Monday Meanderings 5 - 30 - 2022

May we remember our friends, neighbors and family who joined the military to help defend all of us. 

Credit: "Official photograph U.S.Navy

My dad, Robert A. Rowe served in the Navy for 30 years.  He was a member of the first Naval ROTC unit from the University of Southern California.  He did not graduate from USC because he went off to World War II. He served in the Korean and Viet Nam wars.  Luckily for my family he came home from all the wars. He retired in 1973 to live in California.  

Although Memorial Day is to remember those who died to keep America free, I thought I'd add this small tribute to my dad for his many years of service. 

Now on to my regular blog post. A whirl wind week is finished.  I'm hoping this week will be calmer and more sewing will get done.  Here's what was happening. 

• One day of recuperation from our weekend in Maryland. 
• A longer rehearsal for a concert and a concert for our neighborhood given by the Heritage Singers. 
• A day at the ballpark where the Spotsylvanians sang the Star Spangled Banner for the Fred Hats, a farm team of the Washington Nationals.  

  I'm the 3rd from the left in the back row. Yea, the one with the cap pulled down to keep the sun out of my eyes.  Pat is to my left.  

Ok, that doesn't sound all that busy but it did cut into my sewing time quite a bit. So how badly did it take time away?  Not as bad as it could have been.  Here's what I hoped to accomplish last week. 

5/23/2022

✅Make more blocks for Beth and Fran for FCQ Equilters - ready to be packaged up and get in the mail. 

✅Make some blocks for SAHRR better known as Feathered Star - almost a top.

✅Sash blocks on May UFO -- done and put in the to-be-quilted closet.

✖️Work on pyramid class project -- not even thought about! 

Not too bad.  So this week I want to finish these goals...

5/30/22

Finish SAHRR top — better known as Feathered Star

Work on pyramid class project

Begin working on June UFO challenge - quilt old doggy top 

Mail out blocks for FCQ Equilters and quilts to Hands 2 Help 

Quilt one of my quilts 

Not too long of a list this week.  If I have extra time I may start something new! OH MY! Actually I have a project that I played around with many weeks ago so it might come out instead of a new one.  But, don't hold your breath. 

Here's where the Feathered Star project stands now. 

I have 2 more Shoo Fly blocks cut out and ready to sew.  The top row is actually sewn together except for the corner blocks.  So, I need to sew the other three borders together and sew them all on to the quilt.  At that point I plan to leave it alone for a while.  I have quite a bit of white border before the Shoo Flys that I "could" do some appliqué.  I'll be making that decision eventually.  Part of me wants to just get the darn thing done but I might do a little machine appliqué.  But I'm not committing to it now! 

I'm so late getting this post written I'm going to call it done.  You know the drill.  Please check out these Linky parties to see what folks across the Internet are doing.

Monday Making 

Design Wall Monday

To Do Tuesday 

Wednesday Wait Loss 

Mid-Week Makers 

I was doing pretty well linking up posts after Wednesday last week and then *poof* I failed to link the Wednesday parties until a day or two late.  I'll try to be better this week. 

On this Memorial Day may you remember those who have fallen in service to the United States of America and those who have served and continue to serve. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie

Stats and Quilt Show Photos 1

Hum -- here it is the 26th and I haven't figured out my stats for April.  So, I sat down and added them up.  I made one quilt from start to finish, Synergy My Way. I quilted and bound two quilts, Bright Boxes and Glorified 9 Patch. I never add my fabric used until the top is quilted and bound.  It encourages me to finish my quilts rather than leave them as tops.  Finishing 3 quilts certainly has helped my stash busting statistics this month.  In fact, I used more fabric than I bought in April.  Here's what it looks like.

2022	Fabric In Month	Fabric In Year	Fabric Out  Month	Fabric Out Year	Total In or Out Year
April	13.125	49.625	18.875	52.75	5.75

I realized this is the first month this year where my year-to-date stats show more fabric used than brought in. Whopee! 

