to quilters - whether just a group or a formal guild. I'd like to keep the travel to within a 3-4 hour drive but could happily try to work out something via the web.  I am in southeastern Colorado and would consider travel to the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, New Mexico, Kansas and the Denver-metro area, possibly southern Wyoming or western Nebraska.  We I will simply make it work.  Hit me up!

I am on the schedule at the library to have a display of quilts on the "Art Wall" next year in March.  Plans for what quilts to display is still mulling in my mind, but I'm thinking of "Table Scraps" or "Table Talk."  Use your imagination to guess what it might include.


❧ Continue with my custom quilting and t-shirt quilts... I will also continue leaving a trail of love from my quilted hearts.

I've not had many custom orders this year... but it hasn't kept me from quilting and creating.  A small trail of quilted hearts has been made as we have traveled with our 5th wheel camper.    

❧ Continue my weekly Sew & Tell party

Sew & Tell is going strong and offers inspiration and creativity continually and I have enjoyed developing friendships with many participants and readers.

The Christmas in July blog hop was a fun event with 7 quilters joining the fun.  I had plans to host the Virtual Cookie Exchange hop, but the original hosts are bringing that, and the Halloween hop, back.  I've joined the list of bloggers for the "Out of the Dark" hop. I have my project ready to go and am excited to share with everyone!  Stop by on Tuesday, October 21st.

❧ With our Camping Journal Quilt complete, I am thinking of taking up a hexie project for some of my hand-stitching.  I've printed and cut 3" tall hexies.  These large hexies could easily become a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  But I haven't settled on that yet.  TBD

My color wash hexagon project is completely laid out!  

Now begins the task of getting them stitched together.  I will do this by columns, starting at the far left (above - below it is the bottom row), getting about 1/3 of the total unit together and then piece in the stragglers.


❧ Compile the stories from our camping adventures into a book.

DONE! I ended up have it printed at the local copy store and placed the pages in plastic protector sleeves.

Compile patterns and memory book pages from the Pieces of My Life quilt and get them in a published format as well.  

 NOT DONE... Maybe in the 3rd 4th quarter. ;)

 ❧ Above all, I want to make certain that I am creating and finding joy in life through my quilting projects.


I continue to embrace the shortage of custom quilt/ quilting orders and joined the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I completed 15 or 16 quilts from my scrap bin (also known as the unmade quilt bin).  

Each month of the RSC I made four or five 6" blocks that I am calling Korner Kabin blocks.  When I started this project, I was unsure how I would place them all together in one quilt... the quilt is finished and will soon be gifted to a dear friend! 

I was recently chosen to become a Connecting Threads Ambassador.  Connecting Threads is the place that I purchase the Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Batting. It is my preferred batting to use.  I choose the fusible batting over spray basting every time!  They often have sales and if you want to make a purchase from them you can use the code ACTMelvaLovesScraps which is valid for 15% off sitewide.

Given the speed of which three-quarters of 2025 has passed by, I have started making a list of goals for 2026.  I'll let them gel for a while... I have time. ;)  

Self-assessment is a good way to review goals and priorities, and I feel comfortable with what I have accomplished.  As I learned years ago... that which you spend your time, money and thoughts are your priorities.  I also learned that if you really want to do it, you WILL make time for it.  So, I'll leave you with something to consider...

Do YOU set your priorities?
Or do you allow others or the world set them for you?

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, September 28, 2025

Hexagon Color Wash ~ Sew & Tell - 9/29/25



Many thanks to all that joined last week's party.  There were many lovely projects shared, and this week's feature is Sharon at Dragon's Heart Quilting.  Sharon was inspired by a pile of triangles left over from a previous finish.  She then selected a great pattern to use some batik "scraps"...  Bonnie Hunter's "Twirl Around."

Great choice for the "scraps" Sharon!

Sharon stated that she doesn't tend to make many quilts with so many HST because trimming to size was time consuming since she made her units oversized.  

This is something I do as well!  I do it on purpose when writing patterns so that I or a beginning quilter can have better success in achieving precise points when the blocks are complete.  For example, if I am making a 3-1/2 half-square triangle unit, I will write the pattern to use 4" squares and then trim to size after pressing.  Many patterns will call for 3-7/8" squares.  If you are a very consistent and precise "scant 1/4-inch sewist", that's great.  

I, however, find that when I end up with some wonky blocks that are not perfectly square.  That's why I over-size my units.

Which school are you from?  
Precise measurements?  
Or "give me a little wiggle room?"

