When You have Scraps...Make Quilts!

Haven't we all heard the saying... "When life gives you scraps, make QUILTS!" ???

Much like the turning lemons into lemonade saying... sometimes we simply have to accept what is and make the best of it.  Sweet prayer and meditation times have helped make life a little sweeter and has also helped to keep me focused and centered... SO

As we C O N T I N U E to wait on word regarding our two insurance issues (trying to transition to a more affordable health insurance and getting the requested records actually sent to the new company for review and trying to find out why there have not been a variety of preferred customer discounts applied to our homeowner's policy as has been the case for the past 5 years) last week I sought solace and thereapy as I cleaned my fabric closet.

While cleaning and sorting I uncovered two collections of pre-made units.  The pink/green 4-patch blocks were remnants from when a group of ladies made pin cushions for a women's retreat a few years ago.  With the small addition of pastel pink and green "frosted glass" fabrics I have the makings of a small throw.  It could be a quilt for a baby girl.

I didn't spend a great deal of time with the layout other than making sure the printed pink squares were all in a row.  The rest of it has a tossed confetti look.  

I don't think a border is necessary... I'll do a quick inventory of what might be a good backing for it and get it under the needle.  

I could use some "practice" with stippling... Do you have a different suggestion for the quilting?  Maybe something that could be featured in the solid 4" squares?

The second set are black & white two patch units that can easily become 4-patch blocks and were passed on to me by a fellow quilter that was down-sizing her stash. 😊

What would be a good pairing with these blocks to add a pop of color?  Just one color?  Or several... like primaries ~ red, blue and yellow?

I'll give it my best effort to have two finishes this week!

Other things coming up... A new block in the Pieces in the Garden Sew Along will be released on October 13... but there is still time to get your Noon & Night blocks pieced and linked up for a chance to win the prize package from Cornerstone Tea Co.

Don't forget about Sew & Tell!  Show off your recent projects or progress each week.  The link up is open Sunday evening through Friday evening...

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear your ideas for the 4-patch quilts.

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

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Sew & Tell ~ October 10, 2022

What a week!!!  While life's challenges continued to fly at me, I did accomplish a few things... the issues of my Mom's have been resolved.  I wish I could say the same for my personal ones.  *Sigh*  I feel like a poor cat who fell into a bucket of water... dripping wet and hanging onto the edge of the bucket hoping someone will step up and pull me out.  I'm actually laughing at this... because if I don't laugh... I'd be crying. 😉

My biggest frustration is that customer service does not seem to exist anymore.  😭  When you call you get an automated directory... or leave a message and no one returns the call.  At least the truck has FINALLY been repaired and it cost less than we expected.  Whew...  Now we can go camping and get refreshed a little.

I did have a sense of accomplishment and victory when the sourdough bread I made turned out very well.  It is light and airy (something that doesn't really happen with GF bread) and it doesn't just crumble and fall apart.  It made excellent garlic bread and toast... I will continue trying to keep the starter alive for future breads.

While sorting my fabric stash last week I located some fabric that I had thought was long gone.  As soon as I saw it, I knew that I would use it to make a special card to encourage my friend battling breast cancer.

One last thing to share... Last year I had purchased a subscription to The Flower Letters for Mom.  The Audrey Rose story is told through a series of 24 letters.  The story took place in the 1940s.  She really enjoyed it and she looked forward to "her" letter arriving every two weeks.  When the story was over I purchased another one that takes place in the "wild west" in the 1800s, Clara Lily.  Clara is a dressmaker and mail order bride and takes a train to Utah.  She designed her wedding dress and veil.  She includes the detail of the embroidered lace veil in a letter to her sister.  

Since we will be going camping again very soon, I thought I would stitch the veil design on some fabric to then become the center medallion of a table topper for her.  Here's the progress after one afternoon of binging Call the Midwife...  I'll set it aside and save it for another time.

All of last week's sew & tells were fabulous but I especially liked that Melisa was so inspired by the Camping Journal Quilt of ours that she started one of her own...

Linda's Indian Corn quilt is fabulous!  I love the fall colors. 🍂🍁

It's your turn now...  what are you bringing for Sew & Tell?

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

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Cleaning, Organizing and Processing

I successfully completed the items on last week's list AND reorganized my fabric closet.