The following quilts are from the Faithful Circle Quilt Show last weekend.  These quilts were made for the charity challenge. Someone had donated a bunch of fabric to the guild. Everyone was given a bag of fabrics to use to make a quilt. These are just a few of the quilts turned in. I think I heard there were over 300 quilts made for Project Linus Quilts of Howard County.  Here are the ones I snapped pictures of. 

Cookie Cats by Lori Miller
 

Pretty Pastels by Nancy Meier

Rainbows by Stephanie Sanidas 

Tile Tangos by Janet O'Leary 

I'll be sharing more quilts over the next few weeks.  

Join me in checking out these Linky parties.  

Needle and Thread Thursday

Finished or Not Friday 

I've been fairly good about coming back and linking up posts.  Hopefully I'll get the last two done on Friday. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 5 - 23 - 2022

Great Weekend!  Pat and I went up to Maryland to attend and work at Faithful Circle Quilter's biennial quilt show.  It was suppose to happen in 2020, but you know what happened. Yep, canceled.  But a huge show was held this year.  I don't remember how many quilts there were but I registered mine close to the end and my highest number was 641.  I know mine weren't the last to come in -- I'm guessing more than 650 quilts were hung.  We spent part of Friday and all day Saturday enjoying and working at the show.  

Sunday we went to our daughter's house and had a fast lunch with the whole family. Afterwards, we all went to a local baseball field to watch the oldest grand play.  She made a hit in the first inning.  Yea! What you might not know is the whole weekend was swelteringly hot so we pretty much left immediately. The drive home wasn't too bad.  I just wished the gps didn't tell us it should only take 1 hr and 38 minutes when it almost always takes 2 and a half! We were hot and tired so no blogging was done until Monday. 

Up first is my goals list. Eh, not all that fabulous although there are a lot of check marks.  But further reading shows I barely got things done this week. 

5/16/22

✖️Sash blocks on May UFO no

✅Make Beth’s FCQ Equilter blocks I got some made but want to do more 

✅Make some blocks for SAHRR 1 done

✅Get 3 packages in the mail just 1 

✅Enjoy quilt show this weekend

I went off the rails, found a squirrel, got distracted.  Whatever you want to call it.  But I decided to make a couple of items to sell at the $10 and under table at the quilt show.  First I made a couple of luggage tags.

These designs are from Designs by JuJu. And, surprise, they are 40% off the rest of this month. Find them here.

And then, I decided I would make one of the key fob designs I have, also from Designs by JuJu.  

I embroidered two but the first one I didn't follow directions.  I forgot to run the entire design before I added the back.  Just look up quilt key fob on the Designs by JuJu and you'll find a nice selection of standard blocks. Surprise! They are on sale too. I may need to make some more of these -- they'd make nice retreat gifts.  

Here's what's on the list for this week. 

5/23/2022

Make more blocks for Beth and Fran for FCQ Equilterss

Make some blocks for SAHRR

Sash blocks for May UFO

Work on pyramid class project

Nothing new just trying to finish off a few projects. First priority is the May UFO.  While at the show I was able to nearly finish the last block -- I think I have half a hexagon to sew to the backing. You can see it laid out here. I'll get it done and then hopefully move on to sewing on the sashing.  My original plan is to not add borders but I'll reevaluate after I get the sashing done.  The best part of getting this one done is I actually have a backing fabric for it.  (Which is what I based my fabric selections on and I've had for 25 years or so!) 

I took lots of pictures at the quilt show so I'll be sharing them over the next few weeks. 

It's time to get this posted so you know the drill.  Spend some time checking out these great Linky parties. 

Oh Scrap

Monday Making 

Design Wall Monday 

To Do Tuesday 

Mid-Week Makers 

Wednesday Wait Loss

I doubt I'll get a lot done today -- maybe finish sewing the last hexagon down.  

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

A Forgotten Finish

Can you believe it?  I thought I had shared this finished quilt a few weeks ago but, nope.  I didn't share this one. The pattern is called Bright Boxes and used to be on Pattern Jam. I couldn't find it there today. 