Last week was, again, a slow week in the studio.  Dave and made arrangements to combine a get-away and accomplish some errands and shopping... BOTH of which we needed to do.

Nessie was spotted. ;) Do you see it?

We went to Pueblo State Park.  We picked up assorted parts and supplies for Dave and the water system and dropped off a few items for jewelry repair.  And then... we did some shopping for a hot tub.

We had acquired a hot tub in 2004 when my Grandma T moved from Tucson to Trinidad.  It came with her house, and it made her nervous.  Every week she would ask me "what am I going to do with that pool?"  I would reassure her that we would get it moved out of her yard soon.  It was a few months since we had to wait for spring to arrive and get the wiring prepared.  (She moved into the house in January.)  We enjoyed it for at least 10 years and had to replace a few parts along the way but when the computerized mother board failed, it was time to part ways.  It was a very, very sad day.


We have wanted to replace it for several years but right away was not an option since our business, Nolan Quality Customs was still getting established, and the funds were tight.  With each additional year of our lives and the increasing aches and pains that come with aging, the desire has increased.

We found a good deal on a 4-person tub, 2023 model, and our excitement has continued to grow with each passing day.  If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the warmth of the water and feel the pains begin to melt away.  Not that we need a 4-person tub... Afterall, as a friend states... Hot tubbing is really a 2-person sport. LOL!  

But enough on that...

I prepped nearly 70 hexagons while driving and excitedly pulled out the main piece of the RSC project when we got home.  I was ready to lay them out.  Sadly, I have discovered that I am still way short of completing it. :(


I think, now seeing where I am at, I need to extend the green even further down (center - maybe even blend into yellow?), find more orange to extend that as well (on the right)... and blend into more pinks (on the left) and then fill in with browns, greys and black and whites/creams.  Oh, but for now... I will collect up all of the prepared pieces and tuck them and the main piece back into the closet.

I am ready to move onto a new project.  Nothing new in mind... Throw me some suggestions!

Time to start the party!  Be sure to tell your friends to join too. 

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, September 21, 2025

News from MLS and Sew & Tell ~ 9/22/25


Welcome back to Melva Loves Scraps and the weekly Sew & Tell party...

I'm going to mix thing up this week and do the weekly feature first.  Each project shared in the party is made with love and you each take time to not only make the items, but also write about them... I want this party to celebrate each of you up front... not as an afterthought.


So (drumroll)... this week's feature is Donna at DonnaLeeQ.  She shared that she had started some fun projects for her.  She's been busy with the making of charity quilts, which is always wonderful and usually well needed and appreciated... but the "fun more me" projects can be just as satisfying.  She started the Autumn Nights Mystery Quilt.   

These cute pumpkins are fun!   Hop over to her blog to see where the pattern was found... maybe you'll want to make a pumpkin patch of your own. ;)

My deepest appreciation goes out to each of you!  Because of your participation (not just in the party, but the sew along events I have hosted over the years), you have helped me to gain confidence as a quilter and a writer.  Enough confidence that I bravely applied for and have been accepted... as an ambassador for Connecting Threads.  EEEEEEEEEEKK!


I'm not entirely sure of what it means but I do know they have a monthly campaign "theme".  I feel as though this new role will bring a new spark and purpose to my quilting.  It also means that I will have a special discount code to share with YOU!  I'll share more as I learn more.  

I finished my Wild Goose Chase placemats last week.  Thanks to those of you that stopped by for some coffee/tea and gingersnap cookies.  I enjoyed our conversation.


I haven't had much going on in the studio... I started the Little Ghost placemats and have them ready for applique and binding.  I'll show off the final photos in the "Out of the Dark" Halloween blog hop taking place October 20 to 23.  I am scheduled for Tuesday, October 21.  

Speaking of blog hops... After hearing that last year's Virtual Cookie Exchange was the last, I had planned on picking up the baton to continue.  Turns out Joan and Carol missed all of the hopper participants and will carry on with the baton.  I'll allow them to carry on.  Be sure to mark your calendars and if you want to share some special quilts in the hopping good parties reach out to them.  I'm sure they would welcome you in.

Fall is in the air, and it is time for a change in the guestroom... That means that I need to get my RSC Hexagon project off of the bed so that I can change the quilt.  I have been slowly formulating a plan for the progression of this project.  Here's what I think...