Halloween Quilt - DONE

Mug Rugs - DONE

Life's road has had some annoying bumps and they seem to have caught up with me... issues with health insurance and medical records, an 80% increase in homeowner's insurance, problems with the 4-wheel drive on our truck (and the shop having it for 5 days, yet they still had not even looked at) and trying to communicate with a representative about our phone/internet speed and our and issues with it dropping... My mom needs assistance with a phone call to get a refund on an item that had been returned and her email wasn't working on her tablet... again.  Ugh!

This mug rug helped me to remember that all of these things are temporary, and I reflected on the message of "do not worry" as I cleaned and sorted my fabric closet.  You see, when I get frustrated and upset, I clean.

I can't explain my reasoning behind it, but I do know it makes me feel better.  Perhaps it is because when I clean, I burn off some energy and it is something I have control of and can see the progress and control the outcome.  Nonetheless, it makes me feel better!

You will see in the video compiled of snapshots of the progress, I had a HUGE mess on the shelves... colors were intermingled, and fabric was falling off of the shelves as well as through the wires.

When everything had been sorted and placed back in place, I felt like I had a small piece of life back in order and am ready to continue tackling the tasks above as well as any creative endeavors that I might find this week.

You see... I don't have any pressing matters or projects in the midst.  

My daughter gave me a gluten-free sourdough starter and I decided that with the cooler temps of autumn coming now was a good time to activate it.  Getting it started is a little like having one of those "Giga-pet" gadgets from the 1990s.  LOL!  You have to feed it, stir it and let it sit for 4 hours.  You then repeat that step several times, and eventually leave it alone for 12-24 hours.  

And finding something to do with the "discarded" starter until it is fully activated is an issue all by itself!  I had no idea it would be so difficult.  I've had to make my own gf flour blend and I'm still not certain the starter is coming alive.  I don't see any sign of activity, bubbling or fermentation.  Hmmm... Maybe this starter falls into the same category of growing plants for me... A total fail.  

I won't let it get me down... I will continue to chip away at my tasks of life as I seek solace in the studio in between cleaning and baking (using discarded starter) I think some quick breads, muffins or pancakes may be needed... as well as some cookies!  

Do you have any sourdough tips?  

Leave a comment... I think I could use all of the tips you have!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

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Sew & Tell ~ Halloween Finish

I have been enjoying all of the show & tell links!  You all are some pretty spectacular participants!

Sara at My Sewing Room showed us a fun Halloween wall hanging in progress...

Maggie at Making a Lather showed the progress on a Rainbow heart that is part of a group project...

With my finish of the Halloween quilt for my customer it was time for a photo shoot!  With the autumn colors ramping up I took full advantage of our maple trees "showing their true colors."  

The backing is pieced... thanks to the fact that the local walmart has reduced their fabric selection and carries mostly pre-cut lengths of fabric, especially seasonal fabrics such as Halloween... so I made the best of the situation and chose some fun fabrics...

Quilted with large hanging diamonds, and bound with a scrappy, spooky binding, it was a wrap!

Which means that it was time to turn my attention to some improv mug rugs/hand-sewn hello postcards.

The request was to have a Fishers Peak scene with a cross... I added a flower to one and a bird to the other... along with a scripture quote.

During my search for "the perfect fabrics" to be used in these hand-sewn hello mug rugs, I realized just how much of a mess I have in my fabric closet!  

I'd share a picture, but I am embarrassed to show right now... I'll be sure to include one for a before and after comparison though.  

What sort of sorting/storage system do you have for your stash?

How often do you reorganize?  

Do you put everything away (in its proper place) when you are done?  

Or are you more like me... toss in a pile wherever it might fit, and call it good?

Leave a comment... I want to hear your tips!

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

Teatime with TT & Heather

Welcome to teatime with TT... Tressie Teegarden.  Today, great-granddaughter, Heather, shares the memories that stand out the most in her mind.  Her top three are as follows:

The box of chocolates on top of the fridge... 

This is a popular memory!  Karri recalled the chocolate box as holding some shells that were used to serve appetizers.

Heather remembers that before these boxes were "repurposed" they were on top of their refrigerator.  It was an older (and shorter) fridge, and she was able to reach up and get the box to choose the chocolate of her choice as a near teen. 

The orange tree in the backyard...

The oranges were plentiful when we would visit in March during spring breaks!  They were easily reachable by the girls, and it was hard to deny them a snack when they requested a healthy snack such as this. 