I made the blocks as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge a couple of years ago.  It took me over a year to decide on the border as I didn't like the pattern's border. Here's my version of Bright Boxes. 

I'm not sure why I only made 9 colored blocks. In the center block I used one of each of the colors. 

I used a white So Fine thread and Classic Stipple for the quilting design.  

Do you recognize this backing?  I used it on another quilt that you can see here.  If you hang out with me you'll be seeing it again at least once over the next few weeks. I will still have enough left over fabric to do another smaller quilt.  I probably will use it on this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge is done.  

Check out that binding too!  I gathered bits and pieces of bright strips to make the binding.
 
Here's a final look at Bright Boxes.  I used 3.5" squares for the boxes and for border I used 3.5" unfinished half square triangles. Unfortunately, I like this quilt so much I really don't want to give it away.  I'm sure this one will be passed on to a charity soon. 

I'm going to link up with several Linky parties over the next few days.  Hopefully I'll remember to actually link up!  (I'm really early for a change.) 

Finished or Not Friday

Beauties Pageant

Scrap Happy Saturday

A note about my pictures.  Several weeks ago we took the quilt down to Nags Head with us planning some gorgeous beach pictures.  It didn't happen. The first day was beautiful and sunny but we had things to do so the quilt didn't come out until the next day.  Then the wind was blowing like crazy and it poured rain all day too.  So our lovely new couch in the beach house served as the backdrop for the photos.  Not the beach but maybe a little beach feel? 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 5 - 16 - 2022

This was a great week for getting most of my goals done.  Onne goal we were looking forward to fell apart.  Our Spotsylvanian's concert had to be canceled for Saturday and the rain date of Sunday. Bummer. By Thursday the powers that be canceled the concert.  Weather report was calling for 80% change of thunderstorms on Saturday and 60% percent on Sunday.  And, a big AND, a singer tested positive for Covid on Wednesday after our Monday rehearsal. Although we were all masked, between that and the possibility of rain it was safer to reschedule.  We've tested once and we were both negative.  We'll test again in a day or so but I expect we'll continue to be negative. Plus, both Pat and I have kept up with all the vaccines that have been offered. So, the up side is I had all day Saturday and Sunday to sew.

Here's what last week's goal list looked like. 

✅Make 4 blocks for May UFO - I made a bunch of blocks and am still hand stitching a hexagon block.  Here's the one I'm still working on.

This is called Sew South and was designed by Jennifer Mathis. It was part of The Splendid Sampler in 2015. 

✅Continue on pyramid class project - One more row was sewn but the triangles were not cut out.

✅Make Sherri’s BOM - finished.

✅Make more FCQ Equilter blocks for Fran; Start Beth’s. I've made about 8 blocks for Fran, some still need trimming.  I didn't start Beth's. 

✅Enjoy the Spotsylvanian’s Concert 😟 Bummer.  We can't make the rescheduled concert. 

5/16/22

Finish hand stitching Sew South 

Sash blocks for May UFO

Make Beth’s FCQ Equilter blocks

Make some blocks for SAHRR (yep, I've ignored it for a while.) 

Get 3 packages in the mail 

Keep working on the pyramid class project

Here are the rest of the blocks for the May UFO Challenge. 

Hum, that center one in the bottom row doesn't look like it fits with the rest.  I'll decide whether it stays or gets replaced. Or maybe it would be fine if it is turned or placed somewhere else. We'll see how the blocks are arranged this week and hopefully get their sashing on.  

This is a short post today.  I'm linking up with the parties listed below. Please take some time to visit some of them and do some surfing! 

Oh Scrap

Monday Making

Design Wall Monday 

To Do Tuesday

Mid-Week Makers

Wednesday Wait Loss 

I finally got my hummingbird feeder up Sunday.  Pat said a hummer visited while he was in the all weather room on the deck that day.  None visited while I was out there.  I hope they keep visiting. (And I get to see them.) 