I'll will add some pastel greens and then start to blend the oranges into brown... below the teal/aqua area I will fade to greys and below the purples blend back into pastel pinks... At least I have a plan now. ;)


As I opened the cedar chests to select a quilt I spied my cross-stitched wild rose quilt. This is one of the first ever quilts I made... back when I was more of a cross-stitcher than a quilter.  


My very first quilt was completed in 1993 – I had cross-stitched blocks of a wild rose arranged in a checkerboard pattern.  I really had no idea what I was doing when I quilted it – turns out I did a “quilt as you go” kind of thing by creating sandwiches with the blocks, batting and some interfacing and then assembled the blocks together.  I then made a backing that was stitched into place at the seams along the borders and at the binding. I managed to fumble my way through... 
It was on our bed for years – until I finished my first BOM quilt in 2003.  

the full story of this quilt is that it was supposed to have many more stitched blocks, but I grew tired of the slow pace of the project and decided that seven was enough with wide borders.  The threads of some blocks (Dave's side of the bed) were worn thin and missing in a few spots after 10 years and that was when it was "retired".  

How long have you been quilting?
Do you still have your first quilt?

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Wordy Wednesday


It's been a while since I have shared some deep ramblings from the studio and my mind... and I hope you don't mind that I am back with some random thoughts.  I've recently finished my Wild Goose Chase placemats and have the table set for some "Tea and Crumpets", as my Grandma T. would say.

Won't you join me?


If you would rather not stay for the visit, or don't have time, I understand... shoot, I probably won't even know. ;)

I have found myself stuck in a rut of griping, murmuring and complaining lately.  I've tried to keep it to myself... I really do try to keep it to a minimum.  And I certainly try to keep it from bleeding over to social media and here at MLS.  But it seems as though things have just gotten hard.  And they seem to stack up on each other. 

For example... Last week was a rough week with all that was reported in the news, and the fighting and arguing that took place on-line about "who is right."  I'll stop right there.

But like the children's book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, one thing prompts another and then another... and then another. 

Here's what I've been dealing with... I got the monthly email message that our statements were ready.  It was over the weekend, so I waited until Monday morning when I typically manage all of the "office" tasks.  I was not able to successfully log in and a verification code was required.  The code would be received via our landline phone... When I expected the home phone to ring, there was nothing. :(  The phone line was dead.  

I had to cancel the log-in process and contact our phone company. (We had this same phone problem in July...) The internet was still working properly.  I scheduled a repair time for Tuesday... and they so conveniently gave a window of time from 8 am to 5 pm. Ugh.

We were due for a visit to the clinic for fasting bloodwork on Tuesday as well.  We arrived early (before the clinic opened) in hopes of avoiding a long wait.  We were too early and decided it was best to go at separate times since a repair tech was scheduled... at least now we knew the repair would be done between 8 am and noon.

Fast forward to today (phone is still working!) when I remembered that I still needed to get the monthly statements... Because I had abandoned the login attempt on Monday... I was locked out.  **HEAVY sigh** 

After nearly an hour of trying to get someone from the local bank on the phone for assistance... I did get logged in.  I was able to get the monthly statements and balance the accounts. Whew... 


I'm worn out... Do you need a refill of your coffee or tea?  How about another gingersnap cookie?

All of this to say... Remember the little blessings in life!  Do you remember when I started a blessings jar?

I have continued to fill it with the small blessings, sometimes considered ordinary blessings.

I was reminded today after a call from a friend that I haven't heard from in nearly a year, that life is not something to be taken for granted.  This is the same friend who had cleared out a large stash in 2023.  I am still using fabric that Pat gave me then!  That rainbow stripe flannel used as the backing of the RSC Korner Kabin quilt was from her. <3

She briefly mentioned that she has been facing some health issues and the news that from here forward, she is on a downward spiral.  She was reluctant to offer any further details.  But the conversation with her was a huge reminder to me that I need to be thankful for the little blessings.  

A few things I jotted down on small paper scraps... the changing of the seasons and the vibrancy of colors that come in Autumn... the scent of Dave as he lies on the pillow next to me at night... his gentle kisses and warm hugs... (this is something I am well aware of as my SIL grieves her husband today on his birthday - and their anniversary is just days away as well)... 

There's nothing like a little gratitude to change one's attitude!

How do you get your attitude changed?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!  I'll even get a refill... 

Oh, and by the way, here's a photo of the scrappy back of the Wild Goose Chase placemats. ;)  You can see a full view of the front of the pieces here. ;)


Keep Piecing,

Melva

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