Teatime... 

TT loved teatime, especially on her patio.  If there were ripe oranges on the tree, they would pick one and enjoy... To be honest though, I'm not sure that she loved the tea more than the "excuse" to have a sweet treat or snack.  I have mentioned before that she had a sweet tooth!  Thus, the box of chocolates that was always on top of the fridge.  And Grandpa was just as bad as Grandma with the sweet tooth. 

Grandma would sometimes enjoy teatime with a few of her china painting friends.  And if they brought a yummy treat to share she would ask for the recipe.  Here's one that she passed on to me, knowing that we had a garden and an abundance of zucchini.

Tressie's handwriting was sometimes hard to read... To save you the time of deciphering exactly what the recipe calls for.

Zucchini Bread ~ Chocolate

makes 2 loaves

3 eggs

1 cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups sugar (can cut to 1-1/2 cup)

Beat these ingredients together.

Add 2 squares (baking) chocolate (melted) or 6 tablespoons cocoa

2 cups grated zucchini

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup chopped nuts

Bake at 350° for 1 hour.

Store in refrigerator 

You may recall the mention of TT and her wanderlust as well as her interest in the Royal Family.  With the recent passing of the Queen, I saw an ad for a collectible doll in the likeness of and in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.  My girls and I laughed as we recalled Grandma T's large doll collection (that they helped pack in the big move from Tucson to Colorado) and all three of us feel confident that she would have certainly brought this doll home with her.

Speaking of home... have you started your Noon & Night (log cabin) blocks?  Because of the many moves that Forrest & Tressie had during their life, I thought that a row of little houses was needed.

This BONUS block makes a 3-1/2" block, and you will need 16 to complete the row.

Grab the free pattern and get sewing!  You will find these blocks are beginner friendly, easy to make and come together quickly.

And when you are done with these head over to the Noon & Night story and share a link to your photo of your finished blocks!  Oh, and then celebrate by taking advantage of the 15% discount at Cornerstone Tea Company by using HOME as the code at checkout. (Discount code valid thru October 12)

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Checking Off on the To-do List

Thank goodness I have to-do lists... if not for them I might forget what I am supposed to be doing and what is next!

✔ One row needs to be photographed and two patterns need to be finalized.

✔ I'll be writing another Teatime with Tressie memory - DONE!  Watch for it on Thursday.  This one includes another sweet recipe.

Three outta four ain't bad, right?  Haha!  I didn't get the photos done (yet) and may not since I finalized the bonus pattern and Teatime story that is being released on Thursday.  

I strive for perfection and consistency throughout life, but sometimes I let little things slide... like the photo session of the bonus block.  I have all of the pertinent info and photos in the pattern... it will just look a little less fancy with no purple velvet background. I'm not even beating myself up about it! lol... I am a recovering perfectionist and will not apologize for this slip.

✔   Custom Halloween quilt is under the needle now!  I did a quick story on Friday to show the flimsy finish before we ran off to spend some time in the mountains enjoying the start of the changing leaves.

As I look forward...

I will finish the Halloween quilt and get it ready to deliver to my customer.

I have an order for two small Hand-sewn Hello mug rugs.  This order comes at a perfect time since I have been craving some improv creative time in the studio.  While I am at it, I will probably make a few extra to have on hand to send to a sweet lady from time to time.  She has recently been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer and has a rough road ahead of her as she begins the battle to beat the disease with 12 weeks of chemo.  Any and all prayers on her behalf would be welcomed and appreciated. 

For my to-do lists I simply use a regular notebook and scribble out my thoughts, ideas and plans... and I have a spreadsheet that I use for the sew alongs.  But I have given some thought to one of the planners designed for quilters.  And then I wonder if I would actually use it... and would it be worth it?  Some of them seem rather pricey.

Do you have and use a planner to track your To-do lists?  

What is YOUR method for staying on task?

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Sew & Tell ~ September 26, 2022

It's a short one today... 

I got the Halloween quilt top ready on Friday... just before we left and unplugged. 

Here's what we did and looked at all weekend. 🍂🍁🍂  It's a rough life... but, hey, somebody's gotta do it! 😂

Gadget Gail, um, Quilting Gail showed us her quilt using multiple gadgets..

And Melisa showed her adorable Santa gnomes...

Time for your turn... Sew & Tell ❤

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

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