Do you remember the nest we had in one of our trees? You can read about the nest here. After the mama Cardinal laid a few eggs something got to them.  One was found smashed on the steps coming from the deck.  A few days later several crows were hanging around the steps keeping an eye on the nest.  In the above picture the tree on the left is the holly where the nest was situated.  We do seem to have a couple of Robins who are not happy when we are outside so I bet they've got another nest under our deck. Last year they would squawk at me whenever I was in the backyard.  Hope their eggs/babies stay safe.  

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 5 - 9 - 2022

Weather -- it's been a mess for us.  It was lovely for the beginning of the week and then the rain came. And it poured, maybe 2" overnight.  Ugh.  I'm ready for more temperate weather and less rain.  I wish I could send the rain West where it is needed so badly. The weather looks dry until the weekend. OH no! (see below.) 

On to my goals this week: 

5/2/2022

✅Work on pyramid class project — I made at least one more row of the triangles -- but they aren't sewn together yet.

✅Start May’s UFO challenge — a small start, I know what I want to do next. 

✅Quilt something — customer quilt. 

✅Work on Christmas ornaments — I’ve started the first one. 

✅Make Spider Web blocks — 2 done.

Not bad.  

I spent most time this past week making miscellaneous blocks. Yep, not really on the goals list! Here are a couple I made to send FCQ Equilter, Fran.  They're from a video by  Jenny Dolan from Missouri Star Quilters with the directions. Her method works well unless you realize you are using way more fabric on the four corners than what is needed.  

I eventually cut my squares smaller to save some fabric.  I'll take more pictures before I mail them off to Fran.

For the May UFO challenge number 11 came up. That meant I pulled out a series of blocks I had made from the book The Anniversary Sampler Quilt by Donna Lynn Thomas.  Country Piecemakers used the book as a block of the month a few years ago.  I have 16 6" blocks done.  I'm hoping to get another 9 blocks made and then sash them. I picked a new sashing fabric from stash. I will be making blocks from other sources -- ones easier to make. I want to get this at least to top stage.  We'll see how far I get done this week with this project.  Surprisingly enough I actually have a backing for this project. 

Here's my goals list for this week.  I've got a rehearsal and the concert all day on Saturday so I won't have as much time to quilt this coming week. We're all rooting for no rain as it is at an outside amphitheater. Here's what I hope to do: 

5/9/22

Make 4 (or more) blocks for May UFO

Continue progress on pyramid class project

Make Sherri’s BOM

Make more FCQ Equilter blocks for Fran; Start Beth’s. 

Enjoy the Spotsylvanian’s Concert

Even though I hadn't put these on my list, I did make several dog toys to sell at $10 and Under table at Faithful Circle Quilters show. It's  May 19th through 21 in Columbia, Maryland.  If you want to read more about it click on the link above.  If you live close by I hope you'll try to come by.  We have over 600 quilts entered.  Lots of wonderful eye candy to see. 

There are empty water bottles tied into the fleece covering.  The dogs love the crinkling sound as they chase and play with the toy.  I was happy to use up several pieces of fleece I had.  I still have some smaller pieces -- anyone have any good ideas to use them up? 

I've spent a lot of time reading recently, mostly because I had a bunch of reserved digital books delivered over the last week.  Time to get them read and back to the library. 

Now it's time to link up with my Monday parties. 

Oh Scrap

Monday Making

Design Wall Monday

To Do Tuesday

Wait Loss Wednesday 

Mid Week Makers 

I did a great job linking up after Monday last week.  Let's see how I do this week.  Enjoy your surfing. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Hip! Hip! Hurray! A Finish

 From start to finish this quilt only took 1 and a half years, or 18 months.  That may not be fast to you but it is to me!  You can see the beginning in January, 2021.  I often finish a top and then throw it in the to-be-quilted closet until I can get a backing for it.  

It's about an inch too long as the bottom rests on the top of the mantle. 

Here's a closer view. The blocks were made with Accuquilt's Glorified 9 Patch die and makes a 9" block. The quilt is approximately 44 x 44". 

I ended up having tried two different borders. The one below was the first attempt with several other fabrics also being auditioned. I was able to pull this border out of stash but ugh, it really did nothing for the quilt.  Neither the green or the blue did anything either. 

During the October 2021 retreat I took the top out to a fabric store with Sharon, MB, and Nancy and we found this polka dot fabric that worked perfectly. The polka dots are on a ground of typeset words.

You'll be seeing this same fabric soon as I used it for one of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge tops too. I used a classic stipple that is built into the Quiltmagine  software. I tore the length of wide back in halve and loaded this quilt and another one one after another. Hopefully I'll be showing that one to you next Friday. 

And just to show off the rest of the quilt, check out this very cool backing fabric.  I bought this at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show in Feb. 2022.  It will be seen a couple more times as I have enough for 2 more of these smaller quilts with some left over to piece with too.  

This quilt will be living in my house for a while.  It fits nicely about the fireplace where I rotate quilts seasonally.  Although, it really doesn't go with the decor in the room.  I like how bright and fresh it looks so no worries there.  

Time to visit the Linky parties I link up with. Remember to spend some time surfing the various blogs represented here and don't forget to leave comments. 

Needle and Thread Thursday

Finished or Not Friday  

Beauties Pageant 

Enjoy your weekend.  

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 5 - 2 - 2022

 Tra La, It's May! The Lusty Month of May . . . . Do you know what musical these words are from?  We just saw it at a local theater. Hint -- it's a Lerner and Lowe musical. 2nd hint -- It started as a Broadway musical in 1960 starring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet.  3rd hint -- It is based on T. H. White's book The Once and Future King. It was also made into a movie.  Have you guessed it yet?  I will share the answer at the bottom of this post.  My folks had a record of the Broadway cast which we must have played frequently since I remembered most of the songs and words during the recent play.  Pat and I both enjoy musicals so we go to see them at our local theater fairly frequently. 

Moving right along to my goals.  YES! It was a great week for finishing goals this past week.  Here's the list and how many I finished. 

4/25/2022

✅ ✅ Quilt & Bind 2 Rainbow Scrap Challenges top -- both done! 

✅ Make a couple of dog toys -- 2 done, possibly 2 more to be done

✅ Make 3 RSC blocks in pink -- done waiting for May's color

✅ Finish improve top -- done (see below)

Work on Pyramid class project -- nothing, sigh!

I'll share the 2 RSC quilts during the next few weeks. I was so happy to get them finished.  The backing fabric was purchased in February.  I used half of it. So one more quilt will be done soon with enough left for another smaller quilt. 

Here are the last two RSC blocks in pink.

As I was making the top one I laid out the units incorrectly, see below.  Hum, I really like this block too.  Maybe another quilt will come from this design someday. 

Although it took me until Sunday to get most of these goals done, I am so happy to have all of them done especially the improv quilt top. It was also my UFO Challenge for April.  The top is awaiting quilting -- someday. I need to find a backing and I doubt I have enough of any fabric in my stash. 

When I finish all the fabrics I have for the dog toys I'll show them. It should be in the next week or so as I am taking them to Maryland for Faithful Circle Quilters' show May 19 - 21. They will be at the $10 and under table.  

Now let's see what is up for this week. 

5/2

Work on pyramid class project

Start May’s UFO challenge

Quilt something

Work on Christmas ornaments 

Make more Spider Web blocks

Although the list is the same length as last weeks I doubt if it will be as time consuming. Hopefully I'll make forward progress on all of those items. 

Ok, time for the Linky parties.

Oh Scrap

Design Wall Monday

Monday Making

To Do Tuesday 

Mid Week Makers

Wednesday Wait Loss

Yep, I'm adding a few more parties.  We'll see if I can remember to actually link up with all of them. 

And the musical is .....   Camelot! 